Things to Do in New York - Planning a Trip to NYC

From Empire State heights to downtown bikes, New York has it all.
By Kirsten McCroskrie

We're here to help you plan an unforgettable adventure in the Big Apple.

Planning a trip to New York? With over 60 million visitors annually, New York City is one of the most popular destinations in the world.

There are endless fun things to do in New York. From historic landmarks and world-class museums to innovative galleries and big-city culture, New York has something to offer everyone. So, you're probably excited to get planning your trip.

Sightseeing in NYC

Guided Tours of New York

One of the most popular things to do in New York is to take a guided New York sightseeing tour. A great way to start your visit with a comprehensive city overview tour, like the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours. These include stops at all the top sights and landmarks throughout the city and feature live narration on every bus.

Once you have a feel for the city layout, you’ll be in good shape to start exploring the sights and visiting attractions.

More specific tours offer a way to get to know New York and learn about topics or certain neighborhoods that interest you.

Popular guided tours include the Food on Foot Tours which bring you to some of the best authentic New York food spots, the Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours – a lovely thing to do in Central Park, and the Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg which showcases the trendy areas of the Brooklyn borough and more.

Cruises & Waterfront Attractions

Another popular thing to do in New York is to get out on a New York cruise and get a new perspective of the city from the water. Choose from an array of popular cruise options, including a Best of NYC Cruise, where you'll get stunning views of the Manhattan skyline from the water, a classic sail on Clipper City Tall Ship Cruises, or the Liberty Cruise, named for getting up close to the Statue of Liberty, and more.

As the ‘melting pot of America,’ many New York City visitors come to pay homage to their ancestors by visiting the Statue of Liberty and investigating their genealogy and family history at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

MOMA

Check out New York's intriguing array of museums

New York City is known for its museum-going culture, so make sure you visit a few of the most popular New York museums. 

Pay tribute to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and see the impressive and moving memorial built in the locations of the original World Trade Center towers. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the lives of all those lost during the attacks by poignantly reflecting on the events of the attack. The museum sensitively chronicles the efforts made by service members and volunteers in the aftermath and displays the results of the recovery and restoration efforts.

One thing that many tourists in New York City are always on the lookout for is a celebrity sighting. For a guaranteed celeb-spotting, head to Madame Tussauds New York in Times Square where you can get up close to and interact with all of your favorite celebrities under one roof.

New York is home to one of the world’s largest Natural History Museums, the American Museum of Natural History, where you can explore fascinating exhibitions that explore animal and plant life from around the globe.

Whether you’re a fan of the fine arts or not, be sure to visit at least one art museum while you’re in the city - many are conveniently located along the "Museum Mile". Some popular choices with visitors and locals alike include the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, or the Metropolitan Museum You're bound to learn something new.

Fifth Avenue

Shop till you drop, enjoy tasty treats and experience Broadway's razzle dazzle

One of the quintessential things to do in New York City is shopping (window shopping counts!) Poke around the shops that line Fifth and Madison Avenues, where you can find high-end designer labels and check out the seasonal, museum-worthy window displays.

Other popular things to do include catching a Broadway show, lounging in or going for a stroll through Central Park, scouting out colorful murals and street art, and of course, sampling an authentic New York City slice, bagels, the latest foodie trends, and other local cuisines.

Empire State view

Soar to great heights and get epic skyline views

Of all the things to do in New York, one of the most thrilling is seeking out the best views of the city skyline. Head to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building (or both so you can compare the views!)

Both attractions include exhibits that explore New York City’s rich history before you board an elevator to get sky-high views. Download an app or look at the exhibits to identify buildings and landmarks in your line of vision.

Tip: Save these attractions for the end of your trip if you want to get a whole new perspective on some of the places you’ve visited. You might be able to identify some of the sights on your own based on your experiences.

Lower Manhattan skyline

New York neighborhoods

Make the most of your time and your New York Pass by visiting attractions in neighborhoods you want to spend time strolling around and exploring.

