Museums and Sightseeing for Vacations in New York City

Manhattan Comprehensive Motorcoach Tour

Statue Of Liberty

During the Manhattan Comprehensive Motorcoach Tour, you'll hop aboard a ferry and take it to Ellis Island, where you will view the pride of our nation, the Statue of Liberty.

The abundance of historical, cultural, and 'just for fun' sights in New York City is almost overwhelming. Knowing what you want to see ahead of time will help you make the most of your time. And you may want to consider taking a tour - it will allow you to maximize your sightseeing opportunities in a minimal amount of time. There are a number of tours available that will get you to and around many of the attractions and sights mentioned below. Try the Manhattan Comprehensive Motorcoach Tour, the Land and Air Tour, Essential New York Tour, All Loops Double Decker Tour, or the Harlem Gospel Motorcoach Tour. Here are just a few of New York's "must see" sights:

For Everyone...

Spirit Cruises. Everyone has to take a lunch or dinner cruise at least once in their lifetimes. Why not do it in style? Spirit City Cruises offers both the Classic Spirit Cruise and the Spirit City Cruise. You can enjoy Broadway-style entertainment while eating your meal. After dinner, relax to the awe-inspiring view of the New York Skyline. The Spirit City Cruise offers a menu featuring New American Cuisine and the food is brought directly to your table. The Classic Spirit Cruise offers a generous buffet with coffee and desert served at tableside.

Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center is the creation of John D. Rockefeller and the home to over 100 pieces of art. NBC, Christie's Auction House and Radio City Music Hall all call Rockefeller Center their home. It also houses the most famous skating rink in the world. The center features the beautiful Channel Gardens, the statues of Atlas and Prometheus and the prestigious Rainbow Room.

Times Square. Times Square is formed by Broadway crossing over 7th Ave between 47th and 42nd Streets. The area was once used for horse trading and now houses the city's theatre district. The sight of the bright lights, flashing digital screens, gigantic billboards and stock tickers is one of the most famous "New York" images. Don't forget to stop off for a bite to eat at Planet Hollywood (you can skip the wait for a table by pre-purchasing a VIP Meal Voucher).

Empire State Building/Observatory. Built in 1931, the Empire State Building used to be the tallest building in the world. The observatory is located on the 86th floor, 1050 feet in the air. The observatory offers a 360-degree view of the city, and on a clear day you can see up to 80 miles away. In addition to office space, the building features restaurants and stores as well as the New York Skyride, a simulation ride that highlights New York hotspots and is part rollercoaster, part helicopter.

Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village is perfect for shopping or visiting a small caf'. The village is home to Washington Square, where you can find street musicians, jugglers, stand-up comics and other entertainers to thrill you with their skills.

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty, our national monument, is located on Ellis Island and is reachable via ferry. The statue was a gift from France over 100 years ago and has come to represent America and the freedoms of democracy. The island receives millions of visitors each year and is a true icon of American glory.

Intrepid Air/Space Museum. What was formerly the USS Intrepid is now a 900-foot, floating museum. Onboard the deck of this museum, you will find an A-12 Blackbird spy plane, seaplanes and other aircraft. The museum features a strategic-missile submarine, a Vietnam destroyer as well as a wide variety of other naval equipment. The museum also offers a Navy Flight Simulator at an extra cost.

Central Park. This 843-acre park is one of New York's most famous vacation stops for tourists. The park is broken down into four sections; North End, The Reservoir, Great Lawn, and South End. Among the features of the North End of the Park you will find highlights like Duke Ellington Circle, Untermyer Fountain, Burnett Memorial Fountain, a variety of playgrounds and a pool. The Reservoir offers the tennis center, the reservoir, a bridle path and three playgrounds. Great Lawn features Seneca Village, Shakespeare Garden, theatres, Belvedere Castle, Loeb Boathouse, and a variety of playgrounds. The park also features a Zoo with a petting zoo and wildlife area.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. The words New York and shopping go hand in hand. Any die-hard shopper knows you can't possibly visit New York without taking home some name-brand designer clothing. This village-like outlet, located one hour from Manhattan, offers 220 stores that bring shoppers the best name brands at discounted prices as well as an array of dining opportunities. Walk among the beautiful walkways and find names like Nautica, Gucci, Versace, Coach, DKNY, and Banana Republic at savings of up to 65% off every day.

For Museum Lovers...

American Museum of Natural History.   The American Museum of Natural History is home to over 30 million items including dinosaur fossils, Indian artifacts, and many other interesting and educational exhibits. The Human Biology and Evolution section and the Millstein Family Hall of Ocean Life are just two of the exhibits the museum has to offer. The museum offers a wide array of dining options as well, from sushi to pizza, there's enough variety to suit anyone's tastes.

Metropolitan Museum of Art.   The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to over two million pieces of art. The museum was formed in 1870 and displays American decorative arts, American paintings and sculptures, ancient Near-Eastern art, Asian art, African art, and artwork from all over the world.

Guggenheim. Guggenheim Museum was established in 1939, and was at that time known as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting. What used to be an automobile showroom is now The Guggenheim Museum, which houses work from over 169 different artists.

Museum Mile.   Museum Mile is the stretch of museums and art institutions along Fifth Avenue. The museums found along the strip include:

El Museo del Barrio
Museum of the City of New York
International Center of Photography
Jewish Museum
Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design
National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Goethe House German Cultural Center

For History Lovers...

Flatiron Building. The Flatiron Building is the oldest remaining skyscraper in New York City. The building was built in 1902 and stands at approximately 285 feet tall.

Grant's Tomb. Grant's Tomb is where Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia are laid to rest. The tomb is made of over 8,000 tons of granite and features marble floors, railings and trimmings. The tomb displays statues that portray Grant's childhood, military service and death. There are mosaics that explain some of Grant's battles and there are two small rooms that display maps of battle sites of the civil war.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the largest cathedral in the world and is the seat of New York's bishop. The cathedral is open from seven in the morning until six in the evening on Mondays through Saturdays and from seven in the morning until seven in the evening on Sundays. The Cathedral features a gift shop and guided tours are available.