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New York City is full of attractions that include famous buildings and landmarks, parks, festivals, sporting events, concerts, Broadway shows, and museums. But if you only have a weekend to spend in the Big Apple how about squeezing in visits to New York’s most famous and popular attractions.

Times Square

Times Square is a major intersection in the heart of New York’s theater district. It is at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and extends to 47th street. It is named after the New York Times newspaper, which was established in 1924. Times square at night is something no visitor to the city should miss. It is a pulsating area, brightly lit with neon lights and digitally animated advertisements. In fact, it is the only neighborhood in the city in which the businesses are required to have illuminated signs.

Besides the theaters, Times Square is now filled with upscale hotels, huge office towers, enormous stores, and a variety of themed restaurants. This spot gets so crowded that people resort to walking in the streets among the traffic.

Rockefeller Center

Built during the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center is a wonderful example of the art deco style of architecture that was popular during that era. The idea for this famous complex was that of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was meant to rejuvenate the area. As part of the design, artwork was incorporated throughout the complex.

Nineteen buildings make up the complex, including many choices for shopping and eating out. The NBC studios are located here and are open for tours daily. Famous Radio City Music Hall is part of the complex as well as the ice skating rink seen on television every Christmas along with the beautiful Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

In the midst of it all are the Channel Gardens where you can get away from all of the rock and concrete that make up the city. Sit on a bench and enjoy the quiet and the beautiful greenery.

Empire State Building

Even though this is probably one of the most “touristy” sites in the New York City, you should still make a visit to see New York’s tallest building. The observation deck on the 86th floor, 1050 feet in the air, provides a spectacular view of the city and makes the a stop at the Empire State Building worth the price of admission. For an additional fee, continue to the 102nd Floor Observatory

The Empire State Building is an important part of New York’s history. It was built during the Depression by John Jakob Raskob, the creator of General Motors. At that same time, Walter Chrysler of Chrysler Corp was building his Chrysler Building. Their object was to see who could build the tallest building.

Central Park

Central Park is a big part of the lives of the people of New York as an escape from the noise and chaos of the city. The park is 843 acres and is laced with paths that are always busy with people jogging, walking, and biking. There are also lakes and open spaces perfect for a lunchtime picnic. At any time you can catch some type of fun event in the Park, most of which are free.

Central Park was first opened in 1859 and was the first artificially landscaped park in the U.S.

Ellis Island

In January of 1892, Ellis Island opened and consequently became the leading federal station for immigration. It operated as such until 1954. More than 12 million steamship passengers immigrated to the U.S. and were processed through Ellis Island during this time.

Ellis Island is in the Upper New York Bay. You can get there by ferry from Liberty State Park or Battery Park in Southern Manhattan. Harbor tours include Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift and token of friendship from France to the people of the U.S. It still symbolizes today the concepts of freedom and democracy. The statue was dedicated in 1886. It sits on it’s own 12 acre island near Ellis Island.

This is another one of the most popular things to do in New York and therefore requires advance planning. Thousands of people every day make the trip to Liberty Island and up into the Statue of Liberty. Reservations are definitely required and they are also limited. The lines to get tickets and to get aboard the ferries are often very long.

Grand Central Terminal

Even if you don’t have plans to catch a train, a walking tour around Grand Central Terminal is well worth the time. You’ll find yourself recognizing things you many have scene in many a movie, like the famous four-sided clock in the center of the Main Concourse. While standing at the clock, you can look straight up and see the amazing mural of over 2,500 stars illuminated with fiber optics that covers the entire Main Concourse. There are two beautiful grand staircases and huge chandeliers also in the Main Concourse.

Two ramps, called the Oyster Bar Ramps take you down to the lower level and stop right in front of the Oyster Bar. Near there is the Whispering Gallery, probably one of the most popular attractions in the terminal. A person facing the wall in one corner can whisper into the wall and be heard by a second person at the opposite end of the wall.

If You Have Time

No one can take in all these exciting attractions in a weekend, so pick and choose carefully. Some other options to consider are:

· Greenwich Village with its old-fashioned brownstones
· Battery Park, which played a part in the Revolutionary War
· Famous stores like Bergdorf Goodman (think of it as New York City’s Harrod’s) and FAO Schwartz
· The Metropolitan Museum of Art
· St. Patrick’s Cathedral
· The Chrysler Building