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New York City is one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations. There are dozens of things to do in a very compact and accessible area. The city of New York is actually five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Fortunately for visitors, the vast majority of must-see tourist sites are concentrated in Manhattan. Manhattan is a long, narrow island largely divided into an easily understood grid of numbered streets and intersecting avenues.
One of the most unforgettable times to visit the city is during the winter. Snow gives the darkened streets of New York a luscious and elegant patina that turns pavement into landscapes worthy of an Ansel Adams photograph. Take advantage of the season and go ice skating. New York has two famous outdoor rinks: Rockerfeller Plaza and Wollman Rink.
Things To Do In New York City For Couples
Rockefeller Plaza is located right below the NBC television network headquarters. The spectacular rink lies at the bottom of a well of people and buildings. The rink is surrounded by gilded sculptures, terrific restaurants, and international flags. During the month of December, you’ll also find it graced by NBC’s beautifully lit huge Christmas tree. Couples can waltz around the ice for hours.
Wollman Rink is located in Central Park. The rink offers visitors a chance to ice skate in a serene setting. Ice skating rentals and plenty of hot chocolate are available for a nominal fee. Bring your partner with you and practice ice dancing moves.
Brooklyn Bridge
If you’re visiting New York City in the warmer months, you’ll also have some wonderful sightseeing options. A nice way to get a good view of the entire city is via the Brooklyn Bridge. Created in the 1880s by famed architect John Roebling, the Bridge is considered an engineering masterpiece. Pedestrian traffic is allowed, so you can cross from Manhattan into downtown Brooklyn. Couples can walk across the structure together.
Staten Island ferry
Another terrific way to get an outside look at Manhattan is to take a ride on the Staten Island ferry. Bring your partner to the foot of the island near Battery Park, where the ferry leaves. The twenty-five-minute trip is free. Sit on the outside deck and enjoy the cool breezes while you watch the city skyline slowly recede from view. Once you’re in Staten Island, you can simply walk around and take the ferry back to Manhattan again.
Statue of Liberty
A good place to start any tour is at the tip of the Island. Here you’ll find several attractions straight out of American history. Start with a trip to another island: the island housing the Statue of Liberty. The Statue can be reached by boat that docks at Battery Park. Once you get to the island, you can visit the museum at the base and then begin a climb up to the top of the crown.
Another terrific place to visit is the New York Stock Exchange. The Exchange is a short walk from Battery Park. Tours are available so you can get a firsthand look at the inner workings of one of America’s most important financial institutions. Once you’ve had a look around at the Exchange, walk down to the South Street Seaport. The seaport is a recreation of an old fishing village. There are museums, speciality shops, and even an old sailing vessel for children to explore.
Chinatown
In addition to historical sites, New York also contains lots of great places to eat. One of the best places for a quick and delicious bite downtown is Chinatown. Chinatown is one of New York’s last remaining ethnic neighbourhoods. Take advantage of the area’s many small eateries and chow down on an item you’ve never tasted before. Try pork buns, which are cheap and delectable little rolls filled with spices and minced pork. If you’re in the mood for a full meal, go inside a restaurant and sample a few rounds of dim sum. Dim sum is pre-made appetizers pushed around on small carts inside a restaurant. You can eat several dishes or just a few.
Empire State Building
Mid-town Manhattan is another fantastic place for tourists. You must take a ride up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. On a clear day, visitors can see for miles. A short walk from the Empire State Building is Macy’s, one of the world’s largest stores. If you go in the spring, the store turns into one large garden with hundreds of flowers everywhere. If you love to shop, start at 42nd street and stroll up one of Manhattan’s famous avenues until you reach Central Park. From Park Avenue to Eight Avenue, you can see hundreds of upscale retailers with many fabulous window displays designed to draw as much attention as possible.
Madison Square Garden
Visitors to Manhattan should also check out Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks basketball team and host to many sporting and entertainment events. Catch a concert or ice show at the Garden’s arena.
Museum of Natural History
In addition to shopping, history, dining, and entertainment New York City is also chock full of museums. The granddaddy of all museums is the Museum of Natural History. Located across from Central Park, the museum has thousands of celebrated exhibits. If you’re in town from October to May, get tickets to the Butterfly Conservatory. The Butterfly Conservatory is an area of the museum where hundreds of species of butterflies are allowed to roam free and interact with guests. Getting close to some of the world’s most beautiful insects is an unforgettable experience.
Guggenheim Museum
Another museum that all tourists should see is the Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This art museum is essentially one long walk down a spiral staircase framed by a large skylight. While the main museum is not especially large, a brand new addition has been added to display even more artwork.
New York City has many memorable things to see and do. Whether you’re in town for a few hours or the entire summer, there are dozens of ways to make your visit something to remember for the rest of your life.
Central Park
If you haven’t seen the city before, come to Central Park first and take an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride. The romantic and often delightfully decorated carriages are licensed by city authorities and given special paths to take.
If all this travel makes you hungry, try a New York City tradition: the hot dog. New York is home to thousands of pushcarts that offer the city version of this much-loved treat. Couples can grab a steaming hot dog with mustard, sauerkraut, and a cold drink on nearly any street corner.
Bronx Zoo and botanical gardens
Travel uptown to another city favourite: the Bronx Zoo and botanical gardens. The Zoo is one of America’s largest and best-known zoos. You and your partner will have the opportunity to see thousands of animals housed in innovative exhibits that closely mimic the animal’s natural habitats.
Start with a sky ride to get an overview of the entire area. Then you can proceed to the Congo gorilla forest, the Himalayan highlands habitat, or the indoor Asian rain forest. General admission includes most major exhibits. There is a nominal fee for admission to some special events.
In addition to a world-famous zoo, the Bronx is also host to one of New York’s best places for couples: the New York Botanical Garden. The Gardens are a short walk from the zoo. Founded in 1891, the garden is a sprawling 250+ park with dozens of rare and exotic plants on display. Stroll around the rose garden, perennial garden, and rock garden. If it starts to rain, retreat to the Haupt Conservatory. This New York City landmark is the nation’s largest Victorian glass
