subject: Things to Do in New York, Top 10 Reasons to Visit NYC by CheapOair by:Annie Jones [print this page] CheapOair has carefully selected the top 10 reasons to visit the "Big Apple"
1. The Brooklyn Bridge
Flights to New YorkThe Brooklyn Bridge is a scientific marvel and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. The Brooklyn Bridge stretches 5,989 feet over the East River and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Inaugurated in 1883, it is a treasured landmark of the city, colorfully illuminated at night to highlight the architectural towers and hangings. The pedestrian walkway from which visitors can savor both Manhattan and Brooklyn adds to the charm of this beautiful structure.
2. Times Square
Times Square is a major intersection in Manhattan, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. Though it's just an intersection, with time it has achieved an iconic status, primarily because of the activity, flashing advertisements and huge billboards that represent the city's growth.
Sometimes known as the "Crossroads of the World", Times Square has achieved the status of a world landmark and has become a symbol of this grand city. Times Square is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop, witnessed by huge number of visitors.
3. The Statue of Liberty
Flights to New YorkSculpted by master artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and modeled on the Colossus of Rhodes, the statue was donated by the people of France in 1886 to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution.
Standing on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, it welcomes visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans traveling by ship.
The statue is of a robed woman holding a torch and is made of a sheeting of pure copper, hung on a framework of steel with the exception of the flame of the torch, which is coated in gold leaf.
The National monument has become a true representation of the city.
4. Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings. It is the largest privately held complex of its kind in the world and has become an international symbol of modern architectural style.
Radio City Music Hall is one of the most popular tourist venues in the city and has hosted multiple awards shows such as the Grammies, the Emmys and the MTV Music Awards.
Rockefeller Ice Rink with the golden statue of Prometheus at its head hosts various sporting activities. Within the complex, you'll find dining, architecture, music sightseeing galore.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World stands 436ft high.
It stood as the world's tallest building for more than forty years, from its completion in 1931 until construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1972. However after the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York City and New York State.
The building has been immortalized in many films - most famously the classic King Kong.
The observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offer magnificent views of the city.
5. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a 16.3 acre complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City. The Center is home to 12 resident arts organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, The New York City Opera and New York City Ballet.
Some of the premier events to take place at this venue are, American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center.
No tour to New York can be complete without witnessing a performance at Lincoln Center.
6. Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The museum has played a key role in developing and collecting modernist art and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world.
It is home to works of same great artists Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Max Beckman, Ansel Adams and Kiki Smith, to name a few.
The collection at the museum offers an unparalleled overview of modern and contemporary art and includes works of architecture and design, sculpture, photography, prints, illustrated books and artist's books etc.
7. Central Park
One of the historic landmarks of the city, Central Park is a large public, urban park in the heart of New York City and is host to approximately twenty-five million visitors each year. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vau, much of the park appears natural, but in fact has been meticulously landscaped.
The park boasts of natural-looking lakes and ponds, extensive walking paths, ice-skating rinks, 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.
8. Broadway
Broadway, as the name suggests is a wide avenue in New York City which runs the full length of Manhattan and continues into the Bronx. A stretch of Broadway is famous as the pinnacle of the American theater industry.
While on vacation, going to the theater, is one of the most popular tourist events and attractions. Broadway gives you a perfect opportunity to experience the city through blockbuster musicals and intense drama and comedy. It plays to host to several popular shows, like The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and A Chorus Line.
9. Grand Central Station
Grand Central is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms, 44, with 67 tracks along them. Although the terminal has been properly called "Grand Central Terminal" since 1913, many people continue to refer to it as "Grand Central Station".
It's one of New York's most famous and loved landmarks, primarily due to its magnificent architecture and striking ambiance, anchored by enormous windows and the refurbished ceiling.
Besides this, the station has several restaurants and about fifty specialty shops.
Like most of the great world cities, New York has an abundance of great attractions. Unfortunately, we can't list all of them. The list above provides a sampling of what to expect when visiting "The Big Apple". Take a bite out of this extraordinary city, book flights to New York today, so you can unearth more treasures and famed landmarks.
About the author
Annie Jones is a Senior Writer working with CheapOair.com, a top travel site which offers cheap flights to destinations worldwide. Annie writes articles with special focus on vacation spots for budget travelers besides sharing tips on booking cheap flights.
