Travel guide: What to see and do in New York

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Time Square is one of the most famous areas in the world and today there is no person who has been to New York and has not stepped on it, and if not, we have to say that it is a real sin . Nowadays it is the social and commercial center of the city, so about 350,000 people pass through it every day. Amazing!

In the nineteenth century, its name was Longacre Square, but curiously in 1904 the New York Time newspaper located its offices in that square, making the name of this one remain for posterity despite having been only nine years in these offices.

Time Square is not really a square, rather it is a set of streets that form a triangle with hundreds of screens around it, luxury hotels and restaurants and it is so impressive and striking that it is one of the most photographed "squares" in the world with almost 4 million mentions on Instagram per year.

It is currently the place where New Yorkers celebrate the New Year, something that has been done, thanks to an initiative of the newspaper that gives it its name, since 1904.

As a curiosity, advertising on one of its screens throughout the year can cost up to 5 million euros, and you can even ask for marriage with a message on one of them. Would you do it?

Of course, do not forget to go to the Theater District, on Broadway, where you will find the best musicals in the world. It must be said that they were not here before, but in 1880 they were still between 23rd and 42rd streets along with the screens, but in the middle of the 20th century they moved to Time Square. Broadway had 80 theaters. Almost nothing! But with the crisis they were closing until at the end of the 90s they decided to reinvest and raise them. It is true that there are so many works that it is difficult to decide, but if you don't care which one to see, you can go to the TKTS stores located under the Time Square staircase and see the day's offers. Take advantage of!

Leaving New York without walking through Central Park is like going to a McDonalds and ordering spaghetti carbonara, that is, it can't be. It is the lung of the city and one of the largest urban parks in the world with almost 4km long and 900 meters wide, bigger even than Monaco or Vatican City.

It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858 with a project that won over the more than 30 submitted to make the park. We can say that it is a jungle within a pile of iron, since more than 300 different species have been observed and it has more than 250,000 trees. Incredible true?

As you can see, it is not just any park, it has about 50 monuments and 36 bridges, many of them very famous due to their appearances in the cinema. As a consequence of its size, it has 20 entrances and each one is dedicated to important people in the city or related to the park.

Did you know that Central Park has its own census? It has 18 registered people, of which 12 are men and 6 women. Buying a home here would cost you a paltry $ 500 billion. Within everyone's reach!

Central park is also very important in the cinema, since you will surely have recognized it in films such as Serendipity, Sex in New York or Enchanted. In addition, on the doors is the icon Hotel Plaza, known from films such as Solo en Casa 2.

We recommend a great plan: A backpack with some sandwiches and drinks, rent a bike and go around the park ending with a picnic. Are you imagining it? Amazing!

Right in front of St Patrick's Cathedral, you can find Rockefeller Center, a shopping complex made up of 19 buildings in total. It was built in 1939 by an oil businessman named John Davison Rockefeller, who wanted to invest in real estate in his own neighborhood. As a matter of fact, the Elgin Botanic Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States, was originally on the same grounds.

Although it is much more than that, it is famous for the 30 Rockefeller Plaza, that is, the Top of the Rock building, where you will find one of the best-known viewpoints in the world and which for us is the best in all of New York. There you will be able to see the Empire State Building in the southern part, among others, and in the northern part Central Park surrounded by buildings and turning it into a really wonderful sight that will hit your mobile photo, and you know it ...

It is also known for the Rainbown Room, a restaurant with incredible views perfect for having a drink watching the sunset, but yes, as long as your pocket allows it, because it is not suitable for everyone.

Perhaps one of the photos we see the most is that of the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which in case you didn't know, is crowned by a 25,000-crystal Swarowski star, that's how it always shines. It has 25,000 lights and is about 25 meters high. Curiously, when they remove it, they cut it down and donate it to Habitat for Humanity, an association that helps with that wood to build houses for people in need. Did you know?

Fifth Avenue is a must-see as it is one of the most important streets in the world. In it you will find the most exclusive shops and the most luxurious apartments, so that you place yourself, we could compare it with Oxford Street in London or the Champs Elysees in Paris. Shopping on this street is classified as one of the most expensive in the world.

Apart from all the above, you will also be able to visit very important buildings, for example the Empire State Building or St Patrick's Cathedral among others.

If you go on Thanksgiving, highly recommended parade by the way, Fifth Avenue is a perfect place to appreciate it. Do not miss it!

