New York City is one of the most famous and iconic cities in the world. As a global hub of finance, media, culture, art, fashion, research, technology, and entertainment, New York has established itself as a leading city across numerous industries. From breathtaking skyscrapers and bustling streets to world-renowned museums and Broadway shows, New York offers endless sights, attractions, dining, and entertainment options.
With a population of over 8 million people, New York City is the most populous city in the United States. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island each have their own unique identities and dynamic neighborhoods. From the non-stop energy of Times Square to the bohemian streets of Greenwich Village, New York is a vibrant melting pot of culture and diversity.
But what exactly makes New York so famous? What are the iconic sights, attractions, institutions, cuisine, arts, and more that give New York City its reputation as one of the greatest cities in the world? This article will explore the many things that make New York famous.
Famous Sights & Attractions
New York is home to some of the most recognizable landmarks and tourist attractions in the world. Here are some of the sights that make New York iconic:
The Statue of Liberty
Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. It opened in 1886 and became an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy. The statue was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Visitors can access the statue’s crown via a 168-step climb inside.
Times Square
The bright lights and billboards of Times Square make it one of New York’s most visited attractions. At the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, Times Square is the hub of New York’s theater district and entertainment scene. New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square are broadcast across the world.
Central Park
As one of the world’s greatest urban parks, Central Park offers 843 acres of green space in the middle of Manhattan. It contains winding paths, lakes, bridges, sculptures, fountains, and grassy fields for sports and recreation. Designed in the 1850s, Central Park receives over 25 million visitors per year.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was one of the earliest suspension bridges. Linking the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the granite towers and cable design make it an architectural icon, with beautiful city views along its promenade.
Rockefeller Center
This commercial and entertainment complex in Midtown Manhattan contains art deco skyscrapers and studios. Rockefeller Center is famous for the annual Christmas tree lighting and its indoor skating rink on the plaza. The top of the Rock observation deck offers panoramic views from the 70th floor.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is the most visited train station in the world. The magnificent Beaux-Arts style hub opened in 1913 as a terminal for intercity trains. Its vast main concourse with vaulted ceilings makes Grand Central an architectural marvel.
The High Line
Built on a historic freight rail line elevated above Manhattan’s streets, the High Line is a public park and green space. This innovative reuse of infrastructure offers walking paths through gardens, public art installations, and great city views.
Empire State Building
For over 80 years, the Art Deco Empire State Building has been an iconic part of the New York City skyline. At 102 stories and 1,454 feet tall, it stood as the world’s tallest building until 1971. Visitors to the top get unmatched panoramic views of the city.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Memorial consists of reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The 9/11 Museum displays artifacts from the attacks and offers tributes to those lost.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
With over 2 million works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Met is the largest art museum in the U.S. This world-renowned museum houses iconic works and artifacts from ancient Egypt, classical antiquity, paintings by European masters, American art, modern art, African art, Asian art and more.
Famous Institutions & Organizations
In addition to iconic places, New York is home to many leading organizations and institutions. Here are some of New York’s most significant and influential institutions:
United Nations Headquarters
As an international diplomatic hub, New York City has been home to the United Nations Headquarters since 1952. The UN Secretariat building and General Assembly hall are located on the East Side of Midtown Manhattan.
New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street is the world’s largest stock exchange. It has a market capitalization over $26 trillion, larger than the Tokyo and London stock exchanges combined. The opening bell ceremony is a famous tradition.
Broadway Theater District
Broadway theater productions in New York City are the pinnacle of American performing arts. The Broadway district in Midtown Manhattan contains 41 large theaters that bring in over $1 billion in ticket sales per year.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is one of the leading libraries in the world with over 90 locations. Its flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman building on 5th Avenue houses notable research collections and exhibits like the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals.
Columbia University
Columbia University in Morningside Heights is one of the Ivy League schools in New York City. Founded in 1754, the university operates prestigious graduate schools of journalism, business, law, medicine and more.
New York University
New York University is the largest private university in the U.S. Founded in 1831, it has developed into a global leader in higher education. The main campus is located in Greenwich Village. NYU operates study-abroad sites on six continents.
American Museum of Natural History
With 45 permanent exhibit halls, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. Famous exhibits include the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs featuring fossilized dinosaur skeletons.
The Bronx Zoo
Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo first opened in 1899 and is one of the oldest U.S. zoos. It contains over 6,000 animals including endangered and rare species. Exhibits like the Congo Gorilla Forest aim to simulate natural habitats.
The Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is a world-renowned opera company based at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center. The Met produces over 25 operas with creative stagings and costumes as well as concerts and dance performances during its annual season.
