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Looking for a list of the top things to do in New York City? Cha-ching, you found it!
I know you’re probably a little stressed about making your experience perfect, and I get it, I’m like that too! We have been to NYC many times and explored lots of what the city has to offer and trust me this list is the best of the best.
From big-ticket attractions like the Empire State Building to eating pizza with locals, or having a lazy sunny afternoon in Central Park, we’ve included a slice of New York life for everyone. You’ll also find the prices of activities, recommendations, and helpful tips we wish we had known the first time around.
Things to do in NYC
1. Head up the Empire State Building
Chances are you’ve already heard of the iconic Empire State Building. Over 4 million people visit this epic site every year, and it’s consistently one of the most photographed buildings in the whole world!
After years of development, the “race to the sky” officially ended when the Empire State Building was completed in 1931. Standing at 1,250 feet (380 meters) this was the world’s tallest building for 40 years! Today, you’ve likely seen it in countless films or photographs – iconic is an understatement!
Even if you only have one day in NYC, the Empire State Building should definitely be at the top of your itinerary. It’s in the heart of the city, located in Midtown Manhattan.
The main observation deck is located on the 86th floor, and the views are incredible! One of our favorite parts was hearing about the history of the building’s construction as we passed through an exhibition on our way up to the observation deck. Although the views are certainly worth an honorable mention! You can also visit the 102nd-floor observation deck, but it’ll cost extra, and honestly, the views from the main deck were impressive enough.
I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance here – we couldn’t believe how many people were there! Luckily, we didn’t feel overcrowded, but we were happy to have tickets ahead of time. General admission tickets range from $48 to $53 USD (depending on the day) and although we couldn’t fit it into our schedule, you can also visit at sunset for an extra $11 USD – talk about epic views! Simply use the general admission tickets to catch the sunset.
As I said, this is a popular attraction (it’s world-famous after all) so if you want to skip the line, you can purchase express tickets for $92 USD.
Only a limited amount of people can visit at once, so booking tickets in advance is necessary. However, don’t worry about booking months in advance. There are plenty of time slots, so booking the day before should be fine.
A great option is getting a New York sightseeing pass, which covers the entry fee to get into the Empire State Building and other can’t-miss activities. For the full run-down, read our guide to New York’s best sightseeing passes and our favorite one!
We recommend allotting 2-3 hours to visit the Empire State Building. We walked around the deck, took tons of photos, and loved taking in the views. This is such an incredible experience, so you don’t want to feel rushed.
2. Enjoy a dinner cruise
One of our favorite activities from our last NYC vacation was a sunset dinner cruise. Honestly, what’s better than incredible views and amazing food? It’s the perfect combo! We’ve done our fair share of dinner cruises but the easy winner was this Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise.
We set off down the Hudson River on an all-glass boat, and the sunset views were about as picturesque as you can imagine.
Even though it was raining when we went, we were still impressed by the views of the city. Since we were nice and dry onboard, it was super cozy and romantic! This cruise turned out to be one of the best things to do in New York when it’s raining!
One of the highlights of our evening was seeing the Statue of Liberty up close and all lit up! They perfectly time sailing up to Lady Liberty as the main course was served, which made the ambiance top tier. However, nothing beats the expansive skyline, and seeing it at night was simply incredible.
As if the views weren’t enough, we enjoyed an amazing 3-course dinner, too! Given this city’s notable restaurant scene, we were surprised when this meal turned out to be one of the best meals that we had on our entire trip!
Oh, and did we mention the live band!? They gave such an amazing performance and helped set the mood for the whole night. Talk about a talented group of musicians.
The Bateaux Diner Cruise usually costs between $250-$300 USD per person, and we encourage you to purchase your tickets in advance.
If you’re traveling with family or looking for a cheaper option, we recommend the New York Dinner Cruise. The same company runs it so it’s still a great option, but the main differences are that it’s a buffet dinner and it’s not on a glass boat.
While it’s a good alternative, we think it’s worth spending the extra money to do the Bateaux Premier Dinner Cruise if you can. After all, how many times will get to experience the luxurious side of New York City?
3. Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
One of the most internationally recognized landmarks in New York City is the Statue of Liberty. Gifted from France in 1890 to celebrate America’s independence, this statue symbolizes freedom and was often the first thing immigrants saw when they arrived here.
