Sightseeing Articles
What's New at the Empire State Building
Since its 1931 completion, New York’s Empire State Building has been the most famous skyscraper in the world. It remains a vital part of NYC and an inspiration to the millions of visitors who ascend to the ESB observation deck in every season. There’s even something new: the Official Empire State Building Observatory Experience, a just-released app that’s fun, informative, and free.
NYC's Best Water Playgrounds for Kids
If you’ve got little ones, then you know how quickly the hot summer heat can make your day more of a chore than you’d like it to be. This summer, beat the heat by visiting these amazing water playgrounds in New York City. Everybody needs to cool off once that coastal humidity starts taking over the outdoors, so why not do it in a space that’s as fun (and free!) as these ones are?
The Best Way to Spend a Summer Day in Central Park
It’s probably the greatest park in the world, and it’s definitely the greatest park in New York City…no trip to the city is complete without a visit to Central Park. So how to spend time there? The options really are limitless, but on a warm summer day, there are some park activities that just can’t be ignored. Check out our picks for the best must-dos in Central Park in summer.
Rock History Lives at the Hard Rock Cafe
When you hear the words ”Hard Rock Cafe?” what comes to mind: stupendous hamburgers? The iconic neon guitar? World-class memorabilia? They’re all correct. And yep, you read that right: the Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square has an astonishing collection of rock mementos, which you can see as you stroll by on your own—or else on one of their new tours.
Celebrating 70 Years: Tour the United Nations
While the United Nations Headquarters is located in New York City, it is, in fact, an international territory! Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the U.N.'s one-hour guided weekday tours arranged through visit.un.org offer an opportunity to discover (or, as a local, revisit) the newly renovated United Nations Visitors Centre, and gain insight into the organization's vast array of initiatives.
The 10 Best Tours of NYC
By land, water or air, New York City is one of the world's most visited cities. We've highlighted ten of the best tours NYC has to offer, from classic sightseeing tours that hit NYC landmarks, to specialty tours, to tours that offer breathtaking aerial views of the Manhattan skyline.
Cruise New York on the Statue of Liberty Express
Is there anything better than a cruise out on the water, wind in your hair, maybe a cold beer in hand? Yes: a cruise out on the water with a billion-dollar view. To see the best of New York City by boat, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the city skyline to Lady Liberty herself, check out New York Water Taxi’s Statue of Liberty Express.
Vikings Take Times Square
The new exhibition Vikings debuts at Discovery Times Square in New York on February 5, 2016. Vikings transports visitors to the Viking Age (8th-11th centuries), as brought to light through modern archaeological discoveries. Nearly 500 ancient artifacts—many never before seen outside of Scandinavia—reveal new insights into a legendary people.
Park It: The Best People-Watching Spots in NYC
One of New York's best features is the endless variety of its people. When you're ready to chill in the big city, one of the most entertaining breaks you can take is to people watch. Read on for our picks for the best people-watching spots in New York, from museum steps to incredible public spaces.
NYC By Bus: The Best Packages for Summer 2016
There’s a lot to take in on a trip to New York, which makes expert tour companies like CitySightseeing essential for getting around town and making the most of your visit. Summer is a great time for bus tours of the city. CitySightseeing’s double deckers provide unobstructed views of NYC landmarks and energetic street life. For 2016, three great packages combine discounts and flexibility to maximize your access to all the excitement of sightseeing in New York.
Cruise With New York Water Taxi—At a Discount!
Get ready for a New York City boat ride adventure. New York Water Taxi's daily tours run year-round and are offered by day and after dark. See the glittering skyline and all of Manhattan's iconic landmarks from the comfort of an environmentally friendly twin-hulled catamaran boat. Enjoy the ride at a discount: City Guide's promo code will give you $5 off any New York Water Taxi or Zephyr Statue of Liberty Express full-price ticket.
What to See at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square
There aren’t many attractions that appeal to three generations of a family at once, but Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square is that welcome exception. With over 500 exhibitions, many of them world-famous relics, there’s something to hold anyone’s attention.
