There are a few cities in the world that have a very special flair and whose names immediately pop up breathtaking images in our mind’s eye. New York City is definitely one of them. The epitome of the “American Dream”, a pulsating metropolis – packed full of highlights and adventures.
For many people it is a lifelong dream to stroll down Broadway or see the Statue of Liberty and the many other sights with your own eyes. Make this dream come true and experience the incomparable magic of the Big Apple up close.
In the following we present you the most exciting tours, the most beautiful attractions and the best sights in New York.
1. Statue of Liberty
Like hardly any other monument, the Statue of Liberty embodies the American Dream and the longing for justice and freedom. In addition, it is also a widely photographed landmark of the city with a high recognition value and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Few people know that it was created by a French sculptor and that it was a gift from the French people to the American nation. Today it is the most important attraction in New York.
With a total height of almost 100 meters, it is one of the tallest statues in the world. A climb inside the Statue of Liberty will crown your visit and reward you with a wonderful view of the surrounding area. We recommend combining a visit to the Statue of Liberty with a tour of Liberty Island. Also make a detour to Ellis Island. For a long time, this island was the seat of the immigration authorities and a contact point for immigrants to the USA.
Tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty are usually also available at short notice. However, if you would like to visit the Statue of Liberty (“Crown Access”), you need to register several months in advance. For more information on the statue and how to buy the tickets, see our article on the Statue of Liberty .
2. Times Square – the beating heart of the city
Lively Times Square between Seventh Avenue and Broadway is the center of New York’s theater district. There is always something going on. Over 40 theaters, cafés, fast food, but also posh restaurants or multiplex cinemas guarantee an intense big city experience. Times Square is teeming with people at any time of the day or night. Times Square is particularly impressive at night.
The neon signs and billboards then shine twice as intensely, so that a visit becomes an intoxicating feast for all the senses. Since reopening with a new street system, Broadway has become a pedestrian zone in the Times Square area. Stroll down the street and enjoy the feeling of being in the “Center of the Universe” – that’s the nickname of Times Square. The Times Squre is one of the sights that every tourist should experience at least once.
3. Central Park – New York’s green lungs
If you are looking for some distance from the hustle and bustle of the big city after all the overwhelming impressions and breathtaking highlights, you will find relaxation and tranquility in the extensive Central Park. The park is over four kilometers long and almost 900 meters wide, beautifully landscaped lakes, extensive green areas and varied walks invite you to relax and unwind.
There are numerous luxury hotels and museums around the park, including the famous American Museum of Natural History. A visit to the Central Park Zoo is a great experience for young and old. In the petting zoo, children can come into close contact with sheep, goats and other animals.
4. Chinatown – a trip to a strange world
A tourist must for every New York tourist is the exotic Chinatown. The Chinese city is the largest in the USA and the political and cultural center of this ethnic group. Almost 150,000 Chinese or people of Chinese descent live and work here. Around Canal Street and Mott Street there are countless shops where you can buy Asian spices and groceries and immerse yourself in an exotic world.
It goes without saying that the Rolex, which the dealer offers you at a ridiculous price, is not a branded product. In return, you can eat well and inexpensively in Chinatown. Connoisseurs are convinced that nowhere else in the world can you dine as cheaply and authentically Chinese as in New York.
5. Shopping and culture on Fifth Avenue
For fashionistas and the fashion-conscious, a stroll down Fifth Avenue is one of the absolute highlights and the best sights of a visit to New York. From 50th to 59th Street, upscale boutiques, famous department stores and New York attractions are lined up side by side. While you have to dig deep into your pockets at Tiffany’s, shops like Nike Town or the NBA Store are more interesting for average earners. The New York branch of the Japanese posh department store Takashimaya offers first-class quality.
Between 82nd and 104th Street, the Museum Mile, there are numerous important and world-famous museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art with its holdings of over three million works is one of the largest museums in the world. In the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, those interested can get a comprehensive overview of modern painting.
6. Empire State Building – above the clouds
The Empire State Building is right on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. It is probably the most famous skyscraper in the city and you have probably seen its striking silhouette in many photos or in numerous films. “King Kong and the White Woman”, “Independence Day” and “The Day After” are just a few of the many films in which the skyscraper plays an important role.
The Art Deco building was the highest in the world at around 440 meters until 1972. It is still one of the most famous sights in New York. From the first viewing platform at a height of 320 meters you have a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding region. Even the ride in the high-speed elevator is an impressive experience.
7. Rockefeller Center – a city of its own
228 houses had to give way to make room for the Rockefeller Center, a complex of 20 buildings, 19 of which were high-rise buildings. This is where offices, shops, gardens, TV stations, Radio City Music Hall and much more are located. The complex has become known for its large area inside, which is used as a café in summer and as an ice rink in winter.
The striking gold-colored Prometheus statue in the foreground of the building is an often photographed subject and the main attraction of the Lower Plaza. It formed and still forms the background for concerts, ice skating shows and special celebrations.
