Dubbed as "The Big Apple," New York has been a famous city in the United States. Many people dream of visiting NYC because of its amazing Broadway shows, accommodating restaurants, and world-famous sites where you can do many thrilling activities. If traveling to New York City is on your bucket list, we're here to introduce some exciting recreations that you can do in the city.

The Big Apple: How New York City Got Its Nickname

New York has been one of America's top apple growers. Surprisingly, its nickname has nothing to do with fruit production. Before you get too excited about the fun, thrilling adventures you can do in NYC, would it be better to know how it got its nickname? 

The Big Apple, NYC's nickname, became famous because of horse racing. In fact, during the 1920s, John Fitz Gerald, a New York City newspaper reporter back then, had heard that the African-American stable hands in New Orleans were going to "The Big Apple." They were referring to New York City, whose race tracks were considered big-time venues. 

Gerald started to mention the Big Apple in his newspaper columns. Meanwhile, in the 1930s, jazz musicians adopted the term to refer to New York City. Another reason is that NYC has been home to big-league music clubs.

What to Do in NYC

If you are visiting New York City soon, you might need a hand when it comes to choosing the best places to visit. Before you get overwhelmed with the city's number of must-visit destinations, it is essential to list down NYC's top-rated sites you need to see first. Take a look at the following featuring New York's top attractions:

Broadway and the Theater District

Watching a Broadway show is one of the top things you need to do in New York City since NYC is known for this kind of art. The Broadway and the Theater District have significant contributions to the American theater. Visiting this place allows you to see the latest shows as well as the long-running classics.

Central Park

Do you want a relaxing recreation in New York? Try walking, riding a carriage, or pedaling through the crisscrossing pathways of Central Park. This place is a huge park located in the city, which is half-mile wide and 2.5 miles long. Central Park is a popular choice for tourists because it doesn't require you to spend lots of money, but you can still enjoy the NYC vibes. The best thing about this place is you can go skating here during the winter.

Empire State Building

If you ask both locals and those who have been to NYC, they'll probably tell you that the Empire State Building is one of the city's key tourist attractions. It measures 381-meter-tall and consists of 102 stories. It was considered the tallest building globally except when the World Trade Center tower rose higher 41 years later. You can go to the 86th Floor Observatory (1,050 feet), which is the city's highest open-air observation deck. Enjoy the stunning urban views, and don't forget to take Instagram-worthy pictures.

Fifth Avenue

If you want to shop for souvenirs or try New York City's mouth-watering delicacies, Fifth Avenue is the best place to go. It is considered one of America's most famous shopping streets in which many top designers have their flagship stores.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Artists worldwide take time to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or popularly known as the Met. It was founded in 1870, which became one of the most famous museums in the United States. It is home to more than two million works of art spanning 5,000 years. If you are into arts, or your loved one does, going to the Met should be on your bucket list.

Statue of Liberty

Besides the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty is one of New York City's iconic sights. For some travelers, going to this place and taking a picture with the statue as the background is the first thing you need to do in NYC. Who would not want to have a souvenir picture of this great attraction? The Statue of Liberty was France's gift to America. It became a symbol of freedom globally; making it a world-famous attraction. 

Times Square

Times Square is a busy and crowded place, but it can give you NYC vibes because of its establishments. It is a popular destination for photographers since it is ideal for different kinds of photography. It would be best to visit Times Square during Christmas and New Year since exciting events happen here.

There are many astounding places that you can visit in the United States. And If you can't choose which one to go to, New York City is highly recommended. Not only is it home to numerous world-famous sites, but there are so many things to learn in this place. So whichever time zone you are in right now, make sure to visit New York to meet tourists worldwide, shop top-designer clothes and shoes, and eat NYC's sumptuous meals.