15 Famous Landmarks in New York City – Best Attractions
Last Updated on 17th July 2023 by admin
New York (NYC) is one of the most famous cities in the world, which is located in the northeastern part of the US. You will find famous landmarks in New York City at every turn but it is very difficult to see them all at once visit. Few people come here to enjoy Broadway shows, others come exclusively in shopping stores and many people come just to see the famous landmark of New York City: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, historic neighborhoods, and many more.
New York city is one of the major metropolitan cities around the world and has a strong influence on the world’s trade, commerce, culture, fashion and entertainment. Due to its world’s famous tourist attractions, it attracts tourists from all over the world. If you too want to know more about New York City and its famous landmarks, then read our full article. Let’s get started and get to know about the most famous landmarks in New York City:
1) Statue of Liberty
The “Statue of Liberty” is the city’s most famous iconic symbol, and one of the world’s most famous statues, built over the Hudson River. If you visit New York, then definitely visit this beautiful statue. The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City, even in the world. It is a huge copper statue and one of the tallest statues in the world located in New York Harbor.
The total height of the statue with the torch is about 151 feet (46 m), and from ground level to the torch is about 305 feet (93 m). The Statue of Liberty was France’s gift to America, France introduced it to America in 1886 during the American Revolution as a symbol of friendship between France and America. It remains a well-known world symbol of freedom and one of the greatest American symbols.
2) Central Park
Central Park is the largest public park and an urban park in Manhattan, New York City. Spread over 800 acres with its trees, paths and beautiful lakes, all this makes it a huge green park. It is situated in the heart of the city and if you look from the sky, it will give you a mesmerizing view. Apart from skating rinks, and cycling, tourists also enjoy other sports in Central Park, making it one of the famous tourist attractions in USA.
The attractive view of the lake, boat ride, strawberry fields and Central Park Zoo in the park are a different experience. Having a picnic in beautiful meadows is one of the most amazing things to do in Central Park. Over the years, many scenes from movies and TV shows from around the world have also been filmed.
3) Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the historic and world-famous landmarks in New York City (NYC). The construction of the building started on 17 March 1930 and was completed on 11 April 1931 and was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon. It is the main attraction of the city located in Midtown Manhattan, New York.
It is a 102-story skyscraper and is one of the tallest buildings in New york and even in the world. The Empire State Building stands at a height of 381 meters, and if we combine this with its antennas, then the building’s total height is about 443 meters. This famous structure was officially the tallest building in the world for nearly four decades.
4) Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world, serves to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City (NYC) and also the oldest bridge in the United States. The structure of the Brooklyn Bridge is built with strong pillars made of limestone, granite and cement.
The bridge was built between 1869 and 1883 and designed by John A. Roebling. This beautiful bridge once held the distinction of being the longest suspension bridge in the world. Most interestingly, it is the world’s first steel-wire suspension bridge with a total length of 1834 meters (6,016 ft).
5) Times Square
Time Square is a famous landmark in New York City (NYC), located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in the Midtown Manhattan area of New York City. When The New York Times moved its headquarters here in 1904, the place became known as Times Square, formerly known as Longacre Square. People from different regions from all over the world keep doing their activities here.
Apart from being one of the major tourist destinations in the world, it is also an important center of entertainment and business activities. Times Square has been filmed in various Hollywood and other films from around the world, must-visit when you are in this beautiful City.
6) Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is a rail terminal located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City and was opened to the public on February 2, 1913. Grand Central Terminal was open at a time when traveling by train in America was considered a symbol of luxury.
The station now receives 750,000 visitors daily and is the largest transportation hub in the US. It is also considered the second largest tourist destination in New York City after Times Square. The station has been filmed in many popular Hollywood movies due to its beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture.
7) St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s is a beautiful piece of architecture and it looks amazing. It is considered one of the oldest churches in the United States, also known as the “Parish Church of America”. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the country, with beautiful neo-Gothic architecture. Today, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a famous landmark in New York City that welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year.
Over the years, the cathedral has not only been a place of worship for many but has also been a tourist attraction. The construction of the cathedral began in 1858 and was completed in 1878 and dedicated on May 25, 1879. The cathedral has been restoration several times over the decades and the last time was done in 2010.
8) High Line
The High Line is another beautiful landmark of the city, it is a nearly 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park located on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. It is a former rail trail that has been converted into a public walkway park above city streets and was designed by James Corner Field Operations.
