40 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO AND SEE IN NEW YORK CITY
New York City has always been one of my favorite cities to visit. As of 2019, I’ve had the luxury of living a very short train ride away. After visiting the city several times, and living close by now, I’ve put together a list of 40 things you should see, eat and do in New York City. Some of the items on this list are your typical tourist attractions, but others are things in NYC that you may have not heard about before or thought to try. One of the great things about NYC is that there is always just so much to see and do, and it is constantly changing.
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This guide to things to do in New York City is divided into sections. The first section is best for first time visitors to New York City, and includes the top tourist attractions in New York City. The second section includes things to do in New York City if you’ve already seen all the top attractions and are looking for something a little different. The last section includes things to do in New York City that are specific to different neighborhoods, and that many first time visitors may not get the time to experience. I hope you enjoy this comprehensive list of things to do in New York City!
The Traveling Ginger is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. There may be other affiliate links for other products and services on this page and throughout the site. These affiliations allow me to earn a small commission or compensation if you click the link and make a purchase through me. I only promote products, services, companies and experiences that I genuinely believe in and approve of.
The Top Things to do in New York City
(if it is your first time visiting)
Visit Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central is my absolute favorite building in New York. Now that I live in New York (state), this is my arrival station into the city. There is something about the high ceilings, chandeliers and the opal clock that emit history and romanticism. I always find my imagination takes flight in the main terminal, thinking about the over 100 years history of this building, the number of people starting or ending journeys, meeting loved ones, or saying goodbye to them. There are tours of the terminal or you can explore it yourself. My favorite spots in the terminal is to the opal clock, the celestial ceiling featuring the 12 zodiac signs, and the Whispering Gallery, where you can whisper across the hall from your fellow travelers.
2. Take in City Views - from the Top of the Rock
There are multiple places to take in fantastic views of the city, whether it is at the top of a skyscraper or a rooftop bar. The most famous and frequently visited locations for city views are the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, and the One World Trade Center. Each location has its own pros and cons and unique vantage points, and many of them are packed with like-minded travelers.
Top of the Rock - Many people argue that the view at the Top of the Rock at the Rockafellar Center is better. You have an incredible view of the Empire State Building directly in front of you, with the Freedom Tower and Statue of Liberty in the distance.
View of the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock
3. Take in City Views - from The Empire State Building
I really enjoyed being at the top of the Empire State Building at sunset, despite being with many other travelers.
Sunset Views from the Empire State Building
4. Take in City Views - from the Observatory of the One World Trade Center
View New York City from above by jumping into the elevators at the One World Trade Center. They take you up 102 stories in 47 seconds. The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. On a clear day, you can see 45 miles of 360 degree views.
5. Visit one of New York City’s many museums
New York City has so many wonderful museums that you could probably fill your entire trip with just visiting them. I recommend starting with either The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) or the American Museum of Natural History. You cannot go wrong with either of these. Some museums have days that you “pay-as-you-wish” or where your entrance fee is a donation of your own amount. Check each museums website for more information, but be prepared to spend your trip with lots of frugally minded travelers on those days too.
6. View the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
There are multiple ways to see the Statue of Liberty. Some of these involve heading to Ellis Island via ferry and exploring the grounds and museum. Other options include entering the pedestal where there is also a museum and viewing area, and one step further is going all the way up to the crown. The cheapest option is using the Staten Island Ferry. While this ferry does not take you to Ellis Island, it passes close enough to get a good view of the Statue of Liberty, and the best part is that it is free in both directions.
7. Explore Central Park
Central Park boasts historic architecture, memorials, art, restaurants, a zoo, a carousel, and even an ancient Egyptian obelisk. Every time I visit Central Park I find something new. I almost always get lost at some point too. It is a beautiful park to explore at all times on the year, and one of my favorite things to do is take some picnic food with me and enjoy people watching.
8. Watch a Broadway Show
One of the best things to do in New York City is to watch a show on Broadway. Broadway is actually a street that stretches all the way across the city, but most people refer to the small section in and around Times Square that houses most of the smash hit theatre shows. Tickets to a Broadway can get expensive, especially if you are trying to see a hit like Hamilton or the Cursed Child. There are multiple ways to get cheaper tickets, although most ways require you to be flexible or have a bit of luck. Many hit shows have lotteries you can apply for daily or weekly. Many shows are cheaper to purchase at the box-office. Some of the online ticket sites will have cheaper re-sell tickets hours before the show. You can also go to the TDF’s TKTS booth in Times Square for cheaper same day/next day tickets - although these are not often the musicals. Some of my favorite shows on Broadway include Wicked, Hadestown, and the Cursed Child. I’ve yet to snag tickets for Hamilton, although we won lottery tickets for Dear Evan Hansen one time!
