How to navigate the Big Apple like a local

From the New York subway to hop on, hop off buses, our guide will help you get from A to B (the A train to the B train, that is!)

Public Transportation in New York City - New York MetroCard

The Big Apple is exactly that - big! Getting around New York can be complicated, but it doesn&#39;t have to be. Read our handy guide to New York&#39;s transportation system and you&#39;ll be a local expert in no time.

For public transportation in New York City, you have two main options. They work on the same system with the same tickets, so you can combine the two for the same price.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	The subway:&nbsp;Almost always the fastest way to get anywhere, except late at night when taxis can&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;and do &mdash;&nbsp;fly through the city streets.&nbsp;
	</li>
	<li>
	Bus system: Not often used by visitors to the city, but a handy option in&nbsp;certain situations. Great&nbsp;for going up and down the avenues, or for people who can&rsquo;t deal with lots of stairs.
	</li>
</ul>

<h2>Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass&reg;</h2>

Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

✈️<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/buy-a-pass?duration=1" target="_blank">Buy The New York Pass&reg;</a>✈️

The New York subway system can be a bit intimidating at first, and the locals do rush around. So, you might feel the pressure of someone right behind you in line getting ever more impatient. Don&#39;t worry, you&#39;ll soon get the hang of it.

<h2>New York MetroCard prices</h2>

A single ride is $2.90 and tickets are sold at vending machines.&nbsp; 
A 7-day MetroCard costs $34.00 and is a popular New York subway pass option. 
Some contactless bank cards can tap on and off through the OMNY system. If you take 12 subway trips in a week, you&#39;ll cap out at the same price as a 7-day MetroCard.

Please note:&nbsp;MTA Tickets are not sold online &amp; are not part of <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en">The New York Pass&reg;</a>

<h3>Riding the subway with New York MetroCard</h3>

To enter, swipe your MetroCard through a reader and then wait for the display to say &#39;Go.&#39; It can be tricky at first, but if you can&rsquo;t get it working, remember you&#39;re not alone. Just watch other people, and do what they do.

While planning your New York trip, make sure to get a NYC subway map:

<a href="https://www.newyorkpass.com/free-download-centre.php">🗺️Download a Free Subway Map here &gt;&gt;🗺️</a>

<h2>Safety on the NYC Subway</h2>

For many decades the New York City subway system had a reputation for being dirty and dangerous. The famous graffiti is long gone, but the stations and carriages sometimes still do suffer from people being unable to find the abundant station trashcans.&nbsp;

The bigger issue is safety, and fortunately, there is good news there as well. The amount of crime reported throughout the system is way down from its peak, but that&rsquo;s not to say you shouldn&rsquo;t be cautious.&nbsp;

<h2>Hop on, hop off buses: an alternative to NYC public transport</h2>

We honestly believe that a ticket on a sightseeing bus gives a greater return for the money than almost any other expenditure the traveler can make. It will save you limitless time and also visually show you many other <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/things-to-do">things to do in New York</a> that you would never have found for yourself.

There are many good sightseeing systems in New York, but we would recommend Big Bus hop-on hop-off tours, available with&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/" target="_blank">The New York Pass&reg;</a> 
 
There are three routes to take you around Manhattan and the stops cover the very best of <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions" target="_blank">NYC Attractions.</a>

&nbsp;

Get around like a New Yorker with our comprehensive guide to New York transport - from the subway to buses and cabs, learn more with the New York Pass.

MetroCard New York Subway Pass - Public Transportation in NYC

Create your own adventure in the city that never sleeps

Got a week to explore NYC? We've got your itinerary covered. From dazzling viewpoints to vibrant neighborhood strolls, a week is enough time to get acquainted with the Big Apple.

One Week in New York City - 7 Days in NYC Itinerary

One week in New York gives you enough time to see all the popular attractions, visit historic sites, and really start getting to know the city. We put together an example of a popular 7 Days in New York City itinerary to give you a little inspiration to start planning your own. Of course, this is just one of the many itineraries you could create with the over 90 included attractions to choose from. The possibilities are endless!

<h3>This sample 7 Days in NYC itinerary includes: 
&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Big Bus New York Hop-on Hop-off Tour</li>
	<li>Top of the Rock</li>
	<li>Carnegie Hall Tour</li>
	<li>Empire State Building Observation Deck</li>
	<li>American Museum of Natural History</li>
	<li>and more...</li>
</ul>

Head downtown on the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-On Tour and view New York&rsquo;s greatest sights from a double-decker tour bus. The downtown tour will make stops at Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, Union Square, and the Statue of Liberty.&nbsp;

Tip: Your New York Pass is valid for a 1-Day Big Bus Ticket. 

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/big-bus-hop-on-hop-off-tours" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on The New York Pass.

How would you like to meet Rihanna today? Or perhaps Lady Gaga? When you visit New York City&rsquo;s beloved wax museum, Madame Tussauds, you will have the chance to see all of your favorite celebrities. The museum showcases wax figures of pop culture icons like movie stars, musicians, athletes, and politicians.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/madame-tussauds-new-york" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Madame Tussauds New York tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour</h2>

In the afternoon, take a self-guided audio tour in Grand Central Terminal and learn the history behind one of the world&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/blog/public-transportation-new-york-city-new-york-metrocard" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="New York City Metro">busiest transportation stations</a>. Look up and you can marvel at the beautiful design of Grand Central&rsquo;s astronomical ceiling.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;Grand Central Terminal is free to enter and the audio tour is separately ticketed

Head toward Midtown on the New York Water Taxi which makes scheduled stops along the waterfront and gives you the option to decide where you want to get off. You can also use your ticket to hop back on another NY Water Taxi and cruise to your next destination. A great way to stay cool on a sunny day and take in the epic skyline views as you travel.

New York Water Taxi is ticketed separately.&nbsp;

<h2>High Line &ndash; Chelsea &ndash; Meatpacking Tour</h2>

Walk along the path of perhaps the most unique park in New York City, the High Line. You&rsquo;ll enjoy peering down at the city from the elevated park walkway and discover the many gems of the Meatpacking District.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/highline-chelsea-meatpacking-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">High Line-Chelsea-Meatpacking Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass&reg;</h2>

Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

✈️ <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en" target="_blank">Buy The New York Pass&reg;</a> ✈️

<h2>Empire State Building observation deck</h2>

Visiting the Empire State Building is a perfect way to end the night and get views in every direction from the observation deck.&nbsp;

Tip:&nbsp;the Empire State Building is open late, with final admission at midnight, you&rsquo;ll be able to enjoy the sights of New York until two in the morning.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/empire-state-building-observation-deck" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Empire State Building tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with the New York Pass.

<h2>DAY 6 Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tour in NYC</h2>

Walk some of the most decorated blocks in New York City as you admire the vibrant street art created by local artists. The Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tour takes you to both Bushwick and Williamsburg in Brooklyn where you are sure to see some amazing visual creations.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/graffiti-