The Magic of New York – 5 Unique Attractions in This Amazing City

The View From the Edge

Move over, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Top of the Rock. There’s a new observation deck in town, called the Edge. Take the elevator in a Hudson Yards skyscraper up to the 100th floor (gulp), step outside, and you’ll be treated to a magical view extending all the way out to the horizon.

There’s even a section where the floor is made of clear glass, so you can look straight down, if you dare, to the street that is more than 1,100 feet below.

The Winding Paths of Central Park

When you’re back down on solid ground, don’t miss the chance to explore Central Park. The park is gorgeous in every season. Best of all, it is always surprising. When you walk along its winding paths, you never know what you will encounter around the next curve.

You might run into a roller skating party, a symphony concert, a waterfall, an a capella group, people blowing giant soap bubbles, a wedding party posing for photographs, an unexpected lake, swing dancers, or kite flyers. 

You might see someone famous. You may choose to have your portrait done. You could ride a horse, rent a bike, row a boat, or sit in a gondola and let someone else do the work. 

The Statue of Liberty

Whether or not you choose to climb up its steps (there are 215 to the top of the pedestal and another 162 to get to the crown), seeing the Statue of Living up close and in person is an experience unlike any other. 

Your ferry ticket will also take you to the nearby Ellis Island, the portal to the U.S. for more than 12 million immigrants. The old buildings now contain exhibits that recreate and explain the island’s activity from the late 1800s to the middle of the 20th century. 

Pro tip: Buy your tickets in advance online or in person at the ticket booth at the pier. Don’t buy tickets from people on the street – that’s a known scam.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (often called “the Met,” but don’t confuse it with the opera house!) houses a huge collection. It is, in fact, the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. 

Fashionistas won’t want to miss the special shows put on by the Costume Institute, where the clothing-as-art pieces exhibited range from something you might consider wearing to something that makes you go “wow” or “huh?” 

You might want to check out the Egyptian mummies, the medieval armor, the ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, or the exhibits dedicated to Asian, Islamic, African, European, and American art.

Walk or Bike Over the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is as breathtaking today as it was when it opened in 1883. It’s a pleasant walk or ride, even better now that bicycles and pedestrians each have their own lanes. When you get to the Brooklyn side, consider going down to the Brooklyn Bridge Park for spectacular views of lower Manhattan right across the river.