So, why visit New York City? Why is everyone so crazy about it? Well, I happened to visit New York City, or the way millennials like it – NYC, just recently! The iconic, historic, exuberant city of the US left an impact that will never go from my consciousness.
NYC sees one of the world’s biggest tourist footfalls every year. The average annual record for the number of tourists in NYC is well over 65 million. No joke! And you can imagine the mighty revenues the city generates from tourism in New York City.
Read the fourteen points below and find out the top reasons (presented with my trip photos of New York attractions) why people love Gotham and why you should visit the city too!
P.S. You will also get some exclusive New York City travel tips from me!
1) The Mesmerizing Skyscrapers
The tall and mesmerizing skyscrapers are top sightseeing NYC! They are something to look at in wonder.
Some examples of these giant structures include the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Central Park Tower, etc. Made with a combination of glass and metal these buildings provide a striking contrast against the city’s colonial and historic architecture.
But, wait… Are you acrophobic?
Well, your trip to NYC would be a perfect opportunity to take the bull by the horns (or your height phobia by its horns). Because viewing the world from the top of the soaring NYC skyscrapers your fears won’t stand a chance!
2) Five Full-of-Life Boroughs
New York City has got five awesome boroughs. Boroughs? What are boroughs exactly?
Well, a borough is a mini-city within a larger city. So, within the metropolis called New York City, there are five mini-cities or boroughs. They go by the names of NYC Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to explore each one in-depth due to the limited time I had!
Each of the boroughs NYC has its specific claim to fame. Manhattan New York sightseeing is famous for Times Square which sits right at its center. For the Bronx it’s the zoo and so on. With hundreds of neighborhoods in the five exciting boroughs of NYC, you can never get enough of exploring New York City.
3) Unlimited Food Choice
Are you a foodie? Because if you are then that alone is a sufficient reason to make New York a must-visit destination for you! I found the NYC a foodies’ haven.
The city has got 23,000 restaurants that serve about 60 different international cuisines. From the Arabic Shawarma to the Greek Souvlaki and Italian Ossobuco, to the Pakistani Biryani and Chinese Dim Sum you can rest assured that your taste buds are going to love the time in NYC.
Tip: It’s best to get pre-booked because the best NYC restaurants for tourists are often overcrowded in New York.
4) Shop Till You Drop!
One of the top things to do in NYC is shopping! The Big Apple is definitely a fashion hub, a paradise for fad-conscious people. This is a place where fashion holds sway.
I was super glad to get the opportunity to spend my time at The 5th Avenue, aka Millionaire’s Row. It’s one of the world’s most expensive fashion streets. Crossing the entire Manhattan from north to south, Fifth Avenue stands among the top tourist attractions NYC!
But, the city is not only for the elites to shop for their clothes. If you’re on a limited budget you can still enjoy shopping for your favorite outfits. Travelling around New York I found plenty of small boutiques and second-hand shops that welcomed my patronage.
So, I did get to buy cheap and got some retail therapy as well as brought back home some souvenirs from the NYC trip.
5) The Heart of NYC: Times Square
As much as the locals hate this spot, my first experience at Times Square NYC was sufficient enough to blow my mind away!
OK, so the locals despise it because they’re tired of the 24/7 hustle and bustle of this place. But, as a tourist to NYC, the dazzling lights, the costumed characters, music, and the pulling energy of New York sights will leave a lasting impression on you. Particularly, if you’re there to witness the New Year’s Welcome, that’s top sightseeing New York, and you’ll never be able to forget that!
6) New York Central Park
During my day trips from NYC, I took a stroll in the picturesque parks of the city! Among the NYC parks, Central Park NYC is pretty famous and known for its vastness. It was inaugurated in 1858, designed by the American landscape architects Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux.
New York Central Park lies at the center of Manhattan and covers about 843 acres of land. It has been rated among the top ten places to visit in New York time and again!
The park is not just a plain old park with trees and meadows, in fact, there are lots of fun activities that you can indulge in like horseback riding, boating and swimming. Also, at the Wollman Rink in Central Park, you skate and play hockey.
7) The Brooklyn Bridge
Did you know that NYC has 789 bridges in total? And, of them all the Brooklyn Bridge is certainly the most iconic! The bridge was completed in 1883, about 150 years ago, so has lots of historical significance and, of course, it’s one of the top famous places in Brooklyn NY.
The perfect time for me to take a walk on this bridge was either sunset or sunrise when you can get spectacular views of the silhouetted skyline of Manhattan. The bridge is 1.82 kilometers, and that’s roughly a 30-min walk. OK, what’s next?
8) Classic Art Galleries and Museums
I love and appreciate quality artwork. So, what could be a better destination for me than New York art galleries?