See a Star Trek Shuttle Live at the Intrepid
On May 13, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum opens as a temporary exhibit the fully restored Shuttlecraft Galileo, which carried the crew of starship USS Enterprise to other planets in Star Trek: The Original Series (1967–1969).
10 Best Engagement Photo Locations NYC
New York’s remarkable, and so is your love. It’s a match made in heaven. So when it's time to take that perfect engagement photograph, you're in the right place. We've got our ten favorite spots in NYC for framing that perfect snapshot to remember your engagement. This stage passes quickly, so make sure you document it in a way that will stand the test time.
10 Awesome Secret Sites in NYC
If you think you’ve already seen everything New York City has to offer, think again. While we’re fans of all of Manhattan’s well-publicized and historical draws, we also have a huge amount of respect for the city’s little-known landmarks. Rounded up below are the ten best secret sites to check out in New York City. You can only play the tourist for so long before it's time to start seeking out hidden treasures.
Go Behind the Scenes with THE RIDE's Own RIDEumentary
THE RIDE is a one-of-a-kind experience that turns the streets of New York into a stage, as audience members face sideways looking out of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Stadium seating, monitors, LED lights, and surround sound make THE RIDE the world’s only moving theater. Think of it as a "Broadway show on the street"—and if that's not painting a clear enough picture, THE RIDE has a new behind-the-scenes video that explains it all.
Hello Brooklyn Cruise: Special Discounts
Last year, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises celebrated its 70th anniversary. In 2016, it’s full speed ahead, as Circle Line launched its Hello Brooklyn cruise May 2, boasting NYC’s first dedicated cruise to the borough. Book your Brooklyn cruise, or another Circle Line cruise between now and May 26, and get 20% off!
Photo Tourism New York: Where to Get the Best Shots
Looking for the greatest spots in New York City for showing off your photo skills? We've got the ten best places to look for photo tourism, from landmark buildings to legendary neighborhoods to iconic bridges. Read on for our picks for the top destinations for the photo-minded, whether you're wielding a fancy Nikon or just a plain old phone.
Marilyn Monroe & More at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square has been surprising and entertaining locals and New York visitors as one of the city’s top attractions since the doors opened in 1939. And as if the museum's 500+ legendary artifacts weren’t enough, Ripley's has recently expanded to add even more!
Hit the Top of the Tallest Building in the Western Hemisphere
There’s only one tallest. Only one strongest. And only one destination selected as the Best New Attraction in the World. These superlatives belong to One World Trade Center, and its pinnacle, the One World Observatory, standing over 100 stories in the sky. Visitors to New York who want to experience the city in its entirety should point themselves toward Lower Manhattan and OWO.
The 10 Best Spots to Get Outside with a Group in NYC
If you’re traveling to NYC in a large group, planning a visit to one of New York's outside sites is a great way to soak up the city's atmosphere. It can be tricky keeping track of large groups in the United State’s most populated city, but the ten sites below provide perfect ways to experience New York City while still having enough space for big gatherings. Read on for the ten best outside spots for groups in NYC.
007 Six Ways at Madame Tussauds NYC
Madame Tussauds NY welcomea a travelling exhibition of not one, but SIX James Bond figures. Madame Tussauds’ 007 set provides an opportunity for fans of the timeless franchise to interact with Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan.
From the Top of the Rock to the Rink: A Special Ticket Discount
The Sky Skate Combination Ticket brings together two New York legends at a discount. Make the most of winter 2016 in New York City with a discount on skate rental and admission to both the Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock observation deck.
The Best Gardens of NYC
The leafy gardens liberally scattered throughout New York belie the notion of the city as an asphalt jungle. New York has a history of philanthropy and a public commitment to parks and open spaces. This winning combination has resulted in two of the world’s greatest botanical gardens, landscape architecture masterpieces, and a verdant reclaimed railway line. Read on for the best gardens in New York City.
Urban Pit Stops: The Best Snack Spots for Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in NYC
To help you keep up your strength and maximize your time, here are our picks for the best snack and refreshment stops when you're on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of New York.