Top Sights to See in New York City

New York is a city known the world over for a number of famous landmarks, and is among the most visited cities in the world. It is both the cultural and economic center of the United States, and holds special significance in American history as the port through which the then fledgling nation welcomed the majority of the immigrants who came here. To say that there is a lot to see and do in New York is an understatement. It’s not a city that can be experienced in a short space of time, requiring a number of weeks to get the full experience. Below are some of the top sights the city has to offer.

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Central Park

Central Park is an iconic location, made famous as the backdrop to the coffee shop in the TV show ‘Friends’. The park is a beautiful open space that is always filled with the full range of lifestyles in New York. Performers are scattered throughout and there’s plenty of space to sit back, relax and enjoy some nature in the middle of the city. The park was designed in 1858 by the renowned landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted in a collaboration with the architect Calber Vaux after their design won a competition. The park is large, covering some 843 acres, and brings in a staggering 37.5 million visitors a year, making Central Park one of the most visited sites in the world.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic structures in the world and is the embodiment of the American dream, it is one of the most common stops on any tour of New York. The statue was constructed in France as a gift to the United States and shipped over in 1886 where it was erected on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The statue greeted new arrivals to the Shores of the US and the famous inscription on its base reflects the pro-immigrant sentiment that prevailed at the time.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York is home to Broadway and is widely cited as being the cultural heart of the United States. Consequently, no trip to New York is complete without taking in some of its unique culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art contains art of all manner of different styles, from contemporary pieces and modern art to collections of ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pieces.

Times Square

Times Square, which is not in fact a square; rather it’s a bow-tie shape, is itself host to a number of instantly recognizable New York landmarks. A number of corporate and retail outlets in the area have become landmarks in their own right; the Disney store, M&M’s World, The Hard Rock Café, and Planet Hollywood. For a number of weeks each year, Times Square is closed to allow for filming to take place, it has featured in innumerable feature films.

New York is an internationally renowned city that is overflowing with landmarks and sites of historical importance. There is too much to do in a short time, but the above sights will get you started.