New York City is one of the most energetic and busy places on Earth. They call it the City that Never Sleeps for a reason, among several other well earned nicknames. And it is overflowing with iconic landmarks, experiences, and restaurants, which is why it's an incredibly popular tourist destination.
A lot of people will recommend off the beaten path, quirky tourist options, an idea that's usually good. That being said, there are more than a few classic locations every first time visitor to the Big Apple your experience. Regardless, no one should ever go to Times Square. Ever.
Statue of Liberty
It's honestly hard to think of a more iconic landmark in all of the United States. This massive neoclassical statue, a gift from France, lives on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. And it has been there since 1886. Yes, going to the Statue of Liberty is about as basic a tourist experience as you can find but it is an amazing feat of art and engineering, one that everyone should see at least once.
Empire State Building
Considered to be one of New York City's most popular attractions, the Empire State Building definitely belongs on your itinerary. Completed and opened in 1931, this stunning structure is immense in size with a legendary observation deck that offers amazing views of the city. Don't let that distract you from ESB's gorgeous neoclassical architecture, another reason people head there.
Central Park
Nothing screams New York City quite like Central Park. Surrounded by the concrete jungle of skyscrapers that is Manhattan, this is a key greenspace for New Yorkers and tourists alike. More than 42 million people visit this park annually, exploring it's landscaping and hidden details as well as just enjoying a piece of nature tucked away in such a heavily populated area.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Referred to as the Met, this is the largest art museum in the Americas and the fourth largest museum on the planet. It's permanent collection contains somewhere between 1.5 and two million works, depending on which site you read. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is in the top five greatest art collections in the world. Millions of people check it out every year. You should be one of them.
Coney Island
If you go to New York City and don't go to Brooklyn, you've missed a big part of what makes this place special. At the core of that is Coney Island, a section of Brooklyn loaded with amassment parks, rides, and more. If nothing else, it's worth heading out there for the hot dogs. The waterfront is a quintessential New York experience, one that visitors should not miss.