Famous Sports Teams
The major sports leagues all have teams representing New York City that attract millions of passionate fans. New York’s sports rivalries and championships make the city’s teams famous icons.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have won 27 World Series titles, more than any other Major League Baseball franchise. They play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and are estimated to be worth over $5 billion. Some all-time greats like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter have played for the Yankees.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks compete in the National Basketball Association as one of the oldest teams in the league. They play home games at Madison Square Garden and have a storied rivalry with the Boston Celtics. Stars like Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony have played for the Knicks.
New York Giants
The New York Giants football team plays in the NFL and has won four Super Bowl championships. Some famous players include Lawrence Taylor, Eli Manning, and Michael Strahan. They share MetLife Stadium with the New York Jets.
New York Rangers
As one of the “Original Six” NHL franchises, the New York Rangers have won the Stanley Cup four times. The Rangers play at the iconic Madison Square Garden arena and are valued at over $2 billion.
New York Mets
Joining MLB as an expansion team in 1962, the New York Mets play at Citi Field in Queens. They won the World Series in 1969 and 1986 behind stars like Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza. Their rivalry with the Yankees makes the Subway Series exciting.
Famous People
Many influential historical figures and celebrities have called New York their home. Here are some of the famous names associated with New York City:
Alexander Hamilton
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton immigrated to New York and was instrumental in championing the U.S. Constitution. He served as the first Secretary of the Treasury and founded the Bank of New York.
John D. Rockefeller
Industrialist John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in New York which became the world’s largest oil refinery. His wealth made him the world’s richest person in history when adjusted for inflation.
Lou Gehrig
New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games over 15 seasons. His courage in battling a fatal disease led to its informal name as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as Governor of New York before being elected President of the United States four times. He led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. FDR’s presidency also saw the establishment of the United Nations.
Eleanor Roosevelt
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was a prominent human rights activist and diplomat. After FDR’s death, she continued to live in New York City and worked on drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the UN.
Walt Whitman
Poet and journalist Walt Whitman spent most of his life in Brooklyn and Manhattan. His famous poetry collection Leaves of Grass was first published in 1855 during his time in New York.
Truman Capote
Novelist Truman Capote was born in New Orleans but spent much of his early life in New York City. He was most famous for his true crime novel In Cold Blood as well as Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Andy Warhol
Pop artist Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. He produced silkscreen paintings and experimental films at his studio The Factory in Midtown Manhattan.
Woody Allen
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Woody Allen is an acclaimed director, actor, and comedian. He has written and directed many films set in New York City such as Annie Hall and Manhattan.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez moved to Manhattan after growing up in the Bronx. She found fame as a singer, dancer, and actress. JLo remains an influential pop culture icon and philanthropist.
Jay-Z
One of the most commercially successful rappers, Jay-Z was raised in Brooklyn. Many of his lyrics reference growing up in New York. He founded the entertainment company Roc Nation and owns the Roc Nation record label.
Famous Foods & Cuisine
From street food to Michelin-star restaurants, dining in New York offers an immense range of food options. Here are some of the iconic foods that New York is most famous for:
New York-Style Pizza
Huge, thin-crust pies loaded with cheese and fresh toppings make New York-style pizza distinct from Chicago or Neapolitan. Famous NYC pizza joints include Grimaldi’s, Joe’s Pizza, and Arturo’s.
Pastrami on Rye
Pastrami served on rye bread with mustard is a classic New York deli sandwich. Places like Katz’s Delicatessen and Carnegie Deli slice the pastrami fresh right off the bone.
New York Hot Dogs
Served in a soft steamed bun, NYC hot dogs are topped with sauerkraut, onions, relish, ketchup and mustard. Gray’s Papaya and Nathan’s Famous are hot spots for hot dogs.
Bagels
Dense, chewy bagels are a staple of New York City. Establishments like Ess-a-Bagel and Absolute Bagels offer bagels boiled and then baked into perfect circles.
Cronuts
Chef Dominique Ansel invented the cronut, a croissant doughnut hybrid that took New York by storm. These flaky pastries come in flavors like Valrhona chocolate and go fast at Ansel’s bakery.
Cheesecake
Junior’s Restaurant is credited with creating New York-style cheesecake. The smooth, dense cake comes in flavors like strawberry and is served in iconic diner-style restaurants around the city.
Black & White Cookies
These cakey cookies have an iconic look with half vanilla and half chocolate frosting. Taste the crispy cookies from William Greenberg Desserts and other NYC bakeries.
Egg Creams
Ironically containing neither eggs nor cream, the classic New York egg cream drink mixes seltzer water, milk, and chocolate syrup for a refreshing bubbly sip.
Street Meat
Food carts across New York sell delicious street meat from BBQ to gyros, shawarma, schnitzel, and more. Halal Guys with their chicken and rice is world-famous NYC street meat.
