Sights
Statue of Liberty
One of New York's most famous sights. Lady Liberty was a gift from the French, commemorating the American Revolution. The statue was unveiled on October 28. Height: 305 feet (93 m). 354 steps lead from the entrance to the crown. The seven rays of Lady Liberty's crown represent the seven seas and seven continents. The pedestal is set within the walls of an army fort. There are 25 windows in the crown, which symbolize 25 gemstones found on the earth.
Transportation: Ferries depart from Battery Park every 30 minutes, from 9:30am-3:30pm during the summer months (winter hours vary)
Empire State Building Observatory
Take in panoramic vistas of New York City from its highest viewing point, the Empire State Building Observatory. Whether on a clear day or a starry night, this stop is a must for any visitor. To avoid long waits, get there either very early or very late; the Observatory is open from 8am to 2am, seven days a week.
Address: 350 Fifth Ave. (bet. W. 33rd and W. 34th Sts.)
Ellis Island
During the period from 1892 to 1954, nearly twelve million people entered the United States through the gates at Ellis Island. Forty percent of the population of America can trace their roots to an ancestor who passed through Ellis Island. In fact, at least seventy percent of all immigrants who came to America came through the New York port.
Transportation: Ferries depart from Battery Park every 30 minutes, from 9:30am-3:30pm during the summer months (winter hours vary)
China Town
East of Center Street, south of Canal Street. Over 80,000 Asian Americans who trace their roots back to the East call Chinatown their home. The neighborhood is known for its excellent food, but its highlight is the Eastern States Buddhist Temple at 64b Mott Street. Inside the Temple, visitors will be delighted by the sight of 100 golden Buddhas shimmering in the candlelight. The frequent festivals and parades, as well as the galleries and curio shops create a celebration of Chinese culture every day of the year.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center features an outdoor cafe, the sloping Channel Garden, and a skating rink. Each Christmas season, the world's largest decorated tree sits next to the skating rink. Beneath Rockefeller Center are shops, from the FDNY Fire Zone store and museum to Swarovski, and restaurants. The three 360-degree-view observation decks at Top of the Rock showcase the City’s spectacular skyline.
Address: Central Park West (8th Avenue) at 79th Street
Central Park
Central Park is a large public, urban park in the heart of New York City. It contains several lakes and ponds, extensive walking tracks, two ice-skating rinks (one of which is a swimming pool in July and August), the Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Conservatory Garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a large area of natural woods, a reservoir with an encircling running track, and the outdoor Delacorte Theater which hosts the "Shakespeare in the Park" summer festivals. The park also boasts restaurants, including the world famous Tavern on the Green and the scenic Boathouse Restaurant on the Lake.
The Park stretches from Central Park South (59th St.) to 110th St. at the northern end and from 5th Ave. on the East Side to Central Park West (8th Ave.) on the West Side. Its hours of operation are from 6:00 am until 1:00 am.
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
A Circle Line cruise is a relaxing and fun way to see the world’s most famous skyline.
Address: Pier 83 West 42nd Street
phone: (212) 563-3200
NY SKYRIDE
With this unique flight simulator, guests “fly over” 30 of the city’s most spectacular sights—all from the second floor of the Empire State Building.
Address: 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 324 (5 Av/34 St)
phone: 212-279-9777
South Street Seaport
Pier 17’s shopping and dining attracts visitors and Financial District professionals alike.
Address; 19 Fulton St. 2nd fl. (Fulton/South)
Beyond Times Square
Experienced guides take guests by car, foot, bike and subway to see the City that exists beyond the usual tourist haunts. The company features tours of the landmarks, food and art of New York, among others.
phone: (212) 564-1001
Gray Line New York Sightseeing
Gray Line offers a wide range of City sightseeing tours using double-decker buses, nostalgic trolleys and deluxe motor coaches. Their All Loops Tour includes unlimited hop-on, hop-off fun at more than 50 stops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn for 48 hours.
phone: 212-445-0848
Helicopter Flight Services
Address: Downtown Manhattan Heliport Pier 6, (South Street) & East River. phone: (212) 355-0801
Liberty Helicopters
Address: VIP Heliport, 30th St. and West Side Hwy.
phone: 212-967-2099
Manhattan Helicopters
Address: Pier 17 South Street Seaport
phone: (212) 845-9822
Harlem Spirituals/New York Visions
Packages and tours that include the Harlem Spirituals gospel tour, an evening jazz tour and the African American heritage tour. New York Visions tours will take you off the beaten path to introduce the multiethnic neighborhoods of Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Address: 690 Eighth Ave., 2nd fl (bet. 43rd and 44th Sts.)
phone: 212-391-0900
Horse & Carriage Association of New York
One of the most charming ways to see the most famous park in the world.
Address: 522 West 45 Street (59 St/5 Av)
phone: 718-606-5557
Rent A Local
Rent-A-Local provides visitors with a personalized tour for groups of up to five people.
phone: (646) 688-5529
Bike the Big Apple
Bike the Big Apple provides excellent bike tours of NYC’s diverse neighborhoods. Traverse bridges, wind through parks, cruise waterfront bike paths and explore NYC on and off the beaten trail.
phone: 201-837-1133
Official NYC Information Center
Touch-screen FAQ stations that direct you to top NYC attractions in 10 languages. Giant interactive tables where you can explore restaurants, shops, museums and more on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis to create a personalized itinerary.
810 Seventh Ave. (bet. 52nd and 53rd Sts.) North of Times Square
phone: 212-484-1222
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8:30am–6pm, Sat.–Sun. 9am–5pm and holidays 9am–3pm
