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!

Shows:

2- Broadway Plays-

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

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!

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!

20- Gallow Green NYC-

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

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!

24- Listen to Jazz Music in Harlem-

Visit the National Jazz Museum in Harlem to learn about the history or you can go ahead and go to a restaurant to enjoy the music also.

Events:

25- Sports Game-

Baseball games run from April to October. Hockey games run from October to April.

26- The Color Run-

The Color Run is a 5K fundraiser offering events year-round. View the schedule: https://thecolorrun.com/

We listed the 26 best things to do in New York City! Have you ever been to New York City? Please comment below about your experience!!

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Bucket List #64: See a Broadway Play/ Musical ((Went to 10 Broadway Plays in New York City)

Six Broadway Plays to See in New York City

There is nothing like attending a Broadway Play in New York City. Listed below are six Broadway Plays to see in New York City.

My Experience:

I am in love with attending Broadway plays. I am in awe of the talented performers and am SUPER excited about the excellent deals I receive. My dad and I LOVE seeing shows in NYC, as it is our favorite way to spend time together. Throughout my life, I have seen Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Beautiful, Hairspray, The Lion King, Matilda, Waitress, Finding Neverland, Mama Mia, Wicked, Book of Mormon, Chicago, Anastasia, and The Phantom of the Opera! Listed below is my review of six plays that I have attended.

Tips!

1. GET RUSH TICKETS! You DO NOT have to be a student to get half-price rush tickets. Go to ANY box-office at 10 am for a show playing the same day, and you are guaranteed an excellent seat for a low price. 
2. Arrive at the Box-Office at 10 am
3. Spend the day in the city
4. Arrive on time for the play!!!

#1: Waitress

• My Experience: I was SOOO thankful that my father and I got tickets to see Sara Barailles and Jason Mraz’s last performance together in Waitress. Sara Barailles composed ALL of the music for this hit Broadway musical. She also is a famous pop artist for her music called Gravity, Brave, and The King of Anything. My favorite song in the play she wrote is She Used to Be Mine. This song reminds me of myself, as I am forgetful, kind, and tend to lie sometimes.
• My Review: The show was comedic, sad, and beautiful. I recommend it to anyone looking to see a musical with a great storyline.
• Fun Fact: We waited in line for 3 hours to get half price tickets in the freezing, cold rain!
• Brief Summary: The story is about a small southern girl who works in a pie shop and is involved in an impossible marriage.  
• Address: 256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
• Favorite Song: She Used to Be Mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM

#2: Wicked

• My Review: This musical takes the cake as the best broadway play I have ever seen due to the fact that the performance leaves you begging for more and is incredibly well-written. I will never forget watching Defying Gravity by the characters Glinda and Elphaba. I was mesmerized by the sound of their ability to reach those high notes.
• Brief Summary:  This tale about friendship and trust shows that their are two sides to every story. Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz and is about the life of Elphaba, who was a sweet girl growing up; however, the disapproval of society turns her wicked.
• Address: 222 West 51st Street
• Favorite Song from the Musical: Defying Gravity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glsmLGpqMzA  

#3: Beautiful- The Carol King Musical

• My Experience: Beautiful was BRILLIANTLY cast, as the actors and actresses were believable.
• Brief Summary: Beautiful is an inspiring story of Carole King, as she is finding her way within the music industry. The play portrays the process from her life as a teenage songwriter to a rock and roll hall of fame star.
• Address: 124 W 43rd St

#4: Miss Saigon 

• My Experience: I went with my father and sisters to see Miss Saigon. We enjoyed our white wine and half-price tickets. I will never forget the actress who played Kim because her voice was undeniably delightful. The play was a tragic love story.
• My Review:  Miss Saigon’s plot has nonstop adrenaline and sweeping emotions. In my opinion, the story is WAY more relevant and heartbreaking today than when it premiered on in 1991. AMAZING.
• Brief Summary: Miss Saigon is a tragic love story portraying an Asian woman, Kim, who was betrayed by her American lover, Chris.                    
• Address: 1681 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

#5: The Phantom of the Opera

• My Review:  WOW, ICONIC! The Phantom of the Opera was there most thrilling show on Broadway I have ever seen, from the stunning effects to the incredible production design. The talented actors and actresses were entertaining, had exceptional voices, and their costumes were breathtaking.
• Brief Summary: The play is about a bitter man deformed since birth and lives in the Paris Opera House. He falls for Christine, who he privately tutors. He terrorizes the Opera house, demanding her to land lead roles.
•  Address: 247 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
•  Favorite Song: Think of Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfTgCPUJwRk&index=2&list=RD-JaeBxYCI9k

#6: The Book of Mormon

• Fun Fact: The Book of Mormon was created by the creator of South Park.
• My Experience: Last minute, my best friend from high school, Brittany Cohan, invited me to the play, as her brother did not want to go. I am so thankful for the excellent seats.                        
•  My Review: Personally, this was not my favorite play because of the offensive material. The material depicted African Americans as ignorant buffoons with no understanding of modernity. The length of the play was quite long, and I was wearing out.                                      
• Brief Summary: The musical is a comedy about two young Mormon missionaries who travel to Africa to preach this religion. The play mocks various Mormon beliefs and practices.

Have you ever seen any of these Broadway Plays? Please comment down below about your experience!

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