Manhattan. The city that never sleeps. One of the only places you can catch an award winning show, take a walk in the park, and see a naked cowboy, all within steps of each other. Manhattan offers multiple fine dining options, as well as so many sights to see, it's impossible to take it all in at once. A city that is flooded with history, Manhattan is definitely a bucket list item for many.
But with so much to see and do, and so little time, how do you choose? Well, here are the 5 things I think are worth checking out while visiting!
Times Square
This one is on my list every time. It's so colorful, noisy, and full of excitement. There's definitely something for everyone. You want chocolate? Hershey and M&Ms both have huge stores....find something sweet or even some merchandise featuring your favorite brands. Kids need a toy? There's a Disney store with toys, stuffies and more! There are even some special, NYC themed options! Feeling hungry after a day of traveling or sightseeing? Head over to John's pizza...this pizza place, inside what used to be a church, has amazing food and wonderful architecture. Make sure you look up by the H&M Tower to see the famous "NYC New Year's Ball" before you leave!
Central Park
The hustle and bustle of the city can be exhilarating, especially for first timers. However, if you're like me, sometimes you just need a break from that. Central Park is the perfect location to get some down time, away from the craziness of midtown. Take a walk around the paths to find beautiful statues, and take in the greenery in the middle of all of the skyscrapers. Visit the Central Park Zoo, or take a ride on the carousel. There are horse drawn carriages, if your feet are tired from walking all the city blocks. Finish off your afternoon with a fine dining experience at Tavern on the Green (pro tip...get the truffle fries!!!)
World Trade Center
The World Trade Center area has been a must see for years, even before the tragedy on September 11, 2001. After the devastation, came the rebuilding. It is 100% worth making the trip down to the site to view what it has become. As soon as you step into the area, the first thing you will notice is the sound. It gets eerily quiet, compared to the rest of the city. The memorial fountains are there, and they are truly breathtaking. The new One World Trade tower is spectacular, and truly a site to behold. Take a walk around to the museum, or take a ride up the elevator of One World Trade for incredible views of the city. Walk down the street a bit and you'll find yourself at Trinity Church....the burial site of Alexander Hamilton. Don't "throw away your shot"...take a tour of the church and the grounds. This church was also featured in the movie "National Treasure" but no treasure hunting allowed!
The Battery
The Battery was originally used by early inhabitants for hunting and fishing. Now, it is home to lush gardens, and beautiful views, including a view of the Statue of Liberty. Take a ferry ride to see the Statue up close, or make a stop at Ellis Island, and see what once was the main immigration station for many looking to make a new life for themselves in the US. Check out the monuments, or walk through the beautiful perennial gardens. Don't feel like getting too up close to the statue? Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry instead, where you can get great pictures of the statue and the skyline of lower Manhattan. Finish up your visit with a ride on the Sea Glass Carousel...this unique ride is not like any other carousel you've been on, and totally worth the trip to The Battery even just to try it out!
The USS Intrepid
This aircraft carrier is certainly a sight to behold! Built in 1941, this ship saw lots of excitement. It was used during WWII, the Vietnam War, and was also used as a recovery ship for a Mercury and a Gemini space mission! After its second decommissioning, it was put to use as a museum, and that's where it remains today. This ship is MASSIVE and you should plan on spending at least a few hours here. Start off in Hangar One where you learn about the ship and the different parts. Head up to the viewing platform to take in just how large the hangar is. Check out the "Exploratorium" which is a place for kids and adults to have some hands on experience. Take a walk (or an elevator ride!) up to the flight deck to see where the planes would land. The flight deck has a bunch of planes on display, and some of them are decorated in fun ways! The flight deck is also home to the Space Shuttle pavilion. Here, you will see the Enterprise, which was one of the first shuttles ever built! Take a walk through the pavilion to learn the history of the space program! Finally, end on the main pier. You can tour a submarine or even the Concorde, which is the fastest plane ever to fly! Don't forget to bring your camera for awesome photo ops on the pier!
So, there are my top 5. I feel like these 5 things are a great place to start for people who have never been to Manhattan, but also great opportunities for people who have visited frequently. No matter how many times you visit, Manhattan always has something new and interesting to see. Now go out there and take a bite out of the Big Apple!
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