After visiting New York for the third time recently, I finally feel like I might be qualified to make one of these posts. NYC is obviously a city full of so many amazing spots to visit. But since I have been there a few times now, I've developed a good idea of the most iconic areas people like to see. There are a plethora of articles providing itineraries for visiting New York. But I wanted to make my own version considering the areas that I think are most worth visiting for a first-timer.
I'm mostly including Manhattan spots on this list, since I haven't ventured out too far into the other boroughs.
THE MUST-SEE LIST:
Times Square
If you've been to New York before, no one would blame you for opting out of a visit to this tourist-packed area of the city. But if it's your first time in NYC, it's worth fighting through the crowds to see this infamous spot in all its glory. Times Square is crowded, chaotic and overwhelming - but it's also iconic, and worth seeing in person at least once. The best time to visit is at night of course, when the billboards are so bright that it almost looks like daylight. While you're there, check out the Disney Store, Hershey's World, and the many, many clothing shops if you're interested.
Central Park
Central Park has always been my favorite place to visit in New York. No matter the season, the trees always look beautiful against the iconic New York skyline, and walking through the park is such a peaceful way to spend a morning. There are plenty of places to grab snacks or even a full meal, and endless opportunities for incredible photos. A few spots worth visiting include the jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the Bethesda Terrace, the John Lennon memorial, and Belvedere Castle. I recommend studying a map of the park before you go so you can plan out which areas to walk through. If you're short on time, you can always step out of the park and take the subway to another end you want to visit.
The World Trade Center
This is actually one of the few places in New York I've visited on all my trips. The 9/11 Memorial is the most important site here, and I think every visitor to New York should see it at least once. It's something that can't be properly described, but has to be experienced in person. Right next to the memorial is the recently opened Oculus, which has a beautiful white interior full of natural light. Century 21 is also right across from the Oculus, which is a great store if you're looking for some designer brands at great prices.
Grand Central Station
One of the prettiest buildings in New York both inside and outside, Grand Central Station is easy to get to thanks to its midtown location. You can take a subway there from almost any part of the city, or even walk from Times Square. It's worth doing merely because of how iconic this spot is (although, honestly, it always reminds me of the opening scene of Gossip Girl haha). Be sure to look up at the intricately decorated ceiling overhead, and keep in mind that hundreds of people pass through it at a time, so you'll need to stand out of the way if you want to take pictures.
The New York Public Library
I'm adding the NYPL to the must-see list mostly because it's right by Grand Central, so there's no reason not to walk over a couple blocks to see it. This is another beautiful, timeless building from the outside, and from the inside, looks almost more like a museum than a library. The Rose Reading room on the third floor is worth stopping by, as well as the children's area on the lowest floor, where you can see the original stuffed animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh. I also love stopping by the gift shop here, though keep in mind that it usually closes by 6pm.
Brooklyn Bridge
I didn't get to walk this famous bridge until my third time in New York, and it was probably the one thing I wish I would have done sooner. The view was beautiful, and it was a really nice, relaxing way to spend a morning. The walk over the bridge is about a mile long, and from there you can head straight to DUMBO which has great views of the bridge for photos.
Joe's Pizza
It's not so much that Joe's Pizza is an absolute must-stop for a first time visit to New York, but that having an authentic slice of NY pizza is an absolute must. This just happens to be my preferred place for it. The famous location is in Greenwich Village near Washington Square Park. But there is another store conveniently located right by Times Square. There will definitely be a line to grab a slice of this infamous pizza, but the wait is worth it.
Levain Bakery
My sweet tooth might make me biased here, but I believe Levain Bakery is always worth stopping by whenever I find myself in New York. These cookies are pretty famous for their amazing, chocolatey deliciousness, and are well-loved by many celebrities. You can tell they're good by the long lines outside both of their locations in the Upper West Side. They're also a bit pricey, but hey, this is New York, and these are some of the best cookies in the country. I like to stop here after a long walk through Central Park, as they make the perfect afternoon snack.
