6 places to visit in new york

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.

Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline

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.

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The 37 Best Things to Do in New York City

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg and Alex Erdekian

Aerial view of New York City skyline with Central Park and Manhattan USA

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 Manhattan New York. Lawn with skyline in background

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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.

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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.

The Whitney Museum New York City exterior

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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.

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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.

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Morgan Library and Museum New York City Interior

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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.

Cathedral of St John The Divine New York City

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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.

Many mirrors reflecting in the interior of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

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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.

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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.

Inside Bemelmans Toulouse Lautrecinspired piano bar NYC

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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.

Orchid path Orchid Show Cuba in Bloom at the Enid Haupt Conservatory The New York Botanical Gardens The Bronx New York USA

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Sculpture hanging from ceiling at MoMA New York

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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.

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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.

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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 Brooklyn New York United States of America

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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 New York City USA. Ferry wheel at amusement park with passageway in foreground

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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.

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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.

Flowers blooming in Washington Square Park in spring

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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.

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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)

Musician performing at Blue Note Jazz Club New York

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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).

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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 Midtown Manhattan NYC New York City NY USA. Image shot 052008. Exact date unknown.

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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!”

Front facade of the Olive Tree Cafe Comedy Cellar Greenwich Village New York NY USA

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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.

Museum of Natural History New York City interior Elephants

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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.

People walking in street in front of Strand Bookstore Manhattan New York

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

NEW YORK NY MARCH 1 Atmosphere at Gagosian Opening Reception for Sterling Ruby at Gagosian Gallery on March 1 2017 in...

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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15 of the best things to do in New York City in 2024

Mar 23, 2024 • 9 min read

A trip to Central Park is a classic stop on any NYC itinerary © Marco Rubino / Shutterstock

Three life-changing words: New York City .

Millions are drawn to it; some never shake it. Monumental, artistic, cultural, commercial, cosmopolitan – the City That Never Sleeps is everything you've imagined. You'll never be bored here – the only problem is narrowing down what to do from the endless list of possibilities.

To help you get started, here's a list of my favorite inspirational highlights – all perfect experiences for your next trip. However, the big sights lure big crowds, so brace yourself. If you're after a calmer NYC experience, sights in the "outer borough" (beyond Manhattan) will generally be less crowded.

Ticket costs can also be substantial, so consider purchasing a New York CityPASS , which offers good discounts on top attractions.

A red kayak in the water in front of the Statue of Liberty

1. Visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The iconic copper-green Statue of Liberty dominates a small island in New York Harbor, casting a protective shadow over neighboring Ellis Island , the site of a stirring Immigration Museum . Still symbolic today, these two landmarks served as an uplifting gateway through which over 12 million soon-to-be-Americans passed from 1892 to 1924.

Planning tip: Boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from The Battery in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The monuments are often visited on a combined ticket – book well ahead, especially if you hope to spend time in Liberty's pedestal or crown.

2. Soak up the views from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings

The tallest building in the world when it opened in 1931, the 1454ft Empire State Building remains a much-loved character on the NYC skyline, although somewhat controversially, street-level views of this New York City skyline icon are about to be obscured by a luxury condo apartment. Vistas from the outdoor, 360-degree view, 86th-floor deck and the indoor 102nd-floor observatory are breathtaking, though – particularly at sunset. Look northeast at the art deco Chrysler Building , also once the world's tallest before being dethroned by the Empire State.

Planning tip: Buy tickets in advance and devote a few moments to the second-floor Story of an Icon museum.

Interior of the 9/11 National Memorial Museum, New york City

3. Pay tribute to lost lives at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The National 9/11 Memorial is located where the World Trade Center Twin Towers once stood. It features sobering tributes to the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, most poignantly two sunken pools with cascades of water pouring into the fallen towers' footprints. Adjacent to the memorial is a profoundly moving museum with remnants and reminders of the tragic day.

Planning tip: The memorial is free; museum tickets are best bought online in advance.

4. Have family-friendly seaside fun at Coney Island

Jutting like a Brooklyn thumb out into New York Harbor's Lower Bay, Coney Island boasts a wide beach, a popular seaside boardwalk and a lively amusement park, all reachable by subway in about an hour from Midtown Manhattan. Popular attractions include the family-friendly New York Aquarium , Nathan's Famous hot dogs , Deno's Wonder Wheel and thrill-filled Luna Park , featuring the wooden Cyclone rollercoaster – a city and national historic landmark.

Planning tip: Walk to nearby Brighton Beach for classic Russian and Ukrainian eats.

A shot of the backs of a crowd of people inspecting a painting

5. Tour the vast collections at NYC's major museums

The Met is NYC's most visited museum for very good reasons. With 5000 years of art from all over the world, two million individual objects and 17 acres of exhibition space, it's massive, astounding and seemingly inexhaustible.

An inside tip – the Met's often bypassed uptown Cloisters were cobbled together from authentic sections of European medieval monasteries. Tickets cover three-day admission to both Met branches.

Directly across Central Park from the Met is another significant museum with a broad scope: the American Museum of Natural History , where your ticket grants you access to more than 50 exhibits and 34 million artifacts!

Art lovers will find modern masterpieces from Warhol, Pollock and more in the Museum of Modern Art ; book ahead to skip the line, particularly at weekends. Somewhat smaller and less crowded, though definitely still comprehensive, is the Brooklyn Museum .

Detour: For something much more contemporary and free of hordes, try Brooklyn's Bushwick Collective Street Art .

Use this guide to plan the ultimate museum tour of New York City .

A person sits in front of a lake gazing towards a two-towered apartment block

6. Hang out in Central Park

Hemmed in by buildings, Central Park serves up 843 acres of green space – meadows, groves, gardens and lakes, as well as restaurants, theaters, concert venues, fountains, skating rinks, ballfields, playgrounds and much more. Park Drive, although often crowded, is a favorite route for runners, skaters and cyclists.

Seeking some green space with fewer people? Brooklyn's Prospect Park , created by the same landscapers as Central Park, has all the same charm with far less throng.

Detour: For a leafy overview of Manhattan, consider cycling along sections of the 31-mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway , especially the Hudson River Greenway segment.

Can't get enough of Central Park? Our local tells you where to find Central Park's best corners .

7. Walk across Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Undoubtedly NYC's most beautiful river crossing, the 1596ft-long, stone-towered Brooklyn Bridge was one of the world's first steel suspension bridges when it opened in 1883. Today, a walk along its pedestrian passageway delivers delightful Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views.

Brooklyn Bridge Park , the 1.3-mile, 85-acre green space on Brooklyn's East River shoreline, prolongs the pleasure (and the Manhattan views). Check out the waterfront, glass-enclosed Jane's Carousel and multiple revitalized pier-based leisure and activity areas.

Save these restaurants to your Brooklyn itinerary.

Couple with bicycles looking at New York skyline

8. Gaze upon the Manhattan skyline

Manhattan's tumble of buildings is a mesmerizing spectacle, changing in natural and artificial light, particularly at dusk and night. Harbor cruises are a fantastic way to enjoy it, but there are also numerous land-based vantage points along the East River.

In Brooklyn, head for Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, East River State Park in Williamsburg and Transmitter Park in Greenpoint. Over in Queens, go to Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City and Astoria Park.

Planning tip: For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge and unbeatable views, take a helicopter tour over NYC; yes, it's pricey, but it's worth it.

9. See art and architecture on the High Line and at Hudson Yards

The 1.5-mile-long High Line is one of New York's great surprises. This art-filled, community green space – featuring gardens, events, and amazing city outlooks – was crafted from an abandoned elevated railway. It can be packed on warm evenings when the unique modern architecture on all sides is illuminated.

The northern terminus of the High Line is at the Hudson Yards , Manhattan's newest luxury development, with gourmet restaurants, upscale shops and singular attractions like Vessel , a multilevel public landmark, and The Edge , the city's highest (101st-floor) open-air observatory.

10. Visit the landmark Rockefeller Center

Perhaps best known for its winter backdrop – a world-famous ice-skating rink and New York's giant ceremoniously-lit Christmas tree – the art deco Rockefeller Center is a busy, art-filled national historic landmark all year round.

Named for its entrepreneurial developer – John D Rockefeller Jr, America's first billionaire – it claims highlights such as the 70th-floor Top of the Rock observation deck, the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios Tours , as well as plenty of Midtown shopping and dining.

Crowds of people crossing a busy city street lined with theater signs and other entertainment in New York City

11. Be dazzled by the lights of Times Square and the Theater District

The neon lights really do shine bright on Broadway, especially in Times Square at the heart of the world's most celebrated theater district. Day and night, it provides billboarded sensory overload. In the area are dozens of marquee-fronted playhouses hosting box-office hits, alongside Madame Tussauds and National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey . Bryant Park, Midtown's small but activity-filled green oasis, and the lion-flanked entrance of the New York Public Library , a national historic landmark, are also nearby.

12. Ride the New York City Subway and Staten Island Ferry

The wheels never stop turning in NYC, aided by its sleepless subway , one of the world's biggest mass transit systems. Another iconic part of the New York transport network is the free, orange Staten Island Ferry , the cheapest way to grab pics of Lady Liberty.

For NYC urban transport history, the kid-friendly Transit Museum has climb-aboard subway cars from all eras. There's a museum annex and shop in Grand Central Terminal , a Midtown beaux-arts wonder with an unforgettably grand main concourse.

A close up of pink lily pads in the New York Botanical Garden

13. Support conservation at the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens

Who'd have thought the US's biggest and oldest zoo is in NYC? The conservation-minded Bronx Zoo hosts 6000-plus animals in 265 acres of specially designed habitats. Adjacent to it is the New York Botanical Garden , a 250-acre, year-round nature showcase with dozens of indoor and outdoor gardens included in your ticket.

Planning tip: Smaller but impressive alternative zoos can be found at Central Park, Prospect Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens). The 50-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden is famous for its seasonally blossoming cherry trees.

14. Find art and entrepreneurs in Brooklyn

In a city that places a high premium on space, Brooklyn now claims three hip, rehabilitated industrial areas commandeered by entrepreneurs, artisanal makers, retailers, artists, start-ups and nonprofits. Industry City occupies six large warehouses on the Sunset Park waterfront.

Further south, 100-plus companies fill the vast and storied Brooklyn Army Terminal . And east of Downtown Brooklyn, the expansive, historic Brooklyn Navy Yard is a modern made-in-Brooklyn manufacturing hub.

15. Go to a game at a New York stadium

New Yorkers take outsize pride in their sports teams, so how better to absorb the city's energy than at a game? The Bronx's Yankee Stadium and Mets' Citi Field in Queens are grand open-air stadiums, while Manhattan's Madison Square Garden , home of Knicks and Liberty basketball and Rangers hockey, and Brooklyn's futuristic Barclays Center , where the Nets basketball and Islanders hockey teams play, are enclosed, so good for rainy days.

Planning tip: If you'd prefer to see the Giants and Jets compete in the National Football League, their arenas are in nearby New Jersey .

And now for the hard part: should you go to a Mets or Yankees game? Two local experts weigh in .

Keep planning your trip to NYC:

Find out which NYC neighborhood fits your vibe Find the best time of year to visit Getting around NYC is fairly straightforward – find out how in our full transportation guide . Even better, read on for top tips to see New York on two wheels .

This article was first published May 2021 and updated March 2024

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Blooming Yellow Tulips along Park Avenue during Spring on the Upper East Side of New York City

The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists

Experience the absolute best things to do in NYC with this epic guide to essential eats, drinks, culture, parks and more

April 2024: Looking for t he best things to do as spring blooms in NYC? Our iconic museums, big attractions, and favorite restaurants have the coolest exhibits, shows and menus right now. This month, welcome the warmer weather with outdoor festivals, must-see museum exhibits and buzzy Broadway shows.

From its art museums (The Met and Frick Madison) to its attractions (The Bronx Zoo and sunrises from the Empire State Building), New York City is the best city in the world. Its dining and drinking scenes are still unbeatable and boast killer bars, restaurants and offering creative new inventions. Every day, we’re discovering something new and wonderful about our city, whether it’s one of the best parks , some incredible views , must-see art, or hidden gem stores.

Time Out editors comb through our exhaustive things to do lists, restaurant reviews and theater reporting to highlight and select the best of the best for this ultimate guide each month.

So, c onsider below your NYC Bible.

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Time Out Market New York

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Time Out Market New York brings together amazing chefs, restaurants and dishes in one place for the perfect culinary sample of NYC—ideal for tourists and locals. Plus, the fifth-floor rooftop hosts regular live performances on its stage and ongoing art installations can be found throughout the Market. You can find out what's happening every week here .

The 100 best things to do in NYC

1. Treat your eyes to the cherry blossoms

Things to do

What is it? Cherry blossoms pop up around New York City each spring, from formal gardens like Brooklyn Botanic Garden to New York Botanical Garden as well as all around the city.

Why go? The pink blooms offer New Yorkers a brief but gorgeous pop of beauty, which is why we flock in droves to see them when they bloom each spring.

Don't miss: Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Hanami Nights, running from Tuesday, April 23–Thursday, April 25, 2024 on the Cherry Esplanade.

2. Get artsy at the Whitney Biennial

What is it? The Whitney Museum of American Art’s landmark exhibition series, which pops up every two years. Expect a gigantic showcase of some of the coolest, newest, and most provocative art at a big New York City museum.

Why go? It’s the longest-running survey of American Art and this year, it's packed with fascinating pieces. This year, the Biennial is themed “ Even Better Than The Real Thing” and features the work of 71 artists and collectives.

Don't miss: T he survey examines rapidly advancing technologies and machine learning tools; t he body and subjectivity as it pertains to queer identity, body sovereignty, motherhood, the aging body, and the trans body; m aterial agency and the use of unstable media; and lots more.

3. Admire the Orchid Show

What is it? New York Botanical Garden's annual show. This year's theme is "The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion."

Why go? Three up-and-coming designers created massive installations inspired orchids. In one, you'll see orchids turned into avant-garde clothing. Another features a regal orchid queen. The final section draws upon AI to create anthropomorphic creatures who don floral outfits.

Don't miss: 21+ nights! To take the floral fun up a notch, NYBG is hosting several Orchid Nights, adult-only events with music, performances, cocktails, and light bites. Orchid Nights will be held on March 30 and April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20.

4. Explore the history of Black New Yorkers in the 1800s

Events & Festivals

What is it? A new exhibit at The Tenement Museum called "A Union of Hope: 1869." The exhibition tells the story of the Moore family who lived in Soho during and after the Civil War.

Why go? It's the renowned museum's first exhibit highlighting a Black family's story.

Don't miss: The chance to walk through re-creations of the family's two-room tenement, see a neighborhood map from that time, explore Census records, and hear readings of newspaper excerpts.

5. Catch "Water for Elephants" on Broadway

Midtown West Open run

What is it? The Broadway adaptation of Sara Gruen’s 2006 romance novel of the same name, which operates on the level of a fairy tale.

Why go? Although Water for Elephants is set at a circus, and includes several moments of thrilling spectacle, what makes it so appealing is its modesty, not glitz.

Don't miss: Where Water for Elephants soars is in the real-life physical talents on display. Members of the ensemble perform impressive aerial routines on ropes, silks, hoops and straps, and show off a dazzling variety of skills: acrobatics, tumbling, balancing, juggling, Cyr Wheel.

6. Eat at a hidden pizzeria in a train station

What is it? A subterranean pizzeria called See No Evil Pizza located on the concourse level of the downtown-bound 1 train station at 50th Street and Broadway.

Why go? Ten, 12-inch varieties are crafted from three-day fermented dough made with artisanal flour from Italy and ladled with raw sauce (tomato pulp, salt, oil, mix), topped with ingredients like mozzarella, mushrooms, hot soppressata and broccoli rabe and baked for about three-and-a-half to four minutes.

Don't miss: A rotating lasagna is also on the menu, presently a Sunday gravy-style.

7. See The Met's history-making Harlem Renaissance exhibition

What is it? "The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism," a groundbreaking exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum celebrating Black artists and intellectuals.

Why go? The Harlem Renaissance had an indisputable impact on American culture, but chances are that you probably didn’t spend much time learning about it in school. That’s because, even though it shaped global literature, music, and art, Black Americans’ historical contributions have been systematically erased or gone unacknowledged for centuries.

Don't miss: The exhibit presents 160 works by Black artists from the Harlem Renaissance and delves into many different aspects of the movement, mostly through the lens of paintings and sculpture.

8. Dig into life of Langston Hughes

What is it? T he Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is honoring poet Langston Hughes and his friendship with photographer, filmmaker, and U.S. Foreign Service Officer Griffith J. Davis in its exhibit " The Ways of Langston Hughes ."

Why go? The free exhibit at the Schomburg Center's Latimer Gallery in Harlem will include photographs of Hughes and Davis, who met in Atlanta, as well as more of Hughes' friendships through letters, artwork and other memorabilia.

Don't miss: Not only will the exhibit bring to life an important era in New York City’s history, but it is also an intimate look into the friendships that thrived during the Harlem Renaissance. Among other items on display will be a watercolor painting by Joseph Barker of Langston Hughes' home and a letter from Hughes to his playwright friend, Lorraine Hansberry.

9. Dine at Untable

Carroll Gardens

What is it? Untable, a new restaurant in Carroll Gardens, calls itself an "unconventional" Thai restaurant.

Why go? It serves some of the best cocktails in the city, the most vibrant tom yum purée you'll likely taste, knockout tiger shrimp and a fried rice that's out of this world.

10. Explore 100 years of NYC 'warts and all'

What is it? A major exhibit by the Museum of the City of New York titled " This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture " explores the contradictions of life in NYC through the lenses of visual art, television, film, music, theater, literature and fashion.

Why go? In this landmark exhibition, the museum showcases more than 400 iconic NYC items, from Carrie Bradshaw’s tutu to poetry by the Young Lords.

Don't miss: A collection of hundreds of film clips paying homage to the city.

11. Be awed by 16 miles of colorful ribbons

What is it? Titled "Divine Pathways," this monumental art installation is made up of more than 1,100 lengths of blue, red and gold fabric. Each ribbon measures 75 feet in length (approximately seven stories high). Find it inside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights.

Why go? Not only is the work of art beautiful, it's located inside the world's largest Gothic cathedral.

Don't miss: Public programming offering a chance to write yourself into the work by scrawling hopes, dreams and prayers onto the ribbons. Register here .

12. Get a bullseye at this cool archery range

Sports and fitness
Sports & Fitness

What is it? Wild Captives, the nation’s first female- and LGBTQ-owned archery studio, which is now open in Brooklyn. It's a place where everyone can "be their own superhero." The studio in Brooklyn’s Industry City offers empowering and fun hour-long introduction to archery classes every weekend for $45/person.

Why go? Each intro class includes a chance to learn about different parts of the bow and safety requirements. After the lesson, you'll get a chance to shoot the bow trying to pop a balloon pinned onto the bullseye.

13. Do a day trip to Governors Island

Parks and gardens
Governors Island

What is it? Thanks to its strategic position in the middle of New York Harbor, Governors Island was a military outpost and off-limits to the public for 200 years, but it's finally open to the public. The verdant, 172-acre isle still retains a significant chunk of its military-era architecture, including Fort Jay, started in 1776, and Castle Williams, which was completed in 1812 and used as a prison. The 22-acre area containing the forts and historical officers’ residences is now a national landmark.

