New York City

Challenged only by its counterpart in London, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest and most important museum of its kind in the world. 45 exhibition halls hold more than 30 million artefacts, quite enough to keep anyone busy on a rainy afternoon.The most popular exhibit is a 50ft (15m) tall skeleton of a barosaurus in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, and there are three more spectacular dinosaur halls on the fourth floor. Other halls include the Hall of Biodiversity, the Hall of Ocean Life, the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution.The fabulous Hayden Planetarium is a 90ft (27m) wide aluminium sphere that seems to float inside a massive glass cube, which in turn is home to the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Those tired of walking can check out the Museum of Television and Radio.

Address : Central Park West, at West 79th Street

Website : www.amnh.org

Opening times : Daily 10am to 5.45pm, except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

Admission : General admission $23 (adults). Concessions and special ticket options available. Temporary exhibitions charge additional admission fees.

Going to the theatre is one of the most popular tourist events in New York and the shows on Broadway are world famous, boasting some of the best productions in the world from blockbuster musicals to intense and intimate dramas.There are ongoing shows that have been running for years, such as The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and A Chorus Line. Newer, edgier shows play off-Broadway, and may provide just as much entertainment at slightly lower prices.This is one way to experience part of the American dream, even if only on vacation. There is something to entertain people of all ages.

Website : www.broadway.com

The sheer scope of New York City is hard to understand until you have traversed the Brooklyn Bridge, inaugurated in 1883, which crosses 5,989 feet (1,825 m) of the East River and connects two of New York's biggest metropoles, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.The construction of the bridge was an impressive feat of engineering ingenuity and upon completion it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it is a treasured landmark of the city, colourfully illuminated at night to highlight the architectural towers and hangings.There is a pedestrian walkway from which visitors can savour vistas of both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Photographers looking for quintessential New York cityscapes should be sure to walk the bridge.

Opening times : Daily 24 hours

Admission : Free

With great foresight, the founders of New York set aside 340 hectares (840 acres) of central Manhattan as a public space. Central Park officially opened in 1873 and today provides an essential green lung within the concrete jungle that is New York.Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park contains themed gardens, tennis courts, lakes, and even a small zoo. Much of the park is infused by the city's bustle and on nice days it swarms with joggers, skaters, buskers, and tourists,But there are areas beyond the range of baseballs and frisbees where tranquillity can be found in this beautifully landscaped park. It also hosts performances of everything from rock music to Shakespeare.During winter, two ice-skating rinks open up in Central Park. The Wollman Rink, found mid-Park at 62nd St, is one of the most picturesque in the world and set among the trees and rolling hills, against the backdrop of Manhattan's skyscrapers.

Website : www.centralparknyc.org

Coney Island has been a tourist attraction in New York City since the 1830s, when New Yorkers would flock to the beaches. Its movie theatres, amusement parks, museums, circus, aquarium, and restaurants still attract crowds each summer,Claiming to be the birthplace of the hotdog, a visit to Coney Island isn't complete without sampling the yummy street food along the boardwalk. While filling one's stomach, they can gaze upon the fireworks which light up the sky each Friday around 9.30pm.The activities and amusements at Coney Island are in full swing from May to September, but many attractions close outside these months. There is no accommodation on Coney Island, but it makes a great day out for the whole family.

Website : www.coneyisland.com

From 1892 to 1924, more than 20 million immigrants moving to the USA funnelled through the crowded halls of Ellis Island. Just off the coast of New York, it today draws millions of people each year as one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City.The Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers multimedia exhibits, showcasing the island's crucial role in the history of the USA through stories of various immigrants that passed through. An interesting exhibit is the American Family Immigration Center where visitors can access passenger records to find relatives.Available in about nine languages, a 45-minute audio tour offers visitors the chance to experience the island as an immigrant might have and is a good option for those with limited time. Special children's tours are also available.Getting to Ellis Island involves a crowded ferry ride from Battery Park, so be sure to bring a jacket. The ferry also stops at Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty, making it a convenient way to see two of New York City's most popular attractions in a single morning. It's best to buy combined tickets ahead of time, as ferry queues can take several hours.

Website : www.ellisisland.org

The Empire State Building in New York is an iconic landmark in the sprawling Manhattan cityscape. Completed in 1931, it stretches 102 storeys into the sky and was for a time considered the tallest building in the between 1931 and 1970.Today, it is only the 28th-tallest building in the world yet still retains much of its dramatic grandeur and presence. One of the most beloved activities is embarking on the journey to the top floor's observation deck, providing views across the entire city.Aside from its magnificent vistas, there are also restaurants with delicious food as well as exhibits displaying the history of the Empire State Building. It is best to visit between 8am and 11am, avoiding the scores of daily visitors. It is open until 2am.For those brave individuals, the annual Empire State Building Run-Up offers runners the chance to reach the top via the stairs. These stairs are otherwise closed to the public. Free multimedia tours are downloaded with every admission.The Empire State Building has facilities for disabled visitors with service dogs and wheelchairs. The 86th floor is specifically designed with a lower wall for those visitors at a disadvantage.

