New York to Las Vegas – From a City that Never Sleeps to the Entertainment Capital

New York and Las Vegas are two of the must-see destinations in the US, and if you don’t have enough time to see everything that these spectacular cities have to offer, then this is the perfect twin city dream holiday.

Many people choose to begin their holiday in New York, the city that never sleeps before travelling to the bright lights of “The Entertainment Capital of the World” Las Vegas, or sin city as it is now recognized by many.

New York City

For me even though many of New York’s emblematic attractions are very familiar to tourists from seeing them in movies or on television, I say there’s nothing like experiencing them first hand. Get on the Staten Island Ferry and sail by the Statue of Liberty. Explore Ellis Island and uncover the history of the settlers who gathered to the new world. Walk across the West Village or unwind in leafy Central Park. Trips to MoMa and the Guggenheim museums are also highly endorsed for culture vultures. Take in as much of the city as you can on your holiday to New York before travelling to Las Vegas!

What to Expect

A visit to New York City is a real bucket list essential, there are certain things you have to prepare yourself for, the following would only scratch the surface of what to expect but will arm you with information to feel confident during your time in New York City.

So Much Creativity – It’s one of the art metropolises of the world in the eyes of many, and it’s the place where so much creativity is born and lives. New York City is filled to the beams with people that enjoy displaying what they can do, even if it’s as an actor, a singer or through some other kind of craft. You can even be riding the subway back to your hotel, and then seconds later, someone gets onto the train and starts breakdancing their way up and down the carriage. No, I am not making that up.

Pizza All Over – From north to south and west to east – you aren’t going to be able to walk too many blocks in New York City without coming across a truly great pizza place. Or, otherwise, you’ll discover a really bad pizza place. Either way, this delicacy would be looking you directly in the face. Together with Chicago, it just seems as if these are the two destinations in the country that certainly take pizza to an entirely new level. Sure, it’s a remarkable meal to have wherever you might be, but New Yorkers surely have perfected the recipe.

Expensive Bars – Precise numbers don’t have to be detailed here, because while there are some cheap places for you to search for when you travel to NYC, there are also way, way more boozers that would charge you absurd fees for their drinks. They also charge for non-native people which is wrong, and sometimes you might come across a few bars that might charge you a cover charge for being a tourist. So always find out before you order or stay in alert for extra charges. Just try and locate a quieter bar down some of the more random roads as opposed to going too ‘tourist.’ Though, you should probably watch yourself in doing so.

Extraordinarily High Buildings – Everything –and we mean everything– is bigger than life, and it’s kind of wild that it can all fit onto such a tiny island. You might not be a fan of a gorgeous skyline, but even if that’s the case, you have to value the sheer size of it all.

Top Attractions in New York

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, has greeted new arrivals to the coasts of America for about a hundred years. Lady Liberty on her pedestal stands at a remarkable 93 meters (305 feet), which tourists can climb for sights of Brooklyn and Gustave Eiffel’s supportive structure. For those who decide not to climb the 154 steps to the crown, the pedestal provides sweeping views of the port and downtown New York City. Guided tours of Liberty Island are provided through the day by Park Rangers and self-guided audio, given in nine languages, the tour is incorporated with a ferry ticket to the island.

You should arrive early to evade lines & purchase your ticket ahead of time, if possible the first ferry which leaves at 9:30 am. Weekdays are better than weekends, and Fall and winter months are less packed and therefore more fun. On the other hand, the summer season provides the ideal weather, so it’s up to your priorities.

Empire State Building

The Iconic Empire State Building rises above a quarter of a mile over Manhattan and provides extensive views to the millions of tourists it draws every year. On a clear day, you can see New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. There are two observation decks in the tower, on the 86th floor and 102nd floor. Both provide remarkable views and fascinating facts about the building’s broad history and significance. The Empire State Building has made appearances in about 250 movies and was titled “America’s Favourite Architecture.” It is open every day from 9:30 am until midnight and tickets could be bought at the counter or online.

You should visit the empire state building during sunset to enjoy a stunning view of the skyline. The crucial lure of this time slot is certainly the sunset. If you’re fortunate, on a clear day, you could watch the city’s glow change from sun to electricity.

Central Park

Situated in the middle of Manhattan, Central Park is an extensive 840 acres and home to Belvedere Castle, the Central Park Zoo amongst several other attractions. For naturalists wanting to take a break from the vast city, unwinding in the Great Lawn or a stroll beside the extensive trails all through the park could provide a much-required relief. There are also lots of outdoor pursuits to amuse tourists which include catch and release fishing at the Dana Discovery Center, rowboat hires from the Loeb Boathouse. The park has six miles of cemented roads open just to joggers, bicyclists and also skateboarders and inline skaters. Central Park is also particularly pleasant for families with playgrounds and the Tisch Children’s Zoo.