When we mention the Empire State Building, perhaps we are talking about the most famous building in the world and as always, because of its appearances in the cinema that are not few. It is located on Fifth Avenue and was built in 1930. It was designed by William F. Lamb, who took just two weeks to create. What's more, construction began and the plans had not yet been completed. How is it possible !? It took them nothing more than 1 year and 45 days to build it, that is, 4 and a half floors per week with a total cost of 41 million dollars, although their initial budget was even more. Goodness.

Right on the same site was the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which was demolished in 1929 to begin construction, a fateful year for the US and global economy. Did you know that the building was once called the "Empty State" to make fun of it? Precisely due to the famous great depression that was emerging, the building was hardly occupied at all in its first year, it was in 1950 when it began to be profitable!

The Empire State Building was the tallest building in Manhattan for forty years at 381 meters until the twin towers were built. After the attacks of the same ones on September 11, 2001 in which they destroyed the towers, it was again the tallest building and then in 2012 with the lifting of the One Trade Center it was when it would again be in second place, although currently it is the seventh highest, but if we include the antenna it becomes the third with 443 meters.

We highly recommend that you go up to see it at least up to the 86th floor. On the lower floors you will find an exhibition of the history of the building and other views a little lower, and it will be on the 86th floor when you see the typical and wonderful views that are come in the movies. If you can afford it, you can go even higher. But be careful, if you want to go to see the sunset you will have to keep a lot of queue so go early because it is the most demanded time and with good reason.

The skyscraper is not only famous for its height and views, but also for its lights. It is very well lit and they even change them if the occasion deserves it, such as St. Patrick's Day or at Christmas. Do you want them to put the light that you want? Well, you can do it on their website! The thing is, the waiting list is very long.

As a fun fact, he has the Guinness record for the highest elevator crash survivor. An elevator operator named Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 floors into the elevator and to everyone's surprise she survived. How could it be?

We refresh your memory of the movies in which you have seen the Empire State Building. Of course the most famous is surely King Kong but also in others such as Godzilla, Independence Day or Spiderman among many others. A must see!

Nearby, just a 10-minute walk away, is the Flatiron building, one of the most iconic in the city since it was the first skyscraper of the 20th century. It is shaped like an iron and is very peculiar. 

Monday to Sunday: 8:00 to 02:00h

7. Grand Central Terminal 

The Grand Central Terminal is a very important train station in Manhattan, being the place of origin and destination of many trains. Approximately 100,000 people go through it a day.

It was inaugurated in 1913 on the old Grand Central Station that had existed since 1871, which is why today it is almost still called that. It was built because they wanted to reshape the railway industry by changing steam trains and it is an architectural past, keeping very well its style from a century ago with an impressive hall and a unique ceiling.

In the 50s it suffered a crisis due to the automobile boom, but they gave up until such a beloved building closed, with which they opened shops around it and even a large building in its back, today called MetLife. Today, it is the largest station in the world on platforms with a total of 44.

We love the clock over the information point, it is valued at $ 20 million and has brilliant punctuality, controlled by the atomic clock at the Bethesda, Maryland Naval Observatory. Do you think it could be late? Well, for that to happen, 20,000 million years must pass, you and I no longer see it.

This terminal has many curious things, such as the 'gallery of whispers', it is a ceiling in the shape of a vault ending in columns, if one person stands on one column and another on any other, they can speak perfectly in low voice without needing to shout and hear it. What is milk? In addition, the place where this gallery is is next to Oyster Bar, one of the oldest bars in all of New York. Go ahead!

If you had to explain New York with a drawing, surely you would try to draw the Statue of Liberty. It is probably the most symbolic monument in the city and this is reflected in the number of people who visit it and the number of photographs it receives.

The statue was inaugurated in 1886 and is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. For those who do not know, it was a gift from France to commemorate the centenary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. In France, specifically in Paris, there is another replica of the statue thus specifying the twinning between the two countries, but it also has other twin sisters in Tokyo or Buenos Aires. It is the greatest symbol of freedom and independence of the country and its motto is "Freedom enlightens the world."

In his left arm he has the tables of the law, where you can see the date of the independence of America and in addition, the crown has 7 peaks that represent the 7 seas and the 7 continents of the world. It is certainly a symbol of union.

Another curious fact is that the statue was finished in 1884, but the pedestal that supported it had not yet been made because there was no money. It was Joseph Pulitzer who in the newspaper ‘The World’ requested donations in exchange for putting his names in the newspaper and, against all odds, they raised more than $ 100,000. Do you know who donated the most? Children. They donated a few pennies because they were excited to see their name published and they did. Two years later it was inaugurated.

