{"id":187059,"date":"2019-11-23T13:21:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-23T18:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=187059"},"modified":"2025-09-03T18:12:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T22:12:01","slug":"things-to-see-and-do-in-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/things-to-see-and-do-in-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"The 31 Best Things Do in New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Panoramic<\/p>\n

New York City<\/a>. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world<\/a> and one of the most popular destinations in the US. Sprawling, busy, exciting \u2014 there’s a reason people call it the city that never sleeps!<\/p>\n

It has something for everyone \u2014 including lots of budget-friendly activities for travelers looking to stretch their pocketbooks. Whether you’re looking for history, nightlife, food, or art, this city won’t disappoint. <\/p>\n

Since I\u2019ve written a guidebook to this city, lived there for over five years, run tours there, and explored as much as I could in pursuit of knowing the best things to do in NYC, I want to share my favorite activities to do in New York City. <\/p>\n

New York is impossible to “see” in one visit. This city is home to thousands of restaurants, hundreds of museums, attractions, plays, and quirky things to do but here are the best things to see and do in New York City<\/a> \u2014 no matter your budget! They’ll give you the essence of the city!
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1. Statue of Liberty\/Ellis Island<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThe Statue of Liberty is a massive neoclassical statue gifted to the USA from France. It was dedicated in 1886 and stands 305-feet tall (95 meters). It was designed by French sculptor Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Auguste Bartholdi though its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). It’s spectacular to see up close and is as big as you imagine, but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. <\/p>\n

Here, you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC (you\u2019ll even find my family\u2019s name inscribed on the wall). There\u2019s such a great sense of history there that you can\u2019t help but be impressed.<\/p>\n

You can do a self-guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on your own, but if you want to walk away with a deeper knowledge of Liberty and Ellis Islands, this Take Walks tour is invaluable<\/a> ($69 USD). <\/p>\n

+1 212 363-3200, nps.gov\/stli\/index.htm. Open daily 9am-5pm. There is no admission fee for the island but the ferry ticket costs $24 USD<\/a>.<\/em>
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2. Central Park<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nThe perfect way to relax in the city and leave the crowds behind is to spend the day in Central Park. It\u2019s free, there are lots of paths to walk (or run), bike lanes, lakes to row in, and a zoo. The park spans over 150 square blocks (840 acres) it\u2019s easy to spend hours wandering around. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions (line up early for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park). I\u2019m a big fan of laying out in Sheep\u2019s Meadow on a sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine.<\/p>\n

If you want to take a guided tour around the park to learn more about the statues and sculptures, ponds, parks, and famous filming sites, take a guided tour with Manhattan and Beyond Tours<\/a> ($25 USD).
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3. World Trade Center & 9\/11 Memorial and Museum<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nOn September 11th, 2001, almost 3,000 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in NYC and elsewhere. Don’t miss this somber memorial, which lists the names of everyone killed. Afterward, take in the view from the new \u201cFreedom Tower\u201d (which was built to replace the World Trade Center buildings). On the elevator up, you can see pictures of the historical development of the city and how it\u2019s changed over the years. <\/p>\n

To get a deeper understanding of 9\/11 and the events that unfolded, visit the museum. It\u2019s home to moving exhibits that illuminate the scope and significance of the tragedy.<\/p>\n

180 Greenwich Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, +1 212 266 5211, 911memorial.org. Memorial open daily from 10am-5pm. Museum open Thursday-Monday from 10am-5pm. The memorial is free to visit; museum entry is $19.50 USD (you can purchase your ticket here<\/a>). Free entry on Mondays from 7am-5:30pm (tickets must be booked online).<\/em>
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4. Wall Street<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nTake a photo with the famous Charging Bull statue (which was commissioned in 1989 and is made of bronze) and then walk to Wall Street and see where all those bankers destroyed the economy. While there isn’t much to see here (the Museum of American Finance is indefinitely closed as it searches for a new home) it’s still an iconic part of the city and worth seeing with your own eyes, if only briefly.<\/p>\n

The Wall Street Insider guided tour The Wall Street Experience<\/a> costs $35 USD and covers the history as well as the highs and lows of the (in)famous finance hub from someone who’s worked on Wall Street!
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5. Battery Park<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nLocated on the southern tip of Manhattan, this park is where the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam in 1625 to defend their new settlement. The British conquered the area in 1664 and renamed it Fort George. While the fort was mostly destroyed during the American Revolution, the battery was expanded after the war\u2019s end to defend the city. You can wander around the fort and then stroll through the surrounding park and take in the beautiful waterfront views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.
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6. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge<\/h3>\n