On its pedestal, Lady Liberty is a whopping 305 feet (93 meters) tall. She was designed to represent Libertas, the Roman goddess of Liberty, holding her torch of enlightenment that helps guide the path to freedom.
Neighboring Liberty Island is Ellis Island, where over 12 million immigrants traveling from abroad were processed from 1892 until 1954 when the center was shut down.
Given the rich history and symbolism of these two places, it comes as no surprise that visiting these islands is very popular. Instead of waiting until you arrive, we recommend booking a tour since it’s so popular.
We went on this flexible combo tour which visited both! We met at the original immigration station in Battery Park, Castle Clinton, and then hopped aboard the ferry. Our first stop was Liberty Island where we took hundreds of photos of Lady Liberty. I found the guide’s commentary really insightful as we sailed across New York Harbor, so by the time we reached the island I was ready to explore for myself!
This tour also includes a guided tour of Ellis Island and tickets to the Immigration Museum which is a really interesting place, especially for anyone that loves history lessons. You can look up your family name to see if any of your ancestors went through Ellis Island! We tried, but neither of us had any connection!
This tour is flexible, so you have options. If you’re short on time, you can select the 2-hour tour for $69 USD per person. But we recommend taking the 4-hour option which is $79 USD. It’s a great way to learn all about New York City without feeling rushed.
4. See the city from a helicopter
Taking a helicopter ride in New York City is an obvious bucket list item and one we were happy to check off the list. We had a blast seeing NYC from a bird’s eye view, for once the skyscrapers looked small!
While there are many options out there, we went on this 15-minute flight around the city. Now, 15 minutes might not sound like a long time, but we covered so much and saw tons of notable sights like the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. It honestly felt like we were up there for much longer!
Prices change based on the time of year, but you can expect to pay around $249 USD per person. While it’s not a cheap experience, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime one. We didn’t know what to expect, but it ended up being such an incredible way to see the city and we still talk about it to this day. If a helicopter ride is on your bucket list too, you’ll love taking this flight over the Big Apple.
5. Explore Central Park
Located right in the center of Manhattan, Central Park is a beautiful urban park that seems almost endless. Much like the Empire State Building, this park has also been featured in tons of movies like Ghostbusters, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Elf and is an absolute must-visit when going to NYC.
Central Park was approved for development in 1853 to give New Yorkers a green, outdoor space where they could escape the concrete jungle. In 1858, the first section of the park was opened to the public and the park continued to expand and change throughout the years.
Covering 1.3 square miles (3.4 square kilometers), Central Park is huge and is split into lots of different sections.
There are plenty of things to see like the famous Alice in Wonderland sculpture, the model boat pond, and of course, the historic carousel.
To be honest, it’s difficult to walk around and explore all that Central Park has to offer because of its sheer size! For this reason, we recommend going on a tour. There are a handful of tours in Central Park, whether you want to walk, bicycle, or even take a carriage ride!
Horse and Carriage Tour
Made abundantly popular by movies as a grand romantic gesture, the most popular way to explore Central Park is on a horse and carriage ride.
This journey lasts about 45 minutes and costs $195 USD for a group of up to 4 (double-date anyone?). You can choose to go any time between 9 am and 11 pm, I think it’s such a unique way to explore the park. It’s like a rom-com in real life!
6. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The tragic Twin Towers attack on 9/11 was an event that shocked the world. After much time and deliberation, the community came together to create a memorial for the victims and their families that was built on the site where the buildings once stood.
The 9/11 Memorial houses two large pools to represent the former towers, with the names of the victims engraved on the surrounding walls. It’s a very touching monument and can be quite an emotional experience for many.
While the memorial has free admittance, you will need to get tickets to enter the museum. We thought the museum was very insightful and encourage everyone to spend some time here. There are plenty of exhibits about the events surrounding the attack, including media coverage and even first-hand accounts. It’s a beautiful tribute and definitely worth the trip.
The Memorial Museum has timed entry, so you need to book your tickets before going so you can select a time that works for you. Tickets cost $33 USD for adults, and there are discounted rates for children and seniors.
While your entry time is specified, you can stay as long as you like. We recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to walk around as this is quite a large museum with lots to see.
7. Go on a food tour
On top of being home to famous memorials, iconic buildings, and renowned art, New York City is also extremely popular for its epic food scene. While you can walk around and grab whatever strikes your fancy, our favorite way to dive in is by going on a food tour of the city.
