Great New York Tourist Attractions

By Author: Jesse Henson
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New York is one of the great vacation cities in the world. It is an energy-charged destination full of history and a tremendous quixotic allure for the droves of guests who head there to enjoy shopping, fine cuisine and Broadway shows. Or, you may prefer to golf, fish go to a Yankees game or relax at the beach. It is truly a one of a kind city that is exciting and appealing. There are of tourist attractions for adults and children that will have you visiting again and again.

The Empire State Building has attracted an estimated 120 million visitors or an average of 3.6 million people a year. Opened in 1931, it is often referred to as "The Cathedral of the Skies," this New York landmark makes its own statement in Art Deco Architecture, with a structure that juts a quarter of a mile (1453 feet) into the New York City skyline. Currently, the building is primarily used as office space. You can see spectacular views of the city from the 86th floor Observatory. There are breath-taking panoramic views from a glass-enclosed pavilion and via an open-air walkway. There are also views from the 102nd floor. Purchase your tickets online ...
... or plan to arrive early because the lines may be long for one of New York City's top tourist destinations.

Liberty Island was a military post until 1937. It is the home of one of the most recognized attractions in the world - The Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift made to American people by the people of France. It sits on 12 acres in the New York Harbor and was originally dedicated in October 1886. A massive undertaking to restore the Statue of Liberty was completed in time for the United States Centennial on July 4th 1986. If you wish to venture to the top of the pedestal or crown, you'll have to make your reservations ahead of time. Just a half-mile from Liberty Island, is Ellis Island. This is the place most immigrants pass through from 1892 to 1924. It is estimated that 40 percent of the current United States population is descendant from people who were processed into the country at this immigrant station.

One of the newest pulls in New York is the Rose Center for Earth - Space. This new cutting edge facility is an 87-foot sphere that gives the illusion of floating in a glass cube. It is housed in the state-of-the-art Hayden Planetarium. One of main features of the Rose Center is the Space Theater, which is one of the most advance venues of its kind in the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Space Shows featuring virtual 3-D journeys of the galaxy. The Full Moon exhibit is designed to give adults and kids an actual feel and sense of the experiences of Apollo astronauts on their trips to the moon. The exhibits include reproductions of photographs snapped by astronauts while perusing the moon's surface.

The Intrepid Sea, Air - Space Museum is an institution that is dedicated to the arm forces and the space program. It was declared a national landmark in 1986 and has over 750,000 visitors a year. The USS Intrepid is a World War II aircraft carrier that was launched by the U.S. Navy in 1943. The vessel served three tours in Vietnam and was a recovery ship for Mercury and Gemini space capsules. The ship was retired from active service in 1974. It's situated in the park-like setting of Pier 86. There are 30 refurbished and restored aircrafts. There is also a mix of virtual and interactive exhibits and displays.

You can satisfy your cultural curiosity of New York by immerging in over 400 years of American history under one roof. The New York Historical Society is among the oldest cultural institutions in the United States. You can learn a little something about New York and American history, from the Revolutionary War through the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. The artifacts include manuscripts by American Presidents and the world's largest display of Tiffany lamps. You can view George Washington's cot from Valley Forge and his inaugural chair. There is also a collection of Hudson River School art and American Landscapes.

You can't visit New York without taking in the magnificent Central Park, which is 843 acres pastoral landmark located in central Manhattan. Enjoy a leisurely trek down the mall a rowboat ride o the Lake, a rickshaw ride or choose a hansom cab to get around. It is a great way to get away from the busy atmosphere of New York City. Kids will enjoy the Children's Zoo, which is located north of Central park.

If you love chamber music, allow yourself to get-away and take in the relaxing experience of hearing Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and other great composers performed at Bargemusic. Just under the Brooklyn Bridge, this floating barge is one of the most unique places in the world to hear chamber music. The floating concert hall is moored at the Fulton Ferry Landing. With the scenic backdrop of the East Rive, and the startling Manhattan skyline, the setting is very intimate. A small stage is set up in a wonderfully cozy and warm wood-paneled room, which has nearly perfect acoustics. The music is performed in this snug chamber-music hall year-round five days a week. Make your reservations in advance to ensure your seating for this exceptional New York treat.
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