21 Incredible Things to See and Do in New York City
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I will earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase. For more info, please see my disclaimer.
I have been visiting New York City since I was a teenager. Granted, my trips to the city back then were more of a tour of my dad’s old neighborhood in the Bronx, but still, they instilled in me a love for the city. Boston might be my home, but New York has my heart.
But enough of my waxing poetic – let’s talk about what I love to see and do while in the Big Apple.
1. The High Line
Situated in Chelsea, the High Line is a public garden and walkway on an abandoned stretch of a raised train line. It boasts stunning views of the city and cheery greenery. Did I mention it’s free to visit?
Info:
The High Line
New York, NY 10011
2. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
I am normally not one to visit, let alone recommend, modern art museums, but I make an exception for the MoMA. Sure, it has its fair share of eyebrow-cocking art – I’m looking at you, performance art – but it is also home to a number of classics, including Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
Info:
11 West 53 St
New York, NY 10019
3. The Vessel
I have never been inside the Vessel, nor do I ever plan on paying the admission fee to go inside. Its beauty is best appreciated from the outside.
Info:
20 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 1001
4. Rockefeller Center
The best time to visit Rockefeller Center is in the winter, preferably in December when the nation’s most famous Christmas tree is lit and on display.
Info:
45 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10111
A Few Helpful Tips
Getting around — From its subways and buses to the Staten Island Ferry, New York has an extensive network of public transportation. It’s also quite walkable, but if you don’t feel like walking or taking public transit, rideshare apps, such as Lyft and Uber, are also an option.
Cellular data — If you’re visiting NYC from abroad, you’re likely going to want to purchase cellular data (unless you’re planning a phone-free getaway, which, if that’s the case, kudos to you!). Whenever I travel internationally, I like to use Airalo to buy an eSIM for my phone.
Travel insurance — I always recommend buying travel insurance because it’s best to plan for the unexpected. If you have to seek medical care while abroad or cancel your trip, you don’t want to be out a ton of money. I’ve used Generali for the last few years, but other popular insurance providers include Faye, Trawick International, and World Nomads.
Accommodations — If there’s one thing New York isn’t short on, it’s hotels (and good pizza). You can use sites like Expedia or Booking.com to easily search for hotels and compare rates. Please note that short-term vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb) are largely banned in New York.
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
The fourth-largest art museum in the world and the largest in America, the Met is a behemoth. The art in its collection spans over 5,000 years and includes everything from Egyptian artifacts and suits of armor to paintings by such masters as Vermeer and Monet.
Info:
1000 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
6. Central Park
Is there anything more quintessentially New York than Central Park? Beloved by locals and tourists alike, it is an oasis within the urban jungle. Amble along its miles of trails or listen to buskers at Bethesda Terrace — there is never a shortage of things to do in the park.
Info:
Central Park
New York, NY
7. Tenement Museum
A hidden gem in NYC, the Tenement Museum explores the immigrant experience in the city through historically recreated tenement apartments and neighborhood walking tours.
Info:
103 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002
8. Chelsea Market
Home to a variety of stores and food vendors, Chelsea Market is a fun place to pass an hour or two. Be sure to stop by Doughnuttery for some delicious mini doughnuts (my mouth is watering just thinking about them).
Info:
75 9th Ave
New York, NY 10011
Got Luggage?
Don’t get stuck wheeling your suitcase around while exploring New York. If you arrive before your hotel’s check-in time, ask the front desk if they can store your luggage until you return to check in. If they’re unable to do so or if you’re just visiting New York for the day, I recommend using the Bounce app to find a place to temporarily store your luggage. I’ve used Bounce on several trips now and have had a great experience each time.
9. American Museum of Natural History
This is a must-see museum in New York. From its dinosaur fossils to its impressive collection of gemstones and minerals, there are so many unique pieces to see.
