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Reasons Why You Should Visit New York City at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Senior Travel Writer

The subject of countless love songs and the star of stage and screen, there are so many things to see and do in ever-inspiring New York City. Whether you want to muse at museums, feast at some of the very best restaurants in the world, or drink your way around atmospheric dive bars, our list of the best things to do in New York City will steer you to celebrated sites and invite you to look beyond the beaten path a little, too. Here are just a few of the best reasons to visit New York. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Discover green spaces galore.

The concrete jungle that is New York City is not all steel and glass. Bountiful parks are to be found throughout the boroughs – and we’re not just talking about Central Park . At more than three times the size, Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx has waterside golf courses and riding trails. The High Line in Chelsea has installations and open-air art. Meanwhile, Staten Island is home to a state park and a state forest, where hiking trails make you feel miles away from the city streets. Pack a picnic and binoculars and you might just spot a few of the original New Yorkers – like bullfrogs, red foxes and wild turkeys.

Haunted histories dating back centuries

Explore Central Park’s food scene

Strolling Central Park is rightfully one of the most popular and fun things to do in New York City, but you can spice up a typical afternoon if you bring your appetite. In the park alone there are several dining options that’ll give you a full taste of the Big Apple’s food scene. Start with a sweet stop at the Wafels & Dinges food cart then dive into a falafel at Maoz Vegetarian . There’s a classic hot dog waiting for you at Ballfields Cafe , best washed down with booze at Public Fare . This DIY foodie-focused tour will help you hit all of Central Park’s sites with no shortage of delicious NYC eats.

Don’t overlook Roosevelt Island

Brooklyn and Queens don’t hold all the cards when it comes to impressive views of Manhattan. Take the aerial tram to Roosevelt Island and treat yourself to a relaxed day on the East River. Drink up views from the FDR Four Freedoms State Park or the Panorama Room bar. Sip some history while you’re at it when you visit the Blackwell Island Lighthouse. Even a simple coffee from Jupioca and a walk around Riverwalk Commons is enough to turn this island into one of your favorite New York City things to see.

Stroll the Bensonhurst neighborhood

Little Italy. Chinatown. Crown Heights. New York City is full of diverse neighborhoods and Bensonhurst is one under-the-radar community you need to seek out. Located in Brooklyn, Bensonhurst is incredibly multicultural, so much so that it’s the site of Brooklyn’s own Chinatown and Little Italy. Rising populations from Hong Kong, the Middle East and Mexico have only added to the mix. For shopping, dining and getting a less-touristy glimpse at NYC’s most prevalent cultures, Bensonhurst is worth the train ride.

Go beyond the game with a Yankee Stadium Tour

How better to really do New York like a local than by eating a hot dog at the ballpark? If you’re in town for an away game or the off-season, exclusive tours of the iconic Yankee Stadium are a must. From traditional stadium tours and meet and greets with former players to pre-game personal tours of the New York Yankees Museum, it’s a big-hitting experience that even die-hard fans who never missed the 27-time World Series champs in action may not have taken advantage of.

Monthly night market that celebrates the Bronx’s diversity

When the warm weather arrives, the Bronx Night Market heats up. Unlike other festivals, this monthly market is a family-friendly event all about the best of the borough. Food takes the top spot, though the many local merchants selling clothes, crafts and more, give the delicious booths a run for their money. Pop-ups, live music and performances make every month unique, granting you a hyper-local sampling of the Bronx that evolves with every moon cycle.

Learn about skyscrapers from the ground

Trips to the top of the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center provide elevated views of the skyline, but only museums offer a larger-than-life perspective. The Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City, the AIA New York Center for Architecture and the Queens Museum each have special exhibits documenting the Manhattan skyline and its iconic skyscrapers. Imagine getting a bird’s-eye view of the city from the buildings themselves, before diving deep into the details of their histories.

Drink in a secret speakeasy

First, head to Crif Dogs , a late-night hot dog joint at 113 St Mark’s Place and locate the vintage phone booth. Next, dial a number. Provided you’ve made a pre-booking to Please Don’t Tell , a hush-hush Prohibition-style drinking den in the East Village, run by owner and former barback Jeff Bell, you’ll be admitted. Cocktails here are award-winning and hot dogs come from collaborations with leading New York chefs. Shhh, don’t tell a soul.

Ready for take off? Reserve your spot at one of New York’s cheapest hotels , the best places to stay in Manhattan , or famous stays with stories to tell – all bookable on Culture Trip. This is an updated article originally written by Graham Fuller.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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7 Reasons To Visit New York City

• by Jonny Duncan
• May 22, 2023 November 1, 2023

Selecting a city to visit can be challenging, especially when you’re choosing from a country like the United States.

The USA has numerous tourist hotspots after all, so it can take you weeks to decide which destinations to explore.

However, one of the quintessential cities you need to visit at least once in your lifetime is New York City. New York has been a popular city to visit for many US residents and foreign tourists alike.

Reasons to Visit New York City

1. numerous points of interest.

The moment you arrive in New York City, you’re immediately surrounded by a number of attractions, which are all accessible via cab, bus, or train. One of the main reason to visit New York City is the number of iconic places to visit.

Once you’ve checked in to one of New York’s hotels ,   the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions are within easy reach, thanks to New York’s excellent subway system.

There’s no stopping you from visiting every single point of interest, but depending on your schedule, you might be only able to visit the attractions nearest to the airport.

If you’re only going to NYC on a layover and you’ll be staying for more than 6 hours, here are a number of sights you can explore:

• From JFK Airport : Queens Botanical Garden, Corona Park, and The Rockaways Boardwalk.
• From La Guardia Airport : Louis Armstrong House Museum, Astoria Park, and Queens Zoo.
• From Newark Airport : Newark Museum, Turtle Back Zoo, and The Statue of Liberty.

If you’ll be in the city for several days, however, you have more time to visit the following points of interest:

• Central Park
• The Highline
• Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
• American Museum of Natural History
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center

The great thing is that there are plenty of cheap things to do in NYC as well, so if you’re there on a budget you can still see and do a lot in the city.

2. Catch a Live Show, Musical Performance, Musical, or Game

New York City has a lot of places where you can get tickets to watch your favourite musical, music artist, or sports team live.

For those who want to watch a play or musical, Broadway is the place to be. However, Broadway isn’t just one place; it actually refers to the 41 professional theatres—each having a 500 or more seat capacity—located in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway in Manhattan.

As such, you can expect to see a variety of shows, including Chicago with its femme fatales, Hamilton with its transformative rap music and theme , and The Lion King with its awe-inspiring production design anchored in puppetry.        

There are also a number of halls and stages in NYC where you can catch a live concert.

If you’re interested in attending an orchestral performance, Carnegie Hall regularly holds symphonic events to feed your classical music soul.

If you prefer listening to live band performances, however, the PlayStation Theater or Bowery Ballroom offer awesome concert lineups to get you singing and dancing in your seat.

Finally, NYC boasts some of the best sports venues in the country, each one of which is used to hold tournaments of different types of sports.

For the baseball fans, you have the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and Citi Field in Queens. As for the basketball fans, you have the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Madison Square Garden right in New York.  

Tip: For an overall good guide to NYC get the Lonely Planet New York City .

3. Feast on the City’s Diverse Cuisines

The City of New York is a melting pot of cultures, so it’s no surprise that its food scene is as diverse as its people.

You can enjoy getting a slice of pepperoni pizza in Little Italy or grab a falafel on the go in Hell’s Kitchen. Whatever you’re craving for, the restaurants in New York will definitely have the dish you’re seeking.

Nevertheless, there are a handful of foods that have become staples in a New Yorker’s diet. If you’re down to take a little gastronomic adventure in the city, here are some iconic, mouthwatering fares you need to try:

• New York bagel
• New York cheesecake
• New York hot dog
• New York Pizza
• Pastrami on rye
• Black and white cookie

4. Explore NYC’s Nightlife

New York is also known as “The City That Never Sleeps.” As such, expect to see the city liven up when the sun goes down.

Once the locals have clocked out of work, many would seek refuge in the different bars and lounges sprawled across the city to cap off or extend the night with a couple of drinks.  

Of course, you too can enjoy sipping on classic New York cocktails like the Cosmopolitan or martini.

However, if you’re interested in exploring New York City’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, here are a number of things you can do to explore the city’s unique nightlife offerings:

• Take a mini-cruise on the Staten Island Ferry
• Hit a new high score in Modern Pinball in Kips Bay
• Sing your heart out in one of the many karaoke lounges in K-Town
• Enjoy a hot bath in The Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village

5. Jaw-Dropping Architecture Everywhere

A great way to explore New York’s fascinating and rich history is through the city’s towering buildings and grand structures.

NYC is home to different types of architectural marvels, many of which show prime examples of the popular designs of their respective eras.  

The Empire State Building, for example, is a famous building that showcases elements of the Art Deco period. Its modern materials and sleek exterior defined the architectural taste of the roaring ’20s.

Another iconic building is the Flatiron Building. This structure is well-known for its wedge-shaped design that perfectly fits a triangular plot of land that intersects Broadway and Fifth Avenue. As for its architectural design, it evokes the Renaissance revival era, which was often seen in the early 1900s.

One of the best ways to capture New York’s gorgeous architecture is by viewing the city’s skyline. There are several spots in NYC that offer picturesque and unobstructed views of the city’s towering buildings.

These places include Governors Island, Fort Tyron Park, and Top of the Rock.

6. Countless Famous Movie Settings

New York is a haven for many moviegoers as the city has been used as the main setting for a number of famous movies.

Titles such as The Godfather , Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and When Harry Met Sally have utilized NYC’s unique environment to create iconic scenes that have changed the face of the movie industry.

If you want to relive an unforgettable moment or reenact a scene from your favorite film, check out the following areas to experience the movie magic that envelops New York City:

• Verrazano Narrows Bridge (Featured in Saturday Night Fever )
• FDNY’s Hook and Ladder 8 (Featured in Ghostbusters )
• The Calvary Cemetery (Featured in The Godfather )
• Katz Delicatessen (Featured in When Harry Met Sally )

7. Bask in the City’s Unique Culture

Even if you don’t plan on visiting any of New York’s famous attractions, sometimes it’s best to experience the city’s culture by simply walking down the street.

New York is a diverse and colourful city, bringing together cultures and nationalities from different parts of the world while adding its original NYC flavour into the mix.

It’s possible that you’ll meet someone who has an eccentric taste in fashion while strolling along 5 th Avenue or an aspiring musician holding a small concert in the subway.

You’ll always find something new to appreciate no matter where you are in the city.

Visit New York

These reasons to visit New York City should help in your decision to go. It’s one of the best cities in the world.

The city’s lively atmosphere, diverse cuisines, unique set of architecture, and multicultural environment cater to the interests of every type of individual.

Start planning your next trip to NYC today and get excited about the wonderful things you’ll see, eat, and experience in the city.  

For more reading on the United States take a look at the United States destinations page.

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A beginner's guide to New York City: Everything you need to know for your first trip

Heading to New York City for the first time? It can be intimidating, thinking about the city's size and scale, its complex transportation system and nonstop crowds. But don't worry: We're here to help. Below, you'll find our guide to making sense of the city, and structuring your trip like a pro.

Here's what you must do on your first trip to New York City .

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

See a Broadway show

There are few more iconic symbols of New York City than the bright lights of Broadway . Sure, the touring companies of big Broadway shows come to cities across the United States. But seeing a musical or a play on Broadway itself is different, and is worth your time and money. Nowhere else will you see the caliber of performances, or the polish and spectacle that you'll find in New York City.

Visit Playbill's web site for help choosing a show, and be sure to download the TKTS app. The famous red booth in Times Square sells discounted tickets for same-day performances, and the app can give you a heads up about what's available, and how long you'll wait for tickets.

And, a tip for the adventurous: When choosing a show, don't be afraid to try something new. Choose a play or a musical that you've never heard of, or would not be able to see back home. You may discover the next "Hamilton."

Related: 6 reasons to love New York, according to New Yorkers

Take to the water

Given the height of the skyline and the density of its structures, it's sometimes hard to remember that Manhattan is an island and that all five of New York City's boroughs are situated on the water.

Get a sense of the city's dramatic scale by stepping away from it and onto a boat. There are dozens of ways to do this, from spendy private charters to cheap water taxis, but the easiest is to take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry — one of the city's great, and truly free attractions. The view of the Statue of Liberty alone makes this trip worth it. (Remember, you won't get the perspective afforded by distance when you visit and climb the statue, which sits more or less by itself on federally-owned Liberty Island.)

In summer, we also recommend North River Lobster Company, a "floating lobster shack" that sets sail from Manhattan's Pier 81 from Thursday to Sunday. There's also Grand Banks, a restaurant and oyster bar on a historic schooner. It doesn't actually sail, but is docked in a prime spot on the Hudson River.

Related: 10 most Instagrammable spots in New York City

Get out of Manhattan

Too many first-time visitors to New York City focus all of their energy on its most famous borough. You should go there, of course — it's nearly unavoidable — but save some of your time for Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. These "outer boroughs" are where you'll discover excellent food, busy neighborhoods, countless small museums and galleries, live music, all of the city's major sports stadiums and an endless parade of city life.

Our advice? Pick one or two spots and dedicate time to explore. You'll never see all of New York City in a single visit, so prioritize wisely. We recommend:

Coney Island: Gritty and a little faded, this seaside escape is heady with nostalgia. Think: vintage amusement park rides, a wide boardwalk and stands hawking everything from hotdogs to hats.

Fort Greene: Blocks of elegant brownstones, independent shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, world-class arts organizations and one giant basketball stadium. No neighborhood in Brooklyn embodies the borough's variety (and its many complexities and contradictions) like this one.

Long Island City: This somewhat remote waterfront neighborhood in Queens is home to heavy-hitting museums, including MoMA-affiliated PS1, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the art-filled studio of Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

Jackson Heights: A neighborhood of immigrants since the 1960s, this is where many families of Indian, Colombian, Bangladeshi, Tibetan and Ecuadorian origin call home. Come here to experience this incredible mix of cultures through food, markets and shops.

Williamsburg: If you want to try to understand the conversation around gentrification in New York's boroughs, head to Williamsburg. What was an affordable, residential hamlet due east of Manhattan has become, in the last two decades, the home of luxury hotels, big-brand stores and multimillion-dollar apartments. Still, the area has somehow managed to retain some of its creative sensibility. Street art, cozy bars and live music still thrive here.

Related: Best New York City activities for families

Ride the subway

New York City's spiderweb of subway lines might seem intimidating at first, but mastering it, often, means mastering the city itself. Plus, taxis and rideshares can get stuck in New York's infamous traffic, adding lots of time to your journey. They also get expensive very quickly, especially if you're traveling solo or as a duo, and they won't give you a sense of the city the way the subway will.

Whether it's dancers doing flips across your car for tips, or the endless fashion show of New Yorkers on their way to work, parties and dinner, the subway provides some of the best people-watching you'll ever experience.

Download a map to your phone — the official MTA app is good for tracking service changes that could affect your trip — purchase a pass that includes multiple or unlimited rides for maximum flexibility and go. Google Maps' directions tool is a must-use when it comes to using the subway, whether you're visiting for a weekend or you've lived there for a decade.

Related: Everything you need to know about getting around New York City

But also, walk

The best way to really appreciate New York City is to put on your most comfortable shoes and walk its streets. Remember, exploring this destination is all about what you stumble upon — an amazing ice cream stand, a shop selling bespoke hats, a basement-level bar behind an unmarked door. You might never find any of these things if you're darting around in subways or taxis.

Many travelers don't come equipped for walking and are surprised by the amount of it they can do (and will want to do) once they arrive. This is why pacing yourself in the city is critical. So is staying hydrated, stopping for breaks and planning your days so that you'll visit a group of nearby attractions all at once.

The most important thing to remember when walking in New York City? Have a back-up plan. You may walk out to a site or attraction only to find that you're too tired to walk back. This is when a ride-hailing app or a subway card comes in handy.

And a word about those comfortable shoes for the fashion-conscious. Once upon a time, comfortable footwear was a tourist hallmark and something that would single you out in any New York City neighborhood. Now? It's just what everyone is wearing.

See an incredible view … once

In a city known for the nonstop drive and ambition of its citizens, it's no wonder that climbing very tall buildings — not exactly in a single bound, but close — is a popular thing to do here for visitors.

There are high-in-the-sky observatories at the Empire State Building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, One World Trade Center and at Hudson Yards , which is now home to the tallest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Plus, there are countless other rooftop bars and restaurants. Our advice? Pick one.

Related: Things every teen should do in New York

Focus on things you can only do in New York

Recent years have brought hordes of chain stores and bank branches to New York City. Their appearance is the cause of much-heated debate among New Yorkers: Are they ruining the city with their sameness, or are they a natural result of the city's ever-growing wealth?

Before you stop into Sephora in Times Square or drop into the Apple Store in Soho, take a minute to make your own decision.

Our perspective on this is simple: Why go on vacation to do things you could do at home? Take a minute to find and visit New York City's many independent businesses and shops. The things you find there will give you stories to tell, introduce you to new artists and makers of all stripes and give you bragging rights back home.

Plan ahead for meals, and keep it varied

Yes, you can find a cheap slice of pizza on every other block in Manhattan , but that doesn't mean you should have it for every meal.

If you're craving the best of New York's culinary scene , do your research. Many of the city's best and best-known restaurants require advance reservations, enforce strict dress codes or have quirky policies like cash-only payment.

It's also smart to consider when restaurants will be crowded. A general rule of thumb in New York is that the busiest dining hours are from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and during weekend brunch, typically from noon to 4 p.m. Avoiding those dining times can mean getting a reservation at an otherwise booked establishment, or just having a more peaceful meal.

And of course, some of the city's best eats can't be found in any sit-down restaurant. Whether you're in search of perfect samosas, falafel, banh mi or roasted peanuts, street carts and stands are a great way to supplement sit-down meals.

But what about Times Square?

There's no shortage of opinions about Times Square. It's clogged with crowds. There's nothing to do there. The stores are corny and corporate.

To some degree, all of those concepts ring true, especially for locals and travelers who've spent a lot of time in the city. But that doesn't mean you should fully steer clear of Times Square, or that it's a soulless wasteland or that you're not a savvy traveler if you enjoy its chaotic energy.

This neighborhood is, after all, home to some of the best live theater in the world. Its character — bright as day at midnight, forever flashing with digital screens and advertisements — is part of New York City's fabric.

It's where thousands of people ring in the New Year each year, where the Beatles performed on "Ed Sullivan," where Carole King and Neil Diamond wrote songs and where nearly 50 million people visit each year. It's more than OK to count yourself among them.

Feature photo by datsmrjones2u/Twenty20.

The Ultimate New York Travel Guide 2024

Our new york travel tips for first time visitors.

Are you traveling to New York for the first time and want to get an overview of what you should pay attention to? Here, I show you step by step the most important information you need to know for your New York trip. There’s a lot to see and do in New York, from world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building to a wide selection of unique museums and New York-style foods that you should definitely try.

You may also like:

Where in new york should you stay.

• The 33 Absolute Best New York Attractions
• New York on a Budget

Now, sit back and enjoy our New York Travel Guide to help you have a wonderful time in New York City!

By the way, we now have over 1,600 spots in the city on our site. So, if you’re looking for suitable tours, bars, restaurants, and awesome spots to visit, then you’re in the right place!

Everything you need!

Hello you 👋 Here you will find everything you need for your New York trip!

These are our best New York Travel Tips for first time visitors:

Table of Contents

New York at a Glance

Best time to travel to new york.

Visiting New York is worthwhile at any time of year, but I personally like the warm months best. Summer in New York can be very hot and humid. So, for many, the best times to visit New York is April and June, and September and October.

Spending Christmas in New York or enjoying the pre-Christmas season in New York City is also a wonderful experience.  The ice rinks are open, the city is beautifully decorated, and, if it snows, the dream vacation at wintertime is perfect!

Paying in New York

You can pay for almost everything with your credit card, even the smallest amounts. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, stores, restaurants, and bars. Don’t have one yet? Then, check out the best credit card to have in the USA here.

New York for First Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip (70+ pages)

Best Way to Travel in New York

Finding your way around New York is quite easy, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. The streets’ checkerboard pattern makes finding your way around easy. These are the best ways to get around New York:

Metro / Subway: If you have longer distances ahead of you, then the Subway is your friend, because here you can travel really cheap. It’s easy to use! The MetroCard is available at every Subway station. You can buy single rides or the popular MetroCard for 7 days; that way you can travel for a week in New York at a fixed price. You can learn more about using the  Metrocard in New York here.

Taxi:  In New York, you can choose between the Yellow Cab and Uber. You can check out our tips and all the information you need to know in our following blog:  Taxi in New York City .

By bike: With many of the New York sightseeing passes (you can find out more about this budget tip in my New York Pass comparison ), the bike rental is included. We ourselves really love using New York’s Citi Bikes. This city bike program has over 1,000 stations throughout New York City, and it’s super-cheap. We’ll show you how it works in the Citi Bike New York article.

On Foot: You’ll be surprised how much walking you’ll do in New York. After all, there’s something to see on every corner. So be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Where to Stay in New York?

Which neighborhood is best for you depends on several things: your interests, how close you want to be to the attractions and what your travel budget is. In the image below, I’ve drawn you my favorite neighborhoods of New York including the main attractions nearby.

And, on the subject of safety: In all of Manhattan, the Bronx , Brooklyn, and large parts of Queens, you don’t have to worry about being out and about in the evening. New York City is one of the safest cities in the world!

More than 100 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from –and after just 4 quick questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best suited for you!

Where Should you Stay in New York?

Manhattan – it doesn’t get more central than this: Manhattan is the most famous borough of them all. Plus, it contains 95% of all the attractions New York is known for. Everything is within easy reach, and you are right in the middle of it all. On the other hand, the hotels are a bit more expensive than in Brooklyn or Queens .

Here, you can find my 33 hotel tips for Manhattan .

Brooklyn – urban and relaxed: For a long time, Brooklyn was the insider’s tip: now it’s “completely” normal neighborhoods. However, you’ll quickly notice one thing: life is much more normal, because it’s more of a residential area. It’s super relaxed, pleasant, and just as diverse as Manhattan. Above all, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from here!

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Brooklyn .

Queens – the new trendy neighborhood: Queens is a bit more “normal” than Brooklyn is, but, lately, we’ve noticed that it is getting more and more gentrified. The hotels in Long Island City (not to be confused with Long Island!) are especially popular because they are cheaper compared to Manhattan—and they have a perfect connection to the Subway, which makes Queens a great alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Queens .

What to See in New York?

One thing to know in advance: just because there is so much to see in New York, a little planning makes absolute sense. For highlights like the Empire State Building ( here ), the Edge Hudson Yards observation deck ( here ) or the One World Observatory ( here ), I recommend buying the tickets online in advance. This will not only save you waiting time on site, but you can also be sure that you will actually be able to visit your desired sights.

👉 These are our 33 best attractions in New York .

These are my tips after more than 20 visits to New York:

• Observation decks:  New York City has no less than five (!) major observation decks to offer, and each one is a dream in itself. My two favorites are The Edge Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory , because from here you have a sensational view of New York from above and you can see the Empire State Building . From the end of 2021, another cool option will be added with the glass One Vanderbilt . One more thing about the Empire State Building: It’s the most visited observation deck in New York, so it’s always busy. Avoid the crowds in the morning – and if you really want to go to the Empire State Building in the evening, choose Thursday, Friday or Saturday. During those times, a saxophonist plays on the observation deck. Important: book the Skip-the-Line-Tickets (you can do that here). Then, you can easily save 1-2 hours of waiting time!
• Visit the Statue of Liberty : The trip from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty is super-popular. To save yourself long waiting times, make sure you take the first ferry of the day. Here, you can find the best Statue of Liberty Cruises right now.
• Definitely take a boat tour , because seeing New York from the water is like being on vacation. Choices range from the free Staten Island Ferry or the NYC Ferry ($2.90 each way) to sailing tours (gorgeous) and the classic sightseeing tours that are included with all major New York passes.
• Walk along the High Line from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards .
• Visit Times Square in the evening – that’s when it’s at its most impressive.
• Relax in Central Park or Bryant Park .
• Plan a maximum of three attractions per day . After all, you don’t want any sightseeing stress.

The 41 Absolute Best New York Attractions In 2024

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The 36 Absolute Best Museums in New York

The 9 best observation decks in new york city, new york budget tip.

With the right New York sightseeing pass , you can easily save a lot of money on up to 100 tours and attractions. To find out if a New York Pass is worth it (or not), check out our free New York Pass Advisor to find out which New York Pass is best for you.

And on this page you’ll find our New York Pass comparison .

Itineraries in New York

You don’t know where to start? Then let us inspire you! We have some suggestions for you. By the way, the most popular is the 1 week New York itinerary .

The Perfect Itinerary For Your New York Trip

This itinerary contains over 50 spots and highlights of the city, including a map that shows you the best way to travel each day, taking you to or past the many big attractions. In addition, we‘ve added our favorite places, from great breakfast spots to start your day right to small bars and restaurants and hidden insider spots.

What awaits you here now is the perfect New York week, because this is what my itinerary would look like if I were visiting the Big Apple for the first or second time right now!

What to Do in New York?

For me, an unforgettable New York trip includes the following things in addition to visiting the main sights:

Go Shopping

New York is also really good for shopping. There are many small shopping spots and addresses, but also the big brands can often be found with flagship stores. If that’s not enough, you can go shopping in one of the outlets and flea markets of New York.

The best shopping areas in New York are Broadway, SoHo , Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. And, of course, 5th Avenue!

Avoid Times Square for shopping!

A real tourist trap are the stores around Times Square – they are not only overpriced, but also the quality is not right in most cases!

Here you can find our Guide to Shopping in New York  with everything you need to know!

Shopping in New York: The Ultimate Guide 2024

The Best Outlets in NYC – The Ultimate Guide for 2024

The 15 Best Flea Markets in NYC – Shop Vintage and Rare to Find Items

Shopping in SoHo NYC: The 25 Best Stores Right Now

Visit a rooftop bar.

I love the rooftop bars of New York . You can sit and relax, enjoy a sensational view of the city and listen to relaxing music. All this mixes with the so-typical sounds of the city in the background, and if you have something delicious to drink or eat on top of that, it can’t get any better! You can see where we like to go in our article on the 43 best rooftop bars in New York .

By the way, if you want to experience the view of New York when you get up early in the morning, check out my list of the 26 best New York hotels with a view !

Visit a Broadway Show

New York is known for its many musicals and Broadway shows – most of which are performed in the Theatre District around Times Square. Here are our tips on the  best Broadway Shows in New York . If you already know which Broadway show you want to see, I recommend ordering the tickets in advance ( here ). If you’re still flexible, you can buy leftover tickets at TKTS in Times Square, for example.

Attend a Parade or Special Event

OK, hotel is booked, attractions are on the list, the myNY itinerary is ready, shopping spots are sighted and the first restaurants and bars are also noted. Now comes the last step on the list to the perfect travel planning for New York: the events, parades, and holidays.

They are the icing on the cake of every New York vacation and, therefore, could not be missed in our New York Travel Guide! Just check out our monthly specials that are relevant to you:  January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November and December .

Enjoying the Gastro Scene (in the Evening)

Now comes one of my favorite parts of planning our New York trips: the city’s many bars, restaurants, rooftop bars, and food markets. In our travel guide and insider guides on the website, we put a lot of emphasis on finding the best gastro spots and rooftop bars. So, feel free to browse through them, and if you like something, just add it to your myNY itinerary. Just click on the heart symbol, and you’re done!

The 24 Most Beautiful Bars in NYC Right Now

The 12 Best Food Markets in NYC

The 23 Best Waterfront Restaurants & Bars in New York Right Now

The Best Burger in New York City

Marvel at grand central station.

