Sights of a New York City Tour

Times SquareOne of the most popular attractions on any New York City tour is Times Square, originally named after the New York Times, which had moved there in 1924. Frequently seen in movie scenes, this neon-lit tourist attraction and city center is in the heart of the Theatre District. Hotels, commercial businesses and towering office buildings now populate a lot of space in Times Square with Disney and Conde Nast being two of the more renowned businesses. If your New York City tour happens to take place during the New Year celebration, be sure to join the crowd gathered in this bustling square as they frolic the night away in a gigantic street party topped off with watching the ball drop atop Times Tower.

Central ParkThis beautiful park is a second favorite for New York City tours and is conveniently located right in the heart of Manhattan, stretching from Midtown to Harlem. Created in 1857 by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux this rolling oasis of pastures and gardens provides a gentle resting spot to relax in with an afternoon walk. There's a chance love could peek in on your tour of New York City as you gaze into the Bethseda Fountain on Bethseda Terrace. Heading north you'll find the marvelous mystery that is Belvedere Castle or you could stop by the nearby Delacorte Theater and catch some of the summer plays. A delightful little zoo is available to children of all ages, and a restored carousel is sure to pique the fancy of any light-hearted soul.

Metropolitan Museum of ArtFor the culturally minded New York City tour go-er, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is sure to spark your interest. Any visitor to New York should spend at least a couple hours wandering the halls of this vast and culturally diverse museum. Having more than 1.5 million square feet of exhibition space it houses European paintings by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Vermeer as well as an Egyptian Gallery that is unmatched. Asian artwork, photography, armory, and sculpture also abound in this magnificent museum built in 1895 by Richard Morris Hunt. Should you be touring New York City during the warmer months, be sure to see the open-air roof garden where modern-day sculptures are displayed.

St. Patrick's CathedralArchitecturally astounding, this massive cathedral located across from Rockerfeller Center on Fifth Avenue is the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States, making it another popular New York City tour stop. With a seating capacity of 2,500, several altars and stained glass windows, 330-foot towering spires, and an enormous pipe organ it's no wonder many New Yorkers duck in for a moment of peace in the otherwise hectic daily life of the city. Services are held all through the day and can likely accommodate even the busiest of New York City tour schedules. All of these sites and so far the most well-known of attractions remain unseen, it truly is a spectacular place to visit at any time of year.