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Things to do in New York City

Things to do in  New York City

Welcome to New York City

New York City is one of the most visited places in the world—and for good reason. The city’s diverse population makes it a cultural capital for art, music, food, and much, much more.

Top 15 attractions in New York City

#1
Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

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Guarding the entrance to New York Harbor on Liberty Island, the 305-foot (93-meter) Statue of Liberty came to the United States as a gift from France to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—Lady Liberty has been a symbol of democracy and hope for NYC and the US almost ever since.More
#2
Ellis Island

Ellis Island

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As the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States, New York City’s Ellis Island was America’s busiest immigrant inspection station for more than 60 years. Today, the island’s restored main building houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which honors the US’s immigrant heritage, chronicles the island’s role in immigration history, and gives voice to the immigrants themselves.More
#3
Empire State Building

Empire State Building

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The world's tallest building from 1931 to 1977, the Empire State Building is topped with a stepped Art Deco pinnacle that's floodlit at night and boasts holiday and commemorative colors throughout the year. After admiring the mosaics in the Art Deco lobby, take an elevator ride to the 86th or 102nd floor and get ready to drink in astounding 360-degree views from this iconic skyscraper observatory.More
#4
SoHo

SoHo

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New York City’s hyperhip neighborhood of SoHo is renowned for its stylish shops, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Though it’s more relaxed than bustling Times Square, SoHo can get mobbed with shoppers and tourists. Stroll down the cobblestone streets, browse stores—from big-name brands to posh boutiques—or peek inside its many galleries.More
#5
National September 11 Memorial & Museum

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

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The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City stands as a place of remembrance and a somber tribute to those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Reopened 10 years after the 2001 attacks, the eight-acre (3.2-hectare) plaza—built on the World Trade Center site—features two massive square reflecting pools whose waterfalls cascade down into the footprints of the former Twin Towers. The surrounding plaza is a peaceful and moving green space, while the museum, located beneath the plaza, lends a deeper understanding to the impact of that day. You’ll undoubtedly leave with a heavy heart.More
#6
Central Park

Central Park

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The heart and soul of Manhattan, Central Park is 843 acres (341 hectares) of green space featuring running paths, a boating lake, ponds, a zoo, fountains, statues, gardens, and a skating rink. New Yorkers and visitors alike have gathered at this National Historic Landmark year-round since 1857 to enjoy a respite from Manhattan’s concrete jungle.More
#7
Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

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Extending for 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) across New York City’s East River, this 19th-century bridge sees constant foot, bike, and car traffic thanks to commuters and sightseers alike. After a construction beset by tragedies—at least 20 people died during the building process—this steel-wire suspension bridge, then the world’s largest, finally opened to the public in 1883. Today crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is an essential New York experience. Visitors come in droves to admire the bridge’s dramatic neo-Gothic towers and the stellar views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront.More
#8
One World Observatory

One World Observatory

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Admire New York City from on high at the One World Observatory, the 100th-floor viewing deck which you’ll reach in just 47 seconds view high-speed elevator. On the ride up, impressive time-lapse technology showcases the city’s transformation from the 1500s to the present in immersive floor-to-ceiling screens. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the city’s waterways, iconic skyline, and renowned landmarks.More
#9
Flatiron Building

Flatiron Building

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Both an architectural marvel and one of New York’s most recognizable landmarks, the Flatiron Building has been a city icon since its debut in 1902. Named for its uncommonly thin, triangular shape, the building was designed by architect Daniel Burnham and is a National Historic Landmark. It is not currently open to the public.More
#10
Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

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Radiating art deco glory, Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan is where you'll find Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, the Top of the Rock observation deck, and in winter, New York City’s famous ice rink and Christmas tree. Opened by John D. Rockefeller in 1933, it’s a classic NYC stop for its history as a cultural center and architectural icon.More
#11
Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

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One of North America’s most majestic natural wonders, Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls—American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls—which plunge dramatically over the Niagara River. The falls straddle the border between Canada and the US with viewpoints and falls-themed attractions on both sides.More
#12
Times Square

Times Square

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The neon lights and video billboards of Times Square are one of New York City’s most well-known landmarks. This triangular intersection between Broadway, 42nd Street, and Seventh Avenue is home to the Big Apple’s famous theaters and the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop—an essential Manhattan experience.More
#13
New York Harbor

New York Harbor

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One of the largest natural harbors in the world, New York Harbor is the gateway to Manhattan. It’s also a scenic spot to explore and a must for first-time visitors to New York City, with photo ops aplenty along its walking trails, bridges, and piers.More
#14
New York City St. Patrick's Cathedral

New York City St. Patrick's Cathedral

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The largest neo-Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, New York City's St. Patrick’s Cathedral occupies an entire city block, and welcomes millions of visitors annually. First built in 1879, the Manhattan landmark is renowned for its soaring spires, colossal organ, and exemplary rose window, and is the seat of the Archbishop of New York.More
#15
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