Address : 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets, Manhattan

Website : www.esbnyc.com

Transport : Subway B, D or F to 34th Street

Opening times : Observatory: daily 8am-2am; last elevator at 1.15am.

Admission : Top Deck: $57 (adults), $51 (children 6-12), Main Deck: $37 (adults), $31 (children 6-12). Concessions and special ticket deals available.

One of New York's most famous and best loved landmarks, Grand Central was opened in 1913 opposite Rockefeller Center. It is one of the world's largest train stations, with 44 platforms, but its true distinction is its magnificent architectureIts striking ambiance, anchored by enormous windows and the refurbished ceiling, covered by a detailed astronomical fresco. The terminal houses a number of good restaurants, budget-friendly eateries, and speciality shops. The 12,000 sq ft Vanderbilt Hall regularly houses public events.Don't miss the one-hour guided tour; book several weeks ahead in peak season to avoid disappointment. Grand Central sees about double the amount of visitors every day as it does commuters.

Address : 110 E. 42nd St.

Website : www.grandcentralterminal.com

Affectionately known as 'The Village', Greenwich Village began life as an industrial park. It is now been taken over by artists, poets, beatniks, radicals, and other bohemians that founded a vibrant arts community.Because of gentrification, the rents in the area are sky high. People will see more yuppies than regular folk. Greenwich Village is home to New York University, the famous Washington Square Park, and is also the setting for the iconic sitcom Friends.The district has retained a bit of artistic flair throughout, containing a number of great off-Broadway theatres as well as historic jazz and rock venues like Bitter End, Village Vanguard, Small's, and the Blue Note. Additionally, there's an eclectic mix of international restaurants and cafes.

Address : Lower Manhattan

The Metropolitan Museum, affectionately known as the Met, possesses one of the greatest and largest art collections in the world. Banners above the Met's Fifth Avenue entrance herald the current attractions at this cherished New York institution.There are always temporary exhibitions from around the world alongside the impressive permanent collection. Highlights are numerous, with American collectors having the foresight and cash to buy up a large number of Impressionist and Post-Impressions masterpieces from Europe at the end of the 19th century.The art collection at the Met now contains more than two million works of art from across the planet, from ancient worlds through to modern times. Some notable works are present from such greats as Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, and Cézanne, rivalling any art collection on earth.

Address : 1000 Fifth Avenue, at 82nd Street

Website : www.metmuseum.org

Opening times : Sunday to Thursday 10am - 5.30pm; Friday and Saturday 10am - 9pm.

Admission : Admission costs are voluntary and made as a donation. Recommended admission is about $25 for adults.

Founded in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art owns the most important collection of modern in the USA. Referred to as MoMA, artists with work on display include Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Max Beckman, Ansel Adams, and Kiki Smith.What started as a gift of eight prints and a drawing has developed into a vast and varied collection of some 150,000 paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, and other media. MoMA's Library and Archives boast an impressive collection of books, historical documents, and photographs.Priding itself as an educational institution, the Museum of Modern Art offers various activities and programmes for the general public. In addition, special segments broaden the community knowledge of and approach towards the exciting and puzzling world of modern art.

Address : 11 West 53rd Street, Manhattan

Website : www.moma.org

Transport : Subway: E or V train to 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue, or B, D, or F train to 47/50 Street Rockefeller Center. Bus: M1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to 53rd Street

Opening times : Daily 10.30am - 5.30pm (until 8pm on Friday).

Admission : $25 (adults), free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult. Concessions available.

Located in Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall is one of the most famous theatres in the world. The home of the famous Rockettes chorus line, the interior of the theatre was declared a New York landmark in 1978.While not in regular use anymore, the Hall's beautiful cinema still hosts premieres, shows, and selected feature films. The most popular event is the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, attracting more than a million people and running since 1933.The Music Hall hosts various shows and events. So it's best to check the official website listings to see which potential productions and acts. Tours of Radio City Music Hall run daily and usually receive rave reviews.

Address : 1260 Sixth Avenue

Website : www.radiocity.com

Opening times : Tours daily between 9.30am and 5pm.

Admission : Tours: $30 (adults), $26 (children under 12); concessions available. Event ticket prices vary.

