Looking for one of the best tourist attractions in Times Square? RiseNY is a three-in-one immersive tourist attraction in New York that’s bound to be a memorable experience. Learn about the history and culture of the Big Apple, all in one great place.
Best of all, we’re near many of New York’s other tourist attractions, so you can plan your visit to get all the great sights in at once. Whether you’re interested in Broadway shows, free parks, food markets or more, you can combine your visit to RiseNY with the best of the must-see tourist attractions in NYC.
Types of Tourist Attractions in NYC
There are so many different types of New York tourist attractions to visit. Want to do something outdoorsy with your family? There’s observation decks, parks and more to tickle your fancy. Stuck in the city on a rainy day? Not to worry - there’s indoor tourist attractions in NYC as well!
Here’s our list of must-see tourist attractions in NYC.
Indoor Tourist Attractions
Though we love the weather in our town, sometimes you’re in need of a rainy day activity in New York City. (Read our rainy day activities blog to find out what you can get up to!). Luckily, there’s plenty of indoor tourist attractions in New York to choose from.
Best of all, you can hop on one of our famous subway lines to avoid getting wet, or hail one of our recognizable yellow taxi cabs. We’ve also got hop-on, hop-off bus tours to help you find all of the best tourist attractions in New York City easily.
Museums
Some of New York’s finest tourist attractions are indoor-based. Our amazing city has plenty of museums to keep you and your friends and family busy with rainy day activities in NYC.
Why not visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art? It’s the biggest art museum in the United States, so it’s well worth a visit. It’s near Central Park and located not far from the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim Museum. From ancient history to art, there’s a bit of culture to explore for everyone’s tastes.
Love a musical? Learn about the history of Broadway at the Museum of Broadway. Find costumes and set pieces from some of the biggest shows in the world!
Of course, we’ve got our own museum exhibitions. Visit our seven interactive galleries, complete with famous artifacts and memorabilia from top NYC museums such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Broadway Venues & Shows
Our city is well-known for being one of the theater hotspots of the world! One of the most renowned tourist attractions in Times Square (around 25 minutes’ walk) is the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It has regular performances from leading ballet companies, orchestras and opera groups - you’ll find something for everyone!
In the Broadway area, there are many theaters to explore and shows to book. The Richard Rodgers Theater, the Lyric Theater, the New Amsterdam Theater - there are so many places to catch the latest and best shows in the world.
Shopping Districts in NYC
What do many people think of when they think, “Must-see tourist attractions in New York?”... the shopping districts! From Fifth Avenue’s luxury retailers to the more quirky SoHo neighborhood boutiques, there’s a souvenir for everyone to take home. Shop until you drop, or until you’re ready to put your feet up and take in a show or dine out!
Food Markets & Restaurants
New York is well-known for its excellent food, with dishes from every cuisine you can think of available! Try an iconic pizza slice at one of New York’s famous pizzerias, or explore some of our many great food markets and restaurants. There are plenty of food tours to take you round the city’s foodie hotspots, or you can sample delicious food at the Chelsea Market. For something a bit upscale, why not go to Grand Central Station’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant? If you’re looking for an authentic New York experience, visit NYC’s oldest deli, Katz’s Delicatessen, for a hot dog or sandwich you’ll remember forever.
Immersive Experiences
When we tell you we have the best immersive experience you’ll find in New York, we’re not lying! RiseNY, our one-of-a-kind, must-see tourist attraction in New York, gives you three experiences for the price of one. You can enter a replica of the old City Hall subway and journey from 1904 to present day in our NYC documentary, narrated by Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum.
We’ve also got seven interactive galleries with artifacts and memorabilia from NYC’s pop culture history, all curated by America’s top museums, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Finally, you and your loved ones can soar over NYC’s iconic skyline on an immersive flight simulation ride, made with 4D technology!
Outdoor Tourist Attractions
Want to see as much of New York City as possible? We’ve got outdoor tourist attractions galore to choose from! With some good planning, you can see a lot of the famous sights of our city without ever going indoors.
Famous New York City Landmarks
When you think of the city, there are some famous New York tourist attractions that spring to mind. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are an amazing pair of locations to visit to understand the history of the city and why it celebrates so many cultures. There’s a reason why the statue is often the first image people think of when they think of New York!
One World Trade Center is another significant place to visit when in New York. There’s also the Empire State Building, recognizable from its appearance in many films, and a must-see while you’re in NYC (but don’t worry, you can see it from anywhere in midtown!).
For a bit of outdoor fun, there’s nowhere like Coney Island. Take a blast from the past with retro fairground rides, a beach and an aquarium that will keep all family members busy! You could also visit Chelsea Piers, where you can spot some beautiful boats as they come into harbor and get some playtime in at the popular sports facilities right on the water.
Observation Decks
Fancy seeing New York City and its famous skyline at scale? Why not visit the One World Observatory with its amazing views across the city? Alternatively, you can climb up to Top of the Rock, the observation deck at the top of the Rockefeller Center.
Of course, you can always get the best view of New York City from our amazing 4D technology ride at RiseNY! We’ve scanned the NYC skyline in high resolution and you’ll be able to explore it all from above on a soaring ride - buy your tickets now!
Free Attractions
If you’re looking for some fun New York tourist attractions that don’t cost a thing, there’s plenty to choose from!
You can visit our beautiful Central Park, a peaceful haven right in the middle of all the action. It’s one of the best tourist attractions in Manhattan, New York City, so make sure you go for a quick walk to enjoy it! For more greenery, there’s also the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where you can explore hundreds of native and exotic plants!
There’s also the unique New York High Line, a 1.45-mile raised park that is based along a former central railroad. You’re able to walk with great views across the west side of Manhattan, all for free!
RiseNY: An Unforgettable New York Tourist Attraction
At RiseNY, our immersive experiences give you a whole new perspective on the great city of New York. From past to present, from the lives of famous people to the ordinary people who make our city great, be transported into a fully immersive experience with our interactive exhibit and rides!
Book tickets to our must-see tourist attraction in Times Square today!