Whether you’re nibbling the big apple on a long weekend or taking a sizable bite, the city’s landmarks and attractions are closely packed yet so plentiful that they could keep you occupied for months. The city is made up of five boroughs: Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island and the wonderful Manhattan where most of the key sites are located. From lavish bagels, cheesecake and yellow cabs to skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan is the New York of popular imagination. 

Whatever the time limit, Manhattan is the place where visitors typically spend their time. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and Time Square are all found here along with a host of other famous locations. Taking the Staten Island ferry from lower Manhattan is a fantastic introduction to New York with its postcard views of the Statue of Liberty and incomparable cityscape. At the heart of Manhattan is Central Park, a sprawling green space packed with family entertainment and city relaxation. Some of the city’s best museums are also found here, including the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History and MOMA (the Metropolitan Museum of Art). 

Evening entertainment in Manhattan is vast and varied. For sporting events, visit Madison Square Garden. Greenwich Village includes some of the most famous jazz clubs in the world, and Central Park is used as a setting for Shakespeare plays in the summer. In winter, see the New York City ballet perform The Nutcracker; one of the city’s yearly highlights. And of course, ice-skate at the Rockefeller Centre for a magical winter experience. 

Ellis Island is surely one of New York’s most popular tourist destinations. Lying off Manhattan’s southern tip, it was the historic landing place for all immigrants arriving to America’s shores. Indeed, half of the country’s population can trace their roots there. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is a fascinating memorial to this.

Venturing out of Manhattan, a visit to the Bronx is great for watching baseball, visiting the large zoo or the expansive botanical gardens. Joining the crowds for a Yankee game is one of the definite New York experiences, and worth it even if you’re not a big sports fan. The atmosphere and spirit during a game gives a real sense of New York life.

Brooklyn is the celebrated hub of New York’s diversity, and has a character all of its own. The Brooklyn Children’s museum is one of the most imaginative of its kind. Coney Island is also a great place for families, with the New York aquarium, three fairgrounds and a fabulous museum packed with fairground memorabilia. 

Staten Island does not have any well known sites, but it is still worthwhile to explore after the famous ferry trip to its shores. The contrast from Manhattan is the main novelty, with a landscape of hills, lakes, woodland and harbours. Richmond Town is a lovely restored village and outdoor museum. Clapboard houses, wagon sheds and shops with authentically stocked shelves make this a delightful daytrip.