Well, New York City has a list of amazing historic art galleries and museums that draw art lovers from across the world to this magnificent city. New York famous places that I personally visited include the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, Tenement Museum, the Museum of Sex, and so many others.
Also, there are art galleries in Chelsea and the Lower East that encourage rising talent!
9) Underground Pubs
Sometimes in summer New York is pretty hot and in such times a perfect retreat would be to go underground.
Well, I avoid pubs, but for those who enjoy them, there are literally dozens of top-quality underground bars and pubs in NYC that tourists love to revel in while they seek to avoid the scorching sun outside. These basement joints will offer you lots of fun at easy rates and there’s a lot to enjoy there!
P.S. Don’t worry! Gone are the days when underground bars were unauthorized, today they’re all as legit as they can get.
10) Historic Spots to See
Goes without saying, the best things for tourists to do in New York definitely include going to the historical monuments of the megacity. Although New York is NOT home to some ancient civilization with Pyramids or Sphinxes, the city does have its share of monuments from ‘modern history.’
NYC has seen it all from the American War of Independence and Civil War to the Wall Street Crash and the tragic 9/11 attacks. That means if you’re a history buff (or a political geek) like myself, your tour of New York will be a memorable one.
So, there are some good unique places to visit in New York that reminisce of modern and contemporary history. To name a few: President Ulysses S Grant’s tomb, Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 memorial, Wall Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the list goes on…
11) Live Concerts Every Night!
Well, when it comes to New York City you can’t really say music is in the air. Because for NYC noise is in the air. At least, that’s what I felt.
New York is definitely not the most serene place, to say, because it’s full of life and action all the time, 24/7. But, if you are a music fan and love listening to good music you MUST drop in New York because one of the best things to do in New York is to enjoy a live musical concert.
They happen almost every day of the week!
Also, most of the world-class pop stars, opera singers, rock bands and classical musicians frequently travel to NYC to perform and connect with their fans there. So, for instance, if you are a Shakira fan go and check when she is next performing (or doing a fan meet-up) at NYC and plan your trip accordingly.
12) Richness of Culture
FACT: Over 600 different languages are spoken in New York City making it the world’s most linguistically diverse city.
One thing that I LOVED about Gotham is that this city accepts everyone. Whether you’re black, white, brown, tan, or olive-skinned, this city wouldn’t judge you on that. It welcomes you with wide open arms. That’s one of the most pro tourist things in NYC!
On the flip side, yes, some racist incidents have been reported in the city but with a population of 8 million people, you can’t expect them all to be Mahatmas.
Every state or city in the world has its share of bigots, you see. But that should not let you downplay the fact that there are millions of immigrants in NYC. And they are all free to follow their respective native cultures, get quality education, secure respectable jobs, do business and live as equal citizens of the United States!
13) The City’s Unbridled Energy
New York is also referred to as the city that never sleeps. The days are good, but the nights in New York are crazy. The energy you feel there is beyond words. According to my experience, that’s what mainly attracts tourism in New York City. The happening nightlife!
So, if you are planning on taking a tour to a city that has a vibrant nightlife that’s got to be NYC for sure. The nightclubs of NYC are open from dusk till dawn, never letting you fall asleep. (I never party at clubs fellas. Sorry, but it’s not my thing!)
Also, apart from nightclubs, there are street parties, comedy clubs, cabarets, and everything that you can possibly dream of. So, yeah, the unbridled, unmatched energy of this crazy city is something not to miss in this lifetime.
14) New Yorkers Themselves!
New Yorkers are very interesting people especially so because they come from so many different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. But in one aspect they are all the same and that’s their ‘busy lives’.
They seem to be in a hurry all the time because that’s how life is in New York – fast-paced and money-driven.
At times Yorkers may sound rude or aggressive (be prepared for that) but they’re not bad at heart at all. They’ll definitely help you out if you lost your way or needed some guidance. And, they will love to mingle and socialize as long as it’s on weekends.
Why Visit New York City – The Bottom Line
Well, this was not supposed to be a New York travel book, of course. However, from my personal experience, I reckon the bottom line is that NYC is a best place to visit for all.
The reason why the Big Apple is a favorite destination for tourists is that you don’t have to be extra rich to plan your trip there. In fact, I did lots of sightseeing in NYC for free thanks to my friends and connections everything was sorted out for me.
So, safe to say, even if you’ve got a tight budget you can enjoy the metropolis to your best. Walking around the streets, looking at the marvelous architecture, and doing some historical sightseeing is all free of cost recreation.
Plus, I was lucky to stay with friends. But if you don’t go for the best hotels in NYC, there are always economical places to stay in New York. So, accommodation and food prove affordable too. What else can one look for, right? The city has got it all, and now is the right time to book your tickets.
Already packing? That’s great!