Top 20 most beautiful monuments in New-York2026 ranking

Even if the Empire State Building might not offer the best view of New York anymore, the view from the top is still incredible. The building is iconic regardless and has a history all its own. You can discover it for yourself once you are there. At the top, there is not a huge amount of space, but the panorama will not disappoint you.

For my part, I really liked my visit to the Statue of Liberty. It is true that she is not huge, but it remains a powerful historical symbol. The boat trip to get there is very nice. I do not necessarily agree with the other negative reviews, for me it is still something to see.

The roof of the Chrysler Building, on the island of Manhattan in New York, stands out from any viewpoint in the city. Just like the Empire State Building, its crystal-shaped roof is very recognizable. This elegant building was the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation for a long time before shops moved into the ground floor. Good to know: you cannot climb up the spire of the Chrysler Building, you can only go into the lobby.

As its name suggests, the Williamsburg Bridge connects the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg to the island of Manhattan. It is one of the three most well-known bridges spanning the East River, along with the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Like Brooklyn, Williamsburg attracts more and more tourists for its vintage clothing shops, its street art, its eccentric locals, and its alternative party spot, House of Yes.

Belvedere Castle has an old-fashioned vibe that is really charming. We went there during a walk through the green lungs of New York, Central Park. The main draw is the panoramic view from this hilltop rather than the castle itself. Because of its rocky style, it reminded me a bit of the Buttes Chaumont park in Paris. You can take a quick look around before continuing your walk.

The Flatiron Building is an office building located on the island of Manhattan in New York. It gets its name from its shape like a... clothes iron. Do not go there just to see it, walk through the neighborhood from or toward Times Square, it is about thirty minutes away. In the area, I recommend having a drink at the beautiful 230 Fifth rooftop. In the early evening, you can go without a reservation because the bar is huge.

I found the visit to Ellis Island, included in the boat tour to the Statue of Liberty, absolutely fascinating. It brings to mind so many movies about the history of migrants to the New World. You discover the selection process for hopeful arrivals in great detail. It is even possible to answer a question to see if we would have been accepted into the United States. Using the ship manifests, you can also have fun searching to see if any of your ancestors were part of the adventure. An interactive museum just the way we like them.

St. Patrick's Cathedral is surprising because of its location. It is actually situated not far from Rockefeller Center, on Fifth Avenue, a modern neighborhood full of concept stores and skyscrapers. You have to say that it competes with them in terms of size, at 338 feet tall. It is supposedly even the largest Neo-Gothic style cathedral in North America! It really stands out with its two huge spires. Inside, it looks like many other religious buildings, with its beautiful stained glass and large rose window. Admission is free during opening hours.

The Manhattan Bridge is one of the two famous bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn. You have probably already seen that traditional photo of this bridge framed by the red brick buildings of Brooklyn. It is taken from Washington Street, in the Dumbo neighborhood. On the Manhattan side, you can take this suspension bridge starting from Chinatown. You will get a really beautiful view of the skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge, which is better known by tourists.

At the World Trade Center, not far from the twin towers, an immense tower was born "in their place": the One World Trade Center. It is part of the modern complex made up of the Oculus, the World Trade Center station, the memorial, and the museum. At 541.3 meters tall, it has become the tallest tower in New York. You can head up to the top. The view is a great complement to the towers in northern Manhattan because you will get a better look at the south side of the island.