26 Best Things to Do in New York City

Are you looking for the best things to do in New York City? This list gives you an overview of the city to help you decide which places you want to see most. Below are the 26 best things to do in New York City.

Tours:

1- Boat Tour to the Statue of Liberty-

Visiting the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park up close is an experience you do not want to miss. Book your tour here!

Statue of LIBERTY CRUISE

Shows:

2- Broadway Plays-

There are plenty of Broadway plays to select from that are fabulous. The best play to see is Wicked.

Wicked broadway tickets

3- NYC Comedy Club-

Get ready to laugh your ass off in a dimly lit setting. The comedy plays in NYC are hilarious. You can book your experience on Viator!

comedy show tickets

Landmarks:

4- Times Square-

What better way to be a tourist in NYC than to visit Times Square? The lights, billboards, and shops are timeless. Going to Times Square at night makes for an even better experience.

5- Vessel’s Staircase-

If you are not afraid of heights, I recommend strolling along the Vessels Staircase, as it is a unique experience.

6- 9/11 Memorial–

We will never forget 9/11 and while it is a heavier experience, visiting the memorial is worth it. It was built in 2006 to commemorate those who were lost.

7- Flatiron Building-

This building is a true architectural landmark worth visiting.

8- Chinatown–

Chinatown, in the heart of Downtown Manhattan, feels as though you are in a city within the city with its unique charm and character.

Shopping:

9- Brookfield Place-

If you want to go shopping in Battery Park, then going to Brookfield Place is for you. There are a lot of luxury stores to visit like Gucci and Luis Vuitton.

10- Chelsea Market-

There are so many shops in NYC. Chelsea Market is one of the best places to go shopping. The area also has art galleries like Matthew Marks Gallery, Luhring Augustine Gallery, and the 303 Gallery.

11- 5th Avenue-

5th Avenue has some of the best shops in NYC, like Abercrombie and Nordstrom. You’ll find many luxury stores on this 6-mile street.

Parks:

12- Central Park-

This park has relaxing spaces for reading, having a picnic, and bike riding.

13- Battery Park–

Battery Park is on the water, where you will see amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. The Holocaust Museum is also in the area, as well as a bunch of restaurants on the water. Other activities to do in Battery Park include visiting the Ireland Hunger Memorial. The potato famine drove more than 1.5 million people from Ireland to America. This memorial pays tribute to this troubling time.

14- Bryant Park–

Bryant Park is a great place to go shopping, as they offer seasonal outdoor markets where you can buy anything from coffee to jewelry!

Museums:

15- The Metropolitan Museum-

This museum is my favorite in NYC, as the rooms have incredible oil paintings that will take your breath away.

16- American Museum of Natural History-

The American Museum of Natural History has historical exhibits and artifacts worth seeing. It is one of the best museums to visit for children!

17- Moma-

Visit the Museum of Modern Art because it features thousands of pieces and is free to visit on Friday evenings.

Food:

18- Pizza-

No trip to NYC is complete without grabbing a slice of pizza. The best pizza shops to try are Joe’s Pizza, Razza, and Di Fara Pizza.

19- Stardust Diner

I could not recommend Ellen’s Stardust Diner enough because you will be waited on by real Broadway Stars. They are constantly auditioning to get into their next play, but in the meantime, they are doing Karaoke while serving tables at this diner!

reserve a table

20- Gallow Green NYC-

This is one of the cutest brunch spots in NYC. Gallow Green offers rooftop views and excellent service.

make a reservation

Christmas in NY:

21- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center-

What better way to see the Christmas Tree lit up in NYC than to go Ice skating right next to it?

22- Rolf’s NYC-

Rolf’s is completely decked out in Christmas décor and makes you feel as though you are in another world, as it has over 60,000 lights.

Music:

23- Concert in Madison Square Garden-

The main stadium for shows in NYC is Madison Square Garden. You will find artists and performances happening here every night of the week. View a list of upcoming concerts and sporting events here!