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The World War II-eraUSS Intrepid aircraft carrier retired to Manhattan’s West Side, where it was transformed into a museum. The complex hosts noteworthy craft, including NASA’sEnterprise space shuttle, theUSS Growler missile submarine, and a Concorde jet. While there, check out original artifacts, film, and photographs, plus simulators that recreate the flying experience.More

Trip ideas

Ways to Beat the Crowds in New York City

Ways to Beat the Crowds in New York City

Free Museum Days in NYC You Need to Visit

Free Museum Days in NYC You Need to Visit

Top Parks and Gardens in New York City

Top Parks and Gardens in New York City

Don’t-Miss Dishes in New York City

Don’t-Miss Dishes in New York City

Top activities in New York City

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
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Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise

Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise

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HK$1,842.50
Niagara Falls in One Day from New York City
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New York CityPASS

New York CityPASS

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HK$1,037.92
Taste of NYC Helicopter Tour
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Taste of NYC Helicopter Tour

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HK$1,247.11
New York Dinner Cruise
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New York Dinner Cruise

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From
HK$1,045.16
9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

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HK$241.38
New York Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Highlights
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Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

Recent reviews from experiences in New York City

star-5
NYC Edge
Daimara_A, Jul 2022
Edge Observation Deck - General Admission
Stunning views of the New York City a very good place to visit with family members, couples etc Also a romantic place to take the best pictures ever
star-5
Day at MOMA
Deborah_M, Jul 2022
The Museum of Modern Art Admission Ticket
We traveled to New York City from Colorado and really wanted to visit MOMA.
star-5
Excellent tour guide....
Anita_T, Jul 2022
Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
Great way to see and hear about New York City.
star-5
The Baxter’s did NY on the Big Bus!!!
John_B, Jun 2022
Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Tour
It gave us the opportunity to see the area then go back and explore!
star-5
A must do for me
Benjamin_J, Jun 2022
The Manhattan Helicopter Tour of New York (12-15 Minutes)
To see so much of the New York City from the air was a memory that will stuck with me.
star-5
I Love New York
LiliaV_M, Jun 2022
Central Park Highlights Walking Tour
Central Park is one of New York City's star attractions.
star-5
Great experience. Tour guide (Buster) was excellent.
Teresa_L, May 2022
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
911 Memorial and passing by the Statue of Liberty The whole experience was educational and a great way to see New York City in a short time.
star-5
Manhattan at Night
Sheila_H, May 2022
Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
Being able to see Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty at night was stunning!
star-5
Rachel’s best New York guided sightseeing tour
Ernest_P, May 2022
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
Also the Rockefeller center, Central Park and all the tips of what to do and where to go in New York City.
star-5
“Our 2022 trip to NY and Washington DC the Gonzalez”
LeticiaS_G, Apr 2022
Washington DC Day Tour from New York City
This is our first time visiting New York City, one of my sisters traveling here with her family few months ago and she suggested us to have the experience to visit Washington DC in a bus tour….
star-4
Cold New York evening
Karen_H, Mar 2022
New York City at Night Bus Tour
All in all, a great tour which I would do again in the summer.
star-5
Our first time in New York
Karen_S, Feb 2022
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options
It was my granddaughter‘s 20th birthday and she wanted to visit New York City.
star-5
Good Ride
Neil_R, Feb 2022
Taste of NYC Helicopter Tour
Great experience and people that we flu with would do it again and pay for more time to see more of New York City
star-5
Very kind staff, quick...
Collin_S, Feb 2022
New York Helicopter Tour: City Lights Skyline Experience
Got to see a great view of New York City, and Times Square!
star-4
Fun! and wet…
Emory_M, Jul 2022
Circle Line: NYC Beast Speedboat Ride
We got wet, we got to see the Statue of Liberty and we got to go fast!
star-5
A very enjoyable tour, even for people who live/have lived in New York City
Cassandra_H, Jun 2022
Flatiron Food, Architecture, and History Tour
But since we moved back to California in 2005, we like to go on tours of areas we loved and/or didn't get to know as well when we lived there, and to see what's changed over the years.
star-5
I highly recommend this tour!
Samantha_K, Mar 2022
Private Custom New York City Tour by SUV
We covered so much in just six hours and never would have been able to see all of it on our own in such a short amount of time.
star-5
A great day in New York City
George_C, Mar 2022
New York City Landmarks Circle Line Cruise
The water tour of Manhattan gives the visitor the importance of New York harbor to both the Dutch and English.
star-5
The future is now
Nickolas_C, Jan 2022
Edge Observation Deck - General Admission
Just seeing New York City light up it was very beautiful to see how the city is still growing and hone ring the people who sacrificed a lot to make it happened
star-5
Amazing tour
Sarah_R, Dec 2021
Private New York City Christmas Walking Tour
She also catered the trip to what we wanted to see and took very nice pictures of us by the tree to have.
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All about New York City

When to visit

New York City is one of those rare cities where every season has unique attractions:

Summer weather means the perfect time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, or even take a visit to the iconic Coney Island.

Chilly fall temps bring the changing foliage; renting a car for “leaf peeping” upstate is a great way to experience the Hudson Valley.

Winter activities center around the holiday season, with the legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and skating rink topping travelers’ lists.

