6 Oldest Attractions to Visit on Your NYC Tour Bus

If you are traveling to the Big Apple and planning on taking a NYC tour bus, there are several attractions you won’t want to miss. Make sure to take some time to enjoy some of the oldest attractions in the city.

Ellis Island & the Statue of Liberty

This 37.5-acre slice of land just off Manhattan Island’s southern tip is more than likely connected to more Americans than any other place in the country. An estimation puts nearly half the U.S. populace as able to trace back to at least one person coming through this port. Close to a century after the peak of immigration, Ellis Island is still one of the most traveled destinations in the U.S. for travelers. You can’t miss the iconic Lady Liberty, dedicated to the American people and their pursuit of freedom in 1886. When on your NYC tour bus, make sure to catch this legendary part of the big city.

Merchant’s House Museum

One of just 2,400 attractions listed on the National Historic Landmark registry, the Merchant’s House Museum features 1832 late-Federal brick and the Greek revival décor throughout. Tour the many artifacts, learn about the family and servants, or get spooked by the ghosts that are said to haunt the museum.

Obelisk in Central Park

Also nicknamed Cleopatra’s Needle, this is by far the oldest outdoor monument in New York and perhaps in the U.S. This obelisk is part of a pair that was commissioned on the banks of the Nile around 1450 BC by Heliopolis. The Egyptian pharaoh was commemorating 30 years’ reign.

Bowling Green Park

If you’re in the Financial District, you must check out the Bowling Green that was laid out in 1733, establishing it as the oldest public park in the Big Apple. Before that, it was used as a cattle market and parade ground. One fun anecdote about the area: In 1770, the British put up a statue of King George III that was made of gilded lead. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the colonists tore the statue down and made it into bullets to use in their fight for independence.

Lombardi’s Pizza

Although it is not in its original location and it was closed for 10 years from 1984-1994, Lombardi’s is on record for being licensed by the city of New York in 1905. This makes it not only the oldest pizzeria in the five boroughs, but also the oldest in the United States. Before being a pizzeria, it was open as a grocery store from 1897. If you are on a NYC tour bus, don’t miss your chance at getting a slice from the oldest pizza place in the U.S.

Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum

Built in 1652, or when New York was still considered New Amsterdam, the Wyckoff House was a working farm until 1901. Currently, it is owned by New York City and is operated as a museum filled with colonial items. You can enjoy a guided tour and get a feel for what life was like in the past. Take some time enjoying learning how to traditionally pickle items or churn butter. In 1961, 309 years after the Wyckoff House was built, it became an official landmark.