Meet the "City that Never Sleeps": New York City. The streets are buzzing at all hours of the day—a party here and a Broadway show there—and you won't be getting a wink with the heaps of things to do in New York. Its five boroughs are also a cultural melting pot of shops, restaurants, and historical sights that even those who've lived in the city their entire life haven't explored completely.
From bustling Chinatown to the posh brownstones of the Upper East Side, every inch of New York has its own vibe to fit the interests—and budgets!—of everyone. So here are the top 10 things to do in New York to give you ideas for your itinerary.
How Many Days Do You Need in New York?
There's always something going on in Times Square! Credits to Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
The number of days you'd need really depends on what you wanna see. If you wanna have a good mix of the must-dos in New York and attractions tailored for you, we recommend at least three to five days for your trip.
You might wonder why you'd need to spend so many days just in one place, but it's because the Big Apple isn't a regular city. Each neighbourhood is totally unique, with its own history, scenery, and experiences that make up the best things to do in New York.
There are things to do for architecture buffs, music lovers, thrill-seekers, and foodies! You'll also be spoiled by the city's biggest attractions, such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and many more.
Your days will be full and busy, but at least you'll have time to visit all the iconic landmarks, especially since you can use the convenient subway system—which, by the way, should be on your NYC bucket list.
10 Things You Need to Do in New York
1. Head to the Top of New York
See the entire city atop the Empire State Building. Credits to Christian Ladewig on Unsplash
Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building stands among the high-rises at 1,454ft. It was once the tallest building in the world, but it's still an outstanding icon of New York City.
Seeing it from the ground is impressive, but the view from the observatories easily tops that (pun intended). Head to their indoor and outdoor observatories on the 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors to treat your eyes to a breathtaking 360-degree view of Manhattan surrounded by the ocean and other landmarks like the Chrysler Building.
Klook Tip: The Empire State Building is at the top of things to do in New York, so avoid heavy crowds by visiting right when it opens at 08:00 or around midnight for a lit-up view of the city.
Location: 20 West 34th Street, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 68.50 AUD
Operating hours: Typically from 10:00 to 22:00, but check the official Empire State Building website for updated hours
2. Go on a biking date in Central Park
Take a bike or walking tour through romantic Central Park. Credits to Andrea Belussi on Unsplash
If you've ever seen a rom-com set in New York, then you've probably seen the leads take a stroll through a perfectly green park—that's Central Park. You can walk around or relax on a bench, but the most fun way to explore the 700-acre park is on wheels.
Rent a bike and pedal through the meadows, forests, and attractions, such as the Bethesda Fountain, the Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial. You can bike on your own path, but you can also take a guided bike tour with an expert who'll tell you all about the attractions you'll pass by.
Since the city experiences all four seasons, Central Park offers different scenery no matter when you visit. The fall foliage, though, transforms the park into a photogenic mix of red, orange, and yellow, which makes it one of the best things to do in autumn in the US.
Location: From 110th Street to 59th Street, and from 8th Avenue to 5th Avenue, New York, New York
Cost: The bike tour starts at 73.29 AUD but is covered by the New York City Klook Pass
Operating hours: 6:00 to 1:00
3. Catch the best musicals on Broadway
Head to the Upper West Side for this award-winning musical. Credits to Klook
Broadway isn't just a long street in New York City; it's where the greatest plays and musicals are celebrated, like the Tony-winning "Wicked" and "The Lion King"! The Theatre District, between 42nd and 53rd, is constantly lit up with marquees of different productions, which are always changing, so make sure to check out the Broadway shows that are on and book a ticket in advance.
Catch one of Broadway's longest-running musicals, "Chicago", at the Ambassador Theatre. The musical's been playing at the theatre since 1996 and has won several awards. It's also featured just as many stars, like Jerry Spring, Wendy Williams, and Usher. You could also join the tradition of heading to the stage door to greet, get your playbill signed, and take pics with the Broadway stars.
Location: 219 West 49th Street, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 161.35 AUD
Operating hours: Opening hours vary depending on scheduled performances, but box office hours are typically from 10:00 to 20:00
4. Meet the famous Lady Liberty
Learn more about the country's rich history from one of the country's historic buildings and monuments. Credits to Klook
The Statue of Liberty should be at the top of your list of things to do in NYC as an icon of the city and the entire US. The 151-foot copper statue has been on Liberty Island since 1886, a gift from France to the US as a symbol of freedom.
Although there are several viewpoints to see Lady Liberty from afar, you can actually take a boat ride to the island where she stands and head all the way up to the crown to see the city from her perspective.
Just another 15-minute ferry ride away, Ellis Island is usually visited alongside the statue. It's another historical landmark as it was the gateway of millions of immigrants to the US, which you'll learn all about on a tour of the island's National Museum of Immigration—located inside the Main Building of the former immigration complex.
Locations:
- Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York, New York
- Ellis Island National Museum of Integration, Ellis Island, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 183.65 AUD
Operating hours: Statue of Liberty: daily from 9:00 to 17:00; Ellis Island: daily from 10:30 to 16:00
5. Eat your heart out at Chelsea Market
You can even take a food tour to find out the must-eats! Credits to @chelseamarketny on Instagram
Have a craving you can't seem to satisfy? There's no doubt you'll find something at the Chelsea Market that will hit the spot.
