Visit New York
New York--the Empire State--there’s no place in the world like it. When you think of New York, you undoubtedly think of its namesake city. The most populous city in the United States, New York City houses more than 8 million people. The city is a hub for global finance, commerce, media, fashion, and culture.
Most tourists know about Manhattan, the heart of “the Big Apple”, but there are actually five distinct boroughs that make up New York City. In addition to Manhattan, the boroughs include the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. There is so much to do and see across New York City, it’s no wonder it’s known as “the city that never sleeps”.
Beyond New York City, there is so much to do and see in the state of New York, from the towering waters of Niagara Falls, to the wilderness of the Adirondack mountains, to the sprawling vineyards of the Finger Lakes and beautiful beaches of the Hamptons. See below for the best places to check out across the state, both inside and outside of New York City.
Best Places to Visit in New York
New York City
New York City is an astonishing travel destination, whether you’re looking for excitement, romance, relaxation, or sightseeing. Manhattan, a roughly 23 square mile island bounded by the Hudson and East Rivers, is the most well-known borough and the heart of the city. It houses iconic sites such as the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, Times Square, and many more. The other boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx each offer their own unique personalities to the city that is known as the quintessential melting pot of nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities.
Visitors can spend weeks touring New York City and never run out of things to do. Top attractions include:
Central Park: One of the most filmed locations in the world, this 1.3 square-mile park is an oasis from the “concrete jungle.”
Times Square: This neon-lit Midtown Manhattan area is the entertainment capital of the world, home to the Broadway Theater District and numerous music halls, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
Rockefeller Center: A large commercial complex in Midtown consisting of world-famous sights such as Radio City Music Hall, the Top of the Rock observatory, and the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
One World Trade Center: The main feature of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, One World Trade is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
The Statue of Liberty: A universal symbol of freedom and democracy, Lady Liberty stands more than 300 feet tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
Brooklyn Bridge: The world’s first steel wire suspension bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge is a staple of the NYC skyline, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River.
Cities in New York
Albany: The state’s capital is also the oldest continuous settlement in the original 13 English colonies.
Rochester: Located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, this city in the Finger Lakes region is known as the World’s Image Center because of the Eastman Kodak camera company that was founded there.
Syracuse: This popular college town in Central New York is home to Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry.
Buffalo: The second largest city in New York is a major gateway for commerce and travel with Canada. Visit Anchor Bar, the birthplace of an American classic: buffalo wings.
New York State and National Parks
Erie Canalway: Visit America’s most famous man-made waterway. Discover more than 500 miles of historic waterways and trails that run past distinctive locks and low bridges.
Fire Island National Seashore: A 26-mile stretch of this barrier island is protected land, where you can enjoy diverse wildlife, sand dunes, and ancient maritime forests.
Appalachian Trail: 90 miles of the longest hiking trail in the world are located within New York State.
Popular Tourist Attractions
Long Island: Just outside of New York City, this island features beautiful beaches, award-winning vineyards and lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Niagara Falls: These vast scenic waterfalls straddle the U.S. and Canadian border in Northwestern New York State.
Adirondacks: This region of mountains, pine forests and lakes includes the well-known Lake George, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake.
Coney Island: Located in Brooklyn, this fun-filled beach and theme park draws locals and tourists alike each summer.
Things to Do
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