9. Take in the bright lights of Times Square
On the top of many visitor’s lists of things to do in New York City is to see Times Square. For most New Yorkers, this is their least favorite things to do, if not the most hated thing to do. It is incredibly busy and packed and I try to avoid it as much as possible. But if it is your first time in NYC, then it is a must! It is estimated that around 50 million people visit Times Square annually and close to 300,000 people on a daily basis pass through it.
10. Visit the High Line
The High Line is located on the west side of Manhattan and is an elevated urban park. It sits on the top of a disused section of the New York Central Railroad. Over the years, this park and the surrounding areas have been re-developed and is now one of the top areas to visit in NYC. It is extremely popular and has served as an inspiration point for many cities across the US to find ways to redevelop old infrastructure in cities. The best way to visit the High Line is to just wander across it. You will come across gardens, art exhibits, markets, dining options, city views, and more. It is also close to other stellar attractions in the city, such as the Chelsea Market and Hudson Yard attractions (scroll down for more info).
11. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
One of the most recognizable bridges in the country, the Brooklyn bridge was completed in 1883. It is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. One of the most popular things to do in New York City is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, so even in the early hours of the morning or late evening hours, you will be sharing the experience with a lot of other people. The best way to walk this bridge is to head into Brooklyn by subway, and then walk back into Manhattan. Doing it this way allows you to walk towards the city skyline with the best views. You won’t have to keep turning around to look at the skyscrapers. There are other awesome things to do in Brooklyn too, such as trying to get that iconic shot of the Empire State Building centered under the Manhattan Bridge. Scroll down for more things to do in this area.
12. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
No one can deny that the world changed on September 11, 2001. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a must for any visitor to NYC. The memorial is a man-made waterfall that marks the location of each of the towers. Along the edges of each reflecting pool are the names of the victims of the terrorist attack. The 9/11 Museum tells the story of that day, and the days that followed through media, narratives, artifacts, and special exhibitions.
13. The Oculus Transportation Hub
The Oculus Transportation Hub is located on the World Trade Center campus, alongside the One World Trade Center Tower, and the 9/11 memorials and museum. It connects Lower Manhattan with the rest of New York City and New Jersey as it connects the Port Authority with public parks, restaurants and dining, shopping, and other important historical and educational sites. The architecture of the Oculus is truly beautiful and has important symbolism behind it. According to the Oculus website, “The structure's orientation serves as a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is in alignment with the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light.” It is well worth a visit in this area, and serves as another symbol of resilience and hope in New York City.
Top Things to do in New York City
(if you’ve already hit all the major sights)
14. View the Flat Iron Building
The Flat Iron building is one of the iconic landmarks of New York City and has been in place since 1902. Its name derives from resembling a cast-iron clothes iron. There are plenty more things to see and do in the Flat Iron District. See below.
15. Visit the Harry Potter New York Store
This is New York’s first official Harry Potter store, located near to the Flat Iron Building at 935 Broadway. Not only is it New York’s first official store, it is the world’s largest Harry Potter store. You can find tons of wizarding merchandise here, and many of the items can also be personalized. The entire store is like stepping inside of the Wizarding World, and you can purchase Butter Beer and sweets from Honeydukes.
16. Explore Eatly in the Flat Iron District
The Flat Iron Eatly location has it all. Italian restaurants, cafes, markets, cooking classes and more. Each restaurant has its own speciality and focus, and reservations go fast. It is worth a pop in if you are a fan of Italian cuisine.
17. Stroll through the latest art installation across from the Flat Iron Building
If you are in town for the holidays, make sure you check out the annual art installations across from the Flat Iron building. They are always interactive installations that are great photo opportunities too.
18. Stop by the historic main branch of the New York Public Library
At the New York Public Library, you can meet Patience and Fortitude, the two marble lions that greet you on the steps. Inside the library, you can explore various rooms and exhibitions that will meet your fancy, whether you are a bibliophile, an architect lover or a history buff. Some worthy mentions are the Astor Hall, featuring a grand staircase, the Rose Reading Room, the largest in the library, and the Children’s Center, housing the original stuffed animals that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
19. Explore one of NYC’s newest observation decks - SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
This newest observation deck doesn’t just use its view to dazzle visitors. This observation desk combines spectacular city views with immersive art installations and spaces from Kenzo Digital. It is one of New York’s hottest new Instagram spots - while I’ve not been yet, other travel writers have already shared some tips: take sunglasses as it is dazzlingly bright, and don’t wear a skirt or dress, as many of the floors are see-through! Despite these “warnings”, I’m excited to visit some time in the future!
