The city of New York sees more than 65 million people come through its doors each year, making it a top travel destination around the world. The city boasts attractions from the bright lights of Times Square to the quiet paths in Central Park, among many others. That said, just because a destination is popular, it does not mean it should be on the must-see list.
The following is a list of the top ten most visited attractions in New York City, taking into consideration visitor numbers, ticket prices, and a local’s opinion on whether each of them is worth being on the itinerary.
Statue of Liberty – 3 Million Visitors
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France and welcomes about three million visitors each year. The statue was created with the involvement of Gustave Eiffel and has become one of the most famous landmarks in the USA.
Nonetheless, visiting the statue in person does not seem to be such a great experience because of the statue’s enormity. Thus, it might be better to see it from under the water or from the deck of a boat rather than taking up close tickets for $25.
9/11 Museum – 3.5 Million Visitors
The 9/11 Museum has over 3.5 million visitors every year. The ticket price is about $36. The 9/11 museum showcases objects, stories, and information connected to the event of September 11.
While visiting could be a challenging emotional experience, it still has immense importance in understanding how this event influenced New York City and the world.
Empire State Building – 4 Million Visitors
Finished in 1931 during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for 40 years to come. The Empire State Building attracts millions of visitors every year with its two observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors. The price of the ticket is approximately $44.
Despite being a famous building, its views may not be the best from all the locations possible, as the Top of the Rock offers an even more panoramic view of Manhattan, as one can see the building from there.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5.5 Million Visitors
Established in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply, the Met, is a modern art institution with a collection that encompasses almost 5,000 years of history.
At this museum, tourists can see a mix of exhibits including Egyptian artifacts and a reproduction of an original Egyptian temple. The Met includes two sites with one being the main museum building and the other Metropolitan Cloisters in Manhattan’s upper west side.
9/11 Memorial – More than 6 million visitors
Unlike the museum, the 9/11 Memorial is completely free to visit. Its reflective pools are where Twin Towers once stood. Around these pools are walls announcing the names of people who lost their lives during the attack.
This is a great place to honor the individuals who died in this unfortunate event.
Broadway – 12 million visitors
Every year Broadway welcomes nearly 12 million spectators interested in some form of theater. The prices of the tickets vary greatly but one can buy a ticket for as low as $39 or up to several hundred dollars depending on what play is on.
The most popular shows include Michael Jackson the Musical, Wicked, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, and Moulin.
Grand Central Terminal – 21 Million Visitors
Constructed in 1913, Grand Central Terminal is known as a chief transport center as well as a symbol of amazing architecture. The starry ceiling, clock, and the world-famous Whispering Gallery are the features of Grand Central.
Visitors can also enjoy cafes and the state-of-the-art Campbell bar. About an hour is sufficient for seeing the Building to be able to transfer to the other attractions further.
Brooklyn Bridge – 42 Million Vehicle Crossings
Finished being built in 1883, Brooklyn Bridge was the biggest suspension bridge in the world at the moment. Nowadays, it is also one of the most famous landmarks of the city, where millions of tourists walk through each year.
Interesting to note, the circus leader P. T. Barnum made 21 elephants and 17 camels step on Brooklyn Bridge in 1884 to prove its reliability.
Visitors can walk, cycle, or use a taxi to cross the bridge and have fabulous views and make great photos on the way.
Central Park – 42 Million Tourists
Spanning 843 acres, Central Park gives visitors respite from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park boasts paths winding through the park, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, the Great Lawn, summer events, and the Central Park Zoo.
Times Square – Over 50 Million Tourists
With more than 50 million tourist arrivals annually, Times Square occupies the first place on our list. Originally called Longacre Square, the place was renamed in 1904, when The New York Times settled there.
Today, the area is known for its electronic billboards, bright spots, and Broadway atmosphere. It seems to be heavily commercialized, with lots of fast-food establishments and souvenir shops.
A whack visit, a Broadwai showand some photographs may suffice for many travelers.
New York City’s most visited attractions are quite diverse in their disposition. While Times Square induces the largest crowds, destinations like Central Park, the Met, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the 9/11 Memorial are worthy of more than just a short visit to appreciate.
Ultimately, it is better to follow an itinerary that does not necessarily rely on the well-touted sites, such an itinerary is one that favors the attractions that make a visit to New York City truly memorable.
