Top 10 New York Attractions

There’s so much to see and do in the Big Apple and so many amazing New York City attractions, it’s hard to narrow it down to just the “Top 10″ – but here are the most popular New York attractions sure to be on any visitors “must see” list.

Empire State Building: #1 New York Attraction

The Empire State Building is probably the most world famous of all New York City attractions. Built in 1930-1931, the 102-story-high skyscraper is one of the best-known sites in the world.  The Observatory, on the 86th Floor, is a NYC attraction visited by millions of people each year. At the top of everyone’s list of New York attractions, the Empire State Building measures 1250 feet (381 meters) from street level to the top of its 102nd Floor – and 1454 feet (443 feet) when adding the height of its pinnacle.

Statue of Liberty: #2 New York Attractions

The Statue of Liberty is more than just a New York City attraction, it’s an important symbol of freedom that was the first sight millions of immigrants saw upon their arrival in the USA. The statue was a gift from France to commemorate a century of American independence. Lady Liberty, whose “real” name is “Liberty Enlightening the World” (La Liberté éclairant le monde in French), was built in France, then dismantled and shipped to New York, where this NYC attraction has stood watch over New York’s harbor since its official dedication in 1886. (Towards the end of 2011, the Statue of Liberty will be closed for about a year for installation of a second interior staircase.) When visiting the Statue of Liberty, be sure to check out another notable New York attraction: the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which tells the story of the more than 12 million immigrants who were processed there between 1892 and 1954 before being granted official entry into the USA.

Rockefeller Center: #3 New York Attractions

Rockefeller Center, an office, shopping, dining and entertainment complex of 19 buildings, was built during the Great Depression in the 1930s and contains a number of New York attractions. Check out the famous Atlas sculpture, the stunning Art Deco interior of Radio City Music Hall, take a tour of NBC Studios, go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck … and if you’re lucky enough to be in New York during the holiday season, you can go ice skating at Rockefeller Center and see the famous Christmas tree, a popular annual New York City attraction.

Times Square: #4 New York Attractions

Times Square, the New York City attraction at the heart of New York’s Broadway district, is located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue – the Times Square area extends from West 42nd-West 47th Streets and 6th-9th Avenues. Times Square  This is one of those New York attractions that’s instantly recognizable, as the giant neon signs, billboards and advertisements have been seen in numerous movies and television shows, including the world-famous New Year’s Eve “ball-dropping” celebration that’s attended by thousands and watched by millions.

Grand Central Terminal: #5 New York Attractions

Tourists aren’t the only ones who flock to Grand Central Terminal (no, it’s not called Grand Central Station) – this landmark New York City attraction, located in midtown Manhattan, is a vital transportation center. Millions of commuters travel through Grand Central Terminal regularly, along with countless visitors who can’t help but be awestruck by this gloriously restored Beaux-Arts structure that first opened in 1913.  In addition to its railroad lines, this NYC attraction offers shopping, dining, cocktail lounges and public events, including an annual Holiday Fair featuring unique gift ideas from dozens of vendors.

Central Park: #6 New York Attractions

The most visited urban park in America, Central Park is a beautiful, multi-faceted oasis, a tranquil and relaxing New York attraction right in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world! Explore this 843-acre, 2.5 mile-wide NYC attraction on foot, on bicycle or on horse-drawn carriage – don’t forget to stop at the Central Park Zoo, the Strawberry Fields international peace garden (dedicated to John Lennon) or the park’s dozens of fountains, monuments and sculptures.

New York Museums: #7 New York Attractions

Museums of every variety are among the most popular New York City attractions – in fact, museums could make up their own Top 10 New York Attractions list! And at the top of that list you’d be sure to find these: Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s premier museums, containing more than 2 million items that cover 5000 years of world culture; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the first museum in the world exclusively dedicated to modern art, and the American Museum of Natural History, home to dinosaurs, a big blue whale and the Hayden Planetarium.

Staten Island Ferry: #8 New York Attractions

The Staten Island Ferry, which journeys between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal (better known as South Ferry) in Manhattan and the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island is a popular New York attraction for visitors – and a busy commuter route for people who live on Staten Island and work in Manhattan. About 60,000 passengers travel on the Staten Island Ferry every day. This NYC attraction operates 24/7, the 5-mile, 25-minute one-way journey offers riders a terrific view of the New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty – and it’s free of charge!

