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New York City is a place of endless possibilities and vibrant energy. It’s a city that never sleeps, where you can find anything and everything your heart desires. New York City has something to offer everyone, from world-class museums and theaters to bustling streets and iconic landmarks. Here are 10 places to enjoy New York City life:
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building is a triangular-shaped skyscraper built in 1902. It’s one of the most recognizable buildings in New York City and is a popular tourist destination. You can learn more in our self-guided audio tour or enjoy the views from the observation deck of the building.
How to get there: The Flatiron Building is located at 175 Fifth Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets. The closest subway station is 23rd Street (F, M, NQ, R).
Tip: The Flatiron District is well-known for its restaurants and cafes. Other neighborhoods to explore in Lower Manhattan are Chinatown and Little Italy where you can sample Chinese and Italian dishes.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is another iconic skyscraper in New York City. It was built in 1931 and was the tallest building in New York City until the World Trade Center was built. The Empire State Building offers stunning city views from its observation patio.
How to get there: The Empire State Building stands at 350 Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. The closest subway station is 34th Street-Herald Square (B, D, F, M, NQ, R).
Tip: Every year, a ‘Run-up’ is hosted inside the Empire State Building. It is a skyscraper version of the famed New York City marathon and the first race of its kind in the world.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. It was constructed between 1903 and 1913 and is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture. The station is home to several shops, restaurants, and a famous clock.
How to get there: Grand Central Terminal is located at 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017. The closest subway station is Grand Central-42nd Street (4, 5, 6, 7, S).
Tip: Be sure to visit the Whispering Gallery, where you can stand on one side of the room and whisper to someone on the other. The room’s acoustics make it possible to hear the other person’s voice perfectly.
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New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is one of the largest libraries in the world. It’s a beautiful building worth visiting, even if you’re not a big reader. The library has several special collections, including the Morgan Library and Museum.
How to get there: The New York Public Library is located at 476 Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. The closest subway station is 42nd Street-Grand Central (7, S, 4, 5, 6).
Tip: Make sure to look down as the part of 41st Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue is aptly called Library Way and all along its pavement are bronze plaques with quotes from famous authors and poets.
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Times Square
Times Square is one of the most famous intersections in the world. It’s a bustling area of bright lights, Broadway shows, and street performers. Times Square is a great place to experience the excitement of New York City.
How to get there: Times Square is located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between West 42nd Street and West 47th Street, the closest subway station is the 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal station, served by multiple subway lines including the A, C, E, N, Q, R, 1, 2, 3, 7, and S.
Tip: Just a few meters away from Times Square, there’s a speakeasy called Bar Centrale hidden away in an unassuming brownstone alley; being so close to the Theater District it’s a favorite hangout for Broadway’s actors and cast members, so you might spend a night with the stars!
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Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is a historic theater home to the Radio City Rockettes. It’s also a popular venue for concerts and other events. Built on a plot of land that was originally meant for the Metropolitan Opera House, and is famous throughout the entire country, so much so that it has earned it the nickname ‘Showplace of the Nation’.
How to get there: Radio City Music Hall is located at 1260 Sixth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. The closest subway station is 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center (1, 2, 3, 7).
Tip: A notable feature of the Radio City Music Hall today is its dance company, the Rockettes. The all-female troupe has been performing at the Hall since the Thirties and is as much a landmark of New York City.
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Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center was built in the middle of the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was widely seen as a giant project undertaken during that decade of general recession, and it’s certainly huge enough to earn that description. The entire complex includes 19 buildings and covers around 22 acres, which is almost 90,000 square meters.
How to get there: Rockefeller Center is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Streets. The closest subway station is 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center (1, 2, 3, 7).
Tip: During the cold season, Rockefeller Plaza is transformed into an ice-skating rink and the famous Christmas tree is set up and subsequently lit up on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
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5th Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. It’s home to a number of high-end stores, including Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.
How to get there: 5th Avenue runs along the east side of Central Park and is a major street in Manhattan, take the A, B, C, D, or 1 train to the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station and walk east.
Tip: The chunk of 5th Avenue that goes from 82nd Street to 110th Street on the Upper East Side has also been given a nickname, namely, the Museum Mile.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive museums. It’s home to a collection of over two million works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from all over the world.
How to get there: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue, the closest subway station to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the 86th Street station, served by the 4, 5, and 6 trains.
Tip: Brooklyn is one of the most vibrant areas in the city when it comes to contemporary art. If you’re feeling artistic,a stroll along Bushwick’s art galleries is just what you’re looking for!
Central Park
Though not the largest urban park in the world, Central Park still boasts almost 4 square kilometres of green space bang in the middle of one of the busiest and most crowded places on earth!
How to get there: Take the A, B, C, D, 1, N, Q, R, or W train to the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station. From there, you can access various entrances to Central Park.
Tip: A 2017 study by the amNewYork newspaper declared Central Park the most filmed location in the world, with no less than 230 movies having used it as one of their settings.
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- Duration: 2h 10min
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