Things to do Today in New York
New York, nicknamed the Empire State, is in many ways the center of an empire. The state is home to some of America’s most significant historical and natural landmarks. New York City isn’t America’s political capital. It’s considered the cultural, historical, and social capital of the nation and it is one of the most influential cities in the world.
The most popular attractions within the state of New York are located in the Big Apple, New York City. If you have time to make it out of the city, visit the state’s natural and historical attractions. Includes Niagara Falls, and the Letchworth state park are among the country’s most notable.
Statue of Liberty
America’s most well-known and symbolic landmark is the number one attraction on most tourists must-see New York City lists. The Statue of Liberty shows the Roman goddess Libertas standing atop a pillar. Broken chains lying at her feet. It’s considered a symbol of welcoming immigrants entering the country.
The statue situated on Liberty Island and viewed by visitors who travel by boat to Ellis Island or via a ferry to Liberty Island itself. At Liberty Island visitors can view the pedestal of the statue and climb the staircase to the crown of Lady Liberty.
Empire State Building
This massive skyscraper is still one of New York city’s top tourist attractions. The Empire State Building stands at 1,250 feet with 102 floors. The observation deck is one of the most visited places in the world. Provides some of the best views of the city of New York.
Offers stunning 360-degree views of the city at the 86th floor. The building known throughout the nation as an emblem of the city and a landmark in many films and television programs.
Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum, also known as The Brooklyn Museum of Art, is an art museum. With over 1.0 million works of art and hundreds of thousands of square feet, The Brooklyn Museum is the third largest museum in all of New York City. The art within the Brooklyn Museum exhibits various world cultures and their artistic heritage.
Brooklyn Museum of Art is mainly known for its African art, Egyptian art, and paintings from the 17th to the 20th century. Famous artists on display include Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Mark Rothko to name a few.
Niagara Falls
This well-known natural wonder is America’s most famous waterfall. Although it is actually three waterfalls together and it’s located on the border of the United States and Canada. Niagara Falls is comprised of Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls.
The entire falls total height measures 167 feet and it has an average flow rate of 64,750 feet making it the most powerful waterfall in North America. Niagara Falls State Park inside Prospect Point Park observation tower provides excellent vistas. Visitors can hop aboard the Maid of the Mist tour boat to get a better view.
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park is located outside the village of Watkins Glen in New York. The centerpiece of the park is a 400-foot-deep narrow gorge cut through rock that descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course.
The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. The park has comfortable camping sites, picnic tables and pavilions, Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites and excellent fishing.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a botanical garden in Brooklyn. The garden includes a number of specialty gardens within the Garden. The gorgeous Brooklyn gardens are made up of 52-acres of over 14,000 kinds of plants and collections of plants from all over the world.
Aquatic House & Orchid Collection You’ll find a variety and large collection of tropical and subtropic aquatic plants that thrive in wetter environments. Including the impressive collection of over 6,000 orchids with over 1,000 species represented. Another awesome feature of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is the Children’s Garden.
The Bronx Zoo
There are more than 265 acres for you to explore at the Bronx Zoo and over 10,000 animals. From tiny toads to big cats, there are more than 6,000 species at the Bronx Zoo. The popular 6.5-acre Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit costs extra but the price of the ticket is donated to conservation projects in the Conga.
Wild Encounters gets visitors up-close and personal with some of your favorite animals like penguins, cheetahs, porcupines, and sloths. Feeding times offer a great chance to see the animals and are at regular intervals throughout each day.
Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park is a 14,427-acre state park located in Livingston and Wyoming counties, New York. The park is roughly 17 miles long, following the course of the Genesee River as it flows north through a deep gorge and over several large waterfalls.
Within the park, there are three large waterfalls on the Genesee River and as many as 50 waterfalls found that flow into it. The deep gorge formed by the river has rock walls rising up to 550 feet in places and which narrows to 400 feet.
Luna Park in Coney Island
Luna Park in Coney Island is the largest amusement park in New York City. Luna Park in Coney Island provides tourists with an unforgettable seaside experience with family-friendly attractions and entertainment. Shopping and dining on the scenic landmarked boardwalk, thrill rides and special events.
It’s a boardwalk amusement park nestled on the Coney Island Peninsula. Home to more than 50 games, rides and roller coasters. From an antique carousel and collection of kiddie rides to roller coasters big enough to attract thrill seekers.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass is a museum that displays the best collection of art, history and science of glass. It was founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works and you’ll see more than 3,500 years of history displayed in the Glass Collection Galleries. Watch as a master glassmaker takes a glowing gob of molten glass on the end of a pipe and skillfully shapes it into a vase, bowl, or sculpture.
Learn about the science and technology of glass through hands-on exhibits. Make your own glass from hot glass working to fusing, to sandblasting. You and your family can do just about anything with glass, with the help of experienced glassworkers.
Things to Do in New York
Just a few days in New York City are enough to explore some of the great landmarks of the world, including the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. But if you venture outside of the city, visitors to New York can explore some America’s most significant landmarks, which represent the cultural and historical evolution of a nation.