12 Iconic spots not to miss in New York

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 11th March 2018 | Updated: 1st November 2023

The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, NYC! Whatever you call it New York with its iconic sights and awesome food is up the top of most people’s bucket lists, (including mine!), and with the bright lights of the city, it is easy to see why. So if you are planning a trip to The Empire State here are the 12 iconic spots in New York you just can’t miss!

1. Central Park

Central Park is a must go to for many visitors to New York, being the most visited urban park in the USA and one of the most filmed locations in the world, (it is in so many films it is unreal!), it is obvious to see why! To get around the 3.14km² park easily, grab a bike and cycle through the immense park exploring the zoo, reservoir, carousel and acres of tree-lined pathways. We ventured out on a tandem which is an experience in itself!

2. Times Square

Bright lights flashing, not knowing which way to look, watching the world go by… Where else than Times Square! This intersection of shopping, business and Broadway is a feast for the eyes with the hustle and bustle of New Yorkers and tourists creating an atmosphere only imaginable. Grab an ice cream from cold stone creamery and go find a spot to people watch, you can spend hours here just staring into the billboard lights.

3. Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is a triangular groundbreaking skyscraper that is a must-see for any architecture buffs out there, (me being one of them!). At 93m tall and with 21 floors this steel frame landmark was an engineering feat at the time it was built. Be warned though, if like myself and Meryl you go there via subway, when you arrive you are in fact pretty much in the building, we just couldn’t work it out!

4. Chrysler Building

One of my favourite buildings of the New York skyline has to be the Chrysler Buildings. The 319m tall 1930’s skyscraper is renowned for its art deco spire which once made it the tallest building in the world. It is extremely difficult to visit however with no tours / viewing floors, you can go into the ground floor lobby to marvel at the beautiful interior but that is your lot unless you are lucky enough to live/work there.

5. Grand Central Terminal

This iconic train station is well worth a quick visit after stopping by the Chrysler Building. The grand facade and beautifully decorated interior are incredible, it makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Make sure you look up to the ceiling!

6. Empire State Building

One of the most iconic buildings in New York is, of course, the Empire State Building. At 443m tall and with 102 floors, this office tower houses numerous exhibits and observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. Make sure you get up to the 86th-floor observation deck for incredible views over the city towards the Freedom Tower, Brooklyn Bridge and beyond.

Planning your own trip to New York? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

7. Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. On Upper West Side of Manhattan, it is well worth a visit to get away from the busy bustling streets of New York and into some good old fashioned history. The building is beautiful and the exhibits within are inspiring. It’s also great for kids too so bring the family!

8. Rockefeller Centre

The Rockefeller Centre is another top tourist attraction in the city. It is another building where you must get to the Top of the Rock 67th floor observation deck to watch the sunset and lights appear over Manhattan. You can witness the Chrysler Building, Empire State Buildings and Times Square all come to life at night.

9. Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the typically New York things you think of when planning a trip to New York. At 1,825m in length and 84m high, this cable-stayed suspension bridge landmark, that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, is one of the oldest bridges in America. Make sure you walk across it, either way, is good, just to get views back to Manhattans city skyline with the Freedom Tower dominating as the 6th tallest building in the world.

10. Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty. The famous copper sculpture gifted to the USA from France in 1886 sits on Liberty Island in New York Harbour overlooking Manhattan and beyond. At 93m tall it’s not small, weirdly though I had the impression it would be much larger than it actually is! You can catch the boat to Liberty and Ellis Islands allowing you to capture some great views of New York and the statue.

11. Guggenheim

For another dose of culture and history head to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum or The Guggenheim. This art museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is beautiful inside and out with modern and historic artworks on show. The vast rooms with high arched ceilings and baroque detailing show off the artwork/sculptures as well as showing off the architectural heritage of the building.

12. The Freedom Tower & 9/11 Memorial

Last, but most certainly not least on the iconic spots in New York is the Freedom Tower & 9/11 Memorial. At 546m tall and with 104 floors it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, with incredible views over New York. The rebuilt World Trade Centre complex in Lower Manhattan has to be visited by anyone who remembers 9/11. The Freedom Tower / One World Trade Centre is the main building of the complex overlooking two beautiful pools dedicated to all those who lost there lives on that dreadful day and the entire area is incredibly well designed allowing you to contemplate and understand exactly what happened, as well as devoting every element to those affected.

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So there are my top 12 iconic spots in New York you simply have to see! I hope you can witness them just as I have done!

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Gemma (i.e The Travelling Tedaldi)

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Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.