Don't Miss These Things to Do in New York City
The Big Apple is easily one of the world's most famous cities among tourists from elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. Celebrated for its diverse range of people, food, and attractions, New York City has no shortage of exciting things to see and do. Of course, this city is huge—so how do you decide what sites to visit? That's easy! Let us help.
01 Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art dates back to 1870 and is the largest museum in the United States. The Met, as it's often dubbed, is the third-most visited museum on the planet. The museum's permanent collections include as many as two-million pieces of art. The museum organizes its holdings in numerous collections that include the American Wing, Egyptian Art, Greek and Roman Art, Ancient Near Eastern Art, and more. Whether you're interested in fashion history or pottery from pre-Columbian Central America, you'll find a plethora of objects to satisfy your artistic or historic interests.
02 Central Park
The green heart of New York City is undoubtedly Central Park, perhaps the most popular urban park in the country. Central Park has many attractions, including its lake, Central Park Zoo, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere Castle. Located in Manhattan, it's a great place for lunch; people watch, rollerblade, walk, or relax during your visit to the city.
03 Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was constructed in 1866. Lady Liberty is among the world's tallest statues and stands 152 ft. from its base to its torch top. A national symbol of liberty, the icon statue beckons immigrants from around the world. Once upon a time, Lady Liberty welcomed immigrants passing through Ellis Island, each hoping to carve out their version of the American Dream. If you have the opportunity, be sure to set aside time to visit this celebrated attraction.
04 Times Square
Located in Midtown Manhattan, Times Square is a bustling cornerstone of NYC. This commercial intersection is famously filled with billboards, electric signage, and crowds of people. More than 50 million people visit this intersection every year. Stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets, Times Square is an exciting place to spend part of any day.
05 Radio City Music Hall
Referred to as "the Showplace of America," Radio City Music Hall was constructed in 1932. This glamorous Art Deco theatre is the famous home of the Rockettes and remains a leading cultural attraction of the city. This venue features shows, a cinema, concerts, and even sporting events. It popularly hosts major events like The Grammy Awards. If you have the opportunity to attend a show or performance here, don't hesitate.
06 Brooklyn Bridge
Opened in 1866, Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River, connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn. As a National Historic Landmark, the bridge is culturally important to the country as a whole, but it's certainly one of the most iconic symbols of New York City. This suspension bridge features a wide walkway for pedestrians. It's a great place to photograph majestic views of the surrounding city.
07 One World Trade Center
The main building of the World Trade Center Complex was built after and to commemorate the fallen World Trade Center Towers. Many people make their way to the One World Observatory, which features amazing views of the city. From the observatory, you'll be able to see iconic city sights like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
08 Theatre District
Whether you catch a show on Broadway or off-Broadway, you need to procure tickets to something in the Theatre District during your visit to the Big Apple. New York City is world-famous for its theatre. At any given time, you'll find a dazzling and diverse array of shows to see. As many as 13 million people see a Broadway show each year. Check out the reviews and then grab some tickets to catch a brilliant performance featuring today's major theatre stars.
09 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Known simply as The Guggenheim, this museum is famously home to collections of Impressionist, modern, and contemporary art. The Guggenheim is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, attracting more than a million visitors yearly. The Guggenheim features work by famous artists like Cezanne, Kandinsky, Chagall, Klee, and many more.
10 The Bronx Zoo
The largest zoo in the U.S., the Bronx Zoo, is on 265 acres and features many exhibits and attractions. The zoo is filled with animals from all over the planet, including Transvaal lions, and Sitka brown bears. This world-famous zoo features both free and premium attractions. It's a definite must for anyone traveling with kids.
11 The High Line
Once you've scratched all the touristy must-sees off your list, you'll have time for lesser-known gems like the High Line, an NYC public park with a difference. It's a former rail line transformed into an elevated oasis on the West Side. You can do guided meditations through the gardens, picnic with kids, stroll with friends while enjoying the fantastic views, stop for yummy treats, and check out insightful artworks. Free tours take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The 1.45-mile walk lasts about 20 minutes, but you could spend more than an hour relaxing here before or after a visit to Chelsea Market.