17. Head to the Hudson Yards - The Vessel
The Vessel is a controversial structure located in Hudson Yards, and was built as part of the Hudson Yards redevelopment project. The structure is about 16 stories high, with 154 flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings. While the Vessel is interesting to look at, and fun to climb, it has been marred by multiple controversies and tragedies since its conception. When it was open, the Vessel was not exactly accessible for wheel chair users. Improvements to this problem have yet to be completed. The Vessel is sadly also the site of numerous suicides. Again, very few changes have been made to the Vessel itself, with the site ultimately being closed since July 2021.
18. Head to the Hudson Yards - The Shed
Also located in the Hudson Yards area is the Shed, a cultural center that commissions, produces, presents, and hosts a wide range of activities across all artistic domains. The Shed boasts that it brings together established and emerging artists from NYC to create innovative new works involving artists and communities. At any time in the year, the Shed has a broad range of performances, exhibitions, and features to check out.
19. Head to the Hudson Yards - The Edge
The Edge is another, but newer, observation deck in New York City. It is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and you can see for miles. The outdoor deck is made up of angled glass panels which allow you to lean over and into the view. It also boasts a glass floor that allows you to look down 100 stories, if you want to! You can also climb out of your comfort zone by attempting to ascend the highest open-air building ascent in the world - you scale the outside of a NYC skyscraper about 1,200 feet above ground.
20. Visit one of NYC’s newest parks - The Little Island
The Little Island is an artificial island park located in the Hudson River. The park was created out of 132 pot shaped structures or “concrete tulips” above the water, each weighing 68 tons and measuring from 16 ft to 52 ft. The tulips were then covered in soil and created into a park. It is a great spot for sunset over the river, and throughout the year hosts performances and events.
21. Experience Little Italy on a Food Tour
One of the best things to do in New York City is to explore its neighborhoods, and a tour that focuses on food in these neighborhoods is a great way to do it. A tour of Little Italy will accomplish this and more. You can take a food tour of Little Italy and eat your way through the neighborhood, while learning about the history of the area, see famous filming sites and learn about the history of immigration in New York in the 20th century. One of my favorite tour companies is Free Tours on Foot and they offer a tour of Little Italy in conjunction with touring Chinatown and Soho. While it is not necessarily a food tour, you will see enough of Little Italy to adventure off on your own for food.
22. Wander through Chinatown
Chinatown is another must visit in New York City. It is the oldest Chinatown in the country and at times, you feel like you could be in China. This area has some of the oldest building in New York and is packed with plenty of history. Again, a walking tour is well worth the money to learn more about the area. If you are going to explore on your own, Mott Street is a good starting point. It is the unofficial main street in Chinatown where many of the first Chinese-owned shops were opened. If you want to score some very affordable fried dumplings, then head to Mosco Street, and you’ll easily spot the tiny shop “Fried Dumpling” because of its long line outside.
23. The Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building is on the eastern side of Lexington Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets. There are plenty of places in NYC where you can view this Art Deco skyscraper. If you look closely, you’ll spot gargoyles, 1929 Chrysler radiator caps, and eagles. You can’t really visit the Chrysler Building itself, except for the lobby. The rest of the building is leased to businesses and there are no tours. The lobby is free entrance however, and if you are an Art Deco fan, it is worth a visit.
24. Be inspired to take action at NYC’s Arcadia Earth Experience
Located in Noho, Arcadia Earth is a collection of exhibition designed to inform and inspire visitors to take action to better the planet. Visitors wonder through large scale multi-sensory exhibits, such as underwater scenes, fantasy lands, and other art installations, supplemented with immersive technology, augmented reality and plenty of instagram-able moments. It is an eye-opening and interactive experience that will make you question your impact on Earth.
Top Things to do in NYC’s favorite neighborhoods
25. Take the train to Bushwick for some of the best street art & murals
Some of the best street art and murals in the world can be seen in Bushwick. The neighborhood features art from renowned international street artists to local NY artists and tells many, diverse stories. It is worth a trip from Manhatten into Bushwick to explore this vibrant neighborhood. You can explore on your own or another option is to find a guided tour. If you are headed out on your own, some of the best streets to view artwork include: the Morgan Avenue area east Williamsburg/Bushwick, Siegel Street walking towards White Street, Grattan Street, and the Bushwick Collective (Jefferson Street, and Troutman Street towards Saint Nicholas Avenue.) You can also check out the Fine + Raw Chocolate Factory, a factory and store producing chocolate.