WORTH VISITING:
Broadway
Broadway is pretty much synonymous with New York, and with so many different shows to choose from, it's almost impossible not to find a show you'd enjoy. It's also fairly easy to find affordable tickets. From entering lotteries (many shows, including Hamilton, offer them) to getting discounted tickets online (the TodayTix website is a great one), there are many ways to get a good deal. I opted for waiting at one of the TKTS booths the day of to get tickets for Anastasia. The most popular booth is in Times Square, but there are others with shorter lines in other areas. Just make sure to pay attention to the opening times and line up minutes before.
An Observation Deck
Observation decks that let you see the full skyline of New York from the top of a skyscraper are amazing to visit, but they can also get very expensive. However, if it's your first time ever in New York, I do think it's worth visiting one to get a feel for just how many skyscrapers cover Manhattan. I personally prefer Top of the Rock because it lets you be out in the open air and get a view of the Empire State Building, but there are also observation decks at the One World Trade Center and Empire State.
Rockefeller Plaza
This plaza, which is right beside the Today Show and Tonight Show studios as well as Magnolia Bakery, is a great option to stop by on your way to Times Square or Central Park. It's a definite must-stop during the holidays to get a glimpse of the amazing Rockefeller Christmas tree and skating rink. But any time of the year is a great time to see this plaza, and the surrounding buildings which have been featured on countless movies and TV shows.
The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Confession: This is the one place on this list that I haven't actually been inside. I've somehow always seemed to run out of time. However, it's definitely on my list for next time. If you don't have time to go inside the actual museum, it's worth at least visiting the infamous steps outside it. Its location right on the edge of Central Park's east side makes it a great spot to eat lunch by after a walk through the park - and another beautiful photo-op.
A Live Studio Taping
Speaking of TV shows, New York is also where many talk shows are currently filmed. The neat thing is, you can be a guest at most audiences for free. The real trick is securing a spot early enough. The Tonight Show and SNL are notoriously difficult to get into, but it's worth trying ahead of time. An easier option is Live with Kelly and Ryan, which I got to visit during my last trip. You can request tickets about a month in advance, but make sure to do it as soon as the date you want opens up. A good idea would be to get tickets for several days of your stay, and then choose which you want to attend based on the guests, which are usually announced about a week before.
Little Italy
There are so many great restaurants in New York, but one of my favorite areas for dinner is Little Italy, which is so cute and romantic in the evening. There are many different restaurants here, but I've only been to one, so I couldn't really tell you which is the best. But I doubt you can really go wrong. If anything, come here just to walk through in the evening and maybe grab some delicious gelato.
IF TIME ALLOWS:
I've loved visiting all of the iconic spots below (except for the MOMA or Guggenheim, which I haven't been to), but out of this list, these are the ones I think are okay to miss for your first time in New York. Unless of course you have a particular interest in them.
SOHO - New York's famous shopping district featuring everything from Acne to Prada. My favorite here is actually a grocery store, Dean & Deluca.
Wall Street - walk through this part of the financial district for a photo with the famous Charging Bull and a view of Wall Street's iconic buildings.
MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the Guggenheim - for the art lovers, these are two other famous museum options in the city.
The Staten Island Ferry - a free opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty from fairly close, and a great view of the Manhattan skyline. The full trip takes about an hour, and you must get off the ferry at Staten Island and re-board it for Manhattan.
Washington Square Park - home of the famous Washington Square Arch, and right by New York University if you're curious about what it would feel like to be a college student in the big apple.
Lincoln Center - about two blocks from the lower west side of Central Park, this arts center includes the Metropolitan Opera and the famous Julliard School for theater, dance and music.
Yankee Stadium - add this to your must-see list if you're a big Yankees or baseball fan. Otherwise, stop by this famous stadium in the Bronx if time allows or you have tickets to a game.
For a map of all my favorite spots in New York (including a few highly recommended ones that are on my list for next time), click here. The map is color-coded by activities, food options, photo ops and more.
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