American Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is one of those attractions in new York city that's not only enjoyable, but educational. Making it a great place to also bring children. Located in the upper west side of Manhattan on 79st, it sits directly across from central park. The museum building, which has been at this location since it was completed in 1877, is designed in a neo-Romanesque form . The museum of natural history is well known for it's exhibits like the full-scaled blue whale ( the largest living animal ) that hangs from the ceiling of the Milstein Family hall of ocean life, it's famous fossil collection, the planetarium and so many others. My personal favorite exhibit is "The Hall of the Age of Man" know called "The Hall of Human Biology". This exhibit has the most in dept history of human evolution in the world. It has a collection of anatomically correct models of are ancestor's and other early primates. Two of the models thats well known are the 1.7 million year old Peking man plus the better known and famous Lucy skeleton. A fact that you might find interesting is the father of are 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt Sr. is one of the museums founders. So if you visit this New York City tour site, you'll definitely want to have a camera.

Radio City Music Hall

One of my favorite sites and also a place that's synonymous to New York City is Radio City Music Hall. Since it's opening during the Christmas holiday of 1932 it has attracted people from all over the world to see it's many event's and concerts. Located in midtown Manhattan on sixth Ave between 50th and 51st street it is part of the Rockefeller center complx. It also shares its glory with other sites famous for the area like NBC's rainbow room, FOX studio, and the Rockefeller ice skating rink. I find the best time to visit this site is during the Christmas holiday, when you can see the rockettes perform there Radio City Christmas Spectacular. There's also other marvelous on ice escapade shows and event around that season. Radio City music hall is also a regular venue for many award shows like the Emmy award, Tony awards, Grammy awards, and even MTV Video Music Awards. With its beautiful art-deco design its a major historical piece in the puzzle of the Rockefeller center area. So definitely add these one to your winter season NYC tour list. Its also a perfect place for kids, It'll leave a long lasting memorable impression on the mind.

Ellis Island

One of the most well known historical places not only in NYC but in the whole of the united states is Ellis island. Located in New York harbor right at the mouth of the Hudson river it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the statue of liberty, jersey city N.J. and NYC's main land. The island was named after Welsh immigrant Samuel Ellis who was the owner during the late 18th century. During that time Ellis ran a tavern on the island catering to local fisherman and sailors. During the late 19th to the early 20th century Ellis island had became the main immigration port for immigrants from abroad coming into America. In more than a 40 year period it has processed over 12 million immigrants which means many Americans have relative that have come through its doors. It was the start of new lives for a range of ethnicities. As with many historical sites in the united states that had huge impacts on this country's it was designated as an landmark and national monument (on October 15, 1966). Today Ellis island is one of new York city's favorite and most frequently visited tourist attraction. The circle line (a touring ferry) and other ferries have daily trips that visits the island, where you can enjoy the marvelous outside view and the beautiful well upkept building which is know the museum. The ferries that visit the island also make a stop at the statue of liberty as well, which is a two in one deal. So if you ever travel to NYC be sure to add this one to your tour list.

The Cloisters

Part of New York City's metropolitan museum of art the cloisters museum in my opinion is the most unique. Its located on a hill top in Fort tyron park which is in the most northern part of Manhattan. The cloisters consist of a main museum building, a small chapel and surrounding artifacts from five French medieval cloisters (Saint- Guilhem-le-desert, Saint-Michel-de-cuxa, Trie-en-Bigorre, Bonnefont-en-Comminges, and Froville). The museum has the appearance of a medieval castle and the scenery will make you fell like you stepped out of a time machine. The area around the museum is also a favorite place for sightseeing. There are beautiful gardens modeled after horticultural information from the place and era of it's medieval origin. It also has a great overlooking view of the Hudson river. The cloisters museum is known for it's famous tapestries like "Bury Cross" and it's must while known and priceless "The Hunt of the Unicorn". The museum also keep many medieval manuscripts and illuminated books like Jean Pucelle's book of hours for Jeanne d'Evreux and Limbourg brothers' Les Belles Heures du Duc de Berry. As far as NYC tourist attraction this is a two in one deal. With the cloisters museum it self and the beautiful surrounding scenery it's a definite add to your NYC tour list.