If you want to visit it, you must take a ferry from the Statue Cruises company to Liberty Island. You can go up to the pedestal or go up to the crown by paying a ticket, but be careful, you will have to get up early so as not to take an excessive line and once there pay the entrance if you want to go up. If you want to go up to the crown our advice is that you buy the ticket in advance because they are sold out 3 months before. Almost nothing! We also advise you that since you are there because it is included in the ticket price, you visit the next ferry stop: Ellis Island. There you will find the Museum of Immigration among other things and it is worth it. One last tip is that you take advantage of that day to walk through Downtown Manhattan and you will make the most of the day.

If you just want to see it from afar, you can also take the free ferry to Staten Island. If you do this, as advice, we recommend that you get on the right side of the boat and the more sticking to the stern (back) the better, since the statue will stay on that side when you leave (on the way back to left) and also being in the back you will have incredible views of Manhattan.

The One World Trade Center is one of the most iconic buildings in Manhattan, currently the tallest in all of New York at 541 meters high. They are located next to the place formerly occupied by the famous Twin Towers, these towers were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Surely you remember what you were doing at that very moment when everything happened, right?

Construction began on this imposing skyscraper almost 5 years after the attack, specifically on April 27, 2006 and was designed by David Childs. It was finally inaugurated on November 3, 2014. It is a very beloved building because it represents the uprising and overcoming of a people in the face of the barbarism of terrorism.

Do not forget to stop by ‘The Oculus’ a modernist building designed by Santiago Calatrava that is amazing. It is a shopping center and a train station at the same time, so it is worth a walk there. It is the most expensive train station in the world.

A year later the One World Observatory was inaugurated, a viewpoint at the top of the building with 360º views that can reach the view up to 80 km, but unlike the Empire State or Top of the Rock, it cannot be seen outdoors if not in a glazed way. Our advice is that if you want to go up, buy the ticket in advance and make an appointment so that you don't have to wait 2 hours in line.

As a curiosity, the building measures 1776 feet, that is, the same year that the Declaration of Independence was signed. Also, it is the tallest building in New York for its antenna, since without it 432 Park Avenue would surpass it.

Monday to Sunday  8.00 to 21.00

Right across from the One World Trade Center is the 9/11 Memorial. This memorial was created to pay tribute to the victims of the attack, and consists of two fountains right in the place where the twin towers were with the names of all of them on a panel, an image as overwhelming as it is necessary to see. New York is a crazy city, no doubt, but when you walk around the place, you see a halo of silence and respect that you can't find anywhere else.

In the memorial there are about 400 oaks giving that natural touch to the place, but the so-called ‘Surviving Tree’ stands out above all, a tree that survived the attacks. This tree was taken to a nursery in the Bronx to be cared for and some time later it could be transplanted in the same place. Search it!

If you are interested in knowing everything about the attacks, you cannot miss the 9/11 Museum. For us it is a must visit in New York along with the memorial to understand many things in life. In this museum you can find about 15,000 objects of the attack, such as iron from buildings, walls, pieces of plane, parts of fire trucks, etc. In addition, you will be able to listen to testimonies of the survivors and even videos of how everything was forged. It is truly impressive. If you want, you can download an audio guide of the museum for free.

Indispensable on your visit to New York must be the Soho neighborhood, an industrial neighborhood located in lower Manhattan. Its name is due to the abbreviation of South Houston, that is, south of Houston Street which is where it is located.

It is very peculiar since it is known to be one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the entire city. In it you can find many designer goods stores and several art galleries. In addition, surely you have heard of the famous lofts where many artists, actors or actresses live. Would you dare to buy one? They are a tad expensive, so be prepared to take out your wallet.

The neighborhood itself has changed a lot, around the 50's it was known as "Hell's Hundred Acred", this was basically because it was a very industrial area, at every turn you could find a factory and unfortunately many of them often caused fires. In the 60s the area was given another approach and many artists saw it as a perfect place to settle.

Broadway Street is incredible, you will not know where to look, we already warned you. There are stores of all kinds and of all brands. You can buy normal trousers at Mango and a very expensive Channel bag at the store next door. It's amazing!

