New York City, or the Big Apple, needs no introduction. From soaring skyscrapers and monuments to flourishing arts, culture, food and nightlife scenes, NYC has it all. There is so much to see and do in NYC that you will need your own set of wheels.
A rental car will not only give you the comfort and convenience you need to explore NYC but will also allow you to get to most attractions. Moreover, rental cars come in many forms, from compact or exotic rentals for solo travelers to SUVs and minivans for larger groups.
- 1. Central Park
- 2. American Museum of Natural History
- 3. Metropolitan Museum of Art
- 4. Statue of Liberty
- 5. Times Square
- 6. Coney Island
- 7. Rockefeller Center
- 8. Grand Central Terminal
- 9. Empire State Building
- 10. Bronx Zoo
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in NYC
Must-see attractions in New York City
1. Central Park
Central Park is part park, part museum, part concert hall, and it shares its borders with some of the city’s most popular attractions. Even better, some of NYC’s popular sites are located within its limits, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Strawberry Fields. When the weather is nice, have a picnic in Sheep Meadow or go for a stroll around The Ramble. No matter where you go in the park, it’s a great way to get a glimpse of authentic NYC life.
Address: 59th to 110th St. Between Central Park West and 5th Ave.
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: You can spend as much time as you want here.
2. American Museum of Natural History
This is one of the largest museums in the world, with over 32 million artifacts inside. The exhibits range from the Rose Center of Earth and Space to dinosaurs to a butterfly conservatory and hall of the universe. It is one of the best things to do if you’re visiting as a family, since it’s educational and interactive, and the museum has a cafeteria and gift shop for souvenirs.
Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Commonly known as the Met, this is one of the most celebrated art museums in the country, spilling over with masterpieces from all over the world, including an Egyptian exhibit. The first floor of the Met hosts Greek, Roman and Egyptian art, and the second floor is home to Islamic art, which is particularly popular with travelers. You’re free to explore the museum solo, but for an in-depth understanding of the collections, sign up for a guided tour.
Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
4. Statue of Liberty
A visit to the Statue of Liberty includes the option to also stop at Ellis Island, where immigrants passed through for decades. It is a two for one deal. Plus, you get great views of Lower Manhattan from the ferry boat. There are many options for viewing the statue, including from the harbor. Still, we recommend viewing it up close, climbing to the top of the pedestal for incredible views, and visiting the Statue of Liberty Museum. On the way back, you can stop at Ellis Island, where you can explore the immigration museum.
Address: Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
5. Times Square
Times Square – it’s exciting, colorful and always buzzing. Stretching from West 42nd to West 47th streets, most travelers visit Times Square to catch a glimpse of the neon lights and larger-than-life advertisements. We recommend visiting after dark; it’s then that the lights are truly remarkable. It is one of NYC’s busiest attractions, especially on New Year’s Eve.
Address: Between West 42nd and West 47th streets in Midtown Manhattan
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
6. Coney Island
Coney Island, also known as the People’s Playground, is one of the best places in NYC to visit with kids. It features an amusement park with more than 50 rides and attractions, and you’re guaranteed to have a blast. Coney Island has it all, from amusement park rides to the iconic boardwalk. Plus, you can hit the beach if the weather is hot. There are lots of things to eat along the boardwalk, but you should also head to the original location of Nathan’s and eat a hot dog.
Address: The neighborhood is located in the southwest section of Brooklyn
Entry fees: Free, except the amusement parks
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: A minimum of 4 hours
7. Rockefeller Center
The iconic plaza has it all – spectacular views, a massive skating rink, beautiful sculptures and tons of restaurants and shopping outlets. The 360-degree view from Top of the Rock is one of the best in the city, and the combo experience (tour of building and observation deck) is worth every penny. There are lots of other activities you can get into at the Rockefeller center, including shopping and catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall. Around Christmas you can see the Christmas tree on the plaza or go ice skating.
Address: 5 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Depends on the activity. Plan your visit.
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
8. Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central is not just a transportation hub. This crown jewel of NYC doubles as a shopping, dining, and cultural destination, complete with an events calendar, all under one roof. It is one of NYC’s architectural wonders and a great rendezvous point, with lots of people choosing to “meet at the clock.”
Address: 89 E. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
9. Empire State Building
A top bucket list item for most NYC itineraries, the Empire State Building is one of NYC’s landmarks located in Midtown Manhattan. On a clear day, you’ll love the panoramic views of the city, some 1,050 feet below. Take a multimedia tour to get insight into some of the exhibits as well as some background about the building.
Address: 20 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
10. Bronx Zoo
This 265-acre zoo is home to over 4,000 animals, giving you plenty of opportunities to connect with your favorite creatures. The zoo has indoor and outdoor exhibits, and rides and animal feedings are part of the experience. At the Bronx Zoo, you will have the chance to get up close with some of your favorite animals, like cheetahs, penguins and sloths. The zoo also includes a butterfly garden, children’s zoo, 4D theater and gorilla forest.
Address: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 3 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in NYC
NYC is a cultural melting pot, meaning you’ll find cuisine from all over the globe spread across the five boroughs. If you fancy some of the best Italian cuisine, there’s Little Italy and you can head to one of the city’s three Chinatowns for Chinese cuisine. Here are some of the best places to eat in NYC:
Katz’s Delicatessen: Established in 1888, it is one of NYC’s oldest restaurants, thanks to the delicious sandwiches it serves. They have plenty of options on the menu, but their pastrami is the main reason to visit this deli.
Di Fara Pizza: You must have pizza when in NYC. Found in the middle of Brooklyn, Di Fara Pizza is a family-run shop offering only the best to New Yorkers. The pizza is a bit pricey, but rightfully so, with ingredients being flown from Italy. Also be prepared to wait for your perfect pizza.
Hudson Smokehouse: This Bronx restaurant is famous for its playful menu and barbeque styles, as well as its dedication to smoking their meat using lots of wood. Meat lovers will enjoy Hudson Smokehouse, which doubles as a beer garden.
Pebble Bar: This is one of the best places to drink in NYC. Set in the Rockefeller Center, Pebble Bar offers beers from NYC’s breweries, classic cocktails, signature drinks and a seafood-focused menu prepared by executive chef Carlos Barrera.
