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Central Park Zoo isn’t the largest zoo in the world. In fact, the entire zoo covers less than 6.5 acres. Regardless, its a popular tourist attraction in New York City, particularly for those visiting with children. As the name suggests, the Zoo can be found within the boundaries of Central Park. Unlike the zoos in many major cities, this one can be comprehensively toured in about an hour, making it a perfect stop on a wider visit to the Park area. I visited the Central Park Zoo on my latest trip to New York and was surprised by the amount of unique species packed into such a small scale attraction. Having gone in without knowing what to expect, I decided I’d give you an overview of the zoo’s exhibits in this post so that you can decide if visiting is something you’re interested in.
You don’t need to do a whole heap of planning to visit the Central Park Zoo. Owing to the zoo’s small scale, you’ll easily see everything, even if you’ve only got an hour for your visit. As of the time of writing however, you do need to reserve tickets online. You can’t just rock up and buy tickets at the entry booth. Of course, I always recommend buying attraction tickets in advance anyway to avoid waiting in lines.
You can purchase tickets on the Zoo’s official website. Admission to the Zoo is also included as part of the New York Sightseeing Pass (however owing to the Zoo’s current policy, you still need to contact the Zoo in advance with your Pass to reserve an entry time). Either way, once you get in, you can stay at the Zoo for as long as you like. The Sightseeing Pass is particularly worth looking into if you’re doing a ton of tourist attractions in New York as you’ll save money overall.
Regardless of how you get your ticket, I suggest arriving at the Zoo for opening time. The Zoo gets busier as the day goes on and this way you’ll be able to see most of the exhibits without too many people around. Aim to do a comprehensive tour of the zoo for an hour or so and finish up with the sea lion feeding at 11.30am (there’s also other sessions throughout the day).
The Central Park Zoo contains an impressive array of wildlife, considering its small size. I was surprised to see an assortment of animals from such varied regions on my visit. While there are many animals you won’t see on a trip to the Central Park Zoo, those that you will see are quite memorable. The animals all appear to be well looked after, with the Zoo being operated by the New York Wildlife Conservation Society (the same organisation that maintains the impressive Bronx Zoo).
In addition to the Zoo’s exhibits, kids will enjoy the Tisch Children’s Zoo next door. I haven’t been, but it features a number of domestic and farm animals, including the only cow in Manhattan!
The first exhibit I entered on my visit to the Central Park Zoo was the Tropical Zone. This indoor rainforest is an immersive exhibit in which you’ll venture through the various levels of a tropical jungle. Along the way, you’ll come across species that live in these different habitats, starting at the forest floor all the way up to the canopy. One of the standout animals you’ll find here is the Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Perhaps best known for their appearance in Dreamworks’ Madagascar (funnily enough which took its inspiration from Central Park Zoo), these primates are unique to the African island nation and live in complex social structures.
Other species you’ll find roaming about the tropic zone include the banded mongoose, Rodrigues fruit bat, mountain coati and a whole heap of colourfully exotic birds. There’s species representing rainforests from all over the world here.
Moving back outside into Temperate Territory, this section of the Zoo transports you to the jungles of Asia. The most popular species on display here is the agile Red Panda. Similar to their much more well known cousin, the Giant Panda, this tree dwelling furry creature lives off a diet of bamboo. You’ll notice their thick, bushy tails, which they use for balance. You’ll also come across a troop of Snow Monkeys. Endemic to Japan, they are known for being the primate species that can live in the coldest climates (fitting for being outdoors in the New York winter – though they do have a heated pool in their habitat!).
Technically part of Temperate Territory, but worthy of their own mention are the Zoo’s Snow Leopards. Critically endangered and next to impossible to sight in the wild, these mountain cats are well acclimated to cold temperatures, growing the thickest coat of any big cat on earth. With snow leopard numbers declining due to poaching and environment loss, the Wildlife Conservation Society plays a critical role in protecting their population in countries such as China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was really cool seeing a leopard up close, knowing just how rare of an opportunity it can be.
Moving closer to New York State, the Grizzly Bear enclosure is another popular habitat for guests coming to Central Park Zoo. The bears at the Zoo were orphaned in the wild and relocated into captivity as their habitat grew closer to expanding human settlements. While watching the bears here, you’ll learn how bear encounters with humans in the wild have become more frequent as humans move into their territory and the steps that can be taken to protect the diversity of species on the planet from human impacts.
Things get colder as you cross into the Polar Circle exhibit. This part of the Zoo covers species that live in the Arctic region through a combined indoor and outdoor exhibit space. You’ll come across harbor seals and other seabirds, but the penguins are the main draw. The Zoo is actually home to four distinct species of penguins – the well known King Penguin, along with the less prominent Macaroni, Tufted and Gentoo Penguins. You’ll learn all about the differences between the species and be able to tell which is which from their distinct physical features.
