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United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Photo: Kidfly182, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicHistory Buff

United Nations Headquarters

46th St & 1st Ave · New York, NY

Why you should go…

The United Nations complex, completed in 1952 on the East River, includes the 39-story Secretariat and the General Assembly Building, with the flags of all 193 member states lined up outside. One-hour guided tours visit the General Assembly Hall and Security Council Chamber when meetings permit. Every visitor must register on the UN security website before arriving, and children under 5 are not allowed on tours.

  • #guided tour
  • #united nations
  • #modern architecture
  • #midtown east

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to United Nations Headquarters, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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