Statue of Liberty
First of all, who says New York says Statue of Liberty! And believe me, you owe it to yourself to go see this great lady a little closer.
Did you know that the seven branches of its crown refer to the seven seas and continent of the planet? Or that the broken chains at the foot of the statue refer to the abolition of slavery? There are many other anecdotes about this immense monument of 200 tons. That's why I invite you to take a look, to find out more for yourself!
Getting to Liberty Island
For that, direction Battery Park in order to board a ferry to Liberty Island. Be aware that if you want to visit the crown of the statue, you will need to book in advance. To get to Battery Park, board metro line 6 to the station Bowling Green, or the R line to Whithall Street.
Note that Liberty Island is accessible (for a fee) every day from 7 a.m. to 45 p.m. Also, I strongly recommend that you purchase a New York City Pass or a New York Pass. Indeed, these include access to Liberty Island and many other New York attractions. It's about a economical option and practical, which I talk about in more detail at the end of this article. I recommend that you buy one of the two on the internet, in order to save time and money.
The empire state building
In second position, it is one of the most emblematic of New York City, I named… The Empire State Building! You have surely already seen it in films and series like King Kong, Friends ou Gossip Girl.
Located on the 5th Avenue, between 33rd Street and 34th Street, the building itself is beautiful. Art deco style, it is unique and definitely worth a visit. Moreover, it is counted among the tallest buildings in the world, thanks to its 381 meters height.
Also, I advise you to go to the 86th or 102nd floor, where the public terraces are located. From the latter, you will have the chance to enjoy a unique view of the Big Apple, and even 5 states in all, if the weather is clear!
And then, if you are there at the right time, you might be lucky enough to admire the building illuminated in different colors. Indeed, this is the case during certain events, such asIndependence Day. Occasionally, the Empire State Building turns white, red and blue.
You're at New York with kids ? So don't miss Skyride, a flight simulator that will amuse young and old!
Also, be aware that from Thursday to Saturday evening, from 22 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Empire State Building organizes sessions of jazz and live. What to spend an evening 100% New Yorker !
Useful information
To get to the Empire State building, you can take lines 1, 2 or 3, or B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, to Penn Station or 34th Street. Entrance is at 350 5th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets.
The Empire State Building is open daily 8 am to 2 am, which gives you plenty of choice as to the time of your visit. That said, keep in mind that the last climb is 45 minutes before closing, at 01:15 am.
My advice would be to go there once in the morning to admire the city by day, and once at sunset, to enjoy the beautiful colors. And this is possible thanks to New York City Pass, which allows you to enter the Empire State Building twice in the same day. I will detail this pass a little more in the following paragraph.
Prices and Pass
If you take a single ticket to access the first terrace, on the 86th floor, the price will be 29 €. You can also opt for a ticket VIP Express, which will avoid you the long queues! These can take a long time, especially on public holidays or during vacations. So if you are short on time, this is an option to consider. However, I advise you to plan ahead: VIP Express tickets are limited! You can book your single ticket with or without a wire cutter by clicking here.
That said, and as mentioned above, the New York City Pass and New York Pass include admission, along with other attractions. That's why I really advise you to buy it. To do this, go to the New York City Pass or New York Pass website. Buying your pass online will save up to 40% !
Finally, I recommend that you download theapplication mobile official of the Empire State Building. Free and available on iOS and Android, it will provide you with some details and anecdotes about this famous New York monument.
Le Guggenheim Museum
Even though it is a museum and not a monument per se, the Guggenheim Museum building is so impressive that it serves as a work of art in itself. Located at 1071 Fifth Avenue and designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the spiral construction is unique.
So be sure to walk past it, especially if you are interested in architecture. Of course, I also recommend that you enter to discover many works by Modigliani, Pollock or Kandinsky. Admission is also included in the two passes mentioned above.
Free for children under 12 and on Saturdays from 18:30 p.m., admission is $ 22 per adult and $ 18 for students. It is also included in the New York City Pass et New York Pass.
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m. except Saturdays (45 a.m. to 10 p.m.), the museum is closed on Thursdays.
Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock
Great competitor of the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center has nothing to envy to the latter. Art Deco listed building monument, Rockefeller Center is home to many offices and shops.