Fashion & Shopping
As a global fashion capital, New York City defines trends in style, fashion, and shopping. Some highlights include:
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue in Midtown is lined with prestigious designer brands and department stores like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Tiffany & Co. Flagship storefronts display the latest fashions.
SoHo
The trendy neighborhood of SoHo (South of Houston) contains boutiques, fashion designers, and major retail chains. Brands like Prada, MoMA Design Store, and Bloomingdale’s populate the cast iron buildings.
Madison Avenue
Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side houses many high-end fashion designers. Brands like Chanel, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Hermès, and more occupy glamorous boutiques.
Garment District
Located between 35th and 40th Streets from Fifth to Ninth Avenue, the Garment District has been the center of New York’s fashion manufacturing industry for over a century.
Century 21
Century 21 department store in downtown Manhattan’s Financial District offers heavily discounted prices on designer brands, fashion, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and more.
Barneys New York
Founded in Manhattan in 1923, Barneys luxury specialty stores sell designer collections for men, women, and the home. They are known for exclusive brand partnerships and seasonal displays.
Museums & Culture
World-renowned museums, music, and performance venues make New York City an unparalleled arts and culture destination.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim’s innovative spiral architecture houses modern art masterpieces. Temporary exhibits and installations from contemporary artists are also displayed in this landmark NYC museum.
Museum of Modern Art
MoMA contains works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and other modern art icons. The museum expands art collections and exhibitions into photography, architecture, design, film, and electronic media.
Apollo Theater
Located in Harlem, the Apollo Theater has been a vital venue for African American musical artists since 1934. It hosted legendary acts like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and James Brown. Amateur Night showcases new talent.
Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is home to leading fine arts companies like the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, and more. The campus contains acclaimed venues like David Geffen Hall, the David H. Koch Theater, and other stages.
Carnegie Hall
Since 1891, illustrious classical music artists and orchestras have taken the stage at Carnegie Hall. The grand and historic venue hosts visiting symphonies along with jazz, pop, folk, choir, ensemble, and world music performances.
Broadway Theater District
Broadway theaters produce exciting musicals, dramas, comedies, and more. Long-running NYC shows include The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Wicked.
Nightlife
After dark, New York City comes alive with nightclubs, music venues, cabarets, speakeasies and lounges. Here’s a taste of NYC nightlife:
Comedy Cellar
This tiny Greenwich Village club has launched careers of stand-up comedians through their intense performing schedule. Big names often drop in unannounced to test out new material at Comedy Cellar.
Village Vanguard
Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village has been a preeminent jazz club since 1935. Legends like John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Wynton Marsalis have graced the small basement stage for intimate sets.
Catskill Resorts
During the 20th century, resorts in the Catskill Mountains north of NYC, also known as the Borscht Belt, became lively hubs of stand-up comedy, with many comedians getting their start on their stages.
Smalls Jazz Club
Smalls in Greenwich Village is a premier spot for up-and-coming jazz musicians. The low-key basement venue offers a new generation of talent carrying on NYC’s jazz legacy.
House of Yes
For a flavor of Brooklyn nightlife, House of Yes is a circus-themed dance and performance venue offering wild costume theme nights with cabaret and burlesque shows.
Architecture & Infrastructure
As one of the earliest American metropolises, New York City expanded rapidly and features diverse and historic architecture.
Empire State Building
The Art Deco-style Empire State Building opened in 1931 as the world’s tallest building at 102 stories high. It remains an iconic NYC skyscraper with observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors.
Chrysler Building
Another art deco NYC skyscraper, the Chrysler Building was completed in 1930. It was briefly the world’s tallest building and is recognizable by its triangular-shaped, vaulted spire.
One World Trade Center
Built on the site of the original World Trade Center towers, One WTC stands as the tallest building in the U.S. at 1,776 feet tall. The 104-story skyscraper opened in 2014 as the anchor of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex.
Flatiron Building
Built-in 1902, the Flatiron Building’s triangular shape fits the wedge-shaped site at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. It was one of the tallest early skyscrapers and is an iconic NYC landmark.
New York City Subway
Operating since 1904, the New York City Subway is one of the world’s oldest public transit systems. The 472 stations make it the largest subway system in the world by number of stations. Ridership exceeds 5 million passengers per day.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913 as a grand Beaux-Arts rail station with innovations like ramps instead of staircases. The magnificent Main Concourse serves commuter rail lines heading north of New York.
The High Line
Transformed from abandoned elevated freight tracks, the High Line is an innovative linear park that allows people to experience city views, art installations, and landscaping. The reuse of old infrastructure has inspired other cities.
