Destinations / New York City / Top Things To Do in New York City
Top Things To Do in New York City
1. Central Park
An 843-acre green escape of woodlands, meadows, lakes, and landmark vistas—think Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, and the Ramble—threaded by miles of walking and cycling paths.
✓ Why Go:
It’s NYC’s backyard: a peaceful reset between museum-hopping and skyscraper-gazing, with classic scenes that feel straight out of a movie.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Spring for blossoms (April–May), autumn for foliage (late October–early November); arrive at sunrise for hushed paths and golden light.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter at 72nd Street to link Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Terrace, and the Lake in one picturesque loop.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it the city’s soul—clean, safe, and endlessly photogenic, with something new around every bend.
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A world-spanning collection from ancient Egypt to contemporary fashion, anchored by showstoppers like the Temple of Dendur and European masters.
✓ Why Go:
Few museums rival its breadth; you can time-travel across civilizations in a single afternoon and still barely scratch the surface.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings and late afternoons; the seasonal Roof Garden (warm months) pairs art with sweeping park and skyline views.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pick one or two wings to avoid overload—Egyptian Art and European Paintings are a classic first-timer combo.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests rave about staggering variety and thoughtful curation; many wish they had planned more time.
3. Empire State Building
An Art Deco icon with immersive exhibits and open-air observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors for city-to-harbor panoramas.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the definitive NYC skyline moment—nostalgia and jaw-dropping views rolled into one vertical adventure.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset into evening for city lights; late night (after 10 pm) often means shorter waits.
✓ Insider Tip:
Clear-day visibility is best after a cold front; check live cams and forecast before buying timed tickets.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise the smooth flow, friendly staff, and goosebump-inducing views that live up to the hype.
4. Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty rises from Liberty Island, offering close-up views of the monument and postcard angles of Lower Manhattan and the harbor.
✓ Why Go:
A powerful symbol of hope and arrival—standing at her base connects you to centuries of American stories.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
First ferries of the morning on weekdays; winter brings thinner crowds and crisp visibility.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pedestal and crown access are limited—reserve well in advance; combine with Ellis Island if you have half a day.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers describe the experience as moving and unforgettable, with photo ops from every deck and path.
5. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Twin reflecting pools trace the footprints of the fallen towers, while the museum documents the events and human stories of 9/11.
✓ Why Go:
To reflect, learn, and honor; the site blends solemn remembrance with powerful storytelling.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning for a quieter memorial plaza; weekdays offer calmer museum galleries.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pause by the Survivor Tree for a moment of resilience amid the bustle of Lower Manhattan.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call it heartbreaking yet essential—beautifully designed and deeply respectful.
6. High Line
An elevated rail line reborn as a linear park, landscaped with native plants, public art, and vistas of the Hudson and cutting-edge architecture.
✓ Why Go:
It’s urban design at its best—walkable, scenic, and uniquely New York.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning for soft light and space to linger; spring and early summer for blooms and breezes.
✓ Insider Tip:
Start at Gansevoort Street and finish at Hudson Yards, pairing the stroll with galleries in Chelsea or a meal in the Market.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers love the car-free calm, curated art, and great photo angles around every curve.
7. Brooklyn Bridge
A graceful Gothic revival span with a wooden pedestrian deck and sweeping sightlines over the East River.
✓ Why Go:
The walk delivers classic views of the skyline and bridges—an essential NYC memory, no ticket required.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise for tranquility and warm light; late evening for twinkling cityscapes.
✓ Insider Tip:
Walk Brooklyn to Manhattan for the best skyline-facing perspective, then explore City Hall Park and the Seaport.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors gush about the views and the thrill of crossing an engineering marvel on foot.
8. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
A benchmark for 20th- and 21st-century art, home to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol, Picasso, and cutting-edge rotating exhibitions.
✓ Why Go:
If you love modern and contemporary art, this is a pilgrimage—intimate icons and bold installations under one roof.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings; consider late hours for a less crowded look at the hits.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head straight to the fifth floor for the greatest hits, then work downward to newer exhibitions.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Art lovers applaud the curation and airy galleries; even casual visitors find plenty to connect with.
9. Times Square
Neon canyons, street performers, and a nonstop pulse at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue—the city’s most electric crossroads.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the spectacle of NYC: dazzling lights, pop-up activations, and people from everywhere at once.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
After dusk for maximum glow; early morning if you want the billboards without the crush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Climb the red TKTS steps for a panoramic look at the plaza and a great photo perch.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Some call it overwhelming—in the best way. Most agree it’s a must-see at least once.
10. Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center’s 70th-floor terraces frame Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building front and center.
✓ Why Go:
For many, it’s the city’s prettiest panorama, with unobstructed outdoor decks and balanced views day and night.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour into twilight for both day and night perspectives in one visit.
✓ Insider Tip:
Aim for a clear-day reservation and arrive 45 minutes before sunset to secure the best rail spot.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the roomy terraces and photogenic angles—less claustrophobic than some observatories.
