The best Manhattan attractions

Built in 1931 over the span of just 11 months, this 1,454-foot Art Deco skyscraper has long stood as symbol of American innovation and ambition, and was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Looming large as ever in New York’s skyline, the building is one of the most visited attractions in the city. And with so many clamouring for the chance to take the 25-minute elevator ride to the open air observation deck on the 86th floor ($32, seniors $29, children $26), it’s best to arrive early, between opening at 8am and noon, for a chance to capture those iconic 360-degree views.

As seen in numerous songs, books and movies, America’s first landscaped public park is one of the most beloved attractions in New York City. Millions of tourists and locals alike seek year-round refuge from the concrete jungle within the idyllic, 843-acre plot, which was first brought to life in the mid-19th century by urban visionaries Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. Their thoughtful design reflects a harmonious balance of scenic elements that lives on today: pastoral (the open, picnic-ready lawn of the Sheep Meadow), formal (the liner, tree-lined Mall) and picturesque (the densely wooded paths of the Ramble).

Lady Liberty—or Liberty Enlightening the World, as she’s officially known—was a gift from France on America’s 100th birthday. A universal symbol of freedom that welcomed over 10 million immigrants sailing past to Ellis Island during the turn of the 20th century, the copper-plated sentinel stands 305 feet tall from the bottom of her base to the tip of her torch. Reserve well in advance—three weeks or more—to see New York’s skyline from Liberty Island with access to the statue’s crown (an extra $3 each), and go earlier in the day if you want to also take the ferry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

One World Observatory at World Trade Center lets visitors experience panoramic views of NYC on levels 100, 101 and 102 from atop the tallest building in the United States, 1,250 feet above the ground. The tour starts with a Jetsons-style arrival via Sky Pod elevators (some of the fastest in the world) which lead to a two-minute video presentation of gorgeous city images on the 102nd floor. Check out City Pulse on the 100th floor, showing HD videos featuring notable NYC landmarks and neighborhoods, then brave the Sky Portal, where a 14-foot wide circular disc gives you a view of real-time, high-definition footage of the streets below.

Occupying 13 acres of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which opened in 1880, is impressive in terms both of quality and scale. Added in 1895 by McKim, Mead and White, the neoclassical facade is daunting. However, the museum is surprisingly easy to negotiate, particularly if you come early on a weekday and avoid the crowds.

We won’t argue if you want to call this glimmering pinnacle of Art Deco architecture NYC’s most eye-popping skyscraper. Triangle-shaped windows in its crown are lined with lights, creating a beautiful effect come nighttime. Oozing a moneyed sophistication oft identified with old New York, the structure pays homage to its namesake with giant eagles (replicas of ones added to Chrysler automobiles in the 1920s) in lieu of traditional gargoyles and a brickwork relief sculpture of racing cars, complete with chrome hubcaps.

There’s something uniquely New York about this aerie. Built on an abandoned railway track, the space is ingenious in its use of reclaimed industrial detritus, a necessity in footage-starved Manhattan. But what we like best is how the pathway takes you above the city while keeping you rooted in urban life: Where else can you walk through a field of wildflowers or sprawl on a lush lawn as cabs zoom along the street beneath you?

In the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood are North America’s largest man-made waterfalls. Designed by Michael Arad, the twin reflecting pools bear the names of 3,000 deceased victims and serve as a solemn reminder of all that was lost during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. For those who wish to learn more about the events that transpired, the museum offers first hand accounts of survivors, picture and video footage of the attacks and recovered objects such as a wrecked recovery vehicles and the 30-foot National 9/11 Flag.

Built by one of the richest businessmen of his era, John D. Rockefeller, this enormous complex employed over 40,000 workers over nine years during its construction. On a daily basis, more than 350,000 visitors make their way to the historic landmark, starting early in the morning with folks hoping to see celebrities or wave to their families on TV at the Today Show plaza. Meanwhile, fans of television clamour for the NBC studio tour ($33 for adults, $29 for children), which covers the network’s history and sites in 30 Rock. The busiest time to visit, of course, is December when the enormous, 70-foot Christmas Tree stands proud above the plaza ice rink.