New York City Things To Do
Quick links
Top Attractions
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Area
Midtown Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.esbnyc.com
Tickets: https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets
Cost: $44–$79
Description
Soaring 102 stories, the Empire State Building is one of NYC’s most iconic structures.
Its observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors offer sweeping views across the city and
beyond. Night visits reveal a dazzling skyline.
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Area
New York Harbor (access from Battery Park)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.statueofliberty.org
Tickets: https://www.statuecitycruises.com
Cost: $24.50 adults, $12 children
Description
A symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty is a must-visit. The ferry ride includes access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where the immigration museum tells powerful stories of American beginnings.
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Area
Manhattan (59th–110th Streets)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.centralparknyc.org
Tickets: N/A (most features are free)
Cost: Free–$20 (bike or boat rentals)
Description
This 843-acre green oasis offers carriage rides, rowboats, playgrounds, trails, and famous sites like Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields. Entry is free, with optional guided tours and rentals.
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Area
Lower Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.911memorial.org
Tickets: https://www.911memorial.org/visit/museum-tickets
Cost: $33 adults, $21 youth (free Mondays 5:30–7:00pm with reservation)
Description
A solemn and moving tribute to the lives lost on September 11, 2001, this museum and memorial plaza offer a deeply reflective experience. The museum presents artifacts, recorded testimonies, and an immersive timeline. The reflecting pools outside are a powerful visual symbol of remembrance.
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Area
Midtown Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.timessquarenyc.org
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free (Broadway shows start around $70)
Description
Always bustling, Times Square is a sensory overload of lights, shops, and performers. Though no ticket is needed, experiences like Madame Tussauds or a Broadway show can be added nearby.
Local Experiences
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Area
Lower East Side
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.tenement.org
Tickets: https://www.tenement.org/tours
Cost: $30 adults, $22 youth
Description
This museum offers immersive tours through preserved 19th-century apartments,
telling the story of NYC’s immigrant communities.
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Area
Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.brooklynunpluggedtours.com
Tickets: https://www.brooklynunpluggedtours.com
Cost: $32
Description
Explore one of the world’s top street art hubs with a local guide, learning the stories
behind massive murals and creative expression.
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Area
Chelsea
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://likealocaltours.com
Tickets: https://likealocaltours.com/chelsea-market-tour
Cost: $78
Description
Sample a wide array of international bites in this food hall while learning about its
architecture and history.
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Area
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://queensnightmarket.com
Tickets: Free entry
Cost: $5–$10 per dish
Description
Open on weekends, this outdoor night market celebrates NYC’s culinary diversity with
street food from over 80 countries.
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Area
Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.green-wood.com
Tickets: https://www.green-wood.com/toursevents
Cost: $25
Description
This historic cemetery offers walking tours through its scenic grounds and notable
monuments, including famous New Yorkers.
Outdoor Activities
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Area
Midtown East to Roosevelt Island
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://rioc.ny.gov
Tickets: MetroCard fare ($2.90)
Cost: $2.90
Description
Take a short aerial tram ride over the East River with sweeping skyline views.
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Area
Manhattan to Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: N/A
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free
Description
A self-guided walk over the bridge gives stunning city views and leads into either
DUMBO or Lower Manhattan.
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Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.prospectpark.org
Tickets: Free entry (activities vary)
Cost: Free–$15
Description
Designed by the same team as Central Park, Prospect Park features boating, a zoo,
playgrounds, and open-air concerts.
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Area
New York Harbor
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.govisland.com
Tickets: https://www.govisland.com/visit-the-island
Cost: $4 ferry, free weekends before noon
Description
Open seasonally, this car-free island offers biking, art installations, and picnic lawns
with skyline views.
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Area
Pier 96, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.downtownboathouse.org
Tickets: No reservation required
Cost: Free
Description
Free kayaking sessions offered by Downtown Boathouse along the Hudson River.
Museums & Galleries
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Area
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.metmuseum.org
Tickets: https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/admissions
Cost: $30 adults, $17 students, free for NY state residents
Description
The Met is one of the most iconic art museums in the world, spanning 5,000 years of
human history. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist masterpieces, it offers
something for every age and interest.
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Area
Midtown Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.moma.org
Tickets: https://www.moma.org/visit
Cost: $30 adults, free for children under 16
Description
MoMA houses some of the most important pieces of modern and contemporary art,
including works by Van Gogh, Warhol, and Picasso. It’s a must-visit for fans of
innovation and design.
