Are you prepared to sample a taste of New York?Here's our selection of New York City must-see and must-do attractions.
There is something for everyone on this list of the Top 10 things to do in New York City. It features well-known locations like Yankee Stadium, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. It also offers unique free activities like visiting Grand Central Terminal and taking a stroll along the High Line.
In terms of lodging, hotels can be found all over New York City. There are many concentrated in lower and central Manhattan, and there are also less expensive options in Jersey and Brooklyn, which are close by. Because public transportation is so effective, exploring New York City is quick and simple.
1. Visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
For the millions of immigrants who entered the USA between 1892 and 1954, seeing the Statue of Liberty signified the beginning of a new life. The new interactive museum on Liberty Island, which opened in the middle of 2019, tells the story of the statue today. The immigration museum at nearby Ellis Island does an excellent job of telling the stories of the immigrants. The only ferry service to the islands is provided by Statue City Cruises. While additional tickets are not needed for the museums, reservations must be made in advance if you wish to ascend to the top of the structure. The Staten Island ferry is a free alternative that passes directly in front of the statue and provides fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline.
2. Go to Central Park
covering Manhattan's 843 acres New York's lungs are Central Park. It not only makes your vacation to New York City more refreshing, but it also makes life in the most exciting city in the world more bearable. You can ride a horse-drawn buggy through it, hike it, bike it, or scooter it. Sheep Meadow is a great spot to sunbathe, fly a kite, and do other summer activities. Ice rinks are available for skating and ice hockey viewing in the winter.
3. From an observation deck, take in NYC
It is an incredible and emotionally stirring experience to view New York City from an observation deck. Views of Manhattan, the Hudson River, New Jersey, and beyond can be seen from The Edge. Summit at One Vanderbilt is a three-story experience with expansive views and modern art. In observance of 9/11, the One World Observatory is a 360-degree must-see. One can enjoy breathtaking views of Central Park and the Empire State Building from the top of the rock at the Rockefeller Center. Last but not least, the original location to get a bird's eye view of New York City is the observation tower atop the Empire State Building.
4. Visit the Museum of Modern Art to feed your intellect
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is included in the New York Explorer Pass, which delivers great value for money if you're pursuing New York City activities for a week or more. Expanded galleries, performance areas, and a creativity lab are features of the redesigned museum that enable you to interact with artists, create art, and have deeply artistic conversations.
5. Take a High Line stroll
A remarkable free park has been created from a historic elevated railway on Manhattan's west side. Nine meters above the street, a boardwalk takes you past gardens, trees, and wildflowers among the rails, as well as unique views of the Hudson River and the city skyline, as well as artwork and seating areas. The High Line is just over 2.3 km long, so you could walk it in 30 minutes one way, but most people take an hour or two because there is so much to see. This uplifting experience is a great way to explore west-side attractions like Little Island and the Chelsea Markets, with plenty of access points along the way.
6. Attend a Broadway production
Broadway is the home of live theater in the United States and stretches the entire length of Manhattan. One of the productions in the parade of over forty venues is sure to catch your attention. One excellent way to take in the atmosphere is to simply stroll around the area. Broadway classics like Chicago and The Book of Mormon are also timeless productions. Get some incredibly cheap tickets for the evening's performances at TDF's TKTS Booth in Duffy Square if you don't care what you see, but reserve your spot in advance to avoid disappointment. Gather in front of NBC in Rockefeller Plaza to try and get a seat in the studio audience for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon for free.
7. Visit the Bronx and see a Yankee Stadium game
From Manhattan, it only takes a short subway ride to the Bronx, a neighborhood rich in baseball, hip-hop, art, and history. Visit the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Museum of The Arts for a taste of both culture and nature. Explore the street art murals of South Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, for a more modern experience. And be sure to carve out time to enjoy some authentic Italian cuisine in Belmont, the Little Italy of the Bronx. See an evening baseball game at Yankee Stadium (April to October) to round it all off. Grab a Nathan's Famous hot dog for yourself!
8. Dine at a renowned pizzeria serving New York pizza.
The taste and texture of pizza dough are said to be influenced by the distinctive flavor of the city's tap water, which is the foundation of authentic New York pizza. It also necessitates cooking in a real coal- or wood-burning NYC oven. The final product must be foldable, meaning it must be flexible in the center and crisp around the edges. Paulie Gee's, Joe & Pat's, Rose & Joe's Italian Bakery, Di Fara, and Mario's Restaurant in the Bronx (which was once the setting for a scene in The Sopranos) are a few places to get the real deal.
9. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge is a truly iconic New York City landmark. Because there is a large central bike and pedestrian pathway above the traffic, you can enjoy your stroll without worrying about cars cutting you off nearby. You can discover Brooklyn's incredible culinary scene, including some of the best burgers, BBQ, lobster, bagels, and noodles you've ever had, by walking the more than 1.5 km Brooklyn Bridge walk. See the old Navy Yard in Brooklyn, which is currently a bustling center for both business and pleasure.
10. Take a stroll through Williamsburg's hip neighborhood.
Get away from the busiest tourist areas of New York City and discover Brooklyn's hip and artistic Williamsburg neighborhood. Street art, unusual shopping, and authentically New York City cuisine—such as ramen burgers, malted pancakes, fried chicken sandwiches, or oysters and absinthe—can all be found there. There are weekend flea markets for one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home, bowling lanes and live music venues at Brooklyn Bowl, and expansive views of Manhattan from the waterfront.
