New York City has fun things for each of all. People call New York the “City That Never Sleeps.” New York stays busy day and night with fun things to do. With so much here, you can find something you love.
This writing talks about top things to enjoy in New York City. We cover main species like museums, parks, entertainment, food, and more. New York has different things for different people. If you love art, spend the day at a museum. If you love pizza, try some popular pizza places. Or take in views from Empire State Building. New York has it every single one of the.
While places like Times Square and Central Park are popular, we also share unique things to do. We want you to experience the real New York and make the most of your visit. With great culture, food, history, and energy on every corner, it’s easy to fall in love with New York City!
Travel over Famous Museums and Galleries
I recommend visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or “The Met.” It houses over 5,000 years of art from around the world. With huge collections in many areas, you can spend a full day wandering its galleries and halls.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is another top New York museum, well-known for its modern masterpieces and current exhibits. We can see iconic works by Dalí, Picasso, Warhol and Pollock as we explore the latest in art.
The Guggenheim’s unique spiral shape towers over Fifth Avenue. Its calendar of special shows lets us know what’s on display during our visit.
Beyond the biggest museums, smaller spots like the Transit Museum or Tenement Museum offer fascinating looks at parts regarding New York’s past and culture.
For families with kids, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan along with Brooklyn Children’s Museum have very hands-on activities to engage young visitors.
Tips for Visiting Museums
Buying a CityPASS can save us money on places like the Empire State Building along with Guggenheim. We should also try to avoid visiting museums on weekends or holidays when crowds are largest. Researching current and upcoming exhibits allows us to know what displays match our interests during our stay.
View Sweeping City Views
From Top of the Rock and the 86th along with 102nd floors of the Empire State Building, you’ll be amazed by panoramic Manhattan views. For adventure-seekers, The Edge at Hudson Yards takes us outdoors over 1,000 feet up, with a thrilling glass floor section.
The One World Observatory emotionally overlooks the 9/11 Memorial and rebuilt World Trade Center. From the harbor views we can also spot Lady Liberty far away.
Other top spots to admire the epic cityscape vistas are Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the 230 Fifth rooftop bar, or the free Staten Island Ferry to sight Lady Liberty.
For an unforgettable bird’s-eye view over New York City with soaring bridges, skyscrapers and parks, we can splurge on an exciting helicopter tour.
| Names | Address | Working Time | Google Maps |
| Central Park | New York, NY, United States | 6 am–1 am | Link |
| Chinatown | Chinatown St New York, NY 10013 | 6 am–1 am | Link |
| Yankee Stadium | 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451, United States | 6 am–1 am | Link |
| New York Botanical Garden | 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458, United States | 10 am–6 pm | Link |
| 9/11 Memorial & Museum | 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, USA | 9 am–7 pm | Link |
| Rockefeller Center | 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451, United States | 9 am–7 pm | Link |
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt | 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States | 9 am–10:30 pm | Link |
| Intrepid Museum | Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States | 10 am–5 pm | Link |
| The High Line | New York, NY 10011, United States | 7 am–8 pm | Link |
| Madison Square Park | 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States | 6 am–11 pm | Link |
Travel over the Neighborhoods
Greenwich Village’s charming small streets, cafes, jazz clubs and Washington Square Park offer an artsy feel. It’s long been linked to unique lifestyles and movements.
In lively Chinatown, we immerse ourselves in bustling outdoor markets overflowing with fresh produce, hanging ducks and colorful items. We feast on delicious, inexpensive food like noodles and bakery treats.
Little Italy may be small but overflows with old-world appeal in its red-and-green blocks and sidewalk cafés perfect for people-watching. We grab cannoli and espresso while there!
Trendsetters flock to SoHo to wander posh galleries, boutiques and famous brand stores. Even window shopping here means prime people watching!
In Brooklyn, creative areas like Williamsburg, Bushwick and DUMBO host street art, indie shops, cafes and waterfront parks with awesome Manhattan views.
Tips for Getting Around
New York’s large subway system conveniently connects neighborhoods and boroughs. Calling an iconic yellow taxi or using a rideshare app also work well. Since cool areas are often close, walking lets us best experience the energy of New York’s streets.
See a Broadway Show
The bright lights of Times Square showcase New York’s famous Theater District, home to iconic venues and smash hits like “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King” and “Chicago.” Nearby, Radio City Music Hall hosts shows in its glamorous, art deco theater.
