{"id":188811,"date":"2026-02-04T08:28:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T07:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ilmioviaggioanewyork.com\/what-to-see-in-new-york-12-must-see-places\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T15:45:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:45:38","slug":"what-to-see-in-new-york","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ilmioviaggioanewyork.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"What to See in New York: 12 Must-See Places"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you\u2019ve decided to visit New York and want to know which are the main attractions to see, you\u2019re in the right place. Planning an itinerary in such a vast metropolis can feel like a daunting task: the options are endless, and the risk of wasting precious time is always around the corner. That\u2019s exactly why Il Mio Viaggio a New York<\/a> is the perfect guide to show you the truly unmissable spots. Our experience as tour operators and city experts allows us to guide you step by step through the city that never sleeps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our goal is to make your adventure simple and unforgettable. Beyond selecting the very best the city has to offer, we provide full support through our dedicated travel services<\/a>\u2014from detailed maps highlighting New York\u2019s top attractions<\/a> to a range of exclusive passes and tickets designed to make access easy, let you skip the lines, and help you make the most of every minute of your stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ve selected the 12 places you absolutely can\u2019t miss to make your trip to New York truly special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Central Park<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Manhattan\u2019s green lung stretches across an impressive 340 hectares between 59th and 110th Streets, offering a natural oasis in the bustling heart of the metropolis. Central Park is a must-see stop for anyone exploring what to see in New York, a true microcosm of landscapes, stories, and surprises that deserves an in-depth visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built between 1857 and 1876, Central Park is an extraordinary engineering achievement that required the work of over 20,000 laborers and the relocation of millions of cubic meters of earth and rock to create paths and artificial landscapes that today appear almost natural. Its construction also involved the forced clearance and demolition of several settlements, including Seneca Village. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central Park: what to see<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inside the park, there are numerous spots you can visit. If you\u2019re a music lover and a Beatles fan, we recommend the memorial dedicated to John Lennon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strawberry Fields<\/a> is a 10,000-square-meter area named after the song “Strawberry Fields Forever.” At its center is a black-and-white mosaic inscribed with the word “Imagine,” crafted by Neapolitan artisans and gifted to the City of New York. Nearby stands the Dakota Building<\/a>, the residence where Lennon lived with Yoko Ono until his assassination, which took place right in front of the building\u2019s entrance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another point of interest is Belvedere Castle<\/a>, a unique attraction designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, which has housed the official weather station since 1919. From its tower, you can enjoy panoramic views and go birdwatching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain form the heart of the park with its fountain, one of the largest in New York and among the most famous in the world. At its center stands the neoclassical sculpture Angels of the Water<\/strong>, the only piece commissioned in the original design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other must-see spots include Bow Bridge, a cast-iron bridge that spans 18 meters over an artificial pond, and The Mall, a beautiful tree-lined avenue featuring over 150 American elms. In other articles, we\u2019ve also covered the Blockhouse fort<\/a> and other attractions to see within Central Park<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central Park: recommended experiences<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to explore is by renting a bike in Central Park<\/a>, which will allow you to see many attractions in just a few hours. If you\u2019re feeling romantic, you can also opt for a boat ride at The Loeb Boathouse, overlooking the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a different experience, you can choose to attend a show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, a small house imported from Sweden in 1876 that now hosts a puppet theater. Here you can find the showtimes<\/a>. If you\u2019re traveling with family, don\u2019t miss the Central Park Zoo<\/strong>, home to over 130 different species, including coyotes, raccoons, and foxes. Be sure to see the rare snowy owl and the local birdlife symbol: Pale Male, the hawk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter, the park offers the opportunity to ice skate at Wollman Rink<\/strong>, a city icon featured in numerous films such as Home Alone 2:<\/strong> Lost in New York (1992)<\/strong> (here\u2019s our article on the other filming locations<\/a>), Love Story (1970), Night at the Museum (2006), Limitless (2011), and Mr. Popper\u2019s Penguins (2011).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central Park: hours and access<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The park is open every day from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM.<\/strong> Access is free<\/strong>, except for certain attractions like the Zoo. The best times to visit are early in the morning, when it\u2019s less crowded, or late in the afternoon to enjoy the best lighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reach the park, the most convenient subway stops are along various streets: on the west side, you can take the B and C lines (72nd St, 81st St, 86th St), while on the east side, the N, R, and Q lines stop at the corner of 5th Ave and 59th St. For more information, check out our in-depth guide on how the subway works in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a complete itinerary, a tour of the park can take around 4\u20135 hours, so it\u2019s recommended to plan your visit by dedicating at least half a day<\/strong> to this wonderful green oasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imagine yourself on a boat drifting away from the chaos of Manhattan: the air grows cooler, and little by little, the Statue of Liberty stops being the tiny figure you see from Battery Park and becomes a towering copper giant looming over you. A symbol of hope and freedom, the Statue of Liberty<\/a> welcomed migrants arriving in the New World, while Ellis Island represented the final bureaucratic hurdle before setting foot on American soil. These two landmarks are must-see stops in New York, rich in history and meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statue of Liberty: how to get there<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To reach Liberty Island, where the majestic statue stands, the only way is to board the official Statue City Cruises ferries, which depart from Battery Park in Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Ferries run daily from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with departures every 20\u201330 minutes. To skip the ticket line, you can purchase Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tickets<\/a> directly on our website. To get to Battery Park, you can take the subway: lines 4 and 5 (Bowling Green stop), line R (Whitehall Street stop), or line 1 (South Ferry stop). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes and offers the perfect opportunity to admire Manhattan\u2019s skyline from the Hudson River. Plan at least half a day to visit both islands, especially if you want to explore the Ellis Island museum in depth and spend a few hours experiencing a place steeped in stories of hope and fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ellis Island: what to see<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ellis Island is home to the moving Immigration Museum<\/a>, located in the main building that once served as a registration center for migrants. Inside, you can explore stories, documents, photographs, and personal belongings of the 12 million immigrants who passed through between 1892 and 1954. Italians were the largest national group, with an estimated 4 million arrivals, peaking between 1900 and 1915. If you have a great-grandfather who left for America many years ago, he most likely passed through here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particularly moving is the Peopling of America Center, a permanent exhibit that tells the story of American immigration from Native Americans to the present day. Also not to be missed is the American Family Immigration History Center, where you can search a database of all the passengers who arrived on the island to look for possible ancestors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside, you\u2019ll find the American Immigrant Wall of Honor, a wall engraved with over 700,000 names celebrating the contributions of immigrants to American history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statue of Liberty: useful tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The standard ticket to visit both islands costs $33 for adults and $19 for children aged 4 to 12. It includes the ferry ride, island access, and a multilingual audio guide. The price does not include access to the statue\u2019s crown or pedestal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid long lines, it\u2019s highly recommended to book online before your trip. At boarding, be prepared for strict security checks similar to those at airports. The best time to visit is early in the morning, when it\u2019s less crowded, especially during the busy summer season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re short on time, a free alternative is the Staten Island Ferry, which passes close to the statue without stopping, still giving you the chance to take photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Empire State Building<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An icon of the New York skyline, the Empire State Building is one of Manhattan\u2019s most recognizable symbols and an essential landmark among the places to visit in New York. This 103-story giant offers an unforgettable experience for anyone wanting to admire the city from a privileged perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the 86th-floor observatory, you can enjoy a 360\u00b0 view that spans all of New York, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and many other iconic city landmarks. This floor features both an enclosed observation gallery and an open-air area, allowing you to photograph the panorama without any visual obstructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more spectacular is the experience at the Top Deck on the 102nd floor, recently renovated. With floor-to-ceiling windows, this fully enclosed observatory offers unparalleled views that, on clear days, stretch up to 80 miles. From this extraordinary height, you can see six states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Delaware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empire State Building: hours and tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours vary throughout the year. In general, the building is open every day, with hours ranging from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM depending on the season. For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n