Be sure to take the time to see Grand Central Station . Not only is it the setting for many series and movies set in New York, it’s also very impressive and has a fantastic ceiling!

The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages)

Walking through DUMBO and Soho

The neighborhoods of DUMBO in Brooklyn and Soho in Manhattan are among the most iconic neighborhoods in the city and are fascinating for their combination of old New York with new New York.

Things to Do in DUMBO

The 15 Best Things to Do in SoHo NYC – The Complete Guide 2024

What to eat in new york.

What should I start with first? With the New York pizza slice, the New York cheesecake, the wonderful pastrami sandwiches at Katz’ Delicatessen, or at the Pastrami Queen? In addition, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Luger are two really good steak restaurants waiting for you and if you want to eat really good burgers: go to J.G. Melon, the hidden Burger Joint or Shake Shack!

Get personal tips & tricks, specifically tailored to your trip!

We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!

Specify dates

I hope my New York Travel Guide helped you plan your first trip to New York. Was there anything missing? Feel free to write it in the comments!

I wish you a wonderful time in New York City!

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

New York City   Travel Guide

Why Go To New York City

Cool, cosmopolitan, crowded, constantly evolving … the Big Apple blends big city splendor with small-town charm. Amid New York's iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers, you'll experience a vibrant culture permeating each of the city's distinctive neighborhoods and boroughs. Follow trendsetters to the East Village and Brooklyn to check out indie boutiques, iconic bakeries and trendy coffee shops. Afterward, peruse the racks of the sleek shops lining Fifth Avenue , admire the cutting-edge art collections at the MoMA  and the Met , catch a memorable show on Broadway or sit down for a meal at the latest "it" restaurant.

As the most populous city in the U.S. – set at the forefront of food, fashion and the arts – NYC requires stamina. But don't let the Big Apple's frenetic sights and sounds intimidate you from soaking up its grandeur. Enlist the help of a local to help you navigate it all. Wander through the concrete jungle and you'll discover roaring taxis zipping down bustling blocks, fast-paced pedestrians strolling past on their way to marquee galleries and trendy cocktail bars, and Times Square 's neon lights flickering at all hours. And yet, the city's twinkling lights and chaotic corners also invite you to embrace every New York minute, explore every enclave and create your own urban adventure. There are endless ways to spend your time in the city that never sleeps, but before you leave, stop and look around – what's here today will be transformed into something bigger and better tomorrow.

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• # 1 in Best U.S. Cities to Visit
• # 1 in Best East Coast Vacation Spots
• # 2 in Best Food Cities in the U.S.

See All 11 Rankings

Best of New York City

Best hotels in new york city.

• # 1 in The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York
• # 2 in The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
• # 3 in Baccarat Hotel New York

Best Things to Do in New York City

• # 1 in Central Park
• # 2 in National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• # 3 in Empire State Building

Popular Tours

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

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from $ 99.00

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from $ 47.91

New York City Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit New York is anytime . Each season in Gotham offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations. Deep winter – January and February – is cold, but that also means cheaper hotel rates . Spring is glorious and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park and dining outside. Summer is hot, but hey, so are lots of places, and at least this is New York. No matter when you decide to visit New York City, consider travel protection – such as a  travel insurance policy or a cancel for any reason plan – in the event you encounter weather issues or trip delays.

Weather in New York City

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Exercise shopping smarts If you're a high roller with a thick wallet,  Fifth  and Madison avenues are your shopping strips. Bargain-hunters should stick to SoHo and Chinatown.

Enter the subway with caution Many subway stations have different platforms for trains going uptown and downtown. Make sure you enter the correct platform before swiping your ticket through the turnstiles. 

Skip the train If you live in a major East Coast city, chances are you'll be able to reach New York City for a relatively affordable price by hopping on the BoltBus or Megabus , two companies that transfer visitors to NYC for cheap.

Take a tour Seeing all of the Big Apple's top sights can be a challenge, which is why signing up for a guided tour may be a smart idea. Whether you're looking for a walking tour , a  food tour , a boat tour , a helicopter tour  or a bus tour , you'll find a variety of experiences to choose from.

How to Save Money in New York City

Say no to cabs A cab here, a cab there … pretty soon, you'll find that cabs have eaten up all your spending cash. Yes, they're convenient but cost-efficient they are not. Learn the subway system instead, or try Uber or Lyft.

Say yes to street vendors Eat some cheap meals on the street at vendors, especially the ones with "Vendy Awards" posted, and you can put the money you would've spent on an expensive lunch toward your MoMA admission.

Say maybe to the TKTS booth If you're willing to spend an hour of your New York City vacation waiting in the half-price ticket booth in Times Square , you could save some serious money on a Broadway show.

Culture & Customs

New York City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. So it should come as no surprise that it's also one of the most diverse. The city is known for its ethnic neighborhoods, as well as its status as the country's trendsetter, making it difficult to define one specific "culture" of the Big Apple. As home to the most vibrant theater and fashions scenes in the country and a large contingent of schools and Wall Street on top of that, NYC also shelters a large gay community as well as many students, artists, fashionistas, writers, businessmen and so on. 

Stereotypically, New Yorkers are portrayed as brash and rude. But as TripAdvisor explains, "New Yorkers are unfailingly proud of their great city, and this pride can, at times, come off as arrogance." Contrary to popular belief, most New Yorkers are happy to help you explore their home.

What to Eat

It's fitting that New York's most popular nickname includes a reference to food. Experts say that the city is jam-packed with delicious places to eat, from the high-end celebrity chef hot spots to cozy eateries. When you're in this cosmopolitan city, you'll have to sample some of its specialties. Most people associate NYC with pizza: New York-style pizza consists of hand-tossed thin crust, a light layer of tomato sauce, plenty of mozzarella cheese and an assortment of toppings. There are dozens of pizzerias dishing out traditional pies across the city, but locals say Joe's Pizza and Grimaldi's Pizzeria are two of the top spots to grab a slice of pizza . Another New York staple? Bagels. The large, soft, doughy bagels can be topped with thick cream cheese (often you can choose from various schmear flavors), lox or your favorite breakfast sandwich accoutrements. Experts say you can't go wrong with a bagel from Ess-a-Bagel , Bagel Bob's or Tompkins Square Bagels .

In addition to its casual eateries, New York City has a vibrant food market (visit Chelsea Market and Gotham West Market ) and farmers market scene. And of course, the Big Apple is home to numerous upscale restaurants highlighting cuisine from around the world. The list of must-try restaurants is constantly changing, but those looking to enjoy an exquisite multicourse meal should make reservations (well in advance) at Eleven Madison Park , Le Bernadin or Daniel . If you'd like to explore fine dining restaurants with more reasonable price tags, Butter , Scarpetta and Marc Forgione are a few celebrity chef-helmed eateries that won't completely bust your budget. The wealth of food options in the city is also part of why New York City consistently lands on the U.S. News ranking of the Best Foodie Cities in the USA . For a comprehensive understanding of the city's dining scene, take one of the Big Apple's top food tours .

What's more, New York City isn't only home to fantastic restaurants, but also to several stand-out bars and breweries . When the weather warms up, locals and travelers alike love heading to the top rooftop bars around the city to soak up the skyline views.

In the past, New York City has owned a reputation for being a rough and dangerous city, but now it's one of the safest large cities in the country. As a tourist, you're not likely to encounter any serious crimes, but you should still use common sense when exploring the city. In the evenings, stick to well-lit areas with other people and keep a close eye on valuables. To discourage pickpockets, keep your wallet in your front pocket and your purses zipped closed.

Like other large cities, New York City is filled with its own group of eclectic personalities. Should someone out of the ordinary approach you, follow many New Yorkers' leads and simply walk away. Be particularly wary in places like Manhattan's Lower East Side and parts of boroughs Queens, Brooklyn and especially the Bronx. Central Park can also get seedy at night.

Despite what people may think, the subway in New York City is safer now than it has ever been. That said, you should be particularly watchful of your belongings while riding, especially when the trains are packed and crowded. Stay near the ticket booths and get into cars with more people or with the conductor, who will normally stick his head out when the train stops. Consider taking a cab at night if you are alone.

Getting Around New York City

The best way to get around New York City is on foot as traffic is fairly heavy around-the-clock. That said, the subway system is a convenient option, too, and it extends throughout Manhattan and into the other New York boroughs. Buses are another affordable way to get around, but keep in mind they traverse streets clogged with weaving cars and cabs. Picking up a car isn't the best mode of transportation, as traffic is heavy. To get from the two main airports – LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) – into the city, you'll likely want to take a taxi or ride-hailing service like Lyft or Uber. If you'd like to mix in a little sightseeing with your transportation, consider a bus tour  or a boat tour .

Many East Coast travelers tend to arrive in New York City on one of the bus services like FlixBus  or Megabus . Amtrak is another popular way of getting into the city and trains roll into Penn Station daily.

Central Park occupies more than 800 acres in the heart of Manhattan and is the largest urban park in the United States.

Explore More of New York City

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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22 amazing reasons to visit NYC in 2022

Broadway is back, new restaurants are open and there's a ton of fun to have!

On 2/22/2022, NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, released "22 reasons to visit NYC in 2022" to hype up the amazing things the city has to offer this year and boost tourism.

After a rough two years, the city is in need of a boost. In 2020, international visitation was down 86% from 2019, and domestic visitation fell by 37%, generating a nearly 55% loss in direct spending and an almost 50% drop in economic impact, according to the Governor's Office.

But 2022 is looking bright. NYC is back and ready to boom again.

RECOMMENDED: 22 things we're looking forward to in 2022

"New York City is known for constant renewal and reinvention. In honor of 2022, we’re pleased to share 22 reasons to visit NYC this year, with this new resource highlighting just a few of the city’s newest and most iconic attractions," said Fred Dixon NYC & Company's president and CEO. "From brand-new hotels and restaurants to upcoming star-studded Broadway shows, exhibitions and events, we invite New Yorkers and our global community alike to experience the vibrant offerings found only in NYC this year."

Below, we're sharing their 22 reasons:

1. NYC Restaurant Week  

The 30th anniversary of   NYC Restaurant Week  kicks off in July. The biannual event began in 1992 as a weeklong, lunch-only promotional event during the Democratic National Convention and since then has grown beyond a one-week event to a four-week program taking place at a variety of restaurants from neighborhood eateries to high-end dining across all five boroughs.

2. There are more hotel rooms  

More than 9,000 new hotel rooms are opening across the city this year, including the highly anticipated  Aman New York, Fifth Avenue,  the new urban sanctuary located on Fifth Avenue; the  Ritz-Carlton, NoMad , a new experience inspired by the essence of the new Madison Square Park; and the  Hard Rock Hotel New York , a new property offering a backstage pass to the best of Midtown Manhattan—all expected to open this spring. Additionally, the  Renaissance Hotels  brand will open properties in Harlem and  Flushing  in the coming months; the  Virgin Hotel New York City  and  Hotel Barrière Le Fouquet’s New York  are expected to open this summer;  Moxy Hotels  will open properties on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn later this year; and  The Fifth Avenue Hotel  is expected to open this fall.

3. City classics have returned  

The  Statue of Liberty  is back open to visitors as is the iconic  Bemelmans Bar,  located on the Upper East Side at the Carlyle Hotel, known for its extensive cocktail menu, nightly live entertainment and Art Deco decor.  The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel,  popular for its afternoon tea, and the  Rainbow Room  are open again.

4. You can easily see it from up high 

The city's iconic observatories like the  Empire State Building  and the  Top of the Rock  are incredible experiences, but now you can see the whole of the city from  One World Observatory ,  Edge  at Hudson Yards and its  City Climb , as well as  Summit One Vanderbilt  opened as the City’s fifth observatory, offering spectacular views. This year, a new virtual attraction debuted offering a unique bird’s-eye view of the skyline:  RiseNY  is an immersive, interactive experience, giving visitors a chance to view New York City virtually while suspended 30 feet in the air.

5. You can enjoy its international character in the boroughs

NYC's five boroughs offer visitors a taste of different cultures, from  Little Caribbean  located in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and  Little Sri Lanka  in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, to Manhattan’s  Chinatown  and  Washington Heights . Queens was recently named as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2022" by  The New York Times  and visitors can  dine along the 7 train  to expand their palate with an array of ethnic cuisines from Eastern European to Japanese. For those looking for authentic Italian cuisine, the Bronx’s  Arthur Avenue  is home to some of the best dishes in the City. You can check out more NYC neighborhoods here  and see which restaurants made our "best of" list in Queens .

6. Flying here is better than ever

There are brand-new terminals at   LaGuardia Airport ,  Newark Liberty International Airport   and  John F. Kennedy International Airport , which makes traveling to and from NYC so much better. The new Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport  has 35 gates plus new retail and dining offerings, including Shake Shack and FAO Schwarz. The new Terminal C will open at LaGuardia in the coming months. And later this year, Newark Liberty International Airport will debut an updated Terminal A, offering 33 new gates directly connected to a multilevel parking facility. Newark will break ground on a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system later this year, which will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ease traffic congestion.  Terminal 8  at JFK International Airport will debut in December with 130,000 square feet of new and renovated space, serving American Airlines and British Airways. Construction will also begin this year on the  New Terminal One at JFK , expected to open in 2026.

7. It's greener here

The city is slowly becoming a more ecologically friendly place. Even the  Javits Center  has a state-of-the-art 7-acre green roof  that has become a sanctuary for area wildlife, including 29 bird species, five bat species and thousands of honeybees. NYC has a new park,  Little Island  near the Meatpacking District, and Central Park has created a Central Park Climate Lab in partnership with the Yale School of the Environment and the Natural Areas Conservancy to develop new research and tools to help urban parks manage the severe impacts of climate change.

8. There are new culinary experiences

Washington Heights just saw the opening of  Dutch Baby Bakery , a woman-owned shop serving fresh seasonal breakfast pastries, tarts, cakes and artisanal bread, while the East Village got  Rowdy Rooster , an Indian-spiced-fried-chicken fast-casual spot. Place des Fêtes, a Spanish-inspired restaurant, will open this month in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and  Makina Café , New York City’s first Ethiopian-Eritrean mobile restaurant, will open a full-service restaurant in Sunnyside, Queens, in early April. Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, a 91-year-old Manhattan sandwich counter, will reopen under a new name,  S&P , in April and Daniel Boulud is taking over the former Augustine and launching a new concept in the Financial District. Check out our list of the best new restaurants in NYC.

9. There are enticing exhibits this year

• The American Museum of Natural History 's " Sharks ," through August 14
• The National Museum of the American Indian 's " Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe " starts March 11
• " Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure " will debut at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in April
• Whitney Museum 's 80th Whitney Biennial, " Quiet as It’s Kept ," starts April 6
• The Met Fifth Avenue 's In America  exhibition, " An Anthology of Fashion ," starts in May
• The Museum of Modern Art will present " Henri Matisse: The Red Studio " in May
• The  High Line  will debut artist Meriem Bennani’s first public sculpture, "Windy   (2022)" in June
• The Brooklyn Museum 's " Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech"  opens July 1

Check out our list of the best art shows and exhibits in NYC!

10. Broadway is back

• The Music Man  with Hugh Jackman is currently on
• Plaza Suite  with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick will be in previews starting February 25
• American Buffalo  with Darren Criss and Laurence Fishburne starts March 22
• Macbeth  with Daniel Craig opens March 29
• For   Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf  will be back April
• Hangmen  will be in previews beginning April 8
• From the best-selling novel,  The Kite Runner , is coming to Broadway for the first time this summer

11. New York City is on TV a lot these days

NYC is playing host and character in a lot of TV shows these days, including with Gossip Girl,   And   Just Like That , The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Gilded Age .  Gossip Girl   fans can take one of the   On Location Tours  of the many sites where the popular series was filmed, including The Met steps and Grand Central Terminal, and  Sex and the City  fans can take an  official tour ,   including dining at Buddakan or indulging in cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. You can check out these Gilded Age relics and take a Mrs. Maisel tour in a vintage Studebaker .  Inventing Anna on Netflix also features many NYC hotels .

12. The shopping is good

Visitors will be able to stop by the new  Tiffany & Co . flagship store at 727 Fifth Avenue this fall, which will have eye-catching installations, exclusive products and the reopening of The Blue Box Café , where customers can enjoy breakfast. Visitors can also stop by New York City’s most iconic department stores, including  Macy’s Herald Square ,  Nordstrom NYC ,  Bloomingdale’s ,  Bergdorf Goodman  and Saks Fifth Avenue . For more shops, visit our shopping and style guide.

13. There are new and evolved museums and cultural institutions  

The  Museum of Broadway ,  the first permanent museum dedicated to Broadway, will open in Times Square this summer and the  Louis Armstrong House Museum  in Corona, Queens, is undergoing a physical and programmatic expansion for a new cultural center, expected to debut later this year, which includes an interactive exhibit, archival collections, a 68-seat jazz club and store. The  Bronx Children’s Museum  is also opening this year after moving to a new home in Mill Pond Park. Find the best NYC museums here.

14. Festivals are back!

NYC will play host to the  Afrofuturism Festival   is taking place at Carnegie Hall through the end of March, featuring more than 80 events,   Asia Week  from March 16–25, and the  NYCxDESIGN’s 10th Anniversary Festival  from May 10–20. The  Tribeca Festival  returns June 8–19, the “Conscious Carnival,”  Letsgetfr.ee , happens in August and  New York Fashion Week  will return in September. 

15. There are new international food halls 

In the past few months, a  massive food hall called Citizens opened by Hudson Yards .  The Hugh , inside the Citigroup center in midtown, is also up-and-running, as is multi-concept West Harlem destination  Manhattanville Market . There's more to come, as well! As we previously reported, the old  Fulton Fish Market is poised to become a luxe food purveyor  while chef and restaurateur Alexander Smalls is working on an African food hall in Harlem.  The Singapore Hawker Center , an enormous Singaporean-inspired food hall, will soon open in midtown bringing authentic, traditional cuisine from 18 street-food vendors, including Douglas Ng of Fishball Story, Chris Hooi of Dragon Phoenix; and Ah Tai, known for his Hainanese chicken rice. 

16. Staten Island has a lot to offer

According to NYC & Co., there’s never been a better time to hop on a ferry and visit Staten Island. The acclaimed  Clinton Hall  opened its sixth beer hall in the city at the  Empire Outlets  alongside  MRKPL Culinary Market , offering shoppers a robust selection of craft beer, wine, cocktails and cuisine. The brand-new  Staten Island Ferry Hawks  baseball team will begin playing in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball this summer and a new  Staten Island Ferry  fleet was recently launched and the St. George route on the  NYC Ferry  now offers a picturesque and convenient direct route to Manhattan’s Battery Park City and Midtown West.

17. Pride is celebrated year-round

Pride isn't just a summer celebration.  HAGS , the first LGBTQ+ fine dining restaurant, will open its doors this year in the East Village, and it's going to be easier to find queer events through NYC's first-ever LGBTQ+ ticketing platform.  The annual  NYC Pride March  is back on June 26 and before that, the  Queens Pride Parade  takes place on June 5 and the  Brooklyn Pride  celebration happens June 11. Follow along on our Pride Guide.

18. New and revamped performing arts centers take the stage

Performing arts are back in a big way— Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater  in Harlem returns this month after a two-year hiatus and construction on the new  Victoria Theater , which opens early next year. In April,  The Barrow Group  theater company will open a new facility in Midtown Manhattan that will offer over 13,000 square feet of training studios and a brand-new theater. And  David Geffen Hall , part of Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic, will reopen its doors to the public this fall, after a complete makeover. The Irish Arts Center just opened its new building and theater  as well!

19. There's so much beauty to behold 

The city has its own beauty to behold. This spring, view the annual blooming of the cherry trees at  Brooklyn Botanic Garden  and the  East River walkway on Roosevelt Island  and other locales around NYC. Don’t miss the horticultural spectacle of  The Orchid Show  at the  New York Botanical Garden  in the Bronx, which will fill the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with thousands of dramatically displayed orchids. Nearby, adventure enthusiasts can check out the  Treetop Adventure  at the Bronx Zoo, reopening this spring. And to catch some waves, visit  Rockaway Beach  in Queens, known as the City’s go-to surfing destination, which also offers playgrounds and other outdoor activities, such as basketball courts, baseball fields, volleyball courts and more. Check out NYC's best parks here.

20. It's a hub for wellness

Find tranquility at the City’s numerous wellness outposts in 2022. The seasonal  Winter Spa  at The William Vale hotel offers guests the ultimate spa experience with private red cedar outdoor saunas featuring panoramic dome windows and soaks in their red cedar hot tubs to relax and recharge.  Governors Island  offers your pick of 20 wellness experiences at  QCNY —opening March 4—including several saunas, and massage and treatment offerings. Additionally, opening this spring, the spa at the new  Aman New York  hotel will offer three stories of rejuvenating experiences, including a 65-foot-long indoor swimming pool, two spa houses and an outdoor terrace. 

 21. It's more accessible

NYC is welcoming to all, especially this year, because some of the biggest Broadway shows including   The Lion King ,   Aladdin   and   Come From Away   have implemented   autism-friendly performances , with adjustments such as reducing any jarring sounds and eliminating strobe or spotlights that shine into the audience.   Contento , a restaurant that opened in East Harlem last June, was designed to be accessible for all. Accommodations include lower bar counters for those using wheelchairs, a QR code on the menu that people with visual impairments can scan with their phones to have the menu read out loud to them, and the bathroom on the same floor as the restaurant instead of down a flight of stairs.   The  Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum  also offers many free access programs for visitors with developmental disabilities, taking place on select Sundays throughout the year, alternating each month between virtual and in-person programming. For more, visit  nycgo.com/accessibility .

22. It has world-famous sporting events

The  NYCRuns Brooklyn Marathon & Half Marathon  will take place April 24, offering runners the chance to explore the borough from North Williamsburg and along the waterfront, before finishing in Prospect Park. On May 1, bike enthusiasts can take to the streets in the TD  5 Boro Bike Tour , experiencing New York City streets without any car traffic. Since 1978, the top tennis stars have played in the  US Open  at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, with this year’s tournament taking place August 29–September 11. And, the sporting event most synonymous with NYC is the  TCS New York City Marathon , an annual 26.2-mile run taking place November 6 that also takes competitors through all five boroughs.

• Shaye Weaver Editor, Time Out New York

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The 37 Best Things to Do in New York City

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg and Alex Erdekian

One of the most mysterious things about New York City is that the closer you look—even at something as minor as a street corner—the more you see. And the longer you look, the faster it changes before your eyes. People can live here for 100 years and never run out of places to go or people to meet, so deciding the best things to do in New York is daunting; which is why we're narrowing your options. Whether you're a local itching to get out of your neighborhood or an out-of-towner who doesn't know The Met from the Mets, these new and classic activities alike will dazzle you. From wandering Central Park to slurping soup dumplings in Chinatown , these are a few of our very favorite things to do in New York City, from Midtown to Brooklyn.

Read our complete New York City travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Central Park Arrow

To get that Nora Ephron New York experience, you have no choice but to take a stroll through Central Park while in the city. As you step off the crowded sidewalks of 59th Street into a mass of green, you’ll hardly realize what lies before you: 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and  hillsides. If you ambled down every one of Central Park’s pathways, you would walk 58 miles. Along the way, you pass sculptures, bridges, and arches, plus 21 playgrounds, a winter ice-skating rink, even a zoo . But you’d hardly notice the four major crosstown thoroughfares, which cleverly disappear into foliage-covered tunnels. Map your park route to stop at classic Central Park landmarks, like the Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.

Chinatown Arrow

 Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods that makes lower Manhattan vibrant and unforgettable. After surfacing from the steps of the Canal Street subway station onto the sidewalk, meandering past thick crowds, neon light shops, and vendors peddling fake designer bags, you’ll find yourself in the narrow streets of Chinatown, where there are bright heaps of produce, succulent ducks hanging in windows, and restaurants old and new. Touching Tribeca, SoHo, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, Chinatown has a rich history and began being populated by Chinese immigrants as early as the 1850s. You can visit in whichever way makes sense for you. Whether you spend an hour devouring a box of roast pork or duck from street-style Wah Fung No. 1 before you have to proceed elsewhere, or you spend half a day shopping for produce, dining out, and paying a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America , everyone will gain something from a visit to Chinatown.

Whitney Museum of American Art Arrow

The Whitney got a major upgrade when it relocated from the Upper East Side to its vastly-expanded Meatpacking headquarters in 2015. It houses 50,000 square feet of indoor galleries with works by Jean Michel Basquiat, Richard Avedon, and Alexander Calder, four outdoor exhibition spaces and terraces, and a ground-floor restaurant and top-floor bar, both by Danny Meyer, one of the town’s best-known restaurateurs. The floors are connected by two artist-designed elevators (albeit slow-moving, crowded ones). If mobility isn’t an issue, take the stairs instead, which offer uninterrupted views of the Hudson river. The upper floors and sculpture terraces are also connected by a series of exterior staircases, with great views of the downtown skyline, and a rare opportunity to experience art en plein aire.

Yankee Stadium Arrow

A spring or summer day spent cheering at an NYC ballpark is a classic activity for a reason. Located in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium is the home field of New York’s 27-time World Champions. It’s a half-hour subway ride from Penn Station and approximately a 20-minute subway ride from Grand Central Terminal, making it easily accessible from Manhattan. It replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost $1.5 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums. It seats 50,287 fans. New York Yankees games, obviously, are the main event here, but you can also attend concerts, college football, and soccer matches.

Caitlin Morton

Jessica Puckett

Jamie Spain

Meaghan Kenny

The Morgan Library & Museum Arrow

The Morgan is like a multi-hyphenate millennial—only instead of actress/model/influencer/whatever, it’s museum/library/landmark/historic site/music venue. Inside the multimillionaire’s personal library, expanded into a must-see museum and cultural space, you'll find rare artifacts, paintings, and books, some dating back to 4000 B.C. that are worth more than your house. In particular the museum is home to one of 23 copies of the original Declaration of Independence; Mozart's handwritten score of the Haffner Symphony; the collected works of African American poet Phillis Wheatley; the only extant manuscript of Milton's  Paradise Lost ; and Charles Dickens’s manuscript of  A Christmas Carol . Swoon.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine Arrow

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 112th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights is the largest cathedral in the world and the sixth-largest church by area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk through these doors annually for a reason. The cathedral itself—and its remarkable Gothic architecture, story-telling stained glass windows, and 17th century tapestries—is already worth visiting. But there is artwork that is especially meaningful to New York City here as well, including Keith Haring's white gold and bronze altarpiece and a 9/11 memorial sculpture by Meredith Bergmann, which holds debris of the towers in it.  The cathedral holds daily and Sunday worship services, which welcome all. There is no charge to pray, meditate, or contemplate in the cathedral. Visitors who show for sightseeing purposes can enter for $5 admission. Special tours are offered depending on the day of the week. 

Summit One Vanderbilt Arrow

There’s no shortage of jaw-dropping views found throughout the city, but the team behind Summit One Vanderbilt has assembled a bunch of big names to bring together a full experience where you could easily spend a few hours. It starts with the elevator, a light- and sound-filled ride that whooshes visitors up to the 91st floor. There, you’re greeted by a massive, mirrored room that looks out over New York City. Additionally, there are rotating art installations from Kenzo Digital, as well as two special features: Levitation, a glass skybox that lets you feel as if you’re floating one-thousand feet above Madison Avenue; and Ascent, a separate glass elevator that brings you up even higher to gaze over downtown Manhattan. Inside, a Snøhetta-designed Nordic-inspired space serves food and drinks from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events, including pastrami-stuffed pretzels and ricotta toast; there’s also a wrap-around outdoor terrace that feels like the city's most exciting rooftop bar.

