Top 3 Must-Visit Attractions in New York – Have You Checked Them All Off Your List?

Dazzling streets, a perfect blend of diverse cultures, novel and trendy lifestyle experiences... Every aspect of New York exudes endless charm, attracting travelers from around the world. The New York Pass recommends the top 3 most popular attractions in New York—each one is a must-see and not to be missed!

As one of Midtown Manhattan's main attractions, the Empire State Building was completed in 1931 and held the title of New York's tallest building for nearly 40 years after its construction. From its observation decks at the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Actually, your wonderful journey at the Empire State Building begins right in the lobby, which is understated yet exquisitely luxurious. After an 18-month restoration, the lobby has been restored to its original 1930s appearance, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a historic landmark in 2009.

Lobby, Image source: Empire State Building

The sustainability exhibition on the second floor introduces visitors to the building's renovation projects. Through construction materials, sculptural models, and digital interactive displays, it describes every step of the building's energy retrofitting process.

Sustainability Exhibition, Image source: Empire State Building

Located on the 80th floor, the Dare to Dream Exhibit chronicles the history, construction, and building process of the Empire State Building. The exhibits include original photographs and documents from the 1930s, as well as construction notes, architectural sketches, and personal memorabilia from the builders.

Dare to Dream Exhibit, Image source: Empire State Building

The two observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors are ideal spots to take in a panoramic view of New York City from above. Visiting at different times of the day to see the city's clouds and colors shift will give you a different experience!

86th Floor Observation Deck, Image source: Empire State Building

102nd Floor Observation Deck, Image source: Empire State Building

Address: 20 West 34th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenue), New York, NY 10118

Hours: Open year-round, until 2:00 AM at the latest

Ticket Price: $42, free with The New York Pass

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

If you want the best view of the majestic Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck is undeniably the ideal spot.

Named "New York's number one viewpoint" by a magazine, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck sits atop the Rockefeller Center at a height of 259 meters, offering expansive views.

Image source: topoftherocknyc.com

Before taking the elevator to the observation deck, you can learn about the ten-year construction process of Rockefeller Center during the Great Depression of the 1930s through modern exhibits and short films in the lobby.

Lobby Exhibit, Image source: topoftherocknyc.com

The elevator here is extremely fast, reaching the observation deck in less than a minute, where you can enjoy a 360-degree city panorama stretching for miles. The first indoor observation deck is on the 67th floor, and the second and third observation decks are outdoors, on the 69th and 70th floors respectively.

Second Observation Deck, Image source: topoftherocknyc.com

Third Observation Deck, Image source: topoftherocknyc.com

From the four-sided observation decks, looking north you can see Central Park, the Upper East and West Sides, Harlem, and all the way to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx; south offers a view of the Empire State Building, the towering skyline of downtown New York, with a distant view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor; west presents beautiful sunsets, rising skyscrapers, and the Hudson River; east overlooks the Chrysler Building and Queens in the distance.

South View, Image source: Rockefeller Center

East View, Image source: Rockefeller Center

Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

Hours: Daily 10am–10pm, last entry at 9:10pm

Ticket Price: $40, free with The New York Pass

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Located on Liberty Island and built in 1875, the Statue of Liberty represents centuries of rich American history. It is a symbol of the United States and New York's most famous cultural landmark. Some even say that a trip to New York is incomplete without visiting the Statue of Liberty.

The statue stands 93 meters tall. The seven spikes on her crown represent the seven continents. Her right hand holds a torch aloft, and her left hand carries a tablet inscribed with the date "July 4, 1776" (the Declaration of Independence). At her feet are broken shackles, chains, and manacles, symbolizing the nation's liberation from oppression and bondage.

Ellis Island was one of the main entry points into the United States, and more than one-third of all Americans can trace their ancestry to people who passed through Ellis Island. In 1924, Ellis Island closed as an immigration center and subsequently fell into development limbo; in the 1980s, plans to build a historical museum there came to fruition; in 1990, the island opened to the public; today, Ellis Island welcomes over 3 million visitors from around the world each year.

At the Immigration Museum, you can enjoy a ten-minute multimedia experience in the immersive theater, learning about the history of the Statue of Liberty and the ideals it represents. You can visit the gallery to see how the team of artisans built the Statue of Liberty. You can also go up to the rooftop deck at the top of the museum to get an up-close view of the statue and a breathtaking panoramic view of New York Harbor.

Address: Statue Cruises Kiosk, Battery Park, New York, NY 10004

Ticket Price: $20, free with The New York Pass