When you’re finished taking in all the other exhibits around the perimeter, return to the heart of the Zoo to see its population of California Sea Lions splashing about. You can see them both above and under the water in their enclosure that stands in the middle of the Zoo’s main plaza. The sea lions are quite active, and while they perform many acrobatic tricks during feeding times, they are not trained, but simple reinforced positively for unprompted behaviour. Interestingly, the sea lions are the only animal species that can be found in all five of the zoos run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, and on occasion, particular sea lions are moved between the various facilities for breeding purposes.
You can watch the sea lion feedings each day at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. It was probably my favourite part of my trip to Central Park Zoo.
Although the Bronx Zoo is definitely the best Zoo in New York City, getting there can be a hassle. With Central Park Zoo being so convenient to get to and easy to fit into an itinerary due to its low time commitment, I recommend it to people who love animals and are on time crunch in New York. Since you’ll probably be coming to Central Park while in the city anyway, it makes sense to stop by, especially since there’s some unique species on display. If you’ve been to Central Park Zoo, I’d love to hear about what you thought of the experience!
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Many people overlook Ellis Island when planning a trip to New York. In a city with so many landmarks known across the world, the island is often forgotten, despite its immense historical significance. For over 30 years. Ellis Island was the entry point for more than 12 million immigrants who arrived in the United States of America. Just a short distance away from the beaconing Statue of Liberty, this was the place where so many took their first steps in the country, chasing the American Dream. It is estimated around 40% of Americans have at least one ancestor that was processed on Ellis Island! Today, the island is home to an excellent immigration museum. Its easy to combine a trip to the island with the Statue of Liberty (your admission ticket gets you to both), and personally, I think Ellis Island is the highlight of the combo.
Today, Ellis Island serves as an immersive immigration museum. The reasons for that stem from its days as one of the most important points of entry to the United States throughout the early 20th century. The Federal Government acquired Ellis Island from one Samuel Ellis (after whom the island is named) in 1808. It was originally used to defend New York Harbour, with the construction of Fort Gibson in 1811. Throughout the 19th century, immigration to the US was handled by the individual states, with New York’s immigration was managed at the site of Castle Clinton in Lower Manhattan. That changed in 1890, when immigration became a federal affair.
In 1892, the US government opened a purpose built immigration centre on Ellis Island. While the original structure burnt down a few years later, the brick building that stands on the island today opened in 1900. It remained in operation until 1954, but it saw especially large numbers of migrants arrive in the early part of the century. Of the 8.8 million immigrants that arrived in the United States from 1901-1910, 6 million were processed at Ellis Island. The record for arrivals on a single day was set on April 17, 1907, with 11,474!
People came to Ellis Island from all around the world, in pursuit of the American Dream. After weeks at sea, they were inspected in the Great Hall, processed with a series of questions and ultimately granted entry or deported back to their country of origin. It is said only 2% of arrivals were denied entry to the US at Ellis Island.
While the Immigration Centre was decommissioned in 1954, Ellis Island eventually became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The building was restored and today’s museum opened in 1990.
Getting to Ellis Island is really easy. You have to take a ferry operated by Statue Cruises. They have two departure points, but if you’re in New York, you’ll be catching the boat from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan (the other ferry leaves from New Jersey). Your ticket includes admission to Liberty Island, which is where you’ll be able to access the Statue of Liberty.
Ellis Island is one of the reasons why I always tell people to get on the first ferry of the day when going to the Statue of Liberty. After seeing the Statue, you can be back on the boat within 2 hours, heading onwards to Ellis Island as the next stop. Once you’re there, you should expect to spend at least a few hours touring the museum. The first time I visited, I was genuinely surprised by how much there was to see at Ellis Island, thinking it was just an add-on to the Statue of Liberty. Since that time, Ellis Island has become one of my favourite places to visit in all of New York. It should not be overlooked!
When you’re boarding the boat to Ellis from Liberty Island, make sure you don’t accidentally take the ferry back to New Jersey. Sit on the right side of the boat and you’ll have the best views as you dock in front of the island’s main building.
When the ferry docks at Ellis Island, you’ll disembark right out front of the main building. This three storey structure has an elaborate design, evoking images of a grand train station. There’s lots to take in throughout this museum, with exhibits chronicling the experiences of migrants processed at the site, in addition to the wider history of immigration in the United States. If you’re a first time visitor that doesn’t have all day, you’ll want to be selective with which exhibits you spend time in. Just like the Statue of Liberty, admission to the Immigration Museum includes an excellent audio tour. You can pick this up as you step inside the main building to begin exploring. Follow the guide and you’ll see the best parts of the Museum.
You enter the Museum the same way countless migrants took their first steps into the Main Building on Ellis Island. The front doors open into the Baggage Room, and its here that new arrivals left their belongings before ascending the staircase to be processed on the next floor. Today, the Baggage Room is something of an information hub, where you can pick up your audio guide, visit a bookstore and find all your general tourism services. It shouldn’t be skipped though as there’s an exhibit that chronicles the history of the room’s use during the peak days of the immigration centre. The pieces of luggage you’ll find throughout the hall date back over one hundred years, serving as examples of the bags that were checked here daily by concession employees.
