6 Exciting Places To Visit In New York City

For shopping, museums, architecture, history, music, and entertainment, the Big Apple is difficult to top. Home to some of the most recognizable spots in the world, New York showcases the full spectrum of diversions, activities, and cultures. In no particular order, here are some of the most stimulating offerings NYC has to offer.

Starting off the list at #1, we have The Shops at Columbus Circle, located in the heart of Manhattan. With a diverse selection of over 50 retail shops and boutiques, this indoor attraction offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and convenient access to one of the city's best neighborhoods.

The area features a collection of Michelin-starred restaurants from famous chefs like Thomas Keller and Masayoshi Takayama. Visitors can also attend nightly performances at Dizzy's Club inside Jazz at Lincoln Center, the facility managed by musician and composer Wynton Marsalis.

At #2 is the Museum of the City of New York. Founded in 1923, it engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city's past, present, and future. The museum's collection contains thousands of objects, including prints, photographs, costumes, paintings, sculpture, toys, and theatrical memorabilia.

Housed within the building's walls are the Costume and Textiles, Prints and Photographs, and Furniture and Decorative Arts collections. The institution holds several exhibitions and events every year. One may also book private tours for a highly personalized, in-depth, and interactive visit to the museum's exhibitions.

At #3 is The Battery, a lush area that contains vast public gardens, organic urban farms, toxin-free lawns, and SeaGlass, the innovative aquarium carousel. The Battery Conservancy was founded in 1994 to revitalize the park and its major landmark, Castle Clinton National Monument. The Conservancy maintains the Battery's 25 acres of public parkland at the southern tip of Manhattan.

Families and children can enjoy riding the merry-go-round inspired by marine life and the area's history as the original home of the New York Aquarium. For an interactive educational experience, Battery Urban Farm engages students, residents, and visitors in sustainable farming techniques, as well as the joys of tasting new foods.

At #4 is Roof at Park South. Located on top of the Park South Hotel, this bar features unobstructed views of the New York City skyline, serving cocktails and globally-inspired menu items in a unique rooftop setting. Visitors may relax on fireside sofas or in the umbrella lounge, congregate under the covered bar, or mingle in the floral area.

The bar serves original frozen cocktails, updated classics, large format cocktails for sharing, beer, wine, mini bottle service, and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests can order from a selection of savory bar bites created by James Beard Award-winning chef Tim Cushman. Roof at Park South provides private and semi-private spaces for a wide range of events.

Coming in at #5 is Hotel Pennsylvania. Situated within walking distance of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, and a variety of other attractions, the hotel boasts comfortable and convenient accommodations after a day out in New York City.

The establishment opened in 1919 and was the world's largest hotel at that time. Every floor features a unique communal gathering lounge. Rooms and suites at the hotel offer a modern twist on classic NYC style, and the decor incorporates many historical elements like metal door frames and plastered terracotta walls.

Finally, at #6 is Essex Crossing. Located on the Lower East Side, the area provides a collection of residences, offices, retail locations, and sizable green space. Offering both condominium and rental opportunities, Essex Crossing is conveniently situated near such establishments as Essex Market, Regal Cinemas, Trader Joe's, Target, The Gutter bowling, and cultural institutions like the International Center of Photography.

The Market Line at Essex Crossing is a bazaar-like marketplace and grocery running three city blocks along Broome Street. The area houses multiple vendors that offer groceries, meal kits, and drinks, as well as a collaborative dining experience co-designed by the purveyors to compliment each other's food and ingredients.