Spring thaw is an ideal time to experience the blooming trees of Central Park or even the Highline, if you can catch a break between rain showers.

Getting around

Walking: New York is a great walking city and relatively straightforward, given each borough’s numbered streets and grid layouts. Exploring by foot is ideal in the bustling neighborhoods with great shops, restaurants, and cafes tucked away in the city’s many corners.

Subway: New York is big, which means walking to and from destinations may not always be feasible. That’s where the city’s subway comes in. Single-fare tickets on the many different subway lines can bring you to virtually any part or borough and runs around the clock.

Taxi: New York is known for its famous yellow taxis. They are easy to flag down by waving your hand (look for taxis with the roof light on for vacancy). Uber and Lyft have large networks in New York, so if you are looking for a guaranteed ride, then apps are a safe bet.

Traveler tips

New York City is known for its wealth of fun dive bars and legendary pizza slice shops. No matter which attraction or neighborhood you end up visiting, there’s a good chance you are within walking distance to a notorious NYC establishment. If you’re walking the Williamsburg Bridge, or exploring Chinatown, you can’t miss 169 Bar—a local favorite adorned with leopard prints, color lights, palm trees, and a hits-only jukebox.

A trip to Times Square isn’t complete without stopping by Joe’s Pizza on Broadway. Originally a Greenwich Village shop, Joe’s went on to expand to multiple locations throughout the city—and for good reason. The owner has been at it since 1975, slowly perfecting the art of the slice, landing Joe’s on numerous Top 10 lists in a competitive pizza city.

Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EDT (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English

A local’s pocket guide to New York City

Alex Maddalena

Alex is a writer with deep family roots in NYC. Having grown up just outside the city, he became familiar with all of the food and culture the city has to offer, including the outer boroughs. His favorite pizza slice is the square from L&B Spumoni Gardens.

The first thing you should do in New York City is...

get oriented. There are a lot of visible landmarks in New York that will help you explore by foot without a map.

A perfect Saturday in New York City...

begins with brunch followed by a trip to one of New York’s amazing museums. Saturday nights in New York are more bustling than usual, so make sure you’re rested before heading out for evening festivities.

One touristy thing that lives up to the hype is...

Central Park truly is a thing of beauty. Walk around in the middle, and you’d be stunned to find out you’re still in one of the busiest cities in the world.

To discover the "real" New York City...

get lost. Start walking. No map. Let all the things in between shine through. You’ll find your way back when you’re ready.

For the best view of the city...

you can’t beat the view from the top of the Empire State Building, but the Manhattan Bridge offers a pretty spectacular view from the other side.

One thing people get wrong...

New York City is much more than Manhattan and Williamsburg. Head north to discover the Bronx, or even east into Queens, which is one of the most diverse areas in the world.

People Also Ask

What should I do on my first trip to New York?

During a first-time trip, explore New York on foot. The best way to see the city is to walk, to slow down and explore street by street. Travel between destinations by subway and then explore neighborhoods on foot. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to see the skyline from above at landmarks like the Empire State Building or One World Observatory.

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What is the most visited place in New York?

Times Square is the most visited place in New York City. This Midtown landmark is where annual New Year’s Eve celebrations are held and where the city’s most impressive billboards can be found. This area is also home to many Broadway theaters, hotels, restaurants, and bars.

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What should you not miss in New York?

Don’t miss exploring New York beyond the sights. Yes, go to the top of the Empire State Building and visit the Statue of Liberty, but also get lost in the winding streets of the West Village, linger over Greek food in Astoria, discover the city’s many green spaces, and engage with New Yorkers at restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops.

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What type of activities can you do in New York?

The list of activities in New York is practically endless. Rent bikes in Central Park, sip cocktails at a rooftop bar, see dinosaur bones at the Museum of Natural History, go sailing on the Hudson River, visit the Union Square Farmer’s Market, catch a Broadway play, people watch on the subway, try a variety of restaurants, and much more.

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Is it safe in New York?

Yes, it is safe in New York City. Visit New York and you will find streets that are well lit and locals who are willing to help with directions. As in any city, use common sense when it comes to keeping cash and wallets zipped away. At almost any time of day, New York offers safety in numbers on the subway and in the city streets.

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Is New York City the same as Manhattan?

Yes and no. The island of Manhattan is one of five boroughs that make up New York City, along with Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. But you are correct to say that you are in New York City when you are in Manhattan, and these terms are often used interchangeably.

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What do locals do for fun in NYC?

Locals are spoiled for choice when it comes to fun in NYC. New Yorkers love to eat and drink, and there is always a new and exciting restaurant or bar opening somewhere. Locals spend time in green spaces like Central Park, visit galleries and museums, shop at the farmers market, ride their bikes, and generally bring a sense of exploration to their ever-changing city.

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What is the prettiest place in New York?

Each New Yorker may have a different answer. But some of the prettiest places in New York City include Central Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the charming streets of the West Village, the piers and paths of Riverside Park, and the New York Botanical Garden.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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What are the top things to do in New York City?
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What are the top things to do near New York City?
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Check out things to do near New York City:
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