The Museum’s main theatre is also near the Baggage Room. Here you can watch a short film containing footage of migrants arriving at the Immigration Centre. With first hand recollections, its a great introduction to the Museum.
Heading up the main staircase you’ll come into the Great Hall on the building’s second floor. Restored to its original design, this is undoubtedly the most beautiful room in the building. Its huge vaulted ceiling definitely gave me Grand Central Terminal vibes. The migrants that passed through Ellis Island had plenty of time to take it in as well – the Great Hall is where they waited and went through medical and legal examinations conducted by immigration officers.
While the Great Hall stands bare today, a gaping chamber of 103 metres in length, during Ellis’ heyday, it was packed with benches and examination cubicles. In some cases, arrivals would wait for days to be processed. After being processed, the masses would part ways at the appropriately named Stairs of Separation. Those successful in passing immigration screening would embark on their next American adventure (most catching ferries to New York or New Jersey), while others would undergo further evaluation, detention or deportation.
While you’re admiring the Great Hall, don’t forget to head up to the Museum’s third floor for views of the vast chamber from above.
If you’ve only got time to experience one of the historical galleries on Ellis Island, make sure its the “Through America’s Gate” exhibit. Located on the second floor, just off the Great Hall, the audio tour takes you here, so there’s no surprise that its the highlight. This immersive exhibition chronicles the step by step process that new arrivals on Ellis Island went through when being processed. There are exhibits here that document the way in which those suspected of being infected with illnesses were subtly marked for further examination, the cognitive tests carried out on arrivers and the legal hearings in which detained immigrants could plead their case to the Board of Special Inquiry.
The exhibit is really interesting and I recommend spending enough time going through the halls to take all the information in. One part I enjoyed was a computer quiz where you could answer a set of questions to determine whether you likely would have been accepted or rejected if you were migrating to the US at the height of Ellis Island’s processing days.
Ellis Island is packed with exhibits that go far beyond the immigration process carried out on the island. You won’t be able to fully go through these on a short trip, but if you’re really enjoying yourself like I was, its worth lengthening your stay by checking out some of the other halls.
On the first floor, “Journeys: New Eras of Immigration, 1945 – Present” picks up where Ellis Island left off. When the island ceased to operate as an immigration hub, this exhibit explains what came next, all the way to the United States’ contemporary immigration processes. On the other side of this level you’ll find “Journeys: The Peopling of America 1550 – 1890” which provides an overview of immigration in the days before Ellis Island. Together, they give some historical context to the role of Ellis Island processing center. You can also stop by the Immigration History Center, where, for a fee, you can search databases for records and manifests from immigration vessels that arrived in New York from 1892 to 1924.
On level 2, you’ll also find the “Peak Immigration Years” exhibition. This is a good choice to stop by after the main Through America’s Gate exhibition, as it looks into the immigration wave of 1880 to 1924 in more detail. Its another really interesting exhibition, exploring the reasons why people left their homelands to come to America, as well as the changing attitudes to immigration at the time.
On the third level, you can also check out the “Treasures from Home” collection, which displays over 2,000 possessions donated by the families of migrants that were brought with them to the United States from their homelands.
The museum’s third floor is all about Ellis Island itself, outside of the immigration setting. “Ellis Island Chronicles” covers the island’s history since its acquisition by the federal government, with a series of models showing the expansion of the island’s facilities. “Silent Voices” focuses on the period of abandonment following the immigration station’s 1954 closure, while “Restoring a Landmark” chronicles the restoration work of the National Park Service, bringing Ellis back to its former glory as a tourist site.
Even if you don’t have time to take in the galleries on the third floor, its worth stopping by the Dormitory Room up here, which provides an authentically recreated room that housed detainees circa 1908.
When you’re finished taking in the Museum’s exhibits, don’t rush back onto the ferry. Instead, spend some time outside on Ellis Island for some of the best views of downtown Manhattan. Outside the Museum, you can also see the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. Built by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to commemorate all immigrants, the Wall is inscribed with the names of over 700,000 migrants. Its actually thought to be the world’s longest wall of names. Any American can make a donation to have the name of a migrant recorded on the Wall, with the funds going towards upkeep of Ellis Island. If you know of someone that migrated to the United States, try to find their name on the Wall.
The Wall was erected in 1990, and its construction actually led to the ruins of Fort Gibson, the original military fort on the island, being uncovered. Along with Castle Clinton in Manhattan and Castle Williams on Governor’s Island, the Fort served as a harbour defence system against the British, following United States independence.