  • Things to do in Lower Manhattan: also known as “Downtown,” Lower Manhattan consists of everything below 14th Street and includes the New York Harbor waterfront area, The Battery, and New York’s financial district.
  • Things to do in Midtown Manhattan: consisting of everything between 60th Street and 14th Street, Midtown is home to Times Square and lots of iconic NYC landmarks.
  • Things to do in Uptown Manhattan: everything above 60th Street is considered part of Upper Manhattan. Uptown is home to Central Park, the Museum Mile, and Harlem.

Save on admission to top New York attractions with The New York Pass®

Looking for things to do in New York for a quick weekend trip or staying for a week or more? With over 90 attractions included with the New York Pass®, from world-renowned art museums to historic landmarks and informative guided tours, there's no shortage of options. The purpose of the pass is to help you save money while enjoying all that NYC has to offer.

Don’t miss out on anything and see it all and save big on attractions, tours, cruises, and activities with The New York Pass® —the only pass you need to experience the city.

NYC from above

Tips for How to Plan the Perfect Trip to New York

 

  • When planning a trip to New York make a list of all of the attractions, landmarks, and sights you want to see as well as any activities you want to do in the city.
     
  • Your designated New York trip planner needs to prioritize the list by “must-sees” and “nice-to-sees.”
     
  • Look up attraction hours of operation and make a note of them.
     
  • Download a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour map to help you visualize where each attraction is in the city. Remember to add any from your list of attractions you want to visit if they’re not included on the map.
     
  • Create a blank itinerary that lets you plan each day by the hour (tip: in a spreadsheet, put the days you’ll be in New York in the top row and the hours of the day in the first column.)
     
  • To make the most of your time, visit attractions by neighborhood; this will reduce transportation time and costs. Lots of popular attractions are within walking distance of each other.
     
  • Add any reservations and travel information to your itinerary, including order confirmation numbers for quick reference.
     
  • Plot out when you’ll visit each attraction starting with your “must-sees” first and factor in how long you think you’ll spend at each location (be sure to allow time for any security checks or ticket lines.)
     
  • Build out some time for meals throughout your day.

Budgets and time constraints can be tricky to work around, but with a little research and work, it’s easy to plan a trip to New York City. Even if it won’t be the last time you visit the city, make the most of it and have fun.

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Best Restaurants and Discounts in NYC

Best Restaurants and Discounts in NYC Millions of people from far and wide visit New York City each year. Many are tourists making their way to New York because of the beautiful sightseeing opportunities or the world-renowned attractions like the Empire State Building. Some visit for New York's rich history or for the unmatched nightlife in the city that never sleeps. There's tons of reasons to visit NYC but one thing is for sure, when you're in New York, you have to take advantage of the amazing department stores and shopping opportunities. Discounts / Special Offers During your trip to New York City, you'll probably be visiting the most famous attractions that the city has to offer, but you'll certainly have some down time. The discounts or "Special Offers" that you receive with the New York Pass are excellent for those moments. You can take your family out to eat or take them on a shopping spree and be confident in the fact that you're saving money on your trip. All you have to do is present your New York pass at these Special Offer locations and you'll receive your discount on the spot. Restaurants You won't be able to wander too far in Manhattan without passing by a mouth-watering, authentic New York style restaurant. Places like Buca di Beppo and John's Pizzeria will help you experience that great New York flavor instantly. You can also use your New York Pass for discounts on your meal at Planet Hollywood, Mangia, Ristoranti Settepani and more. Broadway Tickets A trip to New York City just wouldn't be complete without viewing a good Broadway performance. Luckily Applause Tickets provides a wide variety of the top Broadway shows and you can save 10% off the price of tickets by purchasing with the New York Pass. Shopping Discounts There's always time to shop in New York. Especially when you can visit iconic department stores like Macy's or Bloomingdales where you'll find the best deals on designer brands. Between spurts of touring the city, make a stop at one of these legendary shopping centers to take advantage of discounts with your New York Pass. You can also use your pass for a voyage to Woodbury Commons and enjoy savings up to 65% with a VIP coupon booklet. For a full list of Special Offers that grant you discounts with the New York Pass, visit the Attractions page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Try fitting some of these locations into your itineraries and make the most of your time in the city while saving more money.
Go City Expert
Harlem
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9 things to do in Harlem

