Introduction
New York City comprises of five boroughs including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Many of the major attractions are in Manhattan and therefore the main destination for most visitors to the city. However, the other boroughs also offer many interesting attractions that are worth visiting. You can easily get your way to many of the city’s attractions by taking the subway trains, with many within walking distance from the stations.
Attractions
New York City is home to several well-known landmarks and on top of the list is the 305-feet (93 meters) Statue of Liberty, a recognizable symbol of freedom. Another is the 1,250-feet (381 meters) Empire State Building and the observation floors of the 86th and 102nd floors offer panoramic views of New York City. The United Nations Building is a symbol of international cooperation and accessible to the public through guided tours. The Rockefeller Center is a massive commercial complex designed in the Art Deco style and includes shops and restaurants occupying the underground passages.
New York City features several magnificent museums and galleries. The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, comprising of 25 interconnected buildings. The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is a military and maritime museum centering on the former aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid with its interesting collection of military aircraft. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a huge museum and known for its art collections from around the world including Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas.
New York City is a city of entertainment with Manhattan’s Times Square being the epicenter. It is a glitzy area and home to the Broadway theaters offering large-scale musical productions. Within and outside Times Square are the Off and Off-Off Broadway theaters, offering smaller-scale but still interesting performances. The city is a destination for many performing pop stars and groups with major venues including Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Other entertainment venues include the cinemas, music clubs, and comedy clubs.
A famous park in the city is the 840-acre (340 hectare) Central Park, located in Uptown Manhattan and features green open spaces, forested areas, and lakes. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge covers an area of 9,155 acres (3,705 hectares) and is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in northeastern United States as well as home to several species of reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. The Staten Island Greenbelt is three times larger than Central Park and comprises of seven contiguous parks with varied topographies ranging from forested hills to wetlands.
The city is also a shopper’s paradise offering an excellent range of items including fashion, shoes, leather goods, jewelry, electronics, and watches to name a few. The retail scene here includes the shopping malls, department stores, independent stores, and markets. Prices are competitive and your only limit is the thickness of your wallet. Premier shopping streets include Fifth and Madison Avenues offering big name brands such as Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent. Bargain hunters should head to Orchard Street, Fulton Street Mall, Jamaica Avenue, and Fordham Road.
Conclusion
The attractions mentioned are just a sample of what New York City has to offer. The city offers much more and you would need more than a few days to experience this magnificent city. Furthermore, there is no distinct tourist season and welcomes visitors throughout the year. Remember to have a guidebook or a tourist map in hand to make the most of your visit to New York City.