While Fort Gibson is the only ruined site you’ll be able to see on a normal tour of Ellis Island, you can actually sign up for a “hard hat tour” (for an additional fee that needs to be booked in advance) where you can see some of the other structures across the rest of the island, such as the old hospital complex and disease wards. Tours run for around 90 minutes and cost an additional $50 USD. There are specific requirements that you can look into on the official website if you’re interested. I haven’t done one of these tours, so if you have, I’d love to hear about it!
As an attraction that I feel is definitely overlooked (myself being guilty there), I think Ellis Island is an essential part of any New York itinerary. Its a city known for its people coming from all over the world after all! You may want to rush back to the city after seeing the Statue of Liberty, but hopefully this post has shown you that there’s quite a few interesting stories waiting to be heard at this site that is responsible for so much of American culture. If you’ve been to Ellis Island, tell me all about your experience. Did you come in knowing all about it, or did you learn something new like I did? If you haven’t visited, what are you waiting for?
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Start spreading the news. I’m leaving today. Gonna be a part of it, New York, New York. If you’re finding yourself humming the legendary tune of Frank Sinatra, chances are you’re planning to visit the Big Apple itself, New York City. I’ve been to New York a few times, and in my opinion it truly is one of the greatest cities of the world (if not the greatest!). In this post, I’m going to help you put together an itinerary to see New York in 4 days.
As the largest city in the United States and one of the largest in the world, there is something for everyone in New York. If you haven’t been, go. If you’ve been, go back. Its filled with amazing museums, sites of great historical significance, delicious food, an incredible theatre scene, and a whole lot more. You won’t do everything there is to do in New York in 4 days, you won’t even come close. With 4 days in New York however, you’ll be able to cross off most of the highlights.
Before deciding what to see in New York in 4 days, you’ll want to know when to go. Strangely enough, every time I’ve been to New York its been mid-spring. Its a decent time to visit the city as the temperature is just right and the weather is generally good. If you go too early in the season (think March) you might still get a bit of snow during your stay though, so bear that in mind.
The most popular time to visit is during the summer months, when you can expect temperatures to get up to 30 degrees Celsius. Prices also soar during this time of year and attractions can be packed. Christmas and New Year’s is also really popular, especially for those coming to ring in the New Year at Times Square. Bear in mind that New York is freezing during the winter months (think maximums around 5 degrees).
From personal experience and research, I’d say the best time to come to New York is during the late spring or early fall. Prices won’t be as expensive as they are during the peak summer months, and its still relatively comfortable.
You won’t have any problems getting to New York – the city is serviced by three major airports. The largest is John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located east of Queens. Its one of the busiest airports in the world, with flights coming and going from all corners of the globe. The fastest way to get into the city from JFK is using Uber or other Rideshare apps, but you can expect to pay a decent amount for the half hour ride. For the more price conscious, the Subway is a cheaper option, but you’ll need to change lines a few times depending where you’re headed. You can expect to take at least 1.5 hours to get into Midtown Manhattan by subway from JFK.
I’ve also flown into New York from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Across the Hudson River in neighbouring New Jersey, its roughly the same distance from Midtown as JFK Airport, so check your options when comparing flights. EWR is a United Airlines hub and its super easy to get into the city from here. You can take the NJ Transit rail service from the Airport to Penn Station and then either take a connecting subway or walk to your hotel. All up it takes about 25 minutes to Penn Station, and there’s a train every 20 to 30 minutes.
Finally, you can fly into New York from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which mainly receives domestic flights. I’ve never used this airport, but its only 20 minutes by car from the heart of Manhattan.
The north-east of the USA is also well connected by land. There’s numerous bus services and Amtrak trains that connect major cities in the area.
Remember to check international travel requirements. At the very least you’ll need a passport and either an ESTA or visa.
Despite being massive, New York is one of the easiest cities I’ve been to when it comes to navigation. The city is designed on a grid system so its easy to work out where you are at all times. Other than the island’s southern tip, all streets that go north to south are called Avenues, running from 1st to 11th, with First Avenue being closest to the East River. Perpendicular to the Avenues are the numbered streets, which starting with First Street in the south, go in ascending order heading north all the way to 228th street, well beyond Manhattan Island.
When you see addresses that refer to West and East versions of a certain street, this is relative to their position on the street to where it is intersected by Fifth Avenue. It might sound complicated, but when you’re there it becomes second nature. I found myself giving locals directions midway through my first stay!
Traffic in New York City SUCKS. Don’t try to drive anywhere. Its very much a walking city and you’ll get from place to place much quicker on foot. When you do need to further afield, you’ll be thankful for the Subway. It does a wonderful job at keeping the city connected with regular trains to all areas of the city. I highly recommend picking up an unlimited ride Metro Pass on your first day from your nearest subway station. For $33 USD, they’re good for 7 days and will get you anywhere you need.