Of course you will also find the famous Cast Iron Buildings, since they are the typical buildings of the area. These buildings were built with cast steel (when you pass you can stick a magnet) and being an inexpensive material, little by little it was implanted in a large part of the city. It is said that it was the forerunner of the New York skyscrapers.

As always, everything in this city has its filmographic side. Do you remember Ghost the movie, right? Well, specifically at 102 Prince St you can find the building where the protas lived. Oh, by the way, here you will also see the peculiarity that the streets are not numbers but names, something almost unusual in New York. Many other films have been shot in this neighborhood, for example "Hitch" by Will Smith or "No two without three" by Cameron Diaz are some of them.

You can take a look at Greene St, here you will find the Soho Apple store, located in an old Post Office building and if you have time, stop by numbers 121 and 139 to see the great contrast of different times.

Finally, to finish your route through Soho what better than having a drink. We recommend two sites. The first of them is Jimmy at The James Hotel, a great rooftop perfect to rest with the best views. And if you prefer something more cozy, you can go to Eas Inn, one of the oldest and most traditional bars in all of New York. Sometimes they have live music. ¡Pasote!

Ah, we forgot, from here you can go to the Tribeca neighborhood, a very cool and characteristic neighborhood. In it it is even more common than in Soho to find a celebrity, so be alert. There are many restaurants and shops (a bit expensive, yes) and there is also the Ghostbusters fire station. 

In New York there are many parks, many of them wonderful as is Central Park, but if we had to opt for one park, that would be Bryant Park. It is a very charming park and maybe it is because it is located in the middle of the maelstrom of Midtown Manhattan and you are not expecting it. To give you an idea let's say it has a special color. Also, it seems to be a general concept among New Yorkers because whenever you visit it, it is packed with people.

It was a glass palace inspired by London, in which it was mostly used for the realization of large events, but there was a great fire that devastated everything and they rebuilt a subway station that lasted there for more than 50 years. Soon after they left it as a green zone and named it in homage to the poet William Cullen Bryant.

If you sit on the lawn with a small picnic, you can see the surrounding buildings, such as the Empire State Building in the background with a great view, the American Radiator Building which is very beautiful black or the Bank of America Tower It is peculiar and you will know it quickly because of its sloping roof.

In the same park you can enjoy places to play chess or ping pong, since citizens love to take a break to move their body a bit or rest on the grass. And if you want to have a drink, you can do it at the kiosks that you find there. It is full of chairs for you to sit down and, curiously, each chair has a plaque behind it placed by whoever asks for it to commemorate a special date.

The highlight of the park itself, which by the way is not a large park, is the fountain. It's called The Bryant Park Fountain and that's it, it doesn't mean that, okay, but don't complicate it because New Yorkers directly call it that. It's funny to see it frozen every winter. You will also find certain statues around such as that of the Brazilian José Bonifacio or that of Benito Juárez.

Another of the things we like the most is Christmas in this place. To begin with, they put a free ice rink, you only have to pay the rent of the skates, but if you have your own, then directly to skate. We have to say that skating in the park with the views up is a magical moment. And then we have to say that Bryant Park has one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in the entire city very similar to Rockefeller Center and it is wonderful. It's great to spend the afternoon at the Christmas market they put on, rollerblading and looking at the tree. We love Bryant Park! 

13. Chinatown y Little Italy 

Among so many American cities you will be able to find bits of other cultures. One of them Little Italy, located in Lower Manhattan consisting of a small charming Italian neighborhood and several places of interest.

This place was born in the late 19th century due to the concentration of many emigrants from Italy to New York City, most of them from southern Italy. Basically it is a street full of restaurants, flags and citizens of Italy and it is curious to walk around the area. If you want a recommendation, the best time is in San Genaro, a celebration that takes place in September commemorating the origins of the neighborhood. If you take a walk around the place, you can take a look at the graffiti of Audrey Hepburn and also at the Old Police Headquarters, that is, the headquarters of the New York Police at the beginning of the 20th century. It must be said that perhaps the most authentic Italian neighborhood is the one located in the Bronx, where you can also go, but this one is also worth a visit.

If we continue along Central St, you will go from one country to another, that is, from Italy to China, and Chinatown is one of those places that you have to visit. You will be able to enjoy an authentic Chinese, with all the signs in your language, full of shops, markets and restaurants everywhere. Chinese citizens went to New York to work on the construction of the country's first intercontinental railroad, but when they finished, they had to leave because they felt a certain rejection from the Americans. That is why many groups were formed to help them integrate and set up businesses, hence Chinatown was born. Although it is true that this community is getting bigger and bigger, for that reason they are starting to go to other areas like Queens because they don't fit there. It is the second largest Chinatown in the United States after San Francisco.

