The team at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are New York City natives. For years, we’ve helped people just like you with personal injury,auto accident, workers’ compensation, and similar cases, working hard to provide them with sound legal counsel and maximize compensation for medical bills and related expenses, and you can call our experienced team at 1-516-342-2200 now for a free consultation.
Over the years, we’ve learned just how much there is to see and do in Manhattan. If you’re new to the Big Apple — or you’re simply looking for something to fill your day — we can help. Let’s take a look at the top 13 things to do in America’s most popular city, whether you’re a fan of museums or want to take a tour of New York City’s bustling outdoor areas.
Take an Art Sightseeing Tour at the Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (affectionately nicknamed the Met) is New York’s most famous museum, hands down. The Met is filled with millions of art exhibits and artifacts. In fact, there’s so much to see in this wonderfully designed museum that you’ll have to spend several days touring its halls and exhibits if you want to see everything.
The Met is certainly a place to stop by if you are an art buff or a history fanatic. While there’s a restaurant and plenty of seating areas in the Met itself, we recommend coming back a few times so you don’t burn out or get fatigued.
See a Show on Broadway
Broadway is another famous area in Manhattan, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy stage performances that are renowned around the world. Of course, what’s playing on Broadway changes from season to season. Take a look at the shows that are set to be playing when you visit Manhattan, then book some tickets. Each first-time experience is memorable.
Some favorite Broadway shows include The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to see masters of the arts in action, Broadway is the place to do it.
Not only is Broadway a great place to take in some shows, but it’s also lined with delicious restaurants and excellent hotels, so it’s easy enough to book a room, see a show, and enjoy the rest of your night out without having to walk all around the city.
Take a Walking Tour of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a Manhattan landmark, and it’s easy to reach through the Liberty Island ferry. Tours of the Statue of Liberty aren’t too expensive, but they give you the opportunity to see this amazing piece of art up close and personal.
Lady Liberty is unlike any other landmark in the U.S., both symbolically and geographically. Thanks to Ellis Island’s location along New York Harbor in Lower Manhattan, it’s the perfect spot to take in the ambiance and grandeur of the broader city. And if it’s your first time at this tourist attraction, we recommend trying the guided tour.
Stroll Through Central Park
Central Park is the ideal reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Stop by in the morning, in the middle of the day, or in the evening, and you’ll be treated to 842.6 acres of picturesque woodlands, streams, lakes, and walking paths, all maintained by dutiful service staff.
Central Park is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, as it is the largest green space in a metropolitan area in the entire world. It’s a true sanctuary away from the chaos and concrete of the world outside, giving a chance to breathe some fresh air and enjoy nature even in the heart of Manhattan.
Central Park is so big, though, that you might be surprised at just how long it takes to walk through the entire thing. Our advice? Walk through Central Park until you get tired, then escape to the city for more adventures. You can even check out the Central Park Zoo for a fun excursion with your family members, especially if you have a few kids in your party.
Visit the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is another excellent NYC landmark to check out while you visit Manhattan. If you visit the Empire State Building, you can go up to the Observatory level, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the surrounding NYC boroughs. On clear days, you can even see into New Jersey for several miles.
If it’s a bit too cold, you should still check out the Empire State Building for its Art Deco architecture and the entrance lobby, which displays this unique architectural style very visibly. The Empire State Building was once the tallest building in Manhattan, though now that title belongs to One World Trade Center. Still, it’s a piece of Manhattan history you don’t want to miss.
Grab a New York Slice
When you visit Manhattan, you have to grab a New York slice of delicious pizza while you’re here. Fortunately, there’s not just one restaurant that has the absolute best New York City pizza, although many of the top pizzerias are located in Soho and Little Italy. For our money, the best places to grab a slice in New York City include:
- Mama’s Too!, located at 2750 Broadway, New York, NY
- Patsy’s Pizza, located at 20287 1st Ave., New York, NY
- NY Pizza Suprema, located at 413 8th Ave., New York, NY
There are dozens of quality pizzerias to check out, truth be told. Fortunately, the prevalence of good places to grab a bite to eat means that you’re never too far from a snack or dinner when you get hungry (an inevitable outcome when you spend all day walking around Manhattan).
Stop by Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center is a historic place in and of itself, as it was once the business center of John D. Rockefeller’s various enterprises. Nowadays, Rockefeller Center is primarily known for its centralized location, ice-skating rink, and 80-foot-tall Christmas tree in the winter.