I won’t sugarcoat it, New York is an expensive city. You’ll pay more here than in most parts of the US when it comes to accommodation. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay the following prices per night for a double room in high season:
As for where to stay? For a first time visitor, it has to be in Manhattan. Of New York’s five borough’s this is the one you’ll be spending the most time in, as it contains all the tourist spots you’ve come to see. While it will be more expensive than other parts of the city, I recommend staying somewhere in Midtown. Each time I’ve come to New York City, I’ve stayed somewhere between 42nd and 54th streets. There’s tons of hotels to choose from, but you should book well in advance for the best deals. As for specific recommendations, I’ve especially enjoyed my stays at the Hilton Times Square and the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan – both were excellent.
The official currency of the United States of America is obviously the US Dollar (USD). ATMs are widespread and you’ll have no problem paying by credit card.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of attractions during your stay, I highly recommend picking up a multi-attraction pass such as the CityPass or Sightseeing Pass. While its a large amount to pay upfront, you’ll save money in the long run when it comes to admission fees. I’m normally a CityPass guy, but in New York, I think the Sightseeing Pass gives you more flexibility.
New York City is a pretty safe travel destination. Like any big city, you’ll want to keep your wits about you and watch out for pickpockets and the like, but exercise some common sense, watch out for traffic, and you’ll have a great time. While there’s definitely parts of the city to avoid (like any city), you won’t be going anywhere near them. I never felt uncomfortable at any time during my multiple trips to New York.
You could spend a month in New York and still have things to do. In this itinerary I’ll be taking you to some of the city’s most notable attractions. You’ll see all the places that jump into your mind when you think of NYC.
You’ll spend your first day in New York City seeing the sights of Lower Manhattan. Located in the southern most section of the city (way below where the grid kicks in) this part of the city is a must for first time travellers. On today’s itinerary, you’ll visit some of New York’s most iconic and inspirational landmarks, while also paying respects to some of the darkest days to ever fall on the city.
Assuming you’re staying in Midtown, getting to Lower Manhattan is really simple. If you get aboard the #1 Subway line heading Downtown, you can ride all the way through to South Ferry Station, which will get you right where you need to be to start today’s itinerary. The subway ride will take about 20 minutes. From there, pick up your (pre-booked) ferry ticket at the Castle Clinton ticket booth and try to get on the first boat of the day out to Liberty Island. You can book your ferry tickets with Statue Cruises on their official website.
The Statue of Liberty is arguably the most defining symbol of the United States, so it makes sense to start your New York experience here. Gifted to New York by the French (and designed by Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame), Lady Liberty herself has been welcoming visitors to the USA since her unveiling in 1886. The Statue serves as a symbol of the American ideals of freedom and opportunity embodied by the famous poem of Emma Lazarus – “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free…”.
While Liberty Island is fairly small, getting out to the Statue is essential. You would have seen the Statue countless times, but seeing it in person is a whole other experience. Your admission includes a free audio tour that takes you around the island’s perimeter and gives you some context into the construction and significance of the Statue. Once you’ve done that, head on inside. While the museum that used to be inside the pedestal has been removed in preparation of a better on-site museum (under constructed), you can pay extra to climb up to the Statue’s pedestal for great views.
While currently not available, when I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty I’ve gone up to the Crown observatory. Its a worthwhile experience you’ll definitely have to book in advance and be prepared to climb 146 narrow and steep stairs.
When you’re ready to leave the Statue of Liberty, get back on board the next boat headed towards Ellis Island (don’t take the one that goes to New Jersey!). While not as well known as the Statue, Ellis Island is an even more interesting experience. From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island served as a processing station for over 12 million immigrants chasing the American Dream. In fact, its estimated that over 40% of Americans have at least one ancestor that was processed at Ellis Island.
The Immigration Museum here is excellent and deserves at least an hour of your time. Your admission again includes an audio tour which contains narrations from both historians and first hand immigrants, bringing the facility to life as you tour its multiple exhibits. The highlight is the excellent “Through America’s Gate” exhibition on the second floor. Here you’ll be taken through the step by step process that newly arrived migrants underwent upon landing at Ellis Island, hoping to embark on their new life in the United States.
When you’re finished with the Museum, head outside to the Ellis Island Wall and see if you can find the names of any distant relative migrants as you soak in the stunning views of the New York skyline across the water. You can also grab a bite to eat at the on-site cafe before returning by boat to Manhattan.
For the purpose of this itinerary, I’d try to be back in Manhattan by around 1pm.
When you get back to Manhattan, take a quick walk through the streets of Lower Manhattan (don’t miss Wall Street) before heading to the site of the World Trade Centre. About 15 minutes away from the Statue cruise terminal on foot, this is the site of the greatest tragedy to take place on American soil in the modern era. September 11, 2001 needs no introduction. It was day that saw almost 3,000 lives lost in the most devastating act of terrorism in our lifetime.
As you enter the Memorial site, you’ll see two giant reflective pools marking the former foundations of the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Around the rims of the poignant water cascades are the names of the many victims who died that day. Spend some time quietly reflecting before entering the Museum itself (with your pre-booked admission time).
