No visit to New York – the city that never sleeps - would be complete without seeing the sights of Manhattan. With a rental car, you’re free to set your own itinerary and visit attractions just outside the city limits.
Historic attractions
It might be the modern heart of New York, but Manhattan has plenty of ancient history, going back to the Jurassic era with The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Packed with fascinating artifacts, highlights include an enormous fibreglass replica of a blue whale skeleton and the fossilized bones of a T-Rex. You can even touch the remains of long-extinct animals in the Hall of Vertebrae Origins.
As well as its museums, Manhattan is also home to one of the finest architectural sights to be found anywhere in New York. First opened to the public in 1913, the Grand Central Terminal remains a must-see for any visitor. Marvel at the famous arched windows, vaulted ceiling covered in stars and magnificent Glory of Commerce monument depicting Mercury, the Roman god of travel.
Poignant memorial
Well worth a visit during your time in Manhattan is the National September 11 Museum and Memorial. Here - at the spot where the Twin Towers once stood – you’ll find two reflecting pools with inscriptions of the names of those who lost their lives in the attacks of the 2001 attack and 1993 bombing.
The adjoining museum tells the story of 9/11 through photos, videos and survivor narratives, as well as artifacts including a burnt-out fire engine.
The In Memoriam and Historical Exhibition galleries include messages of remembrance from loved ones, as well as notes and photographs that illustrate the lives lost.
Visit the Village
On the west side of Lower Manhattan is Greenwich Village, home to some of the city’s finest jazz clubs and off-Broadway theatres. This part of the city played a central role in the counterculture scene of the 1960s, with icons such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix playing early gigs here at Café Wa?, a venue that’s still going strong today.
Take a stroll around Washington Square Park to watch the musicians, skateboarders and chess enthusiasts gather around the historic fountain. By night, take in a set at a comedy club on MacDougal Street or head to one of the nearby eateries to enjoy tapas, pizza and plenty more.
Out of the city
Rent a car in Manhattan and you’ll be able to explore plenty other destinations on the East Coast. To escape the busy city, head for the Hudson River Valley, which extends for 240km north of Manhattan to the state capital Albany. It’s a scenic drive past farms, orchards and riverside scenery that inspired the Hudson River School of Painters.
There are many popular hiking trails here, including Breakneck Ridge and Bull Hill, where you can enjoy spectacular views from spring through fall. If you’re visiting in winter you can hit the slopes at Thunder Ridge, or during summer you can enjoy a kayak tour off the shores of Norrie State Park. With Manhattan car rental, the choice is up to you.
Take in everything Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs have to offer with a rental car.