Visiting the famous indoor food market in the Meatpacking District is easily one of the best things to do in New York for foodies. You can try a bunch of dishes all in one place or purchase fresh produce and prime cuts to whip up your own mouth-watering plates!
Roam the Chelsea Market and the rest of the Meatpacking District, including the High Line, as part of the New York City Klook Pass.
Location: 75 9th Avenue, New York, New York
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 to 22:00
6. Discover the secrets of the five boroughs of New York
Most of the popular things to do in New York are already in Manhattan, but Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Harlem have their own share of incredible sights and bites. Here's a peek into what to do in New York's boroughs.
Find out what's trending in Brooklyn
Check out the local art galleries and the street art! Credits to Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash
It's known as the home of the coolest and quirkiest spots in the city, so you'll never run out of things to do here. We recommend hunting for the best street art in Bushwick and Williamsburg, as the neighbourhoods are filled with murals by artists from all over the world.
Discover the hidden gems of the Bronx
After Little Italy, head to the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. Credits to @gothamist on Instagram
Fill up on authentic Italian food on Arthur Avenue's Little Italy where the streets are lined with family-owned restaurants and bakeries serving classics, like gnocchi, fresh burrata, and, of course, breadsticks.
See the queen of the boroughs: Queens
Prepare to be in awe at the art installations like the Unisphere. Credits to Emma Angel on Unsplash
Did you know you can do almost anything at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens? It's the second-largest park in the city and is filled with activities to keep you from wondering what to do in New York. You can visit the animals, go fishing, play sports, have a barbeque, and more in one place!
Location: Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Grand Central Parkway and Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, New York
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 to 21:00
Have a soulful day in Harlem
Taste the local culture with every bite at Sylvia's! Credits to @sylviasrestaurant on Instagram
Satisfy your soul with authentic soul food at Sylvia's Restaurant. Also known as "the Queen of Soul Food," Sylvia's has been serving up mouth-watering dishes like fried chicken, barbecue ribs, and catfish for over 55 years now. Locals, tourists, and even celebrities, such as Diana Ross and Barack Obama, know to get their soul food fix at Sylvia's.
Location: 328 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, New York
Operating hours: Sunday to Tuesday from 11:00 to 20:00; Wednesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00
7. Visit the Van Goghs at MOMA
You might just become an art fan after the MOMA. Credits to Klook
Art lover or not, you'll love a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. It's one of the most influential museums in the world, home to works by renowned artists such as Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, and Picasso.
Aside from the classics, don't miss out on unique exhibitions and works from rising artists and others that you may not know yet. The expansive museum can get overwhelming, so we've got an in-depth guide to help you tour the MOMA in New York right here.
Location: 11 West 53rd Street, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 45.99 AUD
Operating hours: Sunday to Friday from 10:30 to 17:30; Saturday from 10:30 to 19:00
8. Rock to the top of Rockefeller
You can spot both the Brooklyn Bridge and the One World Observatory right here! Credits to Klook
The Rockefeller Center is already popular for its annual Christmas tree lighting, ice skating rink, and the NBC filming studios, but nothing beats the impressive views of the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
On the 67th floor, get the VIP Pass to experience 'The Beam', where you can recreate the iconic picture of 11 ironworkers eating lunch on a steel beam at 69 stories high. Then, head up to the 70th floor's outdoor observation deck for unobstructed views of the New York skyline, including the Empire State Building and the Hudson River.
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 66.79 AUD
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 to 23:00
9. Discover the secrets of Grand Central Terminal
It's the second busiest train station in North America after Penn Station! Credits to Ilse Orsel on Unsplash
Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world, with 44 train platforms and half a million people passing through it every day. Its size and intriguing details, like the opal clock atop the information booth and the secret staircase hidden inside it, make it impressive.
Another awesome thing about the Grand Central Terminal is the Whispering Gallery, where two people can stand on opposite corners of the intersection, whisper into the corner, and hear each other perfectly from across the space.
Unlock even more of the Grand Central Terminal's secrets with a tour as part of the New York City Klook Pass.
Location: 89 East 42nd Street, New York, New York
Cost: Starts at 59.79 AUD, but is covered by the New York City Klook Pass
Operating hours: Daily from 5:15 to 2:00
10. Soar through New York City
See more famous landmarks, like Madison Square Garden, in one helicopter ride! Credits to Anthony Rosset on Unsplash
Between the shopping and the restaurants, you might just feel like you won't have enough time for sightseeing in the city, so the best way to see all its sights is from up above.
Enjoy a 15-minute helicopter ride over all the city's best landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the One World Trade Center—you'll even get some face-to-face time with the Statue of Liberty. So, listen closely as your knowledgeable pilot shares the history behind each landmark.
Location: Charm Aviation Downtown Manhattan Heliport: 6 East River Greenway Bikeway, New York
Cost: Starts at 289.79 AUD
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30
So, are you up for a Big Apple adventure? The best things to do in New York City await you—from attractions that'll put you on top of the world to romantic experiences that combine sightseeing and thrill-seeking! Just make sure you have enough days to hit all the best spots.
Written by: Gabby Mendoza
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