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25 Ultimate Things to Do in New York City

The Moeraki Boulders, originally formed in sea floor sediments about 60 million years ago, are large spherical “stones” scattered on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki on New Zealand’s Otago coast. They are actually concretions that have been exposed through shoreline erosion from coastal cliffs that back the beach. Each boulder weighs several tons and is up to 6 feet high.
Despite its stunningly beautiful structures that are still standing, it would take a lot of cash to rebuild this Italian town 40 miles south of Genoa. It would also require tinkering with Mother Earth. The real reason only about 600 people live here is that everyone else fled during the 1950s—due to the serious threat of landslides and coastal erosion.
Slide 1 of 25: New York City is home to some of the finest art museums in the world. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you could spend a week browsing 5,000 years of human creativity—from the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur to Warhol’s Mao—and still not see everything. (Related: 15 Unexpected Things in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art) The museum is New York’s version of the Louvre, where you’ll see Renaissance masterpieces alongside pre-Columbian artifacts. With a constantly evolving collection and special exhibits, there’s no “been there, done that” when you’re talking about the Met. It’s worth a visit on every trip to New York, whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth.
Slide 2 of 25: Hands down, Times Square is the most frenetic part of New York City, a cacophony of flashing lights and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that many New Yorkers studiously avoid. If you like sensory overload, the chaotic mix of huge underwear billboards, flashing digital displays, on-location television broadcasts, naked cowboys, and Elmo clones will give you your fix.
Slide 3 of 25: There’s no better way to understand the scope of New York City than by a visit to the top of one of the skyscrapers that make up the iconic skyline. At Top of the Rock on the 70th floor of Rockefeller Center, you’ll have gorgeous views of midtown as well as the pièce de résistance of New York’s art deco skyscrapers: The Empire State Building. The views of the city from the 86th-floor deck are spectacular, but the views from 16 stories up on the 102nd-floor observatory are even more so—and yet, fewer visitors make it this far. Downtown, One World Observatory offers panoramic views and dining options on the 101st floor of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Slide 4 of 25: New York’s MoMA is home to some of the world’s most recognizable modern masterpieces from artist like Warhol, Calder, Picasso, and Van Gogh (The Starry Night is here). Dedicated to art, sculpture, and photography, the museum is a must-visit. In Queens, MoMA PS1 showcases avant-garde contemporary art in a converted schoolhouse. It’s a love it or hate it kind of place, where art is provocative, confusing, shocking, and everything else art should be.
Slide 5 of 25: The Brooklyn Bridge is the prettiest bridge in New York and one of the city’s most iconic structures. Walking across the East River atop the wooden-planked structure takes about 40 minutes and delivers some of the best views of Lower Manhattan. If the bridge is too crowded for you or if it’s in an inconvenient part of town, take a walk across the Williamsburg Bridge instead. Connecting two of New York’s hippest neighborhoods (the Lower East Side and Williamsburg), this bridge isn’t as iconic as the Brooklyn Bridge, but it’s less crowded, with great views of the skyline (through a Pepto Bismol-pink chain-link fence).Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s New York City Guide
Slide 6 of 25: For millions of immigrants, the first glimpse of America was the Statue of Liberty, growing from a vaguely defined figure on the horizon into a towering, stately colossus. Visitors approaching Liberty Island on the ferry from Battery Park may experience a similar sense of wonder. The neighboring Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration tells the story not just of Ellis Island but of immigration from the colonial era to the present day, though numerous galleries containing artifacts, photographs, and taped oral histories.
Slide 7 of 25: The largest natural history museum in the world is also one of the most impressive sights in New York. Four city blocks make up the American Museum of Natural History’s 45 exhibition halls, which hold more than 30 million artifacts from the land, sea, and outer space.
Slide 8 of 25: A combination escape hatch and exercise yard, Central Park is an urbanized Eden that gives residents and visitors alike a bite of the apple. The busy southern section of Central Park, from 59th to 72nd Street, is where most visitors get their first impression. But no matter how many people congregate around here, you can always find a spot to picnic, ponder, or just take in the greenery, especially on a sunny day.
Slide 9 of 25: Finished just in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11, these 30-foot waterfalls sit on the footprint where the Twin Towers once stood. The pools are each nearly an acre in size, and they are said to be the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Edging the 9/11 Memorial pools at the plaza level are bronze panels inscribed with the names of the 2,983 people who were killed in the terror attacks at the World Trade Center site, in Flight 93’s crash in Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon, and the six people who died in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.