Why go? It's open year-round with fun activities for every season. The island provides a peaceful setting for cycling (bring a bike on the ferry, or rent from Blazing Saddles once there). The island hosts a program of events, such as concert series and art exhibitions (see the park's website for schedule), and where else can you have a picnic directly across from the Statue of Liberty?

14. Discover AMNH's new scientific wing

What is it? The architecturally stunning new wing at the American Museum of Natural History officially called the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation.

Why go? Scientific wonders—including a butterfly vivarium, an insectarium and a 360-degree immersive experience—fill every inch of the space.

Don't miss: With an insectarium and a butterfly vivarium, bugs get center stage at the Gilder Center. Why? Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet—and they play a critically important role in our world.

15. Eat at one of the best pizza places in the world

What is it? The Lower East Side’s Una Pizza Napoletana , which was recently named the best pizza place in America, per the site 50 Top Pizza, billed as a "guide to the best pizzerias in the world."

Why go? The pizzeria's c hef, Anthony Mangieri, first started wood-firing pizzas in New Jersey in 1996, so he's definitely a pro.

16. Get naked at this comedy show

What is it? True to its name, comedians perform in the buff at Naked Comedy — and the audience is welcome to get naked, too. The show runs monthly in Brooklyn.

Why go? The comics who perform at The Naked Comedy Show say it's a way to push themselves, and they promise it's a lot of fun. Plus, they insist, you'll never meet a more attentive audience.

Don't miss: The show! Sign up here for updates on upcoming events.

17. Visit the Museum of Broadway

What is it? The long-awaited Museum of Broadway highlights over 500 productions from the 1700s all the way to the present.

Why go? You get to see props, ornate costumes, production notes and so much more that you wouldn’t get to see otherwise.

18. Score a deal at a sample sale

Sample sales

What is it? Every week, the city’s fashionistas flock to top-notch sample sales to grab beautiful frocks at a fraction of their original price, plus accessories, outerwear, shoes, home finds and more—why not take a page out of their book to stock up on some awesome holiday gifts instead?

Why go? To score some designer goods for less whether you're updating your wardrobe, shopping for gifts or refreshing your apartment.

19. Play with bubbles at NYSCI

What is it? The Big Bubble Experiment, an exhibit at New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Queens, celebrating beautiful, buoyant, beguiling bubbles.

Why go? The exhibit encourages kids of all ages to experiment and discover through the joy of playing with bubbles. That includes blowing, stretching, popping and looking closely to see what happens at each move.

Don't miss: A chance to stretch large sheets of bubble film showcasing the medium's rainbow iridescence—and offering an excellent selfie opportunity.

20. Stretch out at Little Island

West Village

What is it? Since it opened, Little Island has brought in plenty of visitors who flocked to see Manhattan’s newest “floating” greenspace.

Why go? It's filled with open lawns, colorful shrubs and trees and a secret garden. It's free to visit.

Don't miss: The park’s amphitheaters, The Glade and The Amph, offer a spectacular view of the Hudson River.

21. Head out to Masalawala & Sons

What is it? A buzzy but warm Indian restaurant from Unapologetic Foods.

Why go? It’s a “celebration of India’s yesteryears” with wonderful macher dim, keema kaleji and unforgettably comforting rice.

22. Trip out at the House of Cannabis, NYC’s weed museum

Weird & Wonderful

What is it? The House of Cannabis (a.k.a. THC NYC) is a weed museum in Soho.

Why go? While the museum boasts plenty of mind-bending multi-sensory bells and whistles, it also showcases art, highlights science and confronts the social justice issues baked into cannabis prosecution.

Don't miss: The Euphorium, a massive spinning record you can sit or lay on while listening to music, from The Doors to Santana. With the room's impressive light show and hazy vibes, it's like a merry-go-round for adults.

23. Walk beneath a floral gateway honoring an LGBTQ+ trailblazer

What is it? A colorful floral archway at Marsha P. Johnson Park in Brooklyn in honor of the park's namesake, the late transgender activist.

Why go? Beautiful large floral sculptures in pink, blue, red and yellow decorate the top of the archway, with gem-like petal designs along the sides.

Don't miss: Johnson adopted the full name Marsha P. Johnson with the "P" standing for "Pay It No Mind." "To her, this was a life motto and a response to questions about her gender," according to the New-York Historical Society .

24. Sip local at Great Jones Distillery

What is it? Great Jones Distilling Co. is Manhattan’s first and only legal whiskey distillery in over 100 years.

Why go? The 28,000-square-foot venue features a fully functioning distillery, a tasting room and several drinking and dining venues, including an underground speakeasy and full restaurant called The Grid.

Don’t miss: A tour detailing the whiskey-making process ($35), a culinary cocktail pairing experience ($145) and a hands-on mixology class ($110).

25. Find this secret artwork in Times Square

What is it? Auditory art by the late artist Max Neuhaus. The installation called " Times Square " sounds like the echo of a bell ringing. It's hard to place this droning tone among all the other noises there, especially because the sound emanates from a typical grate right beneath your feet.

Why go? It's a revolutionary art project that's been a part of the city for decades but most people step right over it. It's easy to miss, but once you hear it, you notice it every time you walk past.

Don't miss: This art! Head to the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets (between Broadway and Seventh Avenue) and listen. We recommend visiting in the early morning when the area's a little quieter.

26. Stay awhile at Milady’s

What is it? A new classic restaurant inspired by the iconic dive bar.

Why go? Divided into “dive” and “high dive” categories, selections like the former’s jalapeño corn dog poppers and burgers are a treat. The latter’s shrimp cocktail and crab mac and cheese are quite nice, too.

27. Check out a ‘psychedelic’ sushi conveyor belt restaurant

What is it? Sushidelic , a psychedelic Kawaii-themed sushi restaurant complete with a sushi counter conveyor belt and plenty of kitschy, neon decor. It's now open at 177 Lafayette Street.

Why go? It's the first project in the U.S. by Japanese artist Sebastian Masuda, who is known as the leading figure behind the Japanese concept of " kawaii ," as well as for his particular unique aesthetic and style.

Don't miss: The six-course "Pure Imagination" sushi tasting. The playful menu starts with an appetizer that looks like a dessert, the main course that is served in a sundae glass and the dessert looks like sushi.

28. Take the kids to the Bronx Children’s Museum

What is it: The 13,650-square-foot permanent space at 725 Exterior Street near Yankee Stadium is geared for infants through kids in fourth grade, with site-specific installations and exhibits focused on patrons’ relationships with the neighborhood.

Why go: The destination currently boasts a 35-foot-long water table kids love, plus an exhibit where guests will get to look at animals and plants through a microscope.

29. Don’t bring anything to this Potluck Club

Lower East Side

What is it? A Cantonese-American spot with a “newish take on old classics.”

Why go? It’s c asual, fun and easy (probably easiest when you make a reservation since it’s pretty popular) with the room and the mood for groups.

30. Chill out at this giant urban bathhouse

What is it? World Spa, a 50,000-square-foot space offering a slew of authentic spa experiences from all around the world smack-dab in the middle of Brooklyn.

Why go? Visitors get to indulge in Eastern European banyas (Russian steam baths with wood stoves), Finnish saunas, cleansing Himalayan salt therapy sessions, Turkish and Morrocan hammams (types of steam baths), Japanese onsens (hot springs) and much more.

31. Take a class at the Starbucks Reserve

What is it? The Starbucks Reserve store at the Empire State Building.

Why go? You can take classes like the Starbucks Reserve Brewtender for a Day, Whiskey Barrel-Aged 101 and Espresso Martini Flight Fundamentals.

32. Play at nation’s first pétanque bar

What is it? The Carreau Club , the nation’s indoor pétanque bar, with indoor and outdoor courts.

Why go? Pétanque (pronounced puh-TONK) is a bocce-ball style French boules sport. Carreau Club makes it a great night out with a full bar, craft beer, wine and cocktails, and a small deli counter.

33. Immerse yourself in Harry Potter's world

What is it? The touring show, "Harry Potter: The Exhibition," is now open in Herald Square, and it’s going transport you.

Why go? This experience presents more than a display of props and costumes. Through the use of dramatic lighting, set design, interactive technology and even scent, the exhibit will make you feel like you are actually there—in Hagrid’s hut, in potions class, dining in the Great Hall, learning how to fight the dark arts, fighting the Battle of Hogwarts and more.

Don't miss: Countless photos opps. There are numerous scenes set up for you to enjoy being photographed in, from Hagrid’s Hut and his giant chair to Professor Umbridge’s all-pink, cat-encrusted office.

34. Visit the Jackie Robinson Museum

What is it? A 19,380-square-foot space with 40,000 historical images and over 4,000 artifacts that celebrate the late Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

Why go? Visitors will also get to explore an immersive experience “to better understand the racism and prejudice Robinson encountered beyond the baseball field, as well as stories of his lasting influence on sports, politics and entertainment today.”

35. Laugh out loud at "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway

What is it? A viciously hilarious treat crafted by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, of South Park fame, and composer-lyricist Robert Lopez, who cowrote Avenue Q . The show brims with cheerful obscenity, sharp satire and catchy tunes, making it the most exuberantly entertaining Broadway musical in years.

Why go? The high quality of the writing, design and direction. It's more than a collection of offensive jokes about female genital mutilation, bestiality and Mormon kitsch. You'll be left laughing your head off and saying, "wait, did they just say THAT?"

36. Get a hole-in-one at Swingers NoMad

What is it? A "crazy mini-golf course" and entertainment complex straight from London with three nine-hole golf courses across 23,000 square feet under 20-foot-high ceilings.

Why go? "Crazy golf" is a British spin on mini-golf, but it's for a 21-and-over audience since craft cocktails are served by caddies on the course. At Swingers NoMad, expect six cocktail bars with signature classic cocktails from London and D.C., as well as 12 cocktails created specifically for NYC, private rooms you can rent, an opulent clubhouse and four gourmet street food vendors—Sauce Pizzeria, Miznon, Fonda and Mah Ze Dahr Bakery.

Don't miss: Taking your photo on the winner's podium.

37. Swap books at the Free Black Women's Library

What is it? The Free Black Women’s Library , a new free library in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, which also serves as a social art project, a reading room, a co-working space and a community gathering center.

Why go? All 5,000 books in the library's collection are written by Black women and non-binary authors. Anybody can visit the space to read, work or hang out. If you want to take a book home, simply bring a book written by a Black woman or Black non-binary author, and you can trade. Whether you decide to bring the book back after you're done reading or keep it for your collection is up to you.

38. Dine fancy at Le Rock

Midtown West

What is it? A l ovely, lofty and spacious restaurant with French-adjacent dishes, including escargots and chicken liver mousse and excellent pasta, bison and duck.

Why go? Le Rock’s best plates are high enough above what most of its contemporaries are cooking to catapult it to the realm of very good.

39. Get into MoMA for free

What is it? UNIQLO NYC Nights offers free admission to NYC residents on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 8pm.

Why go? On these days, you'll get to explore the museum during extended hours and enjoy its second-floor café and Museum store.

40. Do LES Gallery Nights

What is it? A free, monthly self-guided tour of local art galleries on the Lower East Side.

Why go? Participating galleries and studios stay open after hours to allow visitors to interact with the work and the neighborhood in a new way. And yes, it’s all free!

Don't miss: It takes place the third Thursday of every month, from 4pm–8pm, with dozens of spaces to stop into, all organized via Google Map .

41. Snap a photo with New York's "The Bean" sculpture

What is it? The New York version of "The Bean," the iconic public artwork by Anish Kapoor that all but defines the city of Chicago. After five years of work, the sculpture officially called "Cloud Gate" is now on view in Tribeca.

Why go? The mirrored piece weighs 40 tons and is 48 feet long by 19 feet high and sits right at the base of the 60-story tower found at 56 Leonard Street, by many referred to as the "Jenga building" given the particular design reminiscent of the classic game.

42. Get romantic at The Met's Date Nights

Sex and dating
Sex & Dating

What is it? The Metropolitan Museum of Art 's "Date Nights" gives visitors an opportunity to become acquainted with artwork with informal drop-in gallery chats, the chance to listen in on gorgeous live music and sip on yummy cocktails.

Why go? It's pay-what-you-wish!

Don't miss: Performances like include the celebrated contemporary string quartet ETHEL in the American Wing Café as well as a special edition of Juilliard’s ChamberFest featuring performances in the European Paintings galleries.

43. Relax at Governors Island's luxury spa

What is it? The luxurious Italian wellness spa QC NY (by QC Terme Spas and Resorts) on Governors Island.

Why go? The spa has relaxation rooms (each with its own meticulously curated personality, scent, and music), themed saunas, Vichy showers, infrared beds, foot baths, hydro jets, steam baths and other amazingly lush experiences.

Don't miss: The upside-down relaxation room. When you walk in, it's like you're walking on the ceiling—furniture and even a chess board have been painted and affixed to the actual ceiling to create this illusion.

44. Sit in for a tea ceremony at The Loft

What is it? Japan Village at Industry City, which is both a food hall and supermarket full of Japanese groceries, has expanded upward with a 20,000-square-foot second floor it's calling The Loft.

Why go? You'll step into a representation of Japan with cool shops with items straight from the country as well as fun experiences like tea ceremonies and cultural classes.

Don't miss: Daiso, Book Off and tea ceremonies, which are announced on The Loft's website.

45. Have a night at the intimate piano bar at Fraunces Tavern

What is it? Fraunces Tavern's intimate Piano Bar Upstairs.

Why go? The room above The Independence Bar is soaked in a shade of cerulean across its paneled walls, with pops of color on tufted red banquettes and gilded picture frames. Beer, wine, all manner of cocktails and a dedicated list of gin and tonics are all available, in addition to broad-appeal snacks, apps and entrées. Live piano music, of course, is also on the menu.

46. Have your coffee brewed in a pan of hot sand

What is it? Sands of Persia, a dessert bar and hookah lounge, serving up Turkish sand coffee brewed in a pan filled with sand and heated over an open flame.

Why go? Given New Yorkers' dedication to all things coffee, this not-generally-known method of brewing is sure to delight many palates.

Don't miss: The sweets menu (Fingerlime Chiffon Meringue, the Persimmon Wide, the Desert Sunset and the All is Well brownie with soft serve), a mocktail and zero-proof drink list, as well as hookah.

47. Experience Summit One Vanderbilt

Sightseeing
Midtown East

What is it? A heart-pounding immersive experience at Summit One Vanderbilt that sits atop the new 67-floor One Vanderbilt super-tall—a 1,401-foot-high—skyscraper.

Why go? It has a totally mirrored infinity room called "Air" that reflects the sky and city views over and over, making you feel like you're walking in the sky or on another plane of existence. Besides the absolutely breathtaking view of the city (where you can see all the major landmarks and bridges), is that it changes with the weather and time of day.

48. Laugh at this secret comedy show pop-up

What is it? "Underground Overground Comedy," a comedy show that takes place in unexpected NYC shops and venues like a gym, a rooftop, a candy shop, a music studio and a barbershop in a train station.

Why go? Since it only lists shows on its Instagram and each show is pretty small, it feels exclusive when you're one of only a couple dozen being performed to.

49. Play ping pong 24/7

What is it? Ping pod pods—appropriately called PingPod—that have popped up around NYC recently.

Why go? You can play at any time of day. The whole booking process is totally autonomous for some futuristic fun. Balls and paddles are provided, and you can even buy some drinks and snacks while you're there.

50. Get sultry at Coby Club

What is it? Coby Club is a new, subterranean lounge on Seventh Ave that’s inspired by 1960s San Francisco nightlife.

Why go? The lush space pays homage to San Francisco Chinatown nightlife in the 1960s and one woman in particular who was at the heart of it: Miss Coby Yee, the glamorous dancer and owner of the iconic club Forbidden City. Yo u can swing by for craft cocktails and small plates as well as live musical performances and other forms of live entertainment.

51. Catch "Hamilton" on Broadway

What is it? Lin-Manuel Miranda's retelling of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton's biography—the greatest American musical in decades.

Why go? The show offers a sublime conjunction of radio-ready hip-hop (as well as R&B, Britpop and trad showstoppers), under-dramatized American history and Miranda’s uniquely personal focus as a first-generation Puerto Rican and inexhaustible wordsmith.

52. Shop at the world's largest Harry Potter Store

What is it? The world's largest collection of Harry Potter merch is now at Harry potter Store New York (935 Broadway in the Flatiron District).

Why go? Every detail of Harry Potter Store New York has been intricately designed, from the decor sitting on the shelves above all the incredible merch (yes, there are full house robes) to the design of the store itself, including a room full of gorgeous HP stationary by MinaLima, massive models of Fawkes the Phoenix and a spiral staircase that descends into a space made to look like the Ministry of Magic.

Don't miss: Throughout the whole store, props from the films are displayed among the merchandise, from the major characters' actual wands to some of Voldemort's horcruxes like Tom Riddle's journal and the Ravenclaw's diadem. You can see these all up close but also scan a code next to them with the Harry Potter Fan Club app that'll give you information about the items and a single letter that you will need to solve a puzzle. If you do, you'll get a reward at checkout.

53. Play games at Cellar Dog (FKA: Fat Cat)

What is it? The venue formerly known as Fat Cat has reemerged with a new name, new games, and custom ice cream. Cellar Dog (75 Christopher St.) is reviving the Fat Cat tradition of late-night basement gaming.

Why go? Games include pool tables, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, checkers and chess, as well as antique and novelty arcade games like Pac Man and many more. Live jazz and additional entertainment will also be booked throughout the week.

Don't miss: Restored historic furniture familiar to the space, contactless ordering, updated restrooms and a a menu with small bites like movie theater-style nachos, grandma-style pizza, pretzels and custom ice cream. Wine, seltzers, and a variety of beers on tap will be served to drink.

54. Belt it out at Ms. Kim’s karaoke lounge

What is it? Ms. Kim's is a K-town karaoke lounge from Korean beauty entrepreneur Anna Kim that combines sophisticated style with sing-alongs.

Why go? Ms. Kim's offers both communal space and soundproof private karaoke rooms, so guests can customize their experience as it suits their needs.

Don't miss: Signature drinks from the main bar, which start at $16, that include ingredients like butterfly pea flower, herbal infused syrups and top shelf spirits. Also check out the menu of Japanese and Korean finger foods.

55. Get sweeping views from the Panorama Room

Roosevelt Island

What is it? Roosevelt Island's first rooftop bar and lounge.

Why go? Located on the 18th floor of the hotel, the "jewel box" space opens up to incredible views of the boroughs, the bridges and the East River, which shine like stars at night.

Don't miss: Art from artists like Julia Chiang, Spencer Lewis, Alake Shilling, JPW3, Chris Martin, Brian Belott and Ida Eklbad, selected by Venus Over Manhattan partner Anna Furney and designer/creative director Darren Romanelli (aka Dr. Romanelli or DRx). Artist Sophie Parker and her botanical studio, Wife NYC, will also make custom arrangements and sculptural artwork for the lounge.