United Nations Headquarters: #9 New York Attractions

The United Nations Headquarters has been a popular New York attraction for visitors from all around the world since its official opening on January 9, 1951. This 18-acre New York City attraction, while located on the East Side of Manhattan, is actually international territory and belongs to all the countries that are members of the United Nations. While visiting this NYC attraction, try to take one of the guided tours that are conducted seven days a week (Monday-Friday in January and February).

Ground Zero: #10 New York Attractions

The site of the former World Trade Center towers, destroyed in the infamous terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, has become a historically significant and emotional New York City attraction. Located in lower Manhattan, millions of people have journeyed to this New York attraction to pay tribute to the 2982 individuals whose lives were lost on 9/11 (and on February 26, 1993 in an earlier terrorist attack). The official on-site 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated on September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attack, at a private ceremony for the victims’ families. The Memorial, which will feature two reflecting pools and bronze panels with the names of all the victims, will open to the public on September 12, 2011. A 9/11 Memorial Museum is scheduled to open in 2012.

Empire State Building – FUN FACTS

The Empire State Building is probably the most famous skyscraper in the world. If you’re planning a trip to the Empire State Building, here are some fun facts that will add extra enjoyment to your visit.

Empire State Building History and other Fun Facts

Probably the most famous skyscraper in the world, the Empire State Building was built in 1930-1931. 102 stories high, it was the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors. Deliberately built to be the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building held that title until 1972, when the World Trade Center’s North Tower (destroyed on 9/11) was completed. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Empire State Building is a designated New York City and national historical landmark.

One thing everybody wants to know is: How tall is the Empire State Building? From street level to its 102nd Floor, the Empire State Building is 1250 feet (381 meters) tall; adding the height of its pinnacle brings it to 1454 feet (443 meters) tall. There are 1860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building. Every year, runners participate in the Empire State Run-Up, racing up the 1576 steps that go to the 86th Floor of the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building gets its name from the nickname of New York State, which is the “Empire State”. Most of the Empire State Building is used for offices; its famous observation deck, which have been visited by more than 100 million people from all over the world, are located on the 86th and 102nd Floors.  Known around the world just by its name, there is an actual Empire State Building address: 350 Fifth Avenue. It’s located in the 10001 zip code area, but the Empire State Building has its own zip code, 10118.

Empire State Building on the Silver Screen

It’s on view in dozens of movies, but the Empire State Building’s most famous film appearance was in the 1933 classic King Kong, when the title character carries actress Fay Wray to the top of building (actually a small scale model) before falling to his death on the street below. (When Fay Wray died in 2004, all the lights on the Empire State Building were turned off for 15 minutes in tribute.)

The Empire State Building plays a more romantic role as the scene of an ill-fated lovers’ rendezvous in Love Affair (1939) and its 1957 remake An Affair to Remember. In Sleepless in Seattle (1993), the couple finally gets it right, meeting and falling in love at the Empire State Building Observatory. Less happily, the Empire State Building has been destroyed in a number of disaster films, including Independence Day (1996), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and Fail-Safe (1994). But the oddest movie featuring the Empire State Building has Andy Warhol’s Empire (1964), which consists of one eight-hour-long black-and-white shot of the iconic building at night.

Empire State Building Tour

The Empire State Building Observatory is open every day of the year, from 8am-2am. You can purchase audio Empire State Building tours and take a self-guided tour, which includes explanations of seven views from the Observatory Deck. Once you’re at the Empire State Building, be sure to check out NY SKYRIDE, a virtual aerial tour simulator of the city. Located on the 2nd Floor of the Empire State Building, NY SKYRIDE is a 30-minute-long “journey” around New York City, featuring nearly three dozen of the Big Apple’s famous landmarks.

Beat the Heat at NY SKYRIDE

Tired of the same summer activity? When looking for things to do in NYC, NY SKYRIDE tops the list of fun and unique indoor experiences.

