First time in New York City? Here is what you cant miss

New York’s Financial District

The Staten Island Ferry is a great place to start your day, at the southern tip of Manhattan. Grab a coffee and enjoy the ride as you check one item off your to do list. When you arrive back in Manhattan, you will be at Battery Park. After a stroll through the park you will find two famous statues, the Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl. Both are iconic symbols of the Financial District.

One of the most famous attractions in the Financial District is Stone Street. Dating from 1658, it's one of New York's oldest and was its  first cobbled street. New York’s name at the time was New Amsterdam. Today, the area contains several popular sites, including the National Historic Landmark. You will also find a bustling vibe with amazing restaurants and hip bars.

Remembering 9/11

Moving further north on the island will take you to the site of the September 11th attacks. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum opened 10 years after the 2001 attacks and is a beautiful memorial to the victims. There are two pools, an acre in size, sitting in the footprints of the former North and South Towers. Engraved on the pools are the names of the victims of the 9/11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. You can experience the events of 9/11 through artefacts and personal stories in the museum.

Shopping in SoHo

If you like to shop, head to the SoHo neighbourhood. It is a short subway ride or walk from the 9/11 museum. New Yorkers refer to it as SoHo, which is short for South of Houston Avenue. Since the 20th century, the area has been home to many artists’ lofts and art galleries. It is well known for its trendy upscale boutiques and international chain store outlets. SoHo is also a great spot for anyone interested in architecture. It boasts the greatest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world. There are approximately 250 cast iron buildings in New York City, the majority of which are in SoHo.

If you are a fan of the TV show Friends, a 15-minute walk from SoHo will take you to Greenwich Village. There you can find the actual apartment building featured on the show.  What some call the second most famous building in New York is a 20-minute walk from Greenwich Village. When the Flatiron Building was built in 1902, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. Its name derives from the building's resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron. Many architects use its design as inspiration.

New York’s iconic Empire State Building

A short subway ride north takes you to Midtown and the Empire State Building. It is the world’s most photographed building. The national landmark and pop culture star is home to more than four million visitors a year. In 2021, the building celebrated its 90th anniversary. You can buy tickets to the two observatories and take in the amazing views from the top. On a clear day, you can see a distance of up to 128 km from the 102nd floor. The Empire State Building is also home to several restaurants and shops.

Spend some time in New York's Times Square

Historic Times Square is within walking distance of the Empire State Building. Despite the name, it is not actually in the shape of a square.. It stretches for five blocks between 42nd and 47th streets. Times Square is a major tourist destination and entertainment centre. It is brightly lit by numerous giant billboards and advertisements. It is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas. If you are a fan of superheroes and famous cartoon characters, you are sure to find some costumed figures wandering around posing for photos.

 The area is also home to a number of comedy and jazz clubs. Times Square’s nickname is ‘the heart of the Great White Way’, because it is at the hub of New York's famous  Broadway District.

 Bustling Broadway

 Although The Theatre District starts in Times Square, there are only three theatres on Broadway itself. The rest are on adjacent streets. If you have time to catch a show, a matinée is highly recommended. That way, you will have the entire evening to experience the lights of Broadway and explore more of the city. Most shows are musicals, but you can also find the occasional play. A hidden gem sits inside the Marriott hotel, it’s called The Broadway Lounge. With an amazing view over Broadway, it is a great place to enjoy a signature cocktail after a show.