12 Artechouse NYC
Not far from Chelsea Market, you'll find Artechouse, where creativity and science meet to dazzle visitors. There are interactive displays, augmented reality aspects via the venue's app, and immersive digital art paired with surreal soundtracks. It's pricey but worth it if the current theme appeals to your sense of beauty and curiosity—you may also be lucky enough to score a promo deal. If you're looking for a trippy outing with zero hallucinogens, this could be it, but if you're prone to motion sickness or dizziness, give Artechouse a skip.
13 Yankee Stadium
The Yankee logo is one of the most ubiquitous sports team logos in the world, sitting proudly on the caps of people who know nothing about slugging percentages or outfield assists. A visit on game day will give you more insight into this popular New York brand. You don't have to be a Yankees fan or baseball enthusiast to appreciate the atmosphere at the third-largest MLB stadium in the country, and you may even encounter famous diehards like Jack Nicholson, Kate Hudson, or Adam Sandler in the crowd.
14 UN Headquarters
The UN headquarters have formed part of the Midtown Manhattan skyline since 1951. The United Nations are often referred to as Turtle Bay thanks to the neighborhood where the headquarters are based. You can visit the chambers that have seen many a global debate play out and welcomed dozens of heads of state and world leaders over the last few decades. Take pictures with the flags before going on an informative hour-long tour—book online to avoid disappointment. You'll learn about diplomacy and international relations. And you'll leave inspired to achieve world peace, not unlike every beauty queen in Miss Congeniality.
15 Grand Central Station
With its high, constellation-laden ceilings, arched windows, marble staircases, elegant chandeliers, and ball clock valued at 10 million dollars, the iconic Grand Central Station has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. It attracts millions of tourists yearly. You could be one of the bright-eyed visitors looking for Vanderbilt oak and acorn family motifs adorning the interiors or guessing where the top-secret room could be. There's also a Whispering Gallery with unusual acoustics and a VIP-only track that leads to an elevator connected to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. A sense of mystique weaves its way through the terminal, and you'll find your imagination going off on half a dozen journeys.
16 St. Mark's Place
If you're near the East Village, you have to make your way to St. Mark's Place, one of the most epic streets in the nation. A hippie hub in the 60s when it was also home to the stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce, St. Marks is a legendary NYC nook that still draws performers, musicians, comic book aficionados, and mobster history buffs. Culture and counterculture seep out of St Mark's Place's pores. You can kill it at karaoke before watching a burlesque show and getting a tattoo, or just pop by for the vibes and a bit of quirky shopping.
17 The Strand
Book lovers, you've come to the right place. The Strand is a local institution that's also popped up on the silver screen. This large family-owned indie bookstore close to Union Square has approximately 2.5 million titles lining its shelves, which amount to a remarkable 23 miles of books. Having survived since 1927, the Strand is also notably resilient for a bookshop. Visit for new and used books and bookish merch.
18 City Climb at Hudson Yards
Like to live life on the edge? You can do that at City Climb, no problem. Here, you can casually hang over the top of one of the tallest buildings in the Big Apple after being thoroughly briefed by a knowledgeable guide. You'll feel pure exhilaration. It's fun, safe, and one for the adrenaline junkie memory books.
19 Katz's Delicatessen
Rom-com fans will be familiar with the "I'll have what she's having" scene in the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally. It was filmed in Kat's Delicatessen, a kosher-style deli that's been around since before your great-grandmother. The pastrami sandwiches come highly recommended, and there's plenty of processed meat, matzo ball soup, and potato latkes to be had.
20 NYC Food Tours
You can't beat an NYC food tour for a foodie perspective of diverse New York. These excursions vary to accommodate different palates and interests, and you can chomp your way around one or more boroughs via fab food trucks, standout market stalls, and fancy eateries. You'll're sure to walk away with a full belly and a whole lotta culinary satisfaction.
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