New York is a fantastic city to experience. The energy and size of the Big Apple can feel a little overwhelming but always invigorating. There is so much to do in New York. Even if you've lived in the city for decades, you still definitely haven't experienced it all.
It's easy to see why so many visitors flock to New York City from around the country and around the world every year. The city has boundless energy and allure. New York will leave you with wistful memories of racing through traffic to iconic sites in a yellow cab with Frank Sinatra tunes stuck in your head.
You can get started with finding things to do in New York that appeal to you and your traveling companions. The following are some great ideas for things to do in the Big Apple.
Fun things to do in New York: Explore the Big Apple
One of the many must-see spots in New York is Central Park. Central Park is huge. You can really spend an entire day just exploring the park.
Central Park is a great example of a New York spot that both the tourists and the locals frequent. You can explore the park by foot, bike, or pedicab. You can also just find a nice comfy spot on the Great Lawn to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery.
If you're looking for fun things to do in New York that are educational, you can head to one of the city's many museums. Museum Mile along the east side of the park is a great spot for hitting several museums in one day.
This is where many of the city's most significant art museums are located. You'll find the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection, the Neue Galerie, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in this area to name a few. You can also head to the Museum of Modern Art not too far away on West 53rd Street.
In addition to art museums, New York has many other types of museums like the American Museum of Natural History on the west side of the park or the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum that's located in the Hudson River at Pier 86th and 46th Street.
There are also a lot of top historic sites to visit in the city. One of the top historic sites to visit is Ellis Island. Ellis Island is the site where generations of immigrants arrived in the United States. It's a good idea to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the same day.
You can also visit Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and enjoy beautiful views of New York Harbor. Other things to see in Lower Manhattan are the Financial District and the One World Observatory. If you want to get a great view of the Hudson River, you can walk or bike along the Hudson River Greenway. The Hudson River Greenway stretches from the southern tip of Manhattan all the way up to Dyckman Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan.
You have many fantastic options if you're looking for the best spot to eat in New York. Probably the best spot to head to if you're in Midtown Manhattan is Hell's Kitchen. Hell's Kitchen is a neighborhood in the western part of Manhattan.
It neighbors the Theater District and is known for its many restaurants. You can find any type of cuisine you're looking for here. If you are in downtown Manhattan, the South Street Seaport District is a good spot to try a restaurant and also do some shopping.
New York is a great city for sporting events.
If you're interested in fun things to do in New York that involve sports, you might want to try to get tickets for a game of one of the city's numerous professional sports teams. You can see the city's basketball team- the New York Knicks- play at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
You could also see a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Another great option for a sporting event is to see a New York Giants game. However, the New York Giants actually play in New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
For Children and Teens: Things to do in NYC with kids
There are a lot of NYC locations and activities that appeal to kids in particular. Energetic kids who love to be active can have a great time in Central Park.
Central Park offers opportunities for playing tennis, going for a boat ride, biking, picnicking, ice skating, swimming, and more. Central Park also has its own zoo which is great for kids who love nature.
If you're looking for a museum in New York that is specifically geared toward kids, try the Children's Museum of the Arts. This children's museum is located on Charlton Street in the South Village area. The museum offers interactive exhibits for toddlers and kids.
The museum also gives young visitors the opportunity to create their own artwork. If you're looking for things to do in NYC with kids, you'll be happy to know that the Children's Museum of the Arts is a perfect place for toddlers.
If your family includes teenagers, shopping might be a good way to experience some more of the city. There are many famous department stores on Fifth Avenue to check out including Saks Fifth Avene, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale's.
Another good spot for shopping is The Shops at Columbus Circle. This is a shopping center with three floors located at the southwest corner of Central Park. The Shops at Columbus Circle is a relatively new shopping area that just opened in 2003.
The New York City for Grownups: Adult Things to Do
Adults have many options for things to do to enjoy New York. Perhaps one of the best adult things to do in NYC is to do the Greenwich Village walking tour. Greenwich Village is an iconic neighborhood of New York with a long association with bohemians and artists.
This walking tour includes Washington Square Park and views of the famous Washington Arch. It also passes by the Judson Memorial Church and the Washington Mews. This is a great way to learn more about and explore all the offerings of this fascinating and one-of-a-kind New York neighborhood.
Adults can also enjoy theatre in New York. In fact, New York is one of the best places to enjoy a Broadway show in the entire world.
Some of the most famous theatres in the city include the New Amsterdam Theatre, the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the Majestic Theatre, and the Broadhurst Theatre. With all the theatres in the city, there are always a lot of choices for good shows to see. In addition to Broadway productions, there are also many more off-Broadway productions showing at any given time.
These days, a highly popular attraction for adults is the One World Observatory and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Visiting the One World Observatory allows you to experience one of the most beautiful views of the city.
You can view the Manhattan skyline from the top of the tallest building in the city and in the entire country. There is also a restaurant at the top of One World Trade Center and some exhibits on the construction of the building. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum provides exhibits on the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Towers in 2001.
When visiting this area, visitors will also probably want to check out the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Tribute Museum.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive: Free and cheap things to do
New York is known for being an expensive city. However, it's worth noting that there are still a lot of free and cheap things to do. Of course, you can visit parks in the city free of cost. A visit to Central Park can provide visitors with hours of inexpensive entertainment.
There are many parks in the city in addition to Central Park that can be enjoyed free of cost. These include Riverside Park, Bryant Park, and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
Another place that you can tour for free in New York is the main New York Public Library building on Fifth Avenue.
