tourist new york places to visit

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

New York Chevron

The 42 Best Things to Do in New York City

Our selection of the best things to do in New York City has been compiled over several years, with the help of editors and contributors past and present. We all call this place home, or did at one point, and put in the time living like tourists to figure out just how exactly to make the most of its myriad pleasures. What is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty? Where can one get the most “New York” meal, whatever that means to you? How do you get off the beaten path to avoid ceaseless crowds and discover something nobody else is talking about? We've got the answers to all of these questions and more, with recommendations spanning all five boroughs. Read on for the best things to do in New York City.

Read our complete New York City travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Andrea Whittle.

Balthazar Arrow

Keith McNally's flagship restaurant—this is also the master behind such atmospheric Manhattan mainstays as Pastis, the Odeon, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, each also worth a visit if I may suggest a “Keith McNally crawl”—is a high-ceilinged, brasserie-inspired scene to end all scenes. Martinis are omnipresent at the bar and in deep red-leather booths. So are steak frites smothered in peppercorn sauce. But the asset that's fabulous with the greatest diversity are the patrons—like if that New York magazine cover all convened to share a meal. Alison Roman once told Interview : “The food is so bad, it’s too expensive, I love going there.” She's being facetious for comedic effect—the food is just fine, but it is true that you're really going there to go there. With your expectations duly measured, enjoy an uncomplicated onion soup gratine and some yummy, well-buttered escargot for starters before moving on to the steak frites main event. For dessert, there's nowhere worth going more than the perfect profiteroles, poured with warm chocolate sauce tableside.

Arthur Avenue

Almost every awning along the stretch of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue between D'Auria-Murphy Triangle and Ciccarone Park marks an Italian name possessing something—a pizzeria, a restaurant, a bakery. But just because it's all Italian, all the time along these two blocks doesn't mean all aren't welcome to come and patronize these establishments. It's some of the absolute best Italian food in New York City lined up for your convenience, bustling with life and good eats. Executive editor Erin Florio's relatives still do their Sunday shopping in the market, which she describes as "dusty but great." Poking around and picking a few things up there is really where it's at—bright seasonal produce, sausages of all stripes dangling from the ceiling, fresh-baked bread and vinegar-y imports from the old country line the walls in cans and jars. It's true one-stop shopping.

Film Forum Arrow

This is the last independent, nonprofit cinema in New York City. Little has changed about this humble, unpretentious theater since it first opened in 1970 as a screening space for independent films—there's the big marquee outside, lighting up an otherwise quiet stretch of West Houston; a ticket booth with microphone and glass partition; and a red carpet underfoot. It's retro without feeling dated, a warm place out of time. Behind the concessions counter, by the way, are some very nice people selling some very good espresso and baked goods (try the cakes carrot and orange bundt) in addition to regular sodas and candies. From new and obscure cinema made outside the US to a dazzling assortment of global classics that has most recently included Midnight Cowboy and Le Samourai , you can rest assured that every last thing on the marquee is worth a few hours of your time.

Central Park Arrow

To get that Nora Ephron New York experience, you have no choice but to take a stroll through Central Park while in the city. As you step off the crowded sidewalks of 59th Street into a mass of green, you’ll hardly realize what lies before you: 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and  hillsides. If you ambled down every one of Central Park’s pathways, you would walk 58 miles. Along the way, you pass sculptures, bridges, and arches, plus 21 playgrounds, a winter ice-skating rink, even a zoo . But you’d hardly notice the four major crosstown thoroughfares, which cleverly disappear into foliage-covered tunnels. Map your park route to stop at classic Central Park landmarks, like the Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.

Chinatown Arrow

 Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods that makes lower Manhattan vibrant and unforgettable. After surfacing from the steps of the Canal Street subway station onto the sidewalk, meandering past thick crowds, neon light shops, and vendors peddling fake designer bags, you’ll find yourself in the narrow streets of Chinatown, where there are bright heaps of produce, succulent ducks hanging in windows, and restaurants old and new. Touching Tribeca, SoHo, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, Chinatown has a rich history and began being populated by Chinese immigrants as early as the 1850s. You can visit in whichever way makes sense for you. Whether you spend an hour devouring a box of roast pork or duck from street-style Wah Fung No. 1 before you have to proceed elsewhere, or you spend half a day shopping for produce, dining out, and paying a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America , everyone will gain something from a visit to Chinatown.

Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883—extending 1,595 feet across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights—it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now, it’s a historic staple of the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic underneath and touristic foot traffic above . Standing before arches and rectangles with city skyscrapers rising in the distance, will at once inspire a sense of grandiosity and slightness.

The Noguchi Museum Arrow

This intimate, meditative museum in Long Island City was conceived and built by Isamu Noguchi himself. Here, his mostly abstract sculptures and often-copied paper lamps are displayed across two levels of exhibition space and throughout a quiet, ivy-covered walled garden. Even if you're not familiar with Noguchi's work, you've probably come across one of his Akari light sculptures—geometric or globular lamps made of washi paper and bamboo that glow softly from within—which have become something of a modern design trope since he started designing them in the early 1950s.

Yankee Stadium Arrow

A spring or summer day spent cheering at an NYC ballpark is a classic activity for a reason. Located in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium is the home field of New York’s 27-time World Champions. It’s a half-hour subway ride from Penn Station and approximately a 20-minute subway ride from Grand Central Terminal, making it easily accessible from Manhattan. It replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost $1.5 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums. It seats 50,287 fans. New York Yankees games, obviously, are the main event here, but you can also attend concerts, college football, and soccer matches.

Jewish Brooklyn: Tours of Hasidic Brooklyn Arrow

The pockets of Brooklyn inhabited predominately by the Hasidic are not often explored on the average Big Apple itinerary. There are two guided tours you can take of Hasidic Brooklyn: Frieda Vizel's of conservative Williamsburg and the Friedman family's of the slightly-more-flexible Crown Heights (none yet open us to the cosmopolitan Borough Park.) The former rendezvouses in the bus plaza just below the Williamsburg Bridge, the latter around the dining room table of a family home. From there, you're off to the races learning from people who know and love their subject deeply. You'll also sample kosher sweets and stop at the deli, dip into a toy store or wigmaker, and meet quite a few friendly faces. Both are excellent ways to immerse yourself, for a few hours, in the culture of some of Brooklyn’s more enigmatic inhabitants.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine Arrow

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 112th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights is the largest cathedral in the world and the sixth-largest church by area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk through these doors annually for a reason. The cathedral itself—and its remarkable Gothic architecture, story-telling stained glass windows, and 17th century tapestries—is already worth visiting. But there is artwork that is especially meaningful to New York City here as well, including Keith Haring's white gold and bronze altarpiece and a 9/11 memorial sculpture by Meredith Bergmann, which holds debris of the towers in it. The cathedral holds daily and Sunday worship services, which welcome all. There is no charge to pray, meditate, or contemplate in the cathedral. Visitors who show for sightseeing purposes can enter for $15 admission. Special tours are offered depending on the day of the week.

Staten Island Ferry

One of the first things associate editor Hannah Towey did when she moved to New York City was board the (free! bright orange!) Staten Island Ferry by Battery Park at Manhattan's bottom, watch the sunset over the water on her way to that far-flung borough, and then turn around and get right back on for the return to Manhattan. Forget the outrageously expensive Statue of Liberty cruises and the discomfort of the official ferry (although Ellis Island, unfortunately the next stop on the same trip, is worth a visit)—here you see plenty of Lady Liberty, Governor's Island, and the skyline without opening your purse. It's a dreamy 25 minutes each way, passed easily watching the myriad terns dip into the ship's wake. This is not to say you shouldn't spend a few hours on Staten Island if you have the time—the Botanical Garden is as gorgeous as it is free, and the food is impeccable with abundant Sri Lankan options (try New Asha, although you can't go wrong anywhere) and excellent Italian at Enoteca Maria for nonnas and their appreciators.

The Morgan Library & Museum Arrow

The Morgan is like a multi-hyphenate millennial—only instead of actress/model/influencer/whatever, it’s museum/library/landmark/historic site/music venue. Inside the multimillionaire’s personal library, expanded into a must-see museum and cultural space, you'll find rare artifacts, paintings, and books, some dating back to 4000 B.C. that are worth more than your house. In particular the museum is home to one of 23 copies of the original Declaration of Independence; Mozart's handwritten score of the Haffner Symphony; the collected works of African American poet Phillis Wheatley; the only extant manuscript of Milton's  Paradise Lost ; and Charles Dickens’s manuscript of  A Christmas Carol . Swoon.

MoMA PS1 Arrow

The sister institution to MoMA   is no ordinary art museum. Located in a striking Renaissance Revival former public school building in Long Island City, Queens, MoMA PS1’s setting is just as interesting as its collection. All manner of cutting-edge contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, from the likes of James Turrell and Ai Weiwei. The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration.

For locals and first-time visitors alike, seeing a Broadway show is a special experience, and one that is exclusive to New York City. Times Square is ordinarily a drag, but when you’re moseying into Midtown Manhattan for a show the bright billboards and lights don’t flash in your face—they dazzle in your eyes. A Broadway show's costumes, sets, songs, and stories are the stuff of dreams. Shows that could very well run forever include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton , but there's also an ever-rotating selection of revivals and debuts worth checking out. And that's not to mention the more daring fare happening downtown at theaters like the Public, Off-Broadway.

Bemelmans Bar Arrow

At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations—you might remember them from the Madeline books—adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park ; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive—it’s clear why you’re here—so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

New York Botanical Garden Arrow

The New York Botanical Garden has carefully manicured flower gardens, lush fields, winding hikes, and impeccable greenhouses. There are spaces that feel deeply intimate, as if you're truly separated from the world, and there are vast expanses where it's hard to believe you're still in the Bronx . In winter, the greenhouses host an annual train show recreating all of New York City in miniature; the warmer months bring every floral delight imaginable, from cherry trees to peonies. Plan to spend at least half a day here and pack a picnic.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

It’s one thing to be in the midst of Manhattan, on the ground; it’s quite another to look upon it from across the river. In Brooklyn Heights, a couple subway stops away from lower Manhattan, the city’s image looms large before you. Arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, the Brooklyn Heights promenade hovers above the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway. Underlying the peaceful, tree-lined walkway, traffic rumbles below. The promenade stretches from Remsen Street at the south end to Middagh Street at the north. Around the corner, pedestrians can discretely cross a basketball court to access a suspended footbridge that zigzags down to the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park. While in the picturesque neighborhood, make stops at the New York Transit Museum, the Sardinian trattoria River Deli, and the old-time dive bar Montero.

Grand Central Terminal Arrow

Grand Central Terminal is more than just one of the busiest train stations in the world—it's a window into old New York and into a time when train travel was the ultimate luxury for the wealthy and a necessity for the working man. If you aren't commuting in or out of the city, avoid coming during rush hour, and take your time admiring the landmark architecture and checking out the top-notch dining and shopping.

9/11 Memorial and Museum Arrow

Every American should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at least once. As you enter the museum, you descend from the street to bedrock level—the foundation of the former Twin Towers—and are placed in a meditative mindset, forced to recall where you were on that fateful day. The museum itself is a masterful balance: It's grand in scale, contemplative in its construction, and personal in its execution. It pays homage to the enormity of the loss, both physical and spiritual. 

The Cloisters Arrow

Located on four acres in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the Met Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The building overlooks the Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval-inspired cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic, contextualized backdrop in which to view the art.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Arrow

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the MoMA is larger than it appears as you approach it from the street below. One of the world’s most influential museums—displaying the works of important artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, and Diane Arbus—it has 630,000 square feet of space and attracts more than a million visitors a year. While making a beeline for the fifth-floor Collection Galleries to take in The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies is understandable, don’t miss the exhibitions, which tell new stories and can only be experienced in a limited time frame. Allocate time to spend pouring over the remarkable books and objects in the famous gift shop, too—an NYC must-visit in its own right.

Apollo Theater Arrow

Countless careers have been made and stars have passed through this world famous, legendary Harlem theater—Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo to name a few. The venue—which began as a white-only burlesque destination until 1934, when under new ownership it began welcoming and becoming central to the Black community—has been active for 88 years, with swing, blues, jazz, R&B, and comedy acts taking the stage. Today, visitors can attend events like Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of the city’s most long-standing, fame-making live shows. Capacity is 1,500, with three levels of seating, and contrary to the way it appears on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' is intimate without much legroom.

Prospect Park Arrow

Prospect Park is in many ways the Central Park of Brooklyn; in fact, it was designed shortly after by the same team of architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has many of the same features: sprawling meadows, walking trails, and picturesque bodies of water. In feeling though, it’s more rambling and less manicured than its touristed Manhattan counterpart. Prospect Park Woodlands is Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, with 250 acres of trees, turtles, chipmunks, 200 species of birds, and other fauna and flora. There's also basketball and tennis courts, a carousel, playgrounds, zoo, and a 3.35-mile loop for runners and bikers (they’re fast —watch out!). While there, make a trip to adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden , particularly lovely during cherry blossom season.

Coney Island Arrow

Coney Island has a reputation as a circus-worthy tourist trap, which is exactly what it is. But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town. You’ll definitely be impressed by the food and drinks—Totonno's Pizza, Gargiulo's and Coney Island Brewery in particular. Locals and tourists hang out on the beach, eat ice cream cones on the promenade, and stand in line for the famed Cyclone roller coaster. The beach and boardwalk along with spots like Nathan’s are open year-round. The amusement park itself is seasonal. Events like the annual Mermaid Parade (crowded as they may be) are worth watching for the audacity and theatrics you can’t find anywhere else in the world but Coney Island.

Lincoln Center Arrow

World-renowned performing arts center Lincoln Center is always worth visiting when the opportunity arises, and in October 2022, David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, reopened after a major renovation that improved the venue’s acoustics and spiffed it up with a modern look. The sprawling Upper West Side complex is also home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. All kinds of music, dance, theater, and films show here; some highlights from the upcoming calendar include the rapturously energetic New York Film Festival (catch the latest films long before they hit theaters, embedded in one of the reactive audiences on this Earth), the operas like The Life and Times of Malcom X and La Boheme , and ballets like The Nutcracker . Whether you’re on a special date or reconnecting with old friend when you’re in town, seeing a live performance at Lincoln Center will always make for an elegant and memorable night out.

Washington Square Park Arrow

If people-watching is your sport, Washington Square Park is your place. Entertainment is a given in this intimate, not-quite 10-acre space, filled with career chess players, musicians, performers, students, sunbathers, strollers, and general throngs of Greenwich Villagers, desperate for a bit of fresh air. Take your time as you go through: Pause beneath Washington Arch, honoring our country’s first president (for whom the Park is named), and observe the laurel wreaths and intricate motifs that extend from the base to the keystones, atop which twin eagles perch like constant watchmen. Washington Square Park is the beating heart of this vibrant New York neighborhood.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Arrow

For nearly a century and a half, the Met has remained the cultural epicenter of New York City, thanks to forward-thinking exhibits and an extensive permanent collection. With its Gothic-Revival-style building, iconic tiered steps, and Central Park location, the building is a sight to be seen. But step inside its Great Hall—as a ceaseless parade of museumgoers move to-and-fro—and you’ll feel the overwhelming sense of possibility and discovery that lays beyond. If you've got limited time or compatriots with limited attention spans, start with the Temple of Dendur, a 2,000-year-old soaring Egyptian temple (the only complete one in the Western Hemisphere)

Blue Note Jazz Club Arrow

Blue Note has been one of the best jazz clubs in New York, and the world, since the 1980s. It offers music every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30, and on Friday and Saturday nights has a late night series at 12:30 a.m., which showcases emerging talent. If you're looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Over the years, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Tables are intimate, close-set, and all-ages (with the bar being 21-plus).

Union Square Greenmarket Arrow

Union Square is a place of the people, not unlike the agoras of ancient Athens—and no offering of Union Square showcases this quality quite like the bustling Greenmarket. From upstate New York, the Berkshires , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, vendors sell artisan bread, honey, fresh-cut flowers, heritage meats, pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables both common and uncommon, and much more. Don't miss the free events, like book signings and more: Cooking demos take place at the Market Information tent daily, beer and spirits pop-ups show seasonally, and the education station offers tours and tastings.

Rockefeller Center Arrow

Rockefeller Center sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan, both in terms of its physical location and its prominent place in the city's folklore and culture. Whether you want to check out a performance on the plaza outside the TODAY show, visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, you're in for an iconic, family-friendly experience. If you buy a ticket to Top of the Rock, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city below. No matter where you are, you're bound to be constantly pointing and shouting “hey, look at that!”

Comedy Cellar Arrow

None of the promoters on MacDougal Street shouting “stand-up comedy tonight!” are trying to get you into the Comedy Cellar, where the show is already sold out. Blockbuster stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy made their names at the Cellar; if you're lucky, one may show up the night you're there. Seating is intimate and close together, and there is a two-item minimum on food or drinks. It's 21-plus and vaccine-mandatory; be prepared to surrender your phone at the door, too. There's no bad seat in the house, but sit in the front at your own risk of getting (playfully) heckled by the host or a comic.

American Museum of Natural History Arrow

Truly one of the world's great natural history museums, the American Museum of Natural History spans four city blocks just across from Central Park . All aspects of the natural world are represented here, from a vast collection of taxidermy mammals, to depictions of the life of Native American tribes, to an entire hall dedicated to marine life—including a life-size model of a blue whale. The crown jewel is the dinosaur floor, with an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that dominates the room. The newest attraction comes in the form of the long-awaited Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation , which opened in May of 2023 and, among many other things, boasts a comprehensive insectarium and vivarium. Breathtaking architecture from New York-based Jeanne Gang doesn't hurt, either.

The Strand Book Store Arrow

With its towering stacks, filled with more than 2.5 million titles, this 94-year-old bookstore is less neighborhood haunt and more globally recognized institution. You could call the Strand's employees tour guides, considering their deft ability to find the exact title you're looking for and recommend a book you may not have otherwise plucked from the shelves. The store will make you question why you don’t read more; and chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.

Bronx Zoo Arrow

With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better.

Governors Island Arrow

Located in New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, walking onto quirky, car-free, brick-covered, 173-acre Governors Island feels like being transported to an alternate universe from the city—but in reality it's a quick, affordable ferry ride away. One-way fare is $4 and boats are serviced from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building every day, as well as from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook on the weekends. In the past couple of years, Governors Island has become an even more popular city destination, and has welcomed a slew of new luxury businesses. One is special in particular: Collective, the only place you can stay overnight on the island. Collective is a glamping experience, offering plush beds inside the tents, morning yoga, sunset cocktails, and iconic skyline views—Lady Liberty included, herself. Which is all to say, you’re by no means roughing it here. On the menu at their restaurant, you’ll find grilled seafood, gorgeous spreads of pastries, and more. Another luxury experience new to the island is QC NY Spa, with top-grade saunas and a skyline view-filled pool.

Elsewhere Arrow

Located in Brooklyn on a hip stretch of Bushwick’s Jefferson Avenue, Elsewhere—a vast, three-story nightclub and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop—has become one of the city’s best nightlife destinations. Spinning disco balls and kaleidoscopic lights set the scene. A somewhat recent staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Elsewhere is a converted warehouse that opened in 2017. Blocks away from similar venues like Avant Gardener and House of Yes, Elsewhere stands out for its inclusivity, its intimate vibe in spite of its size, and for lifting up smaller, up-and-coming acts.

Rockaway Beach Arrow

One of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper, Rockaway is a sandy, sprawling stretch of surf located in Queens on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a 5.5-mile boardwalk of delicious concessions. A summery way to get there in style? Take the ferry from Wall Street or Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and let the wind blow through your hair as you take in the city views, sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and past Coney Island on the way. From just about everywhere else in the city, you can also get there via the A train. Each stretch has a different crowd and personality: Beach 90-106 is the busiest section, with the most food and drink options; Beaches 67-69 as well as 90-92 are the surfing zones; between Beach 153 and Beach 169 you’ll find Jacob Riis Park, which is popular with young people and is a summer gathering place for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg Arrow

Sip iced coffee in McCarren Park, catch an indie show at Baby's All Right, walk two blocks over to some of the city's most-coveted Italian at Lilia (with a month-in-advance res, of course.) This is the busiest thoroughfare in hip Williamsburg: Bedford Avenue—and the L train that feeds it—might as well be North Brooklyn’s own personal people-watching catwalk. Pedestrians with voluminous pants, dogs with miniature rain boots, and high-speed scooters will swish past you. As you make your way south from the subway station, likely en route from the East Village, you’ll pass local businesses that characterize the area, like Catbird (ethereal, vintage-inspired jewelry), Spoonbill & Sugartown Books (poetry, special design and cookbooks, cards), and Awoke Vintage (best-known for their genuine denim often from the ‘90s.)

Empire State Building Arrow

Though many across town are trying, there's still no better way to enjoy Manhattan's cityscape than from the top of the Empire State Building. The 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world for 40 years, and though it's been outgrown by dozens of projects across three other continents, it's just the classic viewing point. There are, of course, always long lines to buy tickets, but that's nothing a little planning and purchasing in advance can't solve. It's also still a functioning office building with a bustling Art Deco lobby, so the people watching on the way up is excellent.

Tenement Museum Arrow

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is, as the name implies, a historic tenement house (two, if you want to get technical). On a tour of the tenements, you’ll hear personal histories of the working-class individuals who lived there and see how they made do with cramped quarters to build new lives in America. On a neighborhood walking tour—the other way to visit the museum—you’ll learn about the evolution of the Lower East Side and how its thriving immigrant population made it the most densely populated area in the country during the 1900s.

Industry City Arrow

This stretch of waterfront has been a hub of Brooklyn manufacturing since Irving T. Bush first developed his family's rail-marine terminal (then called Bush Terminal) in the mid-1890s to add warehouse structures. The sprawling campus that stands today in the quiet Sunset Park neighborhood is Industry City, the ripe and succulent fruit of decades' worth of redevelopment efforts. The idea here is one-stop shopping: Pick up a coffee from one proprieter and sip it while flitting through the Makers’ Guild’s wonderful artisan shops. There's also a slate of full-service restaurants and outdoor spaces—manicured lawns on-par with what you'd expect from those in a private, luxury apartment building.

Russian Turkish Baths Arrow

This is a really nice place to hang out for half a day—beneath the churning East Village, sweating it out in a no-frills den of functionality. Up a steep, nondescript stoop in that neighborhood and through a heavy door and you’re in, leaving your wallet in a safety deposit box in exchange for a locker room key and then down another stair to the subterranean saunas and steam rooms. They’ve got ‘em all here, from the red hot Russian room (where they also perform the platza venik treatment) to a more bearable Turkish, with a cold plunge and showers for in-between regulation. There’s also a bountiful food menu serving up such classics as borscht and beef stew to keep you nurtured.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• City Vacations

35 Best Things to Do in New York City, According to Local Experts

From world-class art museums to inviting green spaces, here's what to do in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond.

It’s no secret that New York City is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. It's a global hub for food, culture, architecture, entertainment, and so much more. But with so many things to see and do in NYC, planning your trip can be overwhelming.

To help you uncover all the amazing attractions and sights this beloved destination offers, we’ve rounded up 35 of the best things to do in New York City, including a handful of local-approved activities from two experts, Fora co-founder and travel advisor Henley Vazquez and travel advisor Camila Alfonso of Valerie Wilson Travel , a Virtuoso agency.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Broadway is synonymous with NYC, so be sure to get tickets to a show.
• Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is both an NYC must-do and completely free.
• Riding the NYC ferry past landmarks like the Empire State Building is fun and budget-friendly.
• Spread out a picnic in Central Park, New York's iconic green space that's made for people-watching.
• The view from observation deck the Edge is simply breathtaking, with the whole of NYC laid out before you.

From boats and beaches to the world's best museums, here's what they recommend.

Attend a Broadway show.

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

One of the few places you can spot native New Yorkers and tourists from all over the world mingling together is at a Broadway show . People flock to the city’s Theater District to catch one (or more) of its two-dozen-plus performances, ranging from classics like The Lion King and  Wicked to newer titles like Shucked and Here Lies Love .

Stroll the Brooklyn Bridge.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

“I love walking or jogging across the Brooklyn Bridge,” says Vazquez, who adds that “everyone should do it at least once.” The iconic landmark offers some of the best views of Manhattan and Brooklyn, making it one of the top (and most popular) things to do in New York City and the number one attraction in Brooklyn. To avoid crowds, visit as early in the morning as possible, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes — the walk is about an hour (1.3 miles) each way, assuming you’re going at a leisurely pace. You can start either in DUMBO on the Brooklyn side or in Manhattan, just across from City Hall. Note that you can also cycle across the bridge in the protected bike lane, separated from pedestrians and cars.

Hop on the ferry.

Busà Photography/Getty

Some say that New York is best explored on foot, but we’d argue the city is even more magical when viewed from the water. The best way is also a bargain: a ride on the NYC Ferry costs just $4 (a 10-pack of tickets is $27.50) and will take you up and down the East River, past the Empire State Building and right under the Brooklyn Bridge. You can sit outdoors or in, and there's even a little bar inside. “Embark on a captivating boat ride through New York Harbor to bask in breathtaking views of the city's skyline” says Alfonso. “This experience allows you to appreciate the city from a different perspective.”

Pack a picnic and head to Central Park.

Central Park is Manhattanites' backyard. It offers plenty to see and do within its 800-plus acres, which include grassy lawns, eight lakes and ponds, and even a zoo. But the best way to experience the park and its vast natural beauty — an oasis amidst towering skyscrapers — is to simply enjoy lunch on a park bench or set a picnic basket down on the grass. Eat as you enjoy some prime people-watching. To make your picnic even more memorable, consider working with Perfect Picnic NYC , one of several luxury picnic companies that transform basic spreads into gourmet lunches and soirees.

See the view from the Edge, a stunning observation deck.

Located in Hudson Yards on the western edge of Manhattan, the Edge prides itself on being the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. The thrilling attraction is perched more than 1,000 feet above the sidewalk, and its glass-bottom floors take the adrenaline-pumping experience to an entirely new level. The outdoor viewing area spans 7,500 square feet and is accessible via a 52-second elevator ride. The view itself is simply breathtaking: the entire city, the Hudson River, and New Jersey are laid out before you.

Go for a swim at Rockaway Beach.

Just an hour-long ferry ride from Pier 11 in downtown Manhattan, Rockaway Beach in Queens attracts locals and travelers alike with its sandy shorelines and surf. “It’s closer than the Hamptons and far more affordable," Vazquez says.

If you plan on staying the night, the travel pro recommends booking a room at the chic Rockaway Hotel — 2021 a T+L It List award-winner — which offers stylish rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, and free bike rentals so you can cruise the boardwalk in style. 

Visit Fotografiska Museum NYC.

Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, Fotografiska Museum NYC is a must for its fascinating photo exhibitions, and Vazquez says the museum is especially great for tweens and teens. It's housed in an eye-catching, Renaissance Revival-style building on the border of Gramercy and Flatiron. Don’t leave without checking out swanky restaurant/bar Veronika located on the museum's second floor.

Check out Little Island.

NYC's newest public park opened in May 2021 along the West Side Highway and spans just under two-and-a-half acres. Despite its small size, this magnificent floating structure — made up of 280 tulip-like concrete structures — is home to more than 350 species of flora. Little Island hosts a slew of events , including DJ sets, dance parties, and live musical performances.

Wander around The Met Cloisters.

Make your way to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park to check out The Met Cloisters. The museum, part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is America’s only such venue dedicated specifically to medieval architecture and art, much of which is displayed in old French monasteries and abbeys. You can easily spend an entire afternoon wandering its indoor and outdoor spaces, and Fort Tryon Park is a lovely place for a picnic.

Head to New York Botanical Garden.

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx feels worlds away from the bustling city, and the 250-acre site boasts more than one million plants. The blooms vary depending on the time of year. We recommend visiting in the spring, when peonies, daffodils, magnolias, and lilacs are all in season. Other highlights include the cherry blossoms in late March-mid April (there are more than 200 flowering cherry trees), the rose garden (May through October), the azalea garden (year-round), and the extensive orchid collection (also open year-round).

Peruse Manhattan’s best art museums.

It’s no secret that Manhattan is home to incredible art museums, including The Whitney (known for its collection of 20th-century American works) and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which boasts nearly 200,000 works from across the world. Other must-visit museums include the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum , an oasis for contemporary art lovers, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art , one of the world’s largest fine art museums. The Met is home to an impressive collection of works, some of which date back thousands of years.

Stroll through Socrates Sculpture Park.

Socrates Sculpture Park on Astoria's waterfront is a favorite of Vazquez’s for its tranquil riverfront locale and great installations. These include Suchitra Mattai's "We are nomads, we are dreamers", which, the park says, "celebrates the migratory oceanic journeys of... diasporic communities." It's fitting for Queens, where as many as an incredible 800 languages are spoken. Once an abandoned landfill, this outdoor museum hosts year-round events , including yoga and meditation sessions, kids dance classes, and even kayaking in nearby Hallet’s Cove.

Retreat to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

Meredith Sladek

Staten Island is the city’s least populous borough, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. The Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is, by far, one of the area's best attractions. You can walk here in 30 minutes from the Staten Island Ferry stop at St George. The waterfront site, set within an 83-acre park, is comprised of 28 historic buildings, 14 botanic gardens, a two-acre farm, and plenty of picturesque scenery. Staten Island is home to a number of New York's best Sri Lankan restaurants, including New Asha .

Walk down Arthur Ave.

Arthur Avenue has gained a reputation as being the city’s lesser-known but far more authentic Little Italy , and Vazquez calls it “the real deal” for its abundance of “Italian bakeries and red sauce restaurants.” A few can’t-miss spots include Funici A Pizza for pies, Tino’s Delicatessen for stuffed heroes, Casa Della Mozzarella for fresh mozz, Dominick’s for large plates of pasta, Tony & Tina’s for burek, and Madonia Bakery for cannoli.

Sit down for afternoon tea.

Put those pinkies up for afternoon tea at splurge-worthy NYC staples like Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel , The Whitby Bar at the Whitby (an especially fitting spot, given the hotel’s British roots), or the Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel . For a more budget-friendly experience that's still quite special, check out Alice’s Tea Cup , Brooklyn High Low , or Kings’ Carriage House .