MoMA PS1 Arrow

The sister institution to MoMA   is no ordinary art museum. Located in a striking Renaissance Revival former public school building in Long Island City, Queens, MoMA PS1’s setting is just as interesting as its collection. All manner of cutting-edge contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, from the likes of James Turrell and Ai Weiwei. The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration.

Bemelmans Bar Arrow

At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations—you might remember them from the Madeline books—adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park ; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive—it’s clear why you’re here—so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

For locals and first-time visitors alike, seeing a Broadway show is a special experience, and one that is exclusive to New York City. Times Square is ordinarily a drag, but when you’re moseying into Midtown Manhattan for a show the bright billboards and lights don’t flash in your face—they dazzle in your eyes. A Broadway show's costumes, sets, songs, and stories are the stuff of dreams. In November, anticipated Spamalot— (parodying Monty Python and the Holy Grail) —and Harmony —a performance telling the true story of the Comedian Harmonists—take the stage.

New York Botanical Garden Arrow

The New York Botanical Garden has carefully manicured flower gardens, lush fields, winding hikes, and impeccable greenhouses. There are spaces that feel deeply intimate, as if you're truly separated from the world, and there are vast expanses where it's hard to believe you're still in the Bronx . In winter, the greenhouses host an annual train show recreating all of New York City in miniature; the warmer months bring every floral delight imaginable, from cherry trees to peonies. Plan to spend at least half a day here and pack a picnic.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

It’s one thing to be in the midst of Manhattan, on the ground; it’s quite another to look upon it from across the river. In Brooklyn Heights, a couple subway stops away from lower Manhattan, the city’s image looms large before you. Arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, the Brooklyn Heights promenade hovers above the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway. Underlying the peaceful, tree-lined walkway, traffic rumbles below. The promenade stretches from Remsen Street at the south end to Middagh Street at the north. Around the corner, pedestrians can discretely cross a basketball court to access a suspended footbridge that zigzags down to the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park. While in the picturesque neighborhood, make stops at the New York Transit Museum, the Sardinian trattoria River Deli, and the old-time dive bar Montero.

Grand Central Terminal Arrow

Grand Central Terminal is more than just one of the busiest train stations in the world—it's a window into old New York and into a time when train travel was the ultimate luxury for the wealthy and a necessity for the working man. If you aren't commuting in or out of the city, avoid coming during rush hour, and take your time admiring the landmark architecture and checking out the top-notch dining and shopping.

9/11 Memorial and Museum Arrow

Every American should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at least once. As you enter the museum, you descend from the street to bedrock level—the foundation of the former Twin Towers—and are placed in a meditative mindset, forced to recall where you were on that fateful day. The museum itself is a masterful balance: It's grand in scale, contemplative in its construction, and personal in its execution. It pays homage to the enormity of the loss, both physical and spiritual. 

Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883—extending 1,595 feet across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights—it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now, it’s a historic staple of the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic underneath and touristic foot traffic above . Standing before arches and rectangles with city skyscrapers rising in the distance, will at once inspire a sense of grandiosity and slightness.

The Cloisters Arrow

Located on four acres in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the Met Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The building overlooks the Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval-inspired cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic, contextualized backdrop in which to view the art.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Arrow

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the MoMA is larger than it appears as you approach it from the street below. One of the world’s most influential museums—displaying the works of important artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, and Diane Arbus—it has 630,000 square feet of space and attracts more than a million visitors a year. While making a beeline for the fifth-floor Collection Galleries to take in The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies is understandable, don’t miss the exhibitions, which tell new stories and can only be experienced in a limited time frame. Allocate time to spend pouring over the remarkable books and objects in the famous gift shop, too—an NYC must-visit in its own right.

Apollo Theater Arrow

Countless careers have been made and stars have passed through this world famous, legendary Harlem theater—Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo to name a few. The venue—which began as a white-only burlesque destination until 1934, when under new ownership it began welcoming and becoming central to the Black community—has been active for 88 years, with swing, blues, jazz, R&B, and comedy acts taking the stage. Today, visitors can attend events like Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of the city’s most long-standing, fame-making live shows. Capacity is 1,500, with three levels of seating, and contrary to the way it appears on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' is intimate without much legroom.

Prospect Park Arrow

Prospect Park is in many ways the Central Park of Brooklyn; in fact, it was designed shortly after by the same team of architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has many of the same features: sprawling meadows, walking trails, and picturesque bodies of water. In feeling though, it’s more rambling and less manicured than its touristed Manhattan counterpart. Prospect Park Woodlands is Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, with 250 acres of trees, turtles, chipmunks, 200 species of birds, and other fauna and flora. There's also basketball and tennis courts, a carousel, playgrounds, zoo, and a 3.35-mile loop for runners and bikers (they’re fast —watch out!). While there, make a trip to adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden , particularly lovely during cherry blossom season.

Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg Arrow

Sip iced coffee in McCarren Park, catch an indie show at Baby's All Right, walk two blocks over to some of the city's most-coveted Italian at Lilia (with a month-in-advance res, of course.) This is the busiest thoroughfare in hip Williamsburg: Bedford Avenue—and the L train that feeds it—might as well be North Brooklyn’s own personal people-watching catwalk. Pedestrians with voluminous pants, dogs with miniature rain boots, and high-speed scooters will swish past you. As you make your way south from the subway station, likely en route from the East Village, you’ll pass local businesses that characterize the area, like Catbird (ethereal, vintage-inspired jewelry), Spoonbill & Sugartown Books (poetry, special design and cookbooks, cards), and Awoke Vintage (best-known for their genuine denim often from the ‘90s.)

Coney Island Arrow

Coney Island has a reputation as a circus-worthy tourist trap, which is exactly what it is. But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town. You’ll definitely be impressed by the food and drinks—Totonno's Pizza, Gargiulo's and Coney Island Brewery in particular. Locals and tourists hang out on the beach, eat ice cream cones on the promenade, and stand in line for the famed Cyclone roller coaster. The beach and boardwalk along with spots like Nathan’s are open year-round. The amusement park itself is seasonal. Events like the annual Mermaid Parade (crowded as they may be) are worth watching for the audacity and theatrics you can’t find anywhere else in the world but Coney Island.

Lincoln Center Arrow

World-renowned performing arts center Lincoln Center is always worth visiting when the opportunity arises, and in October 2022, David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, reopened after a major renovation that improved the venue’s acoustics and spiffed it up with a modern look. The sprawling Upper West Side complex is also home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. All kinds of music, dance, theater, and films show here; Some highlights from the upcoming calendar include the New York Film Festival, the operas like The Life and Times of Malcom X and La Boheme , and ballets like The Nutcracker . Whether you’re on a special date or reconnecting with old friend when you’re in town, seeing a live performance at Lincoln Center will always make for an elegant and memorable night out.

Washington Square Park Arrow

If people-watching is your sport, Washington Square Park is your place. Entertainment is a given in this intimate, not-quite 10-acre space, filled with career chess players, musicians, performers, students, sunbathers, strollers, and general throngs of Greenwich Villagers, desperate for a bit of fresh air. Take your time as you go through: Pause beneath Washington Arch, honoring our country’s first president (for whom the Park is named), and observe the laurel wreaths and intricate motifs that extend from the base to the keystones, atop which twin eagles perch like constant watchmen. Washington Square Park is the beating heart of this vibrant New York neighborhood.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Arrow

For nearly a century and a half, the Met has remained the cultural epicenter of New York City, thanks to forward-thinking exhibits and an extensive permanent collection. With its Gothic-Revival-style building, iconic tiered steps, and Central Park location, the building is a sight to be seen. But step inside its Great Hall—as a ceaseless parade of museumgoers move to-and-fro—and you’ll feel the overwhelming sense of possibility and discovery that lays beyond. If you've got limited time or compatriots with limited attention spans, start with the Temple of Dendur, a 2,000-year-old soaring Egyptian temple (the only complete one in the Western Hemisphere)

Blue Note Jazz Club Arrow

Blue Note has been one of the best jazz clubs in New York, and the world, since the 1980s. It offers music every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30, and on Friday and Saturday nights has a late night series at 12:30 a.m., which showcases emerging talent. If you're looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Over the years, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Tables are intimate, close-set, and all-ages (with the bar being 21-plus).

Union Square Greenmarket Arrow

Union Square is a place of the people, not unlike the agoras of ancient Athens—and no offering of Union Square showcases this quality quite like the bustling Greenmarket. From upstate New York, the Berkshires , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, vendors sell artisan bread, honey, fresh-cut flowers, heritage meats, pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables both common and uncommon, and much more. Don't miss the free events, like book signings and more: Cooking demos take place at the Market Information tent daily, beer and spirits pop-ups show seasonally, and the education station offers tours and tastings.

Rockefeller Center Arrow

Rockefeller Center sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan, both in terms of its physical location and its prominent place in the city's folklore and culture. Whether you want to check out a performance on the plaza outside the TODAY show, visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, you're in for an iconic, family-friendly experience. If you buy a ticket to Top of the Rock, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city below. No matter where you are, you're bound to be constantly pointing and shouting “hey, look at that!”

Comedy Cellar Arrow

None of the promoters on MacDougal Street shouting “stand-up comedy tonight!” are trying to get you into the Comedy Cellar, where the show is already sold out. Blockbuster stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy made their names at the Cellar; if you're lucky, one may show up the night you're there. Seating is intimate and close together, and there is a two-item minimum on food or drinks. It's 21-plus and vaccine-mandatory; be prepared to surrender your phone at the door, too. There's no bad seat in the house, but sit in the front at your own risk of getting (playfully) heckled by the host or a comic.

American Museum of Natural History Arrow

Truly one of the world's great natural history museums, the American Museum of Natural History spans four city blocks just across from Central Park . All aspects of the natural world are represented here, from a vast collection of taxidermy mammals, to depictions of the life of Native American tribes, to an entire hall dedicated to marine life—including a life-size model of a blue whale. The crown jewel is the dinosaur floor, with an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that dominates the room. The newest attraction comes in the form of the long-awaited Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation , which opened in May of 2023 and, among many other things, boasts a comprehensive insectarium and vivarium. Breathtaking architecture from New York-based Jeanne Gang doesn't hurt, either.

The Strand Book Store Arrow

With its towering stacks, filled with more than 2.5 million titles, this 94-year-old bookstore is less neighborhood haunt and more globally recognized institution. You could call the Strand's employees tour guides, considering their deft ability to find the exact title you're looking for and recommend a book you may not have otherwise plucked from the shelves. The store will make you question why you don’t read more; and chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.

Bronx Zoo Arrow

With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better.

Governors Island Arrow

Located in New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, walking onto quirky, car-free, brick-covered, 173-acre Governors Island feels like being transported to an alternate universe from the city—but in reality it's a quick, affordable ferry ride away. One-way fare is $4 and boats are serviced from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building every day, as well as from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook on the weekends. In the past couple of years, Governors Island has become an even more popular city destination, and has welcomed a slew of new luxury businesses. One is special in particular: Collective, the only place you can stay overnight on the island. Collective is a glamping experience, offering plush beds inside the tents, morning yoga, sunset cocktails, and iconic skyline views—Lady Liberty included, herself. Which is all to say, you’re by no means roughing it here. On the menu at their restaurant, you’ll find grilled seafood, gorgeous spreads of pastries, and more. Another luxury experience new to the island is QC NY Spa, with top-grade saunas and a skyline view-filled pool.

McCarren Park Arrow

Fashion and dogs; dogs and fashion. At McCarren Park, these wonders abound. Located smack between Williamsburg and Greenpoint and bound by Nassau Avenue, Bayard Street, Lorimer Street, and North 12th Street, McCarren is one of North Brooklyn’s best gathering places and community hubs. Activities on offer include softball, volleyball, soccer, handball, and more, but you’ll also see Brooklynites running on the track, rollerblading around the park’s perimeter, and hoisting each other up in acroyoga poses on the grass. Shopping and dining opportunities fringe the park and make for a bustling atmosphere—including the Greenmarket on Saturdays, a thrift market bursting with vintage clothes on the weekends, Awoke Vintage, Forma Pasta, Bernie’s, Frankels, and more.

Elsewhere Arrow

Located in Brooklyn on a hip stretch of Bushwick’s Jefferson Avenue, Elsewhere—a vast, three-story nightclub and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop—has become one of the city’s best nightlife destinations. Spinning disco balls and kaleidoscopic lights set the scene. A somewhat recent staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Elsewhere is a converted warehouse that opened in 2017. Blocks away from similar venues like Avant Gardener and House of Yes, Elsewhere stands out for its inclusivity, its intimate vibe in spite of its size, and for lifting up smaller, up-and-coming acts.

Rockaway Beach Arrow

One of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper, Rockaway is a sandy, sprawling stretch of surf located in Queens on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a 5.5-mile boardwalk of delicious concessions. A summery way to get there in style? Take the ferry from Wall Street or Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and let the wind blow through your hair as you take in the city views, sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and past Coney Island on the way. From just about everywhere else in the city, you can also get there via the A train. Each stretch has a different crowd and personality: Beach 90-106 is the busiest section, with the most food and drink options; Beaches 67-69 as well as 90-92 are the surfing zones; between Beach 153 and Beach 169 you’ll find Jacob Riis Park, which is popular with young people and is a summer gathering place for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Metrograph Arrow

Located on Ludlow Street in the Lower East Side, Metrograph is an independent movie house and a New York City cinema destination. When you walk in, you’ll notice that the decor is trendy, artsy, and has almost nothing in common with an AMC. You might overhear film buffs opining on French directors you never heard of, but hey, it’s all part of the charm. It shows a curated roster of films that includes exclusive archival screenings, special premiers, and Q&As with notable filmmakers; a few of the films playing on the current lineup in November include The Wall , a 1990 documentary about the Berlin Wall with vérité-style footage; Bill Cunningham New York on 35mm film, introduced by director Richard Press and producer Philip Gefter; and the classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf , starring Elizabeth Taylor. Seats are assigned and booked online—to purchase in person, tickets go on sale a half hour before showtime. Seats are red-velvet-cushioned, and pretty comfortable.

Bonus: The legitimate restaurant on site called the Metrograph Commissary serving brunch and dinner, where movie-goers can extend their outing with a meal or a round of drinks. You won’t find your typical movie theater slushies here—espresso martinis, steak tartare, and duck with rosemary are on the menu.

Chelsea's Art Galleries Arrow

If you’ve done the Met and the MoMA a million times but have yet to explore the city’s art gallery scene, get thee to Chelsea. The West Side neighborhood is one of the city’s best-known for art and is home to some of the world’s most respected contemporary art galleries, like David Zwirner —representing legends like Yayoi Kusama, Alice Neel, and William Eggleston—and Gagosian —Damien Hirst, Richard Avedon, Takashi Murakami, and Anna Weyant, whose star is rising. These spaces feel exclusive and glamorous, and you feel special upon walking inside and experiencing their treasures. (And unless you’re an heiress, you’re only window shopping.) The Chelsea gallery scene exemplifies one of New York City’s greatest strengths: walkability. We’d recommend mapping out the spots you want to hit and making half a day out of it—West 24th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues is a prime route.

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10 Reasons You Must Visit New York

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September 21, 2021

Edited by Kathryn Foley

NYC is a must-see city. It’s hard to narrow down the hundreds of reasons to visit New York ; from incredible food to cutting edge arts, there are a million reasons to visit New York, but here are some of the best. My first memories of New York are from my childhood when I went there on a family trip. I remember the classics - the top of the Empire State Building, the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, and the skyscrapers towering above me. But since then, my relationship with New York has changed a lot. I’ve lived in tiny Williamsburg apartments and luxurious historic brownstones in Manhattan, and in both cases, New York was pure magic. NY should be on everyone’s bucket list of destinations, and here’s why.

Food glorious food 

To be clear, I am not a foodie. My priorities lie in seeing shows and performances or going to museums, but I do love good food and I am constantly fascinated by trying new dishes. I could be encouraging you towards New York-style foods like bagels, pizza, clam chowder, all of which I’ve eaten (they are delicious, please try them), or recommending the trendy restaurants in midtown and cool restaurants in Brooklyn, but you can find information on that all over the internet. So I am sharing with you the restaurants that I remember with my stomach: E.A.K Ramen, Taco Mahal, Hi-Collar, Momofuku. My first encounter with Korean food ever was in New York, and the multiple Korean restaurants I have been to in the years have all been incredible. Korean food in New York is the real deal, so don’t miss out on trying some while you’re in town!

Whenever I travel to a new city, I check if there is a free museum day or a day that the museum is open longer hours as I find that those are the best times to go. And if you’re looking for free things to do in New York, free museum Fridays are a great option! But you can seriously find a free day almost everywhere. I try to always go to Solomon R. Guggenheim (I am a sucker for architecture), the New Museum, the MoMA PS1, and the Brooklyn Museum. I’m interested in contemporary and experimental art, and I look for institutions and organizations that are trying to work against colonization, appropriation, and tokenization. The MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney are also incredible on a different level, and there are some like the Bronx Museum of Art which are always free. Who said you can’t find free things to do in New York!

The diversity of its neighborhoods

Get lost in New York’s neighborhoods. Take the metro to a place you’ve never been or a neighborhood you want to adventure in and just spend as many hours as you have just walking around, exploring, and seeing where your desires and needs lead you. Sure, get disorientated in Times Square and stroll through Central Park, but go to Williamsburg, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Little Italy, and wherever else takes your fancy. You can only discover the incredible diversity of the city’s culture, cuisine, and community by exploring districts like these. Each neighborhood really does have its own personality. I loved Williamsburg, and it’s true that these days everyone wants to come here, party, ride around on a bike and check out the latest hipster bars, but get past this and there’s still a whole lot of soul. If you’re wondering where to stay in New York City, getting out of Manhattan would be my recommendation, and who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with the area like I did!

Photo credit: elmoremagazine

Experimental arts scene

You don’t have to look far for unique things to do in New York; it’s a hub for many cultures and arts that often do not have geographical zones. One of these is the city’s quirky experimental theatre and dance scenes. There are amazing festivals like American Realness, Coil Festival, Under the Radar to mention a few, who are really working towards presenting the most experimental and cutting edge performances. All of these take place in January, and in the same month, APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professional) brings together curators, presenters, and artists from all over the country. Because of this, people come from all over the world to witness, discover, meet, and be part of this cultural moment. Individual artists organize shows and pop-up events during this time to benefit from this kind of cultural tourism. There’s a coming together of people from all walks of life, and this confluence of artists and leaders is very unique to New York and doesn’t really happen in any other part of the world. But if you can’t wait until January, there are still plenty of venues to check out: the Chocolate Factory, The Invisible Dog, Abrons Art Center, Danspace Project, Gibney Dance (a lot of drop-in classes to take here), La Mama, The Kitchen, The Public Theatre are a few venues to check out to see shows, take classes or workshops.

To walk across the Brooklyn Bridge 

Going all the way to New York to walk over a bridge might seem strange, but I’m a sucker for a good skyline. As the daughter of an architect and a maker of many things that involved patterns, shadows, shapes and colours, I enjoy the way that each city has a different and unique way to define its distance and relationship with the sky. I am one of those people that walk around the world looking up a lot. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge allows you to be close to the city but yet, still experience the skyline. And the Brooklyn Bridge is such an icon of the city. Even if you’ve never visited before, you’ll recognise this sight from movies, tv shows and photographs - and it’s definitely one of the top things to do in NY! It takes about half an hour to walk across it, but it can be complicated and frustrating to find where to access it; look for the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway. You can drive, bike or walk it, but I’d recommend walking for sure. It will be something that you remember forever, even if you only visit New York once.

For the brunches

What to eat in New York? Brunch. It’s a big deal here, and the weekend ritual of going for brunch with your friends or family is something I love about the city. Maybe it’s because the city never sleeps so no one has been to bed, or maybe it’s because no one wakes up in time for breakfast but you’re never far from a delicious brunch place. There are the latest ‘it’ spots popping up all the time and not even locals can keep up, but a few places I like which were not too far from where I used to stay in Williamsburg are Anella’s in Greenpoint and Stone Park Cafe in Prospect Heights. At Stone Park Cafe they do amazingly innovative things like tempura oyster frittata, which is great when like me you love experimenting with new dishes.

For the architecture

As I’ve already mentioned, I am the daughter of an architect so it’s not totally surprising that this is a passion of mine, but the buildings here have a real knack of transporting you to another era or making you feel like you could be someone else. Take Grand Central; the station is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture, and even just passing through can make you feel like you’re in a movie. Or take a lazy Sunday morning stroll - before you go for that brunch - in one of the Brooklyn neighborhoods that’s known for its brownstones, like Park Slope or Brooklyn Heights (both are also coincidentally great neighborhoods to stay in New York). So many of them look almost exactly as they would have done when they were built in the early 19th century, and you almost feel that time has stood still when you see the huge sandstone terraces which so epitomize New York architecture.

It’s a window into American history

There are 65 million passenger records of people who arrived in the States via the port of New York, at Ellis Island, and for so many years this really was the gateway to the rest of America. The millions of people who came through this port changed the face of the city, and of the whole country forever. And compared to so many other cities, New York’s is relatively recent. Visit Ellis Island to get a handle on how migration affected and shaped the city into the place we know today. Any list of places to visit in New York should definitely include this historic spot, and exploring the narratives of some of the early New York immigrants and their experiences provides, for me, a window into the city itself.

I’m a choreographer by profession and have spent time as a contemporary dancer in New York. The city is so inspiring, and there are endless opportunities to explore not only dance but other performing arts. The city is home to the Lincoln Centre, which is the largest performing arts center in the world, and the residence of the New York City Ballet. If you have the opportunity to go even once, go for it! And as I mentioned already, there are countless, experimental dance spaces where you can either take part or watch performances.

The experience

I think there are few cities on earth which visiting, even just once, is an experience everyone should have. New York York will have exhausted you before you exhaust the never ending list of things you can do here at any hour of the day. There’s such a vibrant energy fizzing out of literally everything and everyone here, and it’s infectious. New York experiences like walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, going up the Empire State building, having your first bagel or seeing the ice rinks at Christmas are things that are so universally recognised, and so special when you finally do experience them for yourself. A lot of these things are touristy, but it’s still magical to experience them for yourself. Day, night and anywhere in between there’s something going on, and things to do in New York at night can be anything from listening to jazz in a basement club to glamping in the city (true story) to finding somewhere that serves your favourite, niche dish at 4am. Whether it’s reality or a little bit fictionalised, the idea of what we think New York will be (or should be) is probably somewhere in the back of most of our head’s so this year why not come and check it out for yourself?

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Why Is New York So Popular? 15 Reasons To Love NYC!

Published: September 11, 2023

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Kora Dumas

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Introduction

Welcome to the city that never sleeps – New York City! Known for its vibrant energy, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural heritage, NYC has captured the hearts of millions of travelers from around the globe. Stepping foot into this bustling metropolis, you’ll immediately feel the pulse of the city and understand why it holds such an allure.

There’s something magical about New York City that sets it apart from other destinations. It’s not just the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets; it’s the palpable sense of opportunity and dreams that permeate the air. From Broadway shows to world-class dining, there’s never a shortage of things to do and see in this concrete jungle.

New York City is a melting pot of different cultures, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world. From Chinatown to Little Italy, each neighborhood offers its own unique charm and flavor. Whether you’re a foodie, history enthusiast, or fashionista, NYC has something for everyone.

In this article, we’ll delve into 15 reasons why New York City is so popular and why it continues to be a favorite destination for travelers:

Rich Cultural Heritage

New York City is a cultural playground, with a rich and diverse heritage that is celebrated in various forms. The city is home to countless museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions that showcase the depth and breadth of human creativity throughout history.

One of the most iconic cultural landmarks in NYC is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known simply as the Met. Housing an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world, the Met offers visitors a chance to explore ancient Egyptian treasures, European masterpieces, and contemporary art exhibits all under one roof.

In addition to the Met, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art are just a few of the other world-renowned art institutions that call New York City home. These museums feature a wide range of artistic styles and movements, showcasing the works of both established and emerging artists.

Music also plays a major role in New York City’s cultural scene. From the jazz clubs in Harlem to the classical performances at Carnegie Hall, music lovers can immerse themselves in a variety of genres and styles. The city has been a breeding ground for legendary musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jimi Hendrix, solidifying its place in music history.

Furthermore, New York City celebrates its diverse cultural heritage through various festivals and parades. The annual West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, while the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown showcases the traditions of the city’s Chinese community. These events bring together people from different backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for the city’s multicultural tapestry.

Whether you’re exploring the hidden gems of the Lower East Side or experiencing the vibrant street art scene in Bushwick, New York City offers endless opportunities to immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage. The city’s artistic and cultural offerings truly make it a global capital of creativity.

Iconic Landmarks

New York City is renowned for its iconic landmarks that have become symbolic not only of the city but also of the entire United States. These landmarks serve as a testament to the city’s rich history, architectural brilliance, and cultural significance.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world is the Statue of Liberty. A gift from France, the statue stands tall on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, welcoming millions of immigrants to the United States throughout history. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and even climb to the crown for a panoramic view of the city skyline.

Another iconic landmark is the Empire State Building. This towering structure stood as the tallest building in the world for nearly four decades and continues to be an emblem of New York City. Visitors can ascend to the top observation deck and marvel at the breathtaking views of Manhattan.

Times Square is yet another iconic spot in New York City. Known for its vibrant billboards, bustling crowds, and dazzling lights, Times Square is the epicenter of entertainment in the city. It’s a must-see destination, especially on New Year’s Eve when thousands of people gather to witness the famous ball drop.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a magnificent architectural marvel that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Walking across this iconic suspension bridge offers breathtaking views of the cityscape and the East River. It’s a perfect spot for a jog or leisurely stroll, especially during sunset.

Central Park is not only a green oasis in the heart of the city but also an iconic landmark. Spanning over 800 acres, it provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely bike ride, have a picnic, or simply relax and soak in the beauty of nature.

These are just a few examples of the many iconic landmarks that dot the New York City skyline. From the historic Grand Central Terminal to the majestic Chrysler Building, each landmark tells a story and leaves an indelible mark on anyone who visits.

Exploring these landmarks is a must for any visitor to New York City. They not only provide a sense of awe and wonder but also serve as a reminder of the city’s grandeur and enduring legacy.

World-Class Dining and Cuisine

New York City is a food lover’s paradise, offering an unparalleled culinary scene that showcases cuisines from around the world. With thousands of restaurants, food trucks, and markets, the city is a melting pot of flavors and culinary traditions.

From fine dining establishments to hole-in-the-wall eateries, there’s something for every palate and budget in NYC. The city boasts a plethora of Michelin-starred restaurants, where talented chefs push the boundaries of gastronomy and create unforgettable dining experiences. Whether you’re craving French cuisine, Japanese sushi, or Italian pasta, you’ll find it all in the Big Apple.

One of the most iconic culinary destinations in New York City is the vibrant neighborhood of Chinatown. Here, you can feast on dim sum, dumplings, and authentic Chinese delicacies that will transport you to the bustling streets of Beijing or Shanghai. The flavors and aromas of Chinatown make it a must-visit for any food enthusiast.

For those seeking a more casual dining experience, the city’s food truck culture offers an array of delicious and diverse options. From gourmet burgers and tacos to artisanal ice cream and exotic fusion cuisine, these mobile eateries serve up culinary delights at street corners and parks throughout the city.

New York City is also known for its bagels, pizza, and hot dogs. Grabbing a piping hot authentic New York-style pizza slice from a local pizzeria is a rite of passage for any visitor. And you can’t leave the city without trying a classic street cart hot dog with all the delectable toppings.

Furthermore, the city embraces the farm-to-table movement, with farmers markets offering fresh produce and locally sourced ingredients. The Union Square Greenmarket is a popular spot where locals and chefs gather to purchase seasonal fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products.

