Things to Do in New York City, United States

Quick facts: The Statue of Liberty stands 93 meters tall from the ground to the tip of the torch and weighs approximately 225 tons. Each year, over 4 million people visit this landmark that symbolizes freedom and hope.

Highlights: The statue wears a crown with seven rays, representing the seven continents and seas. Visitors can climb a narrow staircase to the crown and enjoy a unique panoramic view of the harbor and city skyline.

Quick facts: The park covers 341 hectares and receives about 42 million visitors annually. There are 26.7 kilometers of paths through the greenery, which also includes 21 playing fields and 9 ponds.

Highlights: Along the lake, visitors can row small boats rented by the hour from the Loeb Boathouse. Midsummer evenings often feature free Shakespeare performances at The Delacorte Theater, a tradition that has lasted for over 60 years.

Quick facts: More than 330,000 people pass through here daily, with dozens of giant LED screens emitting light up to 25,000 nits. The area quickly changes atmosphere: busy with tourists and shoppers by day, by night it transforms into a light show visible from 5 streets.

Highlights: The huge digital billboards on numerous buildings produce about 16 million watts of light, creating an almost surreal feeling at night as if you are in your own neon city. Every New Year's Eve, a crowd of over one million gathers here to watch the traditional ball drop from One Times Square.

Quick facts: The tower has 102 floors and was once the tallest building in the world at 443 meters to the antenna. Every evening, more than 16 million lights are used to color the night sky, adjusted for seasons or special events.

Highlights: At the top is an observation deck on the 86th floor with a 360-degree view over the city, where you can see Manhattan's bright lights at night like a sea of stars. A lesser-known event is the annual climb by thousands of participants during the Empire State Building Run-Up, where runners sprint up 1,576 steps.

Quick facts: More than 120,000 people walk daily over the steel web of this bridge. At its opening, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 1,834 meters.

Highlights: The crossing offers great views of the skyline and river, perfect for photos at sunset. Beneath the bridge deck, you'll find the original stone support pillars with a memorial plaque for the builders.

Quick facts: More than 2 million artworks from 5,000 years of history are on display in the galleries. Each year, about 7 million visitors come to see this extensive art collection.

Highlights: In the museum's rooftop garden, you can enjoy unique art installations during the summer with views over Central Park. A lovely tradition is the annual 'Met Gala', an exclusive event where art and fashion come together.

Quick facts: The tower stands on the former World Trade Center site and is the tallest building in the western hemisphere at 541 meters. It attracts about 4 million visitors annually who enjoy the views from the observation decks.

Highlights: On the 102nd floor, the observation deck offers panoramic views of New York and even as far as New Jersey and Connecticut on clear days. The tower also features specially designed reflective glass that captures light and gives the building a changing shine depending on the sun's position.

Quick facts: The water basins mark exactly where the Twin Towers stood and contain the names of nearly 3,000 victims. Each basin is a pool with powerful waterfalls flowing constantly, a sound evoking silence and reflection.

Highlights: Certainly unique is the absence of buildings around the basins, allowing visitors to experience the emptiness of the past directly and unobstructed. Pieces of steel from the original World Trade Center structure provide a rough, tangible connection to that day.

Quick facts: An abandoned railway of nearly 2.3 kilometers has been transformed into a park attracting 5 million visitors annually. Along the path, wild flowers and plants grow that once sprouted naturally between the rails.

Highlights: Along the route, more than 500 different plant species can be found, all chosen to reflect the natural growth that once occurred here. Enjoy views over the city from elevated platforms, with old railway tracks serving as artistic benches.

Quick facts: Over 350,000 manuscripts, rare books, and drawings fill the library's collection, showcasing treasures like original manuscripts by authors such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. The library also holds a remarkable collection of music scores and medieval and Renaissance art.

Highlights: A breathtaking detail is the library's main room with a 40-foot-high vaulted ceiling and walls lined with warm cherry wood, providing an intimate atmosphere as if you're stepping into a collector's private study. An original Gutenberg Bible leaf is on display, a rare artifact that connects visitors directly to the dawn of printing in Europe.

Quick facts: The museum offers guided tours inside restored tenement buildings that housed over 15,000 immigrants from 1863 to 1935. Visitors can explore authentic homes and businesses, stepping into the daily lives of Irish, German, Italian, and Jewish families.

Highlights: One of the apartments recreates life in 1916, complete with period furniture, personal belongings, and the aromas of cooked meals. The museum features stories of real residents voiced by actors, making each tour feel like a step back in time through living history.

Quick facts: The beach features thousands of smooth, colorful pebbles instead of sand, making the shoreline uniquely tactile and visually striking. It’s a favorite spot for local artists who come to paint the ever-changing seascape and lighting.

Highlights: At sunset, the pebbles catch the light and glow in hues of orange and pink, creating a natural mosaic that photographers and visitors love to capture. A quirky tradition involves visitors selecting their favorite pebble and leaving it as a gift to the sea in a ritual believed to bring good luck.