Have dim sum in Flushing's Chinatown.

Though it's often overlooked in favor of Manhattan's Chinatown, this location is just as vibrant. Venture here to feast on delicious noodle soups, dim sum favorites like shumai and pork buns, dumplings of all kinds, chicken feet, and barbecue spare ribs, to name a few. While you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in this neighborhood, we especially love Asian Jewel , Shangai You Garden , and Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao .

Explore Governor’s Island.

This 172-acre car-free island is an eight-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan and a five-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn Bridge Park, making it an excellent day-trip destination. Travelers will find plenty to do year-round on Governor's Island, including biking its perimeter without any honking cars, relaxing at European-style QC Spa , and seeing a centuries-old fort . The island also boasts a handful of eclectic drinking and dining venues , a lavender field (open seasonally), and New York City’s only glamping property (also seasonal).

Ride the Ferris wheel at Coney Island.

Coney Island is a hotspot for families with its abundance of nostalgia-inducing amusement park rides, including the classic Ferris wheel, charming 2.7-mile-long boardwalk, and wide sandy beaches. No trip here is complete without a visit to the New York Aquarium , where you can encounter marine life like sharks, rays, otters, octopus, and more, followed by a hot dog and fries at the flagship Nathan’s Famous .

Have a drink at a few rooftop bars.

“Indulge in the chic and enchanting atmosphere of New York City's rooftop bars , offering stunning views of iconic landmarks like Times Square or the Empire State Building,” says Alfonso, who especially loves Magic Hour Rooftop in midtown. Other year-round options abound, including Westlight at The William Vale in Brooklyn's hip Williamsburg , the rooftop at Royalton Park Avenue , and Panorama Room at the Graduate New York on Roosevelt Island (the views alone are worth the fun tram ride here).

Visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

These two New York City landmarks are only accessible via ferry and require tickets. The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and hope, and visitors can climb to its crown, so as long as they don’t mind trekking 160-plus steps. Ellis Island, which welcomed 12 million immigrants into the country, is equally fascinating; today, it’s home to the National Immigration Museum , which houses historical artifacts and exhibits.

Sip vino at an urban winery.

You don’t have to travel to the Finger Lakes or the North Fork of Long Island to sip and savor some of the Empire State’s best wines. Instead, head to one of NYC’s innovative urban wineries. A few of our favorite spots include Rooftop Reds (set on a rooftop in the Brooklyn Navy Yard), Brooklyn Winery (which offers tours and tastings three days a week), The Redhook Winery (a warehouse-turned-winery that uses locally grown grapes) and City Winery , which is a restaurant, winery, and live music and entertainment venue rolled into one.

Stroll the High Line.

The High Line, which stretches through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea in Manhattan, is one of the city’s most unique public parks; it's an elevated rail track that's been transformed into a greenery-filled walkway spanning 1.45 miles. The park boasts 500-plus species of plants and trees, as well as several striking pieces of art. You’ll find plenty of places to sit and lounge, good people-watching, and great vantage points for snapping skyline photos.

Shop in SoHo.

SoHo, which stands for “South of Houston Street," is among New York City’s coolest neighborhoods. With chic boutiques, eclectic galleries, and hip eateries galore, you can spend hours wandering the streets here and popping in and out of shops. And speaking of shopping, your options abound, from Rag & Bone and Anine Bing to Kirna Zabête and Henrik Vibskov Boutique NYC .

Taste your way through the Tin Building.

Nicole Franzen

Open since September 2022, the Tin Building by Jean-Georges is a new brand of food hall. Located in lower Manhattan, the 53,000-square-foot oasis is a haven for culinary connoisseurs. Expect a handful of stylish sit-down restaurants, bars, and fast-casual spots serving everything from crêpes and dosas (at Sweet & Savory) to Chinese-leaning seafood (House of the Red Pearl) and French fare (T. Brasserie).

Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Located in the World Trade Center, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum aims to educate visitors on the impact and significance of 9/11 through a combination of media and artifacts, plus personal stories of loss and tragedy coupled with those of unwavering hope and resilience. While the outdoor memorial is free and open to the public, you’ll need to purchase tickets to enter the museum. Guided tours are also available.

Visit the American Museum of Natural History.

The American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side captivates visitors of all ages with its impressive collection of 32 million specimens and cultural artifacts. Prepare to be dazzled by the now-iconic blue whale model, enchanting dinosaur exhibits, and the fascinating display of extinct mammals. In May 2023, the museum debuted the Richard Gilder Center, which boasts striking architecture and features such as an insectarium and butterfly vivarium.

Take in the city views from One World Observatory.

Travelers can experience the city from new heights by visiting One World Observatory , which is the city’s highest indoor vantage point. In addition to panoramic city views, you’ll find a handful of shops, exhibits, and restaurants. Even the 47-second elevator ride to the 1,268-foot summit is thrilling, as it features a CGI timelapse of Manhattan from the 16th century to the present day.

Visit the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks since its 1930 construction. Today, tourists worldwide come here to marvel at the city vistas from the iconic 86th-floor, open-air observatory deck. There's also the 102nd-floor observation deck, where floor-to-ceiling views (and on a clear day, up to 80 miles of visibility) await.

Explore DUMBO.

kolderal/Getty Images

Brooklyn already takes the cake for being the city’s coolest borough, and DUMBO (a.k.a., Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) may just be its coolest neighborhood. The historic waterfront area is teeming with high-end eats — snag a seat outside at Cecconi’s to feast on handmade pasta in style — and shopping — the Brooklyn Flea , which takes place here each Sunday, is perfect for picking up hidden treasures.

You'll also find myriad galleries, including Klompching , which showcases incredible contemporary photography, and coffee shops galore (we love Zaruma Gold Coffee , which serves excellent Ecuadorian coffee). Brooklyn Bridge Park is a prime place for people-watching, and it’s also where you’ll find Jane’s Carousel , a must for little ones. 

Venture to Astoria.

Boogich/Getty Images

An easy subway ride from Manhattan, Astoria is chock-full of unique restaurants and attractions. Film buffs should not miss the Museum of the Moving Image , where you'll learn more about the art, history, and technology of movies. From there, grab a bite at one of many Greek eateries — Astoria has the highest population of Greeks in the U.S. — including the always-buzzing, seafood-forward Taverna Kyclades . Other neighborhood hotspots include Astoria Park (which spans almost 60 acres along the East River), The Bonnie for creative cocktails and bar bites, and a killer slice of white pizza at Steinway Pizza.

Eat breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Courtesy of Blue Box Cafe

Channel your inner Holly Golightly and splurge on breakfast (or lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner) at Tiffany’s — seriously. Inside the jewelry brand’s flagship Fifth Avenue location is The Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud , where the elegant, Tiffany Blue-hued interior sets the scene for a swanky meal. Menu offerings include Holly’s Favorites (a croissant, butter and jam, fruit juice, coffee, or hot chocolate) and the trademark Blue Box Celebration Cake, an Instagram-worthy treat shaped like the brand’s iconic blue box.

Enjoy a Michelin-starred meal.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

As of 2024, there are 66 Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City, which means many mouthwatering meals await. The now-vegan Eleven Madison Park is a favorite among foodies and celebrities alike, while Eric Ripert’s French-leaning Le Bernardin dishes out spectacular seafood. In Brooklyn, there's Modern American restaurant Clover Hill (Cobble Hill) and Aska  in Williamsburg, which serves seasonal Scandinavian fare. In Long Island City, Queens is Meju , a chic traditional Korean fermentation restaurant.

Catch a comedy show.

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

If you love to laugh — and who doesn't? — be sure to catch at least one stand-up or improv performance when in town. The city is home to dozens of venues, ranging from nationally renowned staples like the Comedy Cellar , Stand Up NY , and Gotham Comedy Club — all of which are in Manhattan — to hidden gems like The Tiny Cupboard in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Take a helicopter ride over NYC icons.

Getty Images

While the Big Apple is beautiful from every angle, seeing it from up above is an experience like no other. Catch a birds-eye view of your favorite NYC landmarks by embarking on a helicopter ride. This is a short, sweet, and fairly expensive experience: HeliNY 's helicopter tours start from $259 and Liberty Helicopter 's from $249, both for 12-15-minute rides; these exclude the heliport fee which is around $40.

Indulge in a bathhouse visit.

Adrian Gaut/Courtesy of Bathhouse

When you need a break from the city’s bustle, retreat to one of a handful of uber-sleek bathhouses for a rejuvenating soak. The aptly named Bathhouse in Williamsburg is housed in a 1930s-era former factory. Today, it’s a sleek space to relax and unwind, with amenities like thermal pools, heated marble hammams, saunas, a steam room, and treatments like massages and body scrubs — not to mention a stylish on-site bar and restaurant. AIRE Ancient Baths in Tribeca, which, like Bathhouse, occupies a restored building that was originally a textile factory, is another favorite for its wellness-centric offerings and chic ambiance.

Related Articles

15 of the best things to do in New York City in 2024

Mar 23, 2024 • 8 min read

A trip to Central Park is a classic stop on any NYC itinerary © Marco Rubino / Shutterstock

Three life-changing words: New York City .

Millions are drawn to it; some never shake it. Monumental, artistic, cultural, commercial, cosmopolitan – the City That Never Sleeps is everything you've imagined. You'll never be bored here – the only problem is narrowing down what to do from the endless list of possibilities.

To help you get started, here's a list of my favorite inspirational highlights – all perfect experiences for your next trip. However, the big sights lure big crowds, so brace yourself. If you're after a calmer NYC experience, sights in the "outer borough" (beyond Manhattan) will generally be less crowded. 

Ticket costs can also be substantial, so consider purchasing a New York CityPASS , which offers good discounts on top attractions.

Where Locals Go: NYC locals share their favorite nearby vacation spots

1. Visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The iconic copper-green  Statue of Liberty dominates a small island in New York Harbor, casting a protective shadow over neighboring Ellis Island , the site of a stirring Immigration Museum . Still symbolic today, these two landmarks served as an uplifting gateway through which over 12 million soon-to-be-Americans passed from 1892 to 1924.

Planning tip: Boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from The Battery in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The monuments are often visited on a combined ticket – book well ahead, especially if you hope to spend time in Liberty's pedestal or crown.

2. Soak up the views from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings

The tallest building in the world when it opened in 1931, the 1454ft  Empire State Building remains a much-loved character on the NYC skyline, although somewhat controversially, street-level views of this New York City skyline icon are about to be obscured by a luxury condo apartment. Vistas from the outdoor, 360-degree view, 86th-floor deck and the indoor 102nd-floor observatory are breathtaking, though – particularly at sunset. Look northeast at the art deco Chrysler Building , also once the world's tallest before being dethroned by the Empire State.

Planning tip:  Buy tickets in advance and devote a few moments to the second-floor Story of an Icon museum.

3. Pay tribute to lost lives at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The National 9/11 Memorial is located where the World Trade Center Twin Towers once stood. It features sobering tributes to the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, most poignantly two sunken pools with cascades of water pouring into the fallen towers' footprints. Adjacent to the memorial is a profoundly moving museum with remnants and reminders of the tragic day.

Planning tip:  The memorial is free; museum tickets are best bought online in advance.

4. Have family-friendly seaside fun at Coney Island

Jutting like a Brooklyn thumb out into New York Harbor's Lower Bay, Coney Island boasts a wide beach, a popular seaside boardwalk and a lively amusement park, all reachable by subway in about an hour from Midtown Manhattan. Popular attractions include the family-friendly New York Aquarium , Nathan's Famous hot dogs , Deno's Wonder Wheel and thrill-filled Luna Park , featuring the wooden Cyclone rollercoaster – a city and national historic landmark.

Planning tip:  Walk to nearby Brighton Beach for classic Russian and Ukrainian eats.

5. Tour the vast collections at NYC's major museums

The Met  is NYC's most visited museum for very good reasons. With 5000 years of art from all over the world, two million individual objects and 17 acres of exhibition space, it's massive, astounding and seemingly inexhaustible.

An inside tip – the Met's often bypassed uptown Cloisters were cobbled together from authentic sections of European medieval monasteries. Tickets cover three-day admission to both Met branches.

Directly across Central Park from the Met is another significant museum with a broad scope: the American Museum of Natural History , where your ticket grants you access to more than 50 exhibits and 34 million artifacts!

Art lovers will find modern masterpieces from Warhol, Pollock and more in the Museum of Modern Art ; book ahead to skip the line, particularly at weekends. Somewhat smaller and less crowded, though definitely still comprehensive, is the Brooklyn Museum .

Detour: For something much more contemporary and free of hordes, try Brooklyn's Bushwick Collective Street Art .

Use this guide to plan the ultimate museum tour of New York City

6. Hang out in Central Park

Hemmed in by buildings, Central Park serves up 843 acres of green space – meadows, groves, gardens and lakes, as well as restaurants, theaters, concert venues, fountains, skating rinks, ballfields, playgrounds and much more. Park Drive, although often crowded, is a favorite route for runners, skaters and cyclists.

Seeking some green space with fewer people? Brooklyn's Prospect Park , created by the same landscapers as Central Park, has all the same charm with far less throng.

Detour: For a leafy overview of Manhattan, consider cycling along sections of the 31-mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway , especially the Hudson River Greenway segment.

Can't get enough of Central Park? Our local tells you where to find Central Park's best corners

7. Walk across Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Undoubtedly NYC's most beautiful river crossing, the 1596ft-long, stone-towered Brooklyn Bridge was one of the world's first steel suspension bridges when it opened in 1883. Today, a walk along its pedestrian passageway delivers delightful Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views.

Brooklyn Bridge Park , the 1.3-mile, 85-acre green space on Brooklyn's East River shoreline, prolongs the pleasure (and the Manhattan views). Check out the waterfront, glass-enclosed Jane's Carousel and multiple revitalized pier-based leisure and activity areas.

Save these restaurants to your Brooklyn itinerary

8. Gaze upon the Manhattan skyline  

Manhattan's tumble of buildings is a mesmerizing spectacle, changing in natural and artificial light, particularly at dusk and night. Harbor cruises are a fantastic way to enjoy it, but there are also numerous land-based vantage points along the East River.

In Brooklyn, head for Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, East River State Park in Williamsburg and Transmitter Park in Greenpoint. Over in Queens, go to Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City and Astoria Park.

Planning tip:  For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge and unbeatable views, take a helicopter tour over NYC; yes, it's pricey, but it's worth it.

9. See art and architecture on the High Line and at Hudson Yards 

The 1.5-mile-long High Line is one of New York's great surprises. This art-filled, community green space – featuring gardens, events, and amazing city outlooks – was crafted from an abandoned elevated railway. It can be packed on warm evenings when the unique modern architecture on all sides is illuminated.

The northern terminus of the High Line is at the Hudson Yards , Manhattan's newest luxury development, with gourmet restaurants, upscale shops and singular attractions like Vessel , a multilevel public landmark, and The Edge , the city's highest (101st-floor) open-air observatory.

10. Visit the landmark Rockefeller Center

Perhaps best known for its winter backdrop – a world-famous ice-skating rink and New York's giant ceremoniously-lit Christmas tree – the art deco Rockefeller Center is a busy, art-filled national historic landmark all year round.

Named for its entrepreneurial developer – John D Rockefeller Jr, America's first billionaire – it claims highlights such as the 70th-floor Top of the Rock observation deck, the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios Tours , as well as plenty of Midtown shopping and dining.

11. Be dazzled by the lights of Times Square and the Theater District

The neon lights really do shine bright on Broadway, especially in Times Square at the heart of the world's most celebrated theater district. Day and night, it provides billboarded sensory overload. In the area are dozens of marquee-fronted playhouses hosting box-office hits, alongside Madame Tussauds and National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey . Bryant Park, Midtown's small but activity-filled green oasis, and the lion-flanked entrance of the New York Public Library , a national historic landmark, are also nearby.

12. Ride the New York City Subway and Staten Island Ferry

The wheels never stop turning in NYC, aided by its sleepless subway , one of the world's biggest mass transit systems. Another iconic part of the New York transport network is the free, orange Staten Island Ferry , the cheapest way to grab pics of Lady Liberty.

For NYC urban transport history, the kid-friendly Transit Museum has climb-aboard subway cars from all eras. There's a museum annex and shop in Grand Central Terminal , a Midtown beaux-arts wonder with an unforgettably grand main concourse.

13. Support conservation at the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens

Who'd have thought the US's biggest and oldest zoo is in NYC? The conservation-minded Bronx Zoo hosts 6000-plus animals in 265 acres of specially designed habitats. Adjacent to it is the New York Botanical Garden , a 250-acre, year-round nature showcase with dozens of indoor and outdoor gardens included in your ticket.

Planning tip: Smaller but impressive alternative zoos can be found at Central Park, Prospect Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens). The 50-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden is famous for its seasonally blossoming cherry trees.

14. Find art and entrepreneurs in Brooklyn

In a city that places a high premium on space, Brooklyn now claims three hip, rehabilitated industrial areas commandeered by entrepreneurs, artisanal makers, retailers, artists, start-ups and nonprofits. Industry City occupies six large warehouses on the Sunset Park waterfront.

Further south, 100-plus companies fill the vast and storied Brooklyn Army Terminal . And east of Downtown Brooklyn, the expansive, historic Brooklyn Navy Yard is a modern made-in-Brooklyn manufacturing hub.

15. Go to a game at a New York stadium

New Yorkers take outsize pride in their sports teams, so how better to absorb the city's energy than at a game? The Bronx's Yankee Stadium and Mets' Citi Field in Queens are grand open-air stadiums, while Manhattan's Madison Square Garden , home of Knicks and Liberty basketball and Rangers hockey, and Brooklyn's futuristic Barclays Center , where the Nets basketball and Islanders hockey teams play, are enclosed, so good for rainy days.

Planning tip:  If you'd prefer to see the Giants and Jets compete in the National Football League, their arenas are in nearby New Jersey .

And now for the hard part: should you go to a Mets or Yankees game? Two local experts weigh in

Keep planning your trip to NYC:

• Find out which NYC neighborhood fits your vibe
• Find the best time of year to visit
• Getting around NYC is fairly straightforward –  find out how in our full transportation guide
• Even better, read on for top tips to see New York on two wheels

This article was first published May 25, 2021 and updated Mar 23, 2024.

Explore related stories

Aug 30, 2024 • 6 min read

We narrowed down the top Vegas experiences for your hit list.

Aug 1, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 11, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Mar 15, 2024 • 9 min read

Feb 19, 2024 • 6 min read

Feb 16, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 3, 2024 • 4 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 5 min read

Sep 6, 2023 • 5 min read

Home » Travel Guides » United States » New York (NY) » 55 Best Things to Do in New York City (New York)

55 Best Things to Do in New York City (New York)

New York is at the vanguard of western art, entertainment, food trends, fashion and finance. Now, you could get cute and obscure when you compile a guide like this.

But truth be told, 55 things isn’t enough for a city like New York, which is why our list is packed shamelessly with big-hitters, from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park, Ellis Island, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State, Broadway and the Brooklyn Bridge.

These things are non-negotiable if you want to do New York justice, even if you’ll be accompanied by a few thousand tourists.

We’ve got a breathless ride through a city seared in the minds of people around the world, immortalised in television and movies, and able to inspire wonder, awe, quiet reflection and joy in even the most cynical travellers.

Let’s explore the best things to do in NYC :

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Backing onto Central on Fifth Avenue, the immense Metropolitan Museum of Art charts 5,000 years of applied and fine arts from all ends of the earth.

At the largest gallery in the United States you can chase your sense of curiosity down any number of rabbit-holes, marvelling at Sumerian cuneiform tablets, Chinese calligraphy, Classical sculpture, Egyptian mummies, Old Masters, Moorish textiles, Rococo fashion, armour worn by European monarchs, invaluable musical instruments, and that’s just to get started.

You could spend a whole day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and leave knowing that there was more to see.

But a few of the indispensible exhibits are the transposed Egyptian Temple of Dendur (15BC), Raphael’s altar painting of Madonna and Child (1504), Rembrandt’s Aristotle with a Bust of Homer (1653), Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (1851) and van Gogh’s Self Portrait with Straw Hat (1887).

Skip the line : Metropolitan Museum of Art Skip-the-Line Ticket

2. Central Park

New York’s population doubled in the 30 years up to 1855, by which time the burgeoning city was in desperate need of more green space.

The answer was to cut a giant strip from the middle of Manhattan’s grid system, from 5th to 8th Avenue, and from 59th to 110th Street.

On 843 acres, this captivating landscape was drawn up by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and officially completed in 1873. Within Central Park’s boundaries are ponds, a central lake, a reservoir, public art, schist outcrops, almost 50 fountains, 21 playgrounds, complete sports facilities, more than 25,000 trees and dozens of interesting landmarks like the stately Bethesda Terrace.

The list of things to do is almost endless, and includes a zoo, boating, yoga classes, outdoor theatre and horse-drawn carriage tours.

Such is the size of Central Park, two wheels might be a better way to get around than two feet, and you can hire a bike via GetYourGuide.com .

3. National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Sombre but necessary, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is on the site of the World Trade Centre.

The National September 11 Memorial is a jarring tribute to the 2,977 people killed in the attacks in 2001, as well as the six who died in the 1993 bombing.

There are twin reflecting pools here, an acre in size, marking out the exact footprints of the Twin Towers and walled with the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.

The bronze panels on parapets surrounding these pools are inscribed with the names of every person who died in the two attacks.

The Memorial Museum recalls the events of 9/11, the weeks leading up to the attack, and its aftermath, but also goes into depth on the lives of those who perished.

Among the exhibits are the monumental Last Column, fragments from the aircraft and a damaged fire truck.

Suggested tour : The 9/11 Tribute Museum & Memorial Walking Tour

4. Empire State Building

It’s a sign of New York’s sheer ambition in the 20s and 30s that nearly 90 years after it was topped off, the timeless Empire State Building is still the 44th tallest skyscraper in the world.

The roof of this Art Deco tower is 380 metres over the Midtown streets, and the highest visitable point in the city from 2001 until the One World Trade Center Observatory opened in 2011. The Main Deck on the 86th floor is open until 02:00 for a late-night perspective of the city that never sleeps, while in clear weather by day the panoramas scroll out for 80 miles, as far as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Further up there’s an indoor observatory on the 102nd floor, once part of a docking station for airships, and accessed with an upgrade.

Make sure to soak up the Art Deco opulence of the Lobby on Fifth Avenue, with marble floors and the unmistakeable image of the tower behind the main desk.

Skip the line : Empire State Building General & Express Ticket Options

5. Statue of Liberty

From 1886, immigrants making the voyage to New York for a new life would be greeted by this inspiring symbol of freedom, conceived by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and with a metal framework built by Gustave Eiffel.

The 93-metre Statue of Liberty depicts the Roman goddess Libertas, striding free of the shackles at her feet, holding aloft a torch in her right hand and carrying a tablet in her left hand bearing the date of the Declaration of Independence, “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI” (1776). New York’s main point of departure for Liberty Island is Battery Park.

The queues for the ferry and new Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island can be long and slow, which is why it’s well worth getting “skip the line” Priority or Flexible Statue of Liberty Tickets with GetYourGuide.com, which include a complimentary audio guide and optional access to the pedestal.

Trips to the top of the crown are highly coveted, so you have to book well in advance.

Recommended tour : Statue of Liberty: Pedestal Express and Ellis Island

6. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Some of the modern age’s most celebrated art is on show at the world-famous MoMA, one of the largest and most important museums for modern and contemporary art in the world.

The collection runs to 150,000 pieces, comprising a good many masterpieces.

Among them are The Starry Night by van Gogh, Picasso’ s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, The Dance by Matisse, Painting 1946 by Francis Bacon and a triptych from Monet’s Water Lilies series.

This incredible reserve is matched with high-profile temporary exhibitions: The work of Degas, Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Gilbert & George, Miró has starred in solo shows in the last few years, along with many more enlightening survey shows and transformative installations.

All year round, MoMA throws open its doors for free on Friday nights from 16:00 to 20:00.

Book online : Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Skip-the-Line Tickets

7. Rockefeller Center

The proportions of this vertical complex in Midtown are astonishing, especially when you remember that it was built throughout the Great Depression.

The Rockefeller Center is made up of 19 buildings (14 Art Deco, five International Style), broken by a sunken central plaza, all commissioned by the Rockefeller family, who first made their money in the oil industry.

We’ll talk about the Top of the Rock observatory and Radio City below, but there’s much at street level at the Rockefeller Center that you’ll have seen many times before in movies.

You’ve got the Atlas statue (1936) facing St Patrick’s Cathedral across Fifth Avenue, Prometheus (1934) on the west side of the famous sunken plaza and a majestic accompaniment to the much-loved skating rink and Christmas tree.

8. Brooklyn Bridge

Yet another landmark that makes New York, well… New York, the Brooklyn Bridge links Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River and became the world’s first steel wire suspension bridge when it was completed in 1883. At that time it was also the first permanent crossing on the East River.

In 1884 the showman P.T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants across the bridge to allay doubts about its structural integrity.

The structure’s sense of drama comes from its two neo-Gothic towers, composed of limestone and granite and rising to 84 metres, and anchoring the intricate cable system.

The Brooklyn Bridge is best crossed as a pedestrian on the elevated walkway above the road and through the very centre of the towers, for satisfying vistas of New York’s silhouette and the cables overhead.

9. Broadway

A byword for New York’s theatre district, and even musical theatre in general, Broadway has more than 41 venues with 500 seats or more.

Most of these are on or within a few blocks of Times Square, and helped to turn New York into the cultural capital of the West in the 20th century.

Broadway’s eye-catching signs go back as far as 1910, when theatre owners realised it was safer and cheaper to advertise their venues with electric lights.

White bulbs took longer to burn out, and so Broadway became known as the “Great White Way”. For many generations of visitors to New York, catching a musical has been an essential ritual, and attendances continue to rise, driven by appearances from Hollywood stars (Bryan Cranston, Adam Driver, Keri Russell and Daniel Radcliffe in 2019). The three ever-present productions are Phantom of the Opera (1988) at the Majestic, Chicago (1996) at the Ambassador, and the Lion King (1997) at the Minskoff Theatre, while Hamilton and the Book of Mormon are more recent sensations.

Tip: Available shows on Broadway

10. One World Trade Center Observatory

Over almost a decade of construction between 2006 and 2015, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere took its place on the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site.

“One World Trade Center” comes from the north skyscraper of the Twin Towers and as of 2019 is the sixth tallest building in the world at 541.3 metres.

The height in feet is 1776, referring to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, and you’ll rocket up 102 storeys in just 47 seconds.

The Observatory grants a 360° view, which at this end of Manhattan means you can look down on the Upper New York Bay and the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and up to the cluster of Midtown skyscrapers.

Come just before sunset to watch the city lighting up.

Book online: One World Observatory Ticket: Skip-the-Ticket-Line

11. High Line

This railway viaduct, cutting down the west side of Midtown Manhattan, belongs to the West Side Line but had been effectively abandoned from 1980 until it was turned into an elevated linear park, 1.45 miles long.

Taking cues from the Coulée verte René-Dumont in Paris the High Line opened in 2009 and threads through Chelsea, with occasional views across the Hudson River at the south, and to the towers of the slick new Hudson Yards development in the north.

The gardens were designed by Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf, and have a continuous pebble-dash concrete walkway flanked by beds growing the hardy plant species that sprouted in the gravel on the disused line, like coneflowers, blazing stars and a variety of grasses and trees.

Unveiled in June 2019, the Plinth at 10th Avenue and 30th Street is a space devoted to a rotating series of monumental, contemporary art commissions, kicking off with Simone Leigh’s Brick House.

Combo tour : High Line and Greenwich Village Combo Tour

12. Staten Island Ferry

One of the great free things to do in New York, the Staten Island Ferry zips across the Upper New York Bay 25 hours a day, seven days a week.

This crossing is one of the last survivors of a whole system of ferries that shuttled people over the city’s waterways before the bridges were constructed.

The service, between Whitehall Street and St George on Staten Island, is used by 22 million a year, and the five mile crossing takes about 25 minutes.

As a visitor, the reason to make the trip will become clear as you pull away from Manhattan, taking in perfect views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan.

13. Times Square

Broadway’s theatre district coalesces around Times Square, a bowtie shaped plaza where Broadway and Seventh Avenue meet, in an urban ravine walled by dazzling electronic billboards.

It’s something you have to see, especially if you’re a first-timer.

On busy days more than 460,000 people pass through Times Square, and up to a million come to ring in the New Year at the ball drop, a tradition going back to 1907. In 2016, to keep things a bit more orderly, the city set up designated areas for the many street performers, and drew up paths to help you navigate the crowds.

As everybody knows, Times Square wasn’t always as clean and glossy.

From the 1960s to the early-90s, this was one of the grimiest blocks, lined with peep shows and sex shops, and a symbol for a city struggling with violent crime.

In 1984 there were 2,300 recorded crimes on and around the square, 460 of which were serious.

14. Grand Central Terminal

Much more than a simple transportation hub, the Grand Central Terminal (1913) is a Beaux-Arts wonder, with amazing proportions, exceptional workmanship in its architecture and fittings, and more than 60 shops and 35 places to eat.

This cavernous building, an enduring meeting point for New Yorkers, has 44 platforms, more than any other train station in the world, and has shown up time and again in movies and television.

On the palatial Main Concourse tilt your head back to see the mural of night sky constellations from 1912 by Paul César Helleu, and the ten Beaux-Arts chandeliers, each weighing 360kg and holding 110 bulbs.

Most emblematic is the information booth, crowned with a clock, each face of which is made from mesmerising opalescent glass.

15. Top of the Rock

The 1930s Art Deco skyscraper at 30 Rockefeller Plaza may have the best view of the Manhattan skyline from its outdoor observation deck at just below 260 metres over the Midtown streets.

Dubbed Top of the Rock, this sophisticated space was designed like the deck of an ocean liner.

Despite being 60 metres lower than the Empire State, many people prefer this experience.

There’s a timed entry system, which combined with the larger observation deck makes for shorter queues.

Naturally, the views encompass the Empire State in all its glory, as well as the Midtown and downtown skyscrapers, but also a big sweep of Central Park.