If you’re a food lover, the possibilities are endless in New York City. From acclaimed chefs pushing culinary boundaries to authentic ethnic cuisines and street food delights, the city’s dining scene is a journey of flavors and a feast for the senses.

Vibrant Arts and Entertainment Scene

New York City is synonymous with creativity and artistic expression. The city’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene is a testament to its cultural significance and serves as a hub for artists, performers, and enthusiasts from around the world.

Broadway, the epicenter of live theater, is one of the main attractions for art lovers in New York City. With its dazzling marquees and world-class productions, Broadway offers a wide range of shows, from classic musicals like “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Hamilton” to innovative plays and comedies. Attending a Broadway show is a truly magical experience that can transport you into different worlds and leave you in awe of the talent displayed on stage.

However, Broadway is just the tip of the iceberg. Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theaters showcase emerging talent and experimental productions, providing a platform for aspiring artists to showcase their work. These theaters often offer unique and intimate experiences that allow the audience to connect with the performers on a deeper level.

Music lovers can indulge in a vast array of concerts and performances throughout the city. The legendary Carnegie Hall hosts world-renowned orchestras and musicians, while The Apollo Theater in Harlem has been a platform for African American performers since its founding in 1914. From jazz clubs in Greenwich Village to underground indie venues in Brooklyn, New York City offers a diverse and thriving music scene.

Fine art enthusiasts can explore the numerous galleries and art museums that grace the city. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) showcases cutting-edge contemporary art, while the Whitney Museum of American Art focuses on artists from the United States. The Guggenheim Museum, with its iconic spiral structure, not only houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art but also offers stunning architectural beauty.

It’s not just the traditional arts that thrive in New York City; the city also embraces street art and graffiti as valid forms of artistic expression. Neighborhoods like Bushwick in Brooklyn are known for their vibrant street art scenes, with colorful murals adorning buildings and inviting visitors to embrace the creativity of the city.

Whether you’re a theater aficionado, art enthusiast, or music lover, New York City offers a cornucopia of artistic experiences waiting to be discovered. The city’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene is a testament to its status as a global cultural capital and continues to inspire and captivate audiences from near and far.

Spectacular Broadway Shows

No visit to New York City would be complete without experiencing the magic of Broadway. As the pinnacle of live theater, Broadway offers a dazzling array of spectacular shows that leave audiences captivated and in awe.

Known as the “Great White Way,” Broadway is home to some of the most iconic and successful musicals and plays in the world. From long-running classics like “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Chicago” to contemporary hits like “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” there’s a diverse range of shows to suit every taste.

Attending a Broadway show is an experience like no other. The magnificent theaters, with their ornate architecture and plush interiors, transport you to another era. The talented performers, with their powerful voices and captivating performances, bring stories to life with emotion and passion.

While musicals dominate the Broadway scene, there are also non-musical plays that showcase the incredible talents of actors and playwrights. From dramas to comedies to thought-provoking stories, these shows offer a different kind of theatrical experience and often tackle important social issues.

One of the unique aspects of Broadway shows is the incredible production value. Elaborate sets, stunning costumes, and innovative lighting create a visual feast for the audience, immersing them in the story and creating a sense of wonder. The combination of music, dance, and storytelling on a grand scale is a testament to the immense talent and creativity of the Broadway community.

Getting tickets to a Broadway show can be a highly sought-after experience, so it’s recommended to book in advance. Discounted tickets are available through TKTS booths in Times Square or online through reputable ticket vendors.

Attending a Broadway show is not just a cultural experience; it’s an opportunity to witness the pinnacle of live theater and be transported into a world of imagination and emotion. Whether you’re a theater enthusiast or a first-time visitor to Broadway, the magic of these shows will leave an indelible mark on your New York City experience.

Diverse Neighborhoods

New York City is a tapestry of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. From the glitz and glamour of Manhattan to the cultural enclaves of Brooklyn and the vibrant streets of the Bronx, exploring the city’s neighborhoods is like embarking on a mini-world tour.

Manhattan is the heart of the city, known for its iconic skyline and bustling streets. It’s home to world-famous neighborhoods like Times Square, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village. Times Square, with its neon lights and colossal billboards, is the epitome of urban excitement. Chelsea, on the other hand, is a haven for art lovers, with numerous galleries showcasing contemporary and cutting-edge works. Greenwich Village exudes a bohemian vibe, with its tree-lined streets, historic brownstones, and thriving music scene.

Brooklyn, just across the East River from Manhattan, has become a cultural hub in its own right. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg and DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) are known for their trendy bars, hipster coffee shops, and artistic spirit. Brooklyn Heights offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, while Park Slope boasts beautiful brownstone-lined streets and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Queens, the most diverse borough in New York City, offers a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods. Flushing, with its bustling Chinese and Korean communities, is a food lover’s paradise, known for its authentic Asian cuisine. Astoria boasts a strong Greek influence, with traditional tavernas and Greek specialty shops lining its streets. Jackson Heights is a vibrant multicultural neighborhood, home to a large South Asian population and a wide range of international cuisines.

The Bronx, often associated with Yankee Stadium and the birthplace of hip-hop, has much more to offer. The Grand Concourse is lined with beautiful Art Deco buildings, while the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration. The Bronx’s cultural diversity is also evident in its countless ethnic communities, from Little Italy to Little Puerto Rico.

Staten Island, the southernmost borough, offers a slower pace compared to the other boroughs. It’s known for its beautiful parks, including the Staten Island Greenbelt, as well as the stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry. The historic Richmond Town and the Staten Island Museum provide a glimpse into the borough’s rich history and heritage.

Exploring the diverse neighborhoods of New York City is like embarking on a multicultural adventure. Each neighborhood has its own unique atmosphere, culinary delights, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It’s a testament to the city’s vibrant and ever-evolving nature, offering endless exploration and discovery.

Central Park

Central Park, often referred to as the “lungs of New York City,” is a breathtaking oasis in the heart of Manhattan. Spanning over 840 acres, this iconic park offers a much-needed escape from the bustling streets, providing a serene and natural haven for both locals and visitors.

Central Park is a year-round destination, offering something for everyone regardless of the season. In the warmer months, the park comes alive with vibrant colors as flowers bloom, and lush green lawns invite picnickers and sunbathers. The park offers a range of activities, from horse carriage rides and bike rentals to rowboat excursions on the serene Central Park Lake.

Exploring the park on foot is a must-do experience, allowing you to wander along winding paths, stumble upon hidden waterfalls, and discover beautiful landmarks. From the picturesque Bow Bridge to the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, there are countless photo-worthy spots throughout the park.

Central Park is not just an escape into nature; it offers a wealth of cultural attractions as well. The Central Park Zoo is a popular destination for families, with its wide array of animal exhibits. The park also features several statues and sculptures, including the famous Alice in Wonderland sculpture and the Balto statue, commemorating the heroic sled dog.

Throughout the year, Central Park hosts a range of events and concerts. The Great Lawn, one of the park’s largest open spaces, transforms into an outdoor concert venue for performances by renowned artists and orchestras, drawing crowds of music enthusiasts.

Central Park’s natural beauty and stunning landscapes have also made it a popular filming location for numerous movies and TV shows. From romantic scenes in “When Harry Met Sally” to action-packed chases in “Home Alone 2,” the park has served as a backdrop for countless iconic movie moments.

Whether you’re walking, running, biking, or simply relaxing on a bench, Central Park offers a peaceful respite from the chaos of city life. It’s a place to reconnect with nature, enjoy outdoor activities, and create lasting memories in the heart of the concrete jungle.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, has stood as a beacon of hope and welcome to millions of immigrants coming to the United States. Located on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, this iconic landmark is a must-see for visitors to New York City.

Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886. Lady Liberty, as she is affectionately known, holds a torch in her right hand, symbolizing liberty and enlightenment, while clutching a tablet inscribed with the date of American independence in her left hand.

Visitors can take a ferry to Liberty Island and climb to the crown of the statue for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline and the harbor. The museum inside the pedestal provides historical context and insight into the statue’s significance as a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Another option to view the statue is from Battery Park, where visitors can catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty from a distance. Many boat tours also offer stunning views of the statue as they cruise around the harbor.

The Statue of Liberty stands not only as a symbol of freedom but also as a welcoming figure to immigrants arriving in America. Ellis Island, located nearby, was the gateway for millions of immigrants who passed through its doors in search of a better life. Today, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration provides visitors with a glimpse into the experiences of those who came to America seeking opportunity.

Seeing the Statue of Liberty in person is a powerful experience that connects visitors to the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of the American dream. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and diverse heritage of the United States, and the continued promise of hope and opportunity that the country represents.

Times Square

Times Square, often referred to as “The Crossroads of the World,” is one of the most vibrant and iconic destinations in New York City. This bustling intersection in the heart of Manhattan is synonymous with bright lights, towering billboards, and non-stop energy.

With its massive electronic billboards and neon signage, Times Square is a visual feast for the eyes. This commercial hub is home to Broadway theaters, major retail stores, and countless restaurants. The area is constantly buzzing with activity, day and night.

Times Square is particularly famous for its New Year’s Eve celebration, when thousands of people gather to witness the dazzling ball drop and ring in the new year. The event has become a globally recognized symbol of celebration and is broadcasted around the world.

When visiting Times Square, be prepared to be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere. Street performers entertain the crowds, while costumed characters roam the streets, ready to pose for photos. You’ll also find a variety of souvenir shops where you can purchase a piece of Times Square memorabilia.

Surrounding the square are world-renowned theaters, hosting a wide range of Broadway shows. From spectacular musicals to intimate dramas, theater enthusiasts can find a show to suit their interests and preferences.

Times Square is not just a tourist attraction; it’s a cultural hotspot that reflects the diversity and energy of New York City. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come together to experience the magic of the city and immerse themselves in its vibrant atmosphere.

With its vibrant lights, bustling energy, and iconic status, Times Square continues to be a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to New York City. It’s an experience that encapsulates the excitement and dynamism of the city that never sleeps.

Museums and Art Galleries

New York City is a treasure trove of world-class museums and art galleries, offering a rich and diverse cultural experience for art enthusiasts and history aficionados alike. With a vast array of institutions showcasing everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary art, the city is a paradise for those seeking intellectual stimulation and artistic inspiration.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as the Met, is a must-visit destination for art lovers. Spanning over two million square feet, it houses an extensive collection of artworks from around the world and throughout history. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to European masterpieces to contemporary installations, the Met provides a comprehensive overview of human creativity.

Another iconic institution is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which is dedicated to showcasing the groundbreaking art of the 20th and 21st centuries. With its collection including works by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Warhol, a visit to MoMA is a journey through the evolution of modern art.

The Guggenheim Museum is not only known for its impressive collection but also for its unique architectural design. Its spiral ramp takes visitors on a mesmerizing journey through contemporary art exhibitions and avant-garde installations.

In addition to these world-class museums, New York City is also home to numerous specialized institutions. The American Museum of Natural History, located on the Upper West Side, offers a fascinating exploration of the natural world, showcasing dinosaur fossils, intricate dioramas, and an awe-inspiring planetarium.

For those interested in American history and culture, the New-York Historical Society provides a comprehensive look into the city’s past. It features a vast collection of artifacts, documents, and art pieces that highlight key moments in American history.

Beyond museums, the city is brimming with art galleries that showcase contemporary works by emerging and established artists. Chelsea, in particular, is known for its concentration of art galleries, where visitors can discover the latest trends and cutting-edge artistic expressions.

Exploring the museums and art galleries of New York City is an enriching experience that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of art, history, and culture. The sheer diversity and depth of these institutions make the city a true haven for art enthusiasts, and a visit to New York City wouldn’t be complete without exploring its cultural offerings.

Fashion Capital

New York City is undeniably one of the world’s fashion capitals. From high-end luxury brands to independent designers, the city’s fashion scene is a vibrant and ever-evolving spectacle that sets trends and pushes boundaries.

The iconic Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is synonymous with luxury and glamour. Here, you’ll find flagship stores of renowned fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel, as well as high-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Strolling down this fashion mecca offers a visual feast of opulent displays and showcases the latest designer collections.

New York Fashion Week, held twice a year, attracts top designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts from around the world. The event showcases the latest trends and collections, setting the tone for the global fashion industry. Attendees can experience runway shows, presentations, and exclusive parties, providing a glimpse into the fast-paced and glamorous world of fashion.

However, New York City’s fashion scene isn’t confined to luxury brands and catwalks. The city’s streets are an endless runway of style, showcasing individuality and diverse fashion aesthetics. Neighborhoods like SoHo and Williamsburg are known for their fashion-forward boutiques, featuring unique and innovative designs from emerging designers.

In addition to the high fashion scene, New York City hosts a range of fashion-focused events and exhibitions. The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art presents elaborate fashion exhibitions, highlighting the intersection of art and fashion. The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) offers a curated glimpse into the history of fashion, displaying a collection of garments and accessories that span centuries.

Furthermore, the city is a hub of creativity, nurturing emerging designers and providing opportunities for fashion startups to thrive. The Fashion District, located in Manhattan, is the epicenter of the city’s garment and textile industry. Here, designers can find fabric stores, production facilities, and showrooms, making it a vital hub for fashion professionals.

Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, a trendsetter, or simply enjoy people-watching, New York City’s fashion scene offers something for everyone. The city’s status as a global fashion capital ensures that there’s always something new and exciting happening in the world of fashion, making it an essential destination for fashion lovers.

Street Food Culture

New York City’s street food culture is a culinary adventure like no other. The city is famous for its diverse and delicious array of street food options, offering a taste of the world without breaking the bank.

Exploring the streets of NYC, you’ll encounter food carts and trucks on seemingly every corner, each offering a unique culinary experience. From the ever-popular hot dog stands to the mouthwatering smell of kebabs and falafel, the options are endless.

One of the most iconic street foods in New York City is the classic street hot dog. Grabbing a hot dog from a cart with all the traditional toppings like mustard, ketchup, onions, and sauerkraut is a quintessential New York experience.

Another popular street food option is the halal cart, serving up delicious Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. These carts are known for their hearty platters of chicken or lamb served over rice with salad, pita bread, and a flavorful sauce like tahini or tzatziki.

For those craving something sweet, there’s no shortage of dessert options on the streets of NYC. You can indulge in a freshly made crepe filled with Nutella and bananas or savor an authentic Italian cannoli from a street vendor.

New York City’s street food scene is also known for its international flavors. You can enjoy a mouthwatering dish of authentic Mexican tacos, sample flavorful Caribbean jerk chicken, or savor the aromatic spices of Indian street food.

In addition to the ubiquitous food carts, the city is also home to outdoor food markets and festival events that showcase a wide range of cuisines from around the world. Smorgasburg, for example, is a popular food market where vendors offer an array of gourmet delights such as artisanal ice cream, gourmet sandwiches, and unique fusion dishes.

What makes the street food culture in New York City so special is not just the delicious food but also the sense of community. Standing in line at a food cart or joining others at a communal table in a food market creates a bond among strangers sharing a common love for good food.

Exploring New York City’s street food culture is a gastronomic adventure that allows you to taste the city’s diverse culinary offerings while enjoying the energetic atmosphere and vibrant street life. It’s an experience that adds flavor and excitement to any visit to the Big Apple.

Sporting Events

New York City is a sports lover’s paradise, offering a diverse range of sporting events that attract fans from all over the world. From baseball to basketball, soccer to tennis, the city pulsates with energy and excitement during game days.

One of the most iconic sporting events in New York City is a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees, with their rich history and storied legacy, have a loyal fan base that fills the stadium with passion and enthusiasm. Catching a game surrounded by thousands of cheering fans is an experience unlike any other.

Basketball enthusiasts can get their fix by attending a game at Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks. The atmosphere is electric as fans cheer on their favorite team, creating an intense and thrilling environment.

Soccer, commonly referred to as football in most parts of the world, is another beloved sport in New York City. The New York Red Bulls, part of Major League Soccer, have their home games at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Additionally, the city boasts two professional women’s soccer teams, New York City FC and Sky Blue FC.

Tennis fans can experience the electrifying atmosphere of the US Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. Watching the world’s top tennis players battle it out on the court is a thrilling experience.

New York City is also home to professional basketball teams like the Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty. Hockey fans can catch a high-energy NHL game at the Barclays Center, home to the New York Islanders, or at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Rangers take to the ice.

The city also hosts major sporting events, such as the New York City Marathon, which brings together elite runners and recreational participants from around the globe. The marathon route takes participants through all five boroughs, showcasing the city’s diversity and offering stunning views along the way.

Attending a sporting event in New York City is not only about the game itself; it’s about the passion, camaraderie, and the electric atmosphere that permeates the stadium. It’s an opportunity to be a part of a shared experience, cheering alongside fellow fans and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Nightlife and Entertainment

New York City truly comes alive after dark, offering a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene that caters to every taste and interest. From trendy clubs and rooftop bars to live music venues and comedy clubs, the city offers an endless array of entertainment options that will keep you entertained until the early hours of the morning.

One of the most iconic nightlife destinations in New York City is the neighborhood of Chelsea. Known for its bustling nightlife, you’ll find a variety of stylish and trendy clubs, many of which feature renowned DJs spinning the latest beats. These clubs often attract a mix of locals and tourists looking to dance the night away.

The Lower East Side is another popular neighborhood for nightlife seekers. It boasts an eclectic mix of bars, speakeasies, and live music venues that cater to different tastes and budgets. You can enjoy intimate performances by up-and-coming artists or catch live bands playing indie rock, jazz, or electronic beats.

For those who appreciate comedy, New York City has a thriving comedy scene. Comedy clubs like the Comedy Cellar and Gotham Comedy Club showcase both seasoned professionals and up-and-coming comedians, delivering evenings filled with laughter and entertainment.

In addition to clubs and comedy, the city offers a wealth of theatrical and live entertainment options. Broadway shows, as mentioned earlier, are a hallmark of the city’s entertainment scene, offering spectacular performances and unforgettable experiences. Additionally, off-Broadway theaters and small theaters in neighborhoods like the West Village and East Village showcase innovative productions ranging from drama to immersive theater experiences.

Bars and lounges are scattered throughout the city, offering a more relaxed atmosphere for socializing and enjoying cocktail creations by skilled mixologists. Rooftop bars, with their breathtaking views of the city skyline, are particularly popular, providing a sophisticated setting for sipping drinks and socializing with friends.

It’s essential to note that New York City’s nightlife scene is constantly evolving, with new venues and experiences emerging regularly. Pop-up events, underground parties, and hidden gems can be discovered by being in the know or following local recommendations.

From dancing the night away to discovering new comedic talents or enjoying live performances, New York City’s vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene ensures there’s never a dull moment. So, whether you’re looking to let loose on the dance floor, laugh until your sides hurt, or immerse yourself in live performances, the city has it all.

Unique Shopping Experience

New York City is a shopper’s paradise, offering a unique and diverse shopping experience that caters to every style, budget, and taste. From upscale luxury boutiques and department stores to eclectic vintage shops and bustling markets, the city offers an unparalleled range of shopping options.

For those seeking high-end designer fashion, New York City is home to iconic department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf Goodman. These luxurious retail destinations house an extensive selection of designer brands, from Chanel and Gucci to Prada and Louis Vuitton, providing an exceptional shopping experience for fashion connoisseurs.

Fifth Avenue, with its flagship stores and designer boutiques, is a must-visit destination for luxury shopping. Here, you can explore iconic stores like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Versace, immersing yourself in a world of elegance and opulence.

However, New York City’s shopping scene extends far beyond luxury brands. For a more eclectic and unique shopping experience, head to neighborhoods like SoHo, Nolita, and Williamsburg. These areas are filled with independent boutiques and designer shops, offering a curated selection of fashion, accessories, and home goods that reflect the individuality and creativity of local designers.

If vintage finds are more your style, New York City has an abundance of vintage and thrift shops. The East Village and Williamsburg are particularly known for their treasure troves of vintage clothing, accessories, and furniture. You can unearth unique pieces from past decades and create a distinctive style that is truly your own.

New York City is also home to bustling markets and bazaars where you can discover one-of-a-kind treasures. The Chelsea Market, located in the Meatpacking District, is a food and shopping destination, offering gourmet treats, artisanal products, and unique boutiques. The Union Square Greenmarket, open year-round, showcases locally grown produce, artisanal cheeses, and handmade crafts.

Additionally, the city hosts frequent sample sales, where you can snag designer pieces at discounted prices. These sales attract fashion-savvy shoppers looking for incredible deals on high-end brands.

Exploring New York City’s shopping scene is not just about acquiring material possessions; it’s about discovering the city’s cultural and creative pulse. It’s an opportunity to support local designers, uncover hidden gems, and curate a personal style that is as unique as the city itself.

New York City is a city that truly captivates the imagination. With its rich cultural heritage, iconic landmarks, world-class dining, vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and diverse neighborhoods, the city offers an incredible array of experiences for travelers.

From exploring renowned museums and art galleries to taking in the bright lights of Times Square, New York City immerses visitors in a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and tastes. The city’s street food culture tantalizes the taste buds with a diverse range of culinary delights, while its sporting events evoke passion and excitement.

New York City’s nightlife and entertainment scene is legendary, with its theaters, comedy clubs, live music venues, and clubs offering endless opportunities for unforgettable experiences. And let’s not forget the city’s reputation as a fashion capital, showcasing the latest trends and designs from renowned designers to independent boutiques.

In the midst of it all, Central Park stands as an oasis of calm, offering a respite from the bustle of the city. And the iconic Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island serves as a reminder of the city’s historic and cultural significance.

New York City is a destination that truly has it all. It’s a place where dreams are pursued and opportunities abound. Whether you’re strolling through its diverse neighborhoods, indulging in its world-class cuisine, or being mesmerized by its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, the city leaves an indelible mark on all who visit.

As you navigate the city’s bustling streets and uncover its hidden gems, you’ll come to understand why New York City holds a special place in the hearts and imaginations of so many people around the world. It’s a place where ambition meets creativity, where cultures collide, and where dreams are born.

So, get ready to immerse yourself in the energy, diversity, and endless possibilities that New York City has to offer. Discover the magic of the concrete jungle and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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Is New York Worth Visiting: 33 Reasons to Discover NYC

• Post author: Svet
• Post category: City Travel
• Post published: January 11, 2023

If you’ve been wondering whether the Big Apple deserves your attention, get this:

New York is worth visiting for its diverse museums and galleries, top-notch restaurants, and non-stop entertainment. Architecture fans will love the iconic Empire State Building ; sports lovers – the New York City Marathon ; culture vultures – MoMA ; and nature admirers – the sprawling Central Park .

In this article, we’ll tell you the top 33 reasons to visit New York City . By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll know why you should travel to the largest city in the United States.

Buckle up and let’s explore, shall we?

Start Planning Your Trip to New York City with Our BEST Recommendations:

⭐ Top Tours in New York City ⭐

📍 Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour – our top recommendation to see some of the most iconic sights of NYC is during this amazing, affordable boat tour.

📍 Manhattan Helicopter Tour – the best way to admire the most stunning skyline on the planet is from above. Join this unforgettable helicopter flight before it’s full.

⭐ Best Accommodations in New York City ⭐

🏨 Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square – ideally located next to all major attractions.

🏨 Roxy Hotel New York – funky lodging in the heart of the artsy TriBeCa.

⭐ Easiest Transportation Options in New York City ⭐

🚍 New York CityPass – enjoy discounts, free travel, and entrances to museums.

🚍 Discover Cars – compare and find the best rates for car rentals.

Note : This article contains affiliate links . In case you purchase something through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for helping us keep creating the free content on this website!

Visit New York for Its World-Class Attractions

Colossal sculptures, verdant parks, and heart-stopping skyscrapers await to spellbind you in Gotham. These gorgeous landmarks are just a few of the reasons to visit New York City. Discover them in the section below.

• Statue of Liberty . The massive, neoclassical sculpture awaits your attraction-thirsty eyes on Liberty Island. One of the most interesting facts about New York is that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the U.S. Gustave Eiffel, the person who designed the Eiffel Tower, was the genius behind the Statue of Liberty as well. The copper statue represents Libertas – the Roman Goddess of Liberty.
• The Empire State Building . Until the 1970s, the Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building. Then, the World Trade Center took the first spot. A namesake for the state of New York, the gorgeous edifice is one of the Big Apple’s most iconic symbols. The skyscraper has two observatories – on the 86 th and the 102 nd floors – which offer staggering views of NYC’s skyline. Skip the line and get straight to the top for a spectacular panorama across six states with this ticket .
• One World Trade Center . Formerly known as Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is the main building of the reconstructed World Trade Center, which terrorists attacked in 2001. The tower’s 1,792 ft. (546.2 m) make One WTC the tallest edifice in both the United States and the Western Hemisphere. Enjoy the staggering vistas without queueing by purchasing your online ticket here .
• Central Park . The “Green Lungs of Manhattan”, as locals call Central Park , is the fifth-biggest park in New York after Pelham Bay Park, Greenbelt, Van Cortlandt Park, and the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. But that fact doesn’t make it any less impressive. On the contrary, Central Park prides itself on several records. The green space is the world’s most filmed location and the most visited urban park in America. In 2016, over 42 million strolled its meandering alleys.
• The Rockefeller Center . The epicenter of everything New York is the towering  Rockefeller Center . The massive complex is among the best reasons to visit NYC. The center consists of 19 commercial buildings that cover 22 acres between 48 th  and 51 st  Streets in Midtown Manhattan.  Don’t miss marveling at the city from the Top of the Rock observatory . The ice-skating rink in front of the center in the wintertime is worth visiting, too.
• Times Square.  The iconic  Times Square  is where the city’s real hustle and bustle happens. Visitors flock there 24/7, so one of our  best New York City travel tips  is to avoid dining in the area because restaurants are crazily overpriced. Also, keep a close eye on your possessions. Times Square teems with pickpockets.
• Wall Street.  The Financial District in NYC is a busy area in Lower Manhattan. It’s home to the New York Stock Exchange, as well as  Wall Street  – an 8-block-long thoroughfare where financial deals occur every second. The neighborhood has been home to some of the largest brokerages and investment banks in the U.S.
• Brooklyn Bridge.  When local authorities finished the construction of the  Brooklyn Bridge  in 1883, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge. Connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the bridge has been designated as a National Historic Landmark since its inception. You can discover it closely because the bridge has a bike lane and a pedestrian walkway. Strolling the bridge at night is one of the coolest things to do in New York.

Travel to New York for the Amazing Museums

U.S.’s largest city houses some of the world’s most popular exhibition halls. In the following section, we’ll show you the museums New York is famous for .

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art . The biggest art museum in the United States goes by the name of “The Met”. The Metropolitan Museum of Art ’s permanent collection consists of the mind-boggling 2 million works of art that span across 17 curational departments. Book your “skip the line” tour via this link .
• American Museum of Natural History . Would you like to explore the known universe, discover the natural world, and admire some of the best scientific collections in the world all at the same time? Then, you should head to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Must-see spots are the dinosaur exhibition and Lucy – the first human. We highly suggest you reserve your tickets in advance online as entry is timed.
• The Museum of Modern Art . Getting inspiration, igniting your mind, and fueling your creative juices is all possible at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The exhibition will walk you around pieces of film, design, prints, drawings, paintings, sculptures, electronic media, and architecture. Skip the lines by grabbing your ticket here .
• Madame Tussauds New York . Over 220 life-like wax figures of celebrities, politicians, and other iconic folks from the present and the past expect you at Madame Tussauds New York . If you’re a daredevil, don’t miss the museum’s live-actor-filled attraction – SCREAM. Click this link to get your online ticket in advance .
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum . Inside The Guggenheim, you can marvel at Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Early Modern, as well as Contemporary art collections. Even if art exhibitions don’t tickle your fancy, check out Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum ’s exterior – a true architectural masterwork. Book your online tickets through this website .
• Tenement Museum . New York City is chock-full of museums. Among the most interesting ones is the Tenement Museum . The exhibition hall showcases historically restored tenement buildings. Inside the museum, you can also read about more than 15,000 immigrants from 20+ countries who lived in the building between 1863 and 2011. Grab your tickets online through this link .

