New York City is filled with historical landmarks, sites that have gained fame through pop culture, memorials, parks, and beyond. For new visitors, the never-ending list can be overwhelming. As long as you start somewhere, there will always be something to see that you haven’t made it to yet. From buildings with architectural significance to memorials, parks of every size and use, bridges, and more, we’ve put together a list of sites to consider on your next trip to New York City.

Buildings & Architectural Icons

Chrysler Building: A famous Art Deco building in Midtown East, the Chrysler Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Manhattan skyline. Finished in 1930, it was the world’s first tall skyscraper and pays homage to the automobile. It also became a symbol synonymous with the rich and their egocentric ideals. Even with its rather tumultuous history, it remains one of the most iconic buildings in NYC.

Empire State Building: The Chrysler Building didn’t remain the tallest skyscraper for long. One year later, the Empire State Building was completed and became the tallest building in the world for almost forty years. Similar to the Chrysler, the Empire State was designed in the Art Deco style and received a warmer reception compared to its predecessor. It quickly became a tourist attraction, welcoming people from around the world to look at the city through a telescope in the observation deck. It’s made regular appearances in pop culture, first appearing in the movie King Kong in 1933 and later appearing in films including An Affair to Remember starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, which later inspired Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The iconic building is a National Landmark and considered the “heart of NYC”.

Grand Central Terminal: This historic building has appeared in many different pop culture moments. It’s the opening scene in Gossip Girl, where Serena is spotted returning to NYC. It’s where Hulk punches Thor in the first Avengers film. It’s where Cary Grant made a phone call in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, North by Northwest. Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913 and is known as one of the architectural highlights of NYC, particularly for the Constellation Ceiling. While visiting, head to the lower level where you can find a food hall with a variety of vendors and a European-style market.

Manhattan Bridge View in DUMBO: One of the best views of the Manhattan Bridge can be seen from Washington Street in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, between Front and Plymouth Streets. Often crowded with people taking the same photo, this famous view is one not to miss if you’re in the area, and DUMBO is fun to visit in general. Aside from this iconic photo spot, there’s the Brooklyn Flea Market, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Pebble Beach.

*View of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street in DUMBO*

New York Public Library: The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located on 5th Avenue, is the New York Public Library’s flagship location. It serves as a research center and is known for significant historical collections, including rare books, public documents, and maps. It’s also an architectural gem and a historical landmark, built in the Beaux Arts style and opened in 1911. Don’t miss the library’s iconic “Rose Main Reading Room” - a Beaux-Art space with sweeping 52-foot ceilings and known as a gathering place for intellectuals for more than a century. The room is the size of a football field and has stunning murals and details that contribute to the overall grandeur of the design.

Rockefeller Center & NBC Studios: Also known as Studio 8H or 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center is the home of the NBC television network. You’ll find studios for shows like Saturday Night Live, The TODAY Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. The building offers tours for a behind-the-scenes look at the shows and production that goes into making them possible. Rockefeller Plaza is also famous for its Christmas Tree, whose lighting ceremony is broadcast every holiday season.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral: An architectural marvel, the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Midtown took over twenty years to build, eventually opening in 1879. The cathedral, which spans an entire city block, was designed in the Gothic Revival style. It features a wealth of design and architectural gems, from stained glass windows to the two spires reaching towards the sky. Many famous people have gotten married at St. Patrick’s, including F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Judy Garland, and Eunice Kennedy.

Impactful & Historical Sites

9/11 Memorial: The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is located at the World Trade Center, where the twin towers once stood. Rather than rebuild, the site was turned into a memorial to honor the lives of those who were lost and everyone impacted by this terrible moment in history. The museum tells the story of the attacks and their aftermath, and the memorial remembers the lives lost in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania.

Ellis Island: More than 12 million immigrants came to the United States through Ellis Island for over six decades. People with ancestors who arrived through Ellis Island can look for their arrival documentation. Ellis Island is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been a potent symbol of the American Dream and the country’s significant immigrant history. The museum features exhibits that bring the story of the island to life, along with the people who came through searching for a better future.

Statue of Liberty: Gifted to the United States by France, the Statue of Liberty has been known as a symbol of freedom. It represented hope that new immigrants arriving at Ellis Island held for their futures as they came to this country. The bronze statue was given to the United States by the French after the Civil War in 1886. Seeing the Statue of Liberty from afar is spectacular in its own right. For a closer look, visit Liberty Island and climb the pedestal for incredible views.

Stonewall Inn: A National Historic Landmark, the Stonewall Inn is known as the location of the Stonewall Riots. The riots were a catalyst to begin the fight for equality among the LGBTQ+ community. A gay bar since 1967, when homosexuality was a crime, the Stonewall Inn became a frequent spot for police raids. One particular raid in 1969 triggered protests and demonstrations and officially kick-started the movement for equality, sparking a fire among the LGBTQ+ community to fight against discrimination and oppression.

Parks

Bryant Park: Located near the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is known for its Winter Market and a beautiful, verdant reprieve in the warmer months. Enjoy gardens, food vendors, and movie nights during the warmer seasons, and a skating rink in winter. Historically, Bryant Park was the location of Washington’s Troops during the Revolutionary War when they escaped the British military in 1776.

Central Park: This massive 843-acre urban park is home to woods, lakes, a zoo, gardens, and much more. See historical sites like Belvedere Castle and the Bow Bridge, or enjoy activities like skating rinks and performance spaces. This famous park has memorials, walking and biking paths, theaters, carousels. Did we mention the zoo? It’s impossible to see the entire park in a day and fully take in everything it has to offer. That just means there’s always something to return for.

High Line: This unique public space has a long, fascinating history. It began as street-level tracks for freight trains before the city elevated the tracks, successfully creating the “West Side Elevated Line” until traffic ceased. It would be decades until a public project began to turn the ghost tracks into a usable space, barely escaping demolition in the late 1990s. Eventually, the High Line turned into a nearly mile-and-a-half-long greenway offering public spaces, gardens, programs, art, performances, and more, free for anyone to enjoy.

*View of the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge Park*

Little Island at Pier 55: Located along the Hudson River, Little Island is a public park in the Meatpacking District with several overlooks for spectacular views of the city, live performances at two different venues, natural habitats, and more. The island opened in 2021 as a public space with seasonally changing, creatively designed landscaping and interactive features throughout.

Pebble Beach & Brooklyn Bridge Park: In the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, there are parks along the East River that provide beautiful views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, as well as the Manhattan skyline. Pebble Beach is located between the two historic bridges and connects to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which continues to extend farther down the river. There are parks, performers, a carousel, and beautiful waterfront spots for a quiet(ish) moment by the river or a captured memory.

Washington Square Park: Recognized for its fountain and the Washington Square Arch, Washington Square Park is located in Greenwich Village. Over the years, it has become known as a spot for artists, performers, and a gathering place for political demonstrations and activism. The famous arch, which greatly resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, was built as a memorial to George Washington.