Book online:  Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket

16. 5.5-Hour New York City Tour

If time is of the essence you can condense the city into a half-day odyssey, weaving past nearly all of New York’s main sights from the comfort of a bus.

Starting at Central Park West and ending on Herald Square in Midtown, the trip will be narrated and make regular pauses for photos, and nine stops to step out for a better look.

You’ll get to see the Upper West Side, Harlem, much of Fifth Avenue, Midtown, Little Italy, China Town, Brooklyn, Wall Street and the Meatpacking District, before stopping for lunch at the Chelsea Market.

The highly-rated 5.5-Hour New York City Tour can be found on GetYourGuide.Com and can be conducted in English, Spanish, Italian or German.

17. Guggenheim Museum

A celebrated museum of course, but also an epoch-making work of 20th-century architecture, the Guggenheim Museum is essential for its dumbfounding design, collection of Impressionist and early modern art, and for its world-class temporary exhibitions.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s building is yet another icon, tearing up the museum script by inviting visitors to catch an elevator to the top and then make their way down the ramp that coils around the atrium.

This opened in 1959, but the collection, enriched with names like Chagall, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Kirchner, Franz Marc, Fernand Léger and Cézanne, goes back more than eight decades and continues to grow.

18. New York Public Library

Like so many of the entries on this list the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the main branch of the New York Public Library, is a landmark that you’ll recognise in an instant.

This is a holdover from the first age of philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century, and belongs to the second largest public library system in the country, and the third largest in the world.

The marble Beaux-Arts facade in Midtown on Fifth Avenue has pairs of Corinthian columns, topped by a frieze and giving way to barrel vaults.

Flanking the steps there’s a pair of lions, which are an emblem for the whole library system.

This monument holds world-renowned collections in the humanities, fine arts and social sciences, and schedules free guided tours Monday to Saturday at 11:00 and 14:00. Also visit for a special exhibition; for example, in spring 2019 there was a display exploring some of the inspirations for Walt Whitman’s work, and a show to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which helped pave the way for the gay liberation movement.

19. Bryant Park

Bounded to the east by the New York Public Library Main Branch, Bryant Park is actually set on top of the library’s stacks, after an underground level was built during a restoration in the 1980s.

The park’s current layout is from that time, and became a symbol for the revival of New York’s image in the 1990s, shedding its reputation for prostitution and drug dealing.

More than 30 years later Bryant Park is adored for its sense of calm, and is held up as a piece of urban regeneration.

There’s a movie night on Mondays in the summer, and by day you’ll see people playing chess, ping-pong or pétanque, and taking part in free classes in anything from yoga to tai chi and juggling.

There are promenades hemmed by London planes, and several places to grab coffee, a pastry or something more substantial.

The Reading Room is a Depression-era relic, reopened as a literary destination in 2003, and in the build-up to Christmas the Bank of America Winter Village brings a rink and a sprinkle of seasonal magic to the park.

20. The Met Cloisters

Posted on a hill up in Fort Tryon Park is a museum for European Medieval art and architecture, managed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The museum was established in 1938, in a haunting neo-Romanesque building designed by Charles Collens, built from European limestone and granite.

Inside are some 5,000 pieces, from the early days of the Byzantine Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance.

The showpiece on the south side are the Cuxa cloisters, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries and brought from the Abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa.

All of the columns and intricately carved capitals here are original.

The Saint-Guilhem (800s-1600s), Bonnefont (1100s) and Trie (1400s and 1500s) cloisters are also breathtaking.

Inside marvellous architectural stonework, stained glass, effigies and frescoes await at the Gothic Chapel, Fuentidueña chapel, Langon Chapel and Romanesque Hall.

The Treasury Room contains smaller delights, like illuminated manuscripts, fine enamel, a 13th-century French reliquary and a deck of cards from the 1400s.

21. Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

The point of arrival for 12 million immigrants to the United States between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island is a short boat trip via Statue Cruises at Battery Park.

To give you an idea of the importance of this site, the descendants of these immigrants account for nearly half of the entire population of the United States.

Dating to 1900, the main building of the immigration station complex houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Just outside, the Wall of Honour lists some of the people to have been processed here.

Within the Renaissance Revival building there’s a wealth of information panels, artefacts, photographs, videos, oral histories and interactive stations.

The audio tour has more than 120 hours worth of content, going into detail on what it was like to pass through Ellis Island, how America was populated in the 19th and 20th centuries, and immigration in the present day.

Included in : Statue of Liberty Pedestal, Ellis Island and Pre-Ferry Tour

22. Fifth Avenue

Just like Broadway is synonymous with musical theatre, Fifth Avenue means luxury and prestige.

New York’s most refined artery is the eastern boundary to Central Park and cuts past a staggering amount of things on this list, be it the Empire State Building or the Frick Collection.

There are specific stretches that demand a visit, like the park-side blocks between 59th and 96th Street.

By the dawn of the 20th century this strip was known as Millionaire’s Row, and has some of the most opulent residences in the city.

From 82nd to 105th Streets is Museum Mile, loaded with nine prestigious museums almost side by side, including The Met and the Guggenheim.

And further down, between 49th and 60th Street, Fifth Avenue is given over to flagship luxury emporia for Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Prada and the like.

Included in : New York City Day Tour with One World Observatory

23. Metropolitan Opera House

New York lays claim to the largest repertory opera house in the world.

Part of the Lincoln Center, the Met, for short, seats around 3,800 at an extraordinary Modernist building raised in the mid-1960s.

This is one of the most advanced opera venues in the world, with a system of hydraulic elevators and motorised stages able to put on four different operas a week, including epic productions like Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and Verdi’s Aida.

The auditorium’s ceiling is coated with more than 4,000 squares of gold leaf in a petal motif, suspending 21 crystal chandeliers.

The opera season runs from autumn to spring, and Porgy & Bess, Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, The Flying Dutchman and The Magic Flute were a few of the 2019-20 season highlights.

Following on, the American Ballet Theatre then has an eight-week spring season at the Met.

24. Tenement Museum

Between 1863 and 2011 some 15,000 people from more than 20 nations lived at the two tenement buildings at 97 and 103 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side.

The Tenement Museum lifts the lid on their lives and the wider immigration experience.

No. 97 has barely changed since 1935. Up to that time, plumbing, gas, electricity and running water had been added, but rather than make further changes to bring the building up to code, the landlord evicted all the residents from the upper storeys, sealing these floors up until they were rediscovered in 1988. You can visit 97 and 103 on a variety of guided tours, making your way through recreated apartments, learning intimate details about the families who arrived here hoping to make their way in a new country.

25. Brooklyn Heights

Known for its leafy streets and dignified brownstone rowhouses, Brooklyn Heights is the upmarket neighbourhood south of the Brooklyn Bridge.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Manhattan’s skyscrapers you can idle here among the low-rise buildings, home to celebrities now and in the mid-20th century when Marilyn Monroe and Truman Capote were residents.

Amble along the Brooklyn Promenade, which has a view across the East River to match any in the city, encompassing Liberty Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and cityscape of Lower Manhattan.

This walkway was conceived as a buffer to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, which arrived on the waterfront in 1950. You can make a day of it in Brooklyn Heights at the riveting New York Transit Museum on Schermerhorn Street, and continue up to the brand new Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Available tour : Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, NYC Sightseeing Bike Tour

26. Coney Island

This former barrier island in the south-western corner of Brooklyn became a peninsula at the turn of the 20th century.

For decades before that time, Coney Island has been a seaside escape for New Yorkers.

And although the waterfront had a prolonged downturn from the 1960s onwards, it has been revitalised today, while keeping some of its scruffy appeal.

A real stalwart here is the Coney Island Cyclone, now at the Luna Park.

This is one of the oldest functioning wooden rollercoasters, first opened in 1927, and hitting speeds of 60 mph after the first 26-metre climb.

Another abiding attraction is the Wonder Wheel at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, standing since 1920, and giving you clear views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn’s beaches and east along the Rockaway Peninsula.

27. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (1943), which served in the Pacific during the Second World War, surviving five kamikaze attacks, was rescued from scrapping in 1978 and in 1982 found a permanent home at Pier 86 off 46th Street.

This is the centrepiece of a museum for US military and maritime history, allowing you to pore over the inner workings of a WWII-era aircraft carrier, but also view a serious collection of other vessels and aircraft.

One of the highlights, the USS Growler (1958) is the only American guided missile submarine open to the public, while the BA Concorde at Pier 86 broke the Concorde’s transatlantic crossing record in 1996. In the Space Shuttle Pavilion you can view the Enterprise, the prototype Space Shuttle orbiter, rolled out in 1976.

Book online: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Priority Access Tickets

28. Prospect Park

Brooklyn’s 526-acre Prospect Park is a beautiful place to get lost, dotted with historic buildings, little attractions and sports facilities, all on a hilly terminal moraine from the last Ice Age.

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the men behind Central Park, Prospect Park took shape during the 1860s, and has a ceremonious entrance to the north, on the Grand Army Plaza, via the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch (1892). New buildings were being added well into the early 20th century.

One of these is the elegant Boathouse on the Lullwater (1905), a channel of the park’s lake.

Smaller visitors will be besotted with the farmyard animals, red pandas, otters and tamarins at the 130-year-old Prospect Park Zoo, while the park’s carousel has been turning since 1912. The Ravine is a beautiful piece of 19th-century landscaping, resembling the wilderness of the Adirondacks, while the Long Meadow is a mile-long strip of undulating greenery for picnics and a little peace.

29. Battery Park

This small-ish park at the southern tip of Manhattan looks out over the Upper New York Bay, and is one of the best places in the city to watch the sun go down.

The Staten Island Ferry departs just next door and you can make the voyage to Ellis Island and Liberty Island here, or just sit and gaze at the Statue of Liberty by day or in lights.

Battery Park gets its name from the coastal gun emplacements that used to be on this spot, and among the flowerbeds, lawns, ornamental shrubs and an urban farm there are a few monuments to pique your curiosity.

One is the Netherland Monument, raised in 1926 to mark the tercentenary of New Amsterdam.

Another is the Sphere, a 1971 sculpture by Fritz Koenig that stood in the middle of the plaza of the World Trade Centre, and was relocated here in its damaged state in 2002. The Hope Garden remembers the victims of the AIDS crisis, while a few paces north on the Bowling Green is Wall Street’s famous Charging Bull.

30. Greenwich Village

This neighbourhood of 19th century townhouses on tree-lined streets spent much of the last century diverting from the mainstream.

Then Greenwich Village’s bars and cafes harboured the city’s beatniks and then hippies, and its nascent LBGTQ community.

Café Society, the first racially integrated nightclub in the United States, opened here in 1938. Just the name Greenwich Village recalls beat writers like Jack Kerouac and William S.

Burroughs, but also other literary heavyweights like James Baldwin and Dylan Thomas, who died in 1953 soon after a drinking session in the White Horse Tavern.

Sky-high real estate prices have put an end to Greenwich Village’s bohemian days, but make the pilgrimage to a place that gave a start to Bob Dylan and the Velvet Underground.

Suggested tour : New York City: Greenwich Village 2-Hour Tour

31. Whitney Museum of American Art

In 2014 the foremost museum for 20th-century and contemporary art in the United States relocated to a Renzo Piano-designed building in the West Village/Meat Packing District.

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s collection runs to more than 20,000 works, by hundreds of renowned artists, among them Alexander Calder, Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper and Helen Frankenthaler.

In 1932, the museum’s founder, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney launched the Whitney Biennial.

Almost 90 years later, this is still a landmark event in the United States’ cultural scene, introducing new talent and mapping the latest developments in American contemporary art.

Book online: Whitney Museum of American Art: Day Ticket

32. Flatiron Building

On Fifth Avenue at the downtown end of Madison Square is one of those New York sights etched into the world’s consciousness.

This wedge-shaped Renaissance Revival skyscraper, named for its resemblance to a clothes iron, was one of the tallest buildings in the city when it was completed in 1902. The Flatiron Building stands just shy of 87 metres and sits neatly on a triangular block caused by Broadway.

As well as being a sight to kindle some Manhattan romance, the Flatiron Building has a small gallery, the Flatiron Prow Artspace.

This is run by the ground floor tenant, Sprint, and hosts exhibitions centred on sustainability and eco-friendly technology.

A few steps away is the capacious indoor market/dining destination, Eataly Flatiron, an ode to Italian cuisine

Suggested tour : Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour

33. Union Square

The name, Union Square, has nothing to do with the Civil War, as you might think, but comes from the location, where the thoroughfares Broadway and Bowery Road (now Fourth Avenue) are united.

Given its central position, Union Square has been a gathering point for protests and demonstration since it was laid out in the 1830s.

On the south side is the massive public art installation, Metronome, with LED clock, while among the park’s monuments are Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi sculpture of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette for the Centennial in 1876, and imposing statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln by Henry Kirke Brown.

The Union Square Greenmarket, served by regional farmers, trades here on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 08:00 to 18:00 all year.

This is one of the best places to get fresh produce in New York, while you can come for Christmas handicrafts at the Holiday Market from the end of November.

34. Frick Collection

As soon as he made his fortune the Pittsburgh coke and steel industrialist Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919) started investing in art, amassing an exceptional assortment of Old Masters and high-quality decorative arts.

This collection, along with a sprawling Neoclassical mansion built in 1913, was bequeathed as a public museum when he passed away.

The residence was adapted into a museum by feted architect John Russell Pope, and at its heart is the refined Garden Court, framed by pairs of Ionic columns and symmetrical bedding.

There’s extraordinary painting, by Vermeer, Fragonard, Velázquez, Turner, Goya, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco and Hans Holbein the Younger, as well as Limoges enamel, Oriental rugs, porcelain, silverware sculpture and 18th-century French furniture.

35. American Museum of Natural History

Expertly curated, and constantly finding creative and engaging ways to display its vast inventory of specimens, the American Museum of Natural History is on a jaw-dropping scale.

On four floors there are 45 permanent exhibition halls in 28 interconnected buildings.

Many of the collections are the largest in the world in their fields, so you can indulge your interest in even the most obscure subcategories of zoology, botany, geology, mineralogy and anthropology.

Children will be transfixed by the Fossil Halls, particularly the Koch Dinosaur Wing, displaying just a tantalising fraction of the museum’s collections but staggering all the same.

In the Millstein Family Hall of Ocean Life you’ll be met by a life-sized replica of a blue whale, swooping from the ceiling and almost 30 metres long.

The Rose Center for Earth and Space holds the Hayden Planetarium in an enormous sphere, while the museum’s own IMAX theater presents eye-popping 2D and 3D films.

Get tickets : American Museum of Natural History Tickets

36. Washington Square Park

At the very bottom of Fifth Avenue and fringed by New York University, the youthful Washington Square Park is somewhere to forget the city for a while.

In the 1950s and 60s beatniks and hippies would gather here, often to the chagrin of Greenwich Village’s working class residents and the New York City Police Department.

That bohemian spirit endures today in the park’s line-up of talented street performers and buskers.

In the south-west corner you can watch some intense chess matches (Stanley Kubrick was a regular in his youth), while the triumphal Washington Square Arch at the end of Fifth Avenue was put up in 1892 to mark the centenary of George Washington’s inauguration.

37. New York City Helicopter Tour

No matter how high the observation deck, you may come away feeling like there’s a patch of Manhattan that you wanted to see from above but could not.

There might not be a cityscape more suited to a helicopter tour than New York, so it’s little wonder that there’s an abundance of options with GetYourGuide.com .

To single out one, the New York City Deluxe Helicopter Tour affords the ultimate views of the Hudson River, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, the New York Harbour and USS Intrepid.

Taking off from the heliport at Pier 6, this flight lasts 15-30 minutes but will give you memories to last a lifetime.

38. Madison Square Garden

Dubbed the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden is the home of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and still finds time to be the second busiest arena in the world in terms of concert sales.

The Garden has recently completed its second renovation, costing an eye-watering $1bn and taking place across three off seasons.

At the time of writing in 2019 the Knicks were at their nadir, slumping to the very bottom of the Eastern Conference, but you may be keen to relive the 90s when Patrick Ewing was in his prime and the team reached two finals.

Or you might just want to find out about how this ultramodern arena works on the new All Access Tour.

This departs every half-hour (limited hours on Knicks days), and a knowledgeable guide will lead you on a 75-minute journey around all the nooks and crannies.

Recommended tour : Madison Square Garden All Access Tour Ticket

39. Radio City Music Hall

Part of the Rockefeller Center is this iconic Art Deco live entertainment venue that opened in 1932, hosting major concerts, awards ceremonies and live broadcasts of TV shows.

From the outside the Radio City Music Hall is unmistakeable for its long marquee sign on the corner of 6th Avenue and 50th street, and the seven-storey signs on 6th Avenue.

It might be enough to stop by and grab a photo of these signs, but if you want to walk the halls of the “Showplace of the Nation” the Madison Square Garden Group gives tours, revealing the history of the famed Great Stage, getting you up close to exquisite Art Deco details and maybe giving you a chance to meet a member of the resident dance troupe, the Rockettes.

40. St Patrick’s Cathedral

Occupying an entire city block, this neo-Gothic wonder was visited by Pope Francis in 2015 after coming through a three-year, $177m restoration.

St Patrick’s Cathedral (1878) is in the Decorated Gothic style and composed of brick clad with radiant Tuckahoe marble.

The twin spires facing Fifth Avenue are just over 100 metres tall, while the combined nave and choir measures 101.2 metres between the two avenues.

You can enter for free, taking in the opulent statuary in the many side chapels, as well as the St Michael and St Louis altars (by Tiffany & Co.), the enormous Pietà, the magnificent rose window, the ribbed vaulting and the spectacular wood casing of the Gallery Organ, dedicated in 1930.

Once upon a time, SoHo, meaning “South of Houston Street”, was a working class area of factories and tenements.

In the 1970s artists moved into the lofts of old factories, at a time when these manufacturing spaces weren’t zoned as residences and lacked many of the basic amenities of homes.

SoHo’s time as a quarter of studios and galleries didn’t last, as the historic architecture, cobblestone streets and gritty charm soon attracted the ultra-rich, and the neighbourhood is now more about boutiques, fine dining and snazzy bars.

SoHo’s story defined the gentrification template, as the “SoHo Effect”. Pay a visit for the finer things, and to admire the largest array of cast-iron buildings in the world, dating from 1840 to 1880.

Recommended tour: SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown 2-Hour Guided Walk

42. Chelsea

What used to be in Greenwich Village and SoHo can currently be found among the tenements, townhouses, rowhouses and converted factories of Chelsea on Manhattan’s West Side.

Gentrification is squeezing this neighbourhood too, but there are still hundreds of cutting-edge galleries and a sizeable LBTGQ community.

Chelsea is one of the best places to go out in Manhattan, with loads of bars and clubs, especially in the Meatpacking District.

For yet more fresh and daring culture there’s a helping of Off-Broadway theatres in Chelsea, while the neighbourhood is a fashion-forward shopper’s idea of heaven.

Make the pilgrimage to the Chelsea Hotel, reopened after long-term renovations in 2019, and made famous by its countless mentions in popular culture and the scores of cultural figures who have stayed here.

43. United Nations Headquarters

After a plot had been chosen by the East River for the headquarters of the newly founded United Nations, an international dream team of design consultants was put together, among them Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier.

Wallace Harrison’s final design was a blend of Le Corbusier and Niemeyer’s plans, and has been integral to the Manhattan cityscape since 1952. All of the main organs of the UN are seated here, including the Security Council and 193-nation General Assembly, except for the Hague’s International Court of Justice.

The Visitor Centre is open every day of the week, although guided tours are only given Monday to Friday.

These last an hour and, depending on the schedule, take you into the famed General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council, while showing some of the many artworks gifted to the UN like the Norman Rockwell Mosaic and the Zanetti Mural.

44. Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

America’s design museum can be found by Central Park on the Museum Mile.

This institution goes back to 1897, and in 1970 moved into its current venue, the Georgian-style Andrew Carnegie Mansion (1902). The tycoon and philanthropist resided here until his death in 1919, while his wife Louise would remain until she passed away in 1946. A seven-year upgrade, completed in 2015, has elevated the Cooper-Hewitt to must-see status.

Complementing the museum’s extensive collections in decorative arts and the broader concept design are creative interactive features.

At the start you’ll be given a kind of electronic stylus, so you can mark anything that catches your eye, saving it to a personalised website.

The Immersion Room meanwhile gives you digital access to the museum’s vast inventory of wallpaper, and allows you to come up with your own designs to be projected on the walls.

45. Brooklyn Bridge Park

As of 2019 this park project, revitalising 1.3 miles of Brooklyn’s post-industrial waterfront, is pretty much completed and a fitting end to a trek across the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park has been more than a decade in the making, transforming Brooklyn Piers 1-6 and reclaiming land on the East River with soil from the construction of the new World Trade Center.

There are multiple sports facilities, playgrounds for children and loads of places to eat, both in the park and nearby.

But it’s the river and views (the sunset is amazing) that make the Brooklyn Bridge Park, with a continuous promenade from Pier 1 to 6, hemmed by smart landscaping, as well as salt marsh and tidepools to attract wildlife.

46. Morningside Heights

North-west of Central Park and bordering on Harlem, Morningside Heights is a neighbourhood of striking monuments and big academic, religious and cultural institutions.

The most august of these has to be Columbia University, founded in 1754 and the fifth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

Since 1902 the university has administered the Pulitzer Prize.

Make a detour to check out the dome and Ionic columns of the Neoclassical Butler Library.

Elsewhere, Riverside Park holds Grant’s Tomb, the final resting place of 18th President Ulysses S.

Grant (1822-1885), while Sakura Park is so-called for its thousands of cherry trees (blooming in April), donated in 1912 by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York.

Lastly, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine is the fifth largest Christian church in the world, at more than 180 metres long and 70 metres wide.

Work began in 1892 but this monument is still unfinished.

47. New York Botanical Garden

In lush parkland over 250 acres, the New York Botanical Garden grows more than a million individual plants in 50 different spaces and collections.

This is a leading botanical institution, conducting research and conservation programmes that employ 600 staff.

For visitors there are lots of delights, like a tract of the old growth forest that covered all of New York before it was settled by Europeans in the 17th century.

Never logged, this grows white ash, birch, tulip, cherry and American beech trees.

A sight to behold is the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, built with a wrought iron frame in the 1890s and hosting a glorious orchid show every spring.

You can saunter around a Japanese Rock Garden, 37 acres of conifers, wetlands, a herb garden and the magical Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.

Book online : New York Botanical Garden: All-Garden Pass Ticket

48. Chrysler Building

An Art Deco tower of startling and delicate beauty, the Chrysler Building (1930) has an allure that sets it apart from New York’s other skyscrapers.

For 11 months until the Empire State Building was topped off, this was the tallest building in the world, standing at 319 metres.

It was ordered by the automobile tycoon Walter Chrysler, and was the career apogee of architect William van Alen.

The tower is iconic for the tiered arches and triangular windows of its lustrous stainless steel crown, above eagle motif gargoyles on the 61st floor.

The best way to see the crown is to scale the Empire State Building, but there are clear lines of sight along Lexington Avenue, from the foot of the tower on 42 Street down to Gramercy Park on 21st.

If you’re feeling bold go in to take a peek at the sumptuous lobby, with floors made of travertine from Siena, granite from Africa on the walls and regal Art Deco light fittings.

See it from above : New York City Deluxe Helicopter Tour

49. Yankee Stadium

The old Yankee Stadium may be dead and gone, but its $2.3bn replacement, unveiled in 2009, has revived many classic design features and gives you pristine views from every seat.

The facade is bare Indiana limestone, which was painted over at the old stadium, while the roof of the new venue is adorned with the iconic frieze present from 1923 to 1973. If you’re in town between April and October you’ll have ample opportunity to catch a ballgame at Yankee stadium as the there are 81 home games in a MLB regular season, and general seating tickets go for as little as $14. Be prepared to fork out a lot more for a dog or pretzel though! In the stadium’s concourse, between the exterior wall and the arena, is the Great Hall, with ceiling seven storeys high and giant sporting Yankee greats like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle.

Arrive early to visit the stadium’s open-air museum at Monument Park, crackling with 120 years of history.

50. Chelsea Market

If you had to narrow down New York’s cornucopia of food halls to just one, you could do worse than Chelsea Market.

For starters, food history has already been made at this former Nabisco factory (1895), as the Oreo cookie was invented right here.

With a selection of speciality food shops and a high-end supermarket with deli counter and butcher, Chelsea Market is a place to shop, but it’s the eateries that draw the crowds.

There are upwards of 35 vendors, like Los Tacos No. 1, aptly named because it makes the best tacos in the city, Chelsea Creamline for American classics, Num Pang preparing Cambodian-style sandwiches or the crêperie Bar Suzette.

The Lobster Place is a wholesale seafood market with its own sushi bar, also operating the Cull & Pistol for oysters and lobster.

Available tour: New York City High Line and Chelsea Market Walking Tour

51. Bronx Zoo

A great partner to the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country, spread out over 265 acres and keeping some 5,000 animals.

Like the best 21st-century zoos, the Bronx Zoo is conservation-oriented, but animal protection is this attraction’s DNA, as the first director William Temple Hornaday strove to save the American Bison from extinction in the early 20th century.

At more than a century old, there’s some lovely old architecture at the Bronx Zoo, like the Beaux-Arts Zoo Center (1908), housing monitor lizards, and with outdoor enclosures for white rhinos, komodo dragons and giant tortoises.

General admission will grant you access to a host of exhibits, like Tiger Mountain, the Sea Lion Pool, Congo Gorilla Forest, Baboon Reserve and a whole load more.

Some special exhibits and attractions require an extra fee, like a Butterfly Garden, 4D Theater, Zoo Shuttle and Wild Asia Monorail.

52. Chinatown

One enclave still going strong in the face of gentrification is Chinatown.

Seriously, if you didn’t know better, the gridlock, sudden bustle, cadence of Cantonese conversation, and street signs and awnings with Chinese characters might make you think you’re on a different continent entirely.

Manhattan’s Chinatown, ringed by TriBeCa, the former Little Italy, the Lower East Side and Civic Center, is no longer the largest Chinese enclave in New York, as that honour has gone to Flushing Chinatown in Queens.

But it has the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere and is a dumbfounding change of pace in Lower Manhattan.

The fishmongers and greengrocers around Canal Street, East Broadway, Mott Street and Mulberry Street are perpetually eye-opening.

Recommended tour : SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown 2-Hour Guided Walk

53. South Street Seaport

Just down from the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side is a an area that has witnessed a lot of recent change, even by New York’s dizzying standards.

In the 17th century this was New York’s original port, where the city’s early economy first flourished and where the city’s clippers docked in the 19th century.

The Seaport is a designated historic district, home to some of downtown Manhattan’s oldest buildings in a little cobblestone grid made up of Fulton Street, Front Street and Water Street.

Take Fulton Street’s Schermerhorn Row Block, a terrace of Federal style houses dating from 1811-12. The South Street Seaport Museum here tracks the growth of New York into a port for the world with collections of nauticalia, and a small fleet of sailboats out front, like the Lettie G.

Howard schooner from 1893. South Street Seaport’s heritage has been protected, and is joined by new architecture like Pier 17 redeveloped as a culinary and retail centre, hosting big outdoor events.

54. Smorgasburg

From April to November, the largest weekly food market in America pulls in as many as 30,000 people to Brooklyn every weekend.

The main trading spots are at the East River Park in Williamsburg on Saturdays, and Breeze Hill in Prospect Park on Sundays.

There’s also a smaller fair every Friday at the World Trade Center’s Oculus Plaza, from 11:30 to 19:00. With more than 100 vendors at the two Brooklyn locations, it would be impossible to sum up all the discoveries you could make.

But to tickle the tastebuds, there’s Maine lobster fresh off the grill on a bed of noodles (Lobsterdamus), Brooklyn-style poutine (Duck Season), the famed spaghetti donut (Pop Pasta), blueberry crumble ice cream sandwiches (Good Batch) or deep-fried cookie dough (Big Mozz). Bring cash as most of the vendors don’t take cards.

55. New York Harbour and Statue of Liberty Evening Cruise

Downtown New York is stunning from the water by day, but the sight of the harbour and skyline at night is one of those experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve gone home.

GetYourGuide.com has an hour-long cruise after sunset, with running commentary imparting titbits you might not have known.

The cruise departs from Pier 16 at South Street Seaport, and arcs around Lower Manhattan to take in the Statue of Liberty, the forest of skyscrapers including the likes of One World Trade Center, and then under the Brooklyn Bridge and up as far as the Empire State Building.

55 Best Things to Do in New York City (New York):

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Central Park
• National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Empire State Building
• Statue of Liberty
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Rockefeller Center
• Brooklyn Bridge
• One World Trade Center Observatory
• Staten Island Ferry
• Times Square
• Grand Central Terminal
• Top of the Rock
• 5.5-Hour New York City Tour
• Guggenheim Museum
• New York Public Library
• Bryant Park
• The Met Cloisters
• Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
• Fifth Avenue
• Metropolitan Opera House
• Tenement Museum
• Brooklyn Heights
• Coney Island
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Prospect Park
• Battery Park
• Greenwich Village
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• Flatiron Building
• Union Square
• Frick Collection
• American Museum of Natural History
• Washington Square Park
• New York City Helicopter Tour
• Madison Square Garden
• Radio City Music Hall
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• United Nations Headquarters
• Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Morningside Heights
• New York Botanical Garden
• Chrysler Building
• Yankee Stadium
• Chelsea Market
• South Street Seaport
• Smorgasburg
• New York Harbour and Statue of Liberty Evening Cruise

• Book Tickets
• Must-See NYC Tours
• Top NYC Attractions
• Icons of NYC
• Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
• & Juliet
• The Lion King
• Year Round NYC Attractions
• NYC Hidden Gems
• NYC Attraction Tours
• Stay in Midtown Manhattan
• Stay in Lower Manhattan
• Stay on the Upper East Side
• Stay on the Upper West Side
• Stay in SoHo
• Stay in Chelsea
• Stay in Harlem
• Stay in Brooklyn
• Current NYC Events
• Navigate NYC
• OMNY Pay & MetroCard
• Rent A Bike
• Accessible NYC
• Drive Around
• Take a Walk
• Things to Do
• Accommodations
• Traveler Info

Click Here to See What's Happening Now in NYC

Welcome to New York City

Best Musicals on Broadway

Top Tours & Attractions

Guide to NYC in the Fall

Icons of New York City

Featured in NYC

New York City has something in store for everybody.

