As a native New Yorker, I have had numerous experiences with each of these tourist attractions due to family and friends coming up to visit and wanting the full “tourist experience.” Below are my top 5 tourist attractions in New York City.

1)   Central Park – Central Park is a multi-faceted park that is great for walking around all year long.  The park contains numerous beautiful patches of land that people don’t typically get to encounter in New York City. From sunbathing to ice-skating, Central Park has it all. Food, a Zoo, multiple lakes, a Museum, walking paths, biking paths, and a concert area are only some of the activities that this picturesque park has to offer.

2)   The American Museum of Natural History – Simply put, this museum is awe-inspiring. The museum contains multiple exhibits organized by time period. From Dinosaurs to the modern day human, this museum contains life-size replicas of some of the most incredulous and amazing animals of all-time. This is a must visit if you are looking to spend some quality time in New York City.

3)   The High Line – If you are looking to take a nice stroll throughout the city, the High Line has become increasingly popular. The abandoned railway track has been restored with lush greenery and smooth pavement. This paired with a magnificent city view from the west side makes the High Line a high priority for many tourists coming to visit New York City.

4)   Rockefeller Center & The Empire State Building – I had to put these both in the same category because both these buildings offer an extraordinary panoramic view of the city’s landscape from within.  Rockefeller Center is famous for its popular ice-skating rink and enormous Christmas tree during the holiday season.  The Empire State building is the city’s second tallest building (300 feet shorter than One World Trade Center).

5)   Time Square – As a native New Yorker, I typically never want to go to Time Square. If you are a tourist trying to gather as much as the city as possible, then you should definitely walk through Time Square.  Filled with tourists, Time Square is home to numerous shopping, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

Honorable Mention: Smorgasburg – Located in Williamsburg, a tourist should cross over to Brooklyn on a Saturday, and grab some food at this popular flea market open to the public. Not only is the food great, but the location is spectacular. One can get a beautiful view of Manhattan that they wouldn’t be able to get inside the city.