New York

The largest park in Queens (and fourth largest park in all of New York City) has a little something for everyone, from jocks to artists: green recreational spaces for baseball, soccer and cricket, playgrounds, skateboarding areas, handball courts, dog runs, the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (home of the US Open) and Citi Field, home to the Mets

Coney Island—New York City's legendary amusement district—is not a theme park. Six Flags Great Adventure and Disneyland are nice places to spend some time, but they are gated, hermetically sealed worlds that cut visitors off from reality. This is something different: a seaside playground that's also a real-life NYC neighborhood. Its appeal comes not from a single source but from the combined force of its many individual attractions.

The memorial portion of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center was dedicated on September 11, 2011—the 10th anniversary of the attacks—with a ceremony for the families of victims, and opened to the public the following day. Admission requires a reservation, which is free if made in person.

New York City's skyline is truly awe-inspiring. The iconic skyscrapers, bridges, waterways, islands and monuments create a breathtaking panorama that is instantly recognizable worldwide.