Spotlight on NYC Theater

Big Bus Tours NYC

NYC City Cruises

Top 15 Must-Experience Tours in NYC

Top 10 Must-See Attractions in NYC You Should Know About

Top 10 Best Activities To Enjoy in NYC

Top 10 Best River Cruises: Unveiling the City's Waterfront Wonders

NYC’s Best Rooftop Bars

Top Fun Things To Do In New York

Your Ultimate New York City Travel Guide

Welcome to VisitNYC.com, where you’ll discover the magic of the city that never sleeps with our comprehensive New York City travel guide and tourism site. We do all the research about what’s hot and what’s not all year round so that tourists to The Big Apple can get the most out of their trip to NYC. Our New York City tourism site is your one-stop destination for planning the perfect New York City adventure, no matter the season. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, we provide valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. Our New York City travel guide covers everything from iconic landmarks and must-see attractions like the One World Observatory to hidden gems in Manhattan and Brooklyn. So, whether you’re looking for world-class sights or off-the-beaten-path experiences, we’ve got you covered. Our user-friendly interface allows you to scroll through our resources, blogs, tips, tricks, and more. From dining at top-rated restaurants and staying at luxury hotels to discovering budget-friendly accommodations, we’re here to help you out. Enjoy the magic of NYC on a romantic getaway, family vacation, or even a solo adventure with our New York City travel guide. Our curated itineraries, myriad of guided tours, tickets to the best Broadway shows, and personalized recommendations will ensure an unforgettable experience. Through our New York City tourism site, you'll have access to expert tips, insider knowledge, and exclusive deals, making your trip even more enjoyable and budget-friendly. So, what are you waiting for? Explore our New York City travel guide and start planning your best trip yet.

Explore NYC

The beautiful boroughs of nyc. explore everything they have to offer., staten island.

Embrace the rich history and vibrant spirit of The Bronx, home to renowned attractions like the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, and a thriving hip-hop culture.

Discover the heart of New York City with its iconic skyline, world-class museums, and bustling neighborhoods that never sleep.

Experience the vibrant cultural melting pot of Brooklyn, from its hipster enclaves and diverse culinary scene to its thriving arts community and scenic waterfront.

Explore the diverse borough of Queens, where global cultures converge in lively neighborhoods, sprawling parks, and delicious international cuisine.

Uncover the hidden gems of Staten Island, from its serene parks and waterfront views to its historic landmarks and family-friendly attractions.

Take the Whole Family

Bronx Zoo Admission Ticket

Central Park Zoo Admission Ticket with 4D Theater Access

Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Neighborhood Tour

Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket

Instagrammable NYC Day Tour by Air, Land and Water

Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour

foodie haven on a cruise

Bateaux New York Premier Brunch Cruise

Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise

New York City Lunch Cruise on Bateaux

Bateaux New York New Year's Day Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

Bateaux New York Christmas Day Plated Dinner Cruise

Bateaux New York Thanksgiving Plated Lunch Cruise

Need Inspiration?

Must-See New York City Tours And Sightseeing Packages

5 Restaurants With Spectacular New York City Views

4 Seasons Fun: Your Guide to Manhattan Year-Round

Download Free New York City Travel Maps & Guides

Essential Tips for International Visitors to NYC

Discover New York City Visitor Information Centers

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Get us in your inbox

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best of New York for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

The best attractions and things to do in Manhattan

From the Statue of Liberty to the High Line, these are the best Manhattan attractions in NYC.

If you’re planning to visit New York City, it would be ridiculous not to start with Manhattan and its attractions. Though it's neither the biggest borough (that’s Queens !) nor the most densely-populated (that’s  Brooklyn! ), it is the center of the city: historically, geographically, and culturally.

Dominated by some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, here you’ll find globally famous attractions like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park. You’ve got some of the best restaurants in New York . And all the biggest and best  Broadway shows  are here because Broadway is literally in Manhattan. Whether you’re just visiting the Big Apple for the weekend or you’re a lifelong New Yorker looking for something new to do, these attractions in Manhattan are essential additions to your bucket list.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best New York attractions   RECOMMENDED: The best non-touristy things to do in NYC

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best Manhattan attractions

1.  one world observatory.

• Towers and viewpoints
• Financial District

The tallest building in the United State, One World Observatory at World Trade Center lets visitors experience panoramic views of NYC on levels 100, 101, and 102. The tour begins with a thrilling trip in the Sky Pod elevators (some of the fastest in the world) which lead to a two-minute video presentation of gorgeous city images on floor 102.

Check out City Pulse on the 100th floor, which shows HD videos featuring notable NYC landmarks and neighborhoods. For a special dining experience, make a reservation for dinner or cocktails.

2.  Empire State Building

• Monuments and memorials
• Midtown West
• price 2 of 4

Some things get better with age. The Empire State Building—now approaching its 100th birthday—is definitely one of them. 

The Empire State Building became an icon when it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. Thanks to recent updates, it's not just about the views anymore. The building now spotlights art, architecture, and history; plus, it offers a slew of cool events and excellent dining options. 

Tourists tend to make the Empire State Building their first stop upon arriving in New York City, and they're onto something—it's worth a visit, no matter if you're a lifelong New Yorker or just passing through town.

3.  The Statue of Liberty

• Liberty Island

In a city where almost everything is iconic, Lady Liberty is the icon of icons – certainly where tourists are concerned. Our tip is to avoid the foam-crown-sporting masses and pre-book a combo cruise-and-tour ticket . A climb to the crown – and why wouldn’t you? – affords a panoramic view of New York Harbor and the chance to see the literal nuts and bolts of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s creation, which was given to the people of America by the people of France in 1886.

We thoroughly recommend stopping in the museum on Liberty Island, if only to marvel at the initial ambivalence of 19th-century New Yorkers when they were asked to fund the construction of the pedestal. 

4.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Opened in 1880, the massive museum t akes up 11.5 acres within Central Park along Fifth Avenue, across two million square feet and receives more than 4 million visitors annually. Its collection, which spans 5,000 years of art history from pre-history to the present, boasts 36,000 objects, including 2,500 European Old Master, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, as well as the greatest collection of Egyptian art and artifacts outside Cairo—among them, the full-scale Temple of Dendur.

Other major attractions include The Met’s American and Lehman Wings; The Costume Institute; the Rooftop Garden , which offers spectacular views of the Park and the Midtown skyline; and, of course, its 29 amazing period rooms.

Time Out tip: To avoid the crowds, come on a weekday or visit for date night .

5.  Central Park

• Things to do
• Walks and tours

Surely the world’s most famous public park, the startlingly enormous Central Park is one of the most beloved attractions in New York City, and an iconic fixture of numerous films, TV shows, and songs.

It’s surprisingly easy to forget you’re in Manhattan once you penetrate the idyllic, 843-acre plot, which was first brought to life in the mid-nineteenth century by urban visionaries Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. Their thoughtful design reflects a harmonious balance of scenic elements that live on today: pastoral (the open, picnic-ready lawn of the Sheep Meadow), formal (the linear, tree-lined Mall), and picturesque (the densely wooded paths of the Ramble).

Rent a bike in Central Park.

6.  Chrysler Building

• Civic buildings
• Midtown East

If you want to call this magnificent pinnacle of Art Deco architecture NYC’s most eye-popping skyscraper then we’re not going to argue with you. Triangle-shaped windows in its crown are lined with lights, creating a beautiful effect come nighttime.

Oozing a moneyed sophistication oft identified with old New York, you can’t actually go up it as a tourist – it’s still in use as offices – but the magnificent art deco lobby is open to the public.

7.  The High Line

Though it’s spawned many imitators, t here’s something uniquely New York about this wonderful aerial walk, built on an abandoned railway track, an ultra-smart move-in footage-starved Manhattan. What we like best is how the pathway rises above the city while keeping you rooted in urban life: where else can you walk through a field of wildflowers as cabs zip along the street beneath you?

8.  Theater District

More than 13 million locals and tourists take in Broadway shows every year. Most of NYC’s 41 Broadway venues – that is to say, professional theaters with a capacity of over 500 – are located in the Theater District. Roughly speaking, that’s 41st Street to 52nd Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. Each season brings a new wave of mega-musicals, plays, and star-driven revivals. 

Tickets don’t tend to be cheap – although discounts are often available – but you would be remiss to leave New York City without taking in one of the season's best shows.

Get spooked on a haunted Broadway theater tour.

9.  9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is one of the most popular—and certainly the most heartbreaking—attractions in New York City. Located where the Twin Towers once stood, the memorial and museum tell the story of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The 9/11 Museum, located where the Twin Towers once stood, explores the history of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The museum houses artifacts, historical records, firefighting equipment and a memorial exhibition. Tours with expert guides are available. 

Outside the museum is the memorial, which honors the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.

10.  Rockefeller Center

Built by the fabulously wealthy businessmen John D Rockefeller, the construction of this enormous complex employed over 40,000 workers over nine years. Nowadays, more than 350,000 visitors make their way to the historic landmark every year, starting early in the morning with folks hoping to spot celebrities or appear in the background of the Today Show.

Always in demand is the NBC studio tour, which covers the network’s history and sites in 30 Rock. The busiest time to visit, of course, is December when the enormous, 70-foot Christmas Tree stands proudly above the plaza ice rink.  Book Online

11.  Grand Central Terminal

This iconic transit hub, which opened in 1913, is used by thousands upon thousands of commuters each day. And it’s also a destination in its own right: its majestic Beaux-Arts architecture is an awesome marriage of form and function. 

Famous features include the vaulted, constellation-adorned ceiling and the four-faced opal clock topping the main information booth. They’re both located in the Grand Concourse. Meanwhile, ornamentation above the 42nd Street entrance includes a likeness of Mercury, the god of travel (naturally), and an ornate Tiffany-glass timepiece.

12.  Whitney Museum of American Art

• Art and design
• Meatpacking District

Standing at the foot of the High Line along Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, the 63,000 square facility features both indoor and outdoor exhibition space. True to its founder Gertrude Vanderbilt's wishes, the Whitney is dedicated to presenting the work of American artists. Its collection holds about 15,000 pieces by nearly 2,000 artists, including Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper (the museum holds his entire estate), Jasper Johns, Louise Nevelson, Georgia O’Keeffe and Claes Oldenburg.

Three outdoor sculpture spaces provide views of the Hudson and the surrounding neighborhood. This is a goldmine for slightly lesser-known but fantastic exhibitions. 

13.  New-York Historical Society

• Upper West Side

History buffs will love this Upper West Side institution. Built in 1804, it's the oldest museum in New York City. In a nod to history, the museum kept the hyphen in its name—that’s how the city’s name was spelled back in the early 1800s. The New-York Historical Society features more than 1.6 million works that explore the history of the city and the country, including exhibits, art and historical artifacts.

The Patricia D. Klingenstein Library has more than three million books, newspapers, maps, photographs and more from our nation’s founding through slavery and Reconstruction and beyond. The Gilder Lehrman Collection is also housed in the New-York Historical Society, where you can view signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment and the Constitution.

14.  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• Upper East Side
• price 3 of 4

Frank Lloyd Wright broke the mold on museum design when he completed his building for the Guggenheim in 1959. Since then, millions of visitors have come to the Gugg to gawk at its spiraling rotunda, but they stay for its daring art shows and its collection, which includes Peggy Guggenheim’s trove of Cubist, Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist works, as well as the largest collection of Kandinskys in the United States.

Beautiful and innovative both inside and out, what more inspiration do you need?

15.  Times Square

Times Square in NYC—New York’s crowded attraction—is a global icon in its own right. It’s the "center of the world" and the epicenter of NYC tourism with the best Broadway shows and photo opportunities with The Naked Cowboy and even those creepy mascots.

Its fabled days of grime and crime are a distant memory, thankfully, but it still has much to experience, especially during the holiday season.

16.  New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

• Libraries, archives and foundations

Catch a glimpse of this monumental library’s Beaux-Arts facade and you’ll see why it took nine years and $9 million to construct (when $9 million was a lot of money). The grand columns, Tennessee marble lions dubbed Patience and Fortitude and spectacular Rose Main Reading Room make the library one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

The contents aren’t too bad either: bibliophiles shouldn’t pass up the chance to look through the vast collection of books and literary ephemera, including the original Winnie-the-Pooh bear and first folio editions of William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies .

17.  Chelsea Market

• Markets and fairs

More than six million people a year visit this former biscuit factory turned food hall: a fact that’s unlikely to surprise anyone who has ever braved the epic line for Los Tacos No. 1.

In addition to 35-plus eateries, Chelsea Market is home to the rotating boutique selection of Artists & Fleas, plus a selection of other local boutiques. The fact Google snapped the space up for a cool $2.4 billion a few years back only goes to show how iconic it really is.

Explore Chelsea Market and The Highline.

18.  Flatiron Building

When it debuted in 1902, critics thought the Flatiron Building wouldn’t last: they worried that a strong wind might topple the long, thin, pyramidal structure. Fortunately, architect Daniel Burnham’s smart solution to the problem of a triangular lot has proven nothing if not enduring, and the unique architecture is still very much in place. 

While it's still cool to look at, the building has been under scaffolding for years now, so set your expectations if you're heading there for a photo.

19.  American Museum of Natural History

• Science and technology

If the American Museum of Natural History only contained the 94-foot blue whale model in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and the 122-foot cast of the Titanosaur fossil in the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Orientation Center, then it would be worth visiting on those grounds alone.

What’s that, you want more ? Fair enough: you can also consider the vast collection of taxidermied animals, check out the dazzling Hall of Gems, explore the heavens in the awe-inspiring Hayden Planetarium, and get inspired in the new Gilder Center.

20.  Macy’s Herald Square

• Department stores

Though it’s no longer the biggest department store in the world, the original Macy’s location is no slouch, covering a prodigious 2.2 million square feet. You could spend days shopping in this 11-floor building, but buying stuff isn’t the only draw.

Visit in the spring to peep the extravagant Macy’s Flower Show, or wait until after Thanksgiving to take in the festive holiday windows and drop off your Christmas list to Old Saint Nick himself.

21.  Harbor helicopter tour

For generations, the architects who have worked in Manhattan have known one thing: the only way is up. Take their lead and view the area’s iconic buildings, bridges, parks and statues from the air. Ideal for when your feet need time off from earth-bound site-seeing, a helicopter tour will sweep you up and around the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and so forth, including giving you a view of Central Park normally reserved for the birds.

Head to Pier Six on the East River and, well, prepare for lift off.

Looking for more things to do?

The best bike tours in nyc.

For those looking to experience the city like a locals, hop on two wheels and join of the best bike tours NYC has to offer

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Local Marketing Solutions
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Protect Your Trip »

Best places to visit in new york state in 2024.

New York state captivates both domestic and international travelers with the most populated city in the United States, sprawling state parks and a few beach communities. Whether you want to visit New York City to see Times Square and go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or retreat to the mountains of upstate New York, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind vacation spots in the Empire State. U.S. News considered sights, culture, adventurous pursuits and the opinions of experts and readers to compile this ranking of the best places to visit in New York state. Read on for vacation inspiration, and don't forget to vote below for the destinations you think belong on this list.

Niagara Falls

Adirondacks, new york city, the finger lakes, thousand islands, lake george, bear mountain state park, the catskills, sleepy hollow, letchworth state park, long island, fire island, saratoga springs, cooperstown.

The tumbling, frothy falls – more than 3,100 tons of water flows over the edge every second – are the star tourist attraction in this New York destination that borders Canada. The best way to see Niagara Falls is on a Maid of the Mist boat tour, which takes poncho-clad visitors on an electric tour boat to the base of the falls. Or, more daring visitors can experience this natural wonder on a thrilling whirlpool jet boat tour. Just don't forget to check out the area's other unforgettable attractions, such as Niagara Falls State Park's hiking trails, Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens & Butterfly Conservatory or the nearby casinos.

The Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York span roughly 6 million acres and are home to hundreds of communities, lakes, valleys and trails. Water lovers can canoe or kayak on Saranac Lake or go boating on Tupper Lake; hikers can tackle the area's 2,000-plus miles of trails; and skiers can shred powder on Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid. Visitors will also want to save some time for checking out history-focused sights like the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and Fort Ticonderoga, as well as sampling regional beverages at local wineries and breweries.

A hub for culture, the arts, food and sightseeing, New York City is a must-visit on many travelers' bucket lists – and for good reason. Everyone can find something to enjoy in the Big Apple. You can see a Broadway show, visit the world-famous Empire State Building, walk the High Line, check out the dozens of museums, eat your way through Manhattan's distinct neighborhoods on a food tour or shop till you drop along Fifth Avenue. Don't forget to stroll through iconic Central Park and visit its can't-miss attractions, including the Central Park Zoo and Conservatory Garden.

A romantic New York getaway , the Finger Lakes region appeals to travelers seeking a relaxing retreat with lovely scenery. Skiing at the area's resorts, wine tasting at the Seneca Lake Wine Trail's wineries and boating and hiking at local state parks are all popular activities to enjoy in this part of northwestern New York. The Finger Lakes are known for their spectacular fall foliage, but with their wealth of charming towns and variety of seasonal attractions, the lakes are excellent to visit year-round.

Despite its name, the Thousand Islands region is composed of more than 1,800 islands. The best way to see this vast area, which also stretches into Canada, is during an open-air boat tour. A scenic cruise here will take you past lighthouses, mansions and castles and include commentary about the real-life pirates who used to roam the islands' waters and the Gilded Age magnates who once called the region home. When you're ready to return to land, hike the trails in Wellesley Island State Park or fish in Mary Island State Park, both on Wellesley Island.

Home to "The Queen of American Lakes," this town in New York's vast Adirondack mountain region is a vacation destination unto itself. Swim in Lake George's crystal-clear waters at Million Dollar Beach, or try your hand at aquatic activities like parasailing, water skiing, kayaking and more. Away from the lake, history buffs can brush up on their knowledge of the French and Indian War at the Fort William Henry Museum while adventurous travelers hike to the summit of Prospect Mountain for breathtaking vistas. Families will also appreciate the region's countless amusement parks and mini-golf courses.

Located on the western banks of the Hudson River in the Palisades region of New York, Bear Mountain State Park offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and the surrounding highlands. The forested park's trails (including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail) take hikers through lakes, gorges and valleys. What's more, Bear Mountain State Park features a zoo, a swimming pool, a hand-painted merry-go-round and a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, ensuring family fun both on and off the trails. (Note: Portions of this park are still closed due to storm damage sustained in July 2023. Please check the park's website for the current operating status.)

With 98 peaks, southeastern New York's Catskill Mountains beckon to nature enthusiasts. About 40% of Catskill Park's 700,000-plus acres are designated as "forever wild," meaning you'll have access to sprawling spaces ideal for outdoor activities. In winter, the Catskills offer ample opportunities to ski and snowboard. Meanwhile, summer is perfect for hunting, hiking, boating and zip lining, among other activities. After a busy day outdoors, you can check out the region's art scene (the Catskills were home to America's first art movement – the Hudson River School) or enjoy the amenities at one of the area's top resorts .

Made famous by author Washington Irving in his 1820 short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," this small town about 30 miles north of New York City is a must-visit on any Hudson Valley itinerary. Begin with a trip to Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate, before heading to nearby Tarrytown to explore the grand Lyndhurst Mansion. In the evening, stroll through the famed Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on a lantern-lit guided tour. Keep in mind that this town becomes inundated with travelers around Halloween, so book your accommodations early if you are planning on visiting during the fall.

Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East because of its impressive gorge, Letchworth State Park is a hidden gem for travelers who love the outdoors. The park is home to three large waterfalls and dozens more on tributaries, many of which you can see as you trek some of Letchworth's 66 miles of hiking trails. Additionally, the park offers ample opportunities to go whitewater rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, biking and even hot air ballooning. If you prefer winter sports instead of summer pursuits, arrive when temperatures fall to go cross-country skiing or snowmobiling.

This 118-mile-long island is frequented by New Yorkers looking to escape the city to relax on white sand beaches with a glass of wine. Summer hot spots like the Hamptons and Montauk boast charming seaside allure and can't-miss stretches of sand, like Ditch Plains Beach, a popular place to surf. Meanwhile, family-friendly Jones Beach State Park is a more approachable option with a swimming pool, a mini-golf course and shuffleboard areas, among other amenities. Beyond beaches, Long Island boasts more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, some of which are part of the island's North Fork Wine Trail.

Those looking to get away from skyscrapers can travel about 60 miles southeast of New York City to reach this 32-mile-long, car-free barrier island. On Fire Island, you'll find several charming communities, including Ocean Beach (where most of the island's hotels, restaurants and shops are located) and Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines (two of the island's top LGBTQ-friendly areas). Plus, Fire Island is home to Fire Island National Seashore, a protected area that welcomes bird-watchers and campers in droves. If you'd rather spend your vacation swimming, surfing or sunbathing, head to Robert Moses State Park in summer to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

Ever since the Mohawk people came to Saratoga Springs and discovered its mineral waters, which were believed to have restorative properties, the town has blossomed into a popular vacation destination. Visitors can still drink from or soak in the town's mineral springs, 12 of which are located in Saratoga Spa State Park. However, many travelers now flock to Saratoga Springs to see one of the country's oldest racetracks, the Saratoga Race Course. Take a walking tour of the facility to learn more about its history and horseracing, or visit in August to attend the venue's premier event, the Travers Stakes.

The presence of two renowned institutions – Ithaca College and Cornell University – makes Ithaca a true college town. But this small town in New York's Finger Lakes region is also known for its stunning natural beauty, so much so that its slogan is "Ithaca is gorges." Ithaca is surrounded by more than 150 waterfalls, as well as gorges and dense forests with hiking and biking trails. What's more, the town overlooks the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, a superb spot for boating, fishing and swimming. For groups with budding naturalists, follow Ithaca's Discovery Trail to must-see attractions like the Sciencenter and the Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Cooperstown may be small, but it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year thanks to its ties to America's pastime. Although most experts agree that baseball wasn't invented here, Cooperstown remains a mecca for sports lovers because of its must-visit sight, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. However, the village offers other kinds of attractions, too. Travelers can visit the Fenimore Art Museum to see impressive works of art or check out The Farmers' Museum's exhibits about local agriculture. Cooperstown also features beautiful neoclassical buildings, such as Hyde Hall, and a variety of breweries and wineries.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Shelter Island

Governors Island

Rochester, NY

You may be interested in.

Best Day Trips from NYC

Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA

Best U.S. National Parks for 2024

Best Weekend Getaways

Best Weekend Getaways in New England

Best places to visit in the usa.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

30 Fun Fall Weekend Getaways for 2024

Holly Johnson August 29, 2024

The 19 Best Fall Family Vacations for 2024

Amanda Norcross August 27, 2024

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

The Ultimate New York Travel Guide 2024

Our new york travel tips for first time visitors.

Are you traveling to New York for the first time and want to get an overview of what you should pay attention to? Here, I show you step by step the most important information you need to know for your New York trip. There’s a lot to see and do in New York, from world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building to a wide selection of unique museums and New York-style foods that you should definitely try.

You may also like:

Where in new york should you stay.

• The 33 Absolute Best New York Attractions
• New York on a Budget

Now, sit back and enjoy our New York Travel Guide to help you have a wonderful time in New York City!

By the way, we now have over 1,600 spots in the city on our site. So, if you’re looking for suitable tours, bars, restaurants, and awesome spots to visit, then you’re in the right place!

Everything you need!

Hello you 👋 Here you will find everything you need for your New York trip!

These are our best New York Travel Tips for first time visitors:

Table of Contents

New York at a Glance

Best time to travel to new york.

Visiting New York is worthwhile at any time of year, but I personally like the warm months best. Summer in New York can be very hot and humid. So, for many, the best times to visit New York is April and June, and September and October.

Spending Christmas in New York or enjoying the pre-Christmas season in New York City is also a wonderful experience.  The ice rinks are open, the city is beautifully decorated, and, if it snows, the dream vacation at wintertime is perfect!

Paying in New York

You can pay for almost everything with your credit card, even the smallest amounts. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, stores, restaurants, and bars. Don’t have one yet? Then, check out the best credit card to have in the USA here.

New York for First Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip (70+ pages)

Best Way to Travel in New York

Finding your way around New York is quite easy, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. The streets’ checkerboard pattern makes finding your way around easy. These are the best ways to get around New York:

Metro / Subway: If you have longer distances ahead of you, then the Subway is your friend, because here you can travel really cheap. It’s easy to use! The MetroCard is available at every Subway station. You can buy single rides or the popular MetroCard for 7 days; that way you can travel for a week in New York at a fixed price. You can learn more about using the  Metrocard in New York here.

Taxi:  In New York, you can choose between the Yellow Cab and Uber. You can check out our tips and all the information you need to know in our following blog:  Taxi in New York City .

By bike: With many of the New York sightseeing passes (you can find out more about this budget tip in my New York Pass comparison ), the bike rental is included. We ourselves really love using New York’s Citi Bikes. This city bike program has over 1,000 stations throughout New York City, and it’s super-cheap. We’ll show you how it works in the Citi Bike New York article.

On Foot: You’ll be surprised how much walking you’ll do in New York. After all, there’s something to see on every corner. So be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Where to Stay in New York?

Which neighborhood is best for you depends on several things: your interests, how close you want to be to the attractions and what your travel budget is. In the image below, I’ve drawn you my favorite neighborhoods of New York including the main attractions nearby.

And, on the subject of safety: In all of Manhattan, the Bronx , Brooklyn, and large parts of Queens, you don’t have to worry about being out and about in the evening. New York City is one of the safest cities in the world!

More than 100 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from –and after just 4 quick questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best suited for you!

Where Should you Stay in New York?

Manhattan – it doesn’t get more central than this: Manhattan is the most famous borough of them all. Plus, it contains 95% of all the attractions New York is known for. Everything is within easy reach, and you are right in the middle of it all. On the other hand, the hotels are a bit more expensive than in Brooklyn or Queens .

Here, you can find my 33 hotel tips for Manhattan .

Brooklyn – urban and relaxed: For a long time, Brooklyn was the insider’s tip: now it’s “completely” normal neighborhoods. However, you’ll quickly notice one thing: life is much more normal, because it’s more of a residential area. It’s super relaxed, pleasant, and just as diverse as Manhattan. Above all, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from here!

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Brooklyn .

Queens – the new trendy neighborhood: Queens is a bit more “normal” than Brooklyn is, but, lately, we’ve noticed that it is getting more and more gentrified. The hotels in Long Island City (not to be confused with Long Island!) are especially popular because they are cheaper compared to Manhattan—and they have a perfect connection to the Subway, which makes Queens a great alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Queens .

What to See in New York?

One thing to know in advance: just because there is so much to see in New York, a little planning makes absolute sense. For highlights like the Empire State Building ( here ), the Edge Hudson Yards observation deck ( here ) or the One World Observatory ( here ), I recommend buying the tickets online in advance. This will not only save you waiting time on site, but you can also be sure that you will actually be able to visit your desired sights.

👉 These are our 33 best attractions in New York .

These are my tips after more than 20 visits to New York:

• Observation decks:  New York City has no less than five (!) major observation decks to offer, and each one is a dream in itself. My two favorites are The Edge Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory , because from here you have a sensational view of New York from above and you can see the Empire State Building . From the end of 2021, another cool option will be added with the glass One Vanderbilt . One more thing about the Empire State Building: It’s the most visited observation deck in New York, so it’s always busy. Avoid the crowds in the morning – and if you really want to go to the Empire State Building in the evening, choose Thursday, Friday or Saturday. During those times, a saxophonist plays on the observation deck. Important: book the Skip-the-Line-Tickets (you can do that here). Then, you can easily save 1-2 hours of waiting time!
• Visit the Statue of Liberty : The trip from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty is super-popular. To save yourself long waiting times, make sure you take the first ferry of the day. Here, you can find the best Statue of Liberty Cruises right now.
• Definitely take a boat tour , because seeing New York from the water is like being on vacation. Choices range from the free Staten Island Ferry or the NYC Ferry ($2.90 each way) to sailing tours (gorgeous) and the classic sightseeing tours that are included with all major New York passes.
• Walk along the High Line from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards .
• Visit Times Square in the evening – that’s when it’s at its most impressive.
• Relax in Central Park or Bryant Park .
• Plan a maximum of three attractions per day . After all, you don’t want any sightseeing stress.

The 43 Absolute Best New York Attractions In 2024

10 FREE Things to Do in New York City

The 36 Absolute Best Museums in New York

The best observation decks in new york city, new york budget tip.

With the right New York sightseeing pass , you can easily save a lot of money on up to 100 tours and attractions. To find out if a New York Pass is worth it (or not), check out our free New York Pass Advisor to find out which New York Pass is best for you.

And on this page you’ll find our New York Pass comparison .

Itineraries in New York

You don’t know where to start? Then let us inspire you! We have some suggestions for you. By the way, the most popular is the 1 week New York itinerary .

The Perfect Itinerary For Your New York Trip

This itinerary contains over 50 spots and highlights of the city, including a map that shows you the best way to travel each day, taking you to or past the many big attractions. In addition, we‘ve added our favorite places, from great breakfast spots to start your day right to small bars and restaurants and hidden insider spots.

What awaits you here now is the perfect New York week, because this is what my itinerary would look like if I were visiting the Big Apple for the first or second time right now!

What to Do in New York?

For me, an unforgettable New York trip includes the following things in addition to visiting the main sights:

Go Shopping

New York is also really good for shopping. There are many small shopping spots and addresses, but also the big brands can often be found with flagship stores. If that’s not enough, you can go shopping in one of the outlets and flea markets of New York.

The best shopping areas in New York are Broadway, SoHo , Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. And, of course, 5th Avenue!

Avoid Times Square for shopping!

A real tourist trap are the stores around Times Square – they are not only overpriced, but also the quality is not right in most cases!

Here you can find our Guide to Shopping in New York  with everything you need to know!