The library has numerous exhibits on display throughout the year as well as the beautiful Rose Main Reading Room to explore. This can be a relaxing place to rest and plan your next move after a busy afternoon of sightseeing.
Another popular activity that's cheap when it comes to things to do in New York is taking the Staten Island Ferry. It's free to take the ferry out to Staten Island. The ferry ride provides some great views of the harbor and operates around the clock.
Things to see and do in Times Square NYC
Times Square is an essential spot to check out during any trip to New York. Times Square is a one-of-a-kind place that offers a great deal of excitement. Those who visit Times Square for the first time need to spend some time just taking in the view.
Strolling up through Times Square gives visitors a look at the flashing lights and colorful people passing by.
In addition to people watching and taking in the sights, there is a lot of shopping to do in Times Square. There are also many bars and restaurants available for those looking for things to see and do in Times Square NYC. Times Square is one of the most impressive and unforgettable spots in the city.
Times Square is located about 15 blocks downtown from Central Park on the west side of Manhattan. Even if you don't stay long, it's important to at least pass through Times Square so that you can say you've been there.
Fun After Daytime: Things to do in NYC at night
It goes without saying that the "City that doesn't sleep" has a lot of fantastic nightlife once the day is through. You'll find famous clubs and bars located all over the city at the end of the day.
Probably the best part of the city to head to for nightlife venues is the Lower East Side if you're in Manhattan. There are plenty of great clubs and bars in this area. If you're in Brooklyn, the nightlife spot to be in is Williamsburg. Likewise, Astoria is the main hub for nightlife for those in Queens.
If you want to do something a little different when it comes to things to do in NYC at night, you might check out a museum.
A lot of New York museums periodically offer opening hours at night. Some of them have special events like performances and parties at night that are a great way to meet people and experience the heart and soul of the city.
Romantic things to do: Dates and Love
New York is a very romantic city.
There are many romantic things to do in the Big Apple. One of the most romantic things to do in the city is to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park with your significant other. There are many horse-drawn carriages lined up along the southern edge of the park on Central Park South.
It's always easy to flag one down and enjoy a romantic ride.
Another thing for couples to do together in New York is taking a sunset cruise together. There are sunset cruises and dinner cruises offered along the Hudson and through New York Harbor.
This is a good way to relax in beautiful surroundings. A sunset cruise with a good meal and a bottle of champagne is a great way to ensure a romantic and lovely evening.
If you're looking for a romantic place to go for a walk in New York, you can check out the High Line. The High Line is located in the Chelsea neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan.
This is an elevated walkway that extends about a mile and a half. It was built on top of an old railroad track that the city has converted into a park area. This is a great place to take in the sights and enjoy the landscaping.
Seeing a show at the Lincoln Center can also be a very romantic experience. The Lincoln Center is one of the premier performing arts centers in the city. This is where the Metropolitan Opera House is located and the New York Philharmonic performs. The exterior of the Lincoln Center is very romantic in the evening with the magnificent Revson fountain out front.
Whether your special someone prefers jazz, orchestra music, or opera, you can find a show to suit their taste at the Lincoln Center.
Visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Park is another romantic thing to do. This is an especially good idea for couples who enjoy gardening. One of the best features to check out in the Brooklyn Botanic Park is the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. This romantic feature offers couples some privacy and is elegantly designed with picturesque wooden bridges and even a waterfall.
Not Your Typical Activity: Unusual Things to Do
You might be looking for an experience in New York that's a little out of the ordinary. This city doesn't disappoint those looking for unusual things to do. One unique New York experience you might want to try is an escape room. There are now numerous escape rooms offered in New York.
"Escape the Room" is one option among NYC escape rooms that is found on West 25th Street.
If you want to do something unique and don't mind spending a little money, you could arrange to take a helicopter ride over top Manhattan. This is a surefire way to get the best possible view of the city along with a thrilling experience. There are numerous companies in New York that offer helicopter rides.
Cool things to do in New York
The Roosevelt Island Tram is a lesser-known New York attraction that you might want to check out. This is a cable car that you can take out to Roosevelt Island.
Roosevelt Island is an island located in the East River. The cable car ride costs only $2.75 and takes only a few minutes. Once you get out to Roosevelt Island, you can relax and enjoy the view. Roosevelt Island is a great place to get a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
Another option for cool things to do in New York is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Many people walk, bike, or run across the Brooklyn Bridge every day.
This is a good way to get another view of New York Harbor. Once you get to Brooklyn, there are a few special attractions to check out. You can walk around the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Empire Fulton Ferry Park and look at the skyline. You can also check out Jane's Carousel and the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Indoor or Outdoor things to do in New York
It's important to be prepared for rainy or even snowy weather when you're visiting New York. The city can get very cold from the mid-fall to the late spring. Also, there can be rainy stretches during any season in the city.
Fortunately, New York offers a lot of indoor activities when the weather's not good. If you need to be indoors, you can go shopping at a place like the Manhattan Mall on 33rd Street, The Shops at Columbus Circle, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, or Queens Center in Elmhurst. Seeing a Broadway show or visiting a museum are two other great options if the weather isn't good for being outside.
When the weather is good, New York is a great city to be outside. Much of Manhattan is very pleasant to walk in because it is fairly flat and there is so much to see. Window shopping on Fifth Avenue is a great activity when the weather is nice.
It's hard to decide what to see first with so many great options! If you're exploring a big city like New York, you've hopefully got at least a few days to spend. Experiencing all the best things to do in New York takes time. However, you'll enjoy the thrill of seeing and being a part of the city's many iconic and unforgettable landmarks.