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Area
Upper West Side, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.amnh.org
Tickets: https://ticketing.amnh.org
Cost: Suggested donation for NY residents, $28 adults general admission
Description
This family-favorite museum features dinosaur skeletons, life-size blue whales, and
immersive exhibits on Earth and space science. The Hayden Planetarium is a standout.
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Area
Meatpacking District, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://whitney.org
Tickets: https://whitney.org/visit
Cost: $30 adults, $18 students
Description
Dedicated to American art from the 20th and 21st centuries, the Whitney features
rotating exhibitions and an outdoor terrace with skyline views.
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Area
Chelsea, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum
Tickets: Free, no reservation needed
Cost: Free
Description
Free to enter, this museum highlights fashion’s influence through themed exhibitions on style, textiles, and innovation in design.
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Area
Midtown Manhattan (temporary location)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.frick.org
Tickets: https://www.frick.org/visit
Cost: $22 adults, $12 students
Description
The Frick presents European art and decorative pieces in an intimate setting. Its Renaissance and Baroque works are world-renowned.
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Area
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
Tickets: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit
Cost: $16 adults, suggested donation for NY residents
Description
A vast and diverse collection of global art, from Egyptian mummies to feminist contemporary installations. A cultural cornerstone of Brooklyn.
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Area
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.newmuseum.org
Tickets: https://www.newmuseum.org/visit
Cost: $18 adults, $15 students
Description
This contemporary art space features emerging artists and edgy, experimental exhibitions. Its building is a modern architectural landmark.
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Area
Midtown East, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.themorgan.org
Tickets: https://www.themorgan.org/visit
Cost: $25 adults, free on Fridays from 5–7pm
Description
Formerly J.P. Morgan’s personal library, this space showcases rare manuscripts, old master drawings, and classical music archives.
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Area
Hudson River, West Side Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.intrepidmuseum.org
Tickets: https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Tickets
Cost: $36 adults, $26 children
Description
Housed on a decommissioned aircraft carrier, the Intrepid includes real military jets, a space shuttle, and interactive displays for kids and adults.
Shopping & Markets
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Area
Union Square
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhattan-union-square
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free entry, prices vary by vendor
Description
A bustling farmers market open several days a week with local produce, baked goods, and flowers.
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Area
Chinatown/SoHo
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.canalstreet.market
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free entry, items vary
Description
A hybrid retail and food market with artisan pop-ups, design shops, and Asian food vendors.
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Area
Williamsburg, Brooklyn & Chelsea Market
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.artistsandfleas.com
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free entry, items from $10+
Description
A curated market featuring vintage goods, indie fashion, vinyl, and handmade jewelry.
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Area
East Village
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.strandbooks.com
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free entry, books priced $5+
Description
A New York literary icon with over 18 miles of books. Great for unique souvenirs and NYC-themed titles.
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Area
Dumbo, Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://brooklynflea.com
Tickets: N/A
Cost: Free entry, items vary
Description
One of NYC’s most iconic flea markets, with antiques, furniture, handmade crafts, and food vendors.
Nightlife & Entertainment
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Area
Greenwich Village
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.comedycellar.com
Tickets: https://www.comedycellar.com/reservations
Cost: $17 cover, 2-item minimum
Description
New York’s most iconic comedy club hosts both rising talent and surprise sets from big names like Dave Chappelle and Amy Schumer. The intimate venue and sharp comedy make for a legendary night out.
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Area
Lower East Side
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.boweryballroom.com
Tickets: https://www.axs.com
Cost: $25–$50 depending on show
Description
This historic music venue is a favorite for indie, rock, and alternative acts in a cozy space with great acoustics.
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Area
Bushwick, Brooklyn
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.houseofyes.org
Tickets: https://www.houseofyes.org/tickets
Cost: $20–$45 depending on event
Description
Known for its immersive themed parties and circus-inspired performances, this nightlife spot blends dance, theater, and costume.
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Area
Upper West Side
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org
Tickets: https://www.lincolncenter.org/calendar
Cost: $30–$200 depending on performance
Description
Home to the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, and the NYC Ballet, Lincoln Center is a must for lovers of the performing arts.
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Area
Chelsea
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more
Tickets: https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more/#tickets
Cost: $99–$150
Description
An immersive, site-specific retelling of Macbeth across five floors of a 1930s hotel. Audience members move through scenes freely and silently.
