New York City is chock-full of lots to see and do. But whenever you come, here are five attractions you absolutely MUST visit:

Liberty Island/Statue of Liberty

For the millions who first came by ship to America in the last century -- either as privileged tourists or needy, hopeful immigrants -- Lady Liberty, standing in the Upper Bay, was their first glimpse of America. No monument so embodies the nation's, and the world's, notion of political freedom and economic potential. Even if you don't make it out to Liberty Island, you can get a spine-tingling glimpse from Battery Park, from the New Jersey side of the bay, or during a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It's always reassuring to see her torch lighting the way.

It was originally proposed by French statesman Edouard de Laboulaye as a gift from France to the United States, to commemorate the two nations' friendship and joint notions of liberty. The statue was designed by sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi with the engineering help of Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel (who was responsible for the famed Paris tower) and unveiled on October 28, 1886. Originally, the massive statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood, of War of 1812 vintage. Later, the base was expanded to take in all of Fort Wood.
Once on Liberty Island, you'll start to get an idea of the statue's immensity: She weighs 225 tons and measures 152 feet from foot to flame. Her nose alone is 4 1/2 feet long, and her index finger is 8 feet long.

After September 11, 2001, access to the base of the statue was prohibited, but in the summer of 2004, access, albeit still somewhat limited (you can't climb to the Statue's crown), was once again allowed. Now you can explore the Statue of Liberty Museum, peer into the inner structure through a glass ceiling near the base of the Statue, and enjoy views from the observation deck on top a 16-story pedestal.

Any way you see it, you’ll never forget the day you first saw Lady Liberty in person, just like the millions before you.

On Liberty Island in New York Harbor
212/363-3200 (general info), 212/269-5755 (ticket/ferry info)
www.nps.gov/stli or www.statueoflibertyferry.com


Ellis Island

A little north of Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty stands Ellis Island. For the 62 years when it was America's main entry point for immigrants (1892-1954), Ellis Island processed some 12 million people. As many as 12,000 immigrants came through in a single day. Roughly 40% of Americans can trace their heritage back to an ancestor who came through here. A visit to Ellis Island is like stepping back in time to walk with your ancestors.

The Immigration Museum skillfully relates the story of Ellis Island and immigration in America by placing the emphasis on personal experience. It's difficult to leave the museum unmoved. Today you enter the Main Building's baggage room, just as the immigrants did, and then climb the stairs to the Registry Room, with its dramatic vaulted tiled ceiling, where millions waited anxiously for medical and legal processing.

There are haunting photos and touching oral histories. What might be the most poignant exhibit is Treasures from Home, 1,000 objects and photos donated by descendants of immigrants, including family heirlooms, religious articles, and rare clothing and jewelry. Outside, the American Immigrant Wall of Honor commemorates the names of more than 500,000 immigrants and their families, from Myles Standish and George Washington's great-grandfather to the forefathers of John F. Kennedy.

You can research your own family's history at the interactive American Family Immigration History Center Take time to see the award-winning short film Island of Hope, Island of Tears, which plays on a continuous loop in two theaters. Short, live theatrical performances depicting the immigrant experience are also often part of the day's events.

Ferries run daily to Ellis Island and Liberty Island from Battery Park and Liberty State Park at frequent intervals.

(212) 363-3200 (general info)
(212) 269-5755 (ticket/ferry info)
www.nps.gov/elis or www.ellisisland.org


Empire State Building

It took 60,000 tons of steel, 10 million bricks, 2.5 million feet of electrical wire, 120 miles of pipe, and 7 million man-hours to build. King Kong climbed it in 1933 and again in 2005. A plane slammed into it in 1945. The World Trade Center superseded it in 1970 as the island's tallest building. And in 1997, a gunman ascended it to stage a deadly shooting. On that horrific day of September 11, 2001, it once again regained its status as New York City's tallest building, after 31 years of taking second place. And through it all, the Empire State Building has remained one of the city's favorite landmarks, and its signature high-rise.