Stroll around the area and if you like to browse local food, go to the Hong Kong Supermarket, it is like being in the heart of Beijing. You can also find the largest Buddha in New York in the Mahayana Buddhist temple, about 5 meters high, although there is another temple called the Eastern States Buddhist Temple that was the first in the city.

If you want charming streets, don't miss Doyers St, with a very interesting shape almost at an angle of 90º. Formerly it was a place very frequented by criminals because it was rarely seen. Also Colombus Park is of great interest, there you may find Chinese citizens doing Tai Chi. Oh and if you like Chinese culture you can go to MOCA, a museum dedicated to it.

To eat here you have many restaurants, we recommend Shanghai 21 or Xi’an Famous Foods, but do not worry, there are many and very tasty.

If your visit coincides with the Chinese New Year, do not hesitate to visit it because it becomes a great feast worth seeing.

14. The Vessel 

This modern monument is located in the controversial neighborhood called Hudson Yard, in the western part of Manhattan. And you wonder ... Why controversial? Well, we tell you above that here they just wanted to locate a stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games, but that event was finally taken by London as we already know and that is why they finally decided to build a new neighborhood in this industrial area. Thus the Hudson Yard was born. It is made up of 11 hectares and had a disbursement of 25 billion euros, being considered the most expensive private investment in America, hence the controversy that, by the way, is unfinished.

Of course in the neighborhood you will find modern shopping centers, very prestigious restaurants and a long etc., but the jewel in the crown, without a doubt, is The Vessel.

The Vessel has many things in one, because it is a beautiful park, a building as such and it is also an architectural gem. It was opened in 2019 and designed by Thomas Heatherwick. The name Vessel means something like a container or vessel, which is more or less the shape of the building, although people also give it other approaches such as a honeycomb. It has 2500 steps and although it is not a particularly tall building at 45 meters high, it is a very peculiar building that has made it one of the most important tourist attractions in the city.

If you want a tip, you can upload for free but it is not easy. On the one hand, you can go to the entrance of the building and in the machines get a ticket for the time that is free, the good thing is that if you are not in a hurry, you may catch one. And on the other hand, you can get some tickets through the official website, but yes, the tickets come out two weeks before and they sell out at the moment. Do not delay! If you don't get it, you can always buy it calmly and make sure you enter.

It is also highly recommended to visit The Edge, one of the newest and increasingly famous viewpoints in New York. It is a beautiful building in front of The Vessel with a very peculiar viewpoint that basically consists of a suspended ledge at a height of 345 meters with transparent walls, including the floor, that makes you feel like you are flying over the Big Apple. Let's see if you think Spiderman was the only one!

  PRICE

        

The Vessel:

9,30€

The Edge:

Adult: 31,50€

Child price from 6 to 12 years: 26,50€

Senior price: 29€

 

   SCHEDULE

15. Wall Street 

Wall Street is another of the main areas of the city. The name means ‘The street of the wall’ and this name comes from the time when New York was called New Amsterdam. Yes, that's what it was called, since it was a Dutch colony in the 17th century. The Dutch built a wall so that the invaders would not have it easy at all and from there was born the Calle del Muro or what is the same, Wall Street, which of course remains today.

Perhaps the main thing in this area is the New York Stock Exchange. To put you in a situation, around the year 1800, merchants gathered in this area around a tree to discuss the state of business, and seeing that this became routine they decided to sign a founding document called the Buttonwood Agreement, considered the document most important financial institution in the history of the United States. Before you could visit it, but since the 9/11 attack we can only see the building from the outside. And it is worth it.

Be careful in front of the bag, because you will surely bump into a girl. The girl without fear and she was created due to an initiative of State Street Global Advisors when it discovered in a study that companies improved their performance when women occupied managerial positions. They wanted to create a feminist symbol and at first they placed it right in front of the famous bull of the bag as a challenge. After a while they moved it in front of the bag, although the exact reason is not yet known, but some say it is because the creator of the bull did not like the idea.

You will find the bull of the bag in the area. It was created by Arturo Di Moca and is sculpted in bronze weighing no more and no less than 3200kg. He is a symbol of strength and power of Americans in times of crisis and for those who do not know it, he paid for it out of his pocket. It should be noted that he was not always there, if not that he was in Bowling Green. As a curiosity, the sculptor put the bull under the Christmas tree in the bag to give it to the city, but the authorities took it away. Don't forget to touch his testicles because it's good luck. Or so they say!