\"Full
\nThe Brooklyn Bridge offers an easy 25-minute walk into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on the other side of the bridge. Stopping to take photos and meandering along the way will make the walk about 40 minutes \u2014 which is definitely worth it! You get a lot of wonderful views of Manhattan as you make your way across. I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown is all lit up (and there are fewer crowds).<\/p>\n

Inside Out Tours<\/a> offers guided walking tours where you’ll learn more about the history of the bridge. You’ll also take a stroll around DUMBO, the Brooklyn neighborhood on the other side of the bridge.
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7. Grand Central Terminal<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis is New York’s historic train station. It was going to be torn down in 1975 but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy (First Lady to the late J.F.K.), who raised money for its preservation. I love coming to the main concourse and looking up at the \u201cstars\u201d in the ceiling as everyone races to and fro. <\/p>\n

To learn more about the station and its history, my favorite walking tour company Take Walks, offers The Official Grand Central Terminal Tour<\/a> ($35 USD). <\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an amazing eatery in the basement called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. For fancy (and expensive) cocktails while you’re here, visit The Campbell and step back into the 1920s (dress code enforced). It was once the office of John W. Campbell, a member of the New York Central Railroad\u2019s board of directors and finance tycoon from the 1920s.<\/p>\n

89 E. 42nd Street, Midtown, grandcentralterminal.com. Open daily from 5:30am\u20132am.<\/em>
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8. Trinity Church<\/h3>\n

\"Trinity
\nTrinity Church is one of the oldest churches in America and one of a surprising number of colonial era sites in New York<\/a>. Built in 1698, the original Trinity Church was a small parish church constructed by the Church of England. When the British seized New York after George Washington\u2019s retreat, it was used as a British base of operations. After the war, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton regularly worshiped here. <\/p>\n

The graveyard dates back to the 1700s and is the resting place of many famous Americans, including Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth, Francis Lewis (signatory on the Declaration of Independence), John Alsop (Continental Congress delegate), and Horatio Gates (Continental Army general).<\/p>\n

74 Trinity Place, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, +1 212 602 0800, trinitywallstreet.org. Open daily from 8:30am\u20136pm (the Churchyard closes at 4pm).<\/em>
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<\/div>\n

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9. The Guggenheim Museum<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis museum is home to a renowned collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, early modern, and contemporary art. The cylindrical museum (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) is considered one of the 20th century\u2019s most important architectural designs. It\u2019s one of my favorite buildings (and museums) in the city.<\/p>\n

1071 5th Avenue, Upper East Side, +1 212 423 3500, guggenheim.org. Open Sunday-Friday from 11am-6pm (Saturdays until 8pm). Admission is $30 USD (get your timed entry ticket, which includes an audioguide, here<\/a>). Pay what-you-wish is available on Saturdays from 5pm-8pm.<\/em>
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10. City Hall<\/h3>\n

New York\u2019s City Hall is a great piece of historic architecture. It also has a beautiful little park nearby that\u2019s filled with office workers during lunch (in the summer anyway). To learn about the building\u2019s history, art, and architecture, take one of the guided tours. They’re free, but reservations are required, and they get booked up quickly! On a tour, you\u2019ll be able to see the rotunda, the city council chamber, Governor\u2019s Room, and the City Hall Portrait Collection. It’s a great place to learn about the city and how it functions.<\/p>\n

City Hall Park. Free, pre-reserved tours are offered for groups (10\u201320 people) on Tuesdays at 10:30am and for individuals on Wednesdays at 12pm and Thursdays at 10am.<\/em>
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11. Rockefeller Center<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis area is always filled with hustle and bustle. Wander around Rockefeller Center to see where they film The Today Show<\/em>, shop, snack, and take the elevator to the \u201cTop of the Rock\u201d for another bird\u2019s-eye view of the city. I personally think this view is better than the Empire State Building since from the top of here you can get that building in your picture too.<\/p>\n

30 Rockefeller Plaza, +1 212 698 2000, topoftherocknyc.com. Open daily from 9am-11pm. Admission starts at $43 USD to visit the Top of the Rock observation deck (get your advance tickets here to avoid the line<\/a>).<\/em>
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12. Times Square<\/h3>\n

