Tips for New York City - Taking in the Sights

Obviously you could just walk down most streets in Manhattan and you would be sight seeing. But there are some tried and true sight seeing classics in New York - and you can probably guess most of them. Here's some important information about hitting the tourist must-sees. 

The Empire State Building - 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets
The top of the ESB is over a quarter of a mile above the streets, but it's doable even for those afraid of heights. The observation decks have been open to the public since 1931, and around 4 million people visit each year. 

There are two observation decks, one on the 86th floor (1,050 ft) and one on the 102nd floor (1,250 ft). The 86th floor allows visitors out onto an open-air terrace that provides a 360 degree view of the city. If the weather isn't cooperating or you just don't feel like going outside you can stay in on the 86th floor or visit the 102nd floor - which does not allow visitors outside. The 86th floor features a visual and audio tour (with a ticket) and the 80th floor features an exhibit on the ESB's history.

Also: Get ready for lines. You'll have to wait in several lines before you get to the observation decks, especially since two elevators are used. Total wait times are usually around an hour, but can certainly be longer or even shorter. It takes only about a minute to get to the 86th floor, so you might even make it in the small elevator if you're claustrophobic. Take a look too at the lights on top of the ESB, they often change color throughout the year.

Cost: Adult Tickets for the 86th Floor are $25. Adult tickets for the 86th and 102nd floors are $42. Express tickets are also available for around $20 more, and allow the holder to skip the lines to the observation decks (including the lines for the elevators). Tickets can be purchased online or at the ESB.

Hours: The observation decks are open every day from 8 am to 2 am and the last elevator goes up at 1:15.


Ground Zero / Freedom Tower 

The Freedom Tower, now called One World Trade Center or 1 WTC, is currently under construction. The building, when done, will stand 104 stories and will be the tallest building in the western hemisphere and third in the world. It stands surrounded by Vesey St / Fulton St / Washington St / West St. Construction began in April of 2006 and is estimated to be complete in 2013. There will be an observation deck, higher than the Empire State Building's. Tickets will probably range from $20-25, but other details are still being worked out.

On the former grounds of the Twin Towers (ground zero) now sits the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The Memorial features two reflecting pools on which is carved the name of every person lost during both the 9/11 attack and the 1993 attack. 

The museum includes stories of those who died, artifacts, multimedia displays, and much more. It will be the primary institution for study and examination of the 9/11 events. However, the museum is still not open. In the meantime you can go to the Visitor Center located nearby and admission is free. It's open all year but hours vary. 

Also: If you are looking for a specific name at the memorial, check 911memorial.org or kiosks set up around the memorial. 

Cost: The tickets to see the memorial are free, but must be booked for a specific date and time in advance through their online ticketing system.

Hours: The memorial is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm between March 18th and September 22nd, and 10 am to 6 pm the rest of the year.

The Statue of Liberty - Liberty Island off Battery Park

First of all, Lady Liberty is not on Ellis Island. Ellis Island holds the Immigration Museum. Liberty Island holds the Statue of Liberty. Now that we have that sorted out...

You must have a ferry ticket to get on the islands, and one ferry ticket will get you to both islands. You can get these tickets online or at ferry departure points, which include  Battery Park, NY or Liberty State Park, NJ.

The ferry will dock at either island and you can get off to explore without a fee (including the Immigration Museum). If you want to go to the top of the Statue of Liberty, in her crown, you must purchase an additional ticket and get a reservation. Audio and Ranger tours on both islands are free.

Also: ***Liberty and Ellis Islands are closed indefinitely due to damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy*** If you could visit though, and wanted to go to the crown, remember that it's 354 steps and that is the only way up or down.

Cost: Ferry tickets to the islands are free for those under 4, $9 for ages 4-12, $17 adults, and $14 seniors. Crown tickets are $3, and must be reserved ahead of time. Reservations are not currently being taken since it is unknown when the statue will re-open (as of 1/2/13).

Hours: Well right now there aren't any. Except for the ferrys, which still run their own harbor tours...get information here.


American Museum of Natural History - 79th Street and Central Park West

You could probably spend an entire day in the museum alone... and you still wouldn't see it all. Permanent exhibits include Birds and Reptiles, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Fossils, Human Origins, Mammals, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Other exhibits rotate in and out of the museum. There's also an IMAX theater showing different films.

Also: Highlights tours (a tour that hits the museums top exhibits in about three hours) are available if you don't want to wander about aimlessly. 

Cost: General admission is $19 online, but may be cheaper if purchased at the museum itself.  This ticket will give the holder access to all 45 museum halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Additional tickets are needed for certain exhibits, the Hayden Planetarium Space Show, and IMAX shows.

Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5:45 pm, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.



Other popular locations are Grand Central Terminal (check out the whispering wall), Central Park (a popular filming location), Battery Park (with restaurants, shops, and museums), and the other variety of museums NYC offers.

A good site to read up on more tourist attractions is http://www.nyctourist.com/.

If you plan on visiting a lot of places that require a ticket, look into the NYC City Pass. Buy one pass and cover admission costs to 6 different attractions. If the places you want to go are included on the Pass, you're sure to save money.