If you visit Rockefeller Center in the morning, you can try your luck at getting on The Today Show, which films crowd segments each weekday morning. While you’re here, check out Radio City Music Hall, an entertainment venue located in Rockefeller Center itself. Take a tour to learn more about the history of music in New York City and beyond.
Absorb the Skyline at the Top of the Rock
Stay at Rockefeller Center and ascend to the Top of the Rock: an observation deck experience that includes a gift shop, bar, and other neat treats. The Top of the Rock lets you see the Manhattan skyline in all of its glory. Plus, you’ll learn how the Center and various other skyscrapers, such as the Chrysler Building and Fifth Avenue’s Flatiron Building, were constructed.
In this way, the Top of the Rock is both an aesthetic experience and a chance to learn more about the history of this magnificent city. It’s an ascent everyone should try at least once to get impressive views of the city and the financial district.
Soak in the Setting at One World Observatory
Alternatively, visit the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center, the former location of the Twin Towers. This is the highest observation point in all of Manhattan, so it offers truly unbelievable and unbeatable views of the surrounding city.
You’ll be able to see the Hudson River and Hudson Yards from here. In addition, you’ll have a few of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, and all the boroughs of NYC. From the observatory, you can see every key aspect of the city, ranging from Harlem to Midtown Manhattan to Chinatown and beyond.
Learn About History at Intrepid
Manhattan is the permanent home of the USS Intrepid: an aircraft carrier that saw service in World War II and the Vietnam War. Nowadays, Intrepid is a world-class museum that allows you to dive deep into the bones of a massive naval warship, offering the chance to see how sailors used to live and work within.
Note: As the Intrepid sometimes houses a space shuttle, it’s advisable to see what exhibits are on display before stopping by the museum. In any event, it’s a wonderful experience for history buffs, navy aficionados, and fans of military tech alike.
Shop at Times Square and Chelsea Market
Times Square and Chelsea Market both offer ample opportunities to soak in the Manhattan ambiance and shop at some of the best stores and brands in the world. Full of flashing billboards advertising products, shows, and beyond, Times Square is a feast for the eyes. Be advised: these shopping destinations are also usually packed with tourists all throughout the year, so be ready to walk with determination!
Be sure to stop by the cafes and boutiques in these areas for Italian, French, and a variety of other cuisines. There’s no place like downtown Manhattan for must-see shopping attractions.
Check Out Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most famous train stations in the Western Hemisphere, and for good reason. It looks marvelous and unique, marrying practical architectures with old-fashioned stylistic aesthetics. It’s still in use, and, if you’re so inclined, you can even catch a train from Grand Central Terminal.
Alternatively, you can visit the restaurant overlooking the station for a chance to grab a bite and people-watch.
Don’t Forget the American Museum of Natural History
Last but not least, take a few hours or a day to visit the American Museum of Natural History. It’s a perfect spot to burn some time if you have kids with you, as it’s an entertaining and informative experience from start to finish.
Right off the bat, you’ll find a life-sized cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and deeper, you’ll find taxidermied animals, scientific exhibits, mineral samples, and much more. The Hayden Planetarium is the destination to check out if you or your kids are fans of astronomy or the universe beyond the Earth.
Like the Met, the Museum of Natural History is so large that you may not be able to get through its entirety in a single day. Consider purchasing a multi-day pass or visiting on several occasions to really absorb everything the Museum has to offer.
If you’re looking for more museums to visit, the MOMA and the September 11 Memorial & Museum are two worth seeing at least once in your lifetime.
Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers Today
No matter what you like to do or where you’ve come from, there’s always something to do and experience in Manhattan. In fact, Manhattan is so chock-full of things to do that odds are you’ll have to come back multiple times just to absorb the city in its entirety. And on that note: We haven’t even touched on the Museum of Modern Art, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and so many of the other fun sights and sounds known around the world but that belong exclusively to the city that never sleeps.
As for Schwartzapfel Lawyers, we’re sticking around to help New Yorkers just like you with your personal injury, auto accident, and other pressing legal matters. As knowledgeable and trustworthy attorneys, we’re well-equipped and ready to make you financially whole by fighting for you™ every step of the way.
So, please, don’t wait. Your future is too important. Instead, act now and contact us today at 1-516-342-2200!
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 1-516-342-2200 now!
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Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You™™
Overview + History | Statue of Liberty