56. Check out 4,000 years of history at the NYPL

Midtown West Until Dec 31, 2025

What is it? " The Polonsky Exhibition of New York Public Library’s Treasures" spans 4,000 years of history and includes a wide range of history-making pieces, including the only surviving letter from Christoper Columbus announcing his “discovery” of the Americas to King Ferdinand’s court and the first Gutenberg Bible brought over to the Americas.

Why go? It's free and fascinating.

Don't miss: T homas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence; stuffed animals that belonged to the real-life Christopher Robin and inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories; Virginia Woolf’s walking stick ; t he set model for the Off-Broadway production of In The Heights and more.

57. Meet friends at the Talea Beer Co. taproom

Williamsburg

What is it? This woman-owned brewery with locations in Williamsburg, Cobble Hill, Bryant Park and the West Village serving up perfect pints.

Why go? It's NYC's first-ever woman-owned and run brewery and taproom and it does beer differently than any other brewery — it's good for beer beginners and aficionados alike.

Don't miss: The Beer cocktails that use brews rather than seltzer or liquor, including The Talea Punch.

58. Visit the Frick Madison

What is it? The Frick Madison is now open 945 Madison Avenue—the former home of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Met Breuer—while Henry Clay Frick's mansion undergoes a massive renovation. This new stint will last two years, and while the Brutalist building by Marcel Breuer is a huge departure from the Gilded Age mansion, the space offers a much different and rare look at the collection.

Why go? Unlike at the Frick Mansion, the Breuer building is a clean slate—stark in contrast, which actually helps to attract the viewer's attention to individual works. Eyes aren't busy looking at ornate furniture here. It's all about seeing the smaller details in the artwork that you might have overlooked at the mansion.

Don't miss: The room reserved for three Vermeer paintings and Bellini’s St. Francis in Room 13.

59. Pay your respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Monuments and memorials
Financial District

What is it? A moving tributes to the victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and February 26, 1993 .

Why go? Designed by Israeli architect Michael Arad, two of North America’s largest man-made waterfalls mark the footprint of each tower, framing the perimeter and cascading into reflecting pools almost an acre wide. The trees surrounding the area add to the mood of somber, tranquil reflection: Each one was selected from a 500-mile radius of the World Trade Center site, with others brought in from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the other places directly affected on 9/11.

Don't miss: The museum provides a complete picture of the courage and compassion demonstrated locally, nationally and internationally after the attacks, and it’s interspersed with pieces of the towers and other debris recovered by those who risked their own lives to save others .

60. Take in a show at City Winery

What is it? City Winery's flagship location at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park always has a stacked lineup.

Why go? In addition to powerhouse entertainement from comedy to live music, you're assured a memorable meal and plenty of wine options.

61. Get creative at an '80s-style risograph workshop

What is it? A class on the speedy way to screen print layers of paint-like ink in order to create vibrant designs for posters, comics and illustrations.

Why go? It's a bit more complex but produces a really cool result you can call your own.

Don't miss: NYC has several incredible riso studios to visit offering private sessions including Lucky Risograph and Secret Riso Club .

62. Make something at Brooklyn Craft Company

Arts, crafts & hobbies

What is it? A DIY mecca with workshops on all kinds of crafting skills, from knitting to macrame.

Why go? They'll put your hands to work and your mind at ease.

Don't miss: There's an online store where you can purchase the necessary supplies you'll need.

63. Order some bagels and lox at Russ & Daughters

Specialist food and drink

What is it? Russ & Daughters has been serving lox, herring and other specialty foods on the Lower East Side since 1914.

Why go? Russ & Daughters is already is our go-to spot for Jewish apps shelling out the best lox in town, so stock up on sweets while you're there. The classic black & whites, a stunning iteration of the classic cookies, are a must.

Don’t miss: The Super Heebster, a mix of horseradish dill cream cheese, wasabi-flavored roe and sublime whitefish salad that forms a holy trinity with an unholy name.

64. Have a cuppa at Brooklyn High Low

Prospect Heights

What is it? A hidden tea salon by vintage shop 1 of a Find.

Why go? The locale is meant to be a respite, where you can catch a break from the energetic buzz of New York’s metropolis. Diners can choose from over 20 teas, from lavender earl grey blends to green tea jasmine. In the kitchen, head chef Carlos Jimenez gets creative with his ever-changing menu, but guests can always find traditional scones and an assortment of finger sandwiches.

Don't miss: Antiques and artifacts from Brooklyn's long history strewn about the salon.

65. Visit the American Museum of Natural History

Science and technology
Upper West Side
price 2 of 4

What is it? Whether you’re interested in the world below our feet or the cultures of faraway lands or the stars light-years beyond our reach, the American Museum of Natural History is bound to teach you a few things you never knew.

Why go? You can spend a whole day just looking at the taxidermied animals that hail from across the world and the ocean, study the human species and the evolutionary origins of humans and our near (now extinct) cousins, spend the day like a geologist, and be filled with child-like awe in the presence of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Wooly Mammoth and the Apatosaurus in the fourth floor’s world-renowned fossil collection.

Don't miss: The planetarium show "Worlds Beyond Earth."

66. Pick up produce at Union Square Greenmarket

Union Square

What is it? An outdoor, year-round market featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables, farmstead cheeses, artisanal breads, fresh-cut flowers, wine and more.

Why go? You’ll find yourself shopping elbow-to-elbow with top chefs for all manner of regionally grown culinary pleasures.

Don't miss: Cooking demonstrations, beer and spirits pop-ups and book signings.

67. Snack on some sweet treats at Fan-Fan Doughnuts

Bedford-Stuyvesant

What is it? Doughnut fans surely know about Fany Gerson’s cult-favorite treats at Dough Doughnuts. Now she’s gone out on her own with Fan-Fan Doughnuts and the menu looks as good as ever. Be prepared for long lines outside— it’s worth the wait.

Why go? From Mexican cinnamon to the glazed braided doughnuts, the menu is consistently changing with new sugary surprises.

Don't miss: Get your hands on a Mensch fan-fan, filled with praline cream and topped with choc-choc glaze and toasted hazelnuts, before they sell out.

68. Stroll into Eddie's Sweet Shop

Ice cream parlors
Forest Hills

What is it? If you want a real trip down memory lane, this old-school soda fountain and diner will tap right into the New York nostalgia you're craving.

Why go? This Forest Hills gem has been in business for more than 100 years and still that attracts all generations to come in for a homemade scoop. Aside from the famous sundaes, the chocolate egg cream is one of the most famous in the city.

Don’t miss: The sundaes are still served in the same metal tins for the perfect retro touch.

69. Explore Central Park like a pro

Central Park

What is it? The world's most famous green space. Why go? Explore Strawberry Fields, the Sheep Meadow, Cherry Hill, Bow Bridge, the Bethesda Fountain, the Naumburg Bandshell, the Loeb Boathouse, the Hans Christian Andersen Monument, the Alice in Wonderland statue, all in a "New York hour." To get the closest access, take the subway to 72nd Street and Central Park West, then head east.

Don’t miss: Head to the shore of the Lake at 72nd Street and rent a rowboat or take a gondola tour.

70. Conquer the Empire State Building

What is it? A world-famous landmark that towers above Manhattan.

Why go? The main deck on the 86th floor offers stunning 360-degree views of the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and more. For some fascinating historical background, duck down to the "Dare to Dream" exhibit on the 80th floor, which honors the 3,400 people who built the 1,454-foot skyscraper and features original photographs, architectural sketches and construction notes.

Don’t miss: You can now watch sunrise from the open-air observatory, with Starbucks coffee and pastries in hand.

71. Throw back a pint at McSorley’s Old Ale House

East Village

What is it? NYC’s oldest continuously operated saloon. Why go? We love a bar with character, plus you’ll be able to join the ranks of past patrons like Abe Lincoln and John Lennon. In traditional Irish-pub fashion, McSorley’s floor has been thoroughly scattered with sawdust to take care of the spills and other messes that often accompany large quantities of cheap beer. Established in 1854, it has became an institution by remaining steadfastly authentic.

Don't miss: McSorley’s Dark Ale and McSorley’s Light Ale. Both beverages have a lot more character than PBR, though at these prices, it won’t be long before you stop noticing.

72. Pick up a tome at Strand Book Store

What is it? Founded in 1927, Strand is perhaps the most beloved indie bookseller in NYC.

Why go? With more than 2.5 million new, used and rare tomes—or as the sign outside says, 18 MILES OF BOOKS—Strand absolutely crams its shelves, with many new titles sold well below list price. Bibliophiles can spend hours checking the staff picks, classic novels, poetry, novels and nonfiction. We suggest walking up to the third floor, where early editions and rare signed copies are available for purchase.

Don’t miss: Perusing the $1 shelves.

73. Have a classic NYC bagel at Tal Bagels

What is it? An iconic Upper West Side bagel counter.

Why go? Is there a more distinctly New York (or at least NYC- beloved) dish than the bagel? Maybe. During morning hours? Absolutely not. The fact is that we do this weekend wakeup must—or afternoon stomach-padder, depending on how last night went—better than anyone. And although Tal Bagels provides by no means the most calming bagel experience in New York—for that, head to High Street on Hudson or Sadelle's—OG New Yorkers know that they're best eaten hunched over on park bench or at a bagelry counter top anyway. And we can't think of a better spot than this. Don't miss: The everything bagel toasted with scallion cream cheese. Still hungry? Discover all of the best bagels in NYC .

74. Walk around and take in impressive street art

Coney Island

What is it? New York is the city where street art was born, and it’s still the best place to see it in the world.

Why go? Catching art on the street is a far more visceral experience that seeing it on a museum wall. For proof, check out the Bowery Graffiti Wall on the corner of Houston and Bowery to see what world-class street artist is currently on display (past artists have included Banksy, JR and Shepard Fairey) or peep the rotating lineup of artists at Coney Island Art Walls.

Don’t miss: If you’re looking for an arty outing after dark, head down to the Lower East Side for the 100 Gates Project , which displays impressive works on the grates that cover businesses at night.

75. Snag some doughnuts from Peter Pan Bakery

What is it? An old-school bakery famous for their doughnuts. Why go? Start Sunday with a Bavarian cream from Peter Pan. Peter Pan isn’t a gourmet doughnut shop by any stretch, and in this neck of the woods, thank God for that. Its freshly made fried sweets and legit 1950s environs, complete with an S-shaped counter, means it’s busy daily with regulars. But trust us: The lines are worth it. Don’t miss: Pair your doughnut with one of the bakery’s tasty egg creams.

76. Take in Brooklyn Heights and the Promenade

Brooklyn Heights

What is it? A ridiculously photogentic neighborhood teeming with tree-lined streets and Brooklyn brownstones.

Why go? Be sure to walk the fruit streets of Brooklyn Heights (Cranberry, Orange and Pineapple) for that "Brooklyn-from-the-movies feel." And there's a nifty backstory: In the mid-1800s, prominent Brooklyn Heights resident Lady Middagh saw the "pretentious" street names in her ’hood—those named after Brooklyn’s wealthy families—and decided to take matters into her own hands by changing the street signs under cover of darkness to Cranberry, Orange and Pineapple.

Don’t miss: Head to the water and hit the Brooklyn Promenade, a one-third-mile stretch of pavement along the East River overlooking an unforgettable span of NYC’s skyline.

77. Adventure to the Queens County Farm Museum

Special interest

What is it? Though not as easily accessible by public transit as most NYC museums, this Queens County treasure is well worth the bus trek or car ride.

Why go? As the city’s longest continually farmed site in the city (it’s been in operation since 1697), the 47 acres feels like an entirely different world compared to Manhattan. Feed and pet the barnyard animals, including sheep, ponies and goats, hop aboard a hayride and come back during the fall harvest season when you can go pumpkin picking and attempt to find your way through the Amazing Maize Maze.

78. Pay tribute to those at Green-Wood Cemetery

Walks and tours

What is it? A beautiful final resting place in Brooklyn filled with Victorian mausoleums, cherubs and gargoyles.

Why go? If you were alive in the 19th century, one of your goals in life was to reserve a place to rest here. Today, this cemetery boasts over 560,000 residents—including Civil War generals. But there’s more to do here than grave-spot: Check out the massive Gothic arch at the main entrance or climb to the top of Battle Hill, one of the highest points in Kings County and a pivotal spot during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776.

Don’t miss: A fan of all things spooky? Take one of the moonlight tours of the cemetery hosted around Halloween.

79. Hang out at Washington Square Park

Historic buildings and sites
Greenwich Village

What is it? A 9.75-acre public park that serves as the beating heart of Greenwich Village. Why go? It's one of the most iconic spots in NYC and has a ton of history, serving as the backdrop to many civil rights movements, celebrations and more. Don’t miss: The chance to people watch, from admiring skateboarders' tricks to enjoying some music by buskers.

80. Visit Madison Square Park

What is it? Madison Square Park is a green oasis in the Flatiron district—not to be confused with Madison Square Garden.

Why go? There’s always something going in the environs (three streets by one avenue block) from outdoor art exhibits to free concerts. The park is also home to the first Shake Shack, which still consistently see lines that would make the hottest clubs jealous. Tourists go for Shake Shack, workers go to eat their lunch, pooch owners go for the dog run, guardians go for the children’s playground… and because the park is dotted with benches, it lends for the best leisurely people-watching.

Don’t miss: Stepping onto the southwest corner of the park is debatably the hallowed grounds on which baseball was born.

81. Reconnect with wildlife at The Bronx Zoo

Zoo and aquariums

What is it? The biggest metropolitan zoo in North America.

Why go? If you’ve got a hankering to reconnect with wildlife, check out this Bronx go-to. With more than 265-acres of animals and wildlife, you won’t be able to see everything in one day, so consider taking a two-hour tour of the Congo Gorilla Forest, World of Reptiles or the Himalayan Highlands exhibits. Be sure to pay a special visit to the American Bison, too, which was declared America’s national mammal.

Don’t miss: Strapped for cash? “The Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesdays,” points out Danny of Flushing.

82. Explore the massive Pelham Bay Park

What is it? A sprawling public park in the Bronx. Why go? Explore the trails around Pelham Bay Park teeming with natural wonders. Pelham Bay Park isn’t just the end of the 6 line—it’s a green space three times bigger than Central Park. Among its treasures: two golf courses, a massive historic mansion, a 13-mile saltwater shoreline along the Long Island Sound, plenty of hiking trials and, for you bird watchers, a hearty population of osprey. Don’t miss: The Bronx’s only public beach, Orchard Beach.

83. Meander the Brooklyn Promenade

What is it? A perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Why go? This one-third-mile stretch of pavement along the East River is a favorite destination of residents, tourists and couples looking to make out next to an unforgettable span of NYC’s skyline. Breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty are both visible from here, but the Promenade wasn’t originally built for aesthetic reasons: City planner Robert Moses originally wanted the Brooklyn Queens Expressway to run through Brooklyn Heights. After lots of opposition from the local community, the promenade was built to insulate the mansions and tree-lined streets nearby from highway noise and has been doing so since it opened in October 1950.

Don’t miss: Be sure to break off the path and head further inland to explore the beautiful brownstones of Brooklyn Heights.

84. Take in a show at The Shed at Hudson Yards

What is it? The Shed—the much-discussed cultural center in Hudson Yards featuring a retractable roof—is home to powerful shows.

Why go? The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. Check their schedule for a show that fits your interests.

85. Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge

What is it? A true feat of 19th century engineering and arguably the one walk every local and visitor must take.

Why go? This essential trek is is truly romantic, whether you're falling in love with yourself, a partner or the city itself. The 1.3-mile-long stunner was the world's largest suspension bridge when it opened in 1883 it has remained an iconic landmark of the city ever since.

Don’t miss: The Brooklyn side of the bridge ends in gorgeous Dumbo, where you can explore Brooklyn Bridge Park , gaze at Lady Liberty, visit the Brooklyn Flea on Sundays.

86. Visit The Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island

What is it? Since 1886, t he most famous copper statue in the world has held her torch high in New York Harbor as the quintessential symbol of American liberty.

Why go? The statue’s massive pedestal houses an observation deck as well as exhibits detailing the fascinating history of the 305-foot copper statue gifted to the U.S. from France to celebrate the friendship of the two nations. Check out the original torch and read the bronze plaque with Emma Lazarus’s poem “A New Colossus” (you know, the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free).

Don’t miss: Strapped for cash? The Staten Island Ferry is free and sails near the icon so you can get a peek.

87. Meander along The High Line

What is it? Chelsea's above-ground park and garden set on old train tracks offers a natural respite and 1.4 miles of car-free walking space set between the daring skyscrapers of Manhattan's west side.

Why go? It's an innovative reclaimed space that inpsires no matter how many times you've walked along it.

Don't miss: A rotating display of artworks that fill the space. Plus, there's a beautiful new bridge called the Moynihan Train Hall Connector , which allows pedestrians to walk all the way from the Meatpacking District straight to Penn Station using the elevated park.

88. Relax at Brooklyn Bridge Park

What is it? Brooklyn Bridge Park, with its grassy expanses, copious bike paths, public art displays, basketball courts and soccer pitches, holdas a lot of fun attractions.

Why go? The Pier 2 Uplands, three-acre site that includes a 6,300-square-foot lawn and a water play area, and the Squibb Bridge.

Don't miss: Brunch or dinner at Fornino's on the waterfront.

89. Spend a leisurely afternoon in Prospect Park

Prospect Park

What is it? A 526-acre sprawling public park in the heart of Brooklyn.

Why go? While bicycling, warm-weather picnics and weekend runs are a must at this park, you can do pretty much any outdoor activity your heart desires: there’s bird-watching, baseball, basketball and more. Don’t miss: We recommend roller skating or renting a paddle boat at LeFrak, which transforms into an ice skating rink in the winter.

90. Hang at the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere

What is it? A 1,131-foot-high-observation deck atop 20 Hudson Yards.

Why go? To take in panoramic views of the entire city on a 7,500-square-foot triangular platform.

Don’t miss: If you’re terrified of heights in the open air, but want in on the action, there’s also a champagne bar inside the 100th floor where you can sip cocktails with the same 360-degree views of NYC.

91. Bask in art and architecture at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Art and design
Upper East Side
price 3 of 4

What is it? A renowned art museum and architectural icon with works by Picasso, Peggy Guggenheim’s trove of Cubist, Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist works, as well as the largest collection of Kandinskys in the United States.

Why go? Designed by original starchitect Frank Lloyd Wright, it's arguably the only New York museum that shows art inside a work of art.

Don't miss : What makes the building a global icon is its stunning interior rotunda and oculus. There, along its ascending ramps, you’ll find a world-class collection, as well a full slate of temporary shows.

92. Get high at One World Observatory

Towers and viewpoints

What is it? An observation deck affording one hell of a view.

Why go? Not only does it have the trippiest elevator in the city, One World Observatory is also a fierce contender for best views in the city. Ride up to the 102nd floor surrounded by a VR-like film, then admire the 360-degree views at the top of the tower.

Don’t miss: Gawk at the entirety of Manhattan and the Empire State Building on one side and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges on the other—and then Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty on the other.