We must also approach the Federal Hall, the first city hall of New York and where George Washington was sworn in that made him the first president of the United States in April 1789. For this reason, on the same door there is a very elegant statue of his person.

16. Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building in New York is another of those that have become an emblem and symbol of the city. It was built in 1930 and was designed by the architect William Van Alen. Professionals in the construction sector classify it as one of the best buildings in the city. For 11 months it was the tallest building in the world until the Empire State Building was built, although it is currently the sixth in all of New York, which is not bad either. It is so called because it was the headquarters of the automobile company Chrysler, owned by Walter Percy Chrysler who wanted to demonstrate the greatness of his company with this art deco building with light brushstrokes that reminded him of his cars.

Interestingly, in its construction it was competing, so to speak, with the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building on Wall Street to take the title to the highest. When they finished the one in the financial district, Van Alen erected a dome crowned by a great spire in less than two hours to overcome it.

Did you know that Will Smith jumped from above? In the movie Men In Black III he had to jump from the top to go back in time. If you've seen the movie you will remember!

17. Brooklyn

When we talk about New York, Manhattan almost always comes to mind, but it must be said that another area that is very worth exploring is the Brooklyn district. Here you will find many options to get to know its charming neighborhoods.

The highlight, without a doubt, is the Brooklyn Bridge. It was built in 1883 being designed by John A. Roebling, becoming at that time the largest suspension bridge in the world and the first in steel. It was made to facilitate the crossing from Manhattan to Brooklyn when they were still independent cities, as the river froze countless times. The construction lasted 14 years in which more than 4000 people participated and where, unfortunately, almost 30 lost their lives. It measures 1825 meters in length and is perhaps one of the most famous bridges in the world. To be able to inaugurate it they had to test it beforehand, so they made a herd of elephants pass over it And it worked! If you want a tip, we advise you to walk through it and if you do not want to do it back and forth, at least do it in the direction of Brooklyn - Manhattan since the views of the buildings are very cool. And if you do it at night it is impressive!

Another place that you should not miss is the famous Dumbo, located between East River, Bridge Street and York Street next to the bridge. Originally it was a neighborhood full of factories, but what is known as deindustrialization arrived and only young people and artists were left in the neighborhood who were looking for cheaper areas to live. The name comes from the acronym Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass and is a lovely place to wander. We could say that one of the most photographed areas in all of New York. For those of you looking for the mythical photo, you just have to go to Washington St. Although we also advise you to go to Pebble Beach just two minutes walk where you will have another photo. Do you want a restaurant with a view? We recommend The River Café. Awesome!

Another very characteristic neighborhood is Brooklyn Heights, and what we like the most about here is that you will find another typical American neighborhood that you see in the movies. It is made up of low houses that were built after the Civil War, so what we recommend is that you take a walk and enjoy the essence and tranquility of the neighborhood. You will find what they call Macedonian, yes, as you are reading it, since there is a set of very peculiar streets with fruit names such as Orange St or Pineapple st. Get lost and you can see Truman Capote's house or a child selling lemonade at the door of the house. It is unique! You can also practice a little sport on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or get lost in Hicks and Willow streets and appreciate the typical houses.

If it's summer and you want to go to the beach, you can do it on Coney Island, a peninsula that was originally an island. It is ideal to go with children because it has a lot of attractions. The best known is the Wonder Wheel, at Luna Park, a Ferris wheel located in front of the sea. And of course you can go to the beach!

At Christmas, you can't miss the Dyker Heights Houses. Have you seen the lighting of the houses in the Christmas movies? Well, they are here and we have to tell you that they are amazing. This neighborhood of large houses with gardens has become a tourist attraction at this essential time of year. Everything comes thanks to Lucy Spata, a neighbor of the neighborhood who at the end of the 80s decided to fill her house with lights and who finally made all the neighbors imitate her. You can do it on your own and take a walk around the Bay Ridge area or take a tour. You'll love it! 

18. Harlem

When you see Harlem in any place, you surely associate it with the African-American culture. Right? Well, indeed, the Harlem neighborhood is a neighborhood in northern Manhattan where you can enjoy many things related to black culture.