Go to New York for the Quintessential Cuisine

Much like New York City is a melting pot of nations and cultures, its dishes are a melting pot of various cuisines. In the following section, you’ll discover the foods for which New York is worth visiting .

• New York-style pizza . The New York-style pizza is thick but has a crispy crust along the edges. Under the toppings, it’s soft, thin, and pliable enough, so you can fold it into half. New Yorkers base it on the Italian Naples-style pizza.
• New York-style hot dog . Folks in the Big Apple prepare the New York-style hot dog with sauerkraut, spicy mustard, sweet relish, and onion sauce. Quick and cheap, the famous buns turned into the first fast food in the U.S.
• Eggs Benedict . This eggs-based dish gained fame in the 19 th century in NYC. Eggs Benedict is common for both breakfast and brunch, and it includes two halves of an English muffin. Both are topped with poached egg, Canadian bacon, and sauce Hollandaise.
• Manhattan clam chowder . Unlike the clam chowder in New England, the Manhattan clam chowder doesn’t have any milk or cream. Instead, the dish includes a tomato broth, and it usually contains celery or carrots.
• New York-style cheesecake . If you love traditional cheesecake, don’t miss the New York-style cheesecake . The dessert is larger, richer, and more delicious than the regular cheesecake. The secret lies in the few extra egg yolks that add an ultra-rich, creamy taste.
• Donuts . In the 19 th century, Dutch settlers brought olykoek (“oily cake”) to New York. That’s where modern donuts stem from. The fillings and toppings are as many and as diverse as the people of New York.

Visit New York City for the Decadent Cocktails

Can you guess why tourists visit New York? Well, besides, the delicious dishes from all over the world, the Big Apple is famous for its cocktails. You can best indulge in signature drinks at one of the amazing rooftop restaurants in NYC while soaking in the jaw-dropping views.

• Manhattan . This classic, iconic cocktail traces its origins to New York City. Legends tell the story of the original brewing process for the alcoholic drink for a party at the famous Manhattan Club . Since most celebrities absolutely loved the Manhattan cocktail, the top-notch hotel added the beverage to its menu in the early 1900s.
• Cosmopolitan . Another staple in the cocktail scene of the Big Apple, Cosmopolitan earned its reputation from The Oden bar. This occurred at the end of the 1980s in Tribeca – one of the best areas to stay in New York for arts and culture.
• Long Island Ice Tea . This traditional NYC cocktail might or might not come from Long Island – depending on whom you ask. However, in many ways, the Long Island Ice Tea combines the kick, energy, and diversity that characterize Long Island, and New York as a whole.
• New York Lemonade . On a boiling-hot summer day in Central Park, there’s nothing better than an ice-cold New York-style lemonade . Best way to drink the beverage? Combine its citrusy taste with grilled Hawaiian chicken kebabs and zucchini-corn salad.
• New York Sour . If you prefer something that lifts your spirits up, substitute the New York Lemonade with its cousin for grownups – the New York Sour . The tongue-tingling cocktail combines the refreshing characteristics of a citrus summer drink with sweet red wine – Shiraz, Beaujolais, or red Zinfandel are all great.
• The Brooklyn . Called after its namesake borough, The Brooklyn offers a palate-caressing combo of two spirits that don’t usually go together: vermouth and rye whiskey. Top that with the cherry-flavored liquor that’s an essential part of the beverage, and drink all your troubles away.

Explore NYC to Discover All the Crazy Facts About the Big Apple

In the section below, you’ll find out the fun and interesting facts that make New York worth visiting . Let’s dive right in.

• The city has many monikers . The Big Apple, Gotham, Empire City, Fun City, The City of Dreams, The City That Never Sleeps, the Five Boroughs, and The City So Nice They Named It Twice. These are NYC’s most famous nicknames. If you know any other, don’t hesitate to share them in the comment section below.
• NYC is the city with the most skyscrapers in the U.S. Chicago and Miami take the second and third places, respectively. In New York, you can marvel at 274 skyscrapers that tower over 492 ft. (150 m) in height. You’ll find the majority of them in Manhattan.
• The biggest marathon in the world happens in the Big Apple . The New York City Marathon took place for the first time in 1970. The race happens on the first Sunday of November, and the marathon course runs through each of the five boroughs of New York.
• Gotham is the city with the most billionaires . 107 billionaires call New York home. Their combined net worth is over $600 billion. Michael Bloomberg is the richest resident whose estimated net worth is over $82 billion.
• The city is full of villages . New York might be a gigantic city, but it’s also home to many small villages. The most popular ones are East Village, Greenwich Village, and West Village. Each village takes great pride in its attractions and unique vibe.
• The largest gold storage on the planet is in the Big Apple . New York City’s Federal Reserve Bank is home to the world’s biggest gold storage. The treasury houses over 7,000 tons of gold bars worth $350+ billion. The reserve sits cozily 80 ft. (24 m) below the ground.
• Going topless in NYC is not illegal . New Yorkers still prefer promenading the streets with their clothes on. But if you’d like to show off your beautiful chest, you can do that in the Big Apple without getting into trouble.

Is New York City Worth Visiting? You Just Discovered the Answer

This wraps up our guide with the 33 best reasons to visit New York .

The Big Apple fascinates with its excellent museums, imposing high-risers, peculiar facts, and a fantastic fusion of world cuisines.

On top of that, U.S.A.’s largest city is the perfect place to run a marathon, go topless, or try a new cocktail.

So, if you’ve been wondering why you should travel to New York, we bet our article has already answered that question.

Now, we’d like to ask you:

In your experience, is New York fun to visit?

Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Why Is New York So Popular? 15 Reasons To Love NYC!

By Jessie Festa & Dale P. This article on why New York is famous contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Why is New York so popular?

It’s a question that gets asked a lot in online forums and by people who have never visited the city, but who are curious what makes New York famous.

If you’ve ever wondered why New York is so popular, below you’ll find some of the top reasons to love NYC that can help you gain clarity.

New York City is one of the most-visited cities in the world, with over 66 million annual visitors. The city is also home to over 8 million people, making it the largest city in the United States.

So what makes New York so special? Here are some of the biggest reasons why New York is great!

Looking to capture your time in NYC with beautiful photos? Book a   Private Photo Journey , a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through a  NYC Influencer Shoot  or   Professional New York City Shoot . These experiences are offered by Jessie on a Journey’s sister company, NYC Photo Journeys. Email  [email protected]  with inquiries.

Table of Contents

The Best Things About New York City [Free Guide]

Before we dive into our article on why people love New York City, I invite you to grab a copy of my free NYC Local Guide .

It shares some of the best things about NYC for visitors, with a few highlights from the PDF guide being:

• Where to get creative java drinks — in beautiful  Instagrammable cafes in NYC , too!
• How to discover unique opportunities for exploring nature in New York City!
• Ways to get off-the-beaten-track to explore a side of the city many tourists miss!

Once you’ve grabbed the guide, keep reading to discover why NYC is the best city in the world in the eyes of many locals and visitors.

What Is NYC?

For those who are unfamiliar with what NYC is and where it’s located, let’s start with a little New York City overview.

NYC, which stands for New York City, is a major metropolitan area in New York State.

While it’s not the state capital, it is the most populous city in the United States with about 8.8 million people. It’s large size and population is actually one of the contributing factors to what makes NYC so famous.

Another important thing to understand about NYC is that it’s comprised of five distinct boroughs:

• Staten Island

Each of these boroughs has its own unique offerings, though all come together to create New York City.

Why Is New York So Popular?

Okay, so why is NYC so popular? Here are 15 reasons why New York City is so famous.

1. Diversity

New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Actually, many people say that NYC is the capital of the world due to its diversity and multiculturalism.

The strong tradition of immigrants from around the world moving to New York led to the city’s nickname of “The Melting Pot.” For hundreds of years, people from other countries have come to New York seeking a better life, new opportunities, and the ability to pursue their dreams.

In New York, more than one-third of the city’s residents were born outside of the United States. People of every nationality live in New York. In fact, more than 600 languages are spoken in New York , making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.

The city’s diversity can be witnessed in its food, art, music, culture, and neighborhoods.

Pro tip: you can explore NYC’s immigration history at the Tenement Museum , where you’ll visit a 19th-century tenement building and learn the stories of the families who lived there.

You can’t ask “Why is New York City so popular?” without getting a response related to the local culinary culture.

NYC is one of the best foodie cities in the world because of its globally-inspired cuisine, influenced by the many cultures that contribute to the city’s diversity

What food is New York famous for? Some of the most iconic foods New York is famous for that you should definitely try include New York bagels, New York pizza, and New York cheesecake.

Because New York is a multicultural city, it’s known for being home to authentic cuisine from all around the world. One great place to sample a variety of dishes is at the Queens Night Market located in the New York City borough of Queens . This open-air weekend market features food from more than 100 local vendors.

Another option is Smorgasburg, a weekend market with locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan . The Williamsburg location is the best if you’d like to take in some of the best views in NYC for free while chowing down on Philly cheesesteaks, Chinese bao buns, Filipino street food, Indonesian rice bowls, and more.

New York also boasts some of the best and most unique restaurants in the world . For instance, at Cafe Serai you can order the Reuben Momos, which put a New York twist on traditional Tibetan dumplings.

Finally, there are numerous food tours in New York that share the stories of different neighborhoods through food, like the:

• NYC Greenwich Village Italian Food Tour
• New York City Lower East Side Culture & Food Tastings Tour
• Chinatown & Little Italy Food Fest

Click here for a full list of NYC food tours .

New York is home to some truly world-class museums, and many of them are totally free to visit.

One of the benefits of living in NYC is access to incredible museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art , the American Museum of Natural History , the Museum of Modern Art , the Whitney Museum of American Art , and the Guggenheim Museum .

New York’s museums house some of the most impressive collections of art and historical artifacts that can be found anywhere in the world.

And most museums offer free or reduced admission for NYC residents, or select days where admission is free or pay-what-you-wish.

4. Walkability

New York consistently ranks as one of the most walkable cities in the world .

Unlike many cities in the United States that prioritize car traffic, NYC was designed to be a very pedestrian city. From strolling down Fifth Avenue, to walking across the Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge, to exploring Times Square, you can see so much of the city on foot.

There are also over 1,700 parks — most notably Central Park, whose 843 acres are mainly car-free and filled with walking and bike paths.

Plus, you’ll find many residential neighborhoods that are a joy to stroll through. A few top picks include the Upper East Side , the Upper West Side , SoHo , and Long Island City .

It’s incredibly convenient to be able to walk outside and have anything you need within a few blocks.

5. Public Transportation

Public transportation, really? It may seem like an odd reason to love New York, but the city actually has one of the best public transportation systems in the world!

Compared to other cities in the United States , public transportation in New York is leagues ahead. New York’s well-connected subway and bus network makes getting around the city a breeze. Express trains and buses can make the journey extremely quick too.

It’s also affordable and environmentally friendly. Less than half of New Yorkers own a car , and in Manhattan, that number is less than a quarter thanks to the ease of using public transportation.

6. Broadway

Why is New York so famous? One major reason is definitely access to the incredible shows on Broadway!

It’s no surprise that with New York’s thriving visual and performing arts scene, it is one of top destinations for theater in the world. Countless plays and musicals have graced the stages of Broadway’s famous theaters on what is known as The Great White Way.

Broadway earned this nickname in the early 20th century due to the dazzling electric lights of the billboards and marquees on the street. Now, Broadway is home to more than 40 theaters, and catching a Broadway show is a must for any visitor on a trip to New York.

Pro tip: if you want to save money on your Broadway show, try entering one of the many lotteries, like this one , to score discount tickets. Additionally, if you don’t mind waiting in line you can visit the TKTS Booths in Times Square and Lincoln Center to score up to 50% off same-day tickets.

Love tours? Consider booking a Broadway Theaters & Times Square with a Theater Professional excursion to really immerse yourself in Broadway history and culture.

7. Opportunities

What’s so special about New York? For one, it’s always been a city full of opportunity.

As Alicia Keys sang in “Empire State of Mind,” New York City is a “ concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do. “

NYC has always attracted artists, writers, actors, entrepreneurs, and dreamers. Although it can be difficult to make it in New York thanks to the expensive cost of living and a high level of competition, it’s still the place to be if you want to make your dreams come true.

To borrow words from another classic song about New York, Frank Sinatra put it best when he declared, “ If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. “

8. Neighborhoods to Explore

One of the greatest things about NYC is all the neighborhoods that you can explore.

New York is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough is divided into distinct neighborhoods, for a total of more than 300 in the city.

Each neighborhood has its own unique flair. From hip Williamsburg in Brooklyn to the trendy West Village in Manhattan , you’ll never run out of neighborhoods to explore in New York City.

9. Holidays

Few other cities in the United States go as all-out for the holidays as New York.

Thanksgiving in New York is a big deal, with the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade serving as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season.

Additionally, Christmas in New York is something you simply can’t miss. The events, decorations, window displays, and overall atmosphere are unparalleled, and the city transforms into a true winter wonderland during the holidays.

When you think of New York City, access to nature might not be one of the first things that comes to mind. After all, this is a city that is often described as a concrete jungle.

But surprisingly, there is actually quite a bit of nature in NYC. Central Park is one of the most famous examples. This massive green space offers an urban oasis in the center of Manhattan. And, actually, it’s one of the top places to go hiking in Manhattan too.

There’s also sprawling Prospect Park in Brooklyn, beaches in Queens and Brooklyn, and Pelham Bay Park — the largest park in NYC — in The Bronx.

Not to mention, New York City is just a couple hours away from beautiful Upstate New York hiking trails as well as the beaches and hiking trails of Long Island .

11. Acceptance

New York City is a place for everyone.

Writer Tom Wolfe said it best when he wrote, “One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.”

Many people who move to New York, or even just visit for a few days, find that they have a strong connection with the city. No matter who you are, you can find your place and your people in New York.

It’s a tolerant city with lots of diversity, including racial and religious diversity. It’s also a city that is accepting and welcoming for the LGBTQIA+ community.

12. Things to do

Why visit New York ? You’ll never run out of things to do! There’s a reason that one of New York’s many nicknames is The City That Never Sleeps.

No matter what time it is, there’s always something going on and it’s impossible to get bored. Even after midnight in NYC you’ll find plenty of things to do.

Many of New York’s famous places — such as Times Square, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge — are also free to visit. You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy New York, as there are tons of fun and cheap things to do in NYC .

Pro tip: along with enjoying top attractions and tours in NYC, check out event websites like The Skint to keep up with interesting local events.

13. Architecture

Is New York beautiful? In our opinion, absolutely!

In a city that is filled with dozens of modern glass skyscrapers, the iconic silhouettes of buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building still define New York’s impressive skyline.

And there’s nothing quite like taking in a view of the skyline from one of NYC’s best viewpoints. A few favorites include Governors Island , the Staten Island Ferry, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , and Westlight rooftop bar and lounge.

If you’d like to add an educational component to taking in the views, consider booking a New York City architecture tour — like this New York Downtown Architecture audio tour or this Flatiron Food, Architecture & History Tour .

You can also book a Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise , where you’ll sip wine and beer from a 1920s-style yacht while listening to narration from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). It’s one of the best Manhattan skyline tours available!

14. Culture

As mentioned earlier, New York is home to incredible cultural institutions, from world-class art museums to incredible Broadway theaters.

New York’s cultural legacy goes even further, though.

The city is known for its vibrant music scene, past and present. From the uptown jazz clubs of Harlem in the 1920s to the downtown punk scene of the 1970s, New York has long been known as a music hub.

Additionally, New York is known for being one of the fashion capitals of the world, tracing its fashion roots back to immigration to the Lower East Side in 19th century. Today, along with hosting one of the world’s top annual Fashion Weeks, NYC is home to more fashion designer and retailer headquarters than any other US city .

New York is also the inspiration for countless books and movies, and is the most filmed city in the world. In fact, according to many accounts, Central Park is the world’s most filmed location.

15. New Yorkers

Finally, one of the main reasons to love NYC is the people.

Not what you were expecting? It’s true, New Yorkers get a bad rap for being rude and cold.

And, sure, you might attract their ire if you’re walking too slowly or taking up the entire sidewalk.

But contrary to popular belief, New Yorkers are actually a helpful bunch. If you’re lost, most locals won’t hesitate to stop and give you directions, or recommend a place to go.

New Yorkers can also be very neighborly and rally together for a cause. For instance, after 9/11, St. Paul’s Chapel became the main place where Ground Zero workers slept and New Yorkers came to cook meals, offer medical treatment, provide mental health services, and offer assistance in any way they could.

Beyond kindness, this city is full of people who have interesting stories, talents, and passions to share. You can see it while people-watching in the parks, seeing talented performers while waiting for the subway, or attending some of the many different types of performances — from Broadway to more experimental shows.

So, why is New York so popular?

Hopefully the above article answered that question for you.

Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive. These are just a few of the many reasons people love New York City.

Honestly, it’s hard to describe New York City. To really understand why NYC is so beloved, your best bet is to visit and immerse yourself in all that New York has to offer.

Discover Why People Love New York On A Tour

Learn fascinating stories and interesting information about New York City on a tour led by a local guide. Some top picks include:

• SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour in New York – This tour shares many interesting New York culture facts.
• Full-Day New York “Must See” Small-Group Tour + One World Observatory Ticket – What is NYC known for? Find out on this tour of New York’s most famous attractions!
• Greenwich Village Pizza Walk – This tour lets you try a true New York speciality.
• Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise – See some of the sights New York City is known for from the water.

Click here for a full list of local tours that can help you get close to learning everything about New York City, or at least almost everything.

New York City Travel Insurance

When visiting New York City — or anywhere else in the world — it’s wise to get travel insurance.

One of the  best travel medical insurance for travelers  is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

How would you respond to the question “Why is New York so popular?”

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Home » 6 Reasons Why You Must Visit New York City in 2024

6 Reasons Why You Must Visit New York City in 2024

New York is not only the most famous city in the world but also, arguably, the best for tourists, thanks to its diverse culture and myriad of entertainment options. There’s never a dull day in “The City That Never Sleeps,” which is why everyone must visit New York City at least once in their life.

New York City offers visitors endless possibilities, great diversity, and high energy. The city has always been the crème de la crème for first-rate dining, cultural activity, and unparalleled shopping. For tourists, it’s an amazing city and, at times, slightly intimidating which is why many visitors enjoy visiting by cruise ship.

6 Reasons Why You Must Visit New York City

One of the most exciting ways to enjoy New York City is on the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour . It’s the best and most affordable way to see all of the major attractions in one day. Moreover, it includes a ferry ride to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and a motor coach tour to Times Square, Central Park, the 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, and many more—totaling about 30 stops!

🗽 New York in One Day Sightseeing Tour > Check Availability

Check out the following reasons why New York should be right at the top of your city trip shortlist.

Even if you don’t take a guided tour, it’s important to get out on the water. We recommend either the Official NYC Architecture Cruise or the Complete Manhattan Island Cruise tour covers three rivers, five boroughs, seven bridges, and 25 acclaimed landmarks including the Statue of Liberty. These are two of the best ways to see NYC from the water!

🏙️⛴️ NYC Architecture Cruise > Check Availability

Below are the reasons why you must visit New York City in 2024.

1. Redefine What The Term “Big City” Means To You

You might think you know big cities, but unless you’ve been to New York, you’ve never really experienced what a truly gigantic metropolis looks like. Sure, there are larger cities in the world, but nowhere has that unique combination of sheer size and verticality.

LOOKING FOR A CHEAP BUT NICE HOTEL IN MANHATTAN? 👇

Must Read 📖: Best Accommodations in Manhattan > 🏨 18 Cheap But Nice Hotels in Manhattan, New York

The skyscraper district on New York’s Manhattan Island goes on for miles and sprawls out into neighboring Jersey City and Brooklyn. Seeing the city for the first time when landing at JFK airport is a remarkable experience.

And, if you haven’t been there already you MUST take the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour —it’s epic! If you’re in a hurry or short on time, opt for the  Super Express Cruise .

Save up to 50% on NYC Attractions

One of the easiest ways to save a ton of money in New York City is with a Go City Explorer Pass . It includes all the best attractions, tours, and activities at one affordable rate. If you plan on hitting up just a couple of the major tourist attractions, it’s an absolute no-brainer. 👇

🗺️ Go City Explorer Pass > Buy Tickets

2. It Has One Of The Best Food Scenes In The World

New York was a city founded by immigrants from all over the world. Here you’ll find a mixture of old European and Asian cuisine; all served to an exceptional standard.  Here you’ll find a mixture of old European and Asian cuisine; all served to an exceptional standard. Click here to get Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour —>>

Want to Taste the Best NYC Food? >  Manhattan: 3-Hour Food and History Tour With a Local Guide

Go off the beaten track into Chinatown or the side streets running off Central Park, and you’ll find dozens of independent eateries, all making a name for themselves in this giant metropolis.

5 Popular Tours in New York City

• 🛥️  Manhattan Adventure Boat Ride > Sightseeing tour on the Hudson River with 40+ sights!
• 🎫 Go City: New York City Explorer Pass – Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions
• 🚁 Fly over the Big Apple on a > Manhattan Helicopter Tour !
• ⛴️ Sunset Cruise on the Hudson River and New York Harbor > New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
• 🏙️ Western Hemisphere’s Tallest Building > NYC One World Observatory Ticket

3. It Has The Most Exclusive Theater In The World

The Broadway Theater has been famous all over for at least the past eighty years. Get cheap Broadway Show Tickets that are on sale now and are easy to obtain. However, make sure you purchase them well before your visit because there are limited seats, and in high demand.

Skip the Line at the Empire State Building > Empire State Building Tickets

Today’s Broadway offers a wide variety of musicals from different genres, catering to practically any taste.

4. You Can Feel The Energy

Go to any major city, and you’ll notice that the people walk faster, chat more, and always appear to be in a hurry. But in New York, it’s a different level of activity. The city never sleeps, and people are going about their business 24 hours per day.

See NYC From the Air >  New York Helicopter Tour—Fly Over Central Park!

The combination of traffic noise, sirens, and underground carriages rattling along the subway system makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to another world. The economic activity in the city is shockingly energetic.

5. It’s A Place Full Of History

New York isn’t just a modern metropolis: it’s also a place steeped in history . It’s here that the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center occurred and Washington Square Park where Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson had an impromptu chat.

Check Out These Tickets to Historical Attractions in New York:

• NYC: 9/11 Memorial & Museum Timed-Entry Ticket
• New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket
• NYC: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Timed-Entry Ticket
• NYC: Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket

6. It Has Central Park

The fact that Central Park exists is a miracle in itself. The park, which takes up a substantial chunk of the island of Manhattan occupies billions of dollars of prime real estate land. And yet the city hasn’t allowed any development within its borders.

Central Park is an iconic part of New York’s landscape and is overlooked by exclusive residences and hotels. Central Park is host to a variety of sculptures, fountains, lakes, and a zoo.

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22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New York City

Written by Lana Law Updated Mar 18, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

One of the greatest cities in the world , New York is always a whirlwind of activity, with famous sights at every turn and never enough time to see them all.

Some people come here to enjoy the Broadway shows; others come specifically to shop; and many come simply to see the tourist attractions: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, historic neighborhoods, and world-famous museums . As someone who visits regularly, I like to come with friends, try new restaurants, and discover new experiences.

Many of the best places to visit in New York are within walking distance of each other, or just a short ride away, making this city a delight for sightseeing. If you have plenty of time and enjoy the water, touring New York City using the NYC Ferry System offers a unique way to see the sights.

Any time of year and any time of day or night there are an endless array of things to see and do in New York.

See also: Where to Stay in New York City

1. Statue of Liberty

2. central park, 3. rockefeller center & top of the rock observation deck, 4. metropolitan museum of art, 5. broadway and the theater district, 6. empire state building, 7. 9/11 memorial and museum, 8. american museum of natural history, 9. high line, 10. times square, 11. brooklyn bridge, 12. fifth avenue, 13. grand central terminal, 14. lincoln center, 15. one world observatory, 16. the frick collection (frick madison), 17. new york public library, 18. wall street, 19. radio city music hall, 20. st. patrick's cathedral, 21. carnegie hall, 22. bryant park, where to stay in new york city for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to new york, map of tourist attractions in new york city, best time to visit new york, ny.

America's most iconic sight, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of every first-time visitor's list of things to do in New York. It was France's gift to America. Built in 1886, it remains a world symbol of freedom and is one of the top attractions in America .

It is one of the world's largest statues, standing just under 152 feet tall from the base to the torch, and weighing approximately 450,000 pounds. You can see the statue from land, with particularly good views from Battery Park , on the southern tip of Manhattan.

To truly appreciate the Statue of Liberty, the best thing to do is to take a short boat trip to Liberty Island and see it up close. Take a pleasant stroll around the base, and if you have reservations, enter the pedestal or the crown. The crown is open for tours, but book well in advance if you want to enjoy this special experience.

On a tour of the Statue of Liberty, you have the option to stop at Ellis Island and explore the Immigration Museum . This fantastic museum is located in the historic immigration station complex, where thousands of immigrants were processed before entering the United States.

Displays focus on the process, the experiences, and the stories of the people who came through here on their journey to the United States. You can even search the on-site computer database to see a record of immigrants who came through here.

Tickets to go inside the statue sell out. Pre-purchasing tickets is a must during the high season and a good idea at any time of year. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour takes you to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This tour allows reserved access to board the ferry and includes access to the Museum at Ellis Island.

Author's Tip: Buying tickets near the ferry can be tricky, with hawkers swarming you as you exit the subway claiming to be "official representatives" and trying to sell you more expensive tickets before you can find the ticket booth. Be sure to buy in advance at the link above or ignore the hawkers until you reach the booth in Castle Clinton in Battery Park.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in New York State

An oasis of green amongst New York's concrete canyons, Central Park is a sanctuary of peace and quiet for visitors and locals alike.

A walk, pedal, or carriage ride through the crisscrossing pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone's New York City itinerary. In winter, you can even lace up your skates and glide across Wollman Rink . This huge park in the city center, a half-mile wide and 2.5 miles long, is one of the things that makes New York such a beautiful and livable city.

Besides being a great place to experience a little nature, Central Park has many attractions within its borders, and most of them are free, making it one of the few cheap things to do in NYC. Some of the most popular places to visit include the Belvedere Castle , Strawberry Fields , the Central Park Zoo , and the Lake . If you are exploring the park on your own, start by picking up a map at one of the visitor centers and plot your route.

Central Park also offers activities throughout the year, from 5km runs and yoga classes to penguin feeding at the Central Park Zoo. Have a look at the park's events schedule for details on what's happening during your visit.

If you're visiting during the summer months, you may want to catch a performance of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This is a relaxing way to spend an evening in New York City and performances are free.

Read More: Best Parks in New York City

When it comes to New York attractions, Rockefeller Center is on almost all tourists' itineraries. This vast entertainment and shopping complex in the middle of Manhattan is home to NBC-TV and other media, but the centerpiece is the 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza , an Art Deco skyscraper that offers awesome views over Manhattan from the famous Top of the Rock Observation Deck .

The "deck," as it's known, includes three floors, located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. Indoor and outdoor viewing spaces offer spectacular views by day or night. You can buy a Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket in advance. These tickets come with a flexible voucher redemption policy, so you can change the date if your plans change or the weather doesn't cooperate.

Skating on the outdoor skating rink at the base of the tower is one of the most popular things to do in winter in New York City and a fun activity for families and couples. The rink is typically open from October to April. If you aren't a strong skater, don't worry, the rink is tiny, and for many people, this is their first time on skates, so the skill level is pretty low.

