New York is a city with an enormously rich history. There are few cities in the USA that can offer as much to lovers of history as New York City, making it a wonderful travel destination for any history buff. Filled with museums and galleries, castles, historic landmarks and sites of incredible historical significance, the city is a paradise for anyone with a passing interest in the past, and you can easily spend an entire holiday here indulging your love of history.
A history-based vacation in New York City can be a joy and is easy to organize. However the sheer size, scale, and vibrancy of the city can also mean that you can be overwhelmed by choices about what to see, and easily miss out on some of the best and most important bits.
In order to give fellow history lovers a helping hand, we’ve rounded up the best and most significant historical sights and experiences in the city. So whether you are planning a weekend in the Big Apple before heading off to an exotic location on one of the many exciting cruises from NYC, or you are organizing a history-specific vacation to the city, take a look below at our list of the best of historical attractions in New York City.
Museum of the City of New York
The result of five years of hard work, the amazing New York at its Core permanent exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York is the last word in telling the full story of this amazing city. Taking visitors on an exhilarating journey from New York’s roots as a thriving Dutch village to today’s ‘Capital of the World’, this is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in how New York came to be.
The rest of this excellent museum is well worth a look too. With a constantly changing line-up of fantastic temporary displays exploring the minutiae of New York life, culture and history, there’s always something here to grab your attention.
Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum
An awesome museum for many reasons, but the real kicker here is that it is housed aboard an actual, real-life decommissioned aircraft carrier! The Intrepid now serves as a historical landmark, and the museum onboard explores some of the most important contributions the US has made to the fields of aeronautics, marine exploration and space travel…and vice versa!
Discover what life was like on the submarine Growler, step inside the supersonic airplane Concorde, and take a look at the prototype NASA space orbiter at the Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Ellis Island National Museum of Migration
One of the most significant and important museums in the city, and even in the whole country, this is where life as an American started for so much of the population. Ellis Island was the first entry point to the country for over 12 million immigrants and was the busiest immigration station in the US throughout the 19th century and the first half of the 20th.
A journey to explore the origins of modern America can also be paired with a visit to one of NYC’s most famous historical landmarks, the Statue of Liberty. Don’t miss the chance to get an up-close and personal look at this magnificent icon of the city, originally a gift from the people of France in the 19th century.
Morgan Library and Museum
New York might not immediately stand out as the perfect destination for fans of religious history, but the Morgan Library and Museum offers a rebuttal to that assumption. Their magnificent collection includes an original Gutenberg Bible, and a wonderful display of other important religious artifacts. Alongside these, the highlights of this charming spot include some of Henry David Thoreau’s original writings, an ancient cylinder seal and some of Mozart’s handwritten compositions.
Wyckoff House Museum
The Wyckoff House Museum offers history buffs the chance to delve right back into New York’s earliest beginnings, when it was not much more than a small, albeit thriving, village populated by Dutch settlers. Wyckoff House was built in 1652, and is now the oldest surviving home in the city. The original building has been restored and renovated over the years, but the original fireplace is still very much in existence. The house is only accessible by guided tours, so make sure you book in advance.
New York’s food scene
Perhaps not a traditional recommendation for history lovers, but New York’s food culture is steeped in history. Grab a bite at Delmonico’s, where fine dining in the city began in 1825. Rub shoulders with the ghosts of thespians from the past 90 years at Sardi’s, or try one of the famous sandwiches at the institution that is Katz’s Delicatessen, probably New York’s most famous restaurant, serving its classic sandwiches since 1888.