93. Peep paintings at the Whitney Museum of American Art

Meatpacking District

What is it? After nearly 50 years in its Marcel-Breur-designed building on Madison Avenue at 75th Street, the Whitney Museum decamped in 2015 to a new home in the Meatpacking District.

Why go? Founded in 1931 by sculptor and art patron Gertrude Vanderbilt, the Whitney is dedicated to presenting the work of American artists. Its collection holds about 25,000 works by more than 3,500 American artists. Check out musts by Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper (the museum holds his entire estate), Jasper Johns, Louise Nevelson, Georgia O’Keeffe and Claes Oldenburg.

Don't miss: The views of the art inside are what you're here for, of course, but don't miss the skyline views from the museum's rooftop bar.

94. Go back in time at South Street Seaport Museum

What is it? A museum located in the historic Seaport District that tells the story of New York as a port city. There's an extensive collection art and artifacts, a working 19th-century print shop, and a fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of "Where New York Begins."

Why go? You can step aboard the famous 1885 Wavertree . Plus, admission is pay-what-you-wish.

95. See world-class works at the Museum of Modern Art

What is it? Institution housing one of the world’s finest collections of art from the 18th century through today.

Why go? Around nearly every corner of the venerated museum is a seminal piece by an artist trumpeted in art history or coveted by contemporary collectors. During the height of tourist season, around Christmas and again in late spring and summer, expect a shoving-match just to catch a momentary glance at Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon .

Don’t miss: Can't swing the entrance free? Visit during MoMA's free Friday nights, held on select evenings.

96. Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture at the Rubin

What is it? Donald and Shelley Rubin’s impressive collection of Himalayan, Indian and Buddhist art and artifacts on display.

Why go? Spiritual types will love this museum, which is dedicated to Himalayan and Buddhist art and features lectures, movies, music and more. The museum is layered over five gallery floors in the old Barney’s New York space on 17th street. The awe-inspiring works range from classical to contemporary giving visitors a well-rounded experience with Eastern cultures.

97. Have a feast at Chelsea Market

Shopping centers

What is it? One of New York’s most notable food halls that boasts more than 35 vendors.

Why go? While this hot spot for foodies and shopping addicts can get congested with tourists during peak hours, it’s worth throwing some elbows for Middle Eastern bites from Miznon, tacos from Los Tacos No.1 and halva from Seed + Mill. Aside from finger-lickin’ fare and sweet merchandise, the attraction offers historical charms such as the market’s iconic fountain, which was crafted using discarded drill bits and exposed pipe from the former Nabisco factory.

98. Get slimy at Sloomoo

What is it? Part visual splendor, part olfactory wonder and part ooey-gooey sensory fun, Sloomoo Institute’s slime museum welcomes all ages to its home in Soho.

Why go? While Sloomoo is a highly Instagrammable experience, the founders hope you’ll spend some time away from your phone and immersed in the moment during your 90-minute visit to truly have the slime of your life.

Don't miss: The DIY slime bar where you can make your own slime to take home.

99. Make a great escape to the Cloisters

Washington Heights

What is it? Set in a lovely park overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters houses the Met’s medieval art and architecture collections.

Why go? Soak it all in by following a path that winds through the peaceful grounds to a castle that seems to have survived from the Middle Ages. (It was built less than 100 years ago, using material from five medieval French cloisters.)

Don’t miss: The famous Unicorn Tapestries, the 12th-century Fuentidueña Chapel and the Annunciation Triptych by Robert Campin.

More great things to do across the globe

The best things to do in the world right now

Music, art, food, nature and the year’s biggest parties—these are very best things to do and see right now, anywhere in the world.

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Best places to visit in new york state in 2024.

New York state captivates both domestic and international travelers with the most populated city in the United States, sprawling state parks and a few beach communities. Whether you want to visit New York City to see Times Square and go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or retreat to the mountains of upstate New York, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind vacation spots in the Empire State. U.S. News considered sights, culture, adventurous pursuits and the opinions of experts and readers to compile this ranking of the best places to visit in New York state. Read on for vacation inspiration, and don't forget to vote below for the destinations you think belong on this list.

Niagara Falls

Adirondacks, thousand islands, new york city, the finger lakes, the catskills, bear mountain state park, letchworth state park, long island, fire island, saratoga springs, cooperstown, shelter island.

The tumbling, frothy falls – more than 3,100 tons of water flows over the edge every second – are the star tourist attraction in this New York destination that borders Canada. The best way to see Niagara Falls is on a Maid of the Mist boat tour, which takes poncho-clad visitors on an electric tour boat to the base of the falls. Or, more daring visitors can experience this natural wonder on a thrilling whirlpool jet boat tour. Just don't forget to check out the area's other unforgettable attractions, such as Niagara Falls State Park's hiking trails, Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens & Butterfly Conservatory or the nearby casinos.

The Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York span roughly 6 million acres and are home to hundreds of communities, lakes, valleys and trails. Water lovers can canoe or kayak on Saranac Lake or go boating on Tupper Lake; hikers can tackle the area's 2,000-plus miles of trails; and skiers can shred powder on Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid. Visitors will also want to save some time for checking out history-focused sights like the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and Fort Ticonderoga, as well as sampling regional beverages at local wineries and breweries.

Despite its name, the Thousand Islands region is composed of more than 1,800 islands. The best way to see this vast area, which also stretches into Canada, is during an open-air boat tour. A scenic cruise here will take you past lighthouses, mansions and castles and include commentary about the real-life pirates who used to roam the islands' waters and the Gilded Age magnates who once called the region home. When you're ready to return to land, hike the trails in Wellesley Island State Park or fish in Mary Island State Park, both on Wellesley Island.

A hub for culture, the arts, food and sightseeing, New York City is a must-visit on many travelers' bucket lists – and for good reason. Everyone can find something to enjoy in the Big Apple. You can see a Broadway show, visit the world-famous Empire State Building, walk the High Line, check out the dozens of museums, eat your way through Manhattan's distinct neighborhoods on a food tour or shop till you drop along Fifth Avenue. Don't forget to stroll through iconic Central Park and visit its can't-miss attractions, including the Central Park Zoo and Conservatory Garden.

A romantic New York getaway , the Finger Lakes region appeals to travelers seeking a relaxing retreat with lovely scenery. Skiing at the area's resorts, wine tasting at the Seneca Lake Wine Trail's wineries and boating and hiking at local state parks are all popular activities to enjoy in this part of northwestern New York. The Finger Lakes are known for their spectacular fall foliage, but with their wealth of charming towns and variety of seasonal attractions, the lakes are excellent to visit year-round.

With 98 peaks, southeastern New York's Catskill Mountains beckon to nature enthusiasts. About 40% of Catskill Park's 700,000-plus acres are designated as "forever wild," meaning you'll have access to sprawling spaces ideal for outdoor activities. In winter, the Catskills offer ample opportunities to ski and snowboard. Meanwhile, summer is perfect for hunting, hiking, boating and zip lining, among other activities. After a busy day outdoors, you can check out the region's art scene (the Catskills were home to America's first art movement – the Hudson River School) or enjoy the amenities at one of the area's top resorts .

Located on the western banks of the Hudson River in the Palisades region of New York, Bear Mountain State Park offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and the surrounding highlands. The forested park's trails (including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail) take hikers through lakes, gorges and valleys. What's more, Bear Mountain State Park features a zoo, a swimming pool, a hand-painted merry-go-round and a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, ensuring family fun both on and off the trails. (Note: Portions of this park are closed due to storm damage sustained in July 2023. Please check the park's website for the current operating status.)

Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East because of its impressive gorge, Letchworth State Park is a hidden gem for travelers who love the outdoors. The park is home to three large waterfalls and dozens more on tributaries, many of which you can see as you trek some of Letchworth's 66 miles of hiking trails. Additionally, the park offers ample opportunities to go whitewater rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, biking and even hot air ballooning. If you prefer winter sports instead of summer pursuits, arrive when temperatures fall to go cross-country skiing or snowmobiling.

This 118-mile-long island is frequented by New Yorkers looking to escape the city to relax on white sand beaches with a glass of wine. Summer hot spots like the Hamptons and Montauk boast charming seaside allure and can't-miss stretches of sand, like Ditch Plains Beach, a popular place to surf. Meanwhile, family-friendly Jones Beach State Park is a more approachable option with a swimming pool, a mini-golf course and shuffleboard areas, among other amenities. Beyond beaches, Long Island boasts more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, some of which are part of the island's North Fork Wine Trail.

The presence of two renowned institutions – Ithaca College and Cornell University – makes Ithaca a true college town. But this small town in New York's Finger Lakes region is also known for its stunning natural beauty, so much so that its slogan is "Ithaca is gorges." Ithaca is surrounded by more than 150 waterfalls, as well as gorges and dense forests with hiking and biking trails. What's more, the town overlooks the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, a superb spot for boating, fishing and swimming. For groups with budding naturalists, follow Ithaca's Discovery Trail to must-see attractions like the Sciencenter and the Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Those looking to get away from skyscrapers can travel about 60 miles southeast of New York City to reach this 32-mile-long, car-free barrier island. On Fire Island, you'll find several charming communities, including Ocean Beach (where most of the island's hotels, restaurants and shops are located) and Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines (two of the island's top LGBTQ-friendly areas). Plus, Fire Island is home to Fire Island National Seashore, a protected area that welcomes bird-watchers and campers in droves. If you'd rather spend your vacation swimming, surfing or sunbathing, head to Robert Moses State Park in summer to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

Ever since the Mohawk people came to Saratoga Springs and discovered its mineral waters, which were believed to have restorative properties, the town has blossomed into a popular vacation destination. Visitors can still drink from or soak in the town's mineral springs, 12 of which are located in Saratoga Spa State Park. However, many travelers now flock to Saratoga Springs to see one of the country's oldest racetracks, the Saratoga Race Course. Take a walking tour of the facility to learn more about its history and horseracing, or visit in August to attend the venue's premier event, the Travers Stakes.

Cooperstown may be small, but it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year thanks to its ties to America's pastime. Although most experts agree that baseball wasn't invented here, Cooperstown remains a mecca for sports lovers because of its must-visit sight, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. However, the village offers other kinds of attractions, too. Travelers can visit the Fenimore Art Museum to see impressive works of art or check out The Farmers' Museum's exhibits about local agriculture. Cooperstown also features beautiful neoclassical buildings, such as Hyde Hall, and a variety of breweries and wineries.

Situated between the North and South forks of Long Island, Shelter Island features a quiet, laid-back atmosphere perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of New York City. One-third of the island is occupied by the Mashomack Preserve, a protected area with more than 200 bird species and hiking trails through meadows and salt marshes. The rest of Shelter Island boasts charming Victorian-era buildings that house boutiques and eateries, plus stunning stretches of sand with calm waves ideal for swimming, such as Crescent Beach and Wades Beach.

New York's capital city teems with culture and history. Visitors can admire the elaborate beauty of the New York State Capitol building on a tour and observe natural history exhibits at the New York State Museum (both of which are free), or explore Albany's Dutch heritage at Crailo State Historic Site and the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts can view landscape paintings from the Hudson River School at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Beyond the tourist attractions, travelers can stretch their legs in Washington Park, grab a local craft beer or catch a show at The Egg.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Governors Island

Rochester, NY

Lake George

Sleepy Hollow

Best Day Trips from NYC

Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA

Best U.S. National Parks for 2024

Best Weekend Getaways

Best Weekend Getaways in New England

Best places to visit in the usa for 2023.

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6 days in New York: The perfect itinerary (first time visitors)

How to spend 6 days in new york: the best itinerary + where to stay.

You want to spend 6 days in New York and you’re looking for the best things to do and activities?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you the perfect 6-day itinerary in New York.

I will start with my best tips to save time and avoid waiting in line in front of New York’s must-see attractions. Then, I will give you the day by day program, perfectly optimized to make the most of your stay.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in New York in 6 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The New York Go City Explorer Pass

6 days in new york: must-see attractions:, one last tip for a perfect 6-day stay in new york, a. central park, b. visit one or two must-see museums next to central park, c. fifth avenue, d. st. patrick’s cathedral, e. top of the rock, f. times square, a. brooklyn district and dumbo, b. brooklyn bridge, c. ferry to the statue of liberty and ellis island, d. financial district, e. 9/11 memorial and museum, f. one world observatory, g. dinner in little italy or chinatown, a. intrepid sea, air, and space museum, b. circle line sightseeing cruises, c. madame tussauds new york, d. discover new york public library / grand central terminal / chrysler building / united nations headquarters, e. empire state building, f. see a musical on broadway, a. greenwich village, b. chelsea market, c. the high line, d. the vessel – hudson yards, e. edge observation deck, f. rooftop bar, b. summit one vanderbilt, c. shopping in new york, d. speakeasy or michelin-starred restaurant, day 6: exploring staten island, where to stay in new york, 6 days in new york with your family, additional activities for your 6 days in new york, map of your 6-day itinerary in new york, flight prices to new york, you’re traveling in the us these articles will help you, how to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time) at new york’s tourist attractions.

It’s a well-known fact: New York is undeniably one of the most visited cities in the world!

Regardless of when you’re planning your 6-day trip to New York, be prepared to encounter lengthy queues at major tourist attractions like the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

In this guide, I will provide all the necessary tips to skip the line and optimize your New York visit.

So, here are the 2 best solutions to save time (and money!) during your stay in New York.

For your 6-day trip in New York , you should purchase the “New York Go City Explorer Pass”.

It’s what I did during my trip, and it was very convenient!

This 100% digital pass offers priority entry to New York’s must-see attractions. This means there’s no need to pick up anything from a ticket office. When you visit a monument or a museum, you just show your pass on your smartphone (or printed if you prefer), and you’re good to get in!

After your purchase, you will receive your pass by email, as well as a digital guide with useful informations about the attractions: opening hours, how to get there and if you need to book a time slot or not.

With this pass, you will have access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions*, from a choice of 90 activities and visits.

*If you have already visited other cities with a City Pass, the New York Explorer pass is a bit different. It works according to the number of activities, and not in terms of duration (no 24h/48h/72h limit, like most other City Pass).

For 6 days in New York, you should book the New York Explorer Pass for 10 attractions, as you will do a lot of visits.

This is truly the most convenient way to save time and money during your 6-day stay in New York!

The New York Explorer pass includes:

Empire State Building
The Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry
Top of the Rock
9/11 Museum and Memorial
American Museum of Natural History
One World Observatory
Madame Tussauds
Circle Line Sightseeing
St Patrick’s Cathedral Tour
And many many more…

To purchase your New York Explorer Pass , simply click on the green button below:

There is another pass available to visit New York: the New York City Pass . But I don’t recommend it for 6 days, as it only includes 5 attractions.

2. Skip the line tickets for New York’s best tourist attractions

For your 6-day visit to New York, you can also purchase skip-the-line tickets one by one for each attractions.

This will allow you to tailor your itinerary to your interests and preferences.

For New York, you can book all your tickets, guided tours and activities online, saving you time, avoiding queues, and it’s often cheaper than buying on site!

Here is the list of the best skip-the-line tickets, simply click on the orange links below to check prices and book directly.

For your convenience, you will also find these links throughout this article.

Central Park Zoo
A private tour in Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage
A pedicab tour in Central Park – choose between the 1 or 2 hours tour version
Guggenheim Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Wall street guided tour
Helicopter tour over New York
Statue of Liberty
Cruise around the Statue of Liberty
Walking guided tour in Brooklyn
Broadway show
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
Madame Tussauds New York
Edge Observation Deck
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Harlem guided tour
Greenwich Village guided tour
Luna Park in Coney Island

If you want to book other activities in New York, you should always use these 2 reliable and safe websites:

GetYourGuide: Official entrance tickets and activities in New York .
Tiqets: Skip the line tickets in New York

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As New York is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in New York by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in New York.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in New York, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

The best itinerary for your 6-Day trip to New York

Let’s now start your 6-day itinerary in New York!

For each day, I will give you all the details you need to plan for your visits + a map that will allow you to visualize the itinerary a bit better.

I’m assuming you will be staying in New York for 6 full days , and that you will be using the New York Explorer Pass or Skip-the-Line Tickets .

It’s the best way to save time and money during your 6-day stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide (or need help organizing your holiday), don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.

I will be glad to help you plan your trip.

So, what are the best places to visit in New York in 6 days?

Day 1 – The Heart of Manhattan

Day 1 visits:

A. Central Park B. Museums C. Fifth Avenue D. St Patrick’s Cathedral E. Top of the Rock F. Times Square

You should start your 6-day itinerary in New York with a visit to the city’s most famous public park: Central Park .

Featured in countless movies and stories , this expansive oasis amidst the urban jungle offers a quiet escape from the bustling NYC. You will for sure love to wander around, discover its charming attractions!

Here’s what you shouldn’t miss:

The Bethesda Terrace and Fountain offer picturesque views and a perfect backdrop for photos.
The Central Park Zoo , perfect if you’re visiting New York with kids
Rowing a boat on the Central Park Lake, especially romantic during the spring and summer months
The Strawberry Fields memorial dedicated to John Lennon
The Belvedere Castle, offering panoramic views of the park and the city from its lookout towers.

To reach Central Park, you can take the metro to 72 Street Station, 81 Street Station or 86 Street Station.

For a more in-depth exploration, you should renting a bike (click here!), take a horse-drawn carriage ride, a pedicab tour or join a guided tour to learn interesting anecdotes and historical facts about this iconic park.

After enjoying the natural beauty of Central Park, immerse yourself in the rich culture of New York by visiting one or two of the world-class museums located just a few steps away.

You can choose between:

The American Museum of Natural History

Dive into the past and explore the mysteries of the natural world.

Home to a vast array of exhibits, from dinosaur fossils to the depths of the ocean , this museum offers a fascinating journey for all ages. It’s a very good idea of visit to do during your 6-day New York itinerary if you have kids.

Don’t miss the Rose Center for Earth and Space to learn more about the universe!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art enthusiasts should head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world.

With over two million works spanning 5,000 years of culture, from ancient Egypt to modern American design, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking to soak in human creativity and history.

For a taste of modern and contemporary art , you should go to the Guggenheim Museum.

Its unique spiral design by Frank Lloyd Wright is a masterpiece in itself, housing a renowned collection that includes works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh.

Always check museum opening hours in advance and look out for special exhibitions that might require separate tickets.

To make the most of your museum visits, you should purchase the New York Explorer Pass , as it includes a priority ticket for the American Museum and the Guggenheim.

If you don’t have the pass , you need to book your tickets in advance by clicking on the orange links below:

The Guggenheim Museum

Entrance ticket for the MET has to be purchased on the official website and the guided tour by clicking here!

You can’t spend 6 days in New York without taking a stroll down Fifth Avenue , one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.

Whether you’re looking to indulge in luxury shopping or just want to window shop , Fifth Avenue is the perfect location!

Here’s what you need to know:

You will find High-end boutiques and famous stores lining the avenue, such as Tiffany & Co., Apple, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Bryant Park is just a short walk away, and it’s the perfect place to relax a bit
Window displays , especially during the holiday season, are really magnificent!

While exploring Fifth Avenue, don’t forget to look up and admire the impressive architecture that defines New York’s skyline.

On Fifth Avenue, you’ll also find the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral .

This Gothic Revival masterpiece, a true architectural marvel , is really worth a look!

And to learn more about the cathedral, you can attend one of the free guided tours.

The New York Explorer Pass includes the entrance to the cathedral but if you don’t want to buy it, you can still purchase your online ticket by clicking on the button below:

During your 6-day trip to New York , you will for sure want to see the city from above!

The Top of the Rock observation deck offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city skyline , it’s really must-see, especially if it’s your first time in New York.

Located at the summit of Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock offers unparalleled views of iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Hudson River.
For the best experience, you should visit around sunset time, to witness the city lighting up all around you!
You need to purchase tickets in advance online to avoid the (extremely) long waiting lines at the entrance, as the number of simultaneous visitors is limited!

Entrance to Top of the Rock is included with the New York Go City Explorer Pass.

From the top of the Rockefeller Center, you’ll understand why New York is called “The City That Never Sleeps”. 😄

Your first day in New York wouldn’t be perfect without visiting the iconic Times Square!

Known for its neon lights, Broadway marquees, and bustling crowd at any time of the day, Times Square is the heart of New York City’s entertainment district.

Times Square is especially impressive at night when it’s fully lit by the bright lights of the billboards and screens.

To end your day, you can explore the shops and restaurants in the area. However, you should keep in mind that prices are higher here than in the rest of the city , as it’s really the most touristic place in NYC!

Day 2 – Exploring Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan

Day 2 visits:

A. Brooklyn district and DUMBO B. Brooklyn Bridge C. Statue of Liberty D. Financial district E. 9/11 Memorial and museum F. One World Observatory G. Little Italy and Chinatown

You will start the second day of your 6-day itinerary in New York by going to one of the city’s most dynamic boroughs: Brooklyn.

To reach it, take the subway to York Street station.

You should start your exploration in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a neighborhood renowned for its stunning waterfront views, cobblestone streets, and thriving arts scene.

Begin with a walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park , where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Manhattan island and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Then, head to Washington Street , to snap your version of the famous Manhattan Bridge photo, where the bridge frames the Empire State Building in the distance.

In DUMBO , you will also find numerous art galleries and shops , where local artists and designers showcase their work.

And if you’re feeling hungry, no problem!

Whether you’re craving artisanal pizza, handmade chocolates, or a scoop of gourmet ice cream, you can find everything in DUMBO. Juliana’s Pizza and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory are must-visits for any foodie.

If you want to discover the district with a local guide to learn more about Brooklyn , you should book this walking tour (click here)

Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic symbol of New York.

You will love walking across this historic bridge offering unmatched views of the city’s skyline and the East River.

Along the bridge, you will be able to take beautiful photos featuring Manhattan’s skyscrappers in the background.

Don’t forget to stay in the pedestrian lane . The walkway is shared with cyclists, so be careful while taking pictures!

While in New York, you will for sure want to go see the Statue of Liberty , a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

Located on Liberty Island, this iconic monument is accessible by ferry from Battery Park , offering stunning views of New York Harbor.

With your ferry ticket, you will also get a free audio tour . It will allow you to learn more about the history of the Statue of Liberty, making your visit more interesting!

You have the choice to set foot on the islands or enjoy a one-hour cruise around them.

The New York Explorer Pass includes round trip ferry ticket for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

If you haven’t bought the pass and you want to disembark on the island, you need to book your tickets here:

If you prefer to take the one-hour cruise, click here:

For an other epic experience during your stay in New York, you need to take an helicopter tour above the city!

The tour also departs from Battery Park , only 200 metres away from the boat departure point, so it’s very convenient. You can take your helicopter tour before or after going to the Statue of Liberty.

You’ll have the choice between the classic tour ( click here for more info and to book it !) or the epic version with the door open 😎.

Adrenaline rush guaranteed, it really feels like you are flying above NYC!

To book this incredible activity to do during your 6 days in New York, you just have to click on the button below:

Once back on solid ground, head to the Financial District , the heartbeat of America’s economic power.

This district is not only home to Wall Street , but also to other iconic New York locations:

Wall Street : Take a photo with the famous Charging Bull statue, symbolizing aggressive financial optimism and prosperity.
The New York Stock Exchange : While entrance to the building is restricted, the exterior facade itself is impressive and a symbol of American capitalism.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum (which you will visit immediately after).

To fully appreciate the Financial District, you should join a guided walking tour.

Many free tours are available, providing insights into the history of Wall Street, the Financial District’s architecture, and stories of the people and events that have influenced the area.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum stands as a solemn tribute to the lives lost and those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Located at the World Trade Center site, the memorial features two reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers.

For more information, you can download the free app or rent an audio guide. Both allow you to learn more about the exhibits and hear the personal stories of victims and survivors.

Entrance to the National 9/11 memorial and museum is free with the New York Go City Explorer Pass.

A 90-minute guided walking tour around Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial is also available. You can book it here!

Otherwise, you need to purchase a priority ticket here:

It’s now time to discover another impressive vantage point, the One World Observatory , located atop the One World Trade Center.

It’s the tallest building of America!

First, you will experience the SkyPod Elevators, taking you to the 102nd floor in just 47 seconds. During this time, you will enjoy a time-lapse video of New York’s transformation over the centuries.

Once at the top, you can enjoy a superb 360-degree view of New York City.

Each of the 3 levels of the observatory offers unique perspectives and interactive experiences, including the See Forever Theater and the Sky Portal, where you stand above real-time video of the streets below.

Entrance to One World Observatory is free with the New York Go City Explorer Pass .

If you don’t have the city pass, you really need to book your tickets in advance, especially if you want to go there around sunset (the best time to visit, but also the busiest!).

Simply click on the green button to book your tickets if you don’t have a pass:

After a day of exploring New York’s landmarks, it’s time to discover the culinary delights of Little Italy or Chinatown , two of the city’s most flavorful neighborhoods.

Whether you’re in the mood for authentic Italian pasta or Chinese dim sum, you will for sure find something that suits your taste!

Walking into Little Italy is like stepping into a charming Italian small town, with its cozy restaurants, gelato stands, and Italian flags fluttering in the breeze.

Here’s what you should do:

Try classic Italian dishes like spaghetti carbonara or osso buco at one of the neighborhood’s traditional restaurants.
Don’t skip dessert . Visit a gelateria for a scoop of authentic Italian gelato or enjoy a cannoli filled with sweet, creamy ricotta.
Explore the specialty shops . After your meal, browse the local stores for Italian imports like fine olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, and artisanal pasta.

Alternatively, you can go to Chinatown and discover its bustling streets, exotic aromas, and colorful markets.

Here’s how to enjoy your visit:

Sample diverse Chinese cuisine , from Cantonese dim sum to fiery Sichuan dishes. Joe’s Shanghai is famous for its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), one of my favorite Chinese dishes.
Enjoy bubble tea from one of the many street vendors or cafes. This Taiwanese drink, made with tea, milk, and tapioca pearls, is both refreshing and fun to drink.
Visit a traditional bakery for mooncakes, egg tarts, or sesame balls.

Third day: Best things to do in New York?

Day 3 visits:

A. Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum B. Circle line Sightseeing cruise C. Madame Tussauds D. New York Public Library / Grand Central Terminal / Chrysler Building / United Nation Headquarters E. Empire State Building F. See a musical on Broadway

Start your day at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum , a legendary museum located on the aircraft carrier Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark.

To get there, take the metro to 50 Street Station and then walk for about 15 minutes.

This museum is the perfect place to learn more about American military and maritime history , with a collection that includes the legendary aircraft carrier itself, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets , and a submarine.

I really loved the visit!

The New York Explorer Pass includes free access to Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Without the pass, you should book your ticket in advance by clicking here:

To relax a bit after the museum, you should hop on one of the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises .

From the sea, you will get a unique vantage point of New York City , from which you can enjoy its skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, and bridges.

Circle Line offers various cruises, including a Best of NYC Cruise , which goes around Manhattan Island , and shorter options focusing on specific landmarks.

During the cruise, you will learn more about the city’s history and architecture , while discovering New York from a different angle.

Even if you’ve already done the cruise around the Statue of Liberty, this one is much more complete and allows you to see other places.

And as it’s included in the New York Explorer Pass , it won’t cost you a thing.

If you don’t have a pass but still want to do this boat tour, you’ll need to book it in advance here:

For a fun and interactive experience during your 6-day trip to New York, head to Madame Tussauds New York, located in the heart of Times Square.

This famous wax museum is home to life-like figures of celebrities, historical icons, and sports figures as well as the Marvel Super Heroes 4D experience .

Entrance to Madame Tussauds museum is included with the New York Go City Explorer Pass.

If you don’t have the Explorer Pass, book your tickets online here:

You should now dedicate some time to explore some of New York City’s most famous buildings.

Each offers a unique glimpse into the city’s history and culture:

New York Public Library: an architectural wonder, the library is worth a visit not just for its vast collection of books, but also for its stunning Beaux-Arts design. Don’t miss the Rose Main Reading Room, with its majestic ceilings and grand windows.
Grand Central Terminal, probably the most famous train station in the world, that you have seen in countless movies! Look up to see the “celestial ceiling” in the Main Concourse.
Chrysler Building: an emblem of Art Deco architecture, the building is known for its stunning spire and terraced crown. While the interior is not open to the public, its exterior alone makes it a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. It’s my favorite building in NYC 😄.
United Nations Headquarters: a symbol of global diplomacy, the United Nations Headquarters offers guided tours that provide insights into the UN’s role in world. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about international relations and view gifts donated by member countries.

Another place to visit in New york, another icon for the city!

The Empire State Building offers breathtaking views from its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors.

Just like for the other viewing platforms, sunset visits are very popular for the stunning panoramic views of the city bathed in golden light.

Before reaching the observation deck, you’ll pass through a series of exhibits showcasing the building’s history and construction.

To visit the Empire State Building and avoid the huge waiting line, purchase your tickets online here:

But don’t forget that it’s already included with the New York Explorer Pass.

Going to a Broadway show is an activity you don’t want to miss during your 6-day trip to New York.

The world’s most famous theater district offers a wide range of shows, from timeless classics to modern hits.

Popular shows like The Lion King sell out quickly, so it’s wise to purchase your tickets ahead of time. You can see all Broadway shows tickets and book them by clicking here!

While there’s no strict dress code for Broadway shows, smart casual attire is recommended to match the theater’s elegant setting.

Day 4: Visiting New York

Day 4 visits:

A. Greenwich Village B. Chelsea Market C. High Line D. The Vessel E. The Edge F. Rooftop bars

On the fourth day of your 6-day tour in New York, let’s explore one of the city’s historic neighborhoods: Greenwich Village.

Known for its bohemian past, the area boasts winding, tree-lined streets, beautiful brownstone buildings, and a lively arts scene.

Here’s how to enjoy Greenwich Village:

Stroll through Washington Square Park, famous for its iconic arch and bustling atmosphere, filled with musicians, artists, and street performers.
Explore the local shops : In Greenwich Village, you will find numerous independent bookstores, record shops, and small local boutiques.
Visit historic sites : Don’t miss landmarks like the Stonewall Inn , the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and the Jefferson Market Library , a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture.

And if you want to make the most of your visit to Greenwich Village , you should book this 2-hour guided tour.

Fans of the famous TV series Friends will also be able to:

Pass by the iconic Friends apartment building (address: on the corner of Grove Street and Bedford Street)
Visit the “Friend Experience”, where you can take photos of yourself in the flats of Monica, Phoebe, Ross… You need to book your tickets well in advance, as it’s almost always fully booked. Click here to book!

Just a short walk from Greenwich Village, Chelsea Market is a food lover’s paradise.

Housed in a historic factory building, you will find plenty of food vendors, artisanal shops, and restaurants.

From gourmet cheeses and artisan bread to international cuisines, you will for sure find something to try at Chelsea Market!

In addition to food, you’ll also find a number of shops selling handmade jewellery, handicrafts and homewares.

Perfect for finding a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your trip to NYC!

The High Line is a perfect example of innovative urban renewal: they have turned a disused railway line into an elevated public parc!

Stretching from Gansevoort Street to the Hudson Yards , it’s a great place to enjoy a bit of greenery, art, and architecture amidst the New York City’s tall buildings.

On the High Line, you can also find sculptures and murals by contemporary artists.

From The High Line, walk for a few minutes to reach The Vessel at Hudson Yards , one of New York’s newest tourist attraction.

This honeycomb-like structure of interconnected staircases is worth to see, but you can only admire it from the outside now.

You used to be able to climb to the very top of the stairs to enjoy the view, but the building had to close for an indefinite period after several people sadly committed suicide by jumping from the top.

Perched high above Hudson Yards, the Edge Observation Deck is New York’s newest and most thrilling viewpoint.

As the highest outdoor sky deck in America , Edge offers an amazing 360-degree views of the city skyline.

And if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go to the glass floor area, which allows you to look straight down to the streets below!

Access to The Edge is included with the New York Go City Explorer Pass.

Without the pass, you need to book your tickets online by clicking here.

As always, try to go there for sunset in order to enjoy New York under a golden hue, and then see the city slowly illuminating as the night falls.

For a perfect evening, you should then head to one of New York City’s famed rooftop bars.

They are the perfect place to enjoy amazing cocktails with great night views of the city!

Whether you’re looking for a view over the Empire State Building or a cozy atmosphere with lush greenery, you will find a rooftop bar that suits your taste in NYC.

I’ve got a few personal favorites like the 230 FIFTH Rooftop Bar NYC, The Rooftop at The Standard, High Line and The Press Lounge.

Some rooftop bars have dress codes or require reservations, especially on weekends. You should thus check their website or call ahead to ensure a great evening!

Day 5: More places to visit in New York

Day 5 visits:

A. MoMA B. Summit One Vanderbilt C. Shopping in New York D. Speakeasy or Michelin-starred restaurants

The Museum of Modern Art , commonly known as MoMA, houses some of the world’s most famous works by artists like Van Gogh, Warhol, and Picasso.

As MoMA’s collection is huge, you should check the museum map and select the exhibits you don’t want to miss. You can also download the MoMA app for guided tours and additional information about the artworks.

Entry to the MoMA is included in the New York Explorer Pass.

Alternatively, you need to buy your tickets here:

Continue the fifth day of your 6-day stay in New York by going to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt .

This observation deck offers a unique experience, with immersive art installations that play with reflections, light, and sound.

All this, of course, with stunning panoramic views of the city!

If you dare, you can also step into one of the transparent glass boxes that extend out from the building to see the streets, 368 meters below!

Unlike the other buildings, entry to Summit One Vanderbilt is NOT included in the New York Explorer Pass.

So there’s only one way to visit it is to book your tickets online in advance:

With 6 days in NYC, you will have plenty of time to do a bit of shopping!

New York City is a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from high-end boutiques and world-famous department stores to unique indie shops and trendy outlets.

Here are my favorite places to go shopping in New York:

5th Avenue: Known as one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the world, 5th Avenue is home to famous brands like Nike, Apple, Guess, Sephora and luxury stores such as Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and Louis Vuitton.
Madison Avenue: For a more exclusive shopping experience, head to Madison Avenue , where you’ll find designer boutiques and luxury labels such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, and Chanel.
Macy’s: Don’t miss Macy’s Herald Square , the largest department store in the United States. Spanning an entire city block, Macy’s offers an extensive range of products from fashion to home goods.
Soho: If you’re seeking trendy boutiques, art galleries, and upscale streetwear, Soho district is the perfect place.

After all this shopping, it will be time to treat yourself to an unforgettable evening in New York City.

For a unique night out, explore one of New York’s speakeasies, offering an intimate atmosphere and excellent cocktails.

Places like Please Don’t Tell (PDT) and The Back Room require you to know the secret entrance or password, adding an element of adventure to your evening.

For speakeasies, arrive early to secure a spot, as these venues often have limited seating and fill up quickly.

In New York, you will also find more than 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, catering to every taste and cuisine.

From the innovative dishes at Eleven Madison Park to the delicious sushis at Masa , dining at one of these establishments is a culinary experience you will remember forever!

And don’t forget to book as early as possible , as the best Michelin-starred restaurants of New York cities are fully booked weeks in advance.

For your last day in New York, you will visit Staten island!

Start your day with a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, a free service that provides stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan skyline .

Once you arrive, head to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden , a cultural hub set within a stunning 83-acre park.

Explore the Chinese Scholar’s Garden , the Connie Gretz Secret Garden , and the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art among other attractions.

And if you want to enjoy a bit of nature during this last day, you should head to The Greenbelt, a great spot for a bit of hiking in the forest near NYC!

Then, step back in time at Historic Richmond Town , a village-museum that offers a glimpse into American life from the colonial period through the 19th century.

There, you can attend a guided tour and watch the various demonstrations that bring history to life.

To discover all the best places to visit in New York I talk about this article, you will need a place to stay!

There are hundreds of hotels in New York, and choosing the perfect one for your stay can be a bit complicated.

In order to help you out, I have thus selected for you the best hotels in New York depending on your budget.

As always, to get the best prices, you should book your hotel as early as possible!

Here is my selection of the best hotels to stay when visiting New York in 6 days (around Times Square / Empire State Building / Central Park).

HI New York City Hostel : Youth hostel located right next to Central Park. Dormitory beds from €50 per night. An excellent choice for cheap accommodation in New York City Center!
Club Wyndham Midtown 45: Located next to Grand Central Station. Bright and spacious double room from €200 per night. Strong Points: the rooftop and the location.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square South: Located 1 km from Times Square. Cosy, comfortable double rooms from €330 per night, including breakfast. Strong points: friendly staff, view, peace and quiet.
Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square: Located next to Madame Tussauds. Double room with impeccable cleanliness and comfortable bedding from €350, breakfast included. Strong points: central location for visiting New York on foot, very generous breakfast, very friendly staff.
The Iroquois New York: Located less than 500 metres from Times Square, this 5-star hotel offers superb rooms with very chic decor, from €410 including breakfast. Strong points: ideal, quiet location, attentive staff.
Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square: Located next to the Rockfeller Center. Very comfortable, noise-isolated room from €450, breakfast €23. Strong points: very professional staff, varied breakfast, very easy to visit the centre of New York on foot.
Hard Rock Hotel New York: Located next to the Rockfeller Center, this luxury hotel offers elegant, contemporary rooms from €500, breakfast €47. Strong points: the rooftop, the comfort, the classy design. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in New York!

If you don’t mind being a bit further from the centre (don’t worry, it’s still very easily accessible by public transport), here is my list of the best hotels in Wall Street.

It’s a bit quieter than the hotels in Times Square and also slightly less expensive for equivalent quality.

Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown: Located 160 metres from Battery Park. Comfortable, modern rooms from €225, breakfast €23. Strong points: the location close to the metro, very comfortable, practical for going to the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island.
The Washington by LuxUrban: Located 200 metres from the 9/11 Memorial and museum. Stylish rooms from €240, breakfast included. Strong points: metro stations right next to the hotel – perfect for sightseeing, view of the One World Trade Center, quality of bedding, peace and quiet.
Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center: Located next to Ground Zero. Spacious and cosy double room from €330. Strong points: location next to several metro stations, views from the rooftop and some rooms, free unlimited water and coffee/tea, in-room fridge.

