Ten Must-See Places in New York City

chillibreeze writer — Meera Ramanathan

Need an editable PowerPoint map of USA

It's not just the sights and the skyscrapers but the style and spirit that seduce you when you land in New York City. Otherwise known as The Big apple, this is where high powered bankers collide with theater lovers, sports enthusiasts rub shoulders with music pundits. An explosive food scene with cuisines from around the world, this city can host both red carpet events and marathons with equal élan.

There is so much to see and explore in NYC, it can leave the tourist baffled and anxious. Remember, it might not be possible to pack all the sights in a single weekend and with something to explore around every corner, it could be a daunting task to pick just ten hot-spots. Nevertheless, let’s pick the most fascinating landmarks so we get a peek into the famed and vibrant culture of New York City.

Grand Central Terminal - As you enter Grand Central, you are forced to acknowledge the pace of New Yorkers - They can walk with lightning speed but are gracious enough to smile and nod. Grand Central Terminal, the largest train terminal in the world, with its impressive facade, astronomical high rise ceiling and bustling crowds keeps you fascinated. Although, the dining concourse located at the lower level is perfect for a quick bite, arm yourself with cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery that started the cupcake craze among New Yorkers. They are little cups of heaven.
Statue of Liberty - Hop on the subway from Grand Central to Battery Park where the Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry begins its daily tours. There is a security checkpoint before boarding the ferry, so be prepared to wait. Most tourists skip Ellis Island and head straight to Liberty State park to view the Statue of Liberty. As you near the island, the NYC skyline comes into view, so don't forget to click a few shots. The Statue of Liberty is a gift to the US from the people of France and the robed female figure with a crown holding a torch has been a beacon of hope and guiding light to immigrants entering NYC. If you intend to climb the staircase to the crown of the Statue, reserve in advance.
Central Park - This public park in the center of Manhattan is where the city unwinds. Horse drawn carriages offer comfort to your tired legs but it is relaxing to just walk through the greenery. The Angel of Waters fountain at the foot of the Bethesda Terrace has been one of Hollywood’s favorite romantic interludes. The street performers offer ample entertainment and it might be a good idea to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. The animal lovers can head to the central park zoo, but the boat/kayak rental is most recommended. As you soak in the sun, wade through the waters, you can witness the many sights the city has to offer.
Empire State Building - Center to the New York City Skyline, Empire state offers a panoramic 360 degree view of the city from its rooftop. The tallest skyscraper in Manhattan, Empire State is lit up by the night, often in colors signifying national importance or flags of countries celebrating their independence.
Broadway - The Theater district in Midtown Manhattan hosts Broadway shows. If you thought operas were for the literary geniuses, challenge yourself to a ticket to Chicago - The Musical. Revenge drama with a stellar cast and all that jazz keeps you engaged from the minute the curtain raises. Tickets can be reserved online and The Times Square Information Center offers half priced tickets on the day of the show.
St Patrick’s Cathedral: What New York City lacks in architectural extravagance compared to its European counterparts, this neo-gothic style cathedral makes up. The choir enchants you and the glass murals, high ceilings and sculptures are an artist's pride. The silence and the lighting put your mind at ease and may peace be with you. (NYC also hosts the largest St Patrick’s Day parade).
Rockefeller Center: A quick stroll from St Patrick’s, Rockefeller center is where the Today's show is filmed by NBC. This is your chance to be a celebrity, so join the audiences and scream your lungs out. During winter, this becomes a wonderland housing the largest Christmas tree, ice skating rink and the lights and music spreads cheer everywhere.
Canal Street - If bargaining is your ultimate shopper's high, head to Canal Street. Handbags, shoes, dresses, these Chinese imports lure you from far off. Haggling is common sight and it is common sense to ask for half the price. For the slightly suave, Fifth Avenue, Barneys and Bloomingdales offer comfort.
Times Square - Giant billboards telecasting news, stock quotes and advertisements, Times Square is best witnessed at night. It is a treat for the eye and this is where you challenge your necks by turning at break neck speed in every direction to soak in the flashiness of the neon signs. You can get your portraits sketched by one of the artists lining up the side streets, a great souvenir.
Restaurant Recommendations: Veniero’s Pastry, America's oldest and finest Italian bistro satiates the sweet toothed with melt in your mouth deliciousness - Cannoli’s, crepes, tarts and cheesecakes. Saravana Bhawan offers authentic south Indian cuisine - the queue lining up outside is proof of the sizzling flavors inside. Hard Rock Cafe at Times square is for the rock star in you, you can listen to the rock and roll legends while finishing off a pizza, the American way. Mamoun’s Falafel offers falafels and shavarma's until 2:00am so the New Yorker is never hungry.

Head out to an exciting pub hopping night life or relax with a glass of wine on street side cafes watching the night unfold. It doesn’t matter whether you have seen all there is to see, New York City laps you up and you are almost always heading back for a second time visit.

Editor's note: Most articles submitted to Chillibreeze go through a selection process. Only 30 percent of submitted articles are accepted for publication on the Chillibreeze.com featured article list. All accepted articles are edited and proofread for glaring errors of punctuation and grammar. Sentence structure is changed in certain cases and sometimes, entire sections are rewritten. If you notice any errors that have slipped through the cracks, do let us know! (Email us at info at chillibreeze dot com).

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in July, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

More on Chillibreeze.com

Other popular articles on Chillibreeze

Social Media Monitoring – Listening to Your Audience
How to Choose the Best Distance Learning Course for You
Traveling With a Sense of Adventure
Overcoming Academic Snobbishness
Kabini Calling

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

—About our writer:

Meera Ramanathan has a master's degree in Information Systems from BITS Pilani. She has worked as a design architect in SAP for over 5 years and continues that streak with ERP based products. She is a columnist at Behindwoods.com focusing on Cinema.

Ten Must-See Places in New York City

chillibreeze writer — Meera Ramanathan

More on Chillibreeze.com

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers: