Top 7 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC
There are over 100 Landmarks in New York City, way too many to see on one visit.
New York City, affectionately named “The Big Apple”. Anyone that has ever been to NYC can’t deny, it definitely does have everything. According to The United States National Landmark Program it even has the largest number of landmarks.
What is a Landmark you ask? A rather simple definition is: It can be a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its national historical significance.
Keep reading to see the Top 7 countdown of the most Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC.
American history sites have become the most popular New York State tourist attractions. Therefore peek times to visit will be busy. Most places can be quite crowded by people going about their everyday routine life, now add high tourist season on top of that. I highly recommend the best time to visit physical landmarks in New York is during the month of May or October. I have to warn you, the months between June through September, lines can have over a 1 hour long wait time.
…With that said, a good way to see landmarks or anything else is through “New York CityPASS” This is where you find discounts to a wide variety of tours, some including ‘skip to the front of the line’: Landmarks, Sight-seeing, Culinary, Shopping, Music, Walking, Flying…enough to fill a lifetime. This is probably why “New York City that never sleeps at night”. ; )
My favorite tour is always The Hop on Hop off bus tour. It has over 30 stops. If you are undecided as to what you want to see, take a full ride on the Hop on Hop off bus. It’s very informative. It could help you narrow down your must see list or there is a chance it could quite possibly add more to it. :
Here it is, The Top 7 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC
#7 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Ellis Island Immigration Center
Is a goldmine for anyone interested in genealogy. There is a good chance you may have had an ancestor pass through here. 12,000,000 immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island over a 60 year period. Many people received new names when they entered the country because it was difficult to communicate and or understand the question between two people speaking different languages. This is probably why there are so many people with the last name Miller or Baker, this was the occupation not their last name.
Fun Facts about Ellis Island Immigration Center, New York City:
- Names of famous people that you might know who entered the United States through Ellis Island: Bob Hope, comedian born in England | Irving Berlin, composer born in Russian | Chef Boyardee, factory owner born in Italy | Frances Xavier Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, declared a Saint, Patroness of Immigrants by Pope Pius XII, born in Italy | Albert Einstein, world known genius born in Germany
- The 1st immigrant to enter The United States at Ellis Island was a 15year old girl named Annie Moore from Ireland
- Not only is Ellis Island a New York City Landmark. In 2017 it made the UNESCO (United Nations Eduactional Scientific and Cultural Organization) list for World Heritage Sites.
#6 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Freedom Tower Ground Zero
The Freedom Tower goes by a couple of different names and I’m sure you’ve heard. It’s also Known as 9/11 Observatory, WTC Tower Observatory, the official name is One World Trade Center, now you know.
It’s massive height makes it the tallest building that is part of the newly rebuilt World Trade Center Complex and the tallest freestanding structure of the western hemisphere. Making the Freedom Tower second tallest to the CN building in Toronto.
Fun Facts about Freedom Tower Ground Zero, New York City:
- The Height of Freedom Tower is 1776’, built in reference to The Declaration of Independence
- The 102 story elevator ride is only 47 seconds! Now that’s fast enough to leave your stomach behind.
#5 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Central Park
Central Park makes the New York City Landmark list because it’s more than just a park that sits in the middle of New York City. I would say before entering it’s a good idea to plan your attack. To help with your plan, maps of Central Park can be found at the visitor centers or here Central Park Map.
Ideas of things to do in Central Park, some of those things will have fees but most are free: Wollman Rink (ice skating), Belvedere Castle and gardens (gorgeous viewing point), Strawberry Fields (John Lennon’s memorial), Central Park Zoo (open daily 10:00am-4:30pm), The Beautiful Gapstow Bridge (located close to corner of Fifth Ave and Central Park S) or Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, just for starters.
Fun Facts about Central Park, New York City:
- The design plan for Central Park was called “Greensward Plan” and was based on a design by the winner of a contest.