Completed in 1931, the limestone-and-stainless steel art deco monolith climbs 102 stories (1,454 ft.) and now harbors the offices of fashion firms. The Empire State Building glows every night, bathed in colored floodlights to commemorate events of significance -- red, white, and blue for Independence Day; green for St. Patrick's Day; red, black, and green for Martin Luther King Day. The familiar silver spire can be seen from all over the city.

The best views, and what keeps the nearly three million visitors coming every year, are the ones from the 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories. The lower one is best -- you can walk out on a windy deck and look through coin-operated viewers (bring quarters!) over what, on a clear day, can be as much as an 80-mile visible radius. The citywide panorama is magnificent.

Light fog can create an admirably moody effect, but it goes without saying that a clear day is best. Dusk brings the most remarkable views and the biggest crowds. Consider going in the morning, when the light is still low on the horizon, keeping glare to a minimum. Starry nights are pure magic.

Lines can be horrible at the concourse-level ticket booth, so consider purchasing advance tickets online using a credit card at www.esbnyc.com. You'll pay slightly more -- tickets have been priced $1 higher on the website -- but it's well worth it during busy seasons. Advance purchase of a CityPass, will get you admission to the Empire State Building, plus five other major attractions.
350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets
(877) 692-8439

World Trade Center Site

September 11, 2001, is a day that remains indelibly etched in the hearts and minds of New Yorkers, Americans, and countless millions of people around the world. Thousands of tourists stream into lower Manhattan daily to observe the work at the site of the former World Trade Center, also referred to as Ground Zero.

Since the destruction of the Twin Towers, many people from points across the globe have made the trek to lower Manhattan to offer their respects to those killed in the worst terrorist incident in American history as well as to see the ongoing reconstruction. For many New Yorkers who daily attempt to move forward with life as usual—especially those who work in lower Manhattan—the ongoing presence of tourists sparks mixed emotions.

The Tribute Center, located directly across from the World Trade Center site at 120 Liberty Street, is dedicated to educating the public about September 11th. The Tribute Center is a project of the September 11th Widows and Victims’ Families’ Association. The Tribute Center embodies the need to gather at the World Trade Center site, to connect with the people, places, and events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, and reflect.

Nearby Battery Park is host to two World Trade Center memorials. One is the Gardens of Remembrance designed by renowned Dutch garden designer, Piet Oudolf. The Gardens pay tribute to those who perished on September 11th, 2001 as well as the survivors of that day.

Another popular World Trade Center memorial, "Tribute in Light," is offered every year on the evening of September 11th. It consists of two banks of 44 searchlights that when lit, recreate the former towers in light. Under certain conditions they can be seen for up to 25 miles away!

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum

That massive ship at Pier 86 is the retired aircraft carrier Intrepid. It's a few football fields long, weighs 40,000 tons, holds 40 modern aircraft, and sometimes doubles as a ballroom for society functions. There is also the naval destroyer USS Edson, and the submarine USS Growler, the only intact strategic missile submarine open to the public anywhere in the world, as well as a collection of vintage and modern aircraft, including the A-12 Blackbird, the world's fastest spy plane, and a retired British Airways Concorde jet.

Kids just love this place. They, and you, can climb inside a replica Revolutionary War submarine, sit in an A-6 Intruder cockpit, and follow the progress of America's astronauts as they work in space. There are even navy flight simulators -- including a "Fly with the Blue Angels" program -- for educational thrill rides in the Technologies Hall. Look for family-oriented activities and events at least one Saturday a month. The program "All Hands on Deck" teaches both children and adults how things work on ships, plus there's a new AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. The action-packed Intrepid Wings shows aircraft carrier take-offs and recoveries in the new Allison and Howard Lutnick Theater; the film runs continuously throughout the day.

The exhibit Remembering 9-11 recalls those lost, both civilians and rescuers. The grand visitor center makes for an impressive entrance, and the massive museum store is well stocked; goods include NYPD and FDNY logo gear. Dress warmly for a winter visit -- it's almost impossible to heat an aircraft carrier.
Pier 86 (W. 46th St. at Twelfth Ave.)
212/245-0072