Shopping in New York: The Ultimate Guide 2024

The Best Outlets in NYC – The Ultimate Guide for 2024

The 15 Best Flea Markets in NYC – Shop Vintage and Rare to Find Items

Shopping in SoHo NYC: The 25 Best Stores Right Now

Visit a rooftop bar.

I love the rooftop bars of New York . You can sit and relax, enjoy a sensational view of the city and listen to relaxing music. All this mixes with the so-typical sounds of the city in the background, and if you have something delicious to drink or eat on top of that, it can’t get any better! You can see where we like to go in our article on the 43 best rooftop bars in New York .

By the way, if you want to experience the view of New York when you get up early in the morning, check out my list of the 26 best New York hotels with a view !

Visit a Broadway Show

New York is known for its many musicals and Broadway shows – most of which are performed in the Theatre District around Times Square. Here are our tips on the  best Broadway Shows in New York . If you already know which Broadway show you want to see, I recommend ordering the tickets in advance ( here ). If you’re still flexible, you can buy leftover tickets at TKTS in Times Square, for example.

Attend a Parade or Special Event

OK, hotel is booked, attractions are on the list, the myNY itinerary is ready, shopping spots are sighted and the first restaurants and bars are also noted. Now comes the last step on the list to the perfect travel planning for New York: the events, parades, and holidays.

They are the icing on the cake of every New York vacation and, therefore, could not be missed in our New York Travel Guide! Just check out our monthly specials that are relevant to you:  January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November and December .

Enjoying the Gastro Scene (in the Evening)

Now comes one of my favorite parts of planning our New York trips: the city’s many bars, restaurants, rooftop bars, and food markets. In our travel guide and insider guides on the website, we put a lot of emphasis on finding the best gastro spots and rooftop bars. So, feel free to browse through them, and if you like something, just add it to your myNY itinerary. Just click on the heart symbol, and you’re done!

The 24 Most Beautiful Bars in NYC Right Now

The 12 Best Food Markets in NYC

The 23 Best Waterfront Restaurants & Bars in New York Right Now

The Best Burger in New York City

Marvel at grand central station.

Be sure to take the time to see Grand Central Station . Not only is it the setting for many series and movies set in New York, it’s also very impressive and has a fantastic ceiling!

The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages)

Walking through DUMBO and Soho

The neighborhoods of DUMBO in Brooklyn and Soho in Manhattan are among the most iconic neighborhoods in the city and are fascinating for their combination of old New York with new New York.

Things to Do in DUMBO

The 15 Best Things to Do in SoHo NYC – The Complete Guide 2024

What to eat in new york.

What should I start with first? With the New York pizza slice, the New York cheesecake, the wonderful pastrami sandwiches at Katz’ Delicatessen, or at the Pastrami Queen? In addition, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Luger are two really good steak restaurants waiting for you and if you want to eat really good burgers: go to J.G. Melon, the hidden Burger Joint or Shake Shack!

Get personal tips & tricks, specifically tailored to your trip!

We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!

Specify dates

I hope my New York Travel Guide helped you plan your first trip to New York. Was there anything missing? Feel free to write it in the comments!

I wish you a wonderful time in New York City!

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Hole dir deine wöchentliche Dosis New York mit meinem Loving New York-Newsletter! Er ist vollgestopft mit den neuesten Artikeln, Videos, Erfahrungsberichten und allem, was gerade Interessantes und Wissenswertes im Big Apple passiert.

Ich selbst war über 25x in meiner Lieblingsstadt und möchte dir mit meinen Emails dabei helfen, eine sensationelle Zeit vor Ort zu haben.

Und als BONUS bekommst meine ✔️ "24 Tipps für deine New York-Reise" ✔️ die U-Bahn-Karte und ✔️ die offizielle NYC-Karte zugeschickt. Ganz KOSTENLOS!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

70 Top Things to Do in New York City

Take in a show when you are in New York City. credit: Catherine Parker

From the museums to the park to the Statue, travelers could wander through New York City for weeks and still not see it all.  There is just so much to see and do. Visitors can see the best views from the top of the tallest buildings. However, the views from the water are fairly spectacular as well, so a ferry or cruise is a must. Shopping and people-watching are also tops. Here are the Top Things to Do in New York City for your next vacation.

Top Things to Do in NYC

• A Broadway Show

Bryant Park

Circle line circles.

• Empire State Building

FAO Schwartz

Flatiron building.

• Grand Central Terminal
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
• Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery for Cheesecake

Macy’s Flagship Store

Madison square park, the morgan library and museum, museum of mathematics, new york public library, radio city music hall.

• Rockefeller Plaza
• Top Of The Rock 

Roosevelt Tram

St. patrick’s cathedral, the edge .

• The Vessel 
• Shed Performing Arts 

Times Square

United nations headquarters.

• Alice in Wonderland Statue
• Hans Christian Andersen Statue

American Museum of Natural History

Hayden planetarium, belvedere castle, bethesda terrance and fountain.

• Bow Bridge 

Central Park Carousel

Central park zoo, chess and checker house , conservatory water, dimenna children’s history museum, guggenheim museum, the imagine mosaic in strawberry fields, literary walk, loeb’s boathouse .

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Central Park Playgrounds
• Statue of Liberty 
• Ellis Island Museum
• The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Battery Park

Seaglass carousel, castle clinton national monument, national museum of the american indian, south street seaport museum, staten island ferry, nyc ferry at wall street, brooklyn bridge, oculus-world trade center, one world observatory, east side tenement museum national historic site, new york city fire museum.

• Fearless Girl

Federal Hall National Monument

Little island, whitney museum of american art, african burial ground national monument, chelsea market, friends apartment , a broadway show in the theater district.

New York Broadway productions are more elaborate than the traveling shows, with different sets and more special effects. Catching a show is one of the top things to do in New York City, and many people make it a top priority during their trip to NYC.

For school-age kids, one of the Disney productions is an excellent introduction to live theater. Packed with tunes they know by heart, elaborate sets and glittering costumes, kids stay glued to their seats. For older kids, Harry Potter kept my dudes (18 and 14 years old) entertained for the entire show, and they said they would attend another production with me (yeah!).

The theater district runs from 40th to 54th Streets and from 6th to 8th Avenues. Choose from matinees or evening performances.  Purchase tickets before your trip.

Bryant Park offers different activities depending on the season, from a winter ice rink and a holiday market to summer picnicking; it’s a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Additionally, there are bistro tables and a handful of quick-service food outlets, along with a carousel ($4 a ride, open daily with seasonal hours).

Located between 5th and 6th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Streets.

Sure, you can take a bus tour, but a scenic cruise is better. There is no street traffic, and you can enjoy lots of fabulous city views. As a bonus, you can see NYC’s bridges from the water. This is one of the top things to do in  New York City.

Tip: Check out the schedule before arriving to see which cruise appeals to you. Reservations are recommended during peak periods.

Departs from Pier 83 at W 42 nd St. First Cruise at 10 a.m. Admission is based on age and type of cruise, and you can use a CityPass.

How to Feed a Kid on the Cheap Cheap in NYC

The view from the Empire State Building headed west. credit: Catherine Parker

Empire State Building 

The Empire State Building, known worldwide as the favorite building, is a symbol of NYC. Opening in 1931, it’s an Art Deco masterpiece and a National Historic Landmark.

Head to the Observation Deck on the 86th floor, the backdrop to many a movie. There is also an observation deck on the 102nd floor.

Located at 20 34th St. Open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., depending on the season. Reservations are required. Adult admission starts at $44, and kids admission starts at $38, with demand pricing. This is a CityPASS attraction.

The legendary toy retailer now lives at Rockefeller Center with life-sized stuffed animals, games, toys, and even candy. It’s a must even for big kids.

Located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free to enter.

Though it's undergoing renovation, the Flatiron Building is still one of the most recognizable buildings in New York City.

Located at 175 5th Ave.

National Park Sites of New York City 

Grand Central Terminal is a transportation hub along with a top tourist attraction. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Grand Central Terminal 

Walk through the Beaux Arts Masterpiece, the largest train terminal in the world. It’s a hub for subways and commuter trains, as well as a shopping and casual dining center. 

The main concourse's ceiling features an astronomical ceiling, a four-sided brass clock, and Tennessee marble for the stairs and floors. 

Located at 89 E. 42nd St. Terminal Open From 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Free to enter.

Created from an abandoned New York Central Railroad Spur, the nearly one-and-a-half-mile elevated walking path and park is a must. Created in 2009, High Line is a destination for locals and travelers alike. As a bonus, it’s free, unless you want to grab a snack or a quick coffee along the route.

Located from Gansevoort St. to 34th St. with multiple entrances, some with elevators. Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the warmer months. Closes at 7 p.m. during the winter. Free

Top Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan

With a retired Space Shuttle and the Concorde along with a submarine, the Intrepid offers all kinds of kid fun. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum 

Clamber across the deck of the USS Intrepid to see a retired Concorde and one of NASA’s retired space shuttles. The Space Shuttle Enterprise is one of several on display across the U.S. Then explore the USS Growler, a submarine. Along with several different military aircraft.

Located at Pier 86 W.46th St. at 11th Avenue, it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $36, students are $34, and kids ( 5 to 12 ) are $26. You can also use a CityPass.

Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery 

With all the walking, it’s time for dessert. I recommend NYC-style cheesecake. Topping the best cheesecake list for years, it’s dense, not-too-sweet, and creamy. I ordered plain, and I didn’t share. It also holds for next-day snacks if you have a refrigerator. I might have eaten leftovers for breakfast.

Located at 1515 Broadway at 45th St. and 1626 Broadway at 49th St. Open Sunday and to Thursday from 7 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit the Herald Square location for floors of shopping. Its front displays are legendary during Christmas.

Located at 151 W. 34th St. Open Monday through  Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

With the original Shake Shack, this park is a good stop for lunch. Find lots of tables, mostly in the shade.

Located at 11 Madison Ave. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Best 4 Day NYC Itinerary

Take in the art at the MoMA, like Starry Night by Van Gogh. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

See some of the most recognizable works of art, head straight for the Fifth Floor of the Museum of Modern Art. Find Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, Dance by Henri Matisse, along with works from Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso. Great for kids with short attention spans.

Kids under 16 get in free, and the MoMA gives out guides for family visits. You can also walk through the gift shop for unique souvenirs. 

Located at 11 W. 53rd St. Located at 11 W. 53rd St. Open From 10:30 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $28 online. Kids under 16 get in free. 

Explore Pierpont Morgan’s three-story library, rotunda and study. The opulent interiors are a must for readers and Harry Potter fans since it looks like Hogwarts .

Located at 225 Madison Ave. Open Tuesday though Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Mondays. Adult admission is $22, students are $13 and kids (12 and younger) enter for free.

In a facility dedicated to math, learn how it provides structure along with pattern to the world. With hands-on exhibits learn about the importance of math in the everyday world.

Located at 11 E. 26th St. This location will close in 2024 for a renovation.

Between the granite lions on Fifth Avenue, this iconic Beaux Arts Library isn’t a traditional lending library. It’s a research library, and its name is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. With its beautiful reading rooms, it is a popular destination for reading and studying. Additionally, it is also a popular destination for travelers. This is one of the Top Things to do in Midtown Manhattan.

The New York Public Library offers free weekday tours, and I recently went on one. During the 60-minute guided tour, I learned about the building’s architecture and the addition of archival storage under neighboring Bryant Park. We toured its many decorative rooms, rich with details and art. There’s even an iconic set from the Sex in the City movie inside the library.

The tour is free and reservations are required. The visitor center’s website offers the best place for information. There is also a free exhibit on the ground floor of the library with some of the most treasured items from its collection, the Polonsky Exhibition of New York Public Library’s Treasures.

Located at 476 5th Ave. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday). Free to enter.

Top 30 Museums in NYC

The exterior of the Radio City Music Hall. credit: Catherine Parker

Next, tour the legendary theater and home to the Rockettes . After the Top of the Rock tour, stay at Rockefeller Center and tour Radio City Music Hall. Art Deco theater features rich architectural details from a bygone era along with some of Bob Mackie’s Rockettes costumes.

Located at 1260 6th Ave. Seasonal tours are Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Adult admission is $33. students and kids (12 and younger) are  $29. Reservations required.

Rockefeller Plaza  

Walk through Rockefeller Plaza, which features seasonal displays like the Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and summertime cafe. The Prometheus statue is another must-see during your visit.

The LEGO Store features NYC landmarks built in LEGOs, a must for all ages. There is also a Food Hall inside Rockefeller Center’s concourse level. It is free to enter. 

Located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza. Plaza. Open 24 hours a day.

I prefer Rockefeller Center to see NYC from above. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Top of the Rock

With the best views of Central Park, heading up to the observation area of the Rockefeller Building is also the best way to see landmarks like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. A quick elevator ride later, explore three different floors all with incredible views.

Located at 30 Rockefeller Center. Open from 9 a.m. to midnight.  Adult admission is $40, kids (6 to 12) are $34. Reservations are a must during the busy season. A CityPass can be used for the Top of the Rock.

The bright red tram cars climb up and over the East River to get to Roosevelt Island. Get off and re-board to return to mid-town for some of the best views of Midtown.

Located at the intersection of 59th St. and 2nd Ave. Ride for free if you purchased an MTA MetroCard for the subway or $4 roundtrip.

Head Up the Hudson: 23 Top ThIngs do Do in Hyde Park 

Walk through St. Patrick's Cathedral one of the top architectural sites in NYC. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Regardless of religion, St. Patrick’s is a masterpiece of architecture. Take a few minutes to walk through the Neo-Gothic Cathedral in the center of Midtown. During my last visit, I saw a girls’ choir performing, and the acoustics were unbelievable.

Located at Fifth Ave. between 50th and 51st St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is free to enter, though donations are accepted. An iPad-led audio tour, narrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, is also available.

Not for everyone, though if the idea of standing on a glass floor 100 floors above the street below sounds fun, there’s your chance. And there’s more, you can harness up and climb on the outside of the building, 1,100 feet above the ground. The observation deck seems tame with its angled glass walls that allow visitors to lean against the glass and see below. Also find a champagne bar if you need a drink, before or after.

Note: The outdoor areas close in inclement weather.

Located at 30 Hudson Yards. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adult admission starts at $36, kids (6 to 12) admission starts at $31. Reservations are required.

The Vessel is 16 stories high and located in Hudson Yard. credit: Catherine Parker

A 16-story sculpture with 154 flights of stairs connected with 80 landings, it was originally opened to the public in 2019, However, it closed in 2021 and remains closed.

Located at 20 Hudson Yard.

This is a performance and display space for the creative arts ranging from performance art to visual art to pop culture.

Located at 575 Hudson Yard.

As a top NYC destination, Times Square offers lights and energy 24-7. However, head to Times Square in the evening or after a show to see just how bright it truly is.

Find street performers, art installations, shopping and dining.

Located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. Always open and free to enter.

As the headquarters for the United Nations,  the complex includes gardens along with the General Assembly, the Secretariat and Conference Buildings. For an in-depth tour, reserve the guided one-hour tour (available in six languages)

Located at 46th St. and 1st Ave. Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for the tour is $28 for adults and $15 for kids 5 to 12 (kids under 5 not allowed on tours).

Top Things to Do in Niagara Falls 

Bethesda Terrace is a top spot in Central Park. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Top Places to Go in Central Park

As the first landscaped public park in the U.S., the merchants and landowners wanted to develop an area like the ones of Paris and London for all to use. In 1853, money was designated for its development, and land in the center of Manhattan was acquired. With irregular terrain, the land was less desirable for development though home to farmers and their animals and crops.

In 1857, the park’s commission selected Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. Many of the iconic details of the Central Park were part of their Greenward Plan . Thousands of workers reshaped the landscape, and the park officially opened in 1859.

Alice in Wonderland Statue and Hans Christian Andersen Statue

Located near Conservatory Water on the east side of the park, kids can actually climb this bronze statue featuring Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit. The Hans Christian Andersen Statue is steps away. 

Located near E 74th St.

Top Things to Do in Central Park 

A trip to the American Museum of Natural History will keep the kids engaged for hours. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

This sprawling museum could take all day, so hit the highlights, like the Hall of Dinosaurs, “Lucy,” the early human, and the giant blue whale. Then, explore the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda along with the Hall of North American Mammals. 

Carve out a little time for the Hayden Planetarium to learn more about the world beyond our atmosphere. It’s located on-site and requires an additional timed ticket for a show.

The Natural History Museum offers a Museum Food Court on the lower level featuring family favorites. 

Located at Central Park West at 79th St. Open Daily from 10 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. Adult admission with Planetarium is $34, students are $27 and kids (3 to 12) are $20. Timed-entry reservations are required.

As Central Park's highest point, the views are the draw. It was originally designed by Central Park’s architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, who wanted a whimsical castle.

Located mid-park at 79th St. Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Free 

If you are limited on time, head to Bethesda first. One of the original elements in Central Park, it was built in 1859. The grand fountain is one of the top NYC pictures.

Located at 72nd Transverse Drive (one of the roads that bisects the park).  

As one of the most romantic spots in NYC, Bow Bridge is a favorite with couples. Built in 1859, it’s located midpark at 74th Street Transverse, west of Bethesda Terrace.

A must for families, the 1908 Carousel is covered and features 57 horses. 

Located in southeast corner of Central Park at 65th St. Open April though October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 7 p.m. on Friday to Sunday. Admission is $3 per person, cash only.

Walking Tour of Central Park

Exploring Central Park can take a whole day or more. You can arrange a professional tour or do it yourself. 

This compact zoo can be explored in two hours, perfect for younger kids and babies. The highlights are the sea lions, penguins, snow monkeys and grizzly bears. Head to the adjacent facility, Tisch Children’s Zoo, for more exploring with the littles.

Located at 64th St. and 5th Avenue. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) from the first week of April through November. Open until 4:30 p.m. for the rest of the year. Adult admission is $19.95, seniors are $16.95 and kids (3 to 12) are $14.95.

It is an official Central Park visitor center in the children’s district, but you will still find people playing board games on the tables surrounding the building.

Located at midpark at 64th Street.

Walk to Conservatory Water to see the sailboats. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Head to a charming area dedicated to the young at heart. Rent a wind-powered sailboat or just enjoy the scenery.

Located on the east side in-between 72nd and 75th streets. Free

Geared towards older kids, learn about the 350 years of history on New York City along with the U.S. at large.

Located at 170 Central Park West. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( 8 p.m. on Friday). Adult admission is $24, students are $13, kids (5 to 13) are $6 and 4 and younger enter for free. Timed-entry reservation recommended.

The Guggenheim Museum across from Central Park credit: Catherine Parker

Head to the top of the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece and meander down through the collection. Its focus on modern and contemporary art allows for quick exploration. 

Located at 5th Avenue and 89th Street. Open Sunday through Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesday. Adult admission is $ 30, students are $19, and kids 12 and younger are free.

With Swedish storybook architectural elements, the Dairy harkens back to the time when the park had grazing animals. In the late 1800s, it was used by children and served milk and refreshments. Now, it is a visitor center for Central Park.

Located just south of the 65th Street Traverser as it bisects the park.

Imagine Mosaic in Central Park's Strawberry Fields credit: Catherine Parker

Stroll this quiet zone and official peace park to honor John Lennon's work. Along with his work with The Beatles, John Lennon advocated for peace. 

Located along Central Park West in-between 71st and 74th streets, in the shadow of his former home, The Dakota. 

This wide and straight walk is a formal promenade in the park. It is lined with benches and American Elms. On the lower section of the walk, you will find statues of literary figures like William Shakespeare. In addition, there is the Women’s Rights Pioneer Statue. It’s lovely during all seasons.

Located from the 66th Street Traverse to the 74th Street Traverse.

It’s a restaurant, cafe, and bar just north of Bethesda Terrace, along with rental rowboats. It's one of the most photographed spots in Central Park. From April through November, boats can be rented by the hour ($20 an hour), weather permitting. Cash only.

Hungry? Head to Loeb Boathouse Café Express, next to the fancier Loeb Boathouse Restaurant, for drinks or an ice cream cone. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Spring to Fall and open until 4:30 p.m. during the winter.  Temporarily closed for renovation.

Located at Park Dr. N at 72nd St.

As the largest art museum in the U.S. The Met is a must for art lovers. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

A sprawling museum that will test the will of a toddler so head for the highlights. The Temple of Dendur is on the first floor. Or head to the European Paintings on the second floor. See Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol. 

Several cafes are located in the Met for a break. Family guides are available, and special tours are on select days. 

Located at 1000 5th Avenue. Open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p..m. and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. Adult admission is $30, students are $17 and kids 12 and younger are free. Reservations are recommended.

Playgrounds of Central Park

Kids live in NYC too. So sample some of the amazing playgrounds in Central Park that are sprinkled throughout the park.

Heckscher Playground

A favorite among locals and visitors alike. Find water play, climbing structure and swings in areas based on age. Located midpark in-between 61st and 63rd streets. 

Ancient Playground

This playground is better for museum-goers. Take a few minutes so the kids can run and climb before or after exploring The Met. Located next The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Billy Johnson Playground

The draw at this playground is the granite slides. Go faster with a piece of cardboard. Find two slides, the original and faster one and a new shorter slide that accommodates kids of differing abilities. Located at 67th Street and 5th Avenue. 

Adventure Playground

A playground close to the American Museum of Natural Science with lots of climbing structures, this is a great spot to run out some energy before or after a museum visit. It is located on the west side of the park at 67th Street.

Explore the Statue of Liberty with your kids. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Top Places to Go in Lower Manhattan

Statue of liberty national monument.

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and liberty known worldwide. It sits on a 12-acre island in the middle of New York Harbor. For a first-time visit to NYC, visit the Statue of Liberty. It’s one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with kids. The trip will take half a day, and it’s a memorable experience seeing the details of Lady Liberty up close.

While on Liberty Island, visit the museum to learn about its construction. Then, climb the 215 stairs to the top of the pedestal to capture views of downtown Manhattan and the copper patina (Additional tickets are required.)

Separate reservations are required for Pedestal Access and Crown Access. Depending on the time of the year, these reservations sell out months in advance.

Operated by Statue Cruises, the ferry departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. First, explore the Statue of Liberty, then reboard the ferry to tour Ellis Island, an additional stop. The first ferry leaves at 9:00 a.m., and the last one departs at 3:00 p.m., with extended hours during peak seasons.

Ellis Island

From 1892 until 1954, Ellis Island welcomed 12 million immigrants to the United States. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum walks visitors through the facility that processed close to 5,000 people a day. While at Ellis Island, you can look up family names to see if they immigrated through Ellis Island.

Give yourself half the day to visit both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Reservations are a must, and book in advance to visit the pedestal. A Junior Ranger Booklet is available. All passengers will go through airport-style security screening.

Take a moment and remember those who lost their life on that day. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum 

The outdoor memorial offers a peaceful fountain with the names of those lost along the perimeter of the fountain. It is lighted at night, and the flow of water drowns out the sounds of city life.

Inside the 9/11 museum, a collection of artifacts, narratives, archives, and interactive technology remembers the 2,996 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. It retells the story of the tragic day along with the months of recovery. 

Located at 180 Greenwich St. The 9/11 Memorial is open from every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. The 9/11 Museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adult admission starts at $21, and kids 6 and younger are free. Reservations recommended. If you are visiting several museums during your visit, consider a CityPass .

Note: Due to the sensitive nature of the museum, skip it with small children.  

At the southern tip of Manhattan, Battery Park offers green space to explore with gardens, walkways and lots of views of the New York Harbor. Walk through the perennial gardens, the Battery Woodland and the Bosque Fountain during your visit. 

The playground is a kid magnet and offers some unique climbing structures as well as several accessible features. It is one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with kids. For snacks, food trucks line the streets next to Battery Park, or grab a snack at one of the kiosks in the park. 

Located at State St. and Battery Plaza. Free to enter. 

Built in 2015, hop on a fish to whirl around the pavilion to classical music. This carousel moves up and down from the floor and twirls around in smaller circles so it feels like dancing. This is also one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with kids.

Located in Battery Park. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is $5.50 per person. 

Next to the Statue of Liberty ferry is the Castle Clinton National Monument. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

After visiting the Statue of Liberty, explore the Castle Clinton National Monument, steps from the ferry dock, for more immigration history. For war buffs in the family, it’s also a fort from the War of 1812 with antique cannons.

Located in Battery Park and open seven days a week from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter. Juior Ranger booklets available.

Located in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, a Beaux Arts Building that’s a National Historic Landmark, explore the New York branch of the Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Museum. With 700 Native American artifacts and arts, it’s part of the George Gustav Heye collection, started in 1903. This museum is organized geographically and includes items from North America as well as South and Central America.

Located at 1 Bowling Green. Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free to Enter. Reservations not required.

Learn about the rise of NYC and its role as a port city. The South Street Seaport Museum offers five historic vessels. Tour the Ship Wavertree and the Lightship Ambrose, located nearby.

Located at 12 Fulton St. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Weekends only in winter. Adult admission is $18, students are $15 and kids (3 to 17) are $5. Harbor cruises are available and require a separate ticket purchased in advance. Harbor cruises are available and require a separate ticket.

The Staten Island Ferry is free and a quick and easy way to enjoy Lower Manhattan views. credit: Catherine Parker

Tight on time but want to get a closer view of the Statue of Liberty without taking the official tour. Then hop the Staten Island Ferry offering passenger service. Departing every 15 to 30 minutes, it’s a free harbor cruise. Since it’s free, it’s one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with kids.

Located in Battery Park. Open seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

For the Wall Street Ferry Port, you can catch a ferry to popular spots like DUMBO, Governors Island, and even Midtown and the Upper East Side, along with several locations in Queens and Brooklyn. With open-air decks, it’s a run ride with exceptional views of Lower Manhattan.

Located at South Street at Pier 11. Ferries run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s $4 to ride one way and tickets (or on the app) are available at the ferry dock (or on the app).

Walk over the first bridge that spanned the East River, started in 1870 it was completed in 1883. The towers feature Gothic Revival Towers made of limestone and granite with a pedestrian walkway above the vehicle traffic below. In total, the Brooklyn Bridge is 1.1 miles long, and the DUMBO area offers a lot of dining and activities. Best of all, you can take the ferry back to Manhattan.

The Oculus was designed by Santiago Calatrava. credit: Catherine Parker

As a transportation hub, retail, and dining area along with stunning work of architecture, the Oculus is a modern version of the Grand Central Terminal. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, visitors should enter from the street level to see the voluminous space Calatrava created. For the exterior, it’s meant to look like a dove flying from a child’s hands.

Underground, find several NYC subway lines as well as PATH trains to New Jersey.

Located at the intersection of Fulton St. and Greenwich St. Free to enter and open daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Rising up in Lower Manhattan, head to the 102nd floor of the 1 World Trade Tower for a view of Lower Manhattan and the New York City harbor. Anchoring the revitalization area most affected by 9/11, this building offers a guiding light to the future, especially as the sun sets and glass glows.

Located at 180 Greenwich St. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days. General admission is $39.

Learn more about the recent immigrants at the Lower Eastside Tenement Museum. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Walk through history in a preserved tenement building on the Lower East Side. Tour the building that housed 7,000 working-class immigrants from 1863 until 1935. Though not great for younger kids, my teen really enjoyed this museum. It’s one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with older kids.

With specialized tours focusing on Irish immigrants, Jewish immigrants, and sweatshop workers, along with neighborhood tours, you can get an understanding of an immigrant’s life over a hundred years ago.

The Visitor Center at 103 Orchard St. Open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6: p.m. General admission tours are $30. Timed Entry Tickets Required.

As the official museum of the New York City’s Fire Department, learn about its history in the 1904 firehouse. See the antique equipment, some of it horse-drawn. Then take a moment to reflect at the  NYCFM 9/11 Memorial that honors the 343 fallen firefighters.

Located at 278 Spring St. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $15, students are $10 and kids (3 to 17) are $6.

Fearless Girl Statue

Looking the C harging Bull in the eyes, Fearless Girl, gathered international attention. But she’s moved to outside the New York Stock Exchange, looking up at the building.  The bronze statue is a beacon for strong-willed girls worldwide. 

Located at 11 Wall St. Free

Located on Wall Street, this building served as the first Capitol of the United States, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch offices. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall as well.

The visitor center is located at the Pine Street entrance. The Federal Hall National Monument is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during the summer, it’s open Saturdays as well. Free to enter.

Little Island credit: Catherine Parker

Created from piers, Little Island is one of the newest areas to explore in Lower Manhattan. Located at Pier 55, the island and its gardens appear to float about the water. Enjoy a stroll to its high point for views of the Hudson or attend a live performance. It’s one of the top things to do in Lower Manhattan with kids since they like exploring the island with its winding walkways.

Located at West 13th St. at Hudson River Park. Open daily at 6 a.m. and closes at midnight during the summer, 11 p.m. in the spring and fall and 9 p.m. during the winter. Free to enter.

Anchoring the southern end of High Line Park, The Whitney showcases contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on living artists. 

Located at 99 Gansevoort St. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and every day during the summer. Adult admission is $30 and kids under 18 are free. Reservations recommended.

Learn about the final resting place of more than 400 African Americans in Lower Manhattan. A mass burial site from the 17 th and 18 th centuries retells the story of free and enslaved people in colonial New York.

The visitor center is on the first floor of the Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The Visitor Center and Memorial are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free to enter.

On the main floor, locals and tourists traipse through for standards like Sarabeth’s, Los Tacos No 1, and L’Art del Gelato. The tables might be limited at peak times.

Located at 75 9th Ave. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In the iconic TV show from the 1990s, the outside of this building was featured as their apartment building. It is located at 90 Bedford St.

Disclosure: Consideration for brands mentioned.

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in New York State

Written by Shandley McMurray and Lana Law Updated Sep 16, 2022

The task of choosing a handful of top attractions to represent the entire state of New York is not an easy one thanks to its nearly endless number of things to see and do. From the historic to the most contemporary, New York State overflows with interesting places to visit.

New York City is undeniably the state's most popular tourist destination, and it's packed with famous attractions, restaurants, and shops. The borough of Manhattan is home to many of the city's top destinations, like Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and much more.

Upstate New York, as locals call pretty much anything north of the city, offers year-round vacation possibilities. In summer, the many lakes and mountains, along with New York's charming small towns , are the main attractions.

