New York museum photos

Gothamites may loathe having to constantly dodge slow-moving tourists on the streets, but in the end, we love many of the same New York tourist attractions that sightseers do (admit it). We compiled our top must-visit spots below, and the good news is there are so many great things to do in NYC today that there’s plenty of the city to go around. And don’t worry, we can still keep the best art shows and best restaurants to ourselves…maybe. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best New York attractions

To mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial, part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, was unveiled during a ceremony on September, 11, 2011. The memorial opened to the public the following day and, in its first three months of operation, attracted more than one million visitors. Find out about its years-long construction and planning, as well as things to see during your next visit by clicking through our gallery.RECOMMENDED: 50 best New York attractions

“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” goes the old joke. “Practice, practice, practice.” One of the most prestigious concert venues in the world, Carnegie Hall has hosted some of the greatest classical, opera and jazz musicians of the last century. Click through our photo slide show to learn more about this venerable New York attraction.RECOMMENDED: 50 best New York attractions

Unlike more touristy New York attractions, locals visit Grand Central Terminal every day. The striking Beaux Arts building is simultaneously a major transportation hub and an iconic New York location, immortalized in movies such as 1978’s Superman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Avengers. It’s also where Improv Everywhere’s 2008 “Frozen Grand Central” took place, a.k.a. the stunt that launched a thousand flash mobs. In 2013, Grand Central Terminal turns a venerable 100 years old—an exhibition and a year’s worth of special events are planned. In the meantime, click through our photo tour to learn about this grand old train station.RECOMMENDED: 50 best New York attractions

Just try imagining New York City’s skyline without the Empire State Building. Pretty tough, huh? Since its completion in 1931, this marvel of engineering has remained one of the city’s most iconic sites and a visible reminder to Gothamites that they’re home. Click through the slide show above for photos of the Empire State Building’s construction, the aftermath of the 1945 plane crash and other historical moments, as well as sweeping views of the city from atop one of our favorite New York attraction’s observation decks.   Book Online RECOMMENDED: 50 best New York attractions  

RECOMMENDED: See all weekend trip ideas17th Annual Franklin County CiderDaysApples are the stars of this weekend-long fest, spread over 13 orchards near the Vermont--Massachusetts border. The schedule includes cider-making workshops and a hard-cider-tasting salon. If you're interested in the history of the fruit, reps from the North and South will host an apple tasting and debate the regional origin of the pippin, a dispute that dates back to the Civil War. Locations, times and prices vary; visit ciderday.org for details. Nov 5--6. Travel time: 3.5hrs from NYC by car.New England Tree Climbing AssociationThis organization takes climbers to wooded locations in New York, New Jersey, Vermont and Connecticut. Novices can start out with the Adventure Climb ($60, children $30): Following a short safety instruction class, you're free to start scaling conifers. Ropes and a special "saddle" are already in place, allowing you to safely ascend to a height of up to 80 feet—let go and enjoy the sensation of hanging in place, as you gawk at colorful fall leaves or, later in the season, unobstructed views of the surrounding forests.Stone Barns Center for Food and AgricultureThis sustainable farm's events calendar is jam-packed in the fall, offering food-minded day-trippers plenty of delicious options for seasonal classes. Sign up for Farm to Table: Farm, Cook, Feast (Nov 5 11am--1:30pm; $50) to get your hands dirty harvesting ingredients and then turn them into lunch during a cooking class.