Day-trips
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Area
1 hr 30 min by Metro-North from Grand Central
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.visithudsonvalley.com
Tickets: https://new.mta.info
Cost: ~$30 round trip train fare
Description
This scenic Hudson Valley village offers hiking at Breakneck Ridge, river views, antiques shopping, and farm-to-table dining. It’s a low-key escape for nature lovers and history buffs alike.
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Area
1 hr 45 min by Metro-North from Grand Central
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.diaart.org/visit/dia-beacon-beacon-united-states
Tickets: https://www.diaart.org
Cost: $20 museum entry, ~$35 train fare
Description
Beacon is home to DIA:Beacon, a massive contemporary art museum housed in a former factory. The town also features boutiques, craft breweries, and riverside trails.
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Area
New Windsor, NY — 1 hr 30 min by car or 2 hrs via bus/train
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://stormking.org
Tickets: https://stormking.org/visit
Cost: $25 adults, $15 children, transportation separate
Description
One of the world’s largest outdoor sculpture parks, Storm King spans 500 acres of rolling hills and monumental works of art. Great for walking, photography, and families.
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Area
Suffolk County, Long Island — 2.5–3 hrs via LIRR and ferry
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.fireisland.com
Tickets: https://new.mta.info and local ferry operators
Cost: ~$40 round trip (train and ferry)
Description
Car-free and beachy, Fire Island is perfect for swimming, boardwalk walks, and seaside dining. The ferry adds to the charm.
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Area
1 hr 30 min by NJ Transit
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.visitprinceton.org
Tickets: https://www.njtransit.com
Cost: ~$30 round trip train fare
Description
Explore the historic Princeton University campus, its art museum, quaint town center, and local cafés. Ideal for architecture fans and quiet strolls.
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Area
1.5 hrs by car or 2 hrs by bus
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/bearmountain
Tickets: Entry included with transport or parking
Cost: Free entry, parking $10
Description
Popular for its picnic areas, lake, hiking trails, and the Perkins Memorial Tower with panoramic views. There’s even a small zoo for kids.
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Area
1.5 hrs by Amtrak or 2 hrs by bus
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.visitphilly.com
Tickets: https://www.amtrak.com or https://www.wanderu.com
Cost: $30–$80 round trip
Description
A realistic day trip, Philadelphia offers the Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal Market, and world-class museums like the Barnes Foundation.
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Area
3 hrs by LIRR or car
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.iloveny.com/places-to-go/long-island/montauk
Tickets: https://new.mta.info
Cost: ~$50 round trip train fare
Description
Located at the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is great for beach lounging, lighthouse visits, and seafood dining.
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Area
2–3 hrs by LIRR, car, or Hampton Jitney
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.discoverlongisland.com
Tickets: https://www.hamptonjitney.com
Cost: $25–$40 round trip
Description
This upscale seaside region offers beaches, galleries, wine tastings, and charming villages like East Hampton and Sag Harbor.
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Area
1 hr by Metro-North from Grand Central
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://visitsleepyhollow.com
Tickets: https://new.mta.info (for train) and on-site for specific attractions
Cost: Train ~$25 round trip; attractions from $10–$15
Description
This legendary Hudson Valley village is ideal for a quick cultural escape, especially in fall. You can visit Washington Irving’s Sunnyside estate, walk through the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and explore the scenic Rockefeller State Park Preserve. The area is rich in Revolutionary War and folklore history.
Seasonal Highlights
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Area
Central Park, Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage
Tickets: https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage
Cost: Free–$40 (depends on event)
Description
An annual summer series of concerts, dance, and theater—many of them free—held at Rumsey Playfield.
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Area
Bronx (Spring)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.nybg.org
Tickets: https://www.nybg.org/visit/tickets
Cost: $35 adults, $15 children
Description
Each spring, the Bronx garden transforms into a tropical paradise for this annual orchid exhibition.
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Area
Midtown Manhattan
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.macys.com/s/parade
Tickets: Free viewing along the route
Cost: Free
Description
Held annually on Thanksgiving morning, this world-famous parade features giant balloons, performers, and marching bands.
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Area
Midtown Manhattan (Winter)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.bryantpark.org
Tickets: https://www.bryantpark.org/activities/winter-village
Cost: Free skating, rentals from $18
Description
Open from late October through early March, the rink is free with your own skates and surrounded by holiday shops.
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Area
Lincoln Center (Fall)
Website, Tickets, Cost
Website: https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff
Tickets: https://www.filmlinc.org
Cost: $15–$30 per screening
Description
This prestigious event showcases top films from around the world with premieres, panels, and screenings.