Info:
200 Central Park W
New York, NY 10024
10. Brooklyn Bridge
Is it touristy? Yes. Is it going to be inundated with people? Probably. Nonetheless, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is worth doing at least once, for it provides unparalleled views of the New York skyline.
Info:
Brooklyn Bridge
New York, NY 10038
11. Washington Square Park
Best known for its arch, Washington Square Park is a public park located in Greenwich Village. Besides the Washington Square Arch, it also contains a fountain, plenty of vegetation, and chess tables where you can put your knight moves to the test against the park’s (in)famous chess hustlers.
Info:
Washington Square
New York, NY 10012
12. Washington Mews
Washington Mews is a cobblestone-lined street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. While I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to see it, it is worth checking out if you are in the area. It is a short walk from Washington Square Park, so you could easily visit one and then the other.
Info:
Washington Mews
New York, NY 10013
If you’re enjoying this post, you can support my work on Buy Me a Coffee ☕️ It helps keep this blog going and gives me more time to create content for you. Even a small “coffee” goes a long way. Thank you!
13. Flatiron Building
A New York landmark, the Flatiron Building is renowned for its triangular shape. If you are looking for a classic New York photo op, this is it.
Info:
175 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010
14. Harry Potter New York
A short walk from the Flatiron Building is Harry Potter New York, a can’t-miss attraction for Potterheads. The store sells every Potter-themed knickknack you could imagine, and you can even order a tankard of butterbeer from its bar.
Info:
935 Broadway
New York, NY 10010
15. New York Transit Museum
This has become my go-to recommendation for when people are looking for something unique to do in NYC. Located in a defunct subway station, the New York Transit Museum houses 20 vintage subway and elevated cars dating back to the early 20th century – and yes, you can go inside and even sit down in the antique cars.
Info:
99 Schermerhorn St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
16. New York Public Library
With its impressive architecture and size, the New York Public Library is a sight to behold. Bibliophiles will delight in the library’s massive catalog of books, and bibliophiles and non-bibliophiles alike will enjoy exploring the library’s Polonsky Exhibition, which showcases pieces from the institution’s extensive collection of historically significant items.
Info:
476 5th Ave
New York, NY 10018
Looking for Tours in NYC?
Viator and GetYourGuide are both great resources to use when searching for a tour or experience in New York City. They allow you to filter results by such criteria as time of day, duration, price, rating, and category. So, whether you’re looking for a food tour that starts in the afternoon or an evening boat cruise, you should be able to find something that tickles your fancy.
17. Broadway Shows
What is New York without Broadway? If your schedule and budget permit it, try to see at least one Broadway musical while in New York. I have seen several over the years, but my current favorite is Moulin Rouge. It is such a high-energy, captivating play.
Info:
Various theatres
New York, NY
18. The Morgan Library and Museum
If you are a book lover, then you owe it to yourself to visit The Morgan Library and Museum. The East Room is a bibliophile’s dream, with a large fireplace, lavishly decorated ceiling, and book collection spanning three levels.
Info:
225 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10016
19. Holiday Markets (seasonal)
New York around the holidays is a magical place, and if you are lucky enough to visit the city during that time, be sure to drop by one of the holiday markets. My favorite is the Union Square Holiday Market.
Info:
Various locations
New York, NY
20. Grand Central Terminal
Like so many other places on this list, Grand Central is a New York landmark. Completed in 1913, the station is an architectural gem, with its massive windows and celestial ceiling.
Info:
89 E 42nd St
New York, NY 10017
21. Bookstores
New York City is home to countless bookstores, and two of my favorites are The Strand and The Ripped Bodice. The former is a colossal bookstore boasting over 18 miles of books, and the latter is an all-romance bookshop (a.k.a., paradise). Of course, there are plenty of other wonderful bookstores in the city, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled while you are out walking.
Info:
Various locations
New York, NY
That does it for this list! I hope you have found it helpful in planning your New York getaway, and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments section below!