Slide 10 of 25: Once a railroad track carrying freight trains, this elevated space—running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District (at the Whitney Museum of Art) to West 34th Street—has been transformed into a wonderful retreat from the hubbub of the city. A long, landscaped “walking park” with plants, curving walkways, picnic tables and benches, public art installations, and views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, The High Line is now one of the most visited parks in New York City.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s New York City Guide
Slide 11 of 25: In early 2015, the Whitney opened the doors of its fabulous new Renzo Piano–designed building in the Meatpacking District, between the High Line (New York’s beloved elevated park) and the Hudson River. The new museum has 8 floors (6 accessible to the public) with more than 50,000 square feet of state-of-the-art gallery space, as well as 13,000 square feet of outdoor space with views of the Hudson River, Downtown, and the Meatpacking District.
Slide 12 of 25: Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark nautilus-like museum building is renowned as much for its famous architecture as for its superlative collection of art and well-curated shows. Opened in 1959, shortly after Wright’s death, the Guggenheim is acclaimed as one of the greatest buildings of the 20th century.
Slide 13 of 25: Grand Central is not only the world’s largest (76 acres) and the nation’s busiest railway station—nearly 700,000 commuters and subway riders use it daily—but also one of the world’s most magnificent, majestic public spaces. Past the glimmering chandeliers of the waiting room is the jaw-dropping main concourse, 200 feet long, 120 feet wide, and 120 feet (roughly 12 stories) high, modeled after an ancient Roman public bath. Overhead, a twinkling fiber-optic map of the constellations covers the robin’s egg–blue ceiling. To admire it all with some sense of peace, avoid visiting at rush hour.
Slide 14 of 25: More than a century ago Coney Island ranked among the country’s preeminent seaside resorts, but despite a recent economic resurgence, with new restaurants, bars, and a revamped amusement park opening up, an aura of faded carny glory endures. Decades-old concessions line the boardwalk, and plenty of outsize characters keep Coney Island weird, especially at the circus sideshow and the annual Mermaid Parade. Luna Park(home of The Cyclone), Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, and the New York Aquarium are the biggest draws for most visitors; Nathan’s Famous and Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitana are musts when hunger strikes.
Slide 15 of 25: Every day, some 70,000 people ride the free ferry to Staten Island, one of the city’s outer boroughs, and you should be one of them. Without paying a cent, you get phenomenal views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island during the 25-minute boat ride across New York Harbor.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s New York City Guide
Slide 16 of 25: Mostly located in the area surrounding Times Square, more than three dozen Broadway theaters host some of the greatest spectacles in town. From big-budget musicals to high-minded plays to stage debuts featuring Holly wood stars, there’s likely to be something for everyone playing on the boards. You should buy tickets in advance for popular shows, but if you’re willing to see anything and looking to save some money as well, stop by the TKTS booth in Times Square, which sells same-day tickets at a discount.
Slide 17 of 25: Forget about bagels and hot dogs—pizza is New York’s most beloved and iconic food. You can find a pretty good slice in most neighborhoods, but deservedly legendary institutions include Di Fara Pizza, Totonno’s, and Lombardi’s Pizza. In recent years, newcomers to the pizza scene—Roberta’s, Paulie Gee’s, Motorino, Emily—have generated equally fanatic followings.
Slide 18 of 25: This massive and somewhat fortress-like, white travertine-clad complex contains 23 theaters, as well as the Juilliard School, the New York City Ballet, the Film Center of Lincoln Center, and a branch of the New York Public Library, making Lincoln Center one of the most concentrated places for the performing arts in the nation. The largest hall, the Metropolitan Opera House is notable for its dramatic arched entrance as well as its lobby’s immense Swarovski crystal chandeliers and Marc Chagall paintings, both of which can be seen from outside later in the day.
Slide 19 of 25: If you have time to explore only one neighborhood, this is the one to pick. Start off in Washington Square Park, the physical and spiritual heart of Greenwich Village. In the early 1800s the park was a parade ground and the site of public executions; today that gruesome past is all but forgotten, as playgrounds attract parents with tots in tow, dogs go leash-free inside the popular dog runs, and everyone else seems drawn toward the large central fountain. Afterward, a stroll through the West Village reveals charming cafés, carefully disheveled celebrities out and about, and well-dressed children playing in the parks. Visitors come here to feel like a local, to daydream about a life in New York. Unlike 5th Avenue or SoHo, the pace is slower, allowing shoppers to enjoy the peaceful streets and small-scale stores.
Slide 20 of 25: Yes, New York City is famous for bagels and pizza, but you can get bagels and pizza anywhere. To sample something truly authentic from this city of immigrants, venture off the beaten path (and we don’t mean to Little Italy). You can try food from all over the world in New York City, especially if you’re willing to travel to the outer boroughs. Feast on vegan Ethiopian food at Bushwick’s Bunna Café, sample Yemeni cuisine at Yemen Café in Brooklyn Heights, or try hot pot at Mister HotPot in Sunset Park. If you don’t have time to make it to Brooklyn or Queens, you can still try Szechuan cuisine at Hot Kitchen, Afghan cuisine at Khyber Pass, and Georgian food at Old Tblisi Garden—all located in Manhattan. And even If you’re not an adventurous eater, have no fear: there’s world-class French, Italian, and Japanese in every neighborhood.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s New York City Guide
