🗽A Historical and Practical Guide
New York City is packed with iconic landmarks, each steeped in history and brimming with unique experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this guide blends historical insight with helpful offers and ticket info to make your trip unforgettable.
1. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
History & What to Expect:
A gift from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty stands as a beacon of freedom and democracy. After marveling at the statue, take a short ferry ride to Ellis Island, the historic immigration station that processed over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. The museum there tells deeply personal stories of those who sought the American dream.
Ticket Info:
Book ferry tickets in advance via Statue City Cruises. Optional upgrades allow pedestal or limited crown access. Combination passes often include both islands.
Offers:
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
- Discounts for children and seniors
👉 Learn more
2. Central Park
History & What to Expect:
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, Central Park was America’s first landscaped public park, created to offer green space in an increasingly industrialized city. Today, it’s a beloved retreat filled with winding paths, scenic lakes, and cultural landmarks like the Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields tribute to John Lennon.
Tips & Offers:
- Entry is always free
- Bike rentals and guided pedicab tours available
- Seasonal rowboats and gondolas from the Loeb Boathouse
👉 Learn more
3. Empire State Building
History & What to Expect:
Completed in 1931 during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years. This art deco masterpiece offers sweeping views from its 86th and 102nd floor observatories. Inside, the building features a modern museum dedicated to its construction and cultural legacy.
Ticket Info:
- General Admission and Express Pass available
- 102nd-floor upgrades optional
- Included with the New York Pass
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
Offers:
- Free for kids under 6
- Discounted early and late visits for smaller crowds
👉 Learn more
4. Times Square
History & What to Expect:
Once known as Longacre Square, this area was renamed after The New York Times moved its headquarters here in 1904. Now a global epicenter of lights, ads, and theater, Times Square is where the world rings in the New Year and where Broadway dreams are made.
Tips:
- Always open and free to visit
- TKTS booth offers up to 50% off Broadway tickets
- Many restaurants feature budget-friendly prix fixe menus
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
👉 Learn more
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
History & What to Expect:
Founded in 1870, The Met houses over 5,000 years of art. Its vast collection spans Egyptian temples, Renaissance paintings, medieval armor, and rotating exhibitions. The rooftop garden offers art with a view of Central Park.
Ticket Info:
- Pay-what-you-wish for NY, NJ, CT residents and students
- Admission includes The Met Fifth Ave & The Met Cloisters
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
Offers:
- Free with most NYC museum passes
- Daily guided tours included
👉 Learn more
6. Brooklyn Bridge
History & What to Expect:
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge and an engineering marvel of its time. Designed by John A. Roebling and completed by his son and daughter-in-law, it connected Manhattan and Brooklyn during a pivotal era of NYC expansion.
Tips:
- Walking or biking is free
- Sunrise or sunset offers fewer crowds and beautiful light
- Guided history tours available
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
👉 Learn more
7. One World Observatory & 9/11 Memorial
History & What to Expect:
Built on the site of the former Twin Towers, One World Trade Center rises 1,776 feet in symbolic tribute to American independence. Its observatory features immersive exhibits and panoramic views. The 9/11 Memorial, with twin reflecting pools, honors nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 and 1993 attacks.
Ticket Info:
- Timed-entry tickets recommended
- Combo tickets available for museum and observatory
- Upgrades include skyline concierge experiences
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
Offers:
- Discounts for children, seniors, military, and students
- 9/11 Memorial is free; museum requires admission
👉 One World Observatory
👉 9/11 Memorial & Museum
8. The High Line
History & What to Expect:
Once an abandoned 1930s freight rail line, The High Line was transformed into a park in 2009. Stretching 1.45 miles, this elevated green space is now filled with public art, gardens, and city views, drawing locals and tourists alike to NYC’s revitalized west side.
Tips & Offers:
- Free entry
- Guided tours available from Friends of the High Line
- Combine with nearby attractions like Whitney Museum or Little Island
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
👉 Learn more
💡 Bonus Tip: Save with a City Pass
If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions, consider purchasing:
- New York Sightseeing Pass
- New York Hop on Hop off Buses
- The New York Pass
- Check out the New York Sightseeing Pass
These passes can save you up to 40–50% on combined admission prices and often include skip-the-line entry at top attractions.
Final Word
New York City is a treasure trove of history, innovation, and energy. From 19th-century engineering marvels to modern sky-high observatories, each landmark tells a story. With a bit of planning and the right passes, you’ll discover not just the sights — but the spirit — of the Big Apple.
Book today with Expedia