When you are visiting New York City, there are a million places to see and things to do. So which sights and landmarks should you visit? To get some help in this matter I talked with locals who have lived here all their lives. I asked them the following questions: Which sights and landmarks have they visited? What did they enjoy the most? And what they would recommend others not to miss. Below I am presenting their answers.

In other words, what are the 10 Best Attractions in NYC Approved by Locals?

Table of Contents

#1. Central Park

Central Park is a wonderful park to visit, even if you are not into sports or nature. There are so many activities to do, such as ice skating in the winter, the zoo is great, the carousel is fun and there is also a marionette theater for children. I really recommend visiting this park, and the number 1 attraction on our 10 Best Attractions in NYC Approved by Locals list.

People run, walk their dogs, play different sports (soccer, tennis), biking, roller-skating, and more. The park is huge so there’s plenty of room for all these activities…

The park also has baseball fields if you want to play some ball while visiting NYC. It will feel like a small town in the middle of a big city.

There are 2 lakes inside the park where you can rent a rowboat or feed the many ducks that live there. There are also many bridges that go over the lakes which make for very beautiful photos.

It’s also worth taking time to check out some of the park’s statues and sculptures including Strawberry Fields’ Imagine mosaic (honoring John Lennon), Hans Christian Andersen, and Alice in Wonderland. And be sure to take a hike up the 84-meter Summit Rock from where there are views north towards Harlem Meer and south towards Midtown Manhattan.

Don’t leave without getting ice cream at one of the famous carts around the park — a quintessential New York treat!

#2. The High Line

The High Line is the most exciting attraction on our 10 Best Attractions to Visit in NYC Approved by Locals list. The High Line is an elevated public park built on a historic freight rail line above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

On a warm spring night in 2009, the High Line opened to the public. On hand were Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, and Senator Schumer. The opening had been delayed by months because of an administrative snafu; Governor Paterson had neglected to sign the High Line’s transfer papers. No matter. The stars were out that night: Sting and Rashida Jones, Dee Dee Myers, Michael Musto.

The High Line is 1.5 miles through Manhattan’s West Side. It’s an elevated steel-and-glass walkway lit softly at night, a ribbon of greenery above the street. You could see everything below you and nothing could interfere with your view of the starry sky above. It is like being in a plane without leaving the ground.

The High Line has since taken its place alongside Central Park as one of New York City’s great public spaces. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, with Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Piet Oudolf, it has been praised by critics and embraced by New Yorkers and visitors from around the world alike – a triumph of urban design, a lesson in what’s possible when visionaries come together.

#3. The Oculus at the World Trade Center

The Oculus at the World Trade Center is the news attraction on our 10 Best Attractions in NYC Approved by Locals list. One of the best-known tourist attractions in New York is the Oculus, a building that sits at the western end of the World Trade Center. Since it opened, it has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world.

The Oculus is an architectural masterpiece, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava Valls. It consists of two wings below ground level and one wing above ground level. The interior is all white marble and has many shops, restaurants, and cafes. There are also two bridges in the building: one is made of glass, and the other is a spiral staircase connecting all three levels.

At night, the Oculus lights up thanks to special LED lights that can change color and create different patterns on the white marble walls. This explains why many people visit the Oculus every day and at any time of year: no matter what time it is or what season it is, there will be something interesting to see!

Inside the Oculus, you’ll find a number of shops—perfect for shopping during your lunch break or getting a gift for your favorite niece. The Oculus also offers plenty of opportunities for photography, whether you want to capture a photo of friends on the escalator at the top or a picture of one of your favorite stores.

Whether you’re looking for a great Instagram pic or the perfect group photo, The Oculu is a stunning backdrop.

#4. The Statue of Liberty

The most visited attraction in New York City, the Statue of Liberty is not only an iconic landmark but also an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.

The Statue of Liberty attracts over 4 million visitors each year. If you want to be one of them, it’s important to know how to plan your visit to avoid crowds and long lines.

The key is to follow these essential tips:

Visit early or late in the day when crowds are smaller.

Buy your tickets online in advance.

Take the ferry from Battery Park, rather than Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

Take advantage of special tour packages that include entrance to the pedestal, crown, and Ellis Island. Many people visit Liberty Island in the morning and Ellis Island in the afternoon, but you can do this trip either way around. If you chose to visit Ellis Island first, travel across New York Harbor on the ferry provided by Statue Cruises, the National Park Service’s authorized concessioner.