Originally, the name was Nieuw Haarlem, in honor of the Dutch city of Haarlem when it was inhabited by the colony of that country back in 1658. It was in 1664 when the British took over the area and the renamed Harlem, although today it is also known as 'The Neighborhood'.

In the 1920s, what is called the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement led by African Americans, was created, so, in a short time, they populated almost the entire neighborhood. You could enjoy dance, literature and of course, the best jazz in the city that, curiously, was played for white people.

In Harlem you have to go yes or yes to a gospel mass, because they are spectacular, we recommend the Bethel Gospel Assembly, but you can go to others such as the Greater Refuge Temple or that of St Joseph of the Holy Family, but be careful, because always It is on Sunday or some on Wednesday. The mass is logically a religious event, but above all a show as such, since it is sung and danced in a masterly way. Whether you are atheist, Christian, or of another religion, we recommend that you go and enjoy it because it is worth seeing and also spreads the good vibes of the event. Our tip is that you go first thing in the morning because then you can visit the neighborhood and eat there. Although it is free, you can always leave a few dollars that they will surely appreciate.

Of course, do not miss the famous Apollo Theater, a theater that began operating in 1914 and where you can discover its particular ‘walk of fame’ as in Hollywood. This is where many world-renowned artists began their journey, such as Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald or James Brown. Little joke!

If you like Jazz a lot, we recommend the Jazz Museum so that you can see the different objects and collections of famous artists of the genre and you can also have a drink at Cotton Club, one of the most famous Jazz clubs in New York that has been open since 1920.

Finally, you can take a look at the Columbia University Campus, it was inaugurated in 1754 and is considered the oldest in New York and the fifth oldest in the United States. Here the famous Pulitzer Prizes are administered and as a curious fact, 95% of the students who apply for a place do not get it. The building is very beautiful, where the Low Memorial Library and its huge campus stand out. Take a walk and enjoy!

19. Museum

If you are one of those people who likes museums and cannot leave a city without visiting one or several, congratulations, New York is your city. We can practically say that here there are museums of almost absolutely everything, from a sex museum, through a museum of old souvenirs and even a museum of elevators. But you also have to know that it has several of the best museums in the world, so to make the most of it, here are the ones that we think you might like the most.

• MoMA: It was inaugurated in 1929, and we could say that it is the most important modern art museum in the world. Here you will find 'The Starry Night' by Van Gogh, or Las Señoritas de Avignon by Picasso, among other jewels. It is huge so be early.

 SCHEDULE

Saturday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday from 10:30 to 20:00

PRICE

Adults:  20.60€

Over 65:  14.90€

Free on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET): The most visited museum in New York opened in 1872 and currently has more than 2 million objects. You will be able to see the treasures of classical cultures, Monet paintings or an Egyptian area. Oh and don't miss the Roman one. It's amazing!

 SCHEDULE

Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday until 9:00 p.m.

 

PRICE

 Adults:  20.60 €

Students:  9.90 €

Over 65:  14.10 €

Under 12: free

• Guggenheim Museum: It is a very important modern art museum around the world. It was inaugurated in 1959 and the same building is considered another work of art from the same museum. You will have the opportunity to see works by Piet Mondrian, Marc Chagall or Manet. 

SCHEDULE

Friday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 17:45 (Saturdays until 19:45)

PRICE:

Adult:  20.60€

Students and over 65s:  14.90€

• Natural History Museum: One of the best science museums in the world. It was founded in 1869 and is a magnificent space to enjoy science with its more than 30 million objects. It is ideal to see with children because they have a great time. Don't forget to go through the biodiversity room or the dinosaurs room. Do you remember the movie ‘Night at the museum’? Well, here it was recorded!

SCHEDULE

Every day from 10:00 to 17:45

PRICE

Adults:  19€

Children from 2 to 12:  10.80€

Students and people over 60:  14.90€

Of course there are many more museums, if you want to complete your visit you can go to The Frick Collection, Madame Tussaud Museum or the Intrepid Sea Museum, among others.

Many of the museums accept the New York Pass for free entry, so you can ask in advance. And even if you see that the initials PWYW at the box office, it means that you can pay for the ticket the price you want to pay, but let it be known first!

 Perhaps New York or even the United States in general does not stand out for having one of the best gastronomies in the world, but what you will find are very good restaurants of all kinds of food, markets to eat and the best street stalls. In addition, ‘junk’ food is the specialty and we have to say that it is the best on the planet. We show you what are the typical dishes of New York.

How to get to New York by car 

New York general information