It’s one of the most spectacular parks on the face of the earth, and I think that the fact it is bordered by a concrete jungle helps that. There’s something so enchanted about strolling through the centre of Central Park, and the ideal part is that it truly doesn’t matter what time of year you go there. Whether it’s the middle of summer or the tail-end of winter, you’re going to be able to seem like you’re the only person in the city – despite being surrounded by over eight million strangers.

Times Square

With around 39 million tourists yearly, Times Square is the world’s most toured tourist attraction. The bright lights and big-city atmosphere of this commercial intersection have iconified this location as “The Crossroad of the World.” Today, Times Square is the chief centre of the world’s entertainment industry. The yearly New Year’s Eve ball drop, which started in 1907, has been a staple of the square’s attraction. The shopping, entertainment and surplus of restaurants provide numerous activities and choices for every kind of traveller. It’s an area not to be missed on a trip to New York City.

You should visit Times Square once after dark (1 or 2 a.m. is better) – there will be lesser people, and the diverse billboard displays look amazing; and once in the morning (something like 9 a.m. rush hour) to see the crowds.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, constructed amid 1869 and 1883, is one of the oldest and most familiar suspension bridges in the world. It stretches 5,989 feet and links Manhattan to Brooklyn over the East River. Nearly 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 2,600 bicyclists go over the bridge every day. Tourists to the bridge could walk, drive, or bike across this prominent New York City landmark. There is a pedestrian walkway located above the traffic, where visitors could take in views of the port and both boroughs. The 2 km (1.3 miles) walk across the bridge provides lots of opportunities for admiring the New York skyline.

Entree to the Brooklyn Bridge is 24 hours per day and it is stunning at any time of day, but sunset is mainly a nice time to visit! This way, you could take in the views of both Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty while there is still light out and then watch as all the sights come alive with electric wonder.

Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock Observation Deck

View from Rockefeller Center
From Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Outside Rockefeller Center

When it comes to New York attractions, Rockefeller Center is on nearly all tourist’s tours. This massive entertainment and shopping compound in the centre of Manhattan is home to NBC-TV and other media, but the heart is the 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza, an Art Deco skyscraper that provides breathtaking views above Manhattan from the famous Top of the Rock Observation Deck. The “deck,” as it’s identified, consists of three floors, situated on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. Indoor and outdoor viewing spaces provide remarkable views by day or night. You can purchase a Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket ahead of time. These tickets come with a flexible voucher recovery policy, so you could change the date if your plans change or the weather doesn’t agree. Skating on the outdoor skating rink at the base of the tower is one of the most common things to do during winter in New York City and it’s a fun activity for families and couples. The rink is normally open from October to April.

After Thanksgiving, a giant Christmas tree is set up in front of the skating rink, lighting up the compound for the holiday season. Many people visit New York during December just to see this site. Another point of interest in this region is the popular bronze statue of Atlas in front of the International Building. It’s a famous subject for photographers.

You should visit during sunset, as everyone wants those picture-perfect views and photos. Nevertheless, this time is perfect as you get to view New York while it’s still daylight and when it gets dark. Book ahead of time, and you have to pick your day and time, but to see the sunset above New York City, it’s completely worth it.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, as it is generally known, was established during 1870, and is one of the most popular museums in the United States. The permanent collection of The Met holds nearly two million works of art, covering 5,000 years. If you’re an art fan, I think the Met is well worth a visit to its massive and varied selection. There’s no way to see everything this museum provides in one day, but just a couple of hours offers you a taste of its most significant jewels. The best day to visit the MET is on Fridays and Saturdays when you have the most flexibility in your visit since the museum is open until 9:00 pm.

Best Restaurants and Where to Stay When in New York and Las Vegas

For some of the best restaurants, and where to stay when in New York and Las Vegas read our Holiday Guide to USA Quad City 2024.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is well-known for its splendid hotels; household names such as The Mirage, Bellagio, and Venetian; there are fountains, attractions and interests in abundance to explore. Try your luck at the blackjack or roulette tables in the lavish surroundings of a Las Vegas casino or revel in the world-class entertainment of a Las Vegas show. Las Vegas is the beginning point for loads of great day trips, there are countless combinations to select from. Visit the Grand Canyon, see it from above by helicopter if you can. Red Rock Canyon, not far from Vegas, has lots of adventure pursuits for outdoor admirers.