Named for the man who developed the space, the world's first dollar billionaire, John D Rockefeller, this 22 acre (8ha) land houses a plethora of iconic New York City attractions. Radio City Music Hall used to be the most popular tourist venue in the city and still ranks highly among visitors. Radio City has hosted multiple awards shows such as the Grammies, Emmies and MTV Music Awards. It is also a concert venue frequented by today's popular performers. The GE Building, the address for which the popular TV series 30 Rockis named, is the home to Saturday Night Liveand the site from which the eerie 'Lunchtime atop a skyscraper' photograph was taken. At the base of the GE building is the Rockefeller Ice Rink with the golden statue of Prometheus at its head. Underneath Rockefeller Plaza is the Concourse, an underground pedestrian mall boasting designer brands and food outlets.Best views of New York City? The Rockefeller Center's eight level viewing platform and the pinnacle of the Empire State building duke it out for top honours in this contest. The winner might be the Rock because it alone offers great views of the iconic Empire State building among its 360 degree vistas of the city below. There are both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, so it's suitable to visit in all weather. The best and most popular time to visit is half an hour before sunset when one can experience both the day and night time views. Book ahead online and skip the queue for your slot.

Address : Between 48th and 51st Streets; and 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, Manhattan

Website : www.rockefellercenter.com

St Patrick's Cathedral is a magnificent example of the geometric style of Gothic architecture that was popular in Europe in the 13th century. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York and the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States.With its spires soaring 330 feet (100m) into the air, and the ornately detailed entrance, this is undoubtedly one of the city's most spectacular buildings. St Patrick's was built between 1850 and 1878 and its giant organ has over 7,300 pipes.To most New Yorkers and harried tourists, St Patrick's is most valued for its peace and tranquillity. It's very much an active place of worship and although tourists are welcome they should show respect, especially during church services. Guided tours are available.

Address : Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets

Website : www.saintpatrickscathedral.org

Opening times : The Cathedral is open daily from 6.30am to 8.45pm.

Admission : Free

The ferry from Battery Park to Staten Island and back is a great way to see the Lower Manhattan skyline and Hudson River life while resting your feet. It's a must-see New York attraction that doesn't cost a thing.The ferry also skirts the Statue of Liberty affording decent views of this iconic structure. Most tourists stay onboard for the return leg, but it's worth hopping off and exploring a bit of Staten Island while you're there.Staten Island is a borough of New York City and a fun neighbourhood to explore, but the ferry journey, mainly used by commuters, is actually the main attraction. The ferry leaves roughly every 30 minutes or every hour and takes 25 minutes each way.Schedules are available on the official website.

Website : www.siferry.com

Opening times : Runs 24 hours, see website for schedule.

Forty miles (64km) north of New York City is Tarrytown, known to Washington Irving fans as Sleepy Hollow. The setting in his story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the town is packed with historic homes and include both Irving's home and the impressive Rockefeller residence.On the east side of the river is Hyde Park, where President Franklin D Roosevelt was born. The Franklin D Roosevelt Home and Library contains hundreds of photos and artefacts, including his specially-made car following his polio affliction in 1921.It also houses the letter from Einstein which led to the development of the atomic bomb. Two miles (3km) outside Hyde Park is the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, a spectacular Beaux Arts mansion. A day in Tarrytown is a popular excursion from New York City.

The Frick is quite possibly New York's most underrated art gallery, a collection of exceptional paintings featuring important works by Vermeer, Manet, Rembrandt, Whistler, Goya, and Van Dyk. A highlight is the renowned pair of Holbein paintings of Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell, and the group of small bronze sculptures, rated as some of the finest in the world.This was the New York residence of Henry Clay Frick, who transformed a fortune made in the coal business into this sublime building facing onto Central Park. The interior courtyard is a tranquil retreat from the busy world outside.

Address : E 70th Street at 5th Ave

Website : www.frick.org

Opening times : Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sundays 11am - 5pm.

Admission : $22 adults, concessions available. Children under 10 are not admitted. Admission price includes audio guide. Free on first Friday of the month.

Usually known simply as the Guggenheim, the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum was designed by US architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1959, it's well worth a visit just to see this icon of Modernist architecture specifically created to showcase the modern art within.Featuring a highly commended collection of late 19th and 20th-century artworks, as well as touring exhibitions. Beneath a glass dome, a quarter mile ramp spirals down the inside of the building, past a collection including pieces by Pissarro, Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cézanne, Mapplethorpe and Gober.

Address : 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th Street

Website : www.guggenheim.org

Transport : Subway 4, 5 or 6 to 86th Street; bus M1, M2, M3, or M4 on Madison or Fifth Avenue

Opening times : Sunday to Friday 10am - 5.45pm; Saturday 10am - 7.45pm; closed Thursdays and Christmas Day.

Admission : $25 for adults. Concessions available. Rates differ for special exhibitions.

