The 5 Top Things To Do In New York City

The grand city of New York is undoubtedly one of the most enthralling, unique places in the entire world. Even if you visit the city several times each year, you still won't see everything the Big Apple has to offer. Because there are so many fun and interesting tourist attractions, choosing the best ones is often a difficult task for tourists, especially those who are only visiting for a few days. But to help make the process a bit easier for you, here are five of the top things to do in New York City:

1. Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island is a place that will remain in the hearts of many forever as it was here that countless immigrants entered the country in search of freedom and a better way of life. When visiting the island, be sure to look through the registry book to see if you recognize any of your ancestor's surnames. On Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty awaits, you will be amazed by this impressive structure that was once a gift from the French. Although you may have seen pictures of the statue or seen her in movies, nothing compares to seeing Lady Liberty in all her true glory. Take the ferry to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island, which departs from the city as well as from New Jersey, for a fee of $12. Tickets sell out fast here, so as soon as you arrive in the city you may want to buy yours in advance from either right where the ferry departs or online. If you plan on going up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, be aware that you'll need a ticket for that, which also sells rather fast.

2. Famous Times Square

Unless you're intent on buying souvenirs, it won't cost you a thing to explore exciting Times Square, one of the most visited spots in New York City, where the country watches the ball drop every New Year's Eve. Pay a visit to the tourist center located on 7th Avenue near 46th Street for information about where to dine, the best places to shop, and of course, for buying tickets to any of the Broadway shows.

3. Beautiful Central Park

There is so much to do in the park alone, and so much to see. One of the best parts of Central Park is Strawberry Fields. This is the monument area set up to honor the late John Lennon. It's across from the Dakota, the New York City apartment building where Lennon was assassinated. The site itself is a beautiful stone circle set in the ground and it says "Imagine" which was the name of one of Lennon's biggest hits. Central Park also has a zoo and a giant carousel. Except for the zoo and the carousel, the rest of Central Park is free of charge. The park is huge, and you can easily spend a day exploring everything the park has to offer.

4. Ellen's Stardust Diner

The 1950s style restaurant, Ellen's Stardust Diner, is conveniently situated near Broadway and 51st Street, which is close to Times Square, making it a great place to stop and enjoy a delicious meal while sightseeing in the big city. Besides the good food, which is a bit pricey but not unreasonable, the atmosphere is fun for both children and adults. Waiters and waitresses serenade patrons with Broadway show tunes from well known musicals and the restaurant's upper seating section offers an ideal view of the whole dining area. Although reservations aren't needed, the place is quite popular so plan on waiting in line some evenings.

5. The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is the tallest building in the city and the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. Definitely a site to see. At the top they have look out points and binoculars to use. You can see all of the surrounding states on a beautiful clear day. During the Christmas season, the lights at the top of the building are red and green. They put up different themed lights for various holidays throughout the year. This building is one of the most famous buildings in the world and it is featured in many classic movies. The cost of admission is currently $19 for adults. If you have a military ID you get $2 off the cost of admission. Some entertainment coupon books and AAA have discount coupons as well. Tickets can be bought in the lobby the day you plan on going. Thousands of people visit the Empire State Building every day so plan accordingly.

This list of fun and exciting things to do in New York City is just the very tip of the iceberg as after all, the Big Apple is also known as, "The City That Never Sleeps." But hopefully, with this list as a starting point you will be able to see some of New York City's very best tourist attractions and have the perfect time exploring its countless wonders.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Want to find out more about the top things to do in New York City? Visit my blog for information on famous restaurants in New York and New York day tours.

by: Alicia Cooke

Total views: 6 Word Count: 857 Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 Time: 1:17 PM - 2 comments

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