Known as the City that Never Sleeps, New York City is the cultural hub on the east coast of the United States. A historical landmark since 1624, the city has represented the American Dream. Here are ten family friendly things to do in New York City:

Central Park

Central Park, Upper West Side, Manhattan photo credit: © NYC & Company

A large green space located in the smack middle of the concrete jungle, Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States. The Park has 843 acres and is 2.5 miles long and half a mile wide. Inside of the Park also lies the Central Park Zoo, the home of snow leopards, red pandas, penguins, Japanese macaque, birds, and California sea lions. Their current events include: the Amazing Race-Style Scavenger Hunt Adventure, Virtual Museum Mile Festival, and Bird Watching with Birding Bob. On the regular, you can take: Walking tours, carriage rides, rent bikes, bike tours, running and fitness tours, and pedicab tours.

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty, Libery Island, NYC  photo credit: © NYC & Company

A hefty gift from France to celebrate the alliance of France and the United States during the American Revolution, the Statue of Liberty represents freedom, inspiration, and hope. Gifted in 1886, this copper statue stands at 305 feet and 1 inch tall from top to bottom. You can take a virtual tour of the Statue of Liberty Museum. All Statue Cruises tickets include round trip ferry service with stops at Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Audio tours are included with every ferry ticket purchase.

Empire State Building

Built in 1931, the Empire State Building was named after the nickname of the state of New York, “the Empire State.” The 102-story Art Deco skyscraper. You can watch the Sunrise on the 86th Floor or attend the All Access Tour. Their observatories and exhibits include: The Site in the 1920s, Construction, Opening Day, Modern Marvel, Otis Elevators, Urban Campus, World’s Most Famous Building, Kong, Celebrity, NYC: Above and Beyond, Artistry in Light, Stephen Wiltshire’s Drawing, and Scenes of NYC. You can also watch the live cam of the building.

Times Square

Times Square, Manhattan, NYC  photo credit: © NYC & Company

One of the biggest tourist attractions in New York City (and that’s saying a lot!), Times Square is the cultural hub for dining, shopping, hotels, entertainment, and broadway. Also known for their large electronic billboards and advertisements, this 11,600 square ft commercial location is covered in light, day and night, and people!

Brooklyn Bridge

photo credit: © NYC & Company

A hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge stretches across the East River, connecting neighborhoods Manhattan and Brooklyn. The first fixed crossing, which used steel for cable wire, across the East River, the Bridge opened in 1883. Nearby, you can visit Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can visit one of the piers, bike on the Greenway, ride on the Fulton Ferry Landing or the Empire Fulton Ferry, walk on John Street, or visit Main Street.

9/11 Memorial Museum

Opening on September 11, 2011, the 9/11 Memorial Museum commemorates and honors the memory of the 2,983 people who passed away. Their exhibitions include: The Historical Exhibition, the Memorial Exhibition, Revealed: The Hunt for Bin Laden, and K-9 Courage. Their collection has more than 70,000 artifacts that document the fate of victims, survivors, and responders. The Museum also has virtual tours and oral histories available online.

Coney Island

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC  photo credit: © NYC & Company

Famous for being a remote island for summer fun and games, Coney Island has beaches, restaurants, and shops. The “People’s Playground” has a wide variety of rides and attractions filled with amusement park rides, roller coasters, boardwalks, mini-golf, arcades, museums, and even the New York Aquarium.

Carnegie Hall

Founded in 1889, Carnegie Hall strove to share extraordinary music and performers on the three stages. Its Rose Museum shares archival treasures, such as concert programs, photographs, autographed posters, and music sheets. Tours of the Hall, their Weill Music Institute, offers different types of education, including online resources.

Film at Lincoln Center

For half a decade, Film at the Lincoln Center returns every fall to celebrate a new set of worldwide filmography. Although they are not meeting in person for this year, you can enjoy their content through: Virtual Cinema, Talks, and Community Corner.

One World Observatory

Located on floors 100-102 of One World Trade Center, the One World Observatory is filled with exhibits and restaurants. Their experiences include the Global Welcome Center, Horizon Grid, Ride to the Top, Get Ready to See Forever, Step Out into the Sky Portal, Ask Our Experts at City Pulse, Raise Your Glass a Little Higher, Savor Illy Caffe & Gelateria, and Explore with Our Digital Skyline Guide. Reservations for Combination Admission: Speed & Digital Guide are available as well.

This article was originally published on Red PaSH Magazine, our sister publication.

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