After Thanksgiving, a huge Christmas tree is erected in front of the skating rink, lighting up the complex for the holiday season. Many people visit New York in December just to see this site.

Another point of interest in this area is the famous bronze sculpture of Atlas in front of the International Building. It's a popular subject for photographers.

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York

Read More: Best Places to Go for Christmas

The Metropolitan Museum of Art , or the Met, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1870, and is one of the most famous museums in the United States. The permanent collection of The Met contains more than two million works of art, spanning a period of 5,000 years.

Although the museum has three sites, the centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue . Highlights of this collection include American decorative arts, arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical instruments, photographs, and much more.

Always-changing exhibitions bring some of the world's most famous works to the public.

The Met Cloisters , located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, is another extremely popular New York museum. This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, housed in an outstanding structure, built around medieval cloisters, chapels, and halls, focuses on the medieval art and architecture of Europe.

Address: 1000 5th Avenue, New York, New York

Read More: Top-Rated Museums in New York City

Attending a Broadway show is one of the top things to do in New York City. Considered the pinnacle of American theater, this is the place to see the latest shows and the long-running classics.

Broadway usually refers simply to Broadway theater, which encompasses a large number of theater venues in the Theater District and along the street of Broadway. For the most popular shows , tickets should be purchased well in advance from the website.

Shubert Alley is a famous pedestrian-only alley in the Theater District and home to two well-known playhouses: the Shubert on 221 West 44th Street and the Booth at 22 West 45th Street. Historically, aspiring actors would frequent Shubert Alley looking for opportunities to perform in a play sponsored by theater baron, Sam S. Shubert.

A Chorus Line played at The Shubert for a record 6,137 shows. The musical Oklahoma debuted in 1941 at the St. James playhouse just down the street. Other legendary places include Sardi's restaurant, where many famous actors met, and the Music Box Theater, where Irving Berlin staged The Music Box Revue in 1921.

The Empire State Building is one of New York's most famous landmark buildings and key tourist attractions. The 381-meter-tall, 102-story building was the tallest in the world until the 1 World Trade Center tower rose higher, 41 years later. Topped with a mooring mast for airships, the Empire State Building immediately became a landmark and a symbol for NYC when it opened in 1931.

There are actually two observatories atop the Empire State Building , both offering astounding views. On clear days, you can see up to 80 miles, looking into the neighboring states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

The 86th Floor Observatory (1,050 feet) is the city's highest open-air observation deck, and what most people are expecting to find when they go up the Empire State Building. If it feels familiar, it's because this area has been featured in countless movies and TV shows.

Reached by high-speed, automatic elevators, it has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the building. The views are incredible. The Top Deck on the 102nd Floor stands 1,250 feet above the bustling streets below. While you are 16 stories higher, the viewing area here is enclosed.

The line to go up the Empire State Building is almost always long; moves slowly; and during peak times, it can be ridiculous, making the whole experience more frustrating than it needs to be. Be aware you can easily burn up half your touring day just at this one attraction.

It's well worth buying the Empire State Building Ticket – Observatory and Optional Skip the Line Ticket that lets you bypass the lines .

The World Trade Center's twin 110-story towers once dominated the Manhattan skyline but were destroyed by suicide-piloted jetliners on September 11, 2001, with a tragic loss of life. Where the two towers of the World Trade Center once stood, now stand two square reflecting pools, each one acre in size.

Known as the National September 11 Memorial , this area is a moving tribute to the almost 3,000 people killed as a result of attacks on September 11, 2001, and also the six people killed in the earlier World Trade Center bombing in February 1993.

Surrounded by trees and grass, the pools are recessed, with water cascading over the sides and flowing into a seemingly bottomless square. These are the largest manmade waterfalls in North America . Around the pools are bronze panels with the names of all those who were killed in the attacks.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located in an architecturally stunning, curving glass building, between the two pools. It features displays that include artifacts, photos, and videos, presenting the story of 9/11, as well as the aftermath and impacts.

The building is constructed around the remnants of the World Trade Center and incorporates the old structures within the extraordinary new museum building. The memorial and the museum are located on the south side of One World Trade Centre, on Greenwich Street.

Also worth seeing in this area, on the opposite side of Greenwich Street, is the eye-catching Westfield World Trade Center , which contains Oculus Plaza . You can't miss this building with its white fins and spaceship-like appearance. This is a public building with shops and high-end stores, but it's worth popping in for a quick look at the architecture.

Tickets to the 9/11 Museum must be purchased online or at the window in advance. This is one of New York's most popular things to do, so booking ahead is essential to avoid disappointment. If you are traveling as a family, be sure to book the discounted family rate for up to five.

When purchasing your tickets, you will have the ability to select a time to visit, and you must make your time slot. On Mondays, museum entry is free from 3:30 to 5pm, but tickets still need to be booked in advance, starting at 7am, and are limited to four per person.

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, New York

One of New York City's best museums for a family outing, the American Museum of Natural History has always been an important institution, but now it's even more exciting.

One of the newest additions to the New York City attraction scene is the recent opening of the Richard Gilder Center for Science , in May of 2023. This impressive renovation and expansion is quickly becoming one of the city's top things to see, with a design reminiscent of the imaginative style of Antonio Gaudi.

The stunning four-story wing features flowing concrete in intriguing formations. Once inside, you can explore the brand-new insectarium, butterfly conservatory, research library, and a wealth of educational opportunities. It's an exciting addition to the city's cultural landscape that is sure to inspire visitors of all ages.

The museum's permanent exhibit halls showcase all that's interesting about the natural environment of our planet, from science and the environment to animals and fossils. It also hosts special exhibits that run for a set block of time.

Some of the current exhibits that are well worth seeing include one on sharks, featuring models of these amazing creatures that you can actually touch. Another fascinating display is the rare 22-carat Okavango Blue Diamond.

Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, New York

An exciting, and recently expanded, attraction in New York City, the High Line is a former rail line that has been transformed into an urban walking trail above the city streets.

This unique linear public park has been planted with a variety of plants and trees, many of which are native species. In spring many of these come into bloom. The park is lined with glass railings in most areas, giving it a natural feel, while still offering outstanding views of the city.

This oasis on Manhattan's West Side runs from Gansevoort Street at the south end (just south of West 13th Street) to West 34th Street at the north end, running parallel to 10th Ave most of the way. You can access it at various points along the route, some of which offer stair access only, and others with elevator access.

Although the High Line is only about two to three stories above street level, the views of the city's architecture and the lookouts over the streets offer a whole new perspective. Along the route are art installations and benches , and near the south end is a sitting area with bleacher-style seating and a glass wall looking out onto the city . The trail is heavily used, and on weekends it can be extremely busy, but without the surrounding traffic, it's still a peaceful retreat.

One of the highlights of the High Line is the Hudson Yards overlook, called The Vessel, near 34th Street. This is a stunning multilevel structure.

You'll find other interesting places to visit just off the High Line. The south section runs through the Meatpacking District , with plenty of trendy restaurants and fine dining. The southernmost access point is adjacent to the Whitney Museum of American Art, which is also worth a visit.

If you hop off the High Line at the 16th Street access (elevator access), it's just a short stroll to the popular Chelsea Market , located in a former Nabisco factory, where you'll find restaurants and unique shops.

In the spring of 2023, a new extension called the High Line — Moynihan Connector opened to much fanfare. This extension adds new access points, public spaces, and transit connections via the Moynihan train station. The new additions consist of two new 600-foot-long bridges, one made of steel and one made of wood.

Tours of the High Line are offered year-round and trace the history of the attraction from its industrial beginnings through to the structure it is today. Tours are free and are 90 minutes long in the spring, summer, and fall, and 45 minutes long in the winter.

Although a late-night stroll on the High Line on a hot summer's night or after a concert or Broadway show may sound enticing, the High Line closes at 10pm.

Location: Manhattan West Side

Lined with huge, brilliantly lit billboards and screens, Times Square is the place to go in New York in the evening, but still exciting at any time of day. This is the location of New York's New Year's Eve Celebrations and the famous "ball drop" at midnight, when the square and surrounding streets are filled with people.

Times Square is busy and perpetually crowded but has its own unique appeal. Bleachers set up at one end are a great place to take a break and appreciate the scene.

Formerly Longacre Square, Times Square was named in 1904 after the New York Times tower. The newspaper first posted current headlines along its moving sign, the first of its kind in the world, in 1928.

If you've had your fill of sitting on the bleachers and are looking for something fun to do either as a group or a couple, stroll over to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum . The eerily life-like wax figurines feature NYC icons like Jimmy Fallon and the set of The Tonight Show , Broadway cast members, and shows where you actually get to dress up and participate. The building's glass dome protrudes over Times Square for awesome views.

Address: Broadway and 7th Avenue, New York, New York

The Brooklyn Bridge, with its Gothic-shaped arches and suspension cables, is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and has inspired generations of poets, songwriters, and painters. This historic bridge, spanning the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn, was completed in 1883 and was the world's first steel suspension bridge .

You can see it from many of the ferries, or the east side of Manhattan, but the best way to experience this icon is to take an hour and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. A wood plank walkway, only open to pedestrians and cyclists , runs above the lanes of traffic. If you are not up for walking the whole distance, at least go as far as the first pillar, where there is a viewing platform, and you can see one of the granite towers up close.

From the bridge are beautiful views over Manhattan, the East River, and beyond to the Statue of Liberty. Biking over the bridge is another option, but pedestrian traffic is often very heavy, and cycling can be slow and challenging on busy days. Be aware that the access to the bridge begins well back from the water's edge.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Brooklyn

One of the most famous shopping streets in America, Fifth Avenue is New York's premier shopping area , where many top designers have their flagship stores. Cartier, Tiffany, Bergdorf-Goodman, the famous Apple Store Fifth Avenue, and of course, Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as many others, line this posh avenue.

Even non-shoppers can enjoy a walk along Fifth Avenue. The best area runs from approximately the south end of Central Park to the New York Public Library, or more specifically, between 60th Street and 40th Street.

Grand Central Terminal , often called Grand Central Station, is a fantastic Beaux Arts building, and it's definitely worth popping in to take a look at this famous landmark. The building first opened in 1913 as a terminal for the subway and train stations.

Outside, the 42nd Street colonnaded faces and the statuary on top are some of the key highlights. Inside, you can't miss the Grand Staircase , where you can stop to gaze out over the concourse. The beautifully restored ceiling here shows a celestial scene.

One of the most iconic sights within Grand Central Terminal is the Main Concourse Information Booth Clock. This four-sided clock has been the site of countless meet-ups (and even a marriage proposal or two) and has been featured in many famous movies including The Godfather , Men in Black , and Midnight Run .

You'll also find an extensive selection of retail shops and restaurants inside the terminal.

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, New York

If you plan on taking in one of the performing arts such as ballet, symphony, or opera, it's likely that your plans will involve an evening or afternoon at the Lincoln Center . Musicians, dancers, and performers of all kinds dream of gracing one of the 30 indoor and outdoor stages spread throughout the center.

Throughout the summer from mid-June through to mid-August Lincoln Center is one of New York's cheapest cultural hotspots with hundreds of free events during their Summer for the City series . All kinds of entertainment for all ages are on offer.

The Lincoln Center is home to the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the Juilliard School of Music, the Lincoln Center Theater, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and it's almost a certainty that some sort of event will be taking place during your time in town.

In addition to live performances, Film at Lincoln Center showcases innovative movies on a daily basis.

Location: 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, New York

At the top of the newly constructed One World Trade Center building , One World Observatory is the highest observation deck in the city offering outstanding views from floors 100, 101, and 102, 1,776 feet above the ground. The elevator to the top is part of the attraction. As you ascend, the surrounding panels show New York as it transformed over the years, from a rural landscape to the metropolis you see today.

This glass building, which can be seen from all over the city, is a unique structure on the Manhattan skyline, with angles that give it a very distinct appearance. If you stand near the base and look straight up, the tower appears pyramidal.

If you want to go up and see the view, you can buy an NYC One World Observatory Skip-the-Line Ticket to save you some time, but note, you will still need to clear security.

Address: One World Trade Center, 285 Fulton Street, New York, New York

For ambience, the Frick Collection tops the list when it comes to New York City museums. Housed in an early 1900s mansion, the building and the original collection were donated by Henry Clay Frick, who had the mansion built to display his art collection.

However, the original mansion is currently closed for a massive renovation and will be for several more years. A decision was made to move elements of the Frick Collection to the former site of the Whitney Museum. The temporary home is known as Frick Madison .

A visit is still worthwhile — the most notable artwork, which includes a mix of paintings, porcelain, and furniture, are on display, as are works by Monet, Rembrandt, Bellini, El Greco , and many other famous artists.

Temporary Address: 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street

The New York Public Library's main branch was designed by architects, Carrere & Hastings, in the Beaux Arts style. The library, with its impressive rooms, is a prominent city attraction that has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years.

Although colloquially known as the main branch, the proper name is actually the Stephen A. Schwarzman building . It opened in 1911 to immediate acclaim. An enormous library, the Main Reading Room alone stretches two city blocks, and the Periodicals Room holds 10,000 current magazines. The collection at this location is vast, to say the least.

Location: Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, New York

Stretching for eight city blocks from Broadway to South Street is the world-famous Wall Street. This street and the surrounding area are home to some of the most important exchanges in the world, including the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, and the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Also located nearby are the impressive Trinity Church and Federal Hall . Look for the bronze statue of Charging Bull at Bowling Green, on Broadway. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Financial District and a popular photo opportunity for visitors.

Lying in the shadow of Rockefeller Center is Radio City Music Hall , a famous entertainment venue and a designated city landmark. This 1932 Art Deco theater offers musical extravaganzas and films and is the home of the dance company, The Rockettes .

The building was built and financed by the Rockefellers during the 1930s and contained the largest indoor theater in the world at the time. Today, the venue frequently hosts major events, including the Grammy Awards and Tony Awards. Its prominent marquee is hard to miss as it curves around the building and stretches down the block.

Address: 1260 6th Avenue, New York, New York

St. Patrick's Cathedral is one of New York's finest examples of Gothic Revival, with its massive bronze doors, white marble façade, 330-foot spires, the Great Organ, rose window, bronze baldachin, 2,400 seating capacity, and the statue of Pieta at the side of the Lady Chapel. With millions of visitors annually, the cathedral is a major destination for believers and tourists alike.

The building was erected in 1879 and has been carefully restored and maintained throughout its existence, including a $200-million renovation that was completed in 2016.

Location: 5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets, New York, New York

Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 as New York's first great concert hall. Musicians from Tchaikovsky, who conducted on opening night, to Leonard Bernstein and The Beatles have filled the hall. It is said to have some of the best acoustics in the world.

While the best way to enjoy the hall is to take in a performance, one of the best ways to learn about it is on a guided tour . The tour offers a comprehensive look at the hall, insight into the construction, and discusses some of the artists who have taken to the stage. Tours end at the Rose Museum.

Address: 881 7th Ave, New York, New York

On a summer's day, it's hard to beat a leisurely afternoon at Bryant Park . The grounds feature monuments and gardens, and "Le Carrousel," a popular carousel. A games area makes available chess boards, checkers, and backgammon boards for a small fee.

Bryant Park was a seedy area known for crime and a hangout for undesirables until 1989, when the city reclaimed it and turned it into a beautiful urban oasis. Locals have embraced this park, and today, it's a pleasure to walk through. If you don't want to play a game, it is still interesting to watch others playing.

When the snow flies and the temperature drops, an outdoor skating rink emerges at Bryant Park. This small rink is free to use, unlike the one at Central Park. Bring your own skates or rent a pair at the concession stand. Don't know how to skate? No problem. Skating aids, similar to walkers that elderly people use, are available to rent. If you can, try to visit on Tuesdays or Thursdays. At 12:40pm, artistic skating performances by the Ice Theater of New York take place.

The park is located adjacent to the New York Public Library.

Location: Between W 40th Street and W 42nd Street, at 6th Ave, New York, New York

The best way to truly experience New York is to stay in Manhattan, rather than trying to commute from the suburbs, which can be time-consuming and a little tiring. The hotels mentioned below are all centrally located in Manhattan and close to many of the major attractions.

Luxury Hotels:

• Known for impeccable service The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is a New York landmark. The hotel has recently been renovated and upgraded, and now the 253 rooms have all the latest modern features the discerning traveler requires and demands.
• The Mandarin Oriental is an outstanding luxury property with a great location near the south end of Central Park.
• Farther south, near Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, and Grand Central Terminal, the posh 60-story Langham Place, Fifth Avenue is another reliable five-star hotel.
• One of the hot new arrivals on New York's hotel scene is the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan . This four-star property offers affordable luxury and is located within walking distance to the High Line, Penn Station, and Times Square.
• In a similar price range, near Times Square, is the boutique Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection .

Mid-Range Hotels:

• With a prime location, within walking distance of Times Square, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, The Pearl Hotel is at the higher end of the mid-range. It offers quality rooms, great service, and very reasonable rates.
• Another noteworthy mid-range hotel in a good location includes the Kasa, The Duffy Times Square . This small hotel has a B&B-style feel with only 22 rooms and as the name indicates, is close to Times Square.
• The Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street is located in a great position near the Empire State Building.

Budget Hotels:

• Hotel rates vary considerably depending on the season, but it's usually possible to find a few quality budget hotels offering reasonable rates. Some popular, modestly-priced hotel options include the Econo Lodge Times Square , just north of Times Square.
• Near Seaton Hotel is the more modern and affordable Pod 39 Hotel , with funky, compact rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, and sociable common areas.

With so much to see and do in New York, purchasing a couple of tours can really help cover all the main attractions and make sightseeing easy and enjoyable. Walking everywhere can be tiring, and figuring out the subway isn't for everyone. There are many tours to choose from, but the following offer a good mix of attractions and experiences, and they are all guaranteed lowest prices.

Explore the City :

• For getting your bearings, seeing the sights, and learning a little history, there is no beating the traditional open-top sightseeing bus. Take a Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour to cover all the top sights and save yourself a whole lot of walking, so you will still have some energy to take in dinner or a show in the evening.
• If you are spending several days in the city and plan on sightseeing each day, you can save yourself money and hassle by picking up a New York CityPASS , which covers five major attractions and will allow you to bypass the lines. The pass is good for nine days.

See the Sights from the Water :

• Take a Manhattan Island Cruise to see the city skyline and city landmarks from the water, along with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. These are 2.5-hour cruises that run in the morning and afternoon and include a live guided narration.

Get an Aerial Perspective :

• Indulge yourself with a Manhattan Helicopter Tour and fly over one of the most amazing cities in the world. These 15-minute shared-occupancy flights take you past the landmark buildings in downtown, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. This tour will give you a whole new appreciation for the density of the buildings and the size of Central Park.

No matter the season, New York City shines, and there is truly no wrong time to visit this bustling metropolis. The best time to go to New York City depends on what you want your vacation to be. If your idea of New York stems from movies like When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail , with idyllic strolls through Central Park as colorful leaves gently fall on your shoulders, autumn is an ideal time.

If seeing the Rockettes after a day of skating under the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and admiring holiday window displays is what you've always dreamed of, winter is a magical time to be in the Big Apple.

But if you are looking for a quieter and more budget-friendly getaway, with perfect weather, spring is your best bet. Locals, happy to be shedding their winter armor, have a spring in their step as they make their way to outdoor dining spots and markets on sidewalks carpeted with spring blossoms.

Summer is hot and humid, but if the balmy months are the only time you can travel with your family, you can still enjoy New York City's many attractions.

High season in New York is from June to August and November to December during the holidays, when you can expect to pay high prices for accommodations and flights. March to May and September to early November are considered shoulder seasons, and you will experience pleasant weather and relatively low prices. Low season is during January and February when it's chilly, but you will get cheap deals.

An ideal New York City vacation involves mild weather and fewer travelers, and the times that have both are spring and fall. Visit the city anytime between April to early June, or around September to early November, when the kids are in school and people aren't swarming major attractions.

Flights and hotels are also less expensive than the summer months and during the holidays in December. Take advantage of the nice weather to walk the streets, have a picnic in a park, and catch sports games.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

The Boroughs of New York City: If you have time to tour areas outside of Manhattan, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Take a trip on the Staten Island Ferry and discover the sights of Staten Island . Hop on the subway and explore the attractions of Queens . Walk or bike over the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the numerous attractions in Brooklyn . Lastly, home to the Yankee Stadium and the largest zoo in the United States, it's worth taking some time to visit the Bronx

Where to Go near New York City: If you want a quick break from New York, have a look at our top day trips from New York City or our best weekend getaways . In summer, you might even want to consider heading out to explore the best beaches on Long Island .

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New York City Tips: 50 Dos & Don’ts for Visiting NYC Like a Pro

If you’re looking for New York City tips that have been tried and tested by a local New Yorker, you’re in the right place!

For more than 2 decades (and counting), New York has been my home. I even married a native New Yorker! The NYC dos and don’ts below come from my own experiences of living here and helping visitors navigate the city.

So whether it’s your first visit or fifth to New York City, I’ve got 50 of the best NYC tips to help make your time in the city a success,

New York City Tips: 50 Dos & Don’ts for Visiting NYC like a Pro!

Living in New York City was always one of my dreams. As a young girl, I was fascinated with Broadway, the bright lights, and the endless number of things to do in NYC.

Fast forward to when I arrived and I had no idea what I was doing!

On my first full day living in New York, my aunt tried to help me get my bearings. We walked around, and in between getting jostled by people racing to wherever they were going, I got every single one of the questions on her New York City quiz wrong.

Luckily for you, it’s been 25+ years since that failed quiz and now there’s no denying my status as a New Yorker!

I’m also a traveler, who knows that local tips can’t be beat when you’re exploring a new place, so I wanted to pass on some tried and true New York City tips for your first/next trip to the Big Apple!

NYC Tips: Planning Your Trip

When you’re planning a New York trip , there are a few basics you want to keep in mind.

It’s impossible to see and do everything. Instead, you want to focus on the time you do have and decide which places and activities are at the top of your must-see list.

Then, take advantage of the New York travel tips below to help you save money and time, as well as plan for your arrival.

1. Do plan ahead and spend enough time.

Ideally, you’ll want to spend at least 3 days visiting New York City, especially if you’re one of the many first-time visitors who come to NYC each year. This will ensure you have time to see some of New York City’s top sights, as well as a few nights to enjoy NYC’s restaurants and entertainment.

Maximize your time in New York City by planning sensible logistics (avoid backtracking) and making advance restaurant and ticket reservations to avoid missing an opportunity and waiting in long lines.

This includes booking timed-entry tickets for tourist attractions like Summit One Vanderbilt , the 9/11 Museum , and the Statue of Liberty if they’re on your list of places to visit.

And if there is a Broadway show that you’re deadset on seeing, it’s best to secure those tickets ahead of time instead of leaving to chance getting discounted tickets last minute.

2. Don’t overstuff your NYC itinerary.

It’s easy to be wide-eyed as you plan what to see and do in New York City. The city has an endless number of things to do. But you also want to take the time to enjoy your time and not just race from place to place.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Unless you’re an absolute die-hard art lover, don’t visit more than 1 art museum in a day. Museum fatigue is real and you’ll likely stop absorbing what you’re seeing after a couple of hours.

If you can, mix in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. For example, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art or MoMA in the morning and then spend at least part of the afternoon in Central Park. Similarly, you might want to plan a morning or afternoon visit to the 9/11 Museum and the other part of the day walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or exploring Chinatown.

Lastly, if managing the entire day independently feels overwhelming, join a guided tour or activity for part of the day. Guided neighborhood walking tours can help you explore a new part of the city without worrying about where to go or what to see.

3. Do consider saving money with a sightseeing pass.

If you’re planning a heavy sightseeing itinerary, absolutely consider getting a bundled pass like The New York Pass or New York CityPASS . These passes can help you save a good amount of money when compared to buying tickets individually.

The New York Pass lets you choose the duration of your pass, from 1-10 days. This is a great way to pack together consecutive days of unlimited sightseeing with a choice of 100+ attractions.

The New York CityPASS , on the other hand, gives you access to 5 attractions (2 fixed and 3 of your choice from a set list) over 9 days. This pass is great if you want to sightsee at your own pace while mixing in other activities and experiences around the city.

4. Don’t miss NYC’s numerous free things to do.

Fortunately for your wallet, there are also plenty of amazing free attractions in New York City. Quite a few of them also happen to be top places to visit in NYC, too.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, taking in the harbor and Lower Manhattan views. This is a top New York City thing to do and shouldn’t be missed!

Central Park, Bryant Park, the High Line, Little Island Park, Riverside Park, and numerous other green spaces are all free to explore. Some like the High Line come with art exhibitions, while Little Island Park hosts free performances.

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the main branch of the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and Grand Central Terminal…all for free!

Many of New York City’s museums have free days including MoMA, the Met, the 9/11 Museum, the Guggenheim, and the Morgan Library. Check individual museum websites for more info and, in some cases, to make a free reservation.

In Lower Manhattan, you can visit the 9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pools for free, as well as ride the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and head to Governor’s Island for free.

And on any given day, the city hosts numerous free activities and cultural events from art shows to concerts and live theater productions. Use a resource like TimeoutNY to check free events happening during the days you visit.

5. Do learn how to navigate New York City’s streets.

One of the great things about getting around New York City is the grid pattern of its streets on most of Manhattan (down to 14th Street). The simple tic-tac-toe set-up combined with numbered streets makes it easy to orient yourself and find where you need to be.

NYC’s streets (i.e. 37th St., 38th St. 39th St.) run east and west across the island of Manhattan. Roughly 20 of these “city blocks” are about 1 mile. When you’re walking with the numbers going up, you’re walking uptown. If the numbers are going down, you’re heading downtown.

New York City’s avenues (Madison Ave., 5th Ave., 6th Ave., 7th Ave.) run north and south. These avenues intersect the numbered streets. The distance between avenues is greater than the distance between streets. About 7 avenues add up to 1 mile.

At 5th Avenue, you’ll find the dividing line between the west and east sides of the island.

For example, if you’re at 42nd St. & 5th Ave., walk in one direction along 42nd Street and you’ll see that it’s E.42nd Street. But if you walk the other way, you’ll notice the signs say W.42nd Street.

Street addresses get smaller the closer they are to 5th Avenue and bigger the farther they are from 5th Avenue. So, if you need to go to MoMA at 11 W.53rd Street, you know that the museum is on the west side of Manhattan and close to 5th Avenue because the building number is 11.

Lastly, New Yorkers typically use intersections or cross streets to explain where they are or to tell a taxi where to take them. You wouldn’t say to a taxi driver, please take me to 11 W. 53rd Street. Instead, you’d say, 53rd and 5th, please. This tells the driver the intersection where you’d like to be dropped.

6. Don’t rely on taxis to get to Manhattan from the airport

This might be one of the most important New York City travel tips on this list.

I highly recommend having a plan for getting from your airport to Manhattan. All the airports have taxi lines that will take you where you need to be. The problem is they’re expensive and sometimes come with a lengthy wait in line for an available taxi.

From JFK to Manhattan, taxis charge a flat rate of $70. This does NOT include extra for tolls, tips, and any surcharges in effect. From Laguardia and Newark Airports, taxi fares are calculated by the meter with tips, tolls, and surcharges tacked onto that. Depending on traffic, taxi fares calculated by the meter can add up quickly.

Instead, use public transportation or book a transfer service in advance so that you know the cost ahead of time. These guides will help you figure out the best way to get from each airport.

• JFK to Manhattan
• LaGuardia to Manhattan
• Newark Airport to Manhattan

7. Don’t shy away from spending Christmas in New York

I reject the idea that you should think twice about spending Christmas in New York .

