20 Best Things to Do in New York

The buildings, the food, the theatre, and culture – all these make up the city that never sleeps.

New York may be the most populous city in the United States, but it has plenty of room for visitors looking to have a good time. Here are the 20 best things to do in New York:

1. Spend a Day at Central Park

This urban park in Manhattan is the most visited urban park in the United States and undoubtedly one of the most filmed locations in this world. It has something for everyone, no matter what the interest is.

Here are some activities and spots you can try and visit:

• Boating
• Concerts
• Events
• Playgrounds
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Museums
• Running & fitness tours
• Central Park Zoo

2. Pretend to Be Audrey Hepburn by Visiting the Tiffany & Co. Flagship Store

The flagship store is located at 6 East 57th Street. It is currently embarking on a transformation with major renovations being made until late 2021. You can see interactive installations, a wide assortment of Tiffany collections, as well as experience the complete suite of services offered.

3. See the Statue of Liberty National Monument

There’s nothing more iconic than New York’s colossal neoclassical sculpture that symbolizes freedom. It was given by France to the United States to celebrate their friendship in 1886. The national monument also recalls the time of massive immigration to the United States.

4. Discover Times Square

You can’t have a “best things to do in New York” list without the legend, Times Square. This place is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian intersections and is considered the Broadway Theater District hub. Times Square was depicted as a gritty, dark and desperate place in the 60s, which got worse in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it is an ultimately safe place and also the major center of the world’s entertainment industry.

5. Get a Stunning View of New York From the Empire State Building

Visit New York’s observation deck for a moment you will never forget. The world-famous Empire State Building can be found in the center of Midtown Manhattan. You can check out the observatories in the 86th and 102nd floors to get 360° views of New York City and beyond.

6. Chill at the High Line

When you want to relax, you can simply stay on the High Line. You can experience nature, art, and design just by being there! There’s nothing quite like this place.

7. See World-Class Art Collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply “The Met,” has over 5,000 years of art from every corner of the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. Simply put, it is a treasury of rare and beautiful objects.

Note: This may sound familiar because you get to hear “Met Gala” a lot. Met Gala is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of The Met.

8. Get Around New York From the Grand Central Terminal

The Grand Central Terminal is a world-famous landmark. It is not just a transportation hub, but a dining, shopping, and cultural destination as well. This is a popular film location and has appeared in several films already such as Gossip Girl, Friends with Benefits, Arthur, Cotton Club, and Just My Luck, to name a few.

9. Shop at Soho

Shop ’til you drop in this neighborhood. You can find lots of shops and products in the area which will appeal to your own style, budget, and personality.

10. Relax at Aire Ancient Baths

Take unwinding to the next level at this luxurious bathhouse in a Tribeca landmark building. The ‘Aire Ancient Baths’ is inspired by the bathing traditions from ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman civilizations. The pure magic of the massages and exclusive rituals will send you straight to heaven.

11. Watch a Baseball Game at the NYC Yankee Stadium

If you’re interested in Baseball, you might as well go to the Yankee Stadium and see the NY Yankees.

Tips:

• Look for higher spots in the seating chart because it’s cheaper, such as sections 414 to 418.
• The MLB season is from April to October each year.

12. Listen to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Are you a music lover? You should definitely join the crowd to see the Orchestra perform classical music concerts! The New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra is one of the leading American orchestras. They are popularly referred to as the “Big Five.”

13. Visit the 9/11 Memorial

This memorial and museum commemorate the September 11, 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center, which killed 2,977 people.

14. Go for a Morning Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

Most visitors take a good 1 hour walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It makes for a great morning walk and will even give you a wonderful view of Manhattan. Once you reach the endpoint of the bridge, pat yourself on the back because you just crossed one of the oldest bridges in the United States.

15. Explore the Queens County Farm Museum

Connect with nature and see old-fashioned farm buildings, livestock, a greenhouse complex, as well as an orchard, an herb garden, and a vineyard.

16. Watch a Broadway Show

There are 41 professional theaters (each with 500 or more seats) in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan. Take your pick and watch a show.

Broadway Musicals you can see today:

• Frozen
• Chicago
• Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
• Beetlejuice
• Hadestown

17. Spend a Day to See Lady Liberty and Ellis Island

Sure, you’ve seen the Statue of Liberty. Still, you should also check out the two separate islands – Liberty Island and Ellis Island – in the New York Harbor! Make the most of your time by exploring the two islands in one day! After all, they are served by the same ferry. You’ll see the islands and museums in their full glory.

18. Try the Bagels at Absolute

The best things to do in New York don’t just involve visiting museums. It also includes trying the best bagels in the world. Unsurprisingly, the bagel is truly excellent and you won’t regret lining up for this.

19. Visit Coney Island

Get the best relaxation and entertainment experience at Coney Island! It is most famous for its beach, the Wonder Wheel, Circus Sideshow, and the Mermaid Parade.

20. Explore New York for the Best Pizza

Some of the time-tested and critic-approved pizza places in New York are the following:

• L&B Spumoni Gardens
• Rose & Joe’s Italian Bakery
• Joe & Pat’s

So, what’s gonna be the first agenda of your New York trip?