Combining moving platforms and an 18 foot screen, NY SKYRIDE is a virtual reality New York sightseeing tour that takes guests “above” “around” and “under” some of the city’s biggest landmarks and attractions – without ever leaving their seats!

And remember: Empire State Building Tickets purchased with NY SKYRIDE automatically include FAST TRACK, which means NO outdoor waiting time!

For more information on FAST TRACK, visit Skyride’s Frequently Asked Questions page, or call 1-888-SKY-RIDE.

Group Tours & Group Travel Benefits

Group tours can be a convenient and money-saving way to travel – whether you’re planning for an entire group or signing on to one as an individual or couple. Since a number of people generally book a block of rooms or attraction tickets for group tours, there are many group travel benefits which might make group tours an appealing option even if you’ve never considered going on one before.

Group Tours & Group Travel Benefits – Group Travel Deals

Group travel deals are available for virtually any specific interest – whether you’re looking for entertainment, education, student tours, a spiritual experience (including shopping group travel deals!), outdoor adventures … you name it, you can find group travel tours to satisfy your individual travel desire!

One example of the many different group travel deals to choose from would be a Broadway theatre trip to New York City – if you choose one of these group tours, you’ll enjoy nights out on the Great White Way seeing a number of Broadway shows. These group tours generally include hotel accommodations and can also often arrange daytime NYC sightseeing tours – or feel free to explore the city on your own.

Group Tours & Group Travel Discounts

At the top of the list of group travel benefits is that when you’re making reservations for a number of people, you can ask for – and often receive! – group travel discounts. That’s how commercial group tours are able to offer so many features to their customers for one all-inclusive price.

If your family is planning a group tour of its own and you’re making the arrangements, call ahead and find out if hotels in the area offer group travel discounts or other group travel benefits.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion with a destination getaway, check out group travel discounts in several places, then choose the one that offers the best group travel benefits.

Group Travel Package

A group travel package can be as all-inclusive as you want – group tours can be customized with as many or as few features as the group needs.

Group travel packages can be assembled for families, business excursions, students or other groups.

People are sometimes reluctant to add things like ground transportation and personal tour guides, but these group travel benefits generally make up in time and convenience for the additional expense.

If group tours are planned with a travel professional, let them know which features are of particular interest; if you’re planning the trip yourself, look for group travel discounts that will allow the group to best enjoy the cost-saving benefits of group travel deals.

Summer School Camps love NYC Day Tours with NY SKYRIDE

School groups and NYC summer camp groups love the fun combination of movie-motion and sights rolled up into New York’s ONLY aerial virtual tour simulator. There is no better way to spend your summer than exploring NYC attractions! School and New York summer camp groups of all sorts will appreciate our Fast Track Program, allowing easier and faster access to the Empire State Building Observatory. NY SKYRIDE is located on the second floor of the Empire State Building right in the heart of New York City!

For reservations simply email us at reservations@skyride.com or contact our Group Department at 212-279-9777 x200; 9AM-5PM EST Monday through Friday.

Can I purchase a COMBO ticket of the NY SKYRIDE and Empire State Building Observatory?

Retail COMBO tickets may be purchased at the NY SKYRIDE Box Office or online at a cost savings and will automatically qualify you for the Fast Track Program. When purchasing online, please print your tickets out and bring them to the NY SKYRIDE Box Office. We suggest doing the SKYRIDE first so you can bypass some of the periodic long lines at the Empire State Building and get an excellent introduction to NYC before going up. Tickets are good for a year and no reservations are needed.

For Retail group and Tour and Travel reservations, please email us at reservations@skyride.com or call 212-299-9777 x 208.

Support and save!

One of the premiere NYC Attractions, NY SKYRIDE is committed to supporting the city it celebrates.

Present this article and one canned food per ticket to NY SKYRIDE, now thru January 15, 2011 for $15.00 ADMISSION.

A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Food Bank for New York City Go Orange campaign against world hunger.

Please present this article and one non-perishable canned food item to NY SKYRIDE located on the second floor of the Empire State Building for $15 admission (NY SKYRIDE tickets only) per can. NYSR cashier: attach this page to merchant receipt.

For more information on this offer, please call us at 212-299-4904.