Yes, it’s very crowded and hotel prices can be high especially right around the time of the Rockefeller Tree Lighting and during the school break week between Christmas and New Year’s.

But, Christmas in New York is absolutely beautiful. The city sparkles with lights and decorations. The atmosphere at the holiday markets is festive enough to warm even the coldest of Grinch hearts. Even “hardened” New Yorkers can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit.

8. Do know the mistakes to avoid spending Christmas in New York.

That being said, you want to make sure you’re a little extra prepared so that you don’t fall victim to some of the classic New York City Christmas mistakes.

Knowing what to avoid, how to dress, or the best places to ice skate all help to make your New York City Christmas trip a success!

New York Travel Tips: Getting Around

Pay attention to these New York tips for navigating the city. Getting around NYC (or lack thereof) can make or break your entire trip.

The last thing you want is the stress of getting lost or arriving late only to realize you’ve missed out on something you were really looking forward to.

The good news, though, is that with a little common sense and advance studying by reading these NYC tips, you’ll be on your way to getting around the city like a pro!

9. Don’t drive.

Traffic is horrendous and parking is worse. It can take a maddening amount of time to get around NYC by car and will inevitably waste hours.

And even if for one crazy fleeting moment, you think driving around New York City makes sense, remember that no restaurants, bars, shops, or sightseeing attractions have parking for their customers.

Bottom line. There are no good reasons to justify driving into or around New York City.

10. Do use public transportation.

The subway (and even walking) will typically be faster than taking a taxi, perhaps except for hours in the dead of night when NYC quiets down. (Although this is never a guarantee because night road work is always happening somewhere!)

Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are well connected by subway trains and buses. This is why millions of people use them every day,

You can get anywhere you’d want to go in the city and be much happier when you arrive…not to mention on time, too!

11. Don’t be a subway oaf!

The fastest way to annoy New Yorkers is to in any way block the turnstiles, the stairways, or the train entrance. We understand that you might not be familiar with the subway system. All we ask is that you move to the side or to a place that is out of the way so you can figure out which way you need to go.

Think of it like this. Navigating the subway is part of our daily commute. Would you stop your car in the middle of a highway entrance ramp (during rush hour) while you read all the signs or looked at a map? No. The subway tunnels, stairways, and turnstiles are no different.

Once you know the train you need, be sure to stand back on the platform. When the train arrives, don’t block the door. Step to the side to allow people inside to get off the train.

Once you’re inside, move all the way into the subway car. You’ll notice that New Yorkers have mastered the art of making no eye contact even when we are smushed together in a cramped space. You should practice this skill, too.

And, whatever you do, don’t lean your whole body on the poles inside the train. On a crowded train, these are the only things that a lot of people can hold onto once the train is moving.

Yes, it’s a petri dish of bacteria, but hold onto the poles with your hands so other people around you have space to hang on, too. This is exactly why those mini bottles of hand sanitizer were created in the first place.

12. Do have your subway payment method ready.

As of 2023, you can still swipe a MetroCard to enter the subway. Although, they will eventually be phased out. The subway and bus fare is $2.90.

Metrocards are refillable (except those that are single-ride cards) and can be used on buses, PATH trains to/from New Jersey, and for the AirTrain at JFK Airport. There are also 7-day unlimited ride Metrocards which make sense if you ride the subway at least 12 times no matter how long your New York City itinerary is.

You can also use the contactless payment system on all turnstiles with your smartphone or contactless credit card. Just tap to pay and you’ll be able to go through the turnstile. Be sure to use the same device or card so the system will recognize if/when you’ve reached 12 rides in a 7-day period. Any rides past that in the same window of time will be free.

13. Don’t get in an empty subway car !

While we’re talking about the subway, I feel obligated to mention this.

I did this once with a college friend of mine. I was new to New York City and flat-out didn’t know any better. Just trust me on this one…unless, of course, you enjoy breathing the foulest stenches in creation.

14. Do move down the platform and find a car with people on it.

If an empty subway car (while all the others are pretty full) pulls up in front of you on the platform, no you did not just get incredibly lucky. There’s 100% a reason why others have skipped the empty train car in favor of wedging themselves into a more crowded part of the train.

Instead of thinking you landed a jackpot, quickly move to a train car with people on it. Your nose and taste buds will thank you.

15. Do know the difference between local and express trains.

Several subway lines run express and local trains. It’s exactly as it sounds. The local trains make all the stops on the line, while the express trains bypass many stations stopping only in select places.

Know which one you need before you get on the train. Don’t waste time having to backtrack to a station because the accidental express train you were riding skipped your stop.

Look at an NYC subway map. Local stations are marked with a filled-in-all-black circle. Express train stops are marked by a white or unfilled circle. Where the white circle (or oval) overlaps several train lines, it means you can connect underground to these other lines without having to pay again.

Sometimes it’s knowing the simplest of NYC travel tips that can make all the difference.

16. Don’t block the subway station escalator.

Some subway stations have escalators to carry you to or from the train platforms. While riding these escalators, it’s expected that you move to the right if you’d like to stand and ride and move to the left if you’d like to climb the stairs and pass others.

Please don’t stand on the left or place suitcases there while others are trying to move quickly to wherever they are going (i.e. work, doctor’s office, picking their kids up from school).

17. Don’t be the cause of a sidewalk traffic jam.  

Other than the subway and buses, New Yorkers’ primary mode of transportation is their feet. The sidewalk in New York is like a pedestrian highway. Walking in a line across with your whole family blocks others from passing.

If you stop suddenly, the people behind you won’t expect this and just might walk into you. Just like there are rules of the road when you’re driving, NYC’s sidewalks come with similar protocols.

18. Do “pull over” to the right

Not to worry if you’re just strolling, are a slow walker, or want to stop and figure out where you are and where you’re headed! Just move to the right which signals to those around you that they are free to move past you.

This also applies if you want to look up or take photos of something. And don’t worry if you need to look at a map. Use Google Maps on your smartphone. No one will be the wiser that you aren’t sure which way to go because everyone else will be looking at their smartphone, too!

19. Don’t wait for a walk sign if there are no cars.

Ok obviously always check for cars before crossing the street. But if you want to blend in with real NYers, it’s okay to cross even when it doesn’t say “Walk” as long as no cars are coming.

20. Do watch for buses and bikes.

Just don’t forget about bike and bus lanes! Bike path traffic can be dangerous and they’re less forgiving than cars. So if you see a small painted green lane as you cross the street, be sure there isn’t someone racing by on a bike or e-bike!

New York City Tips: During Your Trip

The New York tips below are all about helping you take advantage of some of the best NYC has to offer while avoiding some of the pitfalls that an unknowing (first time) visitor might not realize.

21. Don’t spend too long in Times Square.

For that matter, don’t stay in Rockefeller Center, either. These places are iconic, sure. Go see them, take some photos in front of the ice rink or the giant billboards with their flashing lights, and then get out of there.

Times Square is full of tourist traps from costumed characters looking to be paid to take photos with visitors to chain restaurants overcharging for bad food.

Besides just seeing the spectacle that is Times Square, the only other reason to spend any length of time there is to get discounted Broadway show tickets at the TKTS booth on W. 47th Street.

22. Do explore other parts of New York City.

New York City is made up of 5 boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. And within these boroughs are countless neighborhoods, each with their own character and culture. Together, they make up the endless number of amazing things to do in New York City.

Why not head to Lower Manhattan to visit the Financial District and to see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum? The tiny streets at Manhattan’s southern tip are where the city first took root as a colony in the 1600s. When you look closely, you can see remaining bits of colonial history and even visit the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton.

Walk the High Line as it snakes through Chelsea or head uptown to the Upper West Side to visit the northern parts of Central Park and the iconic St. John the Divine. When you’re hungry, take the subway down to Chinatown to sample plates of noodles and Dim Sum.

When you’re ready, ride the subway to Brooklyn for a stroll through one of the most incredible open-air street art galleries in the world.

23. Don’t eat in Little Italy…unless you know where to go.

It pains me to say this as a girl of southern Italian ancestry but unfortunately what’s left of this neighborhood is just a couple of streets with souvenir shops and restaurants serving mediocre Italian fare.

If you do go, avoid the restaurants with wranglers trying to persuade you to sit down. The places worth visiting don’t have people doing this. For example, Di Palo’s on Grand and Mott is famous for their sandwiches and homemade mozzarella. (The line is worth standing in!) Il Cortile has fantastic northern Italian dishes and Ferrara Bakery has been making Italian sweets like cannoli for over 100 years.

24. Do walk down Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village.

Between 6th and 7th Avenues along Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village , you can taste delicious pizza at legendary places like Bleecker Street Pizza, John’s of Bleecker Street, and Joe’s Pizza. Save room for a couple of rice balls from Faicco’s Italian Specialties and cannolis at Pasticceria Rocco.

If you want to have a sit-down Italian dinner, New York City has no shortage of options! Some of my favorites are  Morandi , L’Artusi , and Via Carota .

And if you’re up for taking a bit of a trip “north,” head to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for another authentic Little Italy neighborhood!

25. Don’t take disrespectful selfies .

Sadly this makes the list, but crimes, tragic or sad events, homeless people, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum are off-limits when it comes to selfies. Just please don’t do it.

26. Do take photos of NYC’s iconic skyline.

That being said, please take as many photos as you’d like of the city itself and all of its beautiful sights and attractions. This is especially true of the New York City skyline as seen from above.

Contrary to what others might say, I recommend visiting one of New York City’s skydeck experiences. There are plenty of options so choose the one that speaks to you the most or works best with your itinerary.

For example, Summit One Vanderbilt is the most popular immersive skyline experience and has amazing views, especially of the Chrysler Building. The Empire State Building is an iconic art-deco building full of classic NYC history. The view from the Top of the Rock is gorgeous at night when you can see the Empire State Building and all of Manhattan lit up.

Take a look at each one to decide.

• Summit One Vanderbilt
• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock
• One World Observatory

You might even splurge and take a helicopter ride over New York City to take in the epic views. Either way, it’s a quintessential NYC experience to see the city from above.

Can you accomplish the same thing by visiting a rooftop bar or restaurant?

That depends on where you go and what you’re hoping to see. Some rooftop bars and restaurants can come with fabulous views and even ones that are from a unique angle or height. But they’re also usually not the places where you snap off an endless number of photos without running the risk of irritating those around you.

Skyline experiences are for really marveling at the skyline and taking in the incredible scene before you. While rooftop restaurants and bars are for savoring the ambiance of being high up among the city’s skyscrapers.

27. Don’t eat at a chain or theme restaurant.

New York City is home to an unlimited number of incredible restaurants in every cuisine you can imagine. And you only have a limited amount of stomach real estate. Don’t waste it on food that you can get anywhere.

Besides if you’ve landed in one of these chain restaurants, you’ve most definitely fallen victim to one of NYC’s tourist traps. Restaurants like Olive Garden and Bubba Gump Shrimp typically exist in places like Times Square for a reason. You won’t find restaurants like these in the West Village or Dumbo in Brooklyn because most New Yorkers go for local restaurants instead.

You should do the same.

28. Do eat classic NYC foods.

That being said, not every meal has to be at a five-star restaurant. After all New York City is the land of pizza and bagels!

Order a bagel sandwich with cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon) from Absolute Bagels or Leo’s. Grab a slice of pizza at Prince Street Pizza or go for a classic margherita pie at Juliana’s in Brooklyn…my pick for the best New York style pizza in the city!

Try a new type of ethnic food. Whether you seek out local spots near your NYC hotel or you head to ethnic-specific neighborhoods like Koreatown or Little India, you won’t be disappointed by the endless array of authentic dishes. Not to mention, many of these spots are much better priced than what you might expect in New York.

29. Don’t eat at restaurants without an A rating.

Regardless of where you choose to eat, always look for the Health Department’s rating which must be hung in a prominent place in the front of every restaurant.

With so many restaurant options to choose from, there’s no reason to eat anywhere that doesn’t have an “A” rating. Hopefully, there’s no need to go into any more detail on this one.

30. Do take advantage of cheap eats in NYC.

In a city full of famous restaurants, you might think cheap eats in NYC don’t exist. You just have to know where to look.

Los Tacos No. 1 is hidden in plain sight in famous Chelsea Market. Gray’s Papaya is famous for its hot dogs & “recession special.” Mamoun’s Falafel is listed as one of the 1000 places you need to visit before you die. And Empanada Mama in Hell’s Kitchen will fill you up for about $10. Not to mention Chinatown and its plentiful options of cheap noodle and dumpling dishes.

Or keep your eyes out for any number of New York City’s famous food trucks from one of the Diso’s trucks around 46th Street or in the W. 50s. serving up Italian deli sandwiches to a Souvlaki GR truck also in midtown offering delicious Greek bites!

31. Don’t initiate small talk with locals.

This is not meant to seem rude. But most of us are out and about trying to run errands or get to appointments or work on time. In the process, we get a few moments to pop in our Airpods to listen to some music or a favorite podcast.

And for sure there’s a safety component to this, as well. There’s no need to open up a box of worms if you don’t have to. Better to just go about your business and let others do the same.

32. Do ask a local for directions if you’re lost.

Even with the above small talk NYC tip, I don’t want you to get the impression that NYers are really rude. In fact, I’ve seen countless New Yorkers go out of their way to help visitors who are lost or have a question…myself included!

So if you’re lost or need help, don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby, If you’re unsure about talking to a stranger, pop into a hotel or restaurant or even ask a doorman at one of the city’s many apartment buildings.

I guarantee you’ll come across a friendly local willing to help out!

33. Do avoid tourist traps.

In addition to chain restaurants, places like Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and experiences like a pedicab or horse-drawn carriage rides are best avoided.

They’re overpriced and gimmicky. Plus, in the case of the horses, they aren’t always treated right.

But for the record. I don’t think going to the top of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, or the Book of Mormon are tourist traps, contrary to what you might read elsewhere. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

34. Don’t miss the chance to see a Broadway show.

In an era where everything is on a screen, the experience of seeing a live theater production is an unforgettable experience and totally worth it.

Feel free to choose the play or musical that most interests you. Broadway and the countless Off-Broadway theaters have something for everyone’s taste and budget.

Take advantage of discount tickets on websites like Broadway Box . Grab same-day discounted tickets from TKTS in Times Square or Lincoln Center. Or even try your luck at winning a Broadway lottery .

Either way, don’t miss this classic NYC experience!

35. Do tip appropriately.

Tipping in New York City is so important.

If you’re happy with the service you get from a waiter, bartender, delivery person, or taxi driver (to name a few), be sure to tip 15%-20%. These service workers make horribly low hourly wages and rely on these tips to survive in New York City. Don’t forget about tour guides, too, especially the ones giving free walking tours.

While it’s never an obligation if you don’t think a tip is earned, it’s greatly appreciated and often supports artists and students who live off these tips.

36. Don’t give money to beggars.

As difficult as it may be, don’t give money to beggars. You never know what that money is truly going to be used for. If the opportunity presents itself and you feel compelled, purchase a coffee or some food. But always beware that if it’s not asked for, your kind gesture can always be rejected.

And to be clear, I don’t consider musicians to be beggars. If you’re on a subway platform or walking through Central Park and appreciate the music someone is playing, feel free to contribute to their tip jar.

37. Do use bathrooms when they’re available.

Of all the travel tips for NYC, this one cannot be overstated. New York City has hardly any public restrooms. This poses a real challenge when you’re on the go all day.

So the golden rule (sorry pun not intentional!) is to always use a bathroom when you have one available to you regardless of whether or not you really feel like you need to go.

All of NYC’s top sights and museums have bathrooms for visitors. Be sure to use them when you’re visiting. The same goes if you’re at a restaurant or cafe for lunch or a coffee break. Take advantage of the access to bathrooms.

In an emergency, there are bathrooms at Grand Central Terminal. Nearby Bryant Park has one of the cleanest public bathrooms in the entire city. Public libraries have bathrooms, as do markets like Chelsea Market. Hudson Yards and the Shops at Columbus Circle have restrooms. And if you’re in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum , the Oculus has bathrooms.

Otherwise, you’ll likely have to go to a coffee shop or restaurant and buy something to use the bathroom.

38. Don’t use ATMs outside of bank locations.

Nearly everywhere you go in New York City, debit and credit cards are accepted. So there’s never a reason to carry large amounts of cash. However, if you need some money, use an ATM at an established banking location.

ATMs in places like delis, bars, or drug stores aren’t monitored as closely making it easier for skimmers to add devices to card readers that’ll help them steal account numbers and PINS.

Tips for NYC: Safety

Is New York City safe is one of the most common questions I get from readers who are considering a trip to the Big Apple. So in this section of New York City tips, you’ll find the common sense safety advice that I live by.

39. Don’t walk scared .

Despite what you might see on the news, New York City is still one of the safest mega-cities in the world. Yes, the pandemic’s empty sidewalks allowed a rougher element to surface. You will see homeless and mentally unstable people more so than perhaps in the years just prior to 2020.

However, with each day that life has returned to normal, the city’s residents and visitors alike are reclaiming the sidewalks, so to speak. To be a part of this, walk with purpose…like you know the streets like the back of your hand.

The more confident you look (and the faster you walk), the more you’ll blend in with every other New Yorker.

40. Do stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Yet with any big city, you need to exercise some basic caution. You should always be aware of where you are and the others around you. And if something doesn’t look right, move yourself away from the situation quickly and calmly.

Remember, pickpockets and others hoping to pull off petty crimes are opportunistic. They’re looking for anyone who has an unzipped bag or isn’t paying attention to where their belongings are. Everyone has a smartphone but don’t flash other expensive electronics.

Leave your best jewelry at home and don’t walk around with huge amounts of cash. And never carry phones or wallets in your back pants pocket. It’s an invitation for a quick-fingered thief.

41. Don’t react to catcalling.

As a female living in NYC, I’ve experienced plenty of catcalling. It’s always eye-rollingly annoying, especially when you’re just trying to enjoy the city’s sights like everyone else without feeling self-conscious about how you look or what you’re wearing.

The most important thing is not to react. Just keep walking and don’t make eye contact. I know the feeling of wanting to react but trust me, it’s not worth it.

42. Do trust your gut.

But you should always trust what your gut is telling you. If the catcaller (or someone) escalates their advances or you feel unsafe in any way, don’t hesitate to get out of there, seek help, look for a police officer, or even draw attention to what’s happening.

Go into the first available shop or restaurant. Cross the street. Stop walking and let whoever is bothering you pass so that you can see them in front of you rather them being behind you. Speak loudly so that others nearby are made aware of what is going on.

The same holds true outside of a catcalling situation. Something feels off on a subway car you’re riding? Move to another car or get off the train. The street is too dark or quiet? Take a different route. Always do what you feel is right for your own safety and remember the majority of New Yorkers around you will help if they can.

NYC Tips: What to Wear

What you pack for your trip to New York City is so important! With a lot of your trip spent outside, you’ll need to wear clothes that align with whatever the weather happens to be, while of course, achieving a few fashion points along the way.

These tips for traveling in NYC are all about the best clothes and shoes.

43. Don’t pretend it’s spring when it’s winter .

It doesn’t matter if you’re hot all the time. The streets in Manhattan have a really special way of funneling the cold winter wind right in your direction. It might feel crisp and refreshing at first, but after a few hours of walking around, you’ll be shivering miserably.

What to wear in New York in winter is not the same as what to wear in spring, summer, or fall. It’s also not like home where you likely go quickly from your heated house to your heated car to your heated destination.

During New York City in winter you have to be prepared to spend long periods of time outside regardless of what the temperature is or what the weather is doing. Otherwise, the winter weather can quickly put a freeze on whatever you had planned during your trip to New York City.

44. Do dress for the weather.

No matter when you plan to visit New York City, you’ll be walking outside, a lot. No matter how much planning you do before your trip, it’s so important to check the weather in the days leading up to your arrival. The right clothes and shoes will make all the difference during your New York City trip.

Fall in NYC is a great time to visit, weatherwise! The days are comfortable, with little humidity and plenty of blue skies. Similarly, visiting NYC in April or May comes with moderate temperatures and blooming flowers.

Winter and summer, obviously, come with more temperature extremes.

But regardless of what the calendar says, the weather forecast should dictate how you pack. Visiting in April and New York City is going to be 80+ degrees during the day? Pack like it’s summer with some layers for potentially cooler evenings.

Or are you planning a Christmas trip to NYC with sunny weather and 60-degree days in December? Leave your heaviest winter gear at home. You’ll only end up hot and sweaty as you walk around Manhattan.

45. Don’t underestimate the importance of the right shoes.

In a blink of an eye, you’ll have walked 10k+ steps in New York City. You need the right shoes so that you can sustain this amount of pedestrian life for a successful trip.

Fashion sneakers, flat boots, and sporty sandals all work depending on the season and how comfortable they are when you’re walking in them all day. These sneakers are among the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn and I often wear them for everyday walking around New York City.

And of course, weather plays a role. Don’t wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty during hot summer days. That’s a recipe for blisters. (Which is also why you should travel with at least 2 pairs of comfortable shoes. You can switch them from day to day so that your feet aren’t being continuously rubbed in the same places.)

The same goes for wearing the right shoes in the rain or snow. Wet and cold feet or shoes that can’t grip the sidewalks on bad weather days are the fastest way to put a damper on what you hoped to do in New York City.

46. Do leave the high heels at home.

Seriously. Unless you’re attending a gala or making an appearance in a Sex and the City sequel, you likely don’t need them. Not to mention, they hardly double for a shoe you can also walk in…outside…for several blocks.

If you need or want something dressier for nights out, consider shoes or boots with more of a platform or wider base that can also serve as functioning walking shoes.

47. Don’t wear your souvenirs here.

Your “I <3 New York”, subway line, or Broadway show tee-shirt will be much cooler at home. Not to mention, wearing items like these immediately identifies you as a tourist just when you might be trying to blend in with the crowd.

48. Do dress stylishly and comfortably .

With all the clothing tips for NYC focusing on comfort and the weather, you might think I’m suggesting you toss all fashion sense out the window. On the contrary! NYC is still a place to look put together. But you can do this in a smart way that combines utility and function.

Jeans are always a good start because you can dress them up or down. Boots, flats, oxfords, loafers, and fashion sneakers are all better choices than your standard gym sneakers.

Think minimalist fashion basics that are chic yet allow you to move comfortably (on foot) around the city. And don’t be afraid to accessorize with a scarf or a hat that will instantly add a bit of flair to your outfit.

49. Don’t wear white/light colors.

Ever wonder why a lot of New Yorkers seem to love wearing black? It’s because NYC is grimy and messy and most of us don’t have washers and dryers in our apartments!

This tip applies especially to pants, shoes, and jackets because they come into contact with park and subway benches and get splashed on by puddles and anything kicked up as you walk. Some of which may never come out even after being scrubbed or washed repeatedly.

Plus, if you’re trying to pack light and plan to wear things more than once, the soot and muck of New York City may upend that plan when it comes to those white pants or pastel pink jacket.

50. Do dress in darker colors.

Instead go for blacks, grays, and even dark colors like forest green, navy, or burgundy when packing bottoms and outerwear. You’ll have a better chance of hiding the inevitable filth that winds up on your clothes after traversing the city by foot and public transportation.

Not to mention, you’ll blend in with the crowd and have a better chance of re-wearing things you’ve packed.

New York City Tips Bottom Line

Your trip to New York City is destined to be fantastic now that you’ve prepared yourself with these NYC travel tips!

If you put these tips for visiting New York City into action, you’re on your way to saving money and time, as well as looking like a total pro as you sightsee, eat, and get around fantastic NYC.

What questions do you have about the best New York City travel tips?

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70 thoughts on “new york city tips: 50 dos & don’ts for visiting nyc like a pro”.

Perfect timing as we are going there in a few weeks, so have made notes from your post on NYC. Thanks

Excellent, Paula! So glad the tips will be useful. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

Love this tip – “Whatever you do, don’t take out a map. Look cool and use Google Maps on your smartphone!” haha. And are selfies ever respectful;?? Great post. It has reminded me that I really need to visit soon!

Glad to make you laugh, Dave! I only do selfies when the landscape behind me needs to be in the shot, like when I was hiking in Patagonia. Hope you make it to NYC soon!

Great tips. I used to spend summers in NYC growing up, but I have to admit, I’ve never been in the subway (mostly because of that petri dish of bacteria thing).

Thanks, Mags. The subway is THE way to travel while in NYC. If you’ve survived the air on planes, you’ll be fine. 🙂

I love your do/don’t format. You’ve given better options for things many tourists would probably want to do.

Thanks, Beverly! Local tips can’t be beat!

Great tips! We really want to make it back to NYC especially since we were there for such a short time on our last visit. I hate when people stop in the middle of sidewalks too–so frustrating!! And good thing to note about the empty subway cars! I would have probably jumped in one too, haha!

Thanks, Jenna! Seems logical to jump in that empty subway car, at first….but, oh how quickly you regret it! Thanks for your comments and hope you make it back to NYC soon!

I once was in the unfortunate position of having to drive in Manhattan. To this day that stands as the scariest thing I have ever done.

I believe it, Brianna! If you don’t know where you’re going and the aggressive style of the New York driver, then you’re in for a terrifying experience.

Dressing for the weather!! Definitely a good tip! I was in NY last winter and almost froze to death!! Great tips.

You’re not alone, Anna. Many people visit NYC, and are so used to getting in and out of their cars, they don’t realize how important dressing for the weather is.

Hi! great list! Thank you! #theweeklypostcard

Thanks, Tanja!

I’ve always wanted to go to NYC, I grew up only a couple hours away in Connecticut, have been inside JFK twice and to Yankee Stadium (the real one,) and that;s it. It was such a small taste and I need more… I gotta get my fix jack lol

So close, Adam! You should definitely not form your NYC opinions on JFK! And, I totally agree with you about the old Yankee Stadium being the real one! 😉

OK, now I am very afraid I want to know what on earth has happened inside an empty subway carriage. Especially as I gather this is a relatively frequent thing?

I would have to take a cab just once I think though. Unless New York taxi drivers are less legendary than they are painted? That would be disappointing.

*grins* I am not sure I agree with you about not wearing your souvenirs in country. I see it as an exuberant celebration of how much fun people are having when they are there, and am therefore quite tolerant. I am actually less so when people save it until they get home.

What good tips though. Especially about where is *really* interesting to go.

Thank you for your comments! If the subway car is empty, it’s typically because someone has become sick, a person who has not bathed in quite a while has taken a nap in there, or someone has used it as a bathroom. While I have a great deal of empathy in my heart for someone in these conditions, I don’t want, nor is it recommended, to ride in that car.

A taxi ride is an experience, but drivers can be hit or miss. Fair points about wearing souvenirs, even though it still wouldn’t be a “NYC Pro” move. Thanks again for your comments! 🙂

I live visiting nyc. Wanted to live there when I was younger but now I think the tourists and other inconsiderate people there would give me too much anxiety.

You would have loved it, Laura! But, it can, indeed, be a stressful city.

Great tips! I have to remember those for next time we visit. We did not take the subway once when we stayed in NYC for three days, we walked. And we did eat at non-chain restaurants we found near the hotel, and I’m glad of it. And yes, Times Square is a zoo!

The subway is a lot easier than it seems, Jolanta. Definitely give a try on your next visit. So glad you were able to enjoy some food at an NYC restaurant! Thanks so much for your comments! 🙂

I loved visiting NYC. There is just so much to love! I wish I had ventured out a little more to explore little restaurants and bars but there is always next time! Also “pulling over” out of peoples way should be practiced around the world haha

Absolutely, Sally! I agree with pulling over being a worldwide courtesy.

Really helpful tips! Bookmarking this one for future reference. Particularly like the one about the empty subway car as I’m sure I’ll be jumping on one if I didn’t read this, but now I know… 🙂

Thanks, Olivia! Good thing for your nose!