We love Harlem. It's definitely one of New York's most vibrant neighborhoods. But what makes it so great? We're glad you asked! It’s historically been home to a large percentage of New York’s African-American community, whose heritage and culture are still abundantly celebrated here. It's also home to some of the best music spots in town, plenty of restaurants to feed the soul and a smattering of historical spots that are definitely worth checking out. Wondering where to hit first? Take a look at our top picks for things to do in Harlem. Take a tour of the neighborhood What better way to get acquainted with Harlem than by taking a guided tour? You’ll gain local insight from your guide and learn things you would definitely never have discovered on your own. Harlem Walking Tour’s Cultural Heritage Tour takes in many of Harlem's historic attractions, including legendary jazz clubs, historic mansions and sites from the Revolutionary War. Or, if you’d rather explore on two wheels, Unlimited Biking’s Harlem Highlights Tour will take you on a journey (both figuratively and literally) of Harlem's historical and cultural hotspots, giving you an understanding of how New York’s various economic booms and busts have shaped the neighborhood. And what’s more, both tours can be found on the New York Pass®. Visit a jazz club Although New Orleans has the claim to fame of being the birthplace of jazz, Harlem is certainly where many of the genre’s most famous musicians made a name for themselves. It is also known as the birthplace of bebop – the improvisational musical style known for its chord and key changes. You can see where it all began at Minton’s Playhouse, once a playground for the scene’s biggest acts. Catch a show there whilst enjoying dinner and a drink. Another good option is Bill’s Place, a venue that dates back to Prohibition-era, where you can catch live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and 10PM. If you’re not a jazz aficionado and don’t know where to start when choosing a show (or you are and just want to see another great performance), you can use your New York Pass to attend the Harlem Jazz Series. Every Tuesday afternoon and Friday evening, you’ll be able to watch some of today's most talented jazz musicians. The show is artistically directed by Craig Harris, a trombonist, composer, and longtime Harlem resident who has been part of the Harlem jazz scene since 1976. So you know you’re in for a treat. Apollo Theater Sticking with the theme of jazz, be sure to make a stop at one of the area’s most cherished buildings, the Apollo Theater. This old vaudeville theater is famous for its legendary Amateur Nights, which began in 1934. The likes of James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald launched their careers here and you can still attend on Wednesday evenings to check out new talent Experience a gospel choir Although Harlem’s music scene is synonymous with jazz, it’s also famed for its gospel choirs and highly spirited church services. A visit to one of these joyous services will have even the most ardent atheist tapping their toes. Inside Out Tours offer a Harlem Gospel Tour, which will give you an understanding of the cultural roots of gospel music and its importance in the Christian community in Harlem today. You’ll visit the famous Abyssinian Baptist Church and the tour will end with a performance from a local choir Museo del barrio Harlem’s diverse Latinx community is celebrated at the Museo del Barrio. It hosts a collection of art showcasing predominantly Puerto Rican artists from its founding community. Over the years, the collection has grown to also include over 6,500 works by Caribbean and Latin-American artists. Studio Museum of Harlem The Studio Museum of Harlem was the first black fine-arts museum in the country and is central to the thriving artistic community in Harlem today. Here, you can view works of African Americans, members of the African diaspora and artists from the African continent, plus you can check out a variety of temporary exhibitions. The museum is also the home of an archive of works by James Van Der Zee, the famous Harlem Renaissance photographer. Hamilton Grange We’re going to hazard a guess and say that your trip to New York may include tickets to see Hamilton. We’re right, right? Once you’ve seen the musical, you can head to Hamilton Grange, the preserved home of Alexander Hamilton himself. Here, you can explore an exhibit that covers some of the major events in Alexander Hamilton's life and you can take a guided tour of some of the historically furnished rooms. Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market This colorful market will transport you to the bazaars of West Africa, with an array of stalls selling a variety of African textiles, cosmetics, foods, sculptures and clothing. It’s a good spot to pick up some unique souvenirs and get a feel for the West African community that thrives in Harlem. Try some soul food There’s nowhere better to get your fill of soul food than in Harlem. The best spot has to be Sylvia’s, which has been serving up Southern comfort stables since 1962. Another popular choice is Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken, the no-frills, buffet-style eatery, specializing in old-school skillet-fried chicken. Ready to explore Harlem? Get some of the best tours as part of the The New York Pass®. You’ll also be able to visit attractions all over New York for one low price.
Kirsten McCroskrie
Blog

