Attractions

If this is your first trip to New York, face the facts: It will be impossible to take in the entire city—this time. Because New York is almost unfathomably big and constantly changing, you could live your whole life here and still make fascinating daily discoveries—we New Yorkers do. This guide is designed to give you an overview of what’s available in this multifaceted place so you can narrow your choices to an itinerary that’s digestible for the amount of time you’ll be here—be it a day, a week, or something in between.

So don’t try to tame New York—you can’t. Decide on a few must-see attractions, then let the city take you on its own ride. Iut inevitably, as you make your way around the city, you’ll be blown off course by unplanned diversions that are as much fun as what you meant to see.

After all, the true New York is in the details. As you dash from sight to sight, take time to admire a cornice on a prewar building, linger over a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe, or just idle away a few minutes on a bench watching New Yorkers parade through their daily lives.

What’s New This Year Around Town

The National September 11 Memorial is scheduled to open on September 11, 2011. Ten years after the event that is seared permanently in our memories took place, this long-awaited memorial is realized. The Memorial consists of two massive pools set within the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the largest manmade waterfalls in the country cascading down their sides. The Plaza is shaded by 400 white oak trees. Note: The September 11th Memorial Museum, located beneath the Memorial, will open in 2012.

Pier 25, the newest section of Hudson River Park, opened to the public in 2010. Located at N. Moore Street in TriBeCa, Pier 25 is the longest pier in Hudson River Park and includes an 18-hole miniature golf course, snack bar, sand volleyball court, and children's playground. The adjoining upland section includes a basketball court, a skate park, natural lawns, and seating areas.

The Museum of Moving Image reopened in January 2011 after a $67 million expansion and renovation. It’s the only museum in America that explores all aspects anything that moves across a screen, including film, television, video and digital media. This is not just a walk down memory lane, it is memory lane. Located in Astoria, Queens, the museum is well worth a visit. It may be one of the few museums in New York—along with the Museum of Natural History—that is equally appealing to children and to adults.

A Money & Time-Saving Tip

CityPass may be New York’s best sightseeing deal. Pay one price ($79, or $59 for kids 6–17) for admission to six major attractions: The American Museum of Natural History (including the Space Show), the Guggenheim Museum or Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cloisters, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or a 2-hour Circle Line harbor cruise. Individual tickets would cost more than twice as much (though I should point out that the Met and Museum of Natural History are “suggested” admission fees).

More important, CityPass is not a coupon book. It contains actual tickets, so you can bypass lengthy lines. This can save you hours, as sights such as the Empire State Building often have ticket lines of an hour or more.

CityPass is good for 9 days from the first time you use it. It’s sold at all participating attractions and online at www.citypass.com/city/ny. To avoid online service and shipping fees, you may buy the pass at your first attraction (start at an attraction that’s likely to have the shortest admission line, such as the Guggenheim, or arrive before opening to avoid a wait at such spots as the Empire State Building). However, if you begin your sightseeing on a weekend or during holidays, when lines are longest, online purchase may be worthwhile.

For more information, call CityPass at tel. 888/330-5008 (note, however, that CityPass is not sold over the phone).

Subway stops for New York’s Top Attractions

American Museum of Natural History -- B, C to 81st Street

The Cloisters -- A to 190th Street

Ellis Island -- 4, 5 to Bowling Green or N, R to Whitehall Street 1 to South Ferry

Guggenheim Museum -- 4, 5, 6 to 86th Street

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum -- A, C, E to 42nd Street–Port Authority

Metropolitan Museum of Art -- 4, 5, 6 to 86th Street

Museum of Modern Art -- E to Fifth Avenue or B, D, F to 47th–50th streets–Rockefeller Center

Brooklyn Bridge -- 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall

Chrysler Building -- 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd Street

Empire State Building -- B, D, F, N, R, Q to 34th Street–Herald Square

Grand Central Terminal -- 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd Street

Rockefeller Center -- B, D, F to 47th–50th streets–Rockefeller Center

Staten Island Ferry -- 1 to South Ferry (first five cars)

United Nations -- 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd Street

Yankee Stadium -- 4, B, D to 161st River Avenue–Yankee Stadium

Chinatown -- 6, J, M, Z, N, R, Q to Canal Street

Greenwich Village -- A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th Street

Times Square -- 1, 2, 3, 7, N, R, S to 42nd Street–Times Square

Wall Street -- 4, 5 to Wall Street or N, R to Rector Street

Cathedral of St. John the Divine -- 1 to Cathedral Parkway (110th St.)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral -- B, D, F to 47th–50th streets–Rockefeller Center or E to Fifth Avenue–53rd Street