Slide 21 of 25: Just over the river from Manhattan, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is possibly the most concentrated population of “cool” in the city. Browse one-of-a-kind boutiques and vintage markets like Bird and Artists and Fleas, take a walk along the East River, eat at a casually chic restaurant like The Four Horsemen, go on a hunt for perfectly Instagrammable street art at Domino Park, and observe the painfully hip patrons at cocktail bars like Night of Joy. If you like it enough to spend the night here, there are a couple of sophisticated hotels (with excellent views of Manhattan) like the Wythe and the Hoxton. Some people might roll their eyes at this trendy neighborhood, but they’re just jealous that they can’t afford the rent.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s Guide to Williamsburg
Slide 22 of 25: Bushwick’s legendary nightlife scene is the kind of thing you’ll be telling your grandkids about when you’re old. With an emphasis on creativity, a night out in Bushwick can start with a movement showcase at Otion Front, followed by an experimental music performance at a DIY venue like Secret Project Robot, followed by a drag show or burlesque performance at House of Yes. It’s weird, it’s wild, it’s wacky, it’s wonderful, and you’ll go home at the end of the night (or more likely, the next morning) with a great story to tell. Dress to impress—costumes encouraged.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s Guide to Bushwick and East Williamsburg
Slide 23 of 25: Harlem was the heart of African American culture in the 20th century, when writers like Langston Hughes and James Baldwin ushered in the Harlem Renaissance and made this neighborhood a haven for artist and writers. Now, it’s a cultural and dining destination, where despite massive modern real estate developments, there’s still a sense of neighborhood charm. Celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster is the only brunch spot in the city worth your time, serving up chicken and waffles alongside jazz in an elegant and boozy setting. The neighborhood is known for soul food at Sylvia’s, a Harlem institution, and it’s also home to the world-famous Apollo Theater, where a weekly amateur night is the sort of talent show that will have you laughing, crying, and dancing in your seat. To experience a taste of African culture, visit the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, with stalls selling traditional crafts and textiles from throughout Africa.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s Guide to Harlem
Slide 24 of 25: New York City has gone berserk with the speakeasy trend (with some harder to find than others). From barber shops to hot dog huts to unassuming Korean restaurants and pawn shops, half the fun of visiting these places is the thrill of finding it and getting a table. While some, like Bathtub Gin (enter through the coffee shop) and The Back Room (enter through a grimy Lower East Side basement) hold fast to the speakeasy theme with costumes and decor, others are here just to serve good cocktails. Please Don’t Tell is perhaps the most famous speakeasy of all, accessed through the phone booth of a next door hot dog hut—but good luck getting a reservation, even now that the secret’s out.
Slide 25 of 25: Some of the best views of New York are from the water. There are a couple of easy ways to get out on a boat on a sunny day, ranging from low-key and free to glamorous and expensive. The East River Ferry costs the same as a subway swipe ($2.75) and connects Lower Manhattan with hip Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Greenpoint (and you get to cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge, which is very cool).If you want a little more adventure than a standard commute, take the ferry to Governor’s Island where there’s an organic farm, art studios, and festivals throughout the summer—the Jazz Age Lawn Party is one of the best-dressed events in New York City. To celebrate a special occasion or just the fact that you have oodles of money, charter a private sailboat for a tour around Manhattan. You can also book a wine and cheese sailing, which is only slightly more expensive than a touristy Circle Line Cruise, but there are wine and cheese involved.Plan Your Trip: Fodor’s New York City Guide

See Some of the World’s Most Important Art at the Met Museum

Be Dazzled by Billboards in Times Square

Take in Views of the Skyline From the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center

See Some of the World’s Most Incredible Modern Art at MoMA

Walk to Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge

Discover Your Immigrant Past at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Become a Kid Again at the American Museum of Natural History

Frolic in Central Park

Pay Your Respects at the 9/11 Memorial

Stroll the High Line

Check Out the Downtown Art Scene at the Whitney Museum of American Art

Go Museum-Hopping on the Upper East Side at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Watch Commuter Choreography at Grand Central Terminal

Let Your Freak Flag Fly at Coney Island

Take the Ferry to Staten Island

See a Few Broadway Shows

Stuff Your Face With Pizza at Di Fara and Totonno’s

See Opera and Ballet at Lincoln Center

Explore Washington Square Park and the West Village

Eat Food From the Far Corners of the World

See What All the Hipster Hype Is About in Williamsburg

Experience Bushwick’s Experimental Performing Arts Scene

Discover African American Culture and History in Harlem

Sip Fancy Cocktails at a Speakeasy Bar

See New York City by Boat

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