The 9/11 Museum is one of the most tasteful and emotional museums I’ve ever visited. Housed underneath the site you’ll find a plethora of items recovered from the wreckage. If you don’t have time for a comprehensive tour, you should spend your time in the Historical Exhibit. This extremely detailed exhibition takes you through the events of the day of the attacks, minute by minute as they unfolded. Its emotionally draining, but it will give you an understanding of everything that happened on this horrible day, as well as its wider implications on the world we live in. Spend at least 2 hours here.
After spending a few hours in the 9/11 Museum, take a moment to stroll around the Memorial area until you’re ready to continue. Your final destination of the day is not far at all – its inside the new World Trade Centre just nearby. Officially opened in 2015, the One World Observatory is all the way up on the tower’s 100th and 101st floors. There’s many observation points in Manhattan skyscrapers (you’ll be doing more of them in this itinerary) but I think the One World Observatory is my favourite. Its also the tallest.
Once again, book your ticket in advance here to save time, especially late in the day when lots of people come to see the sunset. After scanning in, you’ll board an elevator and ascend to the Observatory in 47 seconds. Up top, the viewing area is excellent. You’ll have 360 degree views all across Manhattan and beyond. On a clear day, you can see all 5 boroughs of New York from this height. While its all enclosed, there are massive glass windows in all directions and the actual viewing area is huge. You can also buy food and drinks in the viewing observatory. Spend the rest of your evening up here and linger for the sunset while looking for all the landmarks in your surroundings.
Spend your second day in New York taking in the very heart of Manhattan. You’ll pass along many a street corner and recognise that you’ve seen it before in a TV show or movie scene. Just part of the wonder that is New York City. Most of today’s itinerary can be covered on foot, but if you’re needing a break from walking city blocks on the grid, the subway is your friend as always.
Grand Central Terminal is yet another hallmark New York location that you’ve seen a million times before going there. If you’re staying in Midtown, it will be a relatively short walk away from your hotel. The breathtaking terminal is a major train station, open to the public at any time of day. Of course, you’re coming to see the Main Concourse, complete with marble floors and vaulted ceilings. The ceiling was painted by Paul Cessar Helleu and depicts numerous constellations, supposedly from God’s perspective. While you’re taking it all in, don’t miss the Terminal’s famous clock, which contains the largest amount of Tiffany glass in the world!
You can take a guided audio tour of the Terminal, but with how busy your day is going to be, a quick stop is probably enough. While you’re in the area though, grab a breakfast bite from the adjoining Grand Central Market (which opens at 8.00am on weekdays). Also, pop into the lobby of the Chrysler Building, an iconic New York skyscraper, which is just a block away.
One of New York’s best art galleries is the Museum of Modern Art. Located in the heart of Midtown, this Museum fills up quickly with crowds, so you should try to get there around opening time. MoMA has a collection of more than 200,000 pieces of art, so those on display are shuffled around quite regularly. The permanent collection fills up four levels of the building and for the most part provides a chronological journey through modern art. Some of the finest works of Andy Warhol, Picasso, Monet and countless more are displayed at MoMA, though the undisputedly most recognised work is Van Gogh’s Starry Night (which is where the crowds tend to congregate).
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much when it comes to art, but I enjoyed spending about two hours at MoMA. As is the case with many attractions in New York City, your admission includes a complimentary audio tour which you can use to listen to the story behind the pieces that you find most interesting. There’s also a sculpture garden to check out during your visit.
Grab some lunch around the Rockefeller Center after you leave MoMA, then you’ve got a decision to make for your next stop. New York is one of the most famous cities in the world, so it goes without saying that its home to some acclaimed entertainment venues. To fill in the afternoon, you’ll be touring one of them.
Everything is bigger in New York City, and Radio City Music Hall is the world’s largest indoor theatre. Radio City was launched by Samuel Lionel “Roxy” Rothafel on December 23, 1932. The extravaganza saw the first ever performance of the Rockette dancers that the venue has become famous for. The 5,901 seat theatre has since hosted countless performances over the years, including Broadway’s Tony Awards. On your 75 minute guided tour, you’ll see parts of the building such as the Main Auditorium, Roxy’s Suite, a Dance Studio and meet an actual Rockette.
When you think of arenas around the world, there’s none with more prestige than the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden. As a professional wrestling fan, visiting MSG was a no-brainer to me when in New York, but whether its basketball, ice hockey, Billy Joel or others, Madison Square Garden is known as the World’s Most Famous Arena for a reason. Your 75 minute tour of the Garden will relive some of the arena’s most important moments, while also taking you everywhere imaginable, from the upper nosebleeds to the luxury suites, from the locker rooms to the penalty box.
You knew we’d get here eventually. Its packed, its filled with overpriced restaurants and is tourist trap central, but there’s no question that Times Square embodies everything about New York City. Its the towering skyscrapers, the lit up billboards, the constant flow of pedestrians and traffic – all of it. The best spot to take it all in is from the TKTS Ticket Booth Steps (though many will have the same idea!). Take your photos and soak in the atmosphere before heading a few blocks away to grab a cheaper dinner.