Both islands offer exhibits and interactive displays telling the story of immigration to America. You’ll also see artifacts from ships and have access to extensive archives containing millions of records of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island from 1892 until 1954.

Visiting Lady Liberty is an experience that everyone needs to have when they are in NYC!

#5. Governors Island

Rides on the ferry and visits to the car-free Governors Island are among the best things to do in summer, and our handy guide helps you plan your trip.

free seven-minute ferry ride brings fun-seekers to an idyllic setting where they can cycle (with their own wheels or a rented pair from Bike and Roll), picnic with a great view, or enjoy free programming including art exhibitions, concerts, and sporting events.

The Hills, a topographic installation on the island, comprises four mounds; each offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, much of the island’s military architecture lives on as the Governors Island National Monument.

10 Fun Things to Do on Governors Island

• Take a look back in time.
  Governors Island is home to approximately 50 abandoned structures, including a theater, a hospital, a chapel, and two former military forts. While you can’t go inside these buildings, for the time being, you can walk around their historic exteriors to learn about the island’s history.
• Take in the scenery
  Governors Island parkland’s Hills section rises 70 feet above sea level. Hike to the summit of Outlook Hill for the best views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
• Overnight in style.
  Visitors can now glamp (glamorously camp) on the island overnight thanks to the decked-out tents provided by Collective Retreats.
• Relax in a hammock.
  The grassy, sunny Hammock Grove demonstrates that you don’t have to be doing much to enjoy the Island life.
• Glide down New York City’s longest slide.
  Kids and teenagers will want to visit The Hills not only to see the breathtaking views but also to ride Slide Hill’s 57-foot eponymous attraction.
• Ride a quadricycle.
  Bikes are a great way to explore the island’s 7 miles of car-free paths, but renting a quadricycle or six-person surrey gives you twice the wheels and twice the fun.

#6. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a treasure of a park that stretches over 1.3 miles of Brooklyn’s waterfront, from the Columbia Heights waterfront district to the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO, and offers breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan’s panoramic skyline and the New York Harbor. Tourists and New Yorkers alike can be seen admiring the iconic East River cityscape while strolling along a continuous promenade of six diverse piers.

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s numerous recreational facilities, including playgrounds, basketball courts, sports fields, and Brooklyn’s newest roller skating rink, are certain to appeal to more active crowds.

Visitors will delight in the diverse selection of award-winning food and beverage concessions, which serve delectable refreshments to parkgoers while they enjoy the elegant landscapes and breathtaking views.

It’s easy to forget just how magical public parks can be, particularly when they’re nestled in the city. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a good reminder that New York still has a lot to offer when it comes to natural spaces, and we hope that it continues to exist as a haven for both locals and tourists in the years ahead.

#6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is so easy to forget that New York is one of the most amazing cities on Earth. We miss a lot of opportunities because we simply don’t realize something is right around the corner. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located in Brooklyn and can be easily missed; but once you discover it, all your senses are awakened and you’re introduced to an experience that cannot be reproduced.

It is a 150-acre oasis with one of the world’s most diverse collections of living plants. The Garden has 14 display gardens, including the Arthur Ross Pinetum and the recently-renovated New York Transit Museum. The collection, which totals more than 10,000 taxa, includes nearly 500 woody plants, more than 2,000 herbaceous plants, and thousands of tropicals.

The Garden is a living museum, an educational institution, and a plant-based scientific research center. The Garden’s mission today is to inspire curiosity about, appreciation for, and stewardship of the environment through its world-class gardens, collections, and education programs.

BBG is one of the most visited botanical gardens in the United States. It is a place of ever-changing beauty that attracts more than 900,000 visitors annually and inspires curiosity and delight among visitors of all ages. BBG offers classes and workshops for adults and children, plant sales, conservation programs, research initiatives, and more.

In an age when many people are spending most of their time indoors, enjoying the comfort and convenience of air conditioning and other modern technology, Brooklyn Botanic Garden provides a welcome escape from the daily routine. It is here that one can spend time among their favorite living things–plants.

The plants can be appreciated in a number of ways: one can lounge on one of the many benches throughout the grounds, walk along the Botanic Garden’s long walking paths, or indulge in delicious snacks in the café. If there is any doubt about how wonderfully well thought out our planters are, it can easily be dispelled after visiting Brooklyn Botanic Garden and seeing how wonderfully unique each planter is.