Great tips! I finally walked across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time last year and it was one of the highlights of my trip!

The Brooklyn Bridge is my favorite too, Elena! It’s such a special landmark.

Great tips! We LOVE experiencing the restaurants in NYC. Some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. We often wonder how chain restaurants survive there. Who eats at a chain when there is a plethora of other amazing options!

Thanks, Amanda! Those chains survive only from the tourists who never venture outside of the Times Square tourist zone.

what a clever way to tell New York story:) i may not agree with all the tips, but i love that your personality shows through:) You got me with a paper map- I love those and will always use:)

Thanks for your comments, Victoria. Just be sure to pull over when you take out that paper map (wink wink!) 🙂

I must say, I read many articles about tips for NYC, this one ranks at the top! Most of the people writing about NYC have visited a few times. You are clearly someone who knows the city well! My biggest tip for any city I visit is to walk like you know what you are doing, even if you don’t. Duck into a store or side street to check where you are going rather than stopping in the middle of the sidewalk!

I have been planning a 10 day NYC itinerary for someone going for the first time. She gave me a list of places she wanted to see, and my first thing was to scoff. Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building. All these places are the things I was trying to tell her to avoid! But then I had to think like her, a person who has never seen NYC (and not like me—someone who grew up there), and understand that it is OK to want to see those places! They are iconic for a reason! So I guess my biggest piece of advice is that its okay to visit all of those popular tourist places in the city, just know that there is more to the city than Times Square!

Hopefully that all made sense! Cheers, Katie

Thanks, Katie! I’m so glad you got one of the post’s main points, which is to enjoy and explore New York City’s iconic sights, but also remember there’s so much more to see and do in the city! It’s such a fabulous city and, those of us who live or are from here, want everyone to get the most out of their trip. 🙂

Do go out and take in a comedy show, especially any of the local clubs that support upcoming talent.

Don’t wear sandals, especially if you are going to walk around Manhattan all day. Not only will your feet hurt, but it will take literally days to wash the sludge that built up in between your toes!

Do check out Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! It is probably one of the best outdoor festivals that you will ever see in your life.

Don’t get caught in the middle of an intersection during a red light unless you are cool with angry New Yorkers laying down on their horn like nobody’s business.

Do go to the Top of the Rock to get the best view of Manhattan. Don’t throw objects off the Top of the Rock. You might hurt someone and it’s illegal!

Been to NYC four times in my life and this city just gets better every single time!

Ray, these are awesome tips! Thanks for helping to make the list even better! Love the point about the sandals and walking around NYC all day and there is certainly no shortage of great comedy shows!

Interesting set of Do’s and Don’t while visiting NYC…..Thanks for Sharing Informative article…

Thanks for reading and commenting, Maggie.

This is great we are coming over from Australia in March and it is always a bit weird going to a new city! where would you recommend someone to stay? I was looking at the Roosevelt in Manhattan ?

thanks for the advice!

Hi Sharna, Thanks for reading. How exciting to be visiting NYC! I haven’t checked out the Roosevelt Hotel, but it is in a good location. You are just footsteps away from Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and the subway. Midtown east tends to be quieter at night than midtown west, but this is not so far east that you’d feel remote or unsafe. I have more hotel recommendations and all the tips to make your first trip a success in my NYC Guide . Plus, you can even download a cheat sheet to take with you if you want. 🙂

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your advice, what is the best area to stay in that is easy to get around, safe and not overly pricey ?

Thanks for reading and commenting. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’m traveling and my wifi is a bit spotty. Ugh! Of course, the most convenient areas to stay are right in midtown, but these will also likely be the priciest areas, too. I’d recommend looking uptown on the west side of NYC, close to the 1,2,3 (red) subway line. It’s quick and easy and has connections in Times Square to nearly every subway you could want. If you really prefer midtown, east will likely be cheaper than west. I wouldn’t go past the Lexington Ave area, though. It’s safe, but so far east it’ll be a long way to walk to a train or to the main tourist areas of Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, etc. Hope that helps, but feel free to comment again if you need anything else. Enjoy your stay in NYC! 🙂

Hi Jackie what a great post and so spot on! I am a former New Yorker, been gone 20 years and I was visiting recently last month. It was so much windier than I’d remembered. It must be the tall buildings creating wind tunnels or something. I don’t remember that for 20 years ago. Maybe the buildings have gotten taller. I would also recommend the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Gardens which make you feel as if you’re in an English countryside.

Thanks for reading, Mary. How great to get back to the city after many years. Great tip about the NY Botanical Gardens. It’s a favorite of mine, especially in fall.

Hi Jackie! Thank you for sharing such interesting tips. I will be visiting my Uncle and his family this June and it is my first time to go to US, and I am glad to be visiting New York. However, I do not have any idea what type of clothes to bring. Your suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Hi Faith, Thanks so much for reading. 🙂 Summers in NYC are warm and some days even, really hot. Sundresses, short sleeve shirts, shorts, capris, elephant pants (loose-fitting pants) are all good. NYers always wear jeans no matter what time of year. As for shoes, NYers wear all kinds of shoes, but we are also used to walking in them. Sandals are fine if they’re comfortable to walk in. Also, there can be afternoon rain storms, so pack an umbrella or pick up one once you arrive. Finally, most places have Air Conditioning, so sometimes a light sweater or sweatshirt comes in handy! Hope that helps, Faith. If you’re looking for more first-timer NYC tips, check out this post . Enjoy NYC!

This is a great list, except that blocking people in the subway is absolutely not “the fastest way to ingratiate yourself with New Yorkers.” It is, in fact, just the opposite since to ingratiate yourself means to bring yourself into favor.

Ha! I can’t believe I never picked that up after all this time, Lizzy! I guess that’s why it’s good to have lots of eyes reading. 🙂

This is a great post love all the tips. I am traveling there soon so will be very handy.

Thanks so much for reading. Glad the tips will be useful.

Great post. I am a travel and sports blogger who was born and raised in New York City , even though I lived in other places. I would definitely recommend that tourists check out the Outer Boros. Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry , which is free. See the real Little Italy on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. See the Queens Zoo as well as attending a game at either Yankees Stadium or Citi Field . See the other Chinatown in Flushing. Have some Asian, Indian or Latin American food in Jackson Heights . Visit Grants Tomb or Alexander Hamilton ‘ s home Hamilton Grange in Harlem. There is more to New York City than times square . Also, please tourists , don’t take a picture of the rats on the subway. They’re just like their human New York City cousins , aggressive and in a hurry to get to the train.

Thanks for reading, Jo Ann, and for all the tips! You are soo right about getting to the outer boroughs. I’ve included many of these in my 100 things to see and do in NYC. 🙂 Love that last bit about the rats. They’re definitely camera shy!

NY is like a dream city to me. Thanks for the o do list and not to do list. Great. Thanks.

Thanks for reading, Jimmy. Enjoy NYC. 🙂

Hi going to New York for the first time late June for 4 nights then heading to upstate for a wedding. I’m getting freaked out because I’m disabled with visual and balance disabilities. So with that in mind do I stay in Manhattan and cab into the city for getting a feeling of NYC? I walk slowly and afraid of getting bumped around. 4th of July holiday Yikes what have I gotten myself into!?!

I’m so glad you reached out, Lisa. It’s more than possible to enjoy NYC in a way that you’ll feel comfortable. I’d recommend looking into the Global Greeter Network. There are locals who volunteer to show visitors around for free. It’s even possible to be paired up with a local who also has some type of disability. I’d also think about bus tours if the idea of getting bumped around too much is nervewracking. You’d be able to get around to different parts of the city without the stress of doing it on your own. Thanks so much for reading and I’m sure your trip to NYC will be great. 🙂

Ok list, but remember I think the the thing to remember is A LOT of people walking on streets in NYC are tourists! Been there many times and it runs like any other large city. I think the thing to remember, do what you want…there are no “rules” to walking around and subways just use common sense.

Thanks for reading, Nicole. Common sense goes a long way in NYC!

Wow, how kind of you to share this information. I am taking my wife Dec 14-18 and 3 exchange students–all 16, here for entire school year. This is a surprise for them (first trip), and I am attempting to put this all together, a play, a convenient hotel (will need two rooms) and recommendation would help. Prior post indicated you may have an article(s) out there with this information. Also, flying in from the south, ATL so all airports are reasonably price options, any recommendations there? Thanks again for taking time to share important information. Mark

Thanks so much for reading, Mark. That will be such an amazing surprise! I do have a where to stay in New York article. If you’re open to seeing any play or musical, I’d recommend going to TKTS the discount ticket booth in Times Square just before showtime. So if it’s an 8pm show, go to TKTS at 7:30. There will still be tickets available and no line like there would be had you gone earlier in the day. If you have a specific show in mind, look at websites like Broadway Box for discounts and buy in advance. As for airports, I have guides on all 3 NYC airports (JFK, LGA, and Newark) and how to get to Manhattan. I’d recommend JFK or Newark because their public transportation options are the best. But LGA also has options, so no need to worry if that’s where you fly into. 🙂

4 years on… do you have any new tips to add to the above? 🙂 Thanks Ryan

Thanks for reading, Ryan. If you’re visiting NYC for Christmas, I have these mistakes to avoid . I will also be updating this article soon. 🙂

I have a package deal and have to travel to NYC before 11/25/2020. When do you suggest I go? I would like to see the decorations and some iconic sites also and maybe a show or two but am only there 4 days and 3 nights. I will be staying somewhere in Manhattan, not sure where, yet.

Thanks for reading, Ellen. New York City in the fall is the best time to come. If you want to see some decorations, I’d recommend next November right before your package expires. The Rockefeller Center tree won’t be lit but there’s a chance it’ll be up. The ice rink will be up and the Bryant Park holiday markets typically begin right after Halloween. Not to mention the weather tends to be a little chilly but mostly pleasant for walking around. Hope that helps. If you need other NYC tips, start with this guide.

Would really like to know what was in that empty subway that made it smell so bad???

Also, great tips!

Thanks for reading, Shannon. 🙂 To this day, I don’t know. But it was absolutely putrid!

I plan on driving to visit New York from Virginia with my two teenagers this summer. I’m driving because we also plan on visiting family in Rochester. I do not want to drive in the city. Where do you recommend we stay and park our car while taking public transit into the city to sightsee?

Thanks for reading, Rachel. What I would do is to look for cheap parking around Newark Airport or JFK Airport. You can find cheap airport parking at hotels and off-airport sites and then take public transportation into NYC from there. Definitely a smart choice to avoid driving in Manhattan. Enjoy your trip!

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Top Five Reasons You Should Totally Visit New York City

Everyone has their own reasons for travel. Whether you have to go somewhere for business, to visit family or just to see the world, motivation is motivation. So here’s why you should be motivated to visit New York City!

We love NYC here at ExperienceFirst, so we could come up with a million reasons for you to come visit. But for the sake of time, here are the top five reasons you should visit New York City.

1. The Buildings

There’s a reason you’ll see so many people looking up when you visit New York! The architecture on display in NYC, both old and new, is truly something to behold. Buildings often take on a life of their own due to the passion and vision that goes into their design. Whether you want to see a skyscraper that’s over 1700 feet tall or a church that’s 200 years old, New York has got you covered!

2. The Food

What kind of food do you love? Well, chances are you can find it when you visit New York City. As an international hot spot, NYC is host to culinary experts from all across the globe. Some of the best Chefs in the world dream of coming to the Big Apple to serve up their signature dishes. Even if you’re not a foodie, you’ll still have your choice of tasty treats! The only question then is: Nathan’s or Gray’s?

3. The Theatre

Some of the greatest actors and performers of the last 100 years made their name on a Broadway stage! The Theatre district in NYC (ever expanding as it may be) is home to amazing talent and entertainment. There are shows for every member of the family! And to top it all off, you may get to see someone before they hit the big time! But don’t feel tied down to Broadway. Seeing any theatre in the city is a great notch for everyone’s New York belt.

4. The Culture

As home to citizens from all over the world, New York is a wonderful melting pot. Travel to most corners of Manhattan and you will find groups from various other countries who have carved out their own little piece of the American Dream. In just a 20 minute walk you can see travel through both  Italy and China ! There are cultural influences throughout NYC and they are perfect for opening your mind to new things!

5. The Experience

This one may seem like a no brainer but it is very important! When you Visit New York City, you are stepping into another world. Another way of life! A life where the Subway can decide your whole day for you (whether you like it or not). Where parades are as regular as a monthly rain. A life where everything is within reach but you still have to work to grab it! It’s true what they say, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

Why do YOU love to visit New York City? Let us know in the comments!

And, if you’re already planning on visiting, come take a tour with us and see just how much we love this place! (Spoiler Alert: We Love It A Lot)

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10 reasons to visit nyc right now.

Jan 12, 2021

By Rachel La Pointe

New York City is known to be one of the most vibrant cities on earth – it’s the city that never sleeps! And although the city was quiet for most of 2020, the Big Apple is coming back to life in a big way. NYC has always attracted a diverse company of residents and visitors, because of its unique ability to cater to the interests of everyone – lovers of theater, art, history, fashion, architecture, nature, food and music all conglomerate in the roughly 33 square miles of Manhattan and beyond. From rooftop bars NYC locals love to karaoke places and haunted spaces, there are so many things to do in NYC and now is the perfect time to visit the city and make the most of your time there. Here are 10 Reasons to Visit NYC Right Now!

1 | To take a winter stroll through Central Park | No trip to the city is ever complete without a walk through Central Park. Compared to the sweltering months of summer, a winter walk through the park is relaxing and a great way to get fresh air and your steps in. Is it even a trip to Manhattan if you don’t hit 10,000 steps before noon? Grab a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate and throw on your walking shoes for a workout that’s relaxing, scenic and classically NYC. New York can be quite gray during the winter, so bonus points if your trip includes a sunny day! Other fantastic parks to relax in around the city include Washington Square Park, Bryant Park, and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

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2 | To enjoy smaller crowds than ever before in the city | It’s no secret that the past year has hit the travel industry hard, with millions of people around the world putting their travel plans on hold. During my last visit to the city, Midtown was packed shoulder to shoulder as visitors from every corner of the globe fought the crowds to get the best glimpse of window displays and synchronized light shows. Visiting the city now will allow you to enjoy smaller crowds more than ever before. This is especially true at major tourist attractions in Midtown like Rockefeller Plaza and the Empire State Building. As much as we want the city, and life as we knew it to return to normal, for now, these small crowds are a huge plus!

3 | To get that drool-worthy Instagram shot | Now is your chance to get that influencer-quality photo without a million people in the background of your shot! While the entire city could easily be your backdrop, some popular photo op spots include the Vessel, the Flatiron building, Times Square and if you venture into Brooklyn, the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street, where the buildings perfectly frame the Brooklyn Bridge – known to be one of the best instagram spots in NYC .

4 | To support small businesses and local eateries | After being forced to close for several months, many NYC eateries are struggling to stay afloat. Between take out and outdoor dining options, there are still tons of restaurants that are open, eager, and ready for your business. Piccola Strada is one of my favorite family-owned and operated spots in all of Manhattan. Located in the East Village, this tiny Italian eatery packs a big punch! It’s BYOB so you can save money on drinks and focus on their mouthwatering menu of homemade sauces and Italian classics.

5 | To get a great rate on a hotel! | Looking for the best hotel deals NYC has to offer? So many of the city’s hotels are offering great deals to entice travelers to begin visiting the city again. Before booking an NYC hotel, consider the health and safety procedures they have in place. Many hotels in the city also offer a destination fee – make sure you select a hotel that offers food or beverage credits to use throughout your stay and make this fee worth your while. While the subway system makes it super easy to get around, it’s still a good idea to consider the area your hotel is in and what you might be able to enjoy within a comfortable walking distance. You may also want to check into the hotel's cancelation policy with the travel environment changing so frequently at the moment.

6 | To explore a new neighborhood | If you tend to stick to one or two neighborhoods during your visits, now is the ideal time to explore a new part of the city. Every NYC neighborhood offers something different, from museums and nightlife to family-owned cafes dating back to the 1920s. You’ll immediately notice changes in the atmosphere as you make your way from the quiet, tree-lined streets of the Upper West Side, through the towering office buildings of midtown, and down into the hip and trendy corridors of Greenwich Village and beyond into downtown Manhattan. Although the city has taken great steps to sanitize its intricate public transportation system, NYC is the most walkable city on earth. Take advantage of cooler temperatures and walk! Pro tip: Download the app Urban Archive to be notified when you pass by a historic building or site – it’ll tell you facts and stories about buildings that may look normal from the outside, but from the inside, tell the vibrant tale of one of America’s oldest cities.

7 | To enjoy NYC’s classic landmark attractions | Many of New York’s quintessential attractions have reopened and are safely accepting visitors again. Take in views of the city from 80 floors up by visiting the Top of the Rock or check out the history of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty! Make sure you hop online and check the attractions COVID-19 Advisory Statement or adjusted hours of operation before planning your visit or buying your ticket. What’s more New York than Broadway? While theater productions are still shut down, lovers of the arts will enjoy Broadway Up Close – a tour group of industry insiders that provide visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of beloved Broadway musicals. If you watched Hamilton for the first time this summer, take their HamilTour and visit the historic sites mentioned in the popular musical!

8 | To shop til’ you drop | While 5th Avenue is a known shopping mecca for fashionistas around the world, now is the perfect time to scour the side streets and shop local! Between carefully curated vintage and secondhand shops and eclectic boutiques, each neighborhood in NYC has plenty of small businesses to fulfill your need for retail therapy. These small shops really need your business right now, and you take home some quality items that will remind you of your time in the city – a win-win!

9 | To visit some of the cities many museums | Spend a socially distanced day strolling the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art – with over 2 million square feet of floor space and a collection containing over 2 million pieces of art, the Met is the largest museum in the United States. The Guggenheim is also open and accepting visitors with new safety measures in place so you can focus on enjoying your experience. One of my favorite smaller museums is the Tenement Museum located on the Lower East Side, which shows what life in Manhattan was like for the estimated 15,000 people that lived in the building in the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to the tight quarters of the building, apartment tours are currently closed, but you can still help support the museum by taking one of their educational neighborhood walking tours or virtual tours. Virtual tours will take you around the homes of real immigrant families who occupied the building and show how the families lived, worked and preserved important cultural traditions that helped shape NYC into the melting pot it is today.

10 | To feel like a local | With Manhattan usually bustling with commuters and tourists alike, visiting the city now is your opportunity to blend in and experience New York like a true local. With the city moving at a slower pace, take the time to seek out lesser known spots and places that you wouldn’t usually have time to squeeze into a quick trip. Enjoy talking to the staff and other guests at the coffee shop or deli near your hotel and hear their stories. You’re bound to leave with a greater appreciation for the city and its resilient residents.

Bottom Line!

Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend trip to get out of your house, or you’re able to cash in the vacation time for a week or two in the city, one thing is for sure – now is a great time to visit. One of the reasons NYC is such a popular travel destination is because the city is a destination within itself! Even if you chose to forgo spending tons of money on attraction tickets and things to do, simply walking around and taking in the sights and sounds of the city can be a lot of fun. The only real decision you have to make? JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark?!

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At Westgate Resorts , when you Check-In, there’s a LOT to Check-Out! Your New York City vacation awaits! Explore our New York City hotel today or talk with a vacation planner at 888-852-2959 or 407-355-2690 .

* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.

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The Top 10 Reasons to Visit New York City

With so many of us in the travel industry getting ready for the world to open up, it’s no wonder that some of the most popular hotels in some major cities around the world are getting booked up in advance for 2022 and 2023. It’s not a shock that this is on many top 10 lists for cities to visit, since there are plenty of reasons to visit New York City all year round.

From the stunning, high-end hotels, to the plethora of nightlife attractions, the different districts, and the hum of city life that is a main attraction of New York City, this is a popular destination for great reason, so if you want to visit New York in 2022 or 2023, we recommend you get booking and get ready for the world to open up to you.

1. Visit All Five Boroughs

In the Bronx you have the New York Botanical Gardens, a gorgeous place rife with life and colour, in the middle of a towering city, it’s a very unique sight. There’s also the Bronx Zoo, to keep up those natural vibes.

In Queens you will find a splendid array of different restaurants to eat at, all with a different flavour. And this isn’t just local foods, Queens is well known and loved for its wide selection of foods from around the world. From Italian, to Greek, American, Polish, Turkish and many more, you won’t tire of all the different foodie experiences there.

Manhattan is definitely the hotspot heaven of New York. This is where the classic sights are, a lot of the biggest, popular hotels will also be in Manhattan. It’s certainly not a borough to miss or bypass if you want a true taste of the New York character.

Brooklyn is your modern spot in New York without a doubt. This is where the latest trends in fashion, arts, and more will be found, and it’s also got a lot more luscious greenery than some other boroughs like Manhattan.

Finally, Staten Island is of course home to the Staten Island ferry, a great trip to see some of the sights of the city from a distance and enjoy the waters that run through and around the different boroughs of the city.

2. Stunning NYC Hotels

There is such a wonderful selection across New York City, from Hotel Edison, one of the classic luxury hotels of New York that exudes Jazz Age charm, to The Plaza and The Standard, if you’re looking for luxury accommodation, these are just a couple of the great ones. This, alongside The Redbury, a hotel with some great feminist history.

A lot of this honestly depends on the borough you want to stay in and the sights you want to be closest to, hence why narrowing down just a few to recommend is so difficult. However, if you’re looking for somewhere for affordable, there are some other great ones across the city, such as The Ridge, a hotel close to many things, and in the tourist centre of New York, Manhattan, or East Village Hotel, which is stylistic and elegant, while still being affordable.

3. Museums and Art Galleries

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is, by far, the most famous of New York’s array of artistic displays. The building in itself is a masterpiece, magnificent with a towering set of stairs to the entrance, walking up to it you’re going to feel bubbling anticipation, and rightly so.

For an excellent array of modern art, and some weird, intriguing architecture, the Guggenheim art museum is another great day trip to make. It includes a spiralling set of floors and a huge, beautiful skylight that lets lots of sunlight in to bath the place. Just being inside is an exciting feeling.

If you’re more inclined to history, stories, and some science fiction vibes, then the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is going to be the place for you. Here you can explore some intimidating vessels thick with stories to tell.

4. The Skyscrapers

The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are definitely the most well-known of these structures, but by far not the only ones. The Empire State Building is one that we recommend you don’t miss, however. To be at the top of such a historical, and imposing building, it’s astonishing. Plus, you can see the city from on high when you reach the top, and that in itself is a majestic sight, being at the top of a city you had to gaze up at a little while ago.

Even taller than this, is the One World Observatory. This is a much more modernly designed building, where you might visit the Empire State Building for the history as much as the view, this is a building that will offer you one of the best views of New York you would hope for. And it is beautifully designed too.

5. Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn

One of the classic, majestic sights of New York City has got to be Brooklyn Bridge. Not just a journey from one borough to a whole other world in the next, but a journey over the great East River as well.

This is an instantly recognisable part of the New York skyline, next to many other iconic sights, and it’s one that has been featured in a lot of media and film too. Though a lot of films and shows set in New York will usually be filmed in the streets of another American city, the Brooklyn Bridge is such a classic part of the skyline that footage of it is often used in wide shots so audiences can immediately identify New York.

It also connects the centre of New York City tourism, Manhattan, with Brooklyn, a whole other world, and home to places like DUMBO, where the artistic heart of Brooklyn blossoms among art galleries and independent book stores for your creative soul to enjoy.

6. Live Music & Sport Events

From big names to local bands, drag performances, outdoor music, pub music, and more, there isn’t a kind of gig or concert you won’t be able to find in New York City. No matter what district or borough you’re staying in either, you’re most likely always going to be around the corner from something. It’s a thrilling prospect and one of the great attractions of such a well-loved city.

You will find some of the biggest, sell-out performances in Madison Square Garden, and Brooklyn’s Barclay Centre. And this goes for the awesome sporting events too. Whether you like sports or not, the experience of going to the Yankee Stadium is like nothing you’ll ever experience anywhere else.

Baseball, football, basketball, whatever it is you’re going to see in New York City, you will not be disappointed in the slightest, even if you don’t root for the teams playing, it’s magnificent to watch.

7. Times Square

Admittedly, it’s not a favourite for a lot of locals. But no one can deny the magical experience of being in the centre of all that glow and bustle for the first time, and if you’re never going to experience it again, experiencing it once will be entirely worth the trip.

We’d consider it the closest thing to being inside a science fiction world like Bladerunner or Ghost in the Shell . We also highly recommend experiencing it at different times of day, the dark of the night specifically emphasises just how bright and colourful this place really is.

So, from New York pizza to the mass of pretzel, hotdog, and burger joints, diners, and trucks on the high street, and all the way to the Michelin Star restaurants throughout the city like Little Italy and Chinatown. There is such a splendid array of cuisines across New York, in all the boroughs, that you’ll want to spend your whole holiday taste testing.

The grand size of the food is a classic USA attribute, but in New York, it truly is supersized. With their pizzas sold by the slice, giant pretzels that you might struggle to eat in their entirety, and stacked burgers, and all of this at pretty great prices, we highly recommend trying to experience as much of the New York cuisine as possible when you visit.

9. Central Park and Prospect Park

You can visit Strawberry Fields, where John Lennon is commemorated, or the bronze sculpture giving tribute to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Central Park is right in the centre of Manhattan and was created in 1858, surviving through wars and many famous lives, it’s not just a lovely park, but a historical site.

If you’re up for a more summery vibe, Prospect Park is the one for you. With a swimming pool and plenty of trees to cast shade, it’s a great spot when the sky is clear and blue. Designed only 9 years after Central Park, Prospect Park has lived its history too. We highly recommend visiting one of these two spots at least before your holiday is up.

10. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is, of course, a symbol of freedom for the US, and one you can view at your own leisure from the pleasure of a boat on the Hudson River. Alongside it, Ellis Island is a great historical location in New York, a symbol of the American Dream for those who immigrated to America.

You can also book a special ticket to go inside the Statue of Liberty and watch the city from inside the crown, but these tickets tend to sell out very fast, so if you want to do that, we recommend booking it when you book your holiday.

If you want to see more of the awesome attractions and reasons to visit New York City, you can visit the New York Tourism Board where they have a plethora of things to tell you about.

And when you’re ready to book your holiday in advance for 2022 or 2023, don’t forget to get in contact with a lovely PTS member to book with complete protection and expertise. Or, if you don’t know which of our members to choose, you can contact PTS directly at 0207 190 9988 .

If you’d like to know more about your consumer protection and how the package travel regulations protect you, don’t forget to also visit our pages.

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Steve Buscemi punched while walking in New York City

Acclaimed actor Steve Buscemi was walking in New York City last week when someone punched him in broad daylight on a Manhattan street.

The assault occurred just before noon Wednesday, the police department’s public information office said.

Police arrived to find Buscemi, 66, with bruising, swelling and bleeding to his left eye. He was stable when emergency services took him to a hospital, where he was treated.

An investigation continues, police said, and no arrests have been made.

“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” Buscemi’s publicist wrote in an email statement. “He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of NY.”

Buscemi, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner, is known for his roles in the HBO shows “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire” and for his versatility across dozens of movies in his decadeslong career.

The seemingly random attack is the latest in a string of bizarre incidents in which New York City pedestrians — including several celebrities and influencers — have been attacked walking on the street.

In March, fellow former “Boardwalk Empire” cast member Michael Stuhlbarg was also attacked walking through Central Park. Police alleged that Xavier Israel, 27, threw a rock that struck Stuhlbarg in the back of the head, and Stuhlbarg reportedly chased him out of the park. Israel was arrested and charged with assault, police said.

Multiple women in the city have shared stories on TikTok in recent months of their own assaults while they were returning home from class, traveling to work and walking a dog, among other activities. At least two of the women online described suspects with similar characteristics.

Angela Yang is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.