To find a host of cuisines in NYC, a visit to the Chelsea Market is a must for any foodie. There are so many options and there’s a fantastic mix of cultures, so you get to try cuisines from all over the world!
However, with so many good food options, we thought it would be difficult to just pick one, so we opted to take a food tour of Chelsea Market. This also let us skip the queues, which saved more time for snacking. We absolutely loved this experience and learned some interesting facts about the market’s history along the way. It’s a great way to sample some of the best bites that NYC has to offer.
For anyone who has a sweet tooth (like us), there’s a stop at the Doughnuttery that’ll satisfy your craving. We also had the best NY slice of pizza while on this tour – just check out Daniel’s smile in the picture above!
The Chelsea Market has been a staple in New York City’s culture for decades, so it is certainly worth a stop. Taking a food tour of the market made our experience even better because we got to try the top picks by our local guide, eat some fantastic food, and learn about the unique history (like that it’s the birthplace of Oreos!).
This was the same tour that took us to the High Line Trail that we talked about above. It’s a well-rounded opportunity for anyone looking to sightsee, eat, and learn about New York. Believe us, you’ll appreciate the walking bit to help with all the tasty food you’ll eat.
This is a really popular tour that lasts about 3 hours and costs $88 USD per person.
8. Go to a Broadway show
Another iconic NYC experience is going to a Broadway show. If you love the theater, this is the place for you!
To be honest, we’re a little divided when it comes to musicals. Bailey is a huge fan, and Daniel … well let’s just say he doesn’t seek them out. We did find some middle ground when we saw the Book of Mormon because we both laughed a ton. It was created by the same guys who write South Park, so it’s hilarious and a great introduction to musicals if you’ve never been.
You can check out all of the upcoming shows using their calendar here!
If you’re more interested in learning about the theater, well we’ve got you covered! This guided tour with a Broadway performer is a fantastic way to get some behind-the-scenes secrets. Your guide will tell you stories about the performers and share fun details from their own experiences. Plus, you’ll visit famous spots like Sardi’s and Times Square. This 2-hour experience costs $39 USD per person and starts at 4 pm, so it’s the perfect activity before seeing a show.
9. Take in the views from The Edge or SUMMIT One
There is no shortage of incredible views in NYC, but there is something even more special about views from above at an observation deck. We’ll start this off by saying you might want to avoid this activity if you have a fear of heights. Otherwise, read on! We’ll break down the highlights for each place, but we recommend visiting at least one.
The Edge
The Edge NYC is located on the 100th floor of the iconic Hudson Yards skyscraper. It’s an outdoor observation deck made of angled glass walls and glass flooring, so you get panoramic views of the city. It’s also a great place to snap some photos, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
Because the walls come in at an angle, it feels a bit like you’re flying over New York City when you look out (and down!). To be honest, it was a bit scary at first, but we ended up loving our time here. There are also bars onsite so you can sip champagne while admiring the views, or go to the 101st floor and enjoy a drink in the cocktail lounge.
To get to the Edge, you’ll need to go to the mall in Hudson Yards, and the entrance is on Level 4.
The Edge is open from 9 am to 10 pm, and you’ll need to reserve a time slot for entry. We recommend booking tickets in advance so you can select a time that works best for your visit. Plus, the Edge is very busy, people have been known to stand in line for hours to get tickets! So this is an easy thing to skip by grabbing your tickets in advance. We found that it was cheaper to get tickets on Viator, as they were $41.37 for adults.
10. See Times Square at night
It’s fair to say that Times Square is yet another iconic part of New York City. And while its reputation usually heightens around New Year’s, we think visiting any time of year is worth it!
The lights, the atmosphere, the people dressed in character – if they take a photo with you, be prepared to tip – all make Times Square a truly unique and fun place to add to your agenda.
If you’re looking to make the most of your trip, we recommend signing up for this nighttime bus tour. You’ll get to experience Times Square all lit up, and see some of NYC’s famous neighborhoods and landmarks. It’s so fun seeing this city during the day, but seeing it at night is truly magical. This tour costs $55 USD per person for the audio tour, or you can choose the option for a live guide for just $10 USD more. To see beautiful NYC at night, book this bus tour in advance!