It was a railroad track until 1980, it was inaugurated in 2009 and the track was converted into a beautiful and unique park, which today has become one of New York City’s most beloved green spaces. The High Line linear public park is planted with a variety of plants and trees which offers an excellent view of the city. NYC’s elevated linear park is definitely a perfect place to attract visitors from surrounding areas.
9) Broadway Theater District
The Broadway Theater District is a popular tourist attraction in New York City. It is located at Lincoln Center along with the Theater District and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. This is the place to see the latest shows and long-running classics. Broadway usually refers to Broadway theater where theatrical performances are presented here in 41 professional theaters, including a large number of theater venues in the Theater District and on Broadway’s street.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” is the longest-running show in Broadway history. Attending a Broadway show is one of the highlights of a trip to New York City for everyone.
10) Little Island at Pier 55
This is New York City’s newest attraction, named Little Island at Pier 55. It is an artificial island park at 13th Street in Hudson River west of Manhattan in New York City. This beautiful artificial island also joined the list of famous landmarks in New York City when it was opened in 2021. Little Island covers 2.4 acres and is supported by 132 mushroom-shaped concrete column structures.
Visitors can experience nature, art and beautiful architecture in a wonderful urban artificial park on the Hudson River. The island was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, construction of the structure began in April 2018 and opened on May 21, 2021.
11) Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper designed by William Van Allen and located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood on Manhattan’s East Side, New York City. It is one of the city’s oldest and most famous landmarks, built between 1928 and 1930 with 77 floors.
The Chrysler Building was the tallest building in the world for 11 months at 319 meters (1,046 ft), which was surpassed by the Empire State Building, which was built in the same city in 1931. The Chrysler Building is one of the most recognizable buildings because of its beautiful architecture, it has been filmed in many famous Hollywood movies, some of which are: Godzilla, Fantastic Four, Sex and the City, Deep Impact and Spider-Man.
12) The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City that commemorates the September 11, 2001 attacks in which terrorists hijacked planes and destroyed the 110-story twin towers of the World Trade Center, about 3000 people died in this tragic accident.
It is also dedicated to those who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in which six people were killed. The area in which the World Trade Center building once stood, two square pools are there in the same area, each an acre in size. The construction of the memorial started on March 13, 2006, and was officially inaugurated on September 11, 2011, the same date as the attack.
13) Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a massive entertainment and shopping complex in the heart of Manhattan in New York City and is home to NBC-TV, Radio City, Music Hall and other media. It is a large complex covering 22 acres (89,000 m) with 19 commercial buildings and was built between 1930 and 1939. 30 Rockefeller Plaza is the central building of the complex, a 70-story skyscraper.
An Art Deco skyscraper that offers spectacular views of Central Park, Manhattan’s Midtown, and the entire city from above. Each building at Rockefeller Center is beautifully designed, that’s offers a unique experience. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in New York City, every visitor loves to come here with family and friends to enjoy this beautiful place.
14) Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is the most comprehensive and one of the largest museums in the world, located in an old building in Central Park, New York City. The museum was established on April 13, 1870, and is one of the most visited museums in the country. In New York City you will experience over 5,000 years of art and ancient things from around the world.
Metropolitan Museum of Art attracts millions of people because of the huge collection they collect from all over the world. The collection includes famous paintings, unique weapons, historical objects, vintage clothing, Egyptian art, sculpture, antiques, musical instruments and other vintage items.
15) Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue in New York City is one of the most famous city streets in the world, located in the heart of New York City and connecting the north and south of Manhattan. Fifth Avenue is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, home to many stores from top designers in addition to beautiful shops, museums, famous hotels, restaurants and luxurious buildings.
Fifth Avenue is the largest avenue in New York City around 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) long. As you stroll along the avenue, you’ll also see some of New York’s most iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the spectacular Apple Store.
In conclusion, there are many famous landmarks in New York City that draw visitors from all over the world. The city’s rich history, architectural wonders, and cultural relevance are displayed through these 15 famous tourist attractions. Each iconic location in the city has its own appeal from the magnificent Statue of Liberty towering over the harbour to the dazzling lights of Times Square. While Central Park offers a peaceful haven away from the bustling streets, the Empire State Building gives stunning views of the metropolitan skyline.
The Brooklyn Bridge stands as a symbol of engineering prowess, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Other notable landmarks include the historic Grand Central Terminal, the somber 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the lively Broadway theater district. As visitors explore these iconic landmarks, they are immersed in the energy and diversity that define this vibrant metropolis, making for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Big Apple.