#7. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is not only the world’s largest train station, with 44 platforms and 67 tracks, it’s also the second most visited attraction in New York City. Every year more than 21 million people pass through its concourse. If you haven’t yet seen its beauty, we hope you get a chance to stop by and see why it has been hailed as one of America’s greatest architectural achievements.

Grand Central is an iconic landmark in midtown Manhattan and has been a popular tourist attraction since it opened in 1913. As New York City’s oldest train station, Grand Central offers travelers a unique travel experience with its architectural beauty and rich history.

Grand Central is the home of the MTA Metro-North Railroad commuter line which serves over 80 million travelers each year across New York State. It is also served by different subway lines and bus lines for those who want to use public transportation when visiting New York City.

As one of the city’s most visited attractions, Grand Central is worth a visit by any traveler. It’s a beautiful marvel of architecture and history in the middle of New York City that’s left an impression on both visitors and locals alike. If you plan on visiting New York City, take some time to stroll through the terminal and admire its splendor. It’s well worth your time!

#8. Little Island

Little Island, a new park pier within the larger Hudson River Park, provides New Yorkers and visitors from around the world with a unique green space unlike any other in the city. Little Island was planned in collaboration with the Hudson River Park Trust and was primarily funded by Barry Diller and his Family Foundation through an extraordinary donation to get it built. The pier has been three years in the making and is a dream come true for all parties involved.

In keeping with their mission to create a more environmentally sustainable city, they designed Little Island as a park that is accessible by water taxi, ferry, or foot, reducing carbon emissions and creating new access to the riverfront along Manhattan’s West Side. The pier’s innovative design ensures that everyone has access to its bounty of flora, including thousands of plants and trees that have been specially selected to thrive in its coastal environment.

This is a public space along the riverfront where our visitors can enjoy year-round programming at this one-of-a-kind venue.

The pier’s design also features a series of pavilions, creating newly-accessible pedestrian walkways along the waterfront. These outdoor spaces are designed to connect the pier to the nearby Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, as well as to provide a space for an array of events throughout the year. With all of these great features and more, the pier has already become an integral part of the locals’ daily lives.

If you’re looking for a park that’s beautiful, serene, and offers plenty of amenities for recreation, Little Island is worth the trip.

#9. Edge Observation Deck

Edge Observation Deck is definitely the most trendy in our 10 Best Attractions to Visit in NYC Approved by Locals list, The Edge is a glass-floor observation deck at 30 Hudson Yards in New York City, on the 100th floor of the building. It is one of the tallest observation decks in the United States, with a height of 1,100 feet (335 m).

The deck is designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro (who are also designing The Shed), and Jeff Koons, and built by Related Companies.

It is the best place in New York City for jaw-dropping photo ops. The Lookout even has special cameras that let you see what’s happening on the street below in real-time!

You might think you’ve seen the city from high up before, but those views are nothing compared to what you’ll see at Edge. Visitors start their journey through the building at level 5, where they enter via an escalator. From there they travel up to level 101 via two express elevators. The first elevator takes visitors up to level 100, where they pass through a 4D cinema experience before entering the main observation deck. Visitors can then take a second elevator for access to Edge’s highest point at 1,100 feet (335 m).

In order to create Edge’s triangular form, steel trusses were welded together on-site and then moved into place by a giant crane.

Edge has five sections:

• Entry Hall
• The Canyon
• The East View
• The West View
• The Terrace

To Summaries: 10 Best Attractions to Visit in NYC Approved by Locals

Whether you’re looking for a romantic date spot, a place to get some inspiration, or just to use the best observation deck in the city, this is one of New York’s best-kept secrets. If you’re looking for a place to go to get amazing views of New York City at night, The Edge is truly a must-see. The

So there you go, the previous are the 10 Best Sights and Landmarks to Visit in New York City All Approved by Locals. Regardless of which option you choose to pick, you will not be disappointed if you visit this city. Everybody I talked to expressed that they were extremely satisfied with their experience. Many of them even loved it so much that they come back every holiday or practical opportunity that comes up.

You should be able to visit New York and enjoy the best destinations with your family thanks to this list of the 10 Best Attractions to Visit in NYC Approved by Locals!