Trinity Church

Trinity church has a deeply rotted history in this city of tall building and skyscrapers. It's more recently Known for the 2004 movie national treasure (starring: Nicholas cage) were it was the location of the knight templers hidden treasure. Located on the corner of Broadway and wall Street it right in the midst of Manhatten's downtown area. The Trinity church that stands here today is actually the second one that was built. The first building was destroyed by the great fire of 1776 which also destroyed almost 500 other building and left thousands of new Yorkers homeless. The new Trinity Church was rebuilt and consecrated in 1790 but was torn down in 1839 due to severe weather damage. Parishioner rebuilt it again leaving the building we see standing today. Trinity church's saint paul's chapel is the oldest public building in New York City under continuous use. The wonderful neo-gothic style is awe inspiring which sets it apart and make it stick out from it's surroundings. You may also catch the harmonious music of the trinity choir flowing through the area. An interesting fact about Trinity church is that it has the only remaining active cemetary in the borough of Manhattan. Even if you don't go in the beautifully designed building this is still a great addition to your tour or sightseeing list. The architecture is simply astonishing.

Madam Tussauds wax museum NYC

Internationally known with locations also in Amsterdam, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, And Las Vegas. The museum is the namesake of a 17th century French housekeeper who became skilled and gained prestige in wax molding under the teachings of the physician Dr. Philippe curtius, whom she had worked for for many years. Madame Tussaud's New York City museum is located on 42nd St right off of 8th Ave and offers a great panoramic view of time square. The museum is famous for it's life like wax figures with there anatomically correct body proportions. The figures are of many famous singers, movie stars, presidents and a whole genre of other famous people. As you go through the different and magnificently put together galleries you experience a vivid fell for each one. The museum is one of the city's major tourist attraction and it's also known for attracting the famous to see there own likeness. A couple of my favorite pieces is the figure of Microsoft's CEO Bill Gates and R&B singer Beyounce Knowles. The figures are so good I guarantee you'd look twice just to make share your not seeing thing as they regularly have displays' on the outside. To any traveler or tourist planning on visiting NYC make sure to put Madame Tussauds wax museum at the top of your sightseeing list. You Can also visit Madame Tussauds New York

Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum

Located on Manhatten's westside water front at pier 86 the Intrepid museum's is in an area also known to tourist for its cruise ship terminal and the circle line, which is a famous sightseeing tour ferry. Before it was designated as an museum the u.s.s Intrepid was an navy Essex class aircraft carrier with a long and astonishing service history which include serving in world war II and the Pacific war. It was also the ship that recovered the mercury capsule and the Gemini astronauts. At 852 feet long the Intrepid is as long as a new York city block and about 10 stories high from waterline to control tower. the Intrepid Sea Air and Space museum is known for such exhibits as the world fastest jet and U.S. spy plane A10 Blackbird plus the world's first supersonic transcontinental passenger jet the Concord and a huge collection of some of the most unique military planes in the world. The museum also houses USS Growler a navy Grayback class submarine. The Fleet week annual events are held at the museum. The visiting warships are docked next door at the cruise ship terminal and the events are held on the deck of the museum. Since opening in 1982 the big war ship has been a unique part of new York City and was designated as an historical and national landmark in 1987. If you ever do travel to NYC be sure to add this one to your tour list.

Grant's Tomb

One of New York City's most praised and honored places and also a sight that don't often come to mind when thinking about traveling to tour the big apple is the civil war's U.S. union general and 18th president Ulysses S. Grant tomb site. Designed by John Duncan it's located inside Riverside Park which is right next to 122nd street and the intersection of Riverside Drive. The marble and granite memorial was finished in 1897 and was the biggest mausoleum in the U.S. at that time. It was designed after Mausolus Halicarnassus tomb which is one of the seven wonders of the world. The Grant tomb is not only a national landmark. It is a big part of new York city and the rest of this country's history. The memorial is controlled and maintained by the National Park Services and has undergone a 1.8 million dollar resoration in April 0f 97. Other interesting facts about the tomb are that it hold the remains of Grants wife Julia Dent Grant. His funeral parade had a seven mile long stretch with over a million people attending. Not only is the tomb a great sightseeing stop, the park and the view of the Hudson river makes this site a great attraction and a definite add-on for the tour list.