Winter is also a popular time to visit due to the ski resorts and luxury hotels and lodges that make great getaways.

Plan the perfect escape any time of year with our list of attractions and places to visit in New York State.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Niagara falls, central park, times square, finger lakes, lake placid, lake george, storm king art center, cooperstown, thousand islands, the adirondacks, the catskills, letchworth state park, darwin d. martin house complex, buffalo, watkins glen state park, george eastman house and the international museum of photography and film, rochester.

The Statue of Liberty is the nation's most iconic monument , a symbol of hope to millions of immigrants on their way to Ellis Island.

Tourists can visit both attractions via a ferry operated by the National Park Service that meets passengers at Battery Park and runs continuous loops throughout the day.

The first stop is the statue, where visitors can enjoy views of both the monument and the New York City skyline at no charge. You can also purchase tickets to access the pedestal or crown, although crown passes sell out at least six months in advance.

Be sure to wander through the museum in the base of the statue and check out the extensive educational signs, statues, and historic markers.

The ferry stops next at Ellis Island, where there is a museum on the first floor of the main building, an architectural masterpiece that once served as the main processing center and hospital from 1892 to 1954. On the upper level, tourists can wander the rooms of the quarantine wing and see some of the original bunks and facilities used by those hoping to start new lives.

Inside are poignant exhibits, with walls of photos, documents, and personal stories that capture defining moments in American history, one person at a time.

Tourists should plan at least a half day to enjoy sightseeing at both attractions, or if pressed for time consider hopping aboard the ferry and using the ride to get phenomenal views of these New York City landmarks from many angles.

Official site: www.nps.gov/stli

Niagara Falls is one of the natural wonders of North America, drawing millions of visitors each year. Located along the border of Canada and the United States, there are actually three waterfalls within the park: Bridal Veil Falls, American Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the widest and tallest, dropping 167 feet from a 2,700-foot-wide ledge.

For the best panoramic view of all three falls, go up the observation tower, or take the famed Hornblower boat tour into the basin of Horseshoe Falls. It's one of the most popular things to do in Niagara Falls . In addition to park information and tour tickets, the visitor center has a gift shop, several dining options, and a theater that shows a 40-minute film about the history and legend of the falls.

The park also provides nighttime illumination of the falls and hosts spectacular fireworks shows on special occasions.

In winter, the falls transform into a frozen spectacle of massive icicles, freezing fog, and ice-covered trees and railings. On clear, calm days, the plume of mist rising off the falls stretches high into the sky and can be seen from as far away as the CN Tower in Toronto.

Official site: www.niagarafallsstatepark.com

Although it may appear on a map as a small patch of green within the grid of Manhattan streets, Central Park is an expansive space that contains enough sights and things to do to last for days, if not longer.

Central Park is home to a wide range of attractions , from impressive architecture and peaceful gardens to skating rinks.

Bethesda Terrace is known for its stunning Bethesda Fountain, and the Mall , an idyllic, broad pathway canopied by the arching limbs of centuries-old American elms, begins at the terrace. Tourists will find several peaceful spots to relax, like the formal Conservatory Garden , the Shakespeare Garden , or the famed Chess & Checkers House .

Kids will enjoy the Central Park Zoo , which features sea lions, penguins, and other animals, and the younger ones will want to ride on the historic Carousel . The park also has, of course, expansive green lawns and enough playgrounds to keep kids busy for days.

Heckscher Playground lies mid-park between 61st and 63rd streets and boasts an extensive sprinkler area to help little ones cool off on a hot summer day. It dates to 1926 and also has slides, a giant sandbox, and climbing structures, as well as lots of open space to run around.

The Billy Johnson playground near the zoo features a stone slide beloved by kids. Be sure to bring a newspaper, or better yet, the lid of a pizza box to sit on while sliding, as it makes the ride faster.

Several ponds are also on hand to enhance the ambience. Pack a picnic and enjoy your meal with a side of people-watching.

Central Park can be toured by horse-drawn carriage for the ultimate romantic sightseeing experience.

Official site: www.centralparknyc.org

There are weeks' worth of attractions and things to do in and around Times Square, but even a brief visit to experience the bigger-than-life excitement is worth the trip. The heart of Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and 7th Ave, where you will be mesmerized by the massive screens that announce everything from the newest films and shows to special presentations.

The pedestrian areas are full of artists, performers, and tourists taking in the cacophony of the city and the enticing smells wafting from the food trucks that line the streets. While in the neighborhood, a visit is not complete without dinner at Sardi's Restaurant and a show in the world-famous Theater District .

Traveling with the kids? You'll find plenty of family attractions, including Madame Tussauds , which has not only amazing waxworks and interactive exhibits but also offers a new perspective from the glass-walled viewing platform that protrudes over the sidewalk.

Times Square is also home to a staggering number of stores, big and small, and no visit is complete without a stop at M&M World where you can't help but smile. The Empire State Building , another NYC icon, is within walking distance of the square and is open until 2am for breathtaking views of the city below.

According to Iroquois legend, the long, narrow lakes in the landscape west of Syracuse were formed by the impression of the fingers of the Great Spirit. The numerous lakes that make up the Finger Lakes region offer a range of outdoor opportunities in a visually stunning landscape.

Cute towns and Finger Lakes resorts are dotted along the lakeshores of the main lakes, most of which are particularly busy during the summer months. Some interesting ways to explore the area are on the Cayuga Trail, the Seneca Lake Trail, and the Keuka Trail.

The town of Corning is home to the living history museum Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes , as well as The Rockwell Museum , which features a variety of artwork. Auburn is also home to several attractions, including the Harriet Tubman House , the Seward House Museum , Willard Chapel, and the Fingerlakes Mall. Additional attractions include the Finger Lakes Museum in Branchport and the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Park.

Seeing the falls at Watkins Glen State Park ; riding in a hot air balloon over Letchworth State Park , and having an adventure at Greek Peak Mountain Resort are among the best things to do in the Finger Lakes .

The world-famous winter sports resort of Lake Placid, at the foot of Whiteface Mountain , has twice hosted the Winter Olympics (1932, 1980). Today Lake Placid is a major tourist center , located in beautiful natural surroundings with lakes and hills.

While it is perhaps best known internationally for its winter recreation, particularly skiing, the town is a popular summer destination as well. All kinds of unique shops and restaurants line the main tourist strip in Lake Placid. Beautiful resorts are found along the shores and in the rolling landscape.

In addition to the actual body of water named Lake Placid, there is also the incredibly scenic Mirror Lake , which is a centerpiece of the town. The setting for this lake makes it one of the most beautiful lakes in New York State .

The town of Lake George is located at the southern end of a 32-mile-long lake of the same name. The town is a major tourist destination in the summer, and the lake itself is the main attraction.

Many of the islands on the lake have been developed for camping, and the area is particularly popular with motorcyclists.

Million Dollar Beach , on Beach Road, provides swimming, picnic facilities, and volleyball courts. Sightseeing cruises are also a fun way to see the lake. Prospect Mountain offers a high scenic point for a view out over the lake and surroundings.

Historical points of interest around Lake George include Lake George Battlefield Park and the Fort William Henry Museum .

Wear comfortable shoes when you visit Storm King Art Center, which was named for the nearby mountain overlooking the Hudson River. This magnificent outdoor sculpture gallery set among 500 acres of bucolic landscape is by far one of the most captivating attractions in New York state – and you'll want to walk around it all.

Not a walker? No worries. There's a tram on-site to take you past most of the massive sculptures, but you'll want to download the site's app to get the most detailed information about each piece. Also, since this is an open-air attraction, plan your visit for a nice day to get the most out of your trip.

Many of the ambitious works on display throughout the fields and hills of this unique exhibition change frequently, and the art looks different in every season. That means you're in for a new experience with every visit. And trust us, going once really isn't enough!

Storm King is open Wednesdays to Mondays from 10am to 5:30pm. Last entry is at 4. It will take at least two hours to explore the area, more if you'd like to stop and appreciate the impressive works, so plan your trip accordingly. There's a café on-site offering healthy lunches, drinks, and snacks to help ward off hunger pangs during your journey.

Address: 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, New York

Official site: https://stormking.org/

Cooperstown sits at the southern tip of Otsego Lake in central New York state. It is best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum , where baseball aficionados can admire the sport's legends and view memorabilia.

The Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum is a fun follow-up to the Hall of Fame, and although it is on the smaller side, it is fun to pose with baseball's greats in a laid-back atmosphere and enjoy their "baseball bloopers" film in the small theater.

Cultural attractions in Cooperstown include the Fenimore Art Museum and the Alice Busch Theater , which hosts the Glimmerglass Festival, an annual international opera event. There are also historic sites like Hyde Hall , once a sprawling colonial estate, as well as The Farmer's Museum , where life on Lippitt Farmstead and a historic village is brought to life.

Dotted all over a 50 mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River are thousands of little islands. They are located along a granite shelf extending from the Canadian Shield to the Adirondack Mountains in the United States, with the boundary actually running between the islands. It is an area of great scenic beauty any time of year, but especially vibrant in autumn during foliage season.

Operating between mid-May and mid-October, boat tours among the maze of islands show ever-changing vistas and include glimpses of holiday homes that range from the plainest of log cabins to the most luxurious of summer villas. One of the most amazing sights in the Thousand Islands is the stunning Boldt Castle dating from 1900.

The Adirondacks are a scenic range of forest-covered hills in northern New York state, with numerous lakes and recreational opportunities. The hills are part of the Canadian Shield and reach a height of over 5,000 feet.

The highest peak is Mount Marcy at 5,345 feet. The Adirondacks are a favorite holiday destination for New Yorkers. People come here to enjoy hiking, canoe on the extensive waterways, and relax at lakeside cottages and resorts in the Adirondacks .

This is a beautiful area to photograph in the fall, with an incredible display of New York autumn colors .

Another popular destination to experience nature in New York State is the Catskills. The rugged countryside of rolling hills and peaceful lakes is perfect for recharging your mental batteries. You can be as active as you like by undertaking activities like biking, canoeing, and hiking; or as lazy as you like by sitting by the pool, snoozing, or visiting the spa at one of the many top resorts in the Catskills.

In the winter, the Catskills transform into a snowy wonderland and draw skiers from far and wide to some of the finest ski resorts in New York .

Letchworth State Park is home to three sets of waterfalls along the dramatic Genesee River Gorge. Steep cliff walls line the gorge, which is surrounded by forest, and it is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East."

Middle Falls is the largest, with a 107-foot drop, and is illuminated at night from May through October. It's dubbed one of the best waterfalls in New York for good reason! Upper Falls is just as captivating, but only drops about 70 feet. It is surrounded by stunning rock cliffs and crossed by the photo-worthy Portage High Bridge.

The park offers a full range of facilities, from campsites and cabin rentals to trails, swimming, a playground, and concessions. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and designated snowmobile trails.

One of the most memorable experiences in Letchworth State Park is definitely the hot air balloon rides that soar high above the phenomenal landscape, offering views that truly can't be beat. Book one during fall for the most impressive display of Mother Nature's best color show.

Darwin and Isabelle Martin commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build a multi-structure complex in 1904, which he did at the height of his Prairie House era. It is considered by many to be his finest such work.

One of the top things to do in Buffalo , the house is open to the public and can be toured on either a Basic Tour or an In-Depth Tour, with guides who can direct viewers to the details and enhance visitors' understanding of the structure. Portions of the estate that were torn down over the years are being reconstructed.

Address: 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, New York

Official site: www.darwinmartinhouse.org

Watkins Glen is located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake within the Finger Lakes State Parks . The glen extends for two miles, dropping a total of 400 feet over 19 waterfalls, past 200-foot cliffs that were carved by the water.

In addition to admiring the gorge from its rim trails, visitors will find many things to do, including fishing, hiking, and even swimming in the park's Olympic-sized pool. The park has campsites for both tents and RVs, as well as picnic areas for day visitors. Guided tours of the gorge are available in season.

Official site: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/142/

The 50-room George Eastman mansion was completed in 1905 and originally included a stable, garage, barn, five greenhouses, and many gardens. Located in Rochester, the house has been restored to its appearance in the early 1900s, with photographs made by Eastman, as well as letters and notes that assisted in the restoration.

The outstanding International Museum of Photography and Film is located on the grounds and will be of interest to anyone with a passion for photography. The museum also showcases a number of traveling exhibits and movies on a regular basis. Be sure to check their website to see what's coming up.

Address: 900 East Avenue, Rochester, New York

Official site: https://www.eastman.org/

Kingston is a quaint waterfront town that lies on the outskirts of the Catskills, about two hours north of Manhattan. It's a popular place to spend a weekend in New York , with a slew of fun things to do, especially during summer.

When the warm sun shines, this unassuming town really comes to life–in the form of outdoor concerts, festivals, and other fun events. Grab a bite on an outdoor patio by the Hudson River, hop on a cruise, or tour one of the area's multiple museums.

The Hudson River Museum is particularly interesting if you're a fan of all things nautical, while train lovers could spend hours in the Trolley Museum of New York .

Save time to practice a little retail therapy in the boutique shops Uptown , but do not miss a wander along the streets of the Stockade Historic District . This region is comprised of eight blocks of fairy-tale worthy buildings and so much charm, you'll want to stay longer.

More on New York

Card Accounts

Business Accounts

Other Accounts and Payments

Tools and Support

Personal Cards

Business Credit Cards

Corporate Programs

Personal Savings

Personal Checking and Loans

Business Banking

Book And Manage Travel

Travel Inspiration

Business Travel

Services and Support

Benefits and Offers

Manage Membership

Business Services

Checking & Payment Products

Funding Products

Merchant Services

Things to Do in NYC: Museums, Sightseeing, and Shopping Guide

by American Express Travel®

August 29, 2024

Link copied!

From world-famous museums like the MoMA, the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Met to cultural destinations like Broadway, Lincoln Center, and Rockefeller Center and the Coney Island boardwalk, New York City’s list of landmarks goes on and on. 

If you’re looking to visit slightly lesser-known attractions, we tapped Amex Travel's local expert Antonia for her go-to recommendations of things to do in New York. See what sparks your interest and leave yourself time to wander, people watch, and make your own discoveries. The Big Apple is buzzing with activity and brimming with possibilities – there are so many unique ways to slice it.  

Explore some favorite things to do in New York below, including under-the-radar museums, foodie tours, and vintage shopping. Plus, check out our guides to where to stay and where to eat in NYC.

NYC Experiences for Eligible Card Members

Broadway and Theater Access

Whether you’re planning to catch a big Broadway show or check out a limited-run play, your Amex Card can help elevate your theater experience. Card Members can purchase tickets to select buzzed -about performances earlier, with exclusive ticket presales to select shows. Plus, with Amex Reserved Tickets™, you can access exclusive seats to select must-see shows reserved just for Card Members. Available while supplies last, not all seats may be offered. Terms apply .

Get Tickets

The US Open Tennis Championships, commonly known as the US Open, takes place annually for two weeks beginning in late August. Held outside Manhattan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, the US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam® tournament of the year, and one of the oldest in the world. American Express® Card Members can experience the iconic event and get early access to tickets while supplies last and exclusive benefits at the US Open such as a Card Member Lounge plus perks like Amex® Radios, discounted bag check, and more. Learn more . Capacity limitations and terms apply . While you’re in Queens, consider checking out local dining favorites that reflect the borough’s diversity, from Telly’s Taverna to Casa Enrique to Rolo’s . 

Museums & Galleries

The Morgan Library & Museum

A short walk northeast from Penn Station, the Morgan was once the private library of banker J.P. Morgan. Now anyone can marvel at the East Room’s walnut bookshelves with balconies and frescoed ceilings along with the collection of rare manuscripts, fine artwork, and tapestries ( themorgan.org ). 

The Tenement Museum

A National Historic Site, this Lower East Side museum tells the stories of immigrants and migrants through interactive guided tours of its two tenements; apartment furnishings reflect the daily lives of families who lived here between the 1860s and 1980s ( tenement.org ).

The Noguchi Museum

Located in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City, this small gem of a museum was designed by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. His abstract sculptures, brush drawings, and other works are on view on the ground floor and in the serene garden ( noguchi.org ).

New York Historical Society

Founded in 1804, the Historical Society is the city’s very first museum. Today, it hosts a wide variety of programming on the past, present, and future of New York, including exhibitions, film screenings, and lectures. In another pioneering move, it debuted the Center for Women’s History, the first of its kind within a major museum ( nyhistory.org ).

The Met Cloisters

America’s only museum dedicated to art and architecture of the Middle Ages, the Cloisters (formally known as the Met Cloisters) charms with its layout of galleries, gardens, and a courtyard connected by walkways – incorporating portions of five medieval cloisters. The museum overlooks the Hudson River from its perch within Fort Tyron Park in northern Manhattan. The expansive green space also counts the city’s largest dog run, gazebos, volleyball courts, built-in ping pong tables, and two playgrounds ( metmuseum.org ).

Performing Arts & Live Music

The bell house.

This Brooklyn mainstay in a 1920s-era warehouse hosts a dynamic lineup of avant-garde programming, featuring both big names and rising stars in comedy, music, literature, and more ( thebellhouseny.com ).

This NoHo performing arts space boasts five theaters along with a cabaret-style bar, Joe’s Pub, where you can check out performances ranging from live music to one-man shows and slam poetry ( publictheater.org ).

The Blue Note is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the city, if not the world. Even if you’re not a diehard fan, it’s worth a chance to see a performer who might be the next Chick Corea or Dizzy Gillespie – both of whom recorded live albums there ( bluenotejazz.com ).

Sightseeing

New York Botanical Garden

Hop on the Metro-North Railroad to the Bronx, where you’ll find nature’s museum. The botanical garden features 250 acres of lush flora to explore, as well as the annual Holiday Train Show and other special exhibitions throughout the year ( nybg.org ).

The High Line + Little Island

Winding its way above the streets of Chelsea, the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated greenway built on the foundation of a retired freight rail line. Take in cityscapes, art installations, and wildflowers while getting in your steps ( thehighline.org ). While you’re in the area, check out nearby Little Island, a man-made island-cum-public park sitting in the Hudson River, easily accessible by pedestrian footbridge ( littleisland.org ).

Prospect Park

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the mastermind behind Central Park and the Boston Common, Brooklyn’s sprawling Prospect Park is a prime destination for trail walking, sunbathing, people watching, and NYC's more recent phenomenon, pickleball ( prospectpark.org ).

Chelsea Market

After working up an appetite at the High Line and Little Island, head to Chelsea Market, a global marketplace with a variety of food stalls and vendors proffering cheese, meats, and other delicacies, plus a few sit-down restaurants.

Book Chelsea Market Food and Culture Tour with GetYourGuide

Brooklyn Bridge Park

This 85-acre riverside park with views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge is a destination for a variety of outdoor recreation, including roller skating, kayaking, pickleball, basketball. You’ll also find several dining options – and don’t forget to take a spin on Jane’s Carousel ( brooklynbridgepark.org ).

Book Brooklyn Neighborhood Eats Tour with GetYourGuide

Governors Island

Located in New York Harbor, just a short ferry ride from downtown Manhattan, Governors Island is a green space offering enviable views of the city, along with bike rentals, playgrounds, public art and exhibitions, and year-round events. It’s also a wellness destination, thanks to the addition of QC NY Spa, which has indoor treatment rooms and outdoor infinity pools ( govisland.com ). 

You’ll find luxury stores among the cobblestone streets and cast-iron buildings of SoHo as well as mid-range retailers and boutiques where you can  Shop Small ® to support local favorites and invest in the community. Browse edgy jewelry for women and men at Versani; classic footwear at family-owned Meermin Shoes; and denim and patterned dresses at Ulla Johnson, named for the designer, a native New Yorker. 

Fifth Avenue

This famed shopping avenue has all the big luxury names, from high-end department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue to jewelers like Cartier and Tiffany, and fine boutiques like Prada and Dior. Stop for lunch at Hōseki , a six-seat omakase counter located inside Saks.

West Village

The Village’s bohemian spirit lives on partially through its vintage and consignment shops, bookstores, and eclectic gift shops. Visit John Derian for artisanal home goods, handcrafted furniture, and textiles or pop into The Grey Pearl for unique glassware, kitchen essentials, and other home décor. 

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg has a high concentration of great vintage stores – Bedford Vintage, Brooklyn Woke Vintage, and dress Fellini-esque at Amarcord, which specializes in Italian vintage, to name a few.

Explore Our New York Guides

15 NYC Restaurants for Your Next Visit

11 NYC Hotels with Elevated Benefits through American Express Travel

NYC Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore

Get more out of your getaway with American Express

Recommended Flights offers Platinum Card® Members access to lower fares on select routes with Delta*. Plus, Platinum Card Members earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked through American Express Travel® or flights purchased directly from airlines.* 

Refuel in comfort thanks to the American Express Global Lounge Collection ®. It enables Platinum Card Members to enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 500 airports around the world. Terms apply.

Thrill seekers and adventurers alike can get out and enjoy unforgettable experiences from GetYourGuide. American Express® Card Members travel in style with 15% off tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex from August 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024. Terms apply.

Global Dining Access by Resy gives you special access to sought-after restaurants across the globe when you add your eligible Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences. Priority Notify, and more, all from the Resy app. Terms apply. 

When you Shop Small ®, you’re not just supporting neighborhood favorites – you’re investing in the community. Whether you’re a local or visiting, explore our map to find small businesses near you. 

Enjoy more of the events you love with Amex Experiences™

Through Events with Amex™ eligible Card Members can enjoy special ticket access and presales to select can’t miss events across sports, music, theatre, and more*. Plus, the ticket gets you in and the Card gets you more when attending select events thanks to additional Card Member benefits like access to Amex Fan Experiences, exclusive merchandise and offers and more. Terms Apply. *While supplies last, not all seats may be offered

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program:  Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for FHR program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of $100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Fine Hotels + Resorts Special Offers: Special offer and Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel® with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, Corporate Platinum Card® Members and Centurion® Members. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for FHR program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits or related special offers. Special offers are not combinable with other offers unless indicated, including, without limitation, lower rate offers.  

Special offer book by and travel by dates apply and vary by property. The availability and related terms of this special offer applies at the point of booking. The special offer is subject to change at the discretion of the property and you may see a different offer if you navigate away and return later. A minimum number of consecutive nights of stay are required and blackout dates may apply, please refer to the offer terms associated with a given property for details. Any complimentary nights will be reflected at the time of booking; applicable taxes and fees for the complimentary nights will be removed at check-out.

Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of $100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Program:  The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts, and Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible for THC program benefits. Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of $100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the $100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. To receive the $100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The $100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Special Offers: Special offer and The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel® with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card®, and Centurion® Members. Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts, and Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible for THC program benefits. Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible. Special offers are not combinable with other offers unless indicated, including, without limitation, lower rate offers. 

Special offer book by and travel by dates apply and vary by property. The availability and related terms of this special offer applies at the point of booking. The special offer is subject to change at the discretion of the property and you may see a different offer if you navigate away and return later. A minimum number of consecutive nights of stay are required and blackout dates may apply, please refer to the offer terms associated with a given property for details. Any complimentary nights will be reflected at the time of booking; applicable taxes and fees for the complimentary nights will be removed at check-out. 

Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of $100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the $100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. To receive the $100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The $100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Select Homes + Retreats™: Select Homes + Retreats™ (SHR) program bookings must be made through AmexTravel.com with participating vacation rental management companies (also referred to as “Hosts”) and their participating properties. Bookings are valid only for eligible American Express® U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Card® Members and Centurion® Members. Additional Card Members on U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for SHR. Companion Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on U.S. Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for SHR. Bookings must be made by an eligible Card Member using an American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be staying at the property booked. Properties may have minimum age requirements to book. Bookings require prepayment and may require advance security deposit, as/if specified in the property listing. Bookings must be made at least 10 days prior to the date of check-in. Other than if specified in a property listing, the minimum length of stay is 2 consecutive nights and the maximum length of stay is 28 consecutive nights. Bookings are cancellable without penalty within 48 hours of being made if your booking is made at least 10 days before your scheduled check-in date; thereafter, bookings are subject to the Host’s applicable cancellation and other policies. Any booking cancelled within 48 hours after the initial booking will result in a voided billing transaction. Voided billing transactions do not result in a charge or refund and will not appear on your monthly Card statement. Dates of a booking cannot be modified once made. Card Members must cancel their booking and make a new booking through AmexTravel.com; in which case, the new booking will be subject to availability, any cancellation policies and fees, any increase in the nightly rates or other fees, and any other applicable policies or fees of the Host. After cancellation, the property previously booked may not be available for subsequent booking for up to 24 hours or more. Hosts may require Card Members to complete additional steps after booking, such as signing a rental agreement, completing identity and/or age verification, or other steps described in a property listing; if such steps are not completed promptly, your Host may cancel your booking, subject to the Host’s policies. Card Members must use the property for lawful purposes and the purposes for which the rental of a vacation home is provided, including, without limitation, abiding by all applicable rules, laws, and regulations and not gathering more people than the maximum occupancy of the home without the prior written approval of the Host. Participating Hosts and their participating properties are subject to change. American Express is not liable for the acts or omissions of Hosts, their properties (including homeowners), or third parties acting for or on behalf of Hosts or homeowners. American Express is not the provider of the properties offered for rental and does not collect taxes or remit taxes to applicable tax authorities. Tax amounts displayed include an estimated amount that Hosts are to bill for applicable government-imposed taxes and fees. Hosts are responsible for providing a final receipt to Card Members upon request and remitting the government-imposed taxes and fees to relevant tax authorities.

2X Membership Rewards Points – Basic Card Members with a Membership Rewards-enrolled Card get at least 1 Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar spent on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card or Additional Card on their Account and will also get at least 1 additional point (for a total of 2 points) for each dollar charged for eligible Select Homes + Retreats purchases on any Card on the Account, minus cancellations and credits.

3X Membership Rewards Points – Green Card: Basic Card Members, when paying with their eligible Green Card or Additional Card on their Account, can earn 2 additional points (for a total of 3 points) for each dollar charged for eligible Select Homes + Retreats purchases on any Card on the Account, minus cancellations and credits.

5X Membership Rewards Points – Platinum Card: Basic Card Members, when paying with their eligible Platinum Card or Additional Card on their Account, can earn 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible Select Homes + Retreats purchases on any Card on the Platinum Card Account, minus cancellations and credits. Additional points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account 10-12 weeks after final payment is made.

$200 Hotel Credit:  Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when they or Additional Platinum Card Members use their Cards to pay for eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card) or when Companion Platinum Card Members on such Platinum Card Accounts pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. Fine Hotels + Resorts® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Companion Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise).  

Statement credits are typically received within a few days, however it may take 90 days after an eligible prepaid hotel booking is charged to the Card Account. American Express relies on the merchant’s processing of transactions to determine the transaction date. The transaction date may differ from the date you made the purchase if, for example, there is a delay in the merchant submitting the transaction to us or if the merchant uses another date as the transaction date. This means that in some cases your purchase may not earn the statement credit benefit for the benefit period in which you made the purchase. For example, if an eligible purchase is made on December 31st but the merchant processes the transaction such that it is identified to us as occurring on January 1st, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. If the Card Account is canceled or past due, it may not qualify to receive a statement credit. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. Please refer to  AmericanExpress.com/FHR  and  AmericanExpress.com/HC  for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively. 

5X Membership Rewards® Points Platinum Card:  Basic Card Members will get 1 Membership Rewards® point for each dollar charged for eligible purchases on their Platinum Card® or an Additional Card on their Account and 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible travel purchases on any Card on the Account (“Additional Points”), minus cancellations and credits. Eligible travel purchases are limited to: (i) purchases of air tickets on scheduled flights, of up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year, booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (by calling 1-800-525-3355 or through AmexTravel.com); (ii) purchases of prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel; and (iii) purchases of prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases do not include: charter flights, private jet flights, flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (other than prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing or similar service fees, ticket cancellation or change fees, property fees or similar fees, hotel group reservations or events, interest charges, or purchases of cash equivalents. Eligible prepaid hotel bookings or prepaid flight+hotel bookings that are modified directly with the hotel will not be eligible for Additional Points.

Bonuses that may be received with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express cannot be combined with this benefit. Any portion of a charge that the Basic Card Member elects to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional terms and restrictions apply.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for Additional Points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn Additional Points if the merchant’s code is not included in an Additional Points category. Basic Card Members may not receive Additional Points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an Additional Points category. For example, you may not receive Additional Points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services, a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers), or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card or visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.

5X Membership Rewards Points Business Platinum Card: You will get one point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight and hotel packages made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Additionally, eligible travel purchases include prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel, over the phone with our Travel Consultants or made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, scheduled flights and prepaid flight and hotel packages over the phone, vacation packages, car rentals, cruise, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the 5x Membership Rewards® points, you must both reserve and charge the travel purchase with the same eligible Business Platinum Card®. To modify a reservation you must cancel and rebook your reservation. You can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation penalty policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for this 5X Membership Rewards® point benefit. To be eligible to receive extra points, Card account(s) must not be cancelled or past due at the time of extra points fulfillment. If booking is cancelled, the extra points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards account. Extra points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account approximately 6-10 weeks after eligible purchases appear on the billing statement. Additional point bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories from American Express may not be combined with this benefit (e.g., 1.5X and 2X bonuses for Business Platinum Card Members, etc.). Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. The benefits associated with the Additional Card(s) you choose may be different than the benefits associated with your basic Card. To learn about the benefits associated with Additional Card(s) you choose, please call the number on the back of your Card.   

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for additional points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn additional points if the merchant’s code is not included in an additional points category. You may not receive additional points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an additional points category. For example, you may not receive additional points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

Please visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.

Pay with Points:  To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards® program-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Minimum redemption 5,000 points.

See  membershiprewards.com/terms  for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions.

If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. Corporate Card Members are not eligible for Pay Over Time.