- To put it into perspective as to the enormous size of Central Park, its 2.50 mile long and ½ mile wide or 843 acres.
- Does Central Park have restricted hours that it is open? Yes, visit 6:00am-1:00am…”the City that never sleeps”, well the park gets 7 hours of sleep every night.
#4 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Times Square
Times Square located in midtown Manhattan, Broadway and 7th Ave, New York, New York. Is the most iconic place to start your New Year’s Eve off, the night starts off with the biggest names in entertainment and ending in the countdown to the famous “Ball Drop”. The celebration in Times Square brings in 1 million people and they get packed in like sardines. I guess in a way that tight of a crowd is good as far as keeping warm but not recommended for people that don’t enjoy being in a large crowd.
It’s the best place to people watch any time of day. Take a seat on the famous red steps of TKTS (Duffy Square at West 47th St and Broadway).
When visiting New York City, Times Square is a good place to go if you are trying to catch a glimpse of a famous celebrity. If you’re in the right place at the right time you could be in the recorded audience of a morning show. Wait in line to be a guest of an afternoon show. Then see all of the crazy lights and scrolling billboards in the evening.
There is so much to do here you could stay in this area all day. Broadway Theaters, Movie Theaters, museums, shopping, restaurants, clubs, artists and entertainers take your pick.
Fun Facts about Times Square New York City:
- Times Square, named in 1904 after the New York Times Tower was formerly known as Longacre Square.
- IMBD has listed 315 movies as being filmed in “Times Square, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA”
- 330,000 people pass through Times Square on a daily basis.
#3 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. It has a 1.6 mile pedestrian walkway with viewing platforms for both walkers and bicyclists. No charge, it’s totally free to walk across and the views are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
The Brooklyn Bridge revolutionary gothic design itself makes it truly remarkable to look at. Then add-on the views of the river, the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan architecture it’s no wonder many artists and writers have chosen the Brooklyn bridge as a focus point of influence.
Fun Facts about Brooklyn Bridge, New York City:
- Brooklyn Bridge is the world’s first steel suspension bridge.
- Everyday 100,000 cars, 4,000 cyclists and 10,000 pedestrians cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
#2 Unforgettable Landmarks in NYC: Empire State Building
This special Landmark in NYC as soon as it was open in 1931, immediately became a landmark and the most recognizable symbol for NYC.
The Empire State Building has two observatories open for public viewing. One is an open-aired platform located on the 86th floor and the other is an enclosed area on the 102nd floor. Open to public viewing 8:00am-2:00am. Very long lines here so I do highly recommend buying the Empire State Building SKIP THE LINE TICKETS HERE.
Depending on the day’s visibility level, while on these observation Decks of the Empire State building, it’s possible to see as far out as 80 miles. That means on a good day you can see into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and, Massachusetts!
Fun Facts about The Empire State Building, New York City:
- There is an Empire State Building Tower “Light “Show” Calendar
The Empire State Building was once owned by “The Queen of Mean” Leon Helmsley who was a high-profile billionaire that left her fortune to her dog.
#1 Unforgettable Landmark in NYC: Statue of Liberty
Here’s what everyone knows: The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France.
We’ve seen many replicas including my favorite, a 17.5’ politically incorrect replica that mysteriously appeared in Harrisburg Pennsylvania on July 1, 1986. It’s an interesting site, in a funny kind of way. Definitely makes the list of uber cool tourist attraction.
Did you know that the same sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, actually made 3 Lady Liberties?
The other 2 Lady Liberties are located in France. One is located in the Luxembourg Garden and the other in the Island of Swans.
Important to know: Tickets to go inside the statue sell out. To get the discount price, you’ll need to pre-purchase your tickets
Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty, New York City:
The island that Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island monument sits on is actually located in New York City, New York and Jersey City, New Jersey. Both cities having the same name as the state is more odd to me than being in 2 states at the same time.
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