To help you find the perfect accommodation, I have also written a guide of the best areas and places to stay in New York depending on your budget.

You can find it here: Where to stay in New York?

Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center New York

If you’re planning to visit New York in 6 days with your family , you will be pleased to know that there are numerous kid-friendly attractions.

Here are visits and activities your kids are guaranteed to love:

Central Park Zoo: from snow leopards to grizzly bears, this zoo, even if small, will for sure keep the little ones entertained!
American Museum of Natural History: d inosaur fossils, a giant blue whale model, a planetarium – your kids won’t know where to look first.
The iconic toy store, FAO Schwarz , is an absolute must-visit. With its giant floor piano and aisles overflowing with toys, it’s sure to bring out the inner child in everyone.
Pass by the M&M and Disney’s stores in Times Square and the Lego’s store on Fifth Avenue
Take a Ferry to the Statue of Liberty
Broadway Show: many shows like ‘The Lion King’, ‘Frozen’, and ‘Aladdin’ are perfect for kids.

The New York Explorer Pass is available for children (The price depends on their age).

This suggested itinerary allows you to see the best attractions New York and its surroundings has to offer in 6 days.

And as it’s perfectly optimized, you won’t waste time going back and forth in the city.

However, if you wish to modify or add more activities , you should check out my detailed article on the 57 best places to visit in New York . It will undoubtedly help you tailor your itinerary to your preferences!

You can read it here : The 57 best things to do in New York.

To help you visualize your daily itineraries during your 6 days in New York, I have created this map with all the places to visit day by day . You can view the map’s legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow.

You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to New York, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

You need help to plan your 6-day trip to New York? Don’t hesitate to ask me in the comment section located below!

Discover all my articles about USA : All my articles to help you plan your trip to USA are listed there.

Itinerary: 10 days USA West coast – How to visit Western USA in 9, 10 or 11 days
Itinerary: 2 weeks USA West coast – The perfect 14-15 days road trip!
Itinerary: 3 weeks USA West coast – An epic 20-21 days road trip!
Las Vegas: Top 30 Best things to do and must-see attractions
Los Angeles: The 45 best places to visit
New York: The 57 best things to do
San Francisco: The 27 epic must-see attractions
2 Days in Los Angeles – How to visit L.A in 48h
3 Days in Los Angeles – The perfect itinerary to discover the city
4 Days in Los Angeles – Epic itinerary with all the best things to do
5 Days in Los Angeles – Itinerary + All the best places to visit + Tips
One Week in Los Angeles – The perfect 7-day itinerary
2 Days in New York – The best itinerary to visit the Big Apple in 48h
3 Days in New York – All the best places to visit + Detailed itinerary
4 Days in New York – The perfect itinerary for your visit
5 Days in New York – Itinerary + Best things to do + My Tips
One Week in New York – The perfect 7-day itinerary
4 Days in San francisco – An epic itinerary for your visit
Where to stay in New York ? My guide of the best hotels for an EPIC stay!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

5 days in New York: the perfect itinerary (first time visitors)

One week in New York: The best 7 days itinerary

4 days in New York: The Perfect Itinerary (For a First Time Visit)

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6 Days in New York: Our Itinerary to see EVERYTHING

28th January 2020
By Natasha Orme

All the images in this post were taken on an iPhone 11 or iPhone XR.

New York City. The Big Apple. Capital City. The City that Never Sleeps. It’s an iconic bucket-list destination with a skyline the whole world knows. For some, it’s a dream destination – to go shopping down 5 th Avenue, see a show on Broadway, or experience the magical Christmas season and the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree.

♪ Start spreading the news

I am leaving today

I want to be a part of it

New York, New York ♪

This was definitely a spur of the moment booking for us. We normally have our holiday destinations planned well in advance, with a two- three- or even four-year plan of where we’re going to be going. But when you see a really good deal, sometimes you just can’t resist.

January is probably the most affordable time of year to do New York and there’s definitely less tourists too. I know if we had tried to do this itinerary in the height of summer or just before Christmas, we would never have managed to tick off so much.

We arrived at JFK just after lunch so by the time we finally got into the city, we only had an hour or two of daylight left.

This definitely wasn’t our smoothest start to a holiday, what with car parking troubles, incorrect e-tickets for the flight and losing my passport in JFK, it’s easy to say my stress levels were pretty much through the roof. And the New York subway system definitely did not help – I’ll do a separate blog on this later.

TOP TIP: The subway is pretty cheap per journey, but if you’re planning on using it regularly over the course of 3 days or more, you’re best off buying a 7-day pass for $33.

The Roosevelt Hotel

The hotel, however, was amazing. An absolute bargain considering we were a 10-minute walk from Times Square, a 5-minute walk from the Rockefeller Centre and Radio City and one street over from 5 th Avenue. Location-wise, it didn’t get any more perfect.

And I loved that it had been used for filming in some pretty cool movies too, including:

Maid in Manhattan
The Taking of Pelham 123
Men in Black

You can bet your bottom dollar I’m going to be re-watching all three just so I can spot the hotel…

The room was pretty nice too. A little on the small side compared to some others we’ve had recently, but it’s an old building with prime real estate so I wasn’t surprised.

We had a built-in wardrobe, some limited draw space and a desk. The bathroom was okay too, a little cramped but it served a purpose, wasn’t too outdated and had a decent shower – never underestimate the power of a powerful shower.

There were adverts all over the hotel that said it was being refurbed this year so if you do want to stay, your room will probably have a fresher feel than ours.

For me, the only downside was the heating/air conditioning in the room didn’t seem to work very well. Lee was fine but for this human icicle, it was way too cold and we just didn’t have the time to speak to reception – the only time we were ever in the room was to pass out, exhausted on the bed or get dressed in the morning. I’m sure if we had gone down and spoken to someone, they would have been more than helpful.

Price: £527 per person (+$40.16 per night resort fee, circa £30)

Booking agent: Lastminute.com

Recommend? Not with this booking agent. Our initial booking was a great price. It covered flights and hotel for five nights, but I really didn’t enjoy the experience of flying with American Airlines so would definitely avoid them in future. The hassle we’ve had with Lastminute.com with the error on our tickets, even though my booking says we have hold luggage really did not help things.

The Rockefeller and Times Square

Once we’d dropped suitcases off, our first task was to scout out the local area. I’ve never been to NYC before so for me, everything was completely new. We wandered down 5 th Avenue and made our way to the Rockefeller Centre where the giant Christmas tree had been replaced with a giant peacock. The ice rink was still open and it was a pretty nice atmosphere. There were loads of shops and eateries nearby and a faint hint of the festive season.

From there, we walked to Times Square and my first sighting was just as impressive as the photos you see. There weren’t too many people which was nice and the whole place was lit up like Vegas. In fact, I think there were more lights in that tiny plaza than there were on the Vegas Strip. It was amazing; who needs night-time anyway?

It was starting to get late, it had been a long day (our UK body clocks were 5-hours ahead and starting to struggle) and we were hungry, so we stopped off at the Hard Rock Café on Times Square – our 18 th café.

If you’re heading to a HRC anytime soon, they currently have a 24-karat edible gold burger on their menu and I really wanted to try it. I compromised and had a cocktail instead, but if you’re gonna give it a go, please report back!

After food and refreshment, we decided to explore a few of the shops on Times Square, including the Disney Store, M&M’s World and Hershey’s World before heading back to the hotel for an early(ish) night so we’d feel ready for the next day.

Price: about $20-$25 per meal (circa £15-£23)

Recommend? You can’t really go wrong with HRC

Our first full day in New York and boy did we have a list and a half of things to do. Our first stop was the Top of the Rock, an activity we had high expectations for – so many friends had said this would be the best thing we do…

Top of the Rock

It did not disappoint. We got so lucky with the weather. The skies were a gorgeous blue and completely clear.

TOP TIP: The Top of the Rock and the Empire State Observatory open at 8am so do them early to avoid crowds and waiting around for entry.

When researching things to do, we discovered that a lot of places didn’t actually open until about 10am – sure, they stayed open until after midnight, but for the go-getters like us, that wasn’t good enough. So we actually headed up at about 8.30am and there was not a soul in sight. Well, that’s not strictly true, but it was definitely super quiet – no queues, no delays, we went straight on up.

Afterwards, the exit led us into the rabbit warren of shopping and dining underneath the Rockefeller Centre and my god, did we get lost… We spent a good 15 minutes wandering around trying to locate some kind of exit. By the time we finally had some semblance of direction, we’d found the NBC shop we’d walked past on our previous night’s walk.

QUICK SIDENOTE: When we’d been planning the trip, I really wanted to get tickets to see Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show but missed the release of January’s dates. The only option we had left was to queue outside the NBC studios for 9am to be given a ticket number and then come back around 3.30pm in the hope that there’d be space in the audience. Initially, we had this day earmarked for that as it was the only day we had free (where we didn’t already have tickets booked) but after reading a TripAdvisor post that detailed how some people queued from about 4/5am and we definitely needed to be there at about 6am for any chance of getting in, I made the executive decision that this wasn’t a good use of our time.

When we finally made our way out, we decided to quickly pop into the Nintendo shop and could have easily spent all day there. It was empty – of course it was, who else in New York is shopping at 9.45am on a Friday in January, everyone else is either asleep and recovering from a wild night out or going to work…

The Nintendo shop was proper cool, with consoles set up all over the place where you could play Mario Kart, Super Mario Brothers or Luigi’s Mansion. But we couldn’t stand around playing games all day, we had an appointment we needed to keep.

Price: included in the Explorer Pass (Pass cost £127 per person and included 7 activities from a list of over 90)

Booking agent: Expedia

Recommend? Yes, definitely!

I have no idea how Lee found this experience but it was amazing and a definite recommendation if you’re heading to the Big Apple.

If you’ve not heard of The RIDE before, it’s a bit a of twist on the original Hop-On Hop-Off tour buses. If you’ve read my guide to Los Angeles then you’ll know I’m a big advocate of a tour bus – what better way to see the city than via a guided tour that’s full of facts while giving you a lay of the land. It’s good for orientation and we always find a few more interesting places we want to visit afterwards.

We’d booked ourselves onto The TOUR a few weeks prior – spaces often fill up, so booking in advance is a definite must. The bus has a glass-roof and glass-side that gives you a 360°-degree view of the streets without the need to twist in your seat; everyone gets the same view. All the passengers face sideways (instead of facing the front) and have a tour guide there to tell stories and entertain on your way round.

Our guy – Tim – was brilliant. He was funny, interesting and full of useful facts.

FUN FACT: New York is called the Big Apple because of the old horse races where the winners were awarded apples – actual apples. New York was then nicknamed ‘The Big Apple’ to refer to the biggest and best of the races and the name stuck.

The tour took us through mid-Manhattan and covered Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, the South side of Central Park, the Garment District and the Diamond District. We learned a lot about the history of Manhattan, how the different districts got their names, how immigrants shaped the New York we know and love, and even saw where John Lenon was shot.

FUN FACT: Yoko Ono still lives in the same building where John Lenon was shot. The Dakota is next to Central Park and Yoko’s apartment has a great view over the park.

We were also schooled on the old rivalry between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, which was all about old money vs new money, and what it was like to live in one of the roughest areas where apartments didn’t have windows because it was a cheaper way to build apartment blocks, and how this impacted the health of the working-class Irish immigrants that couldn’t afford to live anywhere else.

FUN FACT: There are a few different stories of how Hell’s Kitchen got its name. The most common version involves a veteran policeman called Fred who was out with his rookie partner. While watching a riot break out on West 39 th Street near 10 th Avenue, the rookie said ‘This place is hell itself’. To which Fred replied, ‘Hell’s a mild climate. This place is Hell’s Kitchen.’ And so the name stuck…the area is actually called Clinton.

Wall Street

After The TOUR, we took the subway downtown to the Financial District where we walked down Wall Street, and passed the New York Stock Exchange. The buildings here were similar to London; tall, grand, made of thick stone and intimidating. The whole place simply felt like it was made of money…if you get my meaning.

The Charging Bull – another iconic landmark – is only a 5-minute walk from here but we decided to do that on the way back, after we’d been on the Staten Island Ferry.

Price: Free

Recommend? It’s only a 5-minute walk but if you’re not in Downtown Manhattan, it can be a bit of a trek.

Staten Island

For many, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see. It’s fairly inexpensive to get up close and personal. Standard tickets are probably about $25-$45 and you can probably get a good deal for cheaper. But I’ve had a lot of people tell me it’s not really worth the money and you’ll find yourself trapped in a 1.5 hour trip with no way of fast-tracking your return to the mainland.

Because Lee’s been before, we knew a shortcut: the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free and you still get to see Lady Liberty. Admittedly you won’t get to see her as close as you might like, but if you’re looking to save pennies, do as much as possible and want to squeeze it in, then the Staten Island Ferry is the way to go.

20 minutes each way, the Ferry drops you off right by Empire Outlets, a new outlet mall that has a few good brands and is worth half an hour of your time – we picked up some pretty good deals, including 2 pairs of fluffy socks for 62¢ from Old Navy.

Price: Free!

Recommend? 100% yes. Make sure you go on a clear day so you get a good view of Lady Liberty.

One World Observatory

Once we were back in Manhattan, we headed towards the Oculus. This mall is amazing, such a unique architectural shape. It almost looks like you’re inside a dinosaur and feels like a really weird optical illusion.

Once inside, we made our way to the One World Observatory which was built in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. I had very mixed feelings about this experience and felt it was a little overpriced, but I don’t know how much of that was to do with the fact that we went up at night. The first exhibit you go through is pretty cool and uses the faces and voices of those who built the tower to showcase how important the new skyscraper is to the people of New York.

At the top, you’re shown a short film about the city of New York and then the whole screen goes up to reveal a view like no other over the city. But when we went through to the observation deck, I was a little disappointed. There was no outside deck and you couldn’t really see all that much; the empire state was a bit too far away and unless you paid extra for an iPad, there wasn’t really any information about what you could see from each view.

I’ve come to the conclusion that observation decks just aren’t as good at night – after doing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai , and now this one – you just don’t get to see very much and you don’t really know what it is you can see.

Price: $42 each including tax and processing fee (circa £32)

Booking agent: Bought on the day

Recommend? If you want to tick off all the iconic buildings then maybe do it, but I wouldn’t rush to go back or recommend it as a must-do.

9/11 Museum

Our final stop of the day was the 9/11 museum. Let’s be honest, you can’t go to New York without visiting. Probably the most devastating terrorist attack in modern history, 2,977 people were killed and so it’s only right to pay our respects. Every person I know who’s been to New York has recommended the Memorial Museum and warned me it’s quite emotional.

The Memorial Museum was an impressive building that housed part of the original steel structure where one of the planes collided with one of the towers.

There were a number of different exhibition rooms where you could learn about each individual who lost their life during the attacks, what happened on the day, and how the American government pursued Osama bin Laden. It was incredibly moving.

We spent a considerable amount of time sat reflecting in front of a huge piece of artwork that paid tribute to each individual life lost.

Personally, the most impactful exhibit was Ladder 3; the half-crushed fire truck that had contained a whole crew and was one of the first responders to the scene. These firefighters had just finished a shift and were in the middle of a shift change when they hurriedly jumped back in their truck and headed to the scene. Unfortunately, they came down with the first tower and no-one survived.

Recommend? Yes. I think if it’s your first time in New York, you’ve got to do it. Everyone should visit at least once.

Little Eataly

It’s safe to say we were exhausted by this point, both physically and emotionally. Our feet hurt and we were hungry. We needed something quick and easy so we headed to Little Eataly in the Oculus. Set up like an Italian market, this was a great little place filled with authentic Italian vendors selling fresh produce and at the back were a couple of different restaurants.

It wasn’t the New York-style pizza I’d been hoping for but man was it good. Although, I suspect we were so exhausted, we’d have thought McDonald’s tasted like a five-star eatery.

And with that, my poor, tired feet were so glad our first whole day had come to an end.

Price: $14-$30 (circa £10-£23)

Recommend? If you’re in the area, it’s a good little place to swing by. If you want something more local and small business, then maybe find somewhere else.

Back when we were planning our trip, Lee made a very polite request that we find a sports bar somewhere to watch the football on Saturday morning. Always one for trying out new places, I thought it was a great idea and would give us chance to regroup and plan our next move. But the football didn’t start until 10am EST which gave us a solid two hours to go up the Empire State.

The Empire State

Just like the Top of the Rock, I thought it would be a good idea to get up the Empire State early; it meant we’d tick off another activity on the list before sitting down for two hours of football, and nothing else was open before 10am anyway.

Once again, we managed to fast-track ourselves to the top due to the lack of tourists which was great. However, the skies weren’t as clear and there were some clouds hanging over Manhattan, which made me glad we’d already done the Rockefeller and the Staten Island Ferry.

The exhibitions at the Empire State were a lot more hands on than the previous two buildings which was fun. And it was definitely capitalising on it’s affiliation with King Kong. You could even meet the big fella yourself.

I really loved the room with all the tower viewer’s that pointed in different directions and let you catch glimpses of different iconic locations around the city – to clarify, when you looked into these tower viewers, you saw a short clip on loop.

It was a lot colder and it was a lot windier, so when we did get out on the observation deck, it wasn’t long before we were freezing. The views were pretty good, but definitely better from the Rockefeller Centre (only because you could actually see the Empire State); the skyline becomes a little less impressive when the Empire State isn’t in it. However, you could still see the Chrysler building and had a better view of Central Park.

Recommend? You can’t not do the Empire State, surely?

Legends Sports Bar

Next stop was Legends. It was a typical American bar but we were directed downstairs to the Football Factory where there were at least 10 screens mounted around the walls, each playing a different game. It was pretty busy already, with a number of Brits propping up the bar. I shouldn’t have been surprised really…

We found ourselves a cosy corner where Lee could see the Saints game, got a couple of drinks and relaxed for a few hours.

I took the opportunity to review the itinerary so far and work out what we had left to do. In all honesty, it was just nice to take a load of our feet for a little while.

Price: $10 for a beer and a coke (circa £8)

Recommend? If you’re looking for a local sports bar to catch a game, this place is ideal.

On our way to the Empire State, we’d spotted Macy’s on the corner brandishing a sign that declared it was the world’s largest, so we thought it would be rude to not pop in.

However, enter at your peril.

Think John Lewis but on a bigger, more crazy scale with less direction.

It was definitely not my favourite experience.

The store has 11 floors in total, and it was pretty unclear how those floors were divided. They had some directories about but they didn’t seem to categories their floors by department types, so the women’s were spread out over multiple floors in different regions and every time you reached a floor, it was near impossible to find a map to tell you were you were and what else was available. Coupled with a distinct lack of signage to point you in the right direction, we definitely wandered round for an hour. It felt like we’d wandered into Narnia and there was a conspiracy to prevent us from leaving.

1 new handbag later, we emerged onto the streets to discover it was snowing!

Snow in New York! What a dream!

Price: the place is chock full of designer brands so can get pretty pricey.

Recommend? If you’ve never been to a Macy’s then it may be worth popping in for half an hour.

Having already consulted our list of places to eat, we decided to head over to &Pizza for a quick bit. I’d asked for food recommendations in the Travel Insider Bucket List Facebook Group before the holiday, hoping some New York enthusiasts or NYC locals would be able to give us a few hidden gems.