The High Line, or High Line Park, is a verdant elevated strip hovering between the skyscrapers of Manhattan's West Side. Built on what was once a freight rail line, this unique public park brings a welcome splash of greenery into the district.Construction of the park began in 2006 and finished in 2014. It now draws millions of visitors annually and has led to a real estate boom in the areas it passes through, with apartments overlooking the pretty strip rocketing in value.The High Line features viewpoints, recreation areas, and public spaces for exhibitions and productions. The most popular spots for cultural diversions in the park are the 14th Street Passage and Chelsea Market Passage, semi-enclosed sections frequently used for public programs and art exhibitions.Picnic spots on the 23rd Street Lawn are ideal for those who just want to find peaceful spots to read, rest, or admire the view. Alternatively, kids love features like the Pershing Square Beams west of 11th Avenue. There, the original framework of steel beams is exposed to create a garden playground.

Address : The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street and can be accessed at numerous points.

Website : www.thehighline.org

Opening times : December to March 7am - 7pm; April to May 7am - 10pm; June to September 7am - 11pm; October to November 7am - 10pm.

Admission : Admission is free and there are free public tours but donations are appreciated.

The universal symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty was the first seen by 12 million immigrants passing through Ellis Island Immigration Center. Sculpted by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and modelled on the Colossus of Rhodes, the French donated the statue in 1886.The reason was to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. The ferry calls at both Liberty and Ellis Islands, and tourists can visit the Ellis Island Museum documenting the experiences of the immigrants.On Liberty Island, advance bookings allow visitors to access the crown of the famous statue, but these tickets must be booked something like six months in advance in the peak summer season.

Address : Liberty Island, New York Harbor

Website : www.nps.gov/stli

Transport : Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry from South Ferry at Battery Park to Liberty and Ellis islands. Ferries depart approximately every 30 minutes.

Opening times : Ferries depart between 9am and 3.30pm.

Admission : Ferry fee (which includes access to the grounds around the statue): $18.50. Tickets for access to the Pedestal and Crown must be booked in advance.

Though it is ultimately just an intersection at the corner of Broadway and 42nd Street, Times Square has achieved iconic status. In a single frame, it successfully represents the hive of activity that is New York City.Flashing advertisement and huge billboards produce a headache-inducing but memorable sight. Times Square is used in countless films, televisions, programmes, and literature. It is the base for ABC's Good Morning America programs and MTV's popular Total Request Live.Thousands gather annually for New Year's Eve in the square to see the famous ball-dropping ceremony. Since 2009, Times Square closed to traffic and visitors can now enjoy strolling and sitting at their leisure, not worrying about the city's notorious taxis and bustling vehicles.

Address : Corner of 42nd Street and Broadway

Website : www.timessquare.com

Home to the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street has attained near-mythical status as the financial heart of the USA. The narrow street runs from Broadway to the East River and is home to landmarks like Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president.23 Wall Street still has shrapnel holes in its limestone façade from the 1920 Wall Street Bombing. Perhaps the most iconic symbols of Wall Street is the Wall Street Bull. A 7,100 pound (3,200kg) bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica.The sculpture is a popular photo opportunity in New York, symbolising financial optimism and prosperity. Referred to as the 'Charging Bull', it is set in Bowling Green Park. The installation of Fearless Girl, a small statue of a girl facing the beast adds another layer of artistic intrigue.

The six hectare (16 acre) worksite that emerged from the rubble of the twin towers now symbolises the infamous events on September 11 2001 when almost 3,000 people lost their lives. The 1,350 foot (411m) World Trade Centre towers were the tallest in New York and proud symbols of the city.Millions now come to pay tribute at the site and witness the devastation at viewing sites. In April 2003, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation launched a worldwide competition to design a memorial at the World Trade Center site to honour the victims of 9/11.The LMDC received 5,201 memorial design submissions from 63 nations and 49 states making this the largest design competition in history. In January 2004, 'Reflecting Absence' by Michael Arad and Peter Walker was unveiled as the design for the World Trade Center Memorial.The memorial features a landscaped civic plaza with two massive voids aligned with the footprints where the twin towers once stood. The memorial and museum are now open to the public, providing an accurate and moving account of what the community endured during the attacks.Tourists should be mindful that this is a sombre memorial frequented by mourning family members, so loud chatter and smiling selfies are inappropriate.

Address : Tribute WTC Visitor Center: 120 Liberty Street

Website : www.national911memorial.org

Transport : Take the subway to Fulton Street, Broadway-Nassau Street, or Cortlandt Street. Walk to Church and Liberty Streets and follow signs

Opening times : The memorial is open daily 7.30am - 9pm; the museum is open 9am to 8pm Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to 9pm Friday and Saturday.

Admission : Admission is free for the family of 9/11 victims; general admission is $24 for adults with concessions available.