Landmarks in NYC You Can’t Miss

NYC is iconic for many reasons, but I would hate for you to spend all this money and then NOT check out the places on this list, or at least have the opportunity to decide if you can or not. From the classics like the Brooklyn Bridge to ones that aren’t “as popular” but, in my opinion, are worth checking out more. This guide will go over my tips for hitting all these landmarks without stressing about packed schedules and risking missing the opportunity to see them. Here is your ultimate guide to landmarks in NYC you can’t miss.

Landmarks In NYC You Can’t Miss & Some Helpful Tips

Tip #1: Visit Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty the first chance you get on a weekday and early in the morning. This place, as you can imagine, is always a madhouse and super busy. Going during the weekday, early in the morning, is your best bet, and getting in and out, and you have a chance to enjoy the rest of the day. I always like to plan my trips where we get the most in-demand excursion. 

Tip #2: Visit Brooklyn Heights during the day and then walk the Brooklyn Bridge right before sunset into Chinatown. This is your best bet at maximizing your trip so you aren’t wasting time moving back and forth. 

Tip #3: If you’re planning on doing a Day Trip from NYC (which I highly recommend), that’s a great way to see Grand Central without going out of your way just to see it! Maybe it’s because I am from here, but Grand Central feels underwhelming, so there’s no need, in my opinion, to travel all the way to see it for 5 minutes and then leave. It makes more sense to stop by while you’re commuting or if you happen to be close by. Regardless, a little day trip to smaller towns north of NYC is a great idea to escape the hectic energy of NYC!

Tip #4: You only need to walk through Times Square once at night. During the day isn’t as nice as night, trust me. At night is the move, and it’s perfect after a Broadway show when you’re already in the area. There aren’t many good food spots nearby, so use this as your “I’m ready to go home, and Times Square has a lot of trains to connect to, so let’s stop by Times Square for a bit”. 

Tip #5: While you’re visiting the Met Museum (which to me is a non-negotiable), plan a whole afternoon in Central Park. As iconic as Central Park is, it’s one of my favorite places in NYC for good reason. You can quite literally spend an entire day here. I love napping in public parks while on vacation (because why would I commute back to a hotel to sleep in my clean bed when I can just nap in the park like a local?) If you’re not looking to nap, rent bikes, paddle boats, have a picnic, and people-watch.

Tip #6: The Empire State Building is worth seeing, but not going to. Hear me out, it’s great to say you went to the Empire State Building, but in my opinion, the surrounding observation decks have a great view of the Empire State Building with the NYC skyline. They make for great photos, too. My favorite observation deck is The Edge. They have great viewpoints, perfect for photo opportunities, an upper level, and if you love a thrill, you can scale the side of the building for epic views of the skyline! If you don’t want to spend money doing that, going to a rooftop bar like The Skylight is a great way to see unobstructed views!

There You Have It

This guide is for you to take full advantage of and take all my tips and tricks to make your trip to NYC as seamless as possible. There’s no need to stress about seeing everything. Just follow my tips and you’re already in good hands. Once you’ve seen the landmarks, try to check out the hidden gems in NYC. I have a whole post with my favorite local spots you cannot miss, Hidden Gems in NYC. 

Veronica

Hi everyone! My name is Veronica, but you can also call me Vee! I grew up in the iconic city of Brooklyn, NY, the cultural hub of the world, and hence learned about so many different cultures. It was those experiences that inspired me to travel and from then on, I had learned the power of travel. In return, I want to give others that same experience, to help inspire others to unleash their inner travel enthusiast no matter the trip.

See Full Bio