Take a look at our recommendations on the 10 best things to do in New York. Listing the main attractions of the Big Apple is not an easy task. However, we’ve prepared this article to help you build a great itinerary there.
1. Visit the Statue of Liberty in New York
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most remarkable places in the world. What’s more, it’s an iconic symbol of the United States and a popular site for visitors to the city. So we’ll start this article on the 10 best things to do in New York by talking about this phenomenal statue.
Located on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty offers beautiful panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, the Hudson River and New York Harbor. Access to the island and the statue is by ferry and the journey itself is fantastic.
Click here to buy the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour. And on this link, you can secure your Statue of Liberty boat tour. Regardless of which tour you choose, we recommend that you buy your tickets well in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the high season.
2. Stroll through Central Park in New York
Central Park is another place that deserves to be included in this article on the 10 best things to do in New York. In this public park, you’ll be in an environment with around 3.41 km² of green space. And it has artificial lakes, walking trails and very good leisure areas, especially for those who want to picnic, go for a bike ride or go boating.
And it doesn’t stop there, as Central Park is home to many statues, fountains, bridges and incredible attractions. So don’t miss the Bethesda Fountain, one of the park’s most famous fountains; the Bow Bridge, a cast-iron bridge offering breathtaking views of the lake; and the Strawberry Fields, a memorial in honor of John Lennon.
3. Walk around Times Square in New York
When it comes to the top 10 best things to do in New York, walk around Times Square can’t be left out. Located at the intersection of two major avenues (Broadway and Seventh Avenue), Times Square is said to be the beating heart of the city, home to amazing buildings and visited by millions of people every year.
One tip we like to give tourists is to visit Times Square at night, when the neon lights illuminate the skyscrapers and the advertising signs flash in a spectacle of colors. While you’re there, it’s also worth taking some time to explore the famous brand stores and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants in the area. In the high season it can be very crowded.
IMPORTANT: The most important tip to make the most of your time and see all the tourist attractions is to stay well located. So also see our article on where to stay in New York. With tips on the best area and good, cheap hotels.
4. Get to know the Empire State Building in New York
Located on the famous 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building is one of the most phenomenal buildings in New York. So you’re sure to love seeing it. To give you an idea, it’s a 102-storey skyscraper some 320 meters high, which means it’s truly gigantic.
But size isn’t the only thing that draws attention to the building. That’s because the Empire State Building’s main attraction is its incredible observatory, located on the 86th floor. You can visit it any day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.
From inside the Empire State Building’s observatory, you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views of Manhattan and beyond. So, if you like it and want to buy your ticket for this skyscraper, just click on this link.
5. Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
Following on from the 10 best things to do in New York, we have the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world, located on 5th Avenue, next to Central Park. It is open from Sunday to Thursday (except Wednesdays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art ‘s collection includes more than 2 million works of art from all over the world. And they are spread over 400 galleries, covering a period of around 5,000 years of history. That said, on a tour there, you’ll come into direct contact with many important pieces. It will certainly be a unique day.
Tip: Save money with tickets and tours
The city’s main attractions are paid for. But even so, you can save a lot by buying ticket combos for various attractions in the city.
There are three main combos you can buy in New York: CityPASS, New York Pass and The SightSeeing Pass. Both have specific advantages over the others.
To buy it, simply visit this website. It’s the best website for selling all the tickets and tours in the city. With them, we were able to save a lot on all the tours.
They offer Broadway tickets, tours, museums and ticket combos such as the CityPASS and the New York Explorer Pass. Broadway shows are incredible and if you can, buy at least one!
6. Visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York
During your sightseeing tours of New York, it’s worth visiting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. They are located exactly where the World Trade Center towers stood and are open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you don’t know, the memorial and museum were built as a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. So, as well as being very informative places about this tragic episode, they are also spaces for a lot of reflection.
We also think it’s important to note that the memorial features reflecting pools with the names of the victims, while the museum displays artifacts, exhibits and moving testimonies. So prepare yourself emotionally for this experience. You can buy tickets to visit these places on this website.
7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York
Still on the subject of the 10 best things to do in New York, what do you think of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge? This iconic suspension bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and has breathtaking views of the city and the East River.
Most tourists who pass over the Brooklyn Bridge in order to enjoy the space choose to cross on foot or by bicycle. This way, you can appreciate the historic architecture of the building and take in the beautiful panoramic views of New York. But we recommend that you try to go during sunset, to make your tour even more enjoyable.
8. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York
One of the most influential museums in the world is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As such, it deserves to be among the 10 best things to do in New York. With a collection of more than 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs by artists such as Picasso, Cézanne, Rodin, Matisse, Van Gogh, Munch and Gauguin, it attracts many visitors.
The museum is located in Midtown Manhattan and is open from Sunday to Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. To buy your entrance ticket, just click here. We highly recommend this site.
9. High Line Park in New York
Over 2 km long and at a height of 6 meters above street level, in the Chelsea district, the High Line Park is an elevated park that will enchant you. One of the most attractive things about it is the contrast it creates with the surrounding buildings. And that’s because, even though it has a lot of greenery, it’s set in a landscape that is mostly urban.
10. Grand Central Station in New York
We’ll end this article on the 10 best things to do in New York by talking about Grand Central Station. It is one of the most famous and emblematic train stations in the world, located in Midtown Manhattan.
With its marble façade and grand arches, Grand Central Station is a masterpiece of historic architecture. Inside, you can admire the famous 4-sided clock and the beautiful starry ceiling, which depicts the constellations of the zodiac. If you want to visit it, know that it is open every day of the week for 24 hours.
But much more than a tourist attraction, Grand Central Terminal is one of the largest train stations in the world in terms of the number of platforms. As such, it serves as a hub for public transport in New York City, connecting long-distance trains, suburban trains and subways.
Save money on your trip to New York:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to New York cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for Broadway, tours, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 42%!
Mobile chip: We always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in New York. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. He compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Transfer: do you need one, from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