26. Do a Day-Trip to Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is a fantastic Summer in New York day trip. Governor’s Island 172-acre island in the East River, and boasts a multitude of recreational activities. It also has a long history - it served as a fishing camp for the Lenape (the Native Americans of the Manhatten Region), was bought by colonists in the 1600’s, and then served as a military fortification of various uses over time. After serving as a coast guard facility, it was declared a National Monument in 2001 and opened to the public in 2003. The island has become more and more of a destination over the years and offers fantastic views of the cities from the Hills, public art galleries and installations, different food options, including bringing your own picnic, and more. Visitors can also bike the island, take part in guided tours, and even play mini-golf. Activities and events change every season, so it is worth checking out the website to plan your visit.
27. Stroll through Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the Brooklyn Bridge Park
This entire area is a great starting point for exploring Brooklyn for the first time. Brooklyn Heights has pretty restored historical homes to walk by, but the main attraction for me is the incredible view of Lower Manhattan. The Brooklyn Bridge Park also boasts this view, along with picnic spots, special events, recreational facilities for various sports, gardens, playgrounds, and more. There are several piers that expand out onto the water that host different recreational facilities and sports.
28. Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park and the surrounding shops and restaurants at Time Out
Also located in the Brooklyn Bridge Park complex is the Empire Fulton Ferry area. This part of the park merits its own section because it is nestled right between Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. It hosts grounds for picnics, shopping areas, a carousel, and more spectacular views. Close by is also the Time Out NY Market. If you haven’t heard of Time Out NY before, then you need to check it out. It is an online guide to everything new, wonderful, exciting, and worthwhile in NYC. The Time out NY Market is a communal eatery boasting a bunch of exciting eateries and food options and incredible city views. This is a great option to head to if you are in the area and in need of food, and have multiple opinions of what to eat in your travel group. It offers so many different options, from pizza and sandwiches to Indian cuisine and Ramen.
29. Take your own DUMBO shot
No first-time trip to this area of Brooklyn would be complete without capturing your own iconic DUMBO shot, along with many other people, of course. Head to the intersection of Washington St. and Water St. to line up the Empire State Building between the steel blue structures of the Manhattan Bridge.
30. Visit the Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo has the well-earned accolade of the USA’s largest metropolitan zoo. Located in the Bronx, the zoo takes up 265 acres, with its around 750 species of animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Some of the stars of the Bronx Zoo include the Congo gorillas, the lemurs, tigers, brown bears, bison, lions, and many others. With over 750 species of animals, there is truly something of interest for everyone. The zoo is run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, founded in New York in 1895. The Society has wildlife conservation at the forefront of its operations and works to support conservation efforts in over 65 countries. The exhibits at the Bronx Zoo are also well known for their focus on the animals’ natural habitats. There is an additional fee on top of general admission for some of the big exhibits, like the Gorilla Forest and Jungle World.
31. Explore the shelves of the Strand Bookstore
Located at 828 Broadway at 12th Street, the Strand Bookstore is one of the best bookstores for New Yorker’s avid readers and bibliophiles. It has also stood the test of time in New York City, having been started in 1927, with just $600 by a Lithuanian immigrant, Benjamin Bass. It has continued to be run by members of the same family over the course of 90 years. The Strand is a literary paradise for readers, boasting rare books, popular best selling titles, lesser known works, new and used books. Get lost in the shelves and pick up a new read while you’re at it.
32. Relax in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village
Washington Square Park is one of the most well-known public parks in the city, located in Greenwich Village. If you read more about the history of this space, you will realize it has seen it all. Before being developed into a park, this land was first known to the Lenape Native American tribe living in the area in the 1600s. It was a marshy area filled with water foul and trout. From there, it became a trading post for the Dutch East India Company and future Dutch settlers, land for free black farmers, an eventual potters field, a parade ground, and eventually a square that has seen many a protests and cultural events over the years. It is steeped in both history and current activism, performance art, and a wonderful fountain that many people relax in on a hot summer’s day.
33. Explore Harlem with a local
34. Chelsea Market
35. The New York Botanical Garden
36. Take the Tram to Roosevelt Island
37. Eat at Smorgasburg
38. Grab a bagel at Tompkins Square Bagels in the East Village
39. Go shopping in NYC
5th avenue in midtown
Soho
Flaghsips stores in Herald Square
40. Find a restaurant and treat yourself
use timeout new york or secrets of ny for new experiencs.
Have you been to New York? What was your favorite thing to do or see there? What would you do on this list? Do you know of anything I should add? Tell me in the comments below :)