5 Days In New York City - Andrea Serrano

As a former New Yorker, this city will always represent the most profound part of my life. It was a time where my focus was my career in the fashion industry and knowing where the hottest party was every night of the week. The one thing I didn’t take advantage of was the diverse tourist attractions. As a local, going to all of the sites isn’t usually a top priority unless you have family or friends in town. 13 years and 2 kids later, coming back to New York for 5 days as a tourist was actually the most important thing on my list. These sites are a reminder of how New York is the epicenter of culture and continues to influence the world. The New York Pass is your ticket to all of the sites in the city and beyond. If you are planning to visit New York City and want to pack in more than a few attractions then The New York Pass is the way to go. There are several packages you can buy - 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 10 days. Purchasing this pass guarantees lower rates for each site and faster entry at given locations. The other great addition is the guidebook that is divided up by area. The book provides a description of each site, and the nearest buses and trains to take. Starting at $119 for a one day pass to $399 for a 10 day pass the value is undeniable. [caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Day 1: You can’t go to New York without going to Central Park. This big slice of greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle is your only escape into nature in the city. The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is the perfect place to capture a moment with your family. [caption id="attachment_1375" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Central Park - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 2: This day was jam packed with adventure! We started out at The American Museum of Natural History and if you have kids, this is a must. We took in the underwater re-creations of oceans all over the world, the evolution of man, and ancient dinosaur bones. This massive museum could also take days to walk through, but with more stops along the way we had to keep it moving. The next stop was the Top of the Rock to view the city. The breathtaking views from the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center are breathtaking and the waiting time to see it wasn’t that bad. We ended the day at The Statue of Liberty. If there are only a few places you have time to see in New York, this should be on the top of your list. This was the 1st passageway for so many immigrants who made America what it is today. Taking the ferry over to the island, you wonder what these people were feeling as they set their sites on their new home. You must do the audio tour which is included in the package. The history and the stories are palpable as you listen to recordings of real immigrants on their journey to the land of the free. [caption id="attachment_1377" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Statue of Liberty - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 3: With so much to see in the city it could be overwhelming. We opted for a break in the hustle and bustle to check out Coney Island. I’ve been there more than a few times, but in the past few years they have made some great updates including new rides and the vibrant Coney Art Walls. With the New York Pass you can get 4 hours of rides at Luna Park plus access to Deno's Wonder Wheel which is great because you can really cover a lot of ground in those few hours. Other new additions were some great new gift shops with quality Coney Island merchandise and restaurants with some healthy food options that were non-existent just a few years ago. [caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Deno's Wonder Wheel - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 4: Our weekend continued in Brooklyn as we visited the New York Transit Museum. Located in a defunct subway station in downtown Brooklyn, this is one of the sleeper hits when it comes to taking in history of New York. Housing historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, commuter rail, and bridge and tunnel systems it’s impressive for both children and adults. I love going into all of the old subway cars and seeing all of the beautiful details like padded wicker seats and old advertisements on display. [caption id="attachment_1385" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] New York Transit Museum - Andrea Serrano[/caption] Day 5: We ended our trip with the 9/11 Memorial Museum. I remember living in New York when this happened and how it forever changed so many people’s lives. I’m so glad I did, especially to pay respect to everyone who lost their lives and the first responders who risked everything. The museum did a a great job of documenting that day and displaying all of the artifacts. It was incredible to see people from all of the world there and realize how many people this event affected. Sharing all of these sites with my family over the 5 days of our trip was such a bonding experience and I can’t wait to come back and explore more. There are so many attractions to see and many that I wouldn't mind visiting over and over again. The New York Pass made my vacation easy and hassle-free. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is looking to conquer as many attractions as they can in New York.
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