For free entertainment, we can get tickets for television show tapings like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Trying rush ticket lines at theaters also often scores discounted last-minute seats.
Off-Broadway theaters feature edgier performances or comedy in a more intimate setting.
Pay Respects at Ground Zero
The moving 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors those lost in the 2001 attacks and 1993 bombing. Its reflecting pools stand where the fallen Twin Towers once were, etched with victims’ names.
Inside, multimedia exhibits relay personal tales through artifacts, recordings and photos documenting the events in New York and Washington DC. We should allot a few hours to fully grasp its extensive history.
Seeing the site’s revitalization—like the new One World Trade Center—highlights New York’s resilience. The memorial leaves visitors with a somber yet hopeful sense of perseverance.
Have Fun in Times Square and Midtown
Times Square’s bright lights never fail to dazzle, with colorful LED billboards and theater signs bathing the area in a vibrant glow. Here we find attractions like Madame Tussaud’s wax celebrities, Ripley’s Believe It or Not oddities, and the National Geographic Encounter’s interactive ocean exhibit.
Nearby Rockefeller Center offers more fun with its famous winter ice skating rink and year-round Top of the Rock views. After, we check out the New York Public Library’s grand interior or unwind in lovely Bryant Park.
Ride Essential Transportation
New York’s huge 24/7 subway system stretches over 230 miles, easily connecting destinations across the five boroughs. We buy a Metro Card to tap on and off at hundreds of stations.
Helpful tips: download a map app to navigate and watch for your correct train before entering platforms.
The free Staten Island Ferry shuttles commuters and sightseers about every 30 minutes, with excellent Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan skyline views during the 25-minute trip. We snap pics along the scenic ride.
Grand Central Terminal’s starry main concourse elicits awe with its historic architecture and mural ceiling. Before or after trains, we grab bites in its dining concourse featuring Shake Shack to oysters.
City Bike lets us easily peddle Central Park along with other areas without our own wheels. Along the waterfronts, seeing spots like DUMBO or Rock away Beach by NYC Ferry or kayak can also be nice.
Saving Money
Unlimited ride Metro Cards offer the best subway and bus value over longer stays. Avoiding cabs when transit is available saves hugely on getting around.
Explore Outer Borough Attractions
The Bronx Zoo’s 265 acres house over 4,000 animals, while the New York Botanical Garden offers tranquil escapes year-round, like blooming orchids and winter model trains.
In Brooklyn, we cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge directed towards DUMBO before passing through the lovely Brooklyn Bridge Park. Other top attractions include the Cherry Blossom festival at the Botanic Garden and vintage amusements at Coney Island’s beach and boardwalk.
Diverse Queens offers cultural spots like contemporary art center MoMA PS1, the hands-on Museum of the Moving Image, and authentic global cuisine everywhere.
With time, we venture to unique areas like Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the tight-knit Little Italy of the Bronx, with incredible Italian shops and eateries off the main path.
To efficiently see key outer borough highlights, tours like Big Apple Greeter’s neighborhood walks provide a terrific taste of spots we might otherwise miss.
Indulge in Iconic NYC Food and Drink
From bagels along with pizza to hot dogs along with cheesecake, tasting New York’s iconic eats offers tempting, tasty fun. We quickly fuel up on pizza by the slice, but famous spots like Juliana’s and Grimaldi’s deserve devoted sit-down meals. Each NYC region claims signature styles too – like Razza’s blistered Neapolitan pies in Brooklyn or Artichoke Basille’s wacky creations on Staten Island.
Certain areas give us walking access to diverse cuisines everywhere, especially the Lower East Side’s blend of Chinatown, Little Italy and Nolita. Grazing gourmet markets like Grand Central Station, Chelsea Market or Eataly Flatiron makes snacking a fierce sport.
Beyond food, New York serves craft beer, wine and artisan cocktails steeped in local tradition. Its rooftop bars, pubs and distilleries let us easily drink in stunning skyline views while we sip.
Conclusion
From renowned museums and classic sights to historic neighborhoods and dazzling Broadway shows, New York City delivers endless iconic experiences to discover. But even over long visits, seeing it all stays impossible – we could spend weeks in Manhattan alone and barely scratch the surface across its jam-packed neighborhoods.
The list of essential New York places to explore goes on forever. Whether it’s our first or fifteenth Big Apple visit, embracing the diversity across the five boroughs ensures endless inspiration within one vibrant city. We just wander with an open mind, appetite and curiosity to create lifelong memories…and start dreaming of our return!