This article describes the most popular New York City Landmarks sorted by neighborhood.
The landmarks in this article are listed in the neighborhoods in which they reside. The neighborhoods are listed in geographical order from north to south.
The Bronx
The Bronx Zoo
It is hard to believe that a world class zoo could exist within the densely populated area of New York City, but The Bronx Zoo , covering 265 acres of woodland and housing over 4,000 animals, certainly is impressive by any standard. It is much larger than the Central Park Zoo and contains many endangered species in their natural habitats.
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium may be the most recognizable sports stadium in the U.S. and is one of the few sports stadiums that have not sold the naming rights away. Stadium tours are offered to the public daily.
Harlem
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater, located at 253 W. 125th Street in Harlem, is a historic theater where many black performers either got their start or performed at some point in their career. It was an important venue for Blues, Jazz, Big Bands, Rock-n-Roll, Funk and many other music genres. It hosted “Showtime at the Apollo” for a number of years and is currently home to “Amateur Night at the Apollo”, which is a comedy show, as well as many other events.
Upper East and West Sides
Central Park
Central Park is a well-known oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the big city. New Yorkers and visitors are drawn to the park to relax, play and take in the landscaped surroundings.
The Guggenheim
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (The Guggenheim) building was designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is as architecturally interesting on the inside as it is on the outside.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is considered one of the best art museums in the world. There is so much to see here you would need a week or more to see it all. And if you get hungry or thirsty there are no less than 7 dining options from which to choose.
The Lincoln Center
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a complex of modern looking buildings, which are home to internationally renowned performing arts organizations including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School.
Mid Town
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall, considered one of the most prestigious venues in the world, has several performance venues, a cafe, a bar, a museum and a few other spaces. Guided tours are offered if you want to get a closer look at the interior without seeing a show.
The Nasdaq MarketSite
The Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square has an eight story cylindrical LED display and a television studio inside where shows like CNBC’s Fast Money are filmed.
Times Square
Times Square and Broadway are at the heart of the New York City Theater District.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall, located in Rockefeller Center and home to the legendary Rockettes, is an amazing and historic venue for seeing a variety of different shows and preformances.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a 22 acre complex that consists of 19 buildings, is home to several television studios and has an observation deck on the 70th floor of Rockefeller Center known as Top of the Rock.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic Cathedral in North America. You can visit for free by obtaining a quest pass or you can book a tour here.
Grand Central Station
Grand Central Station not only has amazing architecture, but is home to many fantastic shops and restaurants.
The Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building, located at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, is one of the most recognizable buildings in New York City and a great example of Art Deco architecture. Public access to most of the building is not allowed however, you can enter the lobby of the building between 8:00am and 6:00pm on weekdays and is well worth a visit to see this amazing space.
United Nations Headquarters
The United Nations World Headquarters is located between First Avenue and the East River from 42nd Street to 48th Street. This international enclave is actually a self governing territory with its own security service and post office. Guided tours are offered in twenty different languages, but be sure to call ahead or check on-line to find a tour times in your native language.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is an iconic building with its twin lions guarding the regal entrance. Make sure to take a look inside as the interior is just as impressive as the exterior.
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building – New York City is one of the most recognizable skylines in the world with the Empire State Building dominating midtown. From the Art Deco lobby to the observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, this building is a fantastic place to visit.
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is one of the most recognizable arenas in the U.S. and plays host to a variety of sporting events, concerts and various other shows.
The Flatiron District
The Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building can only be viewed from the outside as the lobby is not open to the public and no tours are offered.
Chelsea
Hudson Yards and The Edge at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards and The Edge at Hudson Yards is located right off The High Line. Hudson Yards is home to a number of interesting shops and restaurants and The Edge at Hudson Yards has the tallest open observation deck in Manhattan. They also offer something more extreme called City Climb is the deck is not daring enough for you.
The High Line
The High Line is a free public park built on a historic freight rail like elevated above the streets of New York City. It is a 1.45 mile long walkway running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side. Different sections of the park provide different and unique spaces and experiences. You can also access Chelsea Market right from the High Line.
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is home to many unique and eclectic shops and restaurants. It is located at 75 Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets and can be accessed directly from the The High Line.
The Financial District
Travel Tip: Parts of the financial district can seem uneasily empty on weekends. Stick to the main streets (Wall, Broad and Broadway) if you think this will make you uncomfortable.
The Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building can only be viewed from the outside as the lobby is not open to the public and no tours are offered.
St. Paul’s Chapel or Trinity Church
St. Paul’s Chapel, also known as Trinity Church, is an Episcopal Church nestled amongst the high rises near Wall Street. This building is a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture. The churchyard is home to the gravesite of Alexander Hamilton as well as other historic memorials and monuments.
The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is such an iconic landmark with its massive stone arches, 6 lanes for vehicles and a shared pedestrian and bicycle path. You can take a subway to either the York Street or High Street stop or take a ferry from Pier 11 / Wall Street to DUMBO across the East River and take in the iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline in the background. While your there grab a slice or two of pizza from Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and explore the DUMBO area (Dumbo is an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). When your finished walk back across the bridge to Manhattan for more amazing views.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum consists of two memorial pools where the bases of the twin towers once stood. These pools are surrounded by bronze parapets with the names of the victims inscribed. There is also a memorial glade and a survivor tree. The museum provides information about the history of 9/11 and age appropriate guided tours are also available.
One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center is the building that replaced the twin towers destroyed on 9/11 and dominates the skyline of Lower Manhattan. It has an observatory located over 100 stories above the streets and provides 360 degree views of New York and New Jersey.
The New York Stock Exchange
The pillared facade of The New York Stock Exchange, with its United States flags waving overhead, has been featured in many news broadcasts and movies. It is located at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. However, if you are looking for the charging bull status head south on Broadway to Bowling Green to find it.
The Status of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the best-known U.S. landmarks and has welcomed millions of emigrants to the United States. It is located on a small island in the harbor off the southern tip of Manhattan. You can take an excursion boat from The Battery to see the big lady up close and to visit the immigration museum on nearby Ellis Island or take the free Staten Island Ferry if you just want to sail by her.
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