Also, after taking a little tour inside, go live the real Top of the Rock experience. This panoramic terrace located at 70nd floor offers a breathtaking life on the city. And the advantage over the Empire State Building is that you can admire it from the Top of the Rock! A unique and unforgettable landscape for sublime photos, especially at sunset.
Useful information
To get to Rockefeller Center, which is located between 5th and 6th Avenues, you can take the B, D, V, and E subway lines to the 47-50th Street Rockefeller Center stop.
Also, the entrance normally costs $ 30, but it is included in both passes also.
Ellis Island and its Immigration Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of the city, the country and its people, I highly recommend going to Ellis Island. This island was indeed the point of arrival of many immigrants came to live the American dream.
Today, the island welcomes many tourists and offers a very interesting museum of immigration, retracing the history of the inhabitants and their ancestors. The latter opens its doors every day from 9:30 am to 17 pm.
To get to the island, go to Battery Park to catch a ferry. The trip to Ellis Island will also allow you to admire the Statue of Liberty up close, which is a real bonus!
My advice is to go there early in the morning, in order to avoid the hordes of tourists. The first ferry departure is at 9 a.m., and you must arrive 15 minutes early.
Once again, the ferry ticket is included with both city passes - all the more reason to buy one quickly!
The 9/11 Memorial and its museum
Built following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Memorial has become a veritable New York monument. Located at Ground Zero, near One World Trade Center, the memorial consists of two pools of water where the name of each victim is engraved. A beautiful place to meditate for a few moments or even make a donation for the upkeep of the memorial.
A stone's throw from the memorial is also an underground museum dedicated to September 11, the entrance to which is included in the pass. You will be able to retrace the events of this tragic day, and pay tribute to the victims.
Grand Central Terminal Station
You've seen her in many movies, now it's time to go see her with your own eyes. Located a stone's throw from the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal is an icon of class and romance. Marble, moldings and a lively atmosphere make this station worth a detour. Also, don't miss to take a picture of its magnificent clock!
In addition, it is home to many shops as well as restaurants and cafes, so don't hesitate to stroll there for a while.
Le Brooklyn Bridge
Then, during your New York trip, you will be taken to visit the very pleasant district of Brooklyn. And to do this, you will cross its iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which connects the neighborhood to that of Manhattan.
Also, did you know that the Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest bridge from the country ? It was under construction for 13 years, before being inaugurated in 1883.
The crossing lasts about half an hour, and I advise you to do it early in the morning, in order to see the city awaken as you walk. Of course, cross it at sunset is just as nice, since you can enjoy pretty colors spreading across the sky.
Once on the other side, if you're feeling peckish I recommend going to Five Leaves Greenpoint, which does the best pancakes to my taste !
Le Flatiron Building
Another building not to be missed during your visit to New York is the Flatiron building. Completely atypical in shape, the latter is now considered a monument of New York. Indeed, it looks somewhat like an iron, hence the name given to it.
Located a stone's throw from the 23rd Street subway station, it is on the corner of two streets and its Beaux Arts style will impress you. After taking some great photos, make your way to Madison Square Garden which is right next door. You can enjoy one of the best burgers in town, at the Shake Shack.
Yankee Stadium
Whether you are a baseball fan or not, Yankee Stadium is one of New York's landmarks that you must visit. Built in 1922 then demolished and rebuilt a few years ago, the latter is the cradle of the New York Yankees team. Also, and since 2015, Yankee Stadium is also the official home of the New York City Football Club.
Tickets to visit it cost one twenty euros per adult if purchased online, and a few euros more expensive on site. That's why I recommend that you plan ahead, and opt for a New York Pass, since entry will be included! If you want to buy single tickets, I advise you to go to Superbillets, they offer the best prices and have a French interface.
Monuments New York : New York City Pass et New York Pass
Finally, and as I have mentioned several times during this article, I strongly recommend that you purchase a pass for New York in advance. Whether it's the New York City Pass or the New York Pass, it will make you save a lot of money. In addition, each of these passes will offer you various advantages. For example, you will have discounts in department stores, or skip-the-line options.
Also, I invite you to learn more in detail by consulting my article on the New York City Pass and comparing with the New York Pass. I then advise you to quickly buy your pass online. To do so, go to the New York City Pass or New York Pass website.
Hoping to have been able to help you once again, I wish you pleasant visits. Also, don't forget to go and visit the many other attractions in the city. MoMA, the Met Museum, Central Park, Chinatown and many more await! Happy visits to all, and see you soon!