\"Times
\nNo matter when you go to Times Square, it will be packed with people (usually other tourists). There are pedestrian areas where you can sit and hang out and tons of (overpriced) restaurants and stores. If you aren\u2019t shopping or eating or seeing a show, there isn\u2019t much to do in the area (and no New Yorker hangs out there), but it\u2019s still a fabulous place to people-watch for a few minutes from the top of the red steps of the TKTS kiosk. Try to come at night when it\u2019s all lit up. That\u2019s when it looks the best!
\n <\/p>\n

13. The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/h3>\n

\"Yellow
\nThe Met is one of the biggest museums in the world, and if you only see one museum in New York, I recommend this one. It has a wide array of art, historical artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits. I like its expansive Impressionist and Greek exhibits. It\u2019s chaotic and filled with people, especially on the weekend, but since it is so big, you can usually find some quiet spots away from the crowds. Budget at least a half-day here as a few hours won\u2019t do this place justice.<\/p>\n

To dive even deeper, I recommend taking a tour with my favorite walking tour company, Take Walks. They offer an extended guided tour of the museum<\/a> led by an art historian as well as a highlights tour<\/a>. <\/p>\n

1000 5th Avenue, Central Park, Upper East Side, +1 212 535 7710, metmuseum.org. Open Sunday\u2013Tuesday and Thursday from 10am\u20135pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-9pm. Admission is $30 USD (includes same-day entrance to the Cloisters).<\/em>
\n <\/p>\n

14. American Museum of Natural History<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nMade even more famous by the Night at the Museum<\/em> movies, this is another museum that requires a lot of time. The exhibits on nature, human history, and marine life are comprehensive and educational so I wouldn\u2019t try to rush your visit. Also, don\u2019t skip the section on space at the Hayden Planetarium, which is run by science guru Neil Degrasse Tyson. They have really detailed exhibitions on the origin of the universe!<\/p>\n

Central Park W. at 79th Street, Upper West Side, +1 212 769 5100, amnh.org. Open daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission is $28 USD<\/a> (special exhibitions not included).<\/em>
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15. The Frick Collection<\/h3>\n

Established in 1925 after industrialist Henry Clay Frick bequeathed the city with his private collection, this small collection features paintings by famous European artists as well as 18th-century French furniture and intricate rugs from Asia. To be honest, you have to really love Dutch artists to want to spend time here (which I do). Expect to see works from Bellini, Goya, Rembrandt, Turner, and more. Fortunately, they also host a lot of wonderful temporary exhibits so there is often a lot of other art to see in addition to their main collection.<\/p>\n

1 East 70th Street, +1 212-288-0700, frick.org. Open Thursday-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Admission is $22 USD. Thursdays from 4pm-6pm is pay-what-you-wish admission. The Frick Collection building on East 70th Street is currently undergoing renovations in 2024. Their temporary exhibit is at 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street. <\/em>
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16. The Museum of the City of New York<\/h3>\n

This museum can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about New York City. Architecture, parks, streets, as well as its people, culture \u2014 it\u2019s all covered! There are multiple rooms that highlight various time periods in NYC history featuring interviews, maps, interactive exhibits, profiles of historical figures, and various artifacts. It\u2019s the best history museum in the city. There\u2019s a cool exhibit here where you can create the future NYC a la Sim City<\/em> style (it’s great for kids!).<\/p>\n

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St., +1 212-534-1672, mcny.org. Open Monday, Thursday, Friday from 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. Admission is $20 USD.<\/em>
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17. Empire State Building<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis historic landmark stands at 1,453-feet (443 meters). It was completed in 1931 and the 1930s art deco interior of this building is absolutely beautiful. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in the city and you can get a real feel for how densely populated New York is as you take in the view. Get here early (or during lunchtime) to avoid the lines and tour groups.<\/p>\n

350 5th Avenue, Midtown, +1 212 736 3100, esbnyc.com. The observation deck hours vary greatly by season (with week to week differences). Check the website for updated hours. Admission to the Main Deck starts at $44 USD. The Main and Top Deck start at $79 USD. You can get advance tickets here.<\/a><\/em>
\n <\/p>\n

18. Broadway Show<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nYou can\u2019t go to New York City, the theater capital of the world, without seeing a show. Current highlights and my favorites include:<\/p>\n