New York is one of the most recognisable cities in the world and there are so many amazing attractions and places to visit.
New York is the world in microcosm. A city where you can find virtually anything you want at any time of day or night. Food cooked in a thousand styles, drink consumed amongst a variety of company, a world-renowned selection of the arts and abundant shopping opportunities – if it exists, you can almost certainly find it here.
Although New York might look small on a map compared to some cities, you could spend weeks or months exploring this city and still see not see everything.
Some online travel guides feature 100+ things to do in New York, but if it is going to be your first time visiting the city, the chances are you will only have a few days for sightseeing.
To help narrow down your search, we have made a list of the unmissable things to add to your New York travel itinerary.
When To Go
New York never shuts, so visitors at anytime of year will not be disappointed.
Spring and Fall in the city is usually mild, if occasionally wet, and many enthusiasts agree that the old town is never so exciting as during the winter, even if temperatures can drop well below freezing.
The climate in summer can be sweltering and humidly high, which is why the natives who can afford it get away from the summer in the city.
Getting Around
New York City is made up of Manhattan and the outer boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
The 13-mile island of Manhattan is the center of most visitors’ attention, however, and once the complexities of its grid system have been mastered provides a verdant playground for the world’s pleasure seekers.
Navigating New York City is easy and most of Manhattan is easily traversable by foot, with interesting neighbourhood’s located throughout the city.
The other boroughs do present a little more of a challenge, however the Subway is extensive and simple to use, and pretty good value (don’t worry, there are no zones to worry about!)
Simply pick up a Metrocard and top up as you go, or just add a weekly travel pass. If all else fails, jumping in a cab or Uber which is certainly a lot more affordable than, say, London, in terms of cost – plus you can pay by card.
Just do remember to throw your cabbie a couple of bucks as a tip when you finish your journey.
Top Attractions in NYC
Check out our guide to the most essential places to visit and start getting excited to visit the Big Apple.
1. People Watch in Times Square
Time Square is one of the most famous locations in New York seen in thousands of photographs on websites. Times Square is a hive of activity both during day and night, the lights, noise, taxis and people all make this location special.
When you arrive in Times Square you will know you have arrived in New York. This is one of the best places to grab a drink sit down and just take it all in. Expect to see hundreds of iconic New York yellow taxi’s, street performers, tourists, huge flashing billboards and also hustlers trying to sell you things.
There are also lots of places you can walk and visit nearby to Times Square including Broadway, The Flatiron building and Bryant Park – this is one of the best parks to visit if you visit NYC during summer.
2. Observation Decks
This is one of the most special things to do in New York, you really can’t leave the city without getting a selfie in front of the New York urban skyline.
There are several observation decks to consider, including: The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory and Edge.
Empire State Building
This is the most famous attraction to see the New York skyline, and it is also open the latest. Going up the Empire State building is one of the most popular things to New York, and amazing both day and night to see the landscape. Visiting the Empire State Building is something you have to do once, similar to when visiting Paris, you can’t leave without going up the Eiffel Tower.
Top of the Rock
The Rockefeller Center is located in midtown Manhattan, between 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. At the Top of the Rock, there are viewing platforms which although it isn’t as high as the one at the Empire State Building, it is in our opinion better as you get clear views of Central Park, and you can get a photo that includes the Empire State Building. The Top of the Rock also has multiple levels to give you more viewing options which are generally less crowded than when visiting the Empire State Building.
One World Observatory
Visit the the One World Trade Center in Downtown and you can buy tickets to the OWO observation deck which cover three floors. From the top you can get an alternative skyline view from the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock as you can also see the New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty.
Edge
Edge is the newest observation deck and really high at 1,100 feet in the air! Edge is really cool as it has a glass floor and see though outer windows, the other viewing platforms don’t have this. Not many places in New York have a better view than this.
3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the world and you can walk the length of it either from Manhattan to Brooklyn or vice versa.
You’ll get great views of the Manhattan skyline. The areas either side of the bridge are also very cool with shops, food outlets, art installations and more viewing areas.
4. Explore Central Park
Central Park really is an oasis in a concrete jungle and it’s great to wander through no matter what the season you visit.
You will get to see green spaces, scenic bridges, a John Lennon tribute and watch local people going about their daily lives, playing baseball and doing exercise. In summer it is great to buy something to eat and just relax in the park to escape the heat. You could also hire a boat at the Loeb Boathouse – this is definitely one of the most romantic things to do in New York.
During autumn and winter you will get some really pretty photos of the trees and scenery whist in you visit in winter you might get lucky to see Central Park covered in snow.
5. See the Statue of Liberty
When you think of New York the chances are one of the first things you think about is the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty was a joint initiative between the United States and France, and intended to commemorate the lasting friendship between the peoples of both nations.
