New York City was founded in 1625 as a Dutch trading post and has been considered the United States’ largest city since 1790 with 322 square miles. It is also the most densely populated area in the United States with over 8.2 million locals. Other than being a center of business, trade and finance, New York City is also the headquarters of one of the most influential supranational bodies in the whole world: the United Nations.

With over 40 million local and foreign tourists, you can consider New York as one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. Who can tour New York City without paying a visit to the Empire State Building? Considered as the number one tourist attraction in New York with ten to twenty thousand visitors daily, the Empire State Building was formally opened in May 1, 1930 by the then President Hoover. It stands at 1,453 feet and one can see almost 80 miles of the city’s landscape and area in the observation deck in a clear day. The Empire State building has 102 floors and 1, 860 steps. Visitors are encouraged to buy tickets online to prevent long hours of waiting. Tickets prices varies depending if you’re a senior, adult or child. The Empire State Building opens from 8 am to 2 am and the elevators start at 1: 15 am.

The second most visited tourist attraction is the Statue of Liberty which was shipped from France and completed in October 28, 1886. Maybe considered as one of New York’s landmarks, it offers free admission to the Liberty State Park but one has to ride a ferry to go there. Ferry prices ranges and tickets are sold online. The Statue of Liberty is one of those tourist destinations with tight security often requiring visitors to go through x-ray, baggage inspection and metal detectors.

Is it any wonder that Grand Central makes the top three most frequently visited areas in New York? It was opened in 1913 and has undergone many renovations since then becoming not just a terminal but is also a hub for shopping and dining. You can also try the Michael Jordan Steak House and the Metrazur for an unforgettable dining experience. Art exhibitions and events are also presented at the Vanderbilt Hall.

Who can not know the Rockefeller Center, home to the Today Show, NBC Studios, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Saturday Night Live. It was conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1929 and was built during the Great Depression providing much needed jobs to New Yorkers. The complex includes nineteen buildings showcasing great art, architecture, shopping and a variety of delectable restaurants. Admission in the Rockefeller Center is free and is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.