If you’re looking for something touristy to do near Times Square, there’s lots of options. While Ripley’s Believe it Or Not and the NFL Experience have both now closed (I’ve enjoyed them both previously), you could always head to Madame Tussauds on W 42nd Street, which is probably the best of its kind that I’ve visited.
One last tip in Times Square. You’ll probably be approached by people wanting to sell you their CDs. Just keep walking – its a scam designed to sell you a blank CD. You’ll also find numerous people dressed up as cartoon characters and the like. If you plan on taking a photo with one, be prepared to pay them and then be swarmed by others wanting you to do the same.
Of the many skyscrapers in New York City, the Empire State Building has to be the most famous. Its open late, making it a great place to cap off a day in the city with an epic view from above. With a whopping 102 floors, the world’s most photographed building stands at some 380 metres in height, though if you measure all the way to the tip of its antenna, its a 443 metres tall! Of the top 5 tallest buildings in New York, its definitely the oldest. Amazingly, construction was completed in 1931, only 13 months after work began.
Before reaching the top you’ll pass through a historical exhibition that chronicles the building’s history. While its interesting, the main event is the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. From up here you’ll catch a completely different view to that further downtown, viewing the city from the very heart of Midtown Manhattan. Don’t miss iconic structures like the unique Flatiron Building and gorgeous Chrysler Building while you’re up here.
If you want to go up higher, you’ll have to pay extra, but there’s an enclosed viewing area on the tower’s 102nd floor, from which you can see five neighbouring states on a clear day. Its the second highest viewpoint in New York, but I’d save the extra money and go to One World instead. Regardless of how far up you do go, the Empire State Building is a stunning finale to the day.
On your third day in New York, you’re heading north of Midtown. You’ll be spending some time in one of the word’s greatest public parks, visiting one of the best museums in the world, and coming back to dive into the New York theatre scene. And since its New York, you’ll be getting some more great photos from above. Which leads us right into…
You spent some time around the Rockefeller Center yesterday, but I didn’t want to send you up two towers on the same day. Besides, its on the way to your next destination. The Top of the Rock is an excellent observation deck on the top of the Rockefeller Center. While you might be skyscraper-ed out at this point, I really recommend heading up here. Its one of my favourite viewpoints in the city. You’ll be able to see north to Central Park, and perhaps most significantly, your photos of Midtown will actually include the Empire State Building in them!
The observation deck at the Top of the Rock is an open air terrace with two levels on the tower’s 70th floor. The views are some of the best in the city. I think I still prefer One World Observatory, but its a really close call between the two. Take all your photos and when you’re ready, continue on with the day’s adventure.
Head a few blocks north and you’ll arrive at the entrance to Central Park, one of the world’s greatest urban parks. Central Park is HUGE and you can spend hours wandering around on a nice day, people watching and taking it all in. At 340 hectares, spanning all the way from 59th to 110th Street, there is no way you’ll see the whole thing. Of all the times I’ve been, I’ve only ever made it halfway up (to be fair, most of the tourist spots are in the park’s southern half before the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Resevoir).
Some spots you should make sure you stop by are the Bethesda Fountain (one of New York’s largest – you know the one), Strawberry Fields (a touching tribute near the site of John Lennon’s murder) and Belvedere Castle (often closed off, but a dramatic lookout point if its open). There’s also an assortment of statues riddled throughout the park, including those of various literary icons along The Mall.
If you have time, you should visit the Central Park Zoo. Its quite small, but contains penguins, peacocks, sea lions and more. Admission to the zoo is $19.95 USD for adults and it will take up at least an hour of your time. While you’re in the park, grab some lunch – there’s plenty of vendors to be found.
Once you reach the Reservoir, head to the east of the park and you’ll be near New York’s finest museum. Referred to simply as The Met, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a world class institution, founded back in 1870. The Museum holds one of the world’s largest and important collection of artefacts from all around the world, spanning from Ancient Egypt to the Pacific Islands and so much in between. If you try to tackle the Met without a plan, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed (and with over 800 galleries, probably lost as well!)
The collection is split over two levels. The first floor contains galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greek and Rome, Medieval Europe, Africa and Oceania. On the second level, you’ll find the Asian, European Renaissance and Middle Eastern collections. The American Wing spans both levels and includes the famous Washington Crossing the Delaware painting.
I think the best way to do the Met is to take a guided audio tour. Taking you through the museum’s highlights, you’ll see the very best that the Met has to offer. Expect to spend at least 2 hours doing this. Along the way you’ll see the Egyptian Temple of Dendur, The Damascus Room, a mini-Chinese garden and so much more.
