I would recommend starting at Wall St. going through Chinatown, Little Italy, the Village, Washington Sq. Park … and so on. Seeing all the cultures that have made NY city what it is. And you should not miss The Museum of Natural History, one of the best ever!

absolutely. what kinds of things are you into?

I have made a few lists, if you like Poe there’s some Poe history downtown and up in the Bronx.

South Street Seaport is the most historical looking spot, they have the cobblestone in. Plus Stone Street is the origial dutch stonework from the 1600s

Park Row near city hall has a lot of publishing history. Plus that was the theatre district before times square existed. Americas first one way rode is Theatre Alley between beakman and ann st. the theatres were all there and horse carriages could not fit two across the street when people were trying to get to see shows, so they made it a one way and it still exists today, but don’t go a night, it’s kind of dark and scary. during the day is fine, but as always, don’t travel alone in New York

My husband and I went in 2006. My absolute favorite was the Statue of Liberty, but you have to go two days early and get a ticket for the tour inside.(Look online for the location to pick up the tickets…they must be picked up two days in advance, so you have to plan for this.) Then you come back two days later, ride over and then take the tour inside. I found the inside tour to be so interesting.Without the inside tour, the Statue would drop down to one of my top 10 things while there instead of number one, to me it’s the inside tour that makes it so fun. I would say plan 3-5 hours for that trip.

My husband’s favorite and my close 2nd was Ellis Island. This was one of the most amazing museums I’ve ever been in. Plan for a whole day. If you like history, you will love this. They have recordings of actual people who were on Ellis Island describing what it was like and some of the info is heartbreaking, some inspiring. There are three stories and if you want to linger and truly enjoy the experience, plan for a whole day trip or go here first and the Statue second. My husband and I are planning a return trip just to go back and spend more time at Ellis Island, we felt rushed the first time, because we didn’t plan properly. The same ferry goes to both islands. Those were our absolute two favorites. Hope it helps. Have fun!

Are you going to visit New York State or just New York City? There are a billion and one things to do in New York City, but there are also many things to do and places to go outside the city! It also depends on what time of year you’re going as well. /:

If you are going upstate, check out the Adirondacks,the Finger Lake Region or Niagara Falls. Niagara is kind of touristy, which I normally don’t like, but well worth experiencing the utter power of this river.

Hi, I cant answer for New york City – never been there, But upstate in the winter is fabulous.Nigara falls may be a bit touristy in the summer (Cf Norrislaker) but in the winter it was virtually deserted and absolutely breathtaking. Im not big on academic places, but the Kodak museaum in Rochester is pretty magnificent, and in Albany there is a very poignant memorial to the firefighters who died in the twin Towers attack

First of all, is this all of NY state or NYC?
NYC- The Metropolitan Museum of Art is outstanding on the lower east side- Steinway on 57th where they make the Steinway pianos next to Carnegie Hall and The Russian Tea Room. Famous colleges are Cooper Union where you get in by brains and don’t have to pay. Hunter College, NY University. There’s Sotheby’s, Christie’s, for auctions- there’s a big auction coming up at Tavern on the Green 13-15th of this month. They will be auctioning all of the contents. Tavern on the Green has been a staple of Central Park and now is closing. A ride through Central Park would be nice. The Village is interesting- Mulberry St for great Italian food, lots of shops and eclectic restaurants. Chinatown for Chinese food and buying wares on the street from street vendors. Rockefeller Plaza on 51st another great place take a tour of NBC studios, eat at the rink, go to the top of the Rock.

In Ny State- Poughkeepsie- Vasssar Colege where Jackie O went. New Platz, Lake Minnewashka state park, too luch to list but all fun stuff. Hope this helped.

Hi Andrea,

I agree with Trish111, to some degree. I would definitely go and check out the American Museum of Natural History and it’s planetarim (http://www.amnh.org/) which is on Central Parks west side. On the east side of central park, I would check out the Museum of Modern Art (http://www.moma.org/), as well as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (http://www.guggenheim.org/). Then I’d look into the FAO Schwart toy store (http://www.fao.com/home/index.jsp) and perhaps head down to the Empire State Building (http://www.esbnyc.com/) and then Macy’s (http://gonyc.about.com/od/shopping/p/macys.htm) for some shopping.

The Statue of Liberty (http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm) is also something that shouldn’t be missed. There’s just so much to see and do. Have a look into the Circle Line (http://www.circleline42.com/site/default.aspx) as well as the Gray Line to see NYC from the sea and streets, respectively.

Also, most the museums that I mentioned previously have been seen in some movies. Have a look below:

American Museum of Natural History – Night in the Museum (Ben Stiller)

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Men In Black (Will Smith)
FAO Schwartz toy store – Big (Tom Hanks)

Empire State Building – King Kong movies

Macys – numerous movies

Oh, and don’t forget Ellis Island! It’s a very relevant and historically significant place for many who entered America. I’ve never been, but plan to make it a stop in the not to distant future.

You should definitely go to Federal Hall. It’s like one of the least visited and most important places in the country! http://www.nps.gov/feha/

Also visit the US Customs House now the museum of the american indian.

Across the street from the Bowling Green (look up the history on that!)

http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=visitor

have fun!

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