Boy was it good.

For $11 you get a huge, hand-made to order pizza with a great selection of toppings. We both opted for the Maverick; tomato base, mozzarella, salami, pepperoni, Italian sausage, basil pesto and Parmesan. It was delicious, and so affordable. You can customise the pizza any way you like for no extra charge and the staff were super friendly.

Price: $11 per pizza (circa £8)

Recommend? Definitely! Great pizza and a great atmosphere

The Flatiron Building

Considering we were in the area, we thought it was worth swinging by the Flatiron Building to tick another landmark off the list. It wasn’t overly impressive, especially as there were a lot of other old buildings in the city that had a similar shape and architecture. However, back in 1902 it was one of the tallest buildings in the city and was an architectural marvel of its time.

If you are in the area, Madison Square Park is just over the road and is a great place to take five minutes while you admire the Flatiron. It was a cute little green space in between a huge number of tall concrete blocks. And as it was still snowing, was completely white.

Recommend? Hmmm, if you’re into your history and architecture then sure.

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

It turns out, Lee has a knack for finding quirky things to do, and this is one of the best we did. It took us ages to get there as the nearest subway was a 20 minute walk, so getting the bus may be easier if you don’t fancy the walk.

By the time we arrived at the museum, it was about 3.30 and fast getting dark. We upgraded our tickets for an extra $7 to include a tour of Concorde at 4pm and had a brief wander round the inside exhibitions before making our way over to Concorde.

There were just the two of us on the tour, probably because it was so late in the day and the weather was so bad. We sat in 2 of the 100 passenger seats while our guide told us all about the history of Concorde and its origin; $7 well spent, if you ask me.

We then raced up to the top deck of the aircraft carrier to look at the fighter jets on the main deck and then explored the inside of the control tower before heading back down to where a submarine was moored alongside the pier.

Surreal, right? An aircraft carrier and submarine in Manhattan – not something I ever thought I’d be doing in New York.

The submarine – USS Growler – was really cool. There was a museum exhibition set up at the start to tell you all about the history of the sub and how it was used as a nuclear deterrent. Launched in 1958, the USS Growler participated in training exercises at Pearl Harbour before being sent on 9 deterrent mission patrols before being decommissioned in 1964.

We then got to climb through port holes, explore the walkways and wind our way through the submarine, getting an insight into what life must have been like.

We just about made it round before the museum closed for the day and kicked us all out, leaving just enough time to pop back to the hotel to freshen up before our evening show…

Recommend? Yes! This was such a hidden gem, which is hard to believer considering the size of it!

Impractical Jokers at Radio City

Boy oh boy was I excited about this one.

We realise we’d just missed out on tickets at Bournemouth International Centre but then their New York show went live the same week and what do you know – their dates matched ours! So we quickly snapped two cheap(ish) tickets at the back of the hall.

The boys were great. I didn’t really know what to expect and it was more of a stand-up conversation between the four of them but it was still really entertaining, peppered with never-before-seen footage from behind-the-scenes of their show.

If you’ve never seen/heard of Impractical Jokers before, I’d recommend looking them up on Netflix. Their show always has me in stitches and is such a feel-good watch.

Impractical Jokers: 4 life-long friends take it in turns to embarrass each other in public by making them do stupid stuff. If they refuse, they lose and the loser has to be punished.

Radio City Music Hall was also impressive, with huge Art Deco style ceilings and grand entrances. If you can find tickets to an event here, I would highly recommend but they also do guided tours to take you behind the scenes.

Price: $60 (circa £45)

Booking agent: Ticketmaster

Recommend? This was by far one of my favourite things we did.

Day 4

Sunday seemed to be the trickiest day to organise. A lot of stuff didn’t open to 11am or midday which left us a little stuck on what to do. However…Ellen’s opens at 7am.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner

This is a MUST visit for NYC. I’d heard about Ellen’s before but it wasn’t until I’d seen some clips on Instagram did it swiftly make its way to the top of my bucket list. It may have had something to do with the servers singing Disney songs…

I was a little apprehensive about taking Lee because I can categorically tell you he is not a fan of musicals in any shape or form – he’ll tolerate the occasional Disney movie but generally requires a little bit of persuasion.

And he loved it!

I could have stayed there all day.

We both ordered pancakes for breakfast and then spent the next hour being entertained by an endless stream of performers. What a great idea for a restaurant. All the servers are Broadway performers between shows or looking for their big break and man can they sing. So when a show comes to its end, the singers can still earn a living whilst they wait for the next audition opportunity. Last year, they lost 20 serving staff to show placements, and a few weeks before we went, one guy had been cast as Olaf for Disney Cruises.

They sing a wide collection of songs from movies, Broadway and popular culture. And everyone is there to have a great time. You’ve got confetti canons, high energy and a podium for the singers to get up and dance.

Be warned: you’ll have to queue.

Ellen’s doesn’t take reservations, so you have to queue outside in the cold, and you could be waiting for up to two hours for a seat. We’d deliberately got there early – about 8am – and waited for about 20 minutes (the beauty of being up and about early on a Sunday morning) before we got in. We were also a party of two which meant we were fast-tracked in front of larger parties.

Price: $11-$25 per meal (circa £8-£19)

Recommend? Yes! Yes! Yes! Even if musicals aren’t your thing, you will still love it!

Central Park

As much as I wanted to stay for as long as possible, the queue outside had doubled in size since we’d sat down, so we left to let some other tourists enjoy the entertainment and headed north on Broadway to Central Park.

You could easily spend a whole day in Central Park; there’s the zoo, the Hans Christian Anderson Monument, the Alice in Wonderland statue, Belvedere Castle, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to name few landmarks.

@pyschotraveller posted a photo the day before saying North Central Park is the best spot for locals and you’ll see a lot of dog walkers up that way.

You can also bag yourself a traditional horse and carriage ride, but be prepared to pay about $100, if not more. You can probably haggle a little with the vendors, but they’re not cheap. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time, so we took a leisurely stroll up towards the Alice in Wonderland statue and enjoyed the snow-covered fields.

We exited at Lenox Hill and headed to the subway station so we could go uptown to the Bronx for our next stop.

Recommend? It’s a great green space in the middle of a busy city and you could easily spend days roaming and exploring.

The Yankee Stadium

It wouldn’t be a holiday without at least one behind-the-scenes tour of some kind of sporting stadium. On our travels so far, we’ve done:

Wembley in London
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown
Daytona Speedway in Daytona

So now it was time for a baseball stadium, and where better to do it than the Yankees Stadium in New York?

We didn’t actually get off to the best start; GoPros aren’t allowed in the grounds so I had to make a mad dash across the street and pay $20 for a locker before running back to make the tour in time.

The tour itself was great though and our tour guide definitely knew her stuff and was a die-hard Yankees fan. We went up into the press box where we got a rare sighting of the grounds covered in snow, through the stands to Monument Park where they pay tribute to their greatest players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and finally to their Yankees Museum where they have an impressive signed baseball wall.

Afterward, we decided to stop off at the Hard Rock next door (café number 19) to buy a t-shirt and scan my rewards card – which gets me priority seating and discount vouchers. And with all the palaver with the GoPro at the beginning of the tour, a cocktail was a definite must.

Recommend? I wasn’t wowed by this experience but I’m still glad we did it.

Roosevelt Island Tramway

After the HRC, we headed back into Lenox Hill to the Roosevelt Island Tram. Another of Lee’s finds, this one was inspired by a hilarious Impractical Jokers punishment.

Included in the cost of your 7-day Metro pass, the journey to Roosevelt Island takes about 5 minutes and gives you some great views of Manhattan. There’s not much to do one the island, but it does have a public park and a few things to see. The trams run about every 10 minutes, so we had a brief walk around nearby and then hopped back on.

Price: $4 for a round trip (circa £3) but included in your Metro card

Recommend? This one was such a good find, and well worth the time although it’s a little out of the way.

Grand Central Station

On our way back to our hotel, we went through Grand Central again – this was about the 4 th time we’d been through the station, but this time we stopped to test the architecture.

If you find the right hallway – ours led to the food concourse – there’s a particular style of archway that carries sound really well. If you stand in diagonal opposite corners and then talk to the wall, sound will travel up into the arch and back down the other side, clear as a bell.

You might get a few weird looks from passers-by, but this is New York, after all.

Before we left, we hunted down the Transport Museum inside the station. I’m not sure if this a permanent thing or just a pop-up, but it was worth the 5-minute visit. They had an electric train set up in the middle of the room with a mini Grand Central Station, King Kong and the Empire State as well. If you’re into your trains, there’s some pretty cool merchandise you can buy there too, including tote bags and mugs decorated with the gorgeous pattern on Grand Central’s ceiling.

Price: Free (unless you’re getting on a train)

Recommend? It’s a pretty iconic location and would also be pretty hard to use the subway without at least once finding yourself going through Grand Central

The New York Public Library

It was still a little early, so on our way back we stopped off at the New York Public Library for a peep into the iconic reading room. Wow, was that a weird experience. There’s a lot of tourists wandering around the building – a lot more than I expected – and if you’re after the famous reading room you see in all the movies, you want to be on the top floor.

There’s one reading room to the right which is guarded for study only but the one on the left is open to tourists. There are still people in there studying so you’re confined to a small little entryway so as not to disturb them and instructed to be quiet. Probably one of the oddest book experiences I’ve ever had.

Satisfied we’d seen enough, we went back to the hotel to drop off our new purchases, freshen up, change into warmer clothing for the evening and head back out to Madison Square Garden.

Recommend? This was a weird one. It wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be and if you’re not a huge book nerd, you can probably get away with just walking past.

Madison Square Garden: New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL

We’d booked ice hockey tickets well in advance and I was slightly dismayed by how expensive they were, especially when I’d have preferred to see the basketball for a lot less. But I absolutely loved it.

Now I’m not normally a sports fan, but the ice hockey was so much fun. Definitely better than NFL, and a lot faster paced than football.

MSG was huge – would you expect anything less from a world-famous venue? – but the process of finding our seats was a lot more confusing than other large venues I’ve been to. There wasn’t a clear entry point based on your seat and so we spent a lot of time wandering round looking for the right section.

We were seated pretty high up but it still gave us a good view of the game. And we could even see those in the press box doing their thing which meant we were perfectly placed for a t-shirt toss.

Price: $95 (circa £73) – don’t let yourself be caught out by taxes and additional fees. The NHL tickets were actually only $73 each before taxes and processing charges.

Booking agent: Vivd Seats

Recommend? This was so much better than I ever thought it would be. Turns out I’m a bit of a hockey fan. If you can fit in the time to see at least one type of sports, I’d say that’s time well spent.

Junior’s Restaurant

After the game finished, we weren’t all that hungry. But I’d been in New York for 4 days and was yet to experience a NY cheesecake.

We’d discovered Junior’s after watching Eddie Eats America at my mum’s before Christmas. With claims that they’re the home to the world’s most fabulous cheesecake, it seemed silly to go anywhere else.

After first trying their location on West 45 th Street, we quickly learned that everyone in New York had had the exact same idea and it was crazy busy. Instead, we headed up to the one on the corner of West 49 th Street which looked to be bigger and got lucky; we got a table in less than 10 minutes.

We ordered one chocolate brownie explosion and one of the originals to share between us.

The chocolate brownie one was delicious, yet huuuuge. And the original wasn’t as good. Where we love a biscuity base, this one had more of a very thin layer of cake that just didn’t taste the same. And it was a little plain for my liking. It was super sickly and by the time I was half-way through, I could barely manage a few bites of the chocolate brownie – sorry Junior’s, you’ve got nothing on the Cheesecake Factory.

Price: Slice of cheesecake about $8 (circa £6)

Recommend? For the experience, yes, but don’t order the original.

Our final full day in New York meant we had one last day to squeeze in all the must-do activities we hadn’t had chance to get to yet, so we were on a mission.

Brooklyn Bridge

Let’s face it, it’s not a trip to New York without visiting the Brooklyn Bridge. So our first stop of the day was to walk to the first archway. Ideally, I would have got the subway to Brooklyn, explored DUMBO and then walked over the bridge back to Manhattan. But we just didn’t have the time.

Recommend? Of course!

One Police Plaza

What an odd place to visit, you might think.

If you’re a crime fiction lover, like me, then you’ll know that One Police Plaza houses the NYPD headquarters and often features in New York crime fiction, the kind that’s written by James Patterson and Jeffrey Deaver.

It’s a weird building, tucked round the back of the New York Supreme Court and some other very impressive buildings.

Recommend? Only if you’re a crime fiction nut like me as there’s not a lot to see.

CW Pencil Enterprise

From here it’s then a short walk into Chinatown where you’ll find CW Pencil Enterprise on Orchard Street.

Way back in 2015, I read about a pencil store in a trending article on Facebook and have wanted to visit ever since.

I’m a writer by trade, so it seems silly to not visit a shop dedicated to writing implements.

This cute little shop is tucked out of the way a bit but is gorgeous. Primarily more for designers and artists, it has every kind of pencil you can think of with some quirky and collectable items too. Of course, I bought myself one in NYC taxi yellow. But I especially loved how each type of pencil was labelled with where it was made; Tennessee, Utah, Tokyo, China etc.

Price: $1-$10 (circa £1-£8)

Recommend? Another quirky stop off for us, only worth it if you’re interested.

Museum of Ice Cream

At this point we were pretty close to the bottom end of Broadway where you can find the Nike and Converse flagship stores. They’re a little out of the way compared to the rest of the flagship stores you can find on 5 th Avenue but being the Converse advocate I am – currently owning 5 pairs – I was keen to have a look.

It was only then we saw the Museum of Ice Cream next door.

Having discovered the museum about two days before our trip, I was sorely tempted to book tickets, but couldn’t justify $39 per person on top of all our other costs – it just seemed a bit steep. Instead, we decided to have a look around the shop where they had their own ice cream bar and a really long admissions line. It was certainly popular and a little part of me really want to splash the cash to get us inside and in the pool of sprinkles, but the next available time wasn’t until 7pm that evening.

Price: $39 per person (circa £30)

Recommend? We didn’t go in the actual museum as I thought it was too pricey.

Little Italy

It was time for a bite to eat, and where better to eat than in Little Italy? My love for the Godfather put me in my element and we soon found the cutest little eatery (called Amici Ristorante) that did the best meatballs I’ve ever had.

Be aware that most restaurants have someone outside looking for customers and will encroach on you ‘just looking’ at the menu. It can be a little off-putting sometimes but during the slow season, it can make or break a business.

We were lured inside by a small Italian man wrapped in a thousand layers and wearing earmuffs. The staff inside were very good, and really friendly. The whole place probably only had about 15 tables but it was perfect and really reasonably priced.

Price: $12-$40 per meal (circa £9-£30) some dishes were really affordable but some were a little on the expensive side.

Recommend? Yes, I think any of the restaurants in Little Italy are probably worth it

We hopped back on the subway and headed uptown to another great Lee find; spy school.

Having spent most of my childhood imagining I was Bond, and repeatedly asking my parents for a spy kit every Christmas, I was like a kid in a candy store. Just call me Ethan Hunt. Or maybe I’m more of a hacker and should join Anonymous…

The whole place was pretty clever; they’d taken FBI and MI5 history and displayed them in exhibitions combined with interactive games and activities. We were given personalised wrist bands that needed to be scanned at each station so we could build a profiles.

There were four games throughout; an encryption game where you had to send and receive coded messages, a deception test where you had to take part in a lie detector and then determine whether someone was telling the truth, a surveillance game where you had to answer questions based on 30+ CCTV screens, and a special ops exercise where you had to hit as many buttons as possible whilst avoiding the lasers.

At the very end, you get a full debrief where you’re shown how you did and what kind of spy you’ll be. I’m 86% Intelligence Analyst and 78% Hacker…say no more.

In theory, the place was amazing, but it had some major drawbacks. It wasn’t even peak season but it almost seemed like the place couldn’t cope with the number of visitors it had and there were queues for everything, everywhere.

Recommend? I loved it! But Lee wasn’t as wowed and there were some definite drawbacks .

Johnny Utah’s

We’d been on our feet for 4 whole days without a rest, and had clocked 110,000+ steps so far. It’s safe to say we were truly knackered and needed a quiet evening of food and sleep.

We found Johnny Utah’s round the corner from the Rockefeller Centre – I always want to eat in new, local places when we go on holiday but a lot of the time it just doesn’t work out that way. It’s often a convenience vs hanger thing and we just end up in the nearest/easiest place we can find. So we’d made a concerted effort to find somewhere nearby that wasn’t a chain we’d heard of/eaten at already. Some of the food recommendations we’d been given fell through just because they were a little on the pricey side, so Johnny Utah’s was a glorious Google find.

I’d been warned that oftentimes, New York restaurants are down some rickety stairs into a dodgy-looking basement, but we were yet to experience this…

We came down the steps to Johnny Utah’s and it was unnaturally quiet. There was no-one around and nothing to indicate the place was open other than the lights overhead. We opened the huge, red, metal doors and were greeted by an amazing Texas-themed bar, complete with mechanical bull.

It was really empty, with only about 5 tables being served but there were a few locals at the bar which was reassuring. It turned out the place was great; friendly stuff and amazing food. A definite recommend.

Price: $8-$38 (circa £6-£29) but the burgers were about $15 (circa £11)

Recommend? Yes, some of the best burgers we’ve had in a long time

Our final day was dedicated to The High Line and swinging by all the shops we wanted to revisit and purchase from.

The High Line

Starting near West 33 rd Street, The High Line is an old railroad that’s been converted into a public pathway. It’s free to walk along and gives you some of the best views of the city, and in the summer, it’s budding with beautiful flora and fauna. It’s 1.45 mile long and a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle.

Part of The High Line was closed when we visited (at the very top) so be sure to check their website for updates.

If you get off the subway at Hudson’s Yard, you’ll also see The Vessel, an incredible piece of artwork that’s a spiral staircase you can climb. It’s made up of 154 inter-connected flights of stairs, with 2,500+ steps and provides some unique views of the city.

You can then join The High Line at Hudson’s Yard if you don’t fancy walking to West 33 rd Street.

We only walked about 5 or 6 blocks in total before heading back towards Times Square – we had a flight to catch that afternoon so we didn’t want to be running too late.

Recommend? But only if the weather’s good.

Thanks New York

Wow, what a trip. I don’t think I’ve ever walked so far in my life. I was definitely grateful for the reprieve of sitting still on a flight for 7 hours…and you’ll be glad to know our flight home was definitely less eventful than the one on the way out.

New York was such a blast and I can’t believe we managed to cram in so many activities. I don’t think there was a single thing we missed out on!

If you’ve got any NYC questions, drop them in the comments below.

And also…if you managed to make it this far, bravo. You might need a reading medal. Head over to my Insta and send me an NYC-related GIF so I know who my champions are

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Money saving DAY Pass itineraries

As native New Yorkers we know the best way around town and we have created some example itineraries of how you could use your New York DAY Pass. Don't forget, these are only examples, you can visit any of the iconic attractions included on the pass in any order you like. Enjoy huge savings vs. gate prices.

