What Place would you like to

go?
BY: LIM JUN HONG
Why should you visit New York City

As one of the world's leading

metropolises for art, fashion, food
and theater, New York is a city every
traveler should visit.
Whether you come for a day trip or
for an extended stay, choosing what
to see and do is the toughest part
the possibilities are endless.
 Statue of Liberty

America's most iconic sight, the Statue of Liberty is at the

top of every first-time visitor's list of things to do in New
York. It was France's gift to America. Built in 1886, it
remains a world symbol of freedom and is one of the top
attractions in America.
It is one of the world's largest statues, standing just under
152 feet tall from the base to the torch, and weighing
approximately 450,000 pounds.
You can see the statue from land, with particularly good
views from Battery Park, on the southern tip of Manhattan.
However, to truly appreciate the Statue of Liberty, the best
thing to do is to take a short boat trip to Liberty Island and
see it up close. You can walk around the base, enter the
pedestal, or, with advance reservations, go right up to the
crown.
Central Park

A walk, peddle, or carriage ride through the crisscrossing

pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone's New
York City itinerary. In winter, you can even lace up your
skates and glide across Wollman Rink. This huge park in
the city center, a half-mile wide and 2.5 miles long, is one
of the things that makes New York such a beautiful and
livable city.
Besides being a great place to experience a little nature,
Central Park has many attractions within its borders, and
most of them are free, making it one of the few cheap
things to do in NYC. Some of the most popular places to
visit include the Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields,
the Central Park Zoo, and the Lake. If you are exploring
the park on your own, start by picking up a map at one of
the visitor centers and plot your routing.
Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, as it is

commonly known, was founded in 1870, and is one
of the most famous museums in the United States.
The permanent collection of The Met contains more
than two million works of art, spanning a period of
5,000 years.
Although the museum has three sites, the
centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue. Highlights of
the collection include American decorative arts,
arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical
instruments, photographs, and much more.
Exhibitions bring some of the world's most famous
works to the public.
Broadway and the Theater District

Attending a Broadway show is one of the top things to do in

New York City. Considered the pinnacle of American
theater, this is the place to see the latest shows and the
long-running classics.
Broadway usually refers simply to Broadway theater, which
encompasses a large number of theater venues in
the Theater District and along the street of Broadway. For
the most popular shows, tickets should be purchased well in
advance.
Shubert Alley is a famous pedestrian-only alley in the
Theater District and home to two well-known playhouses:
the Shubert on 221 West 44th Street and the Booth at 22
West 45th Street. Historically, aspiring actors would
frequent Shubert Alley looking for opportunities to perform in
a play sponsored by theater baron, Sam S. Shubert.
Times Square

Lined with huge, brilliantly lit billboards and screens,

Times Square is the place to go in New York in the
evening, but still exciting at any time of day. This is the
location of New York's New Year's Eve Celebrations
and the famous "ball drop" at midnight, when the
square and surrounding streets are filled with people.
Times Square is busy and perpetually crowded but has
its own unique appeal. Bleachers set up at one end are
a great place to take a break and appreciate the scene.
Formerly Longacre Square, Times Square was named
in 1904 after the New York Times tower. The
newspaper first posted current headlines along its
moving sign, the first of its kind in the world, in 1928.
Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of New York's most famous

landmark buildings and key tourist attractions. The 381-meter-tall,
102-storey building was the tallest in the world until the 1 World Trade
Center tower rose higher, 41 years later. Topped with a mooring mast
for airships, the Empire State Building immediately became a
landmark and a symbol for NYC when it opened in 1931.
There are actually two observatories atop the Empire State Building,
but both offer astounding views. On clear days, you can see up to 80
miles, looking into the neighboring states of New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The 86th Floor Observatory (1,050 feet) is the city's highest open-air
observation deck, and what most people are expecting to find when
they go up the Empire State Building. If it feels familiar, it's because
this area has been featured in countless movies and TV shows.
Reached by high-speed, automatic elevators, it has both a glass-
enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and
spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the building. Views
are incredible. The Top Deck on the 102nd Floor stands 1,250 feet
above the bustling streets below. While you are 16 story’s higher, the
viewing area here is enclosed.
Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, with its Gothic-shaped arches and suspension

cables, is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and has
inspired generations of poets, songwriters, and painters. This historic
bridge, spanning the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn, was
completed in 1883 and was the world's first steel suspension bridge.
You can see it from many of the ferries, or the east side of
Manhattan, but the best way to experience this icon is to take an
hour and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. A wood plank walkway,
only open to pedestrians and cyclists, runs above the lanes of traffic.
If you are not up for walking the whole distance, at least go as far as
the first pillar, where there is a viewing platform, and you can see
one of the granite towers up close.
From the bridge are beautiful views over Manhattan, the East River,
and beyond to the Statue of Liberty. Biking over the bridge is another
option, but pedestrian traffic is often very heavy, and cycling can be
slow and challenging on busy days. Be aware that the access to the
bridge begins well back from the water's edge.
Fifth Avenue

One of the most famous shopping streets in

America, Fifth Avenue is New York's premier
shopping area, where many top designers have
their flagship stores. Cartier, Tiffany, Bergdorf-
Goodman, the famous Apple Store Fifth
Avenue, and of course Saks Fifth Avenue, as
well as many others line this posh avenue.
Even non-shoppers can enjoy a walk along Fifth
Avenue. The best area runs from approximately
the south end of Central Park to the New York
Public Library, or more specifically, between
60th Street and 40th Street.
Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, often called Grand Central

Station, is a fantastic Beaux Arts building, and it's
definitely worth popping in to take a look at this
famous landmark. The building first opened in
1913 as a terminal for the subway and train
stations.
Outside, the 42nd Street colonnaded faces and the
statuary on top are some of the key highlights.
Inside, you can't miss the Grand Staircase, where
you can stop to gaze out over the concourse.
The beautifully restored ceiling here shows a
celestial scene. You'll also find an extensive
selection of retail shops and restaurants inside.
New York Public Library

The New York Public Library's main branch was

designed by architects, Carrere & Hastings, in the
Beaux Arts style. The library, with its impressive
rooms, is a prominent city attraction that has been
featured in many movies and TV shows over the
years.
Although colloquially known as the main branch, the
proper name is actually the Stephen A. Schwarzman
building. It opened in 1911 to immediate acclaim. An
enormous library, the Main Reading Room alone
stretches two city blocks, and the Periodicals Room
holds 10,000 current magazines. The collection at
this location is vast, to say the least.