One of the most quintessential New York experiences is seeing a show on Broadway. The Big Apple is the theatre capital of the world after all. After dinner, you should see a play at one of the city’s many theatres. If you’re wanting to see one of the top billed performances, you’ll need to secure your tickets months in advance (and likely pay a fair bit for your tickets as well). If you don’t mind what you’re actually going to see and are just there for the experience, you could try your luck at the TK Ticket Box in Times Square for last minute discounted tickets (it will be a much smaller off-Broadway show).
I love live theatre, so I always make sure to have a look at whats going to be on when I’m heading to New York. Some of my top recommendations are Hamilton, the Book of Mormon and the Lion King musical – all great shows that are each greatly different from each other!
Check show times, but most shows will start around 7.00pm. You’ll generally be out of the theatre by 10.00pm.
With one more day left in New York, its time to venture out of Manhattan into another of the city’s boroughs. You’ll spend the afternoon in Brooklyn today, but with so much still to do in Manhattan, you’ll be sticking around for the morning.
With so many incredible museums in New York City, I’m giving you another choice to start the day. I’ve been to both of these next two museums. I found them both to be really interesting, but I don’t think you’d have time to do both of them in one day (of course, the answer is to spend more time in New York!). Either attraction will easily keep you busy into the early afternoon.
Its often overlooked on lists of the best things to do in New York, but I found the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to be really cool. After all, its housed on an actual aircraft carrier (that’s the USS Intrepid)! The freighter, which is docked on the Hudson River, survived kamikaze attacks and bombings during World War II, and today contains extremely interactive exhibits that highlight the role of the vessel in conflict. You can tour the freighter’s living quarters, flight deck (filled with fighter jets), and much more (with an audio tour included). There’s even a motion simulator (which costs extra) where you can experience the thrill of flying in a military jet!
In addition to the Intrepid itself, you’ll be able to tour the Growler Submarine docked nearby and also see the NASA Enterprise shuttle up close in a specially themed space exhibition. For an extra fee, you can also tour the Concord aircraft, which set the record (less than 3 hours!) for crossing the Atlantic in 1996.
For a more traditional museum experience, the American Museum of Natural History has you covered. Movie goers might even recognise it as the setting of the Night at the Museum film (there’s even a specific highlights tour for children that takes you to all the exhibits that featured in the movie). With four floors of exhibits, the Museum was founded in 1869 and contains over 34 million artefacts. You can see dinosaur skeletons, ancient civilisations, evolution and biodiversity halls and so much more. One of the highlights of the collection is a full size replica of a Blue Whale suspended from the ceiling of the Hall of Ocean Life!
As if all the various halls of the Museum weren’t enough, the adjoining Rose Center for Earth & Space is a planetarium filled with exhibits about space. As with the Met, the American Museum of Natural History can be overwhelming without a plan. I recommend taking a highlights tour and then focusing on the selection of halls that you are most interested in.
Your tour continue continues with another New York landmark – the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge connects Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, spanning over 1.8 kilometres in length across the East River. Get your walking shoes on, because you’ll be crossing that on the pedestrian boardwalk, which overlooks the six lanes of traffic below. You can take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station, from which the entrance to the boardwalk is readily accessible.
Known for its legendary stone arches, construction of the bridge was completed back in 1883 and at the time was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964, crossing the bridge is something of a right of passage to New York travellers. There’s numerous points where you can stop to take photos. The views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts from the Bridge are nothing short of breathtaking.
There’s so much to do in Brooklyn, but for a first time visitor with only 4 days in New York, you should spend time in DUMBO. That’s Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass by the way, and is the name of the district that you’ll enter into when you cross the Brooklyn Bridge into the borough. First things first, you’re going to want to take the photo. You know the one – standing in the middle of the street with the Manhattan Bridge behind you, framed between buildings on either side. If you lose the crowds that lead you there, you want to get onto Washington Street and follow it until the bridge is in sight. Watch out for traffic while you’re taking photos!
With your obligatory photo spot checked off, try some authentic Brooklyn Pizza. There’s so many restaurants to choose from, but I have a fondness for Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Be prepared for a big feed though – they don’t serve by the slice!
After dinner, spend some time just wandering around the area. A great way to cap off a night in Brooklyn is to catch a basketball or hockey game at the Barclays Center. Its a decent distance away, so you’ll have to Uber it. There’s a bunch of great bars nearby as well, so get your pregame on and celebrate. Its been a busy trip, but you’ve just seen the best of New York in 4 days!
This post has only scratched the surface, but there’s only so much you can do in New York in 4 days. While you’ve had to make some choices along the way, I think its done a pretty good job in capturing the main places you need to see on a first time trip. If I’ve missed anything that you’d put on the list, let me know. There’s no place like New York – so I hope you can wake up in the city that doesn’t sleep very soon!
While there is no doubt that the best Niagara Falls experience is to be had on the Canadian side, considering it is the site of one of the world’s most beautiful border crossings, you’d be remiss to visit without crossing to Niagara Falls, USA. Crossing …