Brooklyn Bridge
Opened in 1883 as the first steel suspension bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge connected Manhattan across the East River. For over a century, the granite towers and web of cables have made it a New York icon.
Rockefeller Center
This landmark commercial complex opened in the 1930s featuring art deco skyscrapers and plazas. Rockefeller Center has studios for NBC, Radio City Music Hall performance venue, and the famous ice skating rink.
Media & Entertainment
New York City dominates American media as the headquarters of major TV networks, record labels, ad agencies, and publications.
Saturday Night Live
NBC’s long-running sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live is broadcast from 30 Rockefeller Plaza. SNL has launched the careers of countless comedians since premiering in 1975.
MTV Studios
MTV broadcasts many of its shows from studios inside the Paramount Building in Times Square. Programs like Total Request Live brought huge crowds to their Times Square studio.
The Late Show
The Ed Sullivan Theater has been the home of The Late Show franchise for decades. Since 2015, Stephen Colbert has hosted The Late Show in the theater on Broadway near Times Square.
Advertising Industry
Madison Avenue in Manhattan gives its name to the American advertising industry from the many agencies based there. Omnicom, Interpublic, and WPP are examples of major ad firms headquartered in New York.
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is headquartered at 345 Hudson Street and is responsible for shows like The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Inside Amy Schumer, and South Park. The NY studios host late-night talk shows and roasts.
Record Labels
NYC houses the headquarters of major record labels like Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group. They represent popular artists across every genre from pop to hip hop.
Book Publishing
The “Big Five” tradebook publishers are all based in Manhattan. Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan Publishers, and Hachette Book Group dominate consumer book publishing in the U.S.
New York Times
Located on 8th Avenue in Manhattan, The New York Times is among the most prestigious newspapers in America. The NYT has won over 100 Pulitzer Prizes and sets much of the national media agenda.
Conclusion
In conclusion, New York City stands out as famous across the globe for good reason. As a cultural and financial capital, it contains world-iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, leading institutions, sports franchises, architecture, foods, fashion, arts, entertainment, and media.
New York earned its reputation through the sheer scale of superlatives, whether it’s the largest subway system, the most visited urban park, or the tallest skyscrapers. But the city’s fame also comes from intangible qualities like energy, diversity, creativity, and opportunity. From music and theater to finance and fashion, New York City has produced countless cultural touchpoints that define America.
While perceptions of New York range from gritty to glamorous, the complex metropolis contains multitudes. The city reinvents itself decade after decade, though landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building remain timeless symbols. For all its famous features, New York’s greatest asset may be the spirit of its people. The dynamic population of dreamers, artists, entrepreneurs, professionals, and immigrants gives New York City its unique character. There are as many reasons to love New York as there are people that call it home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes New York City famous?
New York is famous for being a cultural, financial, and media capital with iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, institutions, arts, cuisine, fashion, and entertainment. NYC is renowned for sights like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Broadway shows, world-class museums, and being home to Wall Street.
What are the most visited attractions in New York?
The most visited attractions in NYC are Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Rockefeller Center, Broadway shows, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the American Museum of Natural History.
What companies are headquartered in New York City?
Major companies headquartered in NYC include JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Verizon, Pfizer, PepsiCo, NBCUniversal, The Estée Lauder Companies, Colgate-Palmolive, The New York Times Company, Hearst, Interpublic Group of Companies, and many more.
How many people live in New York City?
The population of New York City is over 8.8 million as of 2022. The NYC metro area contains approximately 20 million people.
Why is NYC called “The Big Apple”?
In the 1920s, musicians coined the nickname “The Big Apple” to refer to New York City as the jazz capital and place where musicians could make it big. The term grew in popular usage over the decades.
What is the most popular food in New York?
Some of the most popular foods considered iconic to New York City include pizza, bagels, deli sandwiches, hot dogs, cheesecake, cronuts, street meat, and foods like egg creams and black & white cookies.
What makes the New York City skyline so famous?
The NYC skyline is so famous because of iconic skyscrapers and buildings like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, Bank of America Tower, and distinctive architecture like the art deco spire of the Chrysler Building.
Is New York City safe?
Like all major cities, New York does have crime but is considered relatively safe. NYC ranks among the safest large cities in the U.S. due to its low violent crime rate, robust police force, extensive surveillance, and overall vigilant preparedness.
How many languages are spoken in New York City?
Over 800 languages are spoken in NYC, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. At least 200 languages are spoken in Queens alone.
What makes Times Square so famous?
Times Square is famous for its bright billboards, advertising screens, Broadway theaters, New Year’s Eve ball drop, restaurants, iconic moments like the famous V-J Day kiss photo, and reputation as the “Crossroads of the World” with over 300,000 pedestrians daily.