Catching a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular things to do in New York. As part of this trip you can also visit Ellis Island and learn more about immigration to New York over the decades.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America and is probably the number one attraction you shouldn’t not miss in NYC. The cost of the return ferry from Manhattan and island visit is $18. If you are on a very tight budget you can also ride the Staten Island ferry (it costs $2.75 the same price as a subway fare) to get amazing snaps up close of the Statue of Liberty.
Interesting fact – almost half of Americans can trace their ancestry back to Ellis Island!
6. Walk the Highline
New York is a very innovative city and what was once an disused rail line elevated above the ground on the west side of Manhattan is now a 1.45-mile-long public park.
From the 1930s right up to 1980, the High Line was used for transport food and goods in the meatpacking district of Manhttan. For 30 years after it was disused waste land but in 2009 the High Line opened and it is now one of the most popular attractions for tourists.
You can walk through the Highline taking in nature, art and also get a different view of New York City. The Highline is free to visit and open most days from 7am and closes anytime from 7:00/11:00pm depending on the month.
This is one of the best free things to do in NYC!
7. See a Show on Broadway
New York is a 24 hour city with so much entertainment on offer.
New York has some of the best live entertainment and nightlife on the planet and there are around 40 theatres located in Broadway. This area offers something for everyone, even people who are not huge fans of musicals.
Aladdin, Lion King and School of Rock are long time favourites for families with children, or if you are looking for something more grown up then The Book of Mormon will appeal. There are also live comedy shows if threats isn’t your thing. You can find performances during the afternoon and evening, this is one of the best things to do in New York at night.
Prices also aren’t as expensive as you might think especially if you check online, download apps or visit the TKTS booth in Times Square where you can get discounted rates.
8. Art Galleries & Museums
New York is home to some of the most well-known art galleries and museums in the world. Some of the top rated places you might want to consider adding to your itinerary include:
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• American Museum of Natural History
• The Museum of Modern Art
Lovers of the fine arts need to bea a path straight to the The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) which is considered to be the best museum in New York City.
Here you can see one of the world’s finest collections of paintings, sculpture and historical artifacts which are on display and available to the general public for a small cash donation.
It’s conveniently located within Central Park, so you don’t have to go far out of your way to visit. The American Museum of Natural History is also highly recommended.
9. Greenwich Village
New York has lots of unique boroughs and popular areas like SoHo, East Village, Chelsea, Tribeca and the Upper East Side. If you are limited on time, it is recommend to just stay in Manhattan which is where most tourist attractions are located.
Tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park are essential places to see, but if you really want to experience New York like a local, head to Greenwich Village.
This is one of the coolest areas of Manhattan, commonly known as “the Village” to New Yorkers. This area is vibrant with cafes, shops, bars, restaurants and parks.
Washington Square Park is a great place to get a feel for the area, this is where locals mingle around the central plaza and you’ll see students, musicians and people playing games like chess. Although this park isn’t huge, especially compared to Central Park, its a great place to sit down and relax.
Popular streets to visit in Greenwich Village include Bleecker Street which has lots of shops, bars and clubs. If you ever watched the tv series Friends, you might want to visit 90 Bedford Street at the corner of Grove and Bedford Streets, this is the iconic apartment building used in the series.
Wandering through Greenwich Village seeing the people, architecture and atmosphere will really make you want to move to New York.
10. Watch Live Sport
If you are a passionate sports fan you have so many options for live games in New York.
The New York Yankees are possible the most famous team known around the world and you can go see them play a live baseball at the Yankee stadium in The Bronx from March to October. You could also see the New York Mets play at Citi Field Stadium in Queens.
If seeing a live ice hockey game appeals to you, between October and April you can see the New York Rangers play at the world famous Madison Square Garden arena. This is also where you can see the New York Knicks play basketball from October to June.
If you fancy a trip out of New York you can go see a New York Giants American Football Game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey between September and January. Also for something different to the traditional American sports, ever year in August and September the best names in tennis compete at the US Open at Flushing Meadows New York.
Baseball generally has the easier to get and cheaper prices, there are also a lot more games to choose from. Most tickets can be purchased online in-advance but what you can see really depends on when you are visiting.
Plan Your Sightseeing Adventure in New York City
New York is one of the best places to go in the USA and you really shouldn’t leave the city without visiting the tourist attractions on our list.
Trying to narrow down places to visit in New York to just 10 was really tough and we have tried to include a diverse range of activities and things to do to appeal to all interests.
There are so many other locations to consider checking out too if you have more time including the 9/11 Memorial, Little Italy and Chinatown, Grand Central Terminal, Financial District, Hudson Yards, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral – just to name a few!
If you do have a flexible schedule and are keen to see more of the New York be sure to venture out to see other boroughs other than just Manhattan, especially Brooklyn.
No matter what week, month or season you visit NYC, you can really have the best experience and always find something new. This city has been the setting for so many films and tv series and just wandering around the streets and taking everything in is an amazing experience.
If it is going to be your first time visiting New York you might like to view our ESTA visa advice for entering the United States . Or if you would like to visit without breaking the bank view our guide to affordable hostels in NYC.