International Airline Program: International Airline Program benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible), on international tickets booked through American Express Travel for select first class, business class, and premium economy tickets with participating airlines, subject to availability. Additional Platinum Cards on U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts and Additional Centurion and Additional Platinum Cards on U.S. Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible to receive program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are not eligible. Most tickets will originate in and return to U.S. gateway (may exclude certain overseas territories) and select Canadian gateways. One-way travel is permitted on some airlines. An eligible Card Member can book for himself/herself and up to seven passengers traveling on the same itinerary as that Card Member. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card in the Card Member’s name. Discounts are applied to the base airfare. Discounts are not combinable with other offers unless indicated and may not apply to codeshare partners. Airline fare rules and restrictions apply and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline. American Express and the airline reserve the right to modify or revoke airline discount benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your airline discount benefits. Tickets are non-refundable unless otherwise indicated. Tickets are non-transferable; name changes are not permitted. Benefits, participating airlines, and ticket availability are subject to change.

Recommended Flights: Special offer fares are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible) on participating airlines for select domestic routes (routes may vary by airline); routes and participating airlines are subject to change during the offer term. The eligible Card Member must be one of the travelers on the booking. Discounts are applied to the base airfare. Discounts are not combinable with other offers unless otherwise specified. Tickets are subject to applicable government-imposed taxes/fees and airline-imposed fees; if baggage, seat-selection or similar items were not included with the tickets, additional fees may apply. Airline fare rules and restrictions and ticket terms and conditions apply and are subject to change at the discretion of the airline. Tickets are non-refundable unless otherwise indicated. Tickets are non-transferable. Applicable fares will display in search results on AmexTravel.com only if the eligible Card Member is logged into his/her account. Changes to tickets (if permitted) may incur an airline-imposed change fee, and/or any difference in fare. Cancellations of tickets (if permitted) may incur an airline-imposed cancellation fee. Special offer is valid for eligible bookings made through American Express Travel from today’s date through 9/30/2024.

Hilton Honors Gold Status Enrollment: Enrollment through American Express is required to receive the benefit. Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account can enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status in the Benefits section of their americanexpress.com online account or by calling the number on the back of their Card. If a Card Member already has a Hilton Honors Number, they may enter it on the benefit page prior to enrollment. Benefit available only to Platinum Card Members and is not transferable. Once the Card Member requests enrollment in the Hilton Honors program, American Express will share their enrollment information with Hilton. Hilton may use this information in accordance with its privacy policy available at hilton.com/en/p/global-privacy-statement/. Enrolled Card Members will maintain Hilton Honors Gold Status without meeting otherwise required Hilton Honors criteria as long as the Card Member remains an eligible American Express Card Member or until American Express notifies the Card Member that the benefit is terminated. If your Platinum Card is cancelled for any reason, your complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provided with the Card will be cancelled. American Express reserves the right to change, modify or revoke complimentary Gold status at any time. If your complimentary Gold status is cancelled, you may be able to maintain your Gold status by qualifying under the Hilton Honors Program terms. Gold status benefits are subject to availability and vary by hotel; see Hiltonhonors.com/MemberBenefits and Hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/benefit-terms/ for additional details. The Hilton Honors Program, including the benefits of Hilton Honors membership, are subject to Hilton Honors Terms and Conditions; see hiltonhonors.com/terms.

To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be cancelled. If your Card has been replaced, please check the Benefits section of your americanexpress.com account, mobile app or call the number on the back of your Card to confirm your continued enrollment in the benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

2X Membership Rewards® Points: Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members get at least 1 Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar spent on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express® Card. Those same Card Members will also get at least 1 additional point for each dollar of eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. Corporate Card Members are not eligible for the additional point. Eligible travel purchases include all travel purchases made with your Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express® Card on amextravel.com, including air, prepaid hotels, prepaid short-term rentals, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages (flight + hotel packages) or cruise reservations, minus returns and other credits. Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members are only eligible for 1 additional point on cruise reservations. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid car rentals, non-prepaid hotels, ticketing service or other fees, or interest charges. Additional point bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories from American Express may not be combined with this offer (e.g., 5X bonuses for Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members, 3X bonuses for Business Gold Card Members, or 1.5X bonuses for Business Centurion and Business Platinum Card Members, etc.). Any portion of a charge that you elect to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account 10-12 weeks after final payment is made.

3X Membership Rewards Points Business Gold Card: Basic American Express® Business Gold Card Members will get at least one Membership Rewards® point for each dollar of eligible travel purchases on their Card and on any Employee Cards on their Card Account. Basic Card Members will get 2 additional points (for a total of 3 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases on their Business Gold Card Account from American Express. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Additionally, eligible travel purchases include prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel over the phone with our Travel Consultants or made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages booked over the phone, vacation packages, car rentals, cruise, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the 3X Membership Rewards® points, the booking must be both reserved and charged on the Basic or Additional/Employee Card on the Card Account. To modify a reservation, you can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. To be eligible for the 3X Membership Rewards® points, any changes to an existing reservation must be made through the same method as your original booking. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation penalty policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for this 3X Membership Rewards® point benefit. To be eligible to receive extra points, Card Account(s) must not be cancelled or past due at the time of extra points fulfillment. If a booking is cancelled, the extra points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards account. Extra points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account approximately 6-10 weeks after eligible purchases appear on the billing statement. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this benefit.

Please visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.

Global Dining Access by Resy: The Global Dining Access program (“GDA”) is a benefit available to eligible Card Members. “Eligible Card Members” are account holders of Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card from American Express, Business Platinum Card®, Business Centurion® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card® or Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs, and The Centurion® Card from American Express for Goldman Sachs (and any Additional Card Member(s) on their accounts). GDA may not be available for Cards issued from some countries. GDA provides eligible Card Members with (a) access to exclusive reservations, (b) Priority Notify, which allows GDA members to set notifications to be in the first group notified when tables become available before they are made available to other Resy users, and (c) access to exclusive events. GDA reservations are accessible through the Resy iOS App and Website (“Resy Sites”) and Concierge. Some features of GDA, like Priority Notify, may not be available through Concierge. To access this benefit through the Resy iOS App, you must download the Resy App; or if you already have the Resy iOS App, ensure the latest update is downloaded. When using the Resy Sites, create a Resy account or log into your existing Resy account and add your eligible Card to your Resy account. If you are assigned a new Card number, you must update the Card number in your Resy account. When you use GDA, a badge will be placed on your Resy profile, letting restaurants know that you are a member of the GDA program. Reservations are based on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of a reservation cancellation, you will be subject to the restaurant’s cancellation policy. Generally, same-day reservations that are not booked by GDA members are released back to restaurants at certain times of day that vary across restaurant policies. American Express and Resy make no representations or warranties regarding the availability of reservations, events, and/or experiences, which shall at all times be subject to availability and the discretion of the applicable restaurant. American Express and Resy are not responsible for informing the restaurants of any dietary restrictions or for a restaurant being able to accommodate such restrictions. There is no cost to you for booking services through GDA, although you are responsible for any purchases or fees you authorize to be charged to your Card account. GDA reservations and events are intended for personal use only and cannot be resold or used for commercial purposes. By participating in the GDA program, you are accepting these GDA terms and conditions, which are in addition to and do not replace the Resy Sites’ Terms of Service. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled.

Car Rental Privileges: Avis, Hertz, National: Consumer Platinum Card® Members, Corporate Platinum Card® Members and Business Platinum Card® Members are eligible to receive complimentary status in the following programs: Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Accounts are also eligible for this benefit. Companion Platinum Cards® on Consumer Platinum Card Accounts and Additional Gold and Additional Business Expense Cards on Business Platinum Card Accounts are not eligible to receive this benefit. Benefits provided to Platinum Card Members are subject to each car rental company’s terms and conditions, including age restrictions, and require enrollment in each car rental program through your American Express online account to receive benefits. Payment must be made using the Platinum Card. Platinum Card Members are required to enroll in Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Emerald Club memberships to receive the car rental program benefits. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® is a registered trademark of Hertz System, Inc. Minimum rental age is 25 (exceptions apply). Minimum age to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is 21. Standard rental terms and conditions apply. National collects Frequent Flyer Tax Recoupment Surcharge to cover the federal tax on the cost of the miles awarded at the time of rental. Discount applies to base rate only. Taxes (including GST), other governmentally authorized or imposed surcharges, license recoupment/air tax recovery and concession recoupment fees, airport and airport facility fees, fuel, additional driver fee, one-way rental charge, and optional items are extra. Renter must meet applicable age, driver, and credit requirements. Advance reservation required. May not be combined with other discounts. Availability is limited. Subject to change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. National’s Emerald Club and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and their services require a signed Master Rental Agreement to be on file. Please note that the Car Rental Privileges program available to Platinum Card Members is a separate program from the Premium Car Rental Protection insurance product offered by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be canceled or past due. If you have a Card on file with one of the eligible partners, make sure that the most up to date Account information is on file or else you may not receive the benefit. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way, American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your card.

Cruise Privileges Program:  Cruise Privileges Program (“CPP”) benefits are valid only for new CPP bookings made with participating cruise lines through American Express Travel. CPP benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion® Card Members (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). CPP bookings must be made using the eligible Card. CPP benefits are non-transferable. Participating cruise lines and program benefits are subject to change. The benefits of an onboard credit and amenity are valid for new CPP bookings of at least five nights and require double occupancy; the eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked; the total cost of the CPP booking must be paid using an American Express® Card in the eligible Card Member's name. Onboard credits and amenities cannot be combined with other offers unless indicated; blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply. Onboard credits and amenities may not be available to residents outside of the 50 United States. Onboard credits and amenities apply per stateroom, with a three-stateroom limit per eligible Card Member, per cruise. For new CPP bookings with Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit (in USD) of: $100 for inside and outside staterooms, $200 for balcony, verandah, and mini-suite staterooms, and/or $300 for suites. For new CPP bookings with Cunard, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit (in USD) of: $300 for all Queen Mary ocean-view staterooms category EF or higher, and/or Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth ocean-view staterooms category FA or higher. For new CPP bookings with Ama Waterways, Oceania, Regent, Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld, Windstar, Explora Journeys and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, eligible Card Members receive an onboard credit of US$300 for all stateroom categories. For new CPP bookings, Centurion Members receive an additional US$200 onboard credit on Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Seabourn, and Silversea. Onboard credits will be applied at checkout upon completion of the cruise; credit amounts in local currency may vary due to foreign exchange rates; credits are subject to cruise line terms and policies; credits cannot be used for casino charges, gratuities, or other similar charges. Any unused portion of a credit is non-refundable and is not redeemable for cash. Other restrictions may apply. Onboard amenities vary by participating cruise line and are not available on Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Discoverer. Onboard credits and amenities are not available on Celebrity Cruises Galapagos sailings. 

Extra Membership Rewards® points: CPP-eligible Card Members that are Membership Rewards program-enrolled will receive one (1) extra Membership Reward® point per eligible dollar spent on new CPP bookings made with participating cruise lines through American Express Travel; separate airfare and other charges associated with such bookings are not eligible. CPP bookings must be made using the eligible Card (described above). The extra points will be credited to the Card Member’s Membership Rewards account 8-12 weeks after completion of the CPP cruise. For more information visit membershiprewards.com/terms.

Extra Membership Rewards® points:  CPP-eligible Card Members that are Membership Rewards program-enrolled will receive one (1) extra Membership Reward® point per eligible dollar spent on new CPP bookings made with participating cruise lines through American Express Travel; separate airfare and other charges associated with such bookings are not eligible. CPP bookings must be made using the eligible Card (described above). The extra points will be credited to the Card Member’s Membership Rewards account 8-12 weeks after completion of the CPP cruise. For more information visit  membershiprewards.com/terms .

Platinum Destinations® Vacations : Platinum Destinations® Vacations (“PDV”) benefits are valid only for new bookings made with participating suppliers through American Express Travel. Participating suppliers and PDV benefits are subject to change. Benefits cannot be combined with other offers unless indicated. Benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion® Card Members (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). PDV bookings must be made using the eligible Card and eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. PDV-eligible Card Members that are Membership Rewards program-enrolled will receive one (1) extra Membership Reward® point per eligible dollar spent on PDV bookings; separate airfare and other charges associated with PDV bookings are not eligible. Extra points will be credited to the Card Member’s Membership Rewards account within 8-12 weeks after completion of the PDV travel. For more information visit membershiprewards.com/terms.

Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit  membershiprewards.com/terms  for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to  www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo .

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit  americanexpress.com/travelterms

California CST#1022318; Washington UBI#600-469-694

© 2024 American Express.

15 Iconic New York City Hotels That Take Luxury to the Next Level

Go ahead, treat yourself to a room!

The Big Apple is filled with top-notch attractions, but beyond the must-see sites, notable restaurants, and one-of-a-kind neighborhoods, nothing beats the allure of the most iconic New York City hotels . Scroll on and you'll see that these five-star properties have it all. Many are celebrity-approved with impeccable dining and luxury amenities you won't find anywhere else.

One thing's for sure, if the walls at the different properties could talk, they'd have plenty of stories to share. Whether it's Selena Gomez and Kygo shouting out The Bowery Hotel in their hit single "It Ain't Me" to show-stopping moments courtesy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at the Upper East Side's The Carlyle, and all the lavish events thrown at The Plaza Hotel through the years, we guarantee that by the time you finish checking everything out below, you'll want to treat yourself to a room at one of these hot spots.

Here, the most iconic hotels in New York City.

The Plaza Hotel

First up is none other than The Plaza Hotel. It was originally designed by well-known architect Henry J. Hardenbergh and has been a setting for A-list events and even famous films such as Sleepless in Seattle , Bride Wars , The Great Gatsby , and the list goes on . Besides being steps away from Central Park, afternoon tea at the hotel's The Palm Court and The Champagne Bar are favorites among guests.

Book Your Stay

The Bowery Hotel

If excellent views, exciting nightlife, and even better food are what you're after, look no further than The Bowery Hotel. For the best value, we suggest snagging one of the Deluxe King Rooms which will allow you to see everything from the Empire State Building all the way down to the One World Trade Center, and it boasts a lovely bathtub complete with bubbles and bath salts. Major stars—including Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Jude Law, and many more— have stayed here, too, proving it's worth the splurge.

Once you're checked in, make your way toward the stylish Gemma restaurant . Though it's linked with the Bowery, it stands on its own and goes above and beyond standard hotel dining. You'll have a blast exploring the extensive bar menu and Chef Andrea Taormina's elevated, rustic dishes will make you feel at home. Of course, the handmade pasta and delectable tiramisu are a must; just don't forget to ask about the daily specials!

Hotel Chelsea

Hotel Chelsea has housed the likes of Bob Dylan, Mark, Twain, Jimi Hendrix, and other big names. It was also the backdrop to Andy Warhol's 1996 film Chelsea Girls and where playwright Arthur Miller lived after his breakup with the one and only Marilyn Monroe .

For those hoping to relax and recharge, note that the hotel has a new spa launching soon. In the meantime, set your eyes on the accommodations like the Junior Balcony Suite featuring a deep-soaking tub.

Refinery Hotel

Let's make our way to midtown to the standout Refinery Hotel. Despite the area being known for cramped spaces, a room here will exceed your expectations as it has soaring 12-foot concrete ceilings and expansive windows that could have views of the Empire State Building .

For a greater wow factor, head all the way up to the popular Refinery Rooftop. It's an unforgettable experience that will gift you the opportunity to take in the Manhattan skyline with a cocktail or your beverage of choice in hand. On top of that, there are complimentary glasses of wine at the hotel lobby from 5 to 7 p.m., and for the cherry on top, guests are provided with Le Labo bath products.

Waldorf-Astoria New York

Anyone who’s anyone has come through the doors of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at least once. Lauded for its Art Deco design and luxurious details, it has quite the history. For starters, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly held their engagement party there, it's where President John F. Kennedy threw one of his birthday galas, and where Queen Elizabeth II gave a special address in the '50s.

Interestingly enough, it used to be two buildings. In the 1890s, William Waldorf Astor built the original hotel on the corner of 33rd Street and Fifth Avenue, only to have his cousin-slash-rival John Jacob Astor IV outdo him with a taller one next door. Over time, they eventually connected both spaces by adding a 300-foot marble corridor called Peacock Alley. Currently, it's closed for renovations until the end of 2024 with new Waldorf-Astoria Residences set to debut in New York, which will be the only residential building to offer curated furniture and accessory collections from design shop B&B Italia.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

The Carlyle Hotel located in Manhattan's Upper East Side opened nearly 100 years ago and it's still a must-visit. It was designed by the architecture firm Bien & Price and has hosted a long list of esteemed individuals like President Harry S. Truman, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and more.

Furthermore, the hotel's Café Carlyle is one of the city's legendary jazz clubs known for bringing in top jazz artists, world-class actors, and incredible singers to perform. The Gallery is another unique dining retreat inspired by the sultan's dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey . You'll be amazed by everything from the afternoon tea to the deep red wallpapers and matching fringed velvet chairs.

Wythe Hotel

Don't forget about Brooklyn, and make sure to add the Wythe Hotel to your travel bucket list . Dubbed the original boutique hotel in Williamsburg, you'll immediately be mesmerized by its charm and backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.

Interested in grabbing a bite? Don't miss out on Le Crocodile with upscale twists on classics like Burgundy Duck with Pear and Pancetta, Steak Frites au Poivre, or a delicious Maple Crème Brûlée. We also recommend the Bar Blondeau rooftop which has unobstructed views of the city's iconic skyscrapers and a bar with up-and-coming wines that'll keep you coming back for more.

Quiet luxury is synonymous with the Aman Hotel . The property's understated grandeur certainly earned it a spot on this list. It has a three-story, 25,000-square-foot spa complete with a 65-foot swimming pool, cryotherapy chambers, a hammam, and so much more. Moreover, there's a garden terrace with reflecting pools showcasing an ode to nature, 83 suites, and a floating glass fireplace. If you're able to get a reservation, make time for The Jazz Club which is a speakeasy-style spot with nightly performances and inventive cocktails for a night you won't forget.

You can even book a three-hour wellness journey created in partnership with tennis superstar Maria Sharapova . What was originally the Crown Building right on Fifth Avenue, the hotel may be in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city, but as soon you step in, an aura of calmness and relaxation will instantly come over you.

The St. Regis New York

Founded by John Jacob Astor IV (yes, from the Waldorf-Astoria), The St. Regis New York is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. In fact, when it opened to the public in 1904, The New York Times published that it was “the finest hotel in America." The opulent hotel is known for its signature butler service, luxury amenities, and sophisticated guest rooms.

Book your stay

Four Seasons New York Downtown

The art and architecture that surrounds the Four Seasons in Tribeca is what sets it apart. You'll feel at peace with the well-balanced design of the accommodations and the rejuvenation only continues with the hotel's globally inspired spa which has a heated indoor pool .

Other noteworthy amenities include a chance to eat at CUT by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, Biria bike rentals so you can better explore the neighborhood, and an all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ house car available for guests. Oh, and yes, the hotel is also pet-friendly .

Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York

In the same Tribeca neighborhood awaits your Parisian abode at Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York. The space is grand with tons of personality—including its pastel-colored furniture and sophisticated terrace suites that draw in the dramatic city skyline.

On the flip side, find tranquility at Spa Diane Barrière. The hotel has a coveted partnership with Biologique Recherche, a cult skincare brand from France, which results in treatments like no other. There's also a sauna, steam room, an indoor pool, and of course, a cutting-edge fitness center.

1 Hotel Central Park

You can't miss the 1 Hotel Central Park's building with chic greenery covering it. This biophilic theme continues into the hotel's rooms and suites as there are plant elements woven throughout the spaces.

If that's not enough, you can continue taking in nature at Central Park as it's just steps from the hotel. The hotel is known for its farm-to-table dishes, and an electric Audi is offered as the house car. For those who value sustainability and an eco-friendly environment, it's definitely worth a visit.

The New Yorker Hotel

The New Yorker Hotel has made its mark on the Manhattan skyline. It opened in 1930 and since then, the hotel has had a fascinating history. For instance, did you know that it was built with a private underground tunnel into Penn Station and that inventor Nikola Tesla lived there for years until he died in 1943?

The Algonquin

A New York roundup wouldn't be complete without a hotel in Times Square—and that's where The Algonquin comes in. It was founded nearly 120 years ago and when it was first opened to the public, single rooms cost just—wait for it—$2. Then, around a decade ago, the hotel received a $5 million renovation, and today, nightly rates are well into the triple digits. Despite its transformation, it still has a distinct charm that makes it special.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Last, but not least is The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. This Central Park location was once the Hotel St. Moritz, the Emery Roth-designed luxury hotel that was in business from 1930 until it was rebranded as The Ritz-Carlton in 1999. The bottom section of the building acts as a hotel, whereas the top 12 floors are condominiums. Living in The Ritz? Now that's the dream.

Brittany is a freelance writer based in her hometown of New York City. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to food and wellness. When she's not writing, she can often be found at her local library, playing with her cats, or exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex , Architectural Digest , Teen Vogue , and more.

The 15 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches

The 12 Most Charming Christmas Towns

The Best Hotels in Santa Barbara

21 Purchases to Make Air Travel More Luxurious

An Insider’s Guide to Italy’s Aeolian Islands

How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Casablanca

The 18 Best Beaches in Hawaii

13 Renowned Paris Historical Landmarks

The 31 Most Haunted Places in America

11 Best Beaches in Maine

The 25 Most Beautiful Places in Europe

How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Amsterdam

• South Africa
• Philippines
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Solomon Islands
• Itineraries
• About Travel2Next
• Hotel Reviews
• Travel2Next TV
• Travel Shop

• Destinations
• North America

20 Fabulous New York Beaches

- This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

New York State, ‘The Empire State’, which has a lesser-known rather amusing nickname ‘Knickerbocker State’, is one of America’s better-known states. Although millions of people visit the world-renowned New York City, fewer visitors venture to New York’s beaches. Mention New York’s coastline and most people instantly visualise the area surrounding New York City and Long Island, which is relatively small compared to other east coast states’ share of the Atlantic Ocean.

However, New York state borders Canada and the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which have miles more coastline and brilliant beaches to explore. From Queens to the Bronx, beaches near Buffalo and the Great Lakes coastline, here are 20 of the best beaches in New York State that will leave you realising that there’s more than just the Big Apple.

1- Orchard Beach, Bronx

2- south beach, staten island, 3- coney island beach, brooklyn, 4- brighton beach, brooklyn, 5- cooper’s beach, southampton, 6- montauk’s beaches, long island, 7- main beach, east hampton, 8- rockaway beach, queens, 9- fort tilden beach, queens, 10- lighthouse beach, fire island, suffolk county, 11- robert moses state park, fire island, suffolk county, 12- olcott beach, lake ontario, 13- evangola state park beach, lake erie, 14- million dollar beach, lake george, 15- sandy island beach state park, lake ontario, 16- lake erie beach park, lake erie, 17- mirror lake public beach, lake placid, 18- southwick beach state park, 19- long lake town beach, adirondacks, 20- glimmerglass state park beach, cooperstown.

• 20 New York Beaches

New York City Beaches

Orchard Beach is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach known as ‘The Riviera of New York City’.

Although it’s quite a stretch from the French Riviera, it is arguably one of the best beaches for New Yorkers to escape from busy city life.

The beach is on Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park and has views across to City Island.

Either walk along the 1.1-mile (1.7 km) soft white sandy beach or stroll along the promenade.

This is a great beach to spend the day and you can grab a bite to eat at the central pavilion food stand.

The beach also hosts drive-in movies, which is an exciting way to round off a day.

Orchard Beach is in one of the five boroughs, the Bronx.

Stay at: Residence Inn by Marriott The Bronx at Metro Center Atrium

If you find yourself on Staten Island and fancy a trip to the beach, head to South Beach on the east coast, looking out to Lower Bay.

Walk to the north end of South Beach and you almost feel as if you can touch the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the suspension bridge which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn.

If you’re seeking a long beachside walk, head along the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalks that connect South Beach and the lesser populated Midland Beach.

Stay at: Harbor House Bed and Breakfast

Head across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn and south onto Shore Parkway Road and you will reach Coney Island Beach.

Coney Island is an iconic peninsular neighbourhood defined by its amusement area, including theme park rides, an aquarium, restaurants, go-karts, live entertainment, boardwalk games and Coney Island Beach.

This New York beach is nearly three miles (4.8 km) in length and has a beach volleyball court, perfect for visiting with a group of friends.

Be warned, this beach gets busy!

Stay at: Best Western Brooklyn-Coney Island Inn

Right next to Coney Island Beach is Brighton Beach, which goes by the nickname Little Odessa due to its close-knit community of Russian and Eastern European residents.

If you want to feel a lively, bustling vibe but with fewer tourists than Coney Island, Brighton Beach is the place.

Once you’ve sunbathed on the beach, head to Brighton Beach itself, where you will find a few unusual and interesting things to see and do.

NetCost Market is a Russian grocery store disguised as a 1934 cinema.

With an amalgamation of cultures flocking to the area, enjoy some cuisines you may not have tried before, such as Ukrainian, Turkish, Georgian and traditional Uyghur dishes.

Brighton Beach is a patchwork of cultures.

Stay at: Brooklyn Studios By The Beach

Cooper’s Beach is a short 500 ft (150m) beach backed by a line of historic mansions and impressive sand dunes.

What it lacks in size, it well and truly makes up for in mansions.

Cooper’s Beach is frequently named one of America’s Top 10 Beaches, an accolade that is hard to disagree with.

The beach has shower and toilet facilities as well as a kiosk where you can buy snacks, drinks and rent chairs and an umbrella.

Stay at: Southampton Inn

For more beaches in North America and Caribbean read:

• 20 Places For Christmas On The Beach
• 20 Best Beaches In The World
• 21 Longest Beaches In The World
• 20 Black Sand Beaches
• 20 Barbados Beaches
• 20 Beaches in Belize
• 20 Beaches in Aruba
• 20 Beaches in Cuba
• 20 Beaches in Dominican Republic
• 20 Beaches in Grenada
• 20 Cayman Islands Beaches
• 21 Jamaica Beaches
• 20 Trinidad Tobago Beaches
• 20 Haiti Beaches
• 20 Curacao Beaches
• 20 Anguilla Beaches
• 20 Beaches Turks and Caicos
• 20 Best Beaches In Mexico
• 21 Best Beaches In Canada
• 20 Best USA Beaches
• 20 Hawaii Beaches
• 20 California Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Ohio
• 21 Seattle Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Tennessee
• 21 Oregon Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Maine
• 20 Wisconsin Beaches
• 20 Massachusetts Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Virginia
• 20 Connecticut Beaches
• 20 Georgia Beaches
• 16 New Hampshire Beaches
• 20 Alabama Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Texas
• 20 North Carolina Beaches
• 20 South Carolina Beaches
• 20 New Jersey Beaches
• 20 San Francisco Beaches
• 20 Mississippi Beaches
• 20 Tampa Beaches
• 20 Beaches In Illinois
• 20 Utah Beaches
• 20 New Mexico Beaches
• 20 Florida Keys Beaches
• 20 Arizona Beaches

Montauk’s are perhaps the most beautiful beaches in New York.

Montauk is a village at the very tip of Long Island’s south fork.

A mixture of low rolling dunes and high cliffs frame the beaches in Montauk.

Kirk Beach Park, Ditch Plains Beach, and Gin Beach provide the perfect secluded beach experience.

Kirk Park Beach is a great pick, first and foremost, because parking is free.

The beach has a lifeguard during the peak season and toilet and shower facilities.

Gin Beach is situated on the Long Island Sound at the mouth of Lake Montauk.

As you can watch the boats travel in and out of the harbour, Gin Beach is a great calm beach to bring the kids.

Ditch Plains Beach is a popular spot among surfers offering great waves, great views, and a great atmosphere.

Stay at: Aqualina Inn Montauk

East Hampton Main Beach is one of the beaches in the world-famous elite summer holiday destination known as The Hamptons.

As well as silky sand, you may just come across a celebrity or two at this famous Hampton beach.

Main Beach is also conveniently situated and is only a 25-minute walk to the East Hampton downtown which has lots of places to grab a bite to eat.

There is a lifeguard, toilets and showers, and a kiosk selling snacks and ice cream at the beach.

There’s even a used book library, handy for if you run out of reading materials.

Stay at: East Hampton House Resort

Convenient summer sand and sun just a subway ride away is Rockaway Beach’s main attraction.

To get to Rockaway Beach from Manhattan, just take the subway and unlike many other American beaches, Rockaway Beach is free.

Many food trucks line the beach offering affordable and delicious lunch options.

Rockaway is one of the best beaches in New York for surfing in the city and is New York City’s only legal surfing beach.

With basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, barbecuing areas and shower facilities, it’s a well-equipped beach perfect for hosting you and your friends for the entire day.

Stay at: The Rockaway Hotel

Located right along from Rockaway Beach is Fort Tilden Beach.

Unlike other beaches along the Rockaway Peninsular, Fort Tilden is more secluded and, therefore, quieter.

Most people just don’t bother venturing this far down the sandy shoreline.

The fort that Fort Tilden Beach is named after was established in 1917 to protect New York Harbor from naval attacks.

The fort was armed and locked during both world wars and the Cold War.

Explore the old fort in more detail, and you will find abandoned bunkers, missile sites and rather a lot of graffiti since the fort’s decommission in the 1970s.

You can rent bikes at Prospect Park and cycle over the Marine Parkway Bridge to Fort Tilden Beach if you are up for a cycle.

It’s the perfect way to take in the views.

Stay at: Best Western Plus Brooklyn Bay Hotel

Located just off the southern coast of Long Island, Fire Island is a spectacularly long barrier island.

This idyllic sandy landscape is a far cry from the densely populated metropolis of NYC.

This 26-mile (42 km) island is home to the breathtaking Lighthouse Beach.

This sand dune-backed beach wouldn’t feel out of place in New England.

Lighthouse Beach is the ultimate escape, with the lighthouse being the only reminder of civilisation.

Standing at 167 ft (51 m), Fire Island lighthouse is the tallest of Long Island’s 20 lighthouses.

Head up this black and white striped lighthouse where, on a clear day, you’ll be able to see New York City in the distance.

Stay at: Sea La Vie

Just along from Lighthouse Beach on Fire Island is Robert Moses State Park, with nearly five miles (8 km) of shoreline to enjoy.

Swim, bodyboard, surf or surf fish, it’s up to you.

Facilities at Robert Moses include picnic benches, showers and toilet facilities, a beach shop and even an 18-hole pitch and put golf course.

