Top 10 Sights To See While Visiting New York City

A trip to New York City is an essential experience, a rite of passage for any traveler.

If you haven't been, you're missing out on one of the wildest, most electric places on the planet. I’ve been lucky enough to go a few times, and let me tell you, it never gets old. It’s like stepping into a movie, only louder, smellier, and a thousand times more interesting. The city has a heartbeat, a chaotic rhythm that grabs you the second you step onto the pavement. It's one of my favourite places to travel to.

I cannot stress this enough: wear the most comfortable shoes you own.

This is essential for visiting NYC. You will walk. And walk. And then walk some more. The subway is a glorious, rumbling beast that you should absolutely get familiar with, but the real city, the one you can't find in a guidebook, is discovered on foot. It’s how you find that tiny little park with the surprisingly good hot dog stand, or that street performer who is way too talented to be playing on a corner. It's all part of the adventure.

Everyone knows about Times Square. It's beautiful, but maybe a bit overrated. You should go, stand in the middle of it, look up, feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer audacity of it all, and then get out of there. The real soul of the city is tucked away in its neighbourhoods. Go get lost in the West Village and pick out which multi-million dollar brownstone you'd buy if you won the lottery. Wander through SoHo and feel fashionably inadequate. It’s all part of the fun.

Now, for the main event: the stuff you absolutely have to do. Here’s a quick list so you don’t get paralyzed by choice:

1. Meet the Big Green Lady. Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It's a history lesson with a killer view of the skyline. You’ll feel patriotic even if you’re not American.
2. See the Empire State Building. Go to the top of the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock. It’s a bit pricey, but the view is worth every penny. Go at sunset and watch the city light up like a circuit board.
3. Find Your Inner Peace in Central Park. This place is a miracle. A massive rectangle of nature plopped right in the middle of the chaos. Rent a rowboat, visit Strawberry Fields, or just lie on the grass and people watch.
4. Conquer the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking this bridge is a rite of passage. Start in Brooklyn and walk towards Manhattan. The view will make you want to write a screenplay.
5. See a Show. One of my favourite things to do in NYC is going to see a Broadway show. The talent is off the charts and it's an experience you won't forget.
6. Channel Your Inner Cool Kid in Greenwich Village. This is where you go to feel like you're in a movie from the 90s. It’s charming, it's historic, and it's got some of the best little shops and cafes.
7. Get Artsy at The Met. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is so big you could probably live in it for a week and not see everything. Go see some mummies, some knights in shining armor, and some paintings that are worth more than a small country. I like to pretend that I'm attending the Met Gala.
8. Pay Your Respects. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a tough visit, but an important one. It's a beautifully designed space that's both heartbreaking and moving.
9. Pretend You're in a Classic Movie at Grand Central. This isn't just a train station; it's a work of art. Go to the main concourse and stare at the ceiling.
10. Admire the Fancy Buildings in SoHo. The architecture here is truly incredible. All those cast-iron buildings make you feel like you've stepped back in time, but with way better shopping.

Forget any and all diets- if you are going to have a cheat day (or week!), this is the time to do it. New York is a city that runs on pizza, bagels, and street meat. Find a random pizza place that looks like it hasn't been updated since 1982. It will be the best pizza you’ve ever had. Find a bagel shop with a line around the block. You won't regret it.

The best advice I can give you is to not pack your schedule too tight.

The best parts of New York are the things that happen between your plans. So go, wander, get a little lost, and let the city work its weird, wonderful magic on you. And don't forget to purchase a Simallo eSIM to stay connected!