As native New Yorkers we know the best way around town and we have created some example itineraries of how you could use your New York Day Pass. Don't forget, these are only examples, you can visit any of the iconic attractions included on the pass in any order you like. Enjoy huge savings vs. gate prices.

New York City 2 Day Itinerary

Have a great 2 days in NYC using New York Sightseeing Pass. Do you want to see it all in just 2 days? Or perhaps visit the major NYC highlights? 2 days is not too much time for NYC, but Sightseeing Pass can be of great help, giving you some extra time with Fast Track privileges and saving you money on entry fees. See what you can see in NYC in just 2 days!

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $355.43

2 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $214.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $141.43

2 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

1st Day in NYC Exclusive New York

Guided NYC Premium Bus Tour

Normal Entry Price $109.00

Museum of Broadway

Normal Entry Price $39.00

Empire State Building

Normal Entry Price $51.17

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $199.17

2nd Day in NYC Downtown & Statue of Liberty

Big Bus New York Essential Ticket

Normal Entry Price $82.00

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Roundtrip Ferry Tour

Normal Entry Price $27.00

One World Observatory

Normal Entry Price $47.26

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $156.26

New York City 3 Day Itinerary

3 days sounds like quite of lot of time to see any city, but NYC has so many places worth your time. Plan your 3-day itinerary with New York Sightseeing Pass, discover hidden gems and stick to your sightseeing budget.

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $528.47

3 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $259.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $269.47

3 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

3rd Day in NYC Entertain Yourself in Times Square

Madame Tussauds New York – Admission + Marvel 4D

Normal Entry Price $47.89

Escape Game New York

Normal Entry Price $48.98

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour – Gold Pass

Normal Entry Price $25.00

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $173.04

New York City 4 Day Itinerary

Get ready for the great adventure in New York City, there is plenty to see here and in 4 days you will have a chance to see a lot. Plan your days, get up early to visit the most crowded attractions, use hop-on, hop-off buses for the whole duration of your stay and keep your budget under control with a 4 Day Sightseeing Pass.

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $597.46

4 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $299.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $298.46

4 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

4th Day in NYC Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock® Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center

Normal Entry Price $43.99

Whitney Museum of American Art

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $68.99

New York City 5 Day Itinerary

A 5-day trip to NYC will give you the full NYC experience. You should have enough time to visit all the major cities, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, visit designer outlets and come back home with lots of great pictures and memories, but be smart about you sightseeing – Keep your budget under control and use Fast Track entry at many of the busiest attractions with New York Sightseeing Pass.

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $755.46

5 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $339.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $416.46

5 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

5th Day in NYC Outlet Shopping Day

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Normal Entry Price $47.00

Fotografiska New York

Normal Entry Price $26.00

2h Central Park Guided Bike Tour by Fancy Apple

Normal Entry Price $60.00

Bowlero Times Square

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $158.00

New York City 6 Day Itinerary

6 days in NYC is the perfect duration for NYC trip to see it all. Tick off all the must have attractions, visit the hidden gems, go on a shopping tour, discover local cuisine and enjoy Broadway shows. With 6 Day NYC Sightseeing Pass you can see and do it with your budget under control. Enjoy unlimited hop-on hop-off Sightseeing Buses and over 100 attraction options.

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $881.46

6 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $359.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $522.46

6 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

6th Day in NYC On the West Side

E-Bike, Bike or Scooter rental by Bike Rent NYC

Normal Entry Price $40.00

American Museum of Natural History

Normal Entry Price $28.00

New York Historical Society Museum and Library

Normal Entry Price $22.00

Intrepid Museum

Normal Entry Price $36.00

AG Adriano Goldschmied at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards

Normal Entry Price $0.00

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $126.00

New York City 7 Day Itinerary

A full week in NYC? You will have a great time! There is so many unique places to visit, but – Keep your budget under control and use Fast Track entry at many of the busiest attractions with New York Sightseeing Pass, otherwise you might spend a small fortune on the entry fees.

Total cost without The Sightseeing Pass $960.46

7 Day Adult Sightseeing Pass - NYC $379.00

Saving per person with the Sightseeing Pass $581.46

7 Day savings with the Sightseeing Pass

7th Day in NYC Museum Mile

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Normal Entry Price $30.00

Museum of the City of New York

Normal Entry Price $20.00

El Museo del Barrio

Normal Entry Price $9.00

Scavenger Hunts - New York

Cost Without The Sightseeing Pass $79.00

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Chasing Foxes

Local's Guide to New York: 15 Places You (Should) Be Seeing

Posted: April 11, 2024 | Last updated: April 11, 2024

New York City is packed with must-see spots, but so many recommendations seem to come from travel bloggers who’ve only been there for 3 days max.

And normal suggestions might include hitting up Times Square, catching a Broadway show, or taking a ferry ride.

But I think you and I know that it’s the locals who really know the best spots to explore in New York city.

So with that said, I’ve gathered tips from these seasoned New Yorkers, and every single one has made it onto my personal “Things to Do in New York” bucket list.

1. Hole in the Wall Cafe

According to Adrienne Jordan, this super cute and chic cafe is a great place to grab breakfast!

Maybe a good place to eat for your first morning in NYC?

Here are her tips:

“The venue serves favorites including avocado toast, a pulled pork Benedict, chili scrambled eggs and whipped waffles with salted caramel. If you go for breakfast on the weekends, try to arrive before 9:30 a.m., as the neighborhood starts to wake up around then and tables can book up fast.”

<p>Former home of the magnate Henry Clay Frick, you’re going to be able to spend an amazing morning and/or afternoon looking at the beautiful collection of statues and paintings.</p><p>I’d say enjoy a good cup of coffee beforehand, put some relaxing music on, and enjoy the art.</p>

2. Frick Collection

Former home of the magnate Henry Clay Frick, you’re going to be able to spend an amazing morning and/or afternoon looking at the beautiful collection of statues and paintings.

I’d say enjoy a good cup of coffee beforehand, put some relaxing music on, and enjoy the art.

<p>Find a quiet morning to go and relax on this elevated park. It honestly looks like such a great place to hang out, enjoy a pastry and a hot drink, and talk with a friend.</p><p>Or just listen to the sounds of the city and take photos. </p>

3. High Line Park

Find a quiet morning to go and relax on this elevated park. It honestly looks like such a great place to hang out, enjoy a pastry and a hot drink, and talk with a friend.

Or just listen to the sounds of the city and take photos.

<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><a href="https://www.monicafrancis.com/blog/best-new-things-to-do-in-new-york-city" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monica Francis</a> says…</strong></p><p>“Not many people make it up to Central Park’s <strong><a href="http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-garden.html">Conservatory Garden</a> </strong>(Upper East Side), so it’s rarely busy. </p><p><strong>There are three beautiful formal gardens here:</strong> French, Italian, and English. </p><p>Wander through and choose your favorite, or just choose your favorite bench and settle in.”</p>

4. Three Recommendations for the Conservatory Garden

Monica Francis says…

“Not many people make it up to Central Park’s Conservatory Garden (Upper East Side), so it’s rarely busy.

There are three beautiful formal gardens here: French, Italian, and English.

Wander through and choose your favorite, or just choose your favorite bench and settle in.”

5. The Jazz Bars

New York is apparently filled with jazz bars!

Here’s what a few locals are saying…

“-I’ve been to Antique Garage in Soho that had live jazz and had a blast. The interior was so neat and since it was summer, the windows were open and you felt transformed into another place.”

Another local named John adds, “For the Jazz soaking, I would also recommend Small’s in West Village .”

And lastly, Molly says, “ The Blue Note is a famous spot and has wonderful shows (drinks too). Also, mentioned in the guide is Bemelman’s Bar , which features live jazz along with famous (excellent) cocktails on the Upper East Side.”

6. Explore the West Village

Monica also adds this New York tip:

“The jumbled streets of the West Village are perfect for getting lost on purpose and stumbling upon plenty of classic New York vignettes. If you don’t bring a camera here, you’ll regret it.”

<p>“Every morning, dozens of shops in the <strong><a href="https://www.gardenista.com/posts/how-to-navigate-the-nyc-flower-market/" rel="noreferrer noopener">flower district</a></strong> fill the sidewalks of 28th Street with fresh blooms and branches. Pick up a bouquet for your hotel room, buy armfuls of florals for a party, or just admire the scene.” – <strong>Monica</strong></p>

7. The Flower District

“Every morning, dozens of shops in the flower district fill the sidewalks of 28th Street with fresh blooms and branches. Pick up a bouquet for your hotel room, buy armfuls of florals for a party, or just admire the scene.” – Monica

<p><strong><a href="https://cupofjo.com/2017/12/07/best-winter-activities-in-new-york-city/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cup of Jo</a>, </strong>a blog run by Joanna Godard, is one of my favorite places to relax and read. And because she’s a blogger who hails from New York + always has great tips, <strong>I trust her advice here…</strong> </p><p><strong>She says this about Balthazar</strong>, “Soho’s famous, bustling, never-gets-old French brasserie, anytime of day or night.”</p>

8. Balthazar

Cup of Jo , a blog run by Joanna Godard, is one of my favorite places to relax and read. And because she’s a blogger who hails from New York + always has great tips, I trust her advice here…

She says this about Balthazar , “Soho’s famous, bustling, never-gets-old French brasserie, anytime of day or night.”

9. Kiki’s Greek Tavern

So where is this Greek tavern? A local New Yorker answered:

“… in Chinatown, where incredible food is served in an old paper shop that feels like a secret haunt.”

A Greek tavern in Chinatown with some incredible reviews, and a cool location.

It’s now on my New York to-do list.

10. Lower East Side Pay-What-You-Like Walking Food Tour

Insider Tip from Briar:

“One of the best things we did was book a pay-what-you-like food walking tour around Lower East Side (where we were staying).

It sounded ridiculous at the time, but we basically ran from a delicious steaming food stop to delicious steaming food stop.

It helped us find the closest and tastiest food near us, which was an excellent motivator to leave our cozy beds, and gave us somewhere reliable to eat on our way home late, with cold feet and grumbling tummies!”

Here’s a link to the tour.

<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>I had no idea that the Loeb Boathouse existed but it needs to be done. Thank you <a href="https://witwhimsy.com/favorite-spring-spots-new-york-city/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wit & Whimsey</a> for this idea!</strong></p><p>“There’s something so magical about some of the first Central Park days of the season. You still need a light jacket but the temperatures are perfect for long (she’s writign this in spring), carefree strolls and The Boathouse is the ideal landing spot when you want to rest your feet and have a cocktail on their terrace overlooking the boat pond. Some of my favorite afternoons have been spent doing just that with nowhere to go afterward. It’s pure bliss. (Highly recommend going to Sprinkles Ice Cream afterward for a spring treat. I just went and am mildly obsessed.)”</p>

11. The Loeb Boathouse

I had no idea that the Loeb Boathouse existed but it needs to be done. Thank you Wit & Whimsey for this idea!

“There’s something so magical about some of the first Central Park days of the season. You still need a light jacket but the temperatures are perfect for long (she’s writign this in spring), carefree strolls and The Boathouse is the ideal landing spot when you want to rest your feet and have a cocktail on their terrace overlooking the boat pond. Some of my favorite afternoons have been spent doing just that with nowhere to go afterward. It’s pure bliss. (Highly recommend going to Sprinkles Ice Cream afterward for a spring treat. I just went and am mildly obsessed.)”

<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sam from <a href="https://findloveandtravel.com/4-days-in-new-york-itinerary/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find Love and Travel </a>says…</strong></p><p>“The Edge, known as one of the best Sky Decks in NYC! It just opened in 2020 and is known as the highest outdoor sky deck in the West Hemisphere!</p><p>Make your way to the 100th story where you will enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline along with a partial glass bottom deck.”</p>

12. The Edge

Sam from Find Love and Travel says…

“The Edge, known as one of the best Sky Decks in NYC! It just opened in 2020 and is known as the highest outdoor sky deck in the West Hemisphere!

Make your way to the 100th story where you will enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline along with a partial glass bottom deck.”

13. The Hudson Yards

Another New York Insider Tip from Sam:

“If you happen to be visiting New York around the holidays, the Hudson Yards does a great light display you won’t want to miss.”

<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><a href="https://tobebright.com/top-10-farmers-markets-in-nyc/" rel="noreferrer noopener">To Be Bright </a>gave a great recommendation for a farmer’s market and since I love going to them, I thought I’d pass it your way:</strong></p><p>“Dubbed “Bay Ridge’s Town Hall,” long-time residents and families who are <span>new</span> to the neighborhood meet to shop, share recipes and catch up with their neighbors at this Greenmarket that provides a gathering space for the tight-knit Bay Ridge community. A great selection of producers providing everything from fresh caught fish, baked goods, and a bounty of seasonal fruit, vegetables, and flowers draw shoppers week after week, all season long.”</p>

14. Bay Ridge Greenmarket

To Be Bright gave a great recommendation for a farmer’s market and since I love going to them, I thought I’d pass it your way:

“Dubbed “Bay Ridge’s Town Hall,” long-time residents and families who are new to the neighborhood meet to shop, share recipes and catch up with their neighbors at this Greenmarket that provides a gathering space for the tight-knit Bay Ridge community. A great selection of producers providing everything from fresh caught fish, baked goods, and a bounty of seasonal fruit, vegetables, and flowers draw shoppers week after week, all season long.”

<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>I love bicycling and especially when I don’t have to deal with traffic, so I really appreciate this tip from <a href="https://www.theblondeabroad.com/locals-guide-to-new-york-city/" rel="noopener"><span><strong> <a href="http://www.danaberez.com/">Dana Berez</a></strong></span></a>: </strong></p><p>“One of my favorite things to do is bike along the West Side Highway. This path spans from downtown Manhattan all the way to the Upper West Side.</p><p><strong>The best part? </strong>There is no car traffic on this path so it’s perfect for getting used to biking in NYC.”</p>

15. Bike Along the West Side Highway

I love bicycling and especially when I don’t have to deal with traffic, so I really appreciate this tip from Dana Berez :

“One of my favorite things to do is bike along the West Side Highway. This path spans from downtown Manhattan all the way to the Upper West Side.

The best part? There is no car traffic on this path so it’s perfect for getting used to biking in NYC.”

Bonus: Dominique Ansel Bakery

This one is my personal recommendation. I know I’m not a local, but I had to share at least one recommendation. :)

Celebrity chef Dominique Ansel is famous for perfecting the “cronut,” a mix between a croissant and a doughnut.

We had heard about its incredibly flaky layers and perfect flavors so we decided to give it a try. I was actually concerned that it wasn’t going to be that great, but it actually lived up to the hype.

The flavors change every so often and if I remember correctly (this was back in December of 2019), we had a cream cheese chocolate cronut.

And if that’s not something you really want, then I definitely recommend going anyway. They have a huge assortment of different pastries and goodies curated by an expert French pastry chef. 👌

Post Originally Published on Chasing Foxes.

3 Destinations You’ve Never Thought About But Will Make You Think, “I Need to Book Tickets Right Now.”

If you’re looking for some incredible travel locations, or want to be inspired, then these 3 places are going to give you some serious wanderlust!

Read Here: 3 Places That Will Make You Go, “I Need to Book Tickets Right Now.”

This Cafe Gave Me My Yearly Dose of Estrogen (And I’m Not Complaining)

If you love beautiful desserts and a fun location, then this cafe needs to be on your list!

The food was great, the drinks were delicious, and I would probably make a pilgrimage to this cafe once a year if I could!

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<p>San Miguel de Allende is an absolute <em>gem</em> in central Mexico. </p><p>Safe, incredibly beautiful, kind people, and such good food; <strong>it’s no wonder so many retirees have moved here!</strong></p><p><strong>Read Here:<a href="https://www.chasingfoxes.com/my-trip-to-san-miguel-de-allende-personal-tips-when-visiting/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> My Trip to San Miguel de Allende & Personal Tips When Visiting</a></strong></p>

One of the Most Underrated Destinations in Mexico (& a Retiree’s Paradise)

San Miguel de Allende is an absolute gem in central Mexico.

Safe, incredibly beautiful, kind people, and such good food; it’s no wonder so many retirees have moved here!

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<p>Riads are traditional Moroccan inns, and if you’d like to relax in the calm courtyard of a beautiful space, and enjoy incredible food and amazing service, then this is the place to go!</p><p><strong>Read Here:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.chasingfoxes.com/le-riad-yasmine-a-hidden-oasis-in-morocco/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Riad Yasmine: A Dreamy Travel Location in Morocco</a></strong></p>

Le Riad Yasmine: A Dreamy Travel Location in Morocco

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<p>If you love Mexican food and you want to know the <strong>best</strong> locations to get incredible dishes in Mexico, then I’ve got you covered!</p><p><strong>Read Here: <a href="https://www.chasingfoxes.com/foodie-mexico/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your Foodie Mexico Guide: 17 Places for the Best Food</a></strong></p>

Your Foodie Mexico Guide: 17 Places for The Best Food

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What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality .

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT.

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT.

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT. In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017.

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT.

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET.

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com .

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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When and where the solar eclipse will be crossing the U.S.

The path of totality for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

A total solar eclipse will grace the skies over North America on Monday, one of the most hotly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years.

Weather permitting , millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light .

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

Follow live updates on the solar eclipse

In all other parts of the continental U.S., a partial solar eclipse will be visible, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun. Exactly how big a bite depends on the location.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA .

After moving northeast across Mexico, the eclipse’s path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

In Canada, the eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

The timing of the eclipse and the duration of totality varies by location. Most places will experience around 2 minutes of darkness, but the longest periods of totality are typically in the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest stretch of totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico.

The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse in Cerulean, Ky.

Below is a list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, according to NASA .

Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m. CT.
Idabel, Oklahoma: Partial eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT and totality at 1:45 p.m. CT.
Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m. CT.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Partial eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT and totality at 1:56 p.m. CT.
Paducah, Kentucky: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Carbondale, Illinois: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 1:59 p.m. CT.
Evansville, Indiana: Partial eclipse begins at 12:45 p.m. CT and totality at 2:02 p.m. CT.
Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
Erie, Pennsylvania: Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 p.m. ET and totality at 3:16 p.m. ET.
Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
Burlington, Vermont: Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 p.m. ET and totality at 3:26 p.m. ET.
Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.
Caribou, Maine: Partial eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET and totality at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Other resources can also help you figure out when the various phases of the eclipse will be visible where you live, including NationalEclipse.com and TimeandDate.com .

If you plan to watch the celestial event, remember that it’s never safe to look directly at the sun, including through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Special eclipse glasses are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent permanent eye damage.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, watch live: total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A total solar eclipse is crossing from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States on Monday.

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT. Precisely when you'll be able to see the eclipse — and what kind of eclipse you'll be able to see — will depend on your location and time zone. More on that here .

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

Livestreams from along the path of totality

View from Vermont

Vermont Public will livestream views of the eclipse from the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Tune in starting at 3 p.m. ET.

View from New Hampshire

NHPBS will livestream the solar eclipse from Lancaster, N.H. starting at 12 p.m. ET.

View from Maine

Maine Public will livestream from Mars Hill, Maine, starting at 2:30 p.m.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.
Feeling whimsical? Here are three ways to sprinkle a little magic into your eclipse experience .

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time.

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