DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Top 10 New York City: 2020 (Travel Guide) (Pocket Travel Guide)

Clockwise from top: Fulton St subway, Financial District at twilight, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Chrysler Building, Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park

High-kicking Broadway show tunes. World-class museums. Shopping on Fifth Avenue. Some of the tallest skyscrapers on the planet. Superlative cuisine. Its no surprise that New York is one of the most visited cities in the world. With Eyewitness Top 10 New York City, its yours to explore.

New York, New York. As the saying goes, its the city so nice, they named it twice. We agree: where else in the country can you cruise down the mighty Hudson River, climb to the crown of Lady Liberty, peruse phenomenal art and sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, stroll the shaded walkways of Central Park, and sip cocktails while gazing out at the most famous skyline in the world?

Few cities equal New Yorks marvelously diverse culinary offerings. Its not a question of finding a cuisine, but rather of choosing from the plethora of options, from boisterous Italian trattorias to old-world delis with towering pastrami sandwiches. The outstanding museums and iconic sights are equally varied, from the looming Empire State Building to the Museum of Modern Art, with one of the worlds largest collections of contemporary art. The theater scene is also incomparable, from splashy Broadway shows with a cast of hundreds to tiny underground stages. Spend one evening on the buzzing streets of New York City and you will understand why its called the city that never sleeps. Evenings start late, and go on even later, with bars and clubs in the Meatpacking District and the Lower East Side spilling over with revelers.

Whether youre coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the city has to offer, from trendy TriBeCa to the elegant Upper East Side. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus 15 easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy New York City.

Exploring New York City

New York City is densely packed with sights and sounds. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or a week, it helps to strategize your sightseeing to maximize your time here. Here are ideas for two and four days of exploring the city.

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Two Days in New York City

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Day 1

Morning

Enjoy the view from the ).

Skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan tower over the streets below.

Afternoon

Stroll through .

Day 2

Morning

Enjoy panoramic skyline views from atop the , making stops at its famous department stores.

Afternoon

Tour the .

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Four Days in New York City

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Day 1

Morning

Get the lay of the land from atop the .

The facade of Grand Central Terminal is topped by a 13-ft- (4-m-) high clock.

Afternoon

Explore the superlative collections of the also makes for a fascinating stop-in.

Day 2

Morning

Take the ferry (book ahead) to greet the morning on .

Afternoon

Upon returning to Manhattan, walk through , and stay there for dinner and cocktails.

City Hall Park is a peaceful spot next to City Hall and the Municipal Building.

Day 3

Morning

Arrive early at the for a morning of exploration, plus a visit to the Rose Center for Earth and Space.

Afternoon

Walk through the .

Day 4

Morning

Explore the elevated park, the with artisanal cheeses and fresh baked goods.

Afternoon

Explore for local cuisine and cocktails.

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Top 10 New York City Highlights

Manhattan skyline

Top 10 New York City Highlights

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EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

The Empire State Building is the most famous skyscraper in New York. More than 120 million visitors, including such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth II, have gazed down on the city from the observatories since it opened in 1931. Planned in the prosperous 1920s by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, this Art Deco classic was completed during the Depression and was largely vacant for several years, giving rise to the nickname Empty State Building. It has been featured in countless movies, most famously King Kong.

NEED TO KNOW

350 5th Ave, at 34th St www.esbnyc.com Open 8am2am daily

Main Deck: adm adults $37, seniors (62+) $35, children (612) $31, express ticket $65 for all

Top Deck: adm add $20; military in uniform and kids under 6 free; multimedia guide with all tickets

Google Map

• There are a number of restaurants and shops on the ground level.