Robert Moses State Park is quite large and split into five fields.

The pitch and put can be found on field 2, while field 3 is home to a large recreation area and field 5 is home to a beautiful nature walk that leads to Fire Island Lighthouse.

Stay at: Clegg’s Hotel

Beaches In New York State

The shores of Lake Ontario are shared between Ontario, Canada and New York, USA.

Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, yet it provides upstate New Yorkers with ample coastline and beaches to explore.

Olcott Beach is close to the Canadian border, just a 40-minute drive from Niagara Falls.

The charming beach town of Olcott offers a unique seaside town vibe full of vibrance and quirk.

Olcott Beach’s pebbled covered sand and tranquil clear waters offer an excellent cooling-off spot in the hot summer months.

After exploring the beach and a dip in the lake, check out the Olcott Lighthouse located at the end of Olcott Pier.

The lighthouse feels more like a glorified beach hut than a lighthouse, but this cutesy little lighthouse is worth a visit.

Stay at: Harbor House

Lake Erie is the second-smallest of the Great Lakes and shares its waters with Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

Drive 27 miles (44 km) from Buffalo, NY, and you will reach Evangola State Park.

The Evangola State Park Beach is a perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, and relaxing on the sandy shores.

Bring your lunch or buy something to go from one of the local eateries but be sure to choose a lake view picnic table to eat at.

There’s also a campground, shower, and toilet facilities if you want to stay in the area.

It’s the perfect spot for a sunrise beach walk.

Stay at: The Fields of Eden Inn

Close to the border with Vermont, Lake George is home to the beautiful Million Dollar Beach.

Million Dollar Beach sits on the southernmost shores of the lake in front of Lake George Battlefield State Park.

This white sandy beach is open from the end of May to the beginning of September from 10 am to 6 pm.

So swim in the lake’s waters, launch your boat, enjoy a volleyball game, or chill out on the beach to enjoy a great day at Million Dollar.

One thing you won’t be short of at Lake George is the incredible views.

From the beach, you can see Buck Mountain and Cat Mountain and Prospect Mountain to the west.

It’s hard not to picture spending more than a few days in the Lake George area, hiking, swimming, and relaxing on the beach.

Stay at: Studio Motel of Lake George

The Sandy Island Beach State Park sits on the eastern bank of Lake Ontario and Sandy Pond Beach is the main beach.

The beach is a sand bar between Lake Ontario and North Sandy Pond and is a conservation area backed by grassy dunes.

This area on eastern Lake Ontario is the only significant freshwater sand dune in the whole of the northeastern United States.

The beach is only open from 11 am to 7 pm on weekends between May and mid-June, but open every day from 18 June until 5 September.

Stay at: Rainbow Shores

Funnily enough, Lake Erie Beach Park is located on Lake Erie and is a great beach to go to in the late afternoon.

Enjoy some time swimming in Lake Erie where the waters are calm, play in the sand, head out for dinner at any one of the restaurants overlooking the beach and lake, and relax as the sunsets.

Lake Erie Beach Park is open all year round from 8 am to 10 pm and admission is free.

Stay at: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hamburg

Lake Placid is both a village and a lake in New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

In winter, it’s a popular snow sports centre and was a former Winter Olympics venue.

Lake Placid is known for great hiking opportunities and Mirror Lake’s Public Beach in the summer.

The beach can be found at the southern end of Mirror Lake and has a sandy, grassy and gravel shoreline.

Swim, paddleboard, kayak or aqua-bike, Mirror Lake is the perfect spot for an outdoor summer adventure in the sun.

The famous Ironman Triathlon is held a Mirror Lake, so the lake will be closed to swimmers and watersports on that day, but you can instead watch this impressive event.

Stay at: Lake Placid Inn Boutique Hotel

Southwick Beach State Park sits on the east side of Lake Ontario, around 25 miles from the city of Watertown.

The Lakeview Marsh and Barrier Beach National Natural Landmark is to the south of the beach.

Southwick Beach is a long sandy stretch of beach backed with dunes and trees.

Visitors to this flagship beach can enjoy picnics on the designated benches, hiking trails, sports field facilities and plenty of walking along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Stay at: LAKE ONTARIO WATERFRONT

Long Lake Town Beach is in the small hamlet of Long Lake in the Adirondacks.

Long Lake Town Beach boasts incredible views of the Seward Mountain Range.

There is so much fun at Long Lake Beach that it will keep you and the family entertained well into the evening.

This lake beach is sandy but small, but it’s the water you go for.

Long Lake has a fantastic swimming dock with a mini trampoline, slides, and rope swings for hurling yourself into the water.

This NY beach has a lifeguard on duty between 10 am and 6 pm.

Stay at: The Lazy Bear Cabin

I do not blame you if you want to visit this beach just to say you are going to Glimmerglass.

Doesn’t it sound lovely?

Glimmerglass State Park Beach is located on the northeast side of Otsego Lake in central New York.

The park is named after the lake portrayed in James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales, a series of five novels written in the 18th century.

With a picnic area overlooking the beach, the meandering Shadow Brook to the left of the beach, and lush greenery surrounding the beach, there are plenty of exciting things to do at this inland lake.

Stay until sunset to watch the red and pink hues glimmer on the Glimmerglass lake’s waters. 

Stay at: Lake View Motel

For more about New York State, read:

• 20 Unusual Things To Do In New York
• 20 Landmarks In New York
• 20 Things To Do In New York City At Night
• 20 Things To Do In Manhattan At Night
• 20 Things To Do In SOHO At Night
• 27 New York National Parks
• Where To Stay In New York City
• 20 Things To Do In The Hamptons
• 20 Cities in New York
• 20 Things To Do In Cooperstown
• 20 Things To Do In Lake Placid
• 20 Things To Do In Winter In New York City
• 15 Things New York Is Famous For

Plan Your Trip

Rent A Car – Find the best car rental rates at Discover Cars . They compare car hire companies to provide you with the best deal right now.

Find A Hotel – If you’re curious about this article and are looking for somewhere to stay, take a look at these amazing hotels .

Editor's Picks

The ultimate guide to whale watching in hervey bay, 44 landmarks in europe, 25 australian landmarks, more about usa, 16 excellent new hampshire beaches, 20 things to do in navarre beach, 20 best beaches in massachusetts.

Looking for a hidden gem in New York? North Tonawanda might be your next favorite spot. Nestled between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, this charming city offers a mix of history, nature, and fun activities. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a new adventure, North Tonawanda has something for everyone. From the scenic beauty of the Erie Canal to the rich history of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, you'll find plenty to see and do. Ready to explore? Here are 30 must-visit places in North Tonawanda that will make your trip unforgettable.

30 Must Visit Places in North Tonawanda

North Tonawanda, a charming city in New York, offers a mix of historical sites, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or art enthusiast, there's something for everyone. Let's explore some of the must-visit spots in this delightful city.

Historical Landmarks

North Tonawanda has a rich history, and its landmarks tell fascinating stories of the past. Here are some historical sites you shouldn't miss.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Step back in time at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. This museum showcases the history of carousel making and offers rides on beautifully restored carousels. It's a fun and educational experience for all ages.

North Tonawanda History Museum Dive into the local history at the North Tonawanda History Museum. With exhibits covering the city's industrial past, notable residents, and more, it's a great place to learn about the area's heritage.

Carnegie Art Center Originally a library funded by Andrew Carnegie, this building now serves as an art center. It hosts various art exhibits, workshops, and cultural events, making it a hub for creativity and history.

Outdoor Adventures

For those who love the great outdoors, North Tonawanda offers plenty of opportunities to explore nature and enjoy recreational activities.

Gratwick Waterfront Park Enjoy stunning views of the Niagara River at Gratwick Waterfront Park. This park features walking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launch, making it perfect for a day out in nature.

Gateway Harbor Park Located along the Erie Canal, Gateway Harbor Park is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and outdoor concerts. The scenic views and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit.

Raymond Klimek Veterans Park Honor veterans while enjoying the beauty of Raymond Klimek Veterans Park. This park offers walking paths, a playground, and a serene environment for reflection and relaxation.

Cultural Experiences

Immerse yourself in the local culture with these unique experiences that highlight the artistic and community spirit of North Tonawanda.

Riviera Theatre Catch a show at the historic Riviera Theatre. This beautifully restored venue hosts concerts, movies, and live performances, providing top-notch entertainment in a nostalgic setting.

Ghostlight Theatre Experience community theater at its best at the Ghostlight Theatre. With a variety of productions throughout the year, it's a great place to enjoy local talent and support the arts.

North Tonawanda Farmers Market Visit the North Tonawanda Farmers Market for fresh produce, local goods, and a taste of the community. It's a vibrant spot to shop, eat, and mingle with locals.

Family-Friendly Activities

North Tonawanda is a great destination for families, offering plenty of activities that kids and adults will enjoy.

Adventure Landing Have a blast at Adventure Landing, a family-friendly amusement park featuring mini-golf, go-karts, arcade games, and more. It's the perfect place for a fun-filled day with the kids.

Tonawanda Island Explore Tonawanda Island, a small island in the Niagara River. It's a great spot for picnicking, fishing, and enjoying the scenic views with the family.

North Tonawanda Public Library Spend some quiet time at the North Tonawanda Public Library. With a wide selection of books, children's programs, and community events, it's a great place for family learning and fun.

Unique Attractions

Discover some of the unique and quirky attractions that make North Tonawanda a special place to visit.

The Silo Restaurant Dine at The Silo Restaurant, a unique eatery housed in a converted coal silo. Enjoy delicious food with a side of history and stunning river views.

Webster Street Stroll down Webster Street, the heart of North Tonawanda's downtown. With charming shops, cafes, and historic buildings, it's a great place to explore and soak in the local vibe.

North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens Relax at the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens. This peaceful oasis features beautiful gardens, walking paths, and a variety of plant species, perfect for a leisurely afternoon.

Seasonal Events

North Tonawanda hosts a variety of seasonal events that bring the community together and offer unique experiences for visitors.

Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Join the fun at the Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, an annual event celebrating the Erie Canal. With parades, live music, food vendors, and fireworks, it's a highlight of the summer.

Christmas in the City Experience the magic of the holidays at Christmas in the City. This festive event features holiday lights, carolers, and special activities for the whole family.

North Tonawanda Halloween Parade Get into the spooky spirit at the North Tonawanda Halloween Parade. This family-friendly event includes costumes, candy, and plenty of Halloween fun.

Local Eateries

No visit to North Tonawanda is complete without sampling the local cuisine. Here are some must-try eateries in the city.

Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange Enjoy fresh seafood and classic American dishes at Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange. Housed in a historic building, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience.

Crazy Jake's Savor delicious comfort food at Crazy Jake's. Known for its friendly atmosphere and hearty meals, it's a great spot for a casual dining experience.

Pane's Restaurant Indulge in Italian cuisine at Pane's Restaurant. With a menu featuring pasta, pizza, and other Italian favorites, it's a must-visit for food lovers.

Shopping Spots

Find unique items and support local businesses at these shopping spots in North Tonawanda.

Platter's Chocolate Factory Satisfy your sweet tooth at Platter's Chocolate Factory. Take a tour of the factory, sample delicious chocolates, and pick up some treats to take home.

The Vintage House Discover unique antiques and collectibles at The Vintage House. This charming shop offers a variety of vintage items, perfect for finding a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

North Tonawanda City Market Shop for fresh produce, handmade goods, and more at the North Tonawanda City Market. It's a great place to support local vendors and find unique items.

Parks and Recreation

Enjoy the great outdoors with these parks and recreational areas in North Tonawanda.

Pine Woods Park Explore Pine Woods Park, a beautiful green space with walking trails, sports fields, and picnic areas. It's a great spot for outdoor activities and relaxation.

Veterans Memorial Park Pay tribute to veterans at Veterans Memorial Park. This park features memorials, walking paths, and a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.

Niawanda Park Take a stroll along the Niagara River at Niawanda Park. With scenic views, walking paths, and picnic areas, it's a perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature.

Educational Experiences

Learn something new with these educational experiences in North Tonawanda.

North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve Discover the wonders of nature at the North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve. With walking trails and educational programs, it's a great place for nature lovers and families.

North Tonawanda High School Planetarium Explore the stars at the North Tonawanda High School Planetarium. Offering public shows and educational programs, it's a fascinating experience for all ages.

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village Step back in time at the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. This living history museum features historic buildings, exhibits, and programs that bring the past to life.

North Tonawanda Awaits

North Tonawanda offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the Erie Canal to Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum , there's something for everyone. Gateway Harbor Park provides a perfect spot for relaxation and events. Gratwick Waterfront Park is ideal for outdoor activities. Don't miss the Riviera Theatre for a taste of local arts.

Foodies will love the diverse dining options, from cozy cafes to fine dining. Shopping enthusiasts can explore unique boutiques and antique shops. The city’s friendly vibe makes it a welcoming destination for families, solo travelers, and couples alike.

Whether you're into history, nature, or just looking for a new place to explore, North Tonawanda has it all. Pack your bags and get ready to experience the charm and warmth of this hidden gem in New York .

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

42 of the Best Small Towns in New York for an Idyllic Getaway

Outside of NYC, you'll find quaint villages and serene waterfront hamlets.

Ah, New York, New York. As they say, a city so nice, they named it twice! But what happens when you want to venture outside that Big Apple and into the rest of New York? State , that is.

Well, the Empire State has plenty to offer.

Upstate and into the Hudson Valley, which wraps around the Hudson River, New York is a big, beautiful, rural landscape, complete with winding roads, rolling fields, and waterfalls galore—and all the idyllic towns that lie in between. Go for strolls down main streets, visit museums, peruse antique shops, explore hiking trails, go horseback riding, and more.

Out east, there's Long Island—home to Montauk , the Hamptons, and all the beaches and vineyards a summer vacationer could ask for. There, you have chic, luxe hotels, award-winning restaurants, water sports, world-class wine—and the sand between your toes. Venture to the very tip, and they say you've reached the "end of the world." Staring out from Montauk Point Lighthouse, you might just believe it. (Serenity found!)

Where will you find your oasis? Without further ado, we present 42 of our favorite small, charming towns (and picturesque villages, hamlets, and even some sweet cities) in New York State.

Schenectady

Just a stone's throw from Albany, Schenectady boasts a bustling main street, complete with classic architecture and a well-preserved street clock. But perhaps its loveliest place for a stroll would be the Central Park Rose Garden, which features 4,000 rose bushes, a tiered fountain, and even a babbling brook. (Fun fact: Schenectady is where 2012's The Place Beyond the Pines , starring the now-married Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, was filmed.)

Saranac Lake

Visit this village among the Adirondack Mountains for the cure cottage architecture of the houses that surround the lake and the 1.1-mile Moose Pond Trail. Bonus: It's smooth enough to hike with kids.

As it's placed snugly in the Finger Lakes' wine country, Corning is, of course, a great place for a fine beverage. But our favorite reason to visit is the Corning Museum of Glass. The chic space covers more than 3,500 years of glassmaking history, and you can even watch glassblowers at work and design a glass ornament of your own.

Cooperstown

You know Cooperstown as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame—and indeed, the Hall's annual Induction Weekend is the town's biggest event. But there's so much more to see and do here. Take in art (at the Fenimore Art Museum) or music (at the Glimmerglass Opera), antique, golf, and even horseback ride. As for where to stay, may we recommend the Otesaga Resort Hotel—an old-school stunner that just so happens to be on the National Register for Historic Places—or the charming Victorian Inn at Cooperstown, pictured here.

Watkins Glen

In Watkins Glen, choose your adventure! In one direction, explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for its diverse lineup of world-class wines. In the other, visit the Watkins Glen State Park, where you'll find no fewer than 19 waterfalls. (The Gorge Trail, which lines Glen Creek, is known to be particularly easy on the eyes.) And don't miss the colorful Seneca Harbor Park Pier, pictured here, of course.

If you're headed here, one of the Catskills' prettiest locales, it's fair to suspect you're also headed to Mohonk Mountain House. A resort founded by the Smiley Family in 1869, the Victorian castle sits right on the water—which is why so many hop in a kayak as soon as they step outside. Surrounded by so much natural beauty, many choose to hike, but you can also treat yourself to an afternoon tea or a trip to the spa. Don't forget the nearby Historic Huguenot Street, with history preserved from as far back as the mid-17th century, when the area was known as "New Netherland."

Only 90 minutes north of New York City, Beacon is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian homes, as well as its quaint Main Street, filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. But no trip is complete without a visit to its enormous contemporary art museum, Dia Beacon. Not only does it feature art and installations from some of the modern greats, including Louise Bourgeois and Michael Heizer, but it also has some very famous fans: BTS' art-loving leader, RM, filmed a concert for his debut solo album, Indigo , inside.

Lake Placid

Lake Placid is the winter sports destination, even hosting the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980 . But if, unlike a certain animated ice queen, the cold does bother you, there are also plenty of pretty shops and restaurants you can stay warm in. As you can see, it's absolutely stunning in the fall too.

Despite the fact that Woodstock—the iconic music and art fair of the '60s—was not actually held in Woodstock, the town has always been considered a home for the artistically inclined (back in the day, you could easily bump into Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan). No surprise, then, that if you visit Woodstock's town center, you'll find music shops and art galleries galore.

Pleasantville

With its pristine downtown—complete with an oversized gazebo, the Pleasantville Diner, The Village Bookstore, and more—you'd be forgiven for mistaking Pleasantville for the set of Gilmore Girls . But this real-world beaut is actually a bit more modern. Look no further than the Jacob Burns Film Center for proof. The five-screen, art-house theater plays films from around the world, while hosting same of the biggest names in cinema: Jason Reitman, Jon Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Anjelica Huston, and Meryl Streep have all come to speak. The town's also less than a 10-minute drive to Blue Hill Stone Barns, arguably the culinary experience of the Hudson Valley, complete with its own highly innovative farm.

The idyllic village of Aurora sits on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region. About 700 residents live in the town, and it is also home to Wells College. Plan your stay at The Inns of Aurora , with its impeccable accommodations and delicious dining options, plus activities like archery, kayaking, or touring local wineries. You'll want to spend a full day luxuriating at the spa.

If you love your little, quaint towns with a dash of luxury—particularly in the form of a lush stay—Rhinebeck is for you. Its tree-lined high street is chock-full of speciality shops—including Samuel's Sweet Shop, a classic candy shop owned by none other than actors Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Hilarie Burton. (Fingers crossed for a sighting!) Once your sweet tooth gets its fix, head back to one of the prettiest hotels in the area: the Parisian-inspired Mirbeau Inn & Spa.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Yes, we're talking about the Sleepy Hollow! The village is, of course, the setting of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," aka the tale of the Headless Horseman. Naturally, such a claim to fame comes alive around Halloween. A proper spooky visit includes haunted hayrides, cemetery tours, and yes, a stop by the Headless Horseman Statue .

Historic Greenport Village looks like something out of a harborside fairytale. At The Haborfront Inn, the architecture is a nod to the waterfront boarding houses of yore (with very modern amenities, like a pool and private beach). And for a room right on the Long Island Sound, with a view of the most gorgeous sunset, Sound View Greenport can't be beat. The North Fork area is also home to the famed lavender field, Lavender by the Bay, wineries galore, and an antique carousel that kids will adore.

Andes is truly small—with just over 1,000 residents to its name—but when it comes to charm, it goes big . There's a special focus on fresh ingredients at both the restaurants and the cideries: Wayside Cider & Taproom (pictured here) serves hard ciders made with apples from their orchard. Plus, leaf-peeping in the fall, both in town and throughout the Catskills, is incomparable.

Bovina is one of upstate New York's historic dairy towns, but we don't quite come for the milk. We come for our favorite restaurant: The Brushland Eating House. The restaurant offers a single seating per night to encourage conversation, say owners Sara and Sohail Zandi. "We want it to feel warm, familiar, and friendly," says Sara. With can-lined walls and a piano in the window, they can consider that mission accomplished.

Here, you'll find eclectic antique stores, beloved vintage shops, and lots of quality restaurants. Our pick? The Red Onion, which not only has a lauded vegetarian-friendly menu, but also a Wine Spectator Award. Don't miss the Cantine Dam Falls—and if you love nature and art, you have to see Opus 40 , a massive environment sculpture that Architectural Digest called "one of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent." Oh, and this lighthouse? It's also the sweetest little bed and breakfast .

Nicknamed "The Friendly City," Hudson has just under 7,000 inhabitants, but that hasn't stopped it from taking over the Hudson Valley. Included on our list of the "Best Small Towns in the U.S.," Hudson has orchards, galleries, breweries, fine antique shopping (our go-to: Red Chair on Warren), and a brand-new boutique hotel called The Maker. And all with a perfect view of the river.

Montauk is known by many Long Islanders as "The End"—and indeed, it is the easternmost part of the island (and, for that matter, New York State). Nevertheless, if you're new to Long Island's famed Hamptons, we'd argue that Montauk is actually a great place to begin . It's just as lovely as any other Hamptons village—one scenic bike ride to the Montauk Point Lighthouse will convince you of that—but it feels a bit more casual and cozy. If you're looking to kick it up a notch though, Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, with its private beach club and ocean-themed spa, will certainly do the trick.

Bridgehampton

While we love the slightly more casual feel throughout Montauk, we are certainly not opposed to the ever-chic Bridgehampton—most especially, their crowning jewel, Topping Rose House. The 19th-century estate splendidly maintains its historic architecture, but there are a few perfectly modern touches too, including a serene lap pool and a Jean-Georges restaurant (farm-to-table, of course).

Rose Marie Walano is a freelance editor and children's author. (And a Cosmo alum!) Among the many things she loves are high tea, period dramas, Central Park, K-pop, and her adorable mini-doodle, Colette. You can follow her on Instagram at @rosiewalano.

Stay in a Rice Krispies Themed Re-Treat Suite

The 18 Best New Orleans Hotels

26 of the Best Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas

What to Do During the State Fair of Texas

Pawhuska, OK: The Pioneer Woman Weekend Getaway

What to Do at the Airport to Pass the TIme

This Walmart Bell Tent is the Budget Buy of Summer

The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.

Vintage Beach Photos Show Summer Fun Is Timeless

10 Beautiful North Carolina Resorts in the Country

A Summer Weekend in Ontario's Prince Edward County

Must-Visit Ice Cream Fests Across the USA

7 Underrated Things To Do In New York

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

• Small towns in Upstate New York offer an escape from crowds with similar amenities and attractions.
• Less famous museums give tourists a chance to explore New York City without getting stuck in long lines.
• Utilizing local amenities can provide cost-effective alternatives to expensive tourist attractions.

New York is undoubtedly one of the most iconic states in the US. Travelers from around the world come to walk through Time Square, look down on the world from the Empire State Building, or stand in the spray of Niagara Falls. Outdoor enthusiasts, meanwhile, wander their way through the sprawling Adirondacks, with charming small towns and a wide variety of hiking trails.

Once the major tourist attractions are checked off the list, what is left to do? Beyond the thousands of tourists, there are dozens of lesser-known attractions across the state of New York. From alternatives to popular activities to completely undiscovered attractions, here are just a few underrated things to do in New York.

7 Walk Through Time In Crown Point

The adirondacks can get crowded, but underrated crown point is a quiet piece of history.

The Adirondacks are a highlight for New York travelers, especially those looking to get out of the big city. The Adirondack region is full of small towns, some more famous than others. Crown Point is considered one of the most overlooked towns in the Adirondacks of New York, despite sitting on Lake Champlain.

Crown Point is most famous for its historical significance, with a still-standing British fortress from the mid-1700s. Crown Point State Historic Site protects the fortress and surrounding area, and is one of the most unique places to visit in the Adirondacks . Still, when compared to famed towns like Lake Placid, Crown Point has managed to maintain a relatively underrated status.

6 Hop On The Staten Island Ferry

Ferries are everywhere in new york, but only one is free for tourists and locals every day.

The Staten Island Ferry is not exactly a secret, but it is still considered one of the most underrated things to do in New York, according to locals. Unlike the parade of guided tour boats circling the Statue of Liberty, or going directly to it, the Staten Island Ferry is a free commuter ferry.

Provided by New York City, the Staten Island Ferry connects Manhattan to Staten Island. The ferry also happens to offer exceptional views of the Statue of Liberty as well as the financial district skyline.

Historically, the Staten Island Ferry has had food and drinks available for purchase on the 25-minute ride. These services have been suspended since 2020, but a call for vendors came out in March 2024 in preparation for bringing the Staten Island Ferry back to its full glory.

With a free ride and many of the same amenities as expensive guided tours, the Staten Island Ferry may just be New York's best-kept secret.

The Staten Island Ferry runs 24/7 365 days a year. The frequency of ferry trips is subject to change during holidays, inclement weather, or peak traffic hours.

5 Enjoy Exhibits At The Met Cloisters

Museums are common in new york, but the met cloisters still manages to stand out.

New York City is full of memorable buildings. The Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and World Trade Center all draw in thousands of guests each day with their views and grandeur. The Cloisters is a beautiful museum in Upper Manhattan and is widely considered one of the city's best-kept secrets.

Focusing on Gothic and Roman-Era artwork, the building and its displays have a very unusual tone. Situated in Fort Tryon Park, the museum is more European in appearance and style than most of New York's buildings.

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of the underrated Met Cloisters is that the grounds themselves are a nod to the artwork within. The building is known for its Gothic look, and wandering past the rows of decorative columns can feel like a walk back in time.

4 Explore Letchworth State Park

Once named the best state park in the nation, letchworth has incredible views without the mobs.

New York features both bustling cities and quiet outdoor spaces, making it a hit with guests of every shape and size. While the Adirondacks and Niagara Falls are the most famous outdoor areas, there are a variety of state parks that offer equally incredible views.

Letchworth State Park in western New York is sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the East" thanks to its dramatic canyon walls framing beautiful water features throughout the park. There are countless places to enjoy scenic views in Letchworth State Park, with lookouts overlooking waterfalls, classic bridges, and vast forests.

In addition to the scenic drives and hikes in Letchworth State Park, more unorthodox viewing opportunities, like hot air balloon rides , make Letchworth one of the most underrated things to do in all of New York.

3 Take A Pizzeria Tour

A foodie twist on the classic pub crawl, pizza tours show off a different side of new york.

Pub crawls and bar hopping are popular ways of seeing and tasting a bit of the Big Apple, but most probably don't know that there are some other food tours available in New York. For those not afraid of a few calories, a pizza tour may be the tastiest way to enjoy New York City.

Pizza tours generally visit three or four locally-owned pizza shops in a few hours. Different companies offer walking tours (ideal after eating pizza at three places!) while a few offer bus tours, making this delicious New York experience accessible for every guest.

2 Visit Green Lakes State Park

A quieter, but equally scenic, alternative to the famous watkins glen state park.

Watkins Glen State Park is one of the most visited state parks in New York, but other state parks have managed to stay somewhat under the radar, despite their equally beautiful scenery. Green Lakes State Park east of Syracuse has a little bit of everything that makes the outdoors of New York so popular.

Green Lakes State Park has a variety of hiking and biking trails, as well as more "modern" activities like disc golfing. Visitors can also get on the lakes themselves by renting a kayak or canoe to go explore the park from the water, or simply do some fishing.

The wide variety of activities available in Green Lakes State Park proves that it is one of the most underrated places in New York.

Due to the sensitive nature of the waterways, private motorboats, kayaks, and canoes are not allowed in the park. Only watercrafts rented from approved providers can be used in Green Lakes.

1 Stay in Andes

This small catskills town has none of the crowds but all of the charm of the region.

The Catskills are another major natural attraction in New York, with a variety of cute towns and outdoor recreation opportunities that draw in visitors by the hundreds. The underrated small town of Andes in the Catskills , however, has managed to avoid the masses and retain its more authentic atmosphere.

Despite having less than 1,200 permanent residents, the small town is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts looking for hiking, backpacking, and boating opportunities in the Catskills. The town also has food and lodging options, so New York travelers can stay off the beaten path without completely leaving society behind.

References: nyc.gov; The Metropolitan Museum of Art ; Reddit; Scott's Pizza Tours; New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; AllTrails

Best place for couples to see fall foliage is in Upstate NY, report finds

• Updated: Aug. 27, 2024, 9:13 a.m.
• | Published: Aug. 27, 2024, 5:00 a.m.

CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE, NY. - OCTOBER 8: Autumn colors come to the forest, marking the change of seasons, as seen on October 8, 2021 in the Catskill Forest Preserve in New York State. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) Corbis via Getty Images

• Samantha House | [email protected]

Woodstock, N.Y. — Upstate New York is for lovers, especially in the riotously beautiful fall.

And for twosomes looking for the best place to leaf peep, the Empire State is queen.

The Catskill Mountains have been named among the best places in the United States to see fall foliage by Travel + Leisure . The stunning, rugged region dotted with charming, quirky towns was the only place Upstate to make the list of top fall foliage spots.

Three downstate places — Huntington, New York City and the Massapequa Preserve on Long Island — made the roundup.

Along with dubbing it a great spot to go leaf peeping, Travel + Leisure crowned the Catskills the best place for couples looking to see stunning autumnal colors.

Autumn colors come to the forest, marking the change of seasons, as seen on October 8, 2021 in the Catskill Forest Preserve in New York State. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) Corbis via Getty Images

“New York state boasts some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the U.S.,” the magazine gushed, “and the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York are practically the perfect fall landscape.”

Travel + Leisure encouraged visitors to take in the Catskills’ autumnal splendor via hike, drive or bike before heading to Woodstock or Livingston Manor for drinks and dinner.

(Saugerties, Catskill and Hunter also make for stellar leaf peeping basecamps and date spots in the Catskills.)

Travel + Leisure’s list was far from the first time Upstate New York has been recognized as one of the top places in the nation to see fall foliage.

Last fall, four Upstate communities — Keene, Saranac Lake, the Hudson Valley and New Paltz — were rated among the best places to leaf peep in the U.S. by Country Living.

More in Upstate NY travel

• Cat cafes in Syracuse: 2 places for the purrfect coffee date
• Very mindful: Upstate NY meditation retreat in hidden artist haven voted No. 1 in America
• Mini hippie buses have taken over an Upstate NY village. Here’s why

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.