New York: Five Things to See and Do
- SpeakAnglo
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
This vibrant city has so much to offer. From its bustling streets to the beauty of Central Park, it provides visitors with a wide variety of experiences. We've picked a few below that are sure to be winners.
1. Experience the Empire State Building
This historic landmark is a 102-storey building in Manhattan and features an observation deck on the 86th floor, offering a 360-degree view of the city. While there are other observation decks in New York, this iconic site remains a worthwhile visit.
Did you know? It was completed in 1931 and held the title of the world's tallest building until 1970.
2. See a Play or Musical on Broadway
Head to the Theater District in Manhattan. This is Broadway. Here, you'll find 41 professional theatres. It's a good idea to check online in advance what's showing and make your reservation early.
There are many shows on offer, including short-run productions and long-running hits like The Lion King.
3. Look at Displays at the Museum of Modern Art
Located in Midtown, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) offers general admission that is free for certain exhibits.
As the museum has thousands of artworks, you might want to check out their site and decide which ones you specifically want to look at. Most people spend around three hours at the museum and that's enough time to view the famous displays such as Claude Monet's Water Lilies. However, access to this and Vincent van Gogh's famous masterpiece, The Starry Night, requires a standard adult ticket, which costs $30.
The Starry Night painting is currently housed in the first gallery on the fifth floor. Definitely worth a visit!
To avoid long queues, we suggest buying a timed-entry ticket, especially if you plan to look at the more popular artworks.
4. Stroll Around Central Park
This beautiful urban park lies between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side neighbourhoods.
Admission to the main grounds of this National Historic Landmark is free. However, you might want to try something novel. We suggest renting a rowing boat at the Loeb Boathouse. It currently costs $25, including a refundable $20 cash deposit.
Another option is to enjoy a leisurely pedicab tour around the park, which costs around $45.
New York is all about exploring on foot, and walking tours are a perfect way to discover the park's green beauty. These tours typically last 2 to 3 hours and will have you meander past famous spots such as The Literary Walk, The Pond, Bow Bridge, and Strawberry Fields.
5. Explore Times Square
See the legendary bright lights at New York's Times Square. While there, you might want to grab a bite. Many nearby eateries offer both sit-down and takeaway options. You could go for a bagel, hot dog, or the legendary New York-style pizza slice.
New York-style pizza is traditionally thin-crust with a generous tomato sauce on the base. Just the thought makes your mouth water!
Or, if you're in the mood for something sweet, New York cheesecake is always a good choice.
These are just a few of the many delights the city has to offer.
Fun fact: the nickname for New York is the Big Apple.
Vocabulary
Novel
(adjective)
Meaning: Something that is new and unusual.
Example: I tried a novel food last night, a fried Mars Bar.
Meander
(verb)
Meaning: To walk unhurriedly without any specific destination in mind.
Example: We meandered along the river, taking in the lovely views.
Takeaway
(noun)
Meaning: Food that is bought at a restaurant but taken away to be eaten elsewhere.
Example: We get takeaway most Fridays.
Landmark
(noun)
Meaning: A famous or important building that most people know about.
Example: London has many famous landmarks worth visiting.
Legendary
(adjective)
Meaning: Famous and celebrated over a long period of time.
Example: Italian desert, Tiramisu, is legendary.
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