New York City is the gateway to America, the land of dreams. People from all over the world live here. It is the city that transforms people from all lands into Americans and – as they continue to live here – New Yorkers. There is so much to do in this iconic city; there’s learning and fun places, theatres, parks, shopping and more. Here is a list of a few great places to go and great things to do in New York.

1. The Empire State Building: This is the most photographed building in the world. The observatories on the 86^th and 102^nd floors provide a spectacular 360⁰ view of New York. The STATE Grill and Bar in the building promotes local farmers, brewers, winemakers and producers.
2. Central Park: It is a symbol of New York and filled with an amazing variety of activities. The Shakespeare Gardens, Alice in Wonderland, the Central Park Zoo, and the Carousel are great for kids. There is also the Discovery Centre, The Mall and Literary Walk, the statue of Balto, the hero dog of Alaska and the Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon.
3. The Statue of Liberty, gifted to the people of New York by the people of France is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. A tourist can visit this colossal copper statue with a ticket to the grounds, the museum, the pedestal or the crown.
4. Rockefeller Centre: This cultural hub is the brainchild of John Rockefeller Jr. Expert historians guide tourists through the many great works of art and architecture. On the 70^th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza there is a fantastic view of this great city.
5. Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art is called simply the Met. The museum has a collection of over 2 million works of art ranging from those of classical antiquity and Ancient Egypt to the European masters to American and Modern Art. African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine and Islamic forms of art are also represented. In addition there is a vast collection of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, weapons and armour.
6. Museum of Modern Art: The collection here is a dynamic one constantly evolving to embrace the latest trends in Art. There are over 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art representing more than 10,000 artists.
7. American Museum of National History: This is a research and educational institution with a collection of 32 million species and artefacts.
8. 911 Memorial; Spread over 8 acres of the 16 acre Ground Zero of the World Trade Centre, the Memorial is a tribute to the past and hope for the future. The names of every person who died in the attacks of Feb 26, 1993 and Sept 11, 2001 are inscribed in bronze around the memorial pools.
9. Madison Square Garden is a venue for sports, music and entertainment.
10. Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum: This is an educational and cultural institution centred on the air craft carrier Intrepid. It promotes awareness and understanding of history, science and service. It is dedicated to inspiring the youth and educating the public.
11. Museum of the Moving Image: This is the only museum dedicated to the art, history, techniques and technology of the moving image. The museum covers every form of moving image from the 19^th century optical toys to the latest in digital art.
12. Flushing Meadows Corona Park: This stunning recreation centre has been the site for two World Fairs. It offers space for tennis, baseball, cricket and soccer. There is a zoo, a museum, botanical garden, and science museum and baseball stadium.