Central Park
There’s a reason this 843-acre greenspace in the middle of Manhattan is such a favorite, with some essential sights — Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, and the Imagine mosaic at Strawberry Fields. Immerse yourself with the locals, whether it’s running around the reservoir, experiencing the roller discos at Skate Circle, or simply sitting and people watching.
Museums
All of Manhattan might as well double as a museum district. While there are classics —such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (don’t miss the rooftop deck), the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History — others such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the New Museum grab headlines with their rotating exhibits. Museums without such boldface names also delight, such as The Frick Collection, The Morgan Library and Museum, and the quirky Mmuseumm. But perhaps the most essential to the history of the city is the emotional 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
The Edge
Manhattan has long been known for its skyscraper viewpoints — from the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock to One World Observatory. But newcomer the Edge takes the cake as the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, with a dramatically shaped platform jutting from the edge of the building that contains glass panels giving you a vertical view 100 floors down.