10 reasons to visit New York at least once in your lifetime

A trip to New York is unlike any other journey... Still in doubt? Here's why you absolutely must discover this unique city in the world!

1/ To see the city everyone’s talking about

New York is everywhere—on TV, in movies, in the news. Try this: spend one day counting how many times you hear New York mentioned on the radio or TV, or how many people you spot wearing an “I Love New York” t-shirt or a New York Yankees cap. The number will always be high.
With over 330,000 messages on the New York forum and more than 266,000 members in our Destination New York Facebook group, it’s clear that New York captures everyone’s imagination. Come see for yourself what draws the whole world to this city!

If you’ve climbed the Eiffel Tower at 300 m (984 ft), know that most of Midtown’s towers in New York exceed that height. New York is the city of skyscrapers.
One World Trade Center, the tallest building in New York, reaches 541 m (1,776 ft) at its antenna tip. You can ride to the very top and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city. Learn more on the One World Trade Center page. You can also explore other observation decks like The Edge and Summit.

Whether you’re from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Brussels or Geneva, prepare for a shock when you arrive in New York. Europe’s largest cities look like quiet villages compared to New York’s energy. Here, everything is bigger, everything moves faster, and the city never sleeps.
Visit the Financial District on a weekday to feel the pulse of global finance. Explore SoHo, Greenwich Village and the East Village to discover New York’s creative spirit. In the evening, experience the energy of Times Square, the only place on Earth that shines brighter by day than by night. No other city vibrates like this, and you need to experience it.
For guided tours, our team offers a range of guided tours of New York. Our original tours have been featured on M6.

Like Paris and London, New York is home to some of the world’s greatest museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art rivals the Louvre and the British Museum without hesitation. Among the countless works you’ll see at the “Met” are paintings by major French artists, from Renoir to Cézanne to Claude Monet.
Another major museum is the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA. Here you’ll encounter contemporary art and the masters of pop art, including Andy Warhol. Don’t miss “Dance,” a 1909 painting by Henri Matisse.
The Guggenheim Museum also showcases major works from art history, including sculptures by Alberto Giacometti and Constantin Brancusi.

Countless films and TV series have been shot in New York. A few examples: Once Upon a Time in America, The Wolf of Wall Street, Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York, Manhattan, Night at the Museum, The Smurfs, Madagascar, Ghostbusters, The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day, Superman, Friends, Sex and the City… there’s something for everyone, and you’ve definitely seen at least one. Now it’s time to step into the screen and visit these filming locations! For example, here’s the address of the Ghostbusters firehouse in New York.
See our section on New York in film, which highlights the major films shot in the city. You can recreate iconic movie scenes.

Sneakers, jeans, streetwear… many fashion trends are born in New York! In New York shoe shops, you’ll find models not yet available in Europe. It’s the perfect chance to bring home the latest Nike or Asics.
If you’re a basketball fan, a visit to the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue is a must—it’s the world’s largest store dedicated to the North American basketball league.

In Europe, you hear about baseball, American football and the NBA… At least once in your life, go see a real American sports event!
For NBA basketball, Madison Square Garden is the most iconic arena. Learn more about the New York Knicks games. On a tighter budget? Visit the Brooklyn Nets, New York’s second NBA team.
For affordable entertainment, catch a baseball game. It’s a great way to learn the rules of this quintessentially American sport and experience the unique atmosphere of a baseball match. Learn more on the baseball in New York page.
New York is also a hockey city! The NHL, North America’s professional ice hockey league, is by far the world’s best. Support one of the two New York teams: the New York Rangers or the New York Islanders. There’s also the New Jersey Devils, based in nearby New Jersey.
If you dream of seeing American football, it’s pricier but possible. Time your visit to coincide with a game. See the American football in New York page. New York has two teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets, both playing in the same stadium in New Jersey.
Finally, there’s soccer (called soccer in the USA). Head near Newark airport to cheer on the New York Red Bulls.

If you love running, you’ve probably dreamed of running the New York Marathon—the most iconic marathon in the world. The route takes you through all five boroughs of New York, starting at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at the entrance to New York Harbor and finishing in Central Park.
The New York Marathon takes place every year on the first Sunday in November, but you need to register well in advance. Learn more on the New York Marathon page.
To participate, read this article on how to run the New York Marathon.

If you only know burgers from McDonald’s, it’s time to discover what a real, crispy, juicy burger tastes like! In New York, you can experience the full range of American cuisine—from burgers to cheesecake, black and white cookies, pancakes, smoked meat, and real hot dogs.
Find all the best spots in our New York restaurant guide. Explore the sections on Burgers, American restaurants, and Diners—those amazing restaurants with classic 1950s décor. In New York, travel happens on your plate too!

More than any other American city, New York embodies the American dream. This is where countless immigrants arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Every year, many more come to try their luck.
This trip to New York might inspire you to change your life too. Anything is possible here! Even if you don’t take the leap, New York will energize you. You’ll find that once you’ve experienced New York, you’ll come back year after year!
In the meantime, join our community of fans: visit the New York forum, Facebook, or the Destination New York group.