An icon of New York, the Statue of Liberty is so much more than a monument. After a 15-minute ferry ride, you'll find yourself dwarfed by the statue, a symbol of freedom and friendship. Once there, guided tours are available around Liberty Island, or you can do your own tour and admire the history and views at your own pace. If you plan to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, we recommend catching the ferry before 1pm to allow yourself enough time on the island.

One of the most famous buildings on the New York skyline, the Empire State Building observatory is a popular attraction. Located on the 86th floor, some 1,050 feet above the streets, the building offers impressive views across New York. Drop a few coins in the telescopes and look around the city, or match up the views with the maps.

The Rockefeller Center, named after its developer John D Rockefeller Junior, is made up of 19 buildings in the Midtown area. A mixture of commercial properties, public artworks and art-deco buildings, the Rockefeller Center is well worth your time to visit. Head up to the observation deck, Top of the Rock, or take a tour of NBC Studios. The ice-skating rink and Radio City Music Hall are also popular attractions.

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is an amazing way to experience both New York and Brooklyn. As you cross the East River, you'll see Lady Liberty to one side watching over Manhattan. Whether you leave from the Manhattan or Brooklyn side, you'll be blown away by the views. As you make your way across the bridge, admire the amazing structure and impressive granite towers.

Grand Central Terminal, often referred to as Grand Central Station, is a New York attraction that's often underrated. Featuring a vaulted ceiling with the constellations across it as well as bronze and gold statues and accents throughout, Grand Central boasts some seriously stunning architecture. The terminal, one of the busiest in the world, also houses shops and restaurants.

Linking the borough of Staten Island to Manhattan, the Staten Island Ferry is a passenger service that transports more than 21 million passengers every year. Taking 25 minutes, the ferry ride provides amazing views of Lower Manhattan including the Statue of Liberty and the Financial District. Even better, the ferry ride is free.

Opposite Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building displays some of the most spectacular art-deco designs in the world. While it no longer has an observation deck open to the public, the lobby is open Monday to Friday to see the gorgeous ceiling mural and the styling that's reflective of the jazz era.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) features some of the biggest names in the art world. You'll find works here from Picasso, Pollock, Salvador Dali and Matisse, making this one of New York's most prestigious attractions. If you plan to see the entire museum, be sure to stop for something to eat in the onsite cafes.

The American Museum of Natural History in Central Park West is spread across four floors, giving you an insight into our incredibly diverse world. With exhibitions covering humans, geology, fossils and space, it's easy to spend hours or even a whole day here. The displays here are incredible, including the massive blue whale and some prehistoric skeletons.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as The Met, can be found on Museum Mile in the Upper East Side. One of the largest galleries in the world, there are some 19 departments here, featuring more than two million pieces of art. There is something to suit all interests, from medieval art to modern art and photography exhibits.

On the Upper East Side, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or the Guggenheim as it's more commonly known, is a modern art museum. The architecture of the building itself is a hint to the creativity housed inside. The museum follows a gentle spiral, unlike any other museum, and showcases works from Kandinsky, Manet, and Picasso.

Surrounding Times Square, there are some 40 different Broadway shows on offer at any time. Some of the longest-running shows can be found here, such as West Side Story. While tickets to most shows aren't cheap, this is an amazing opportunity to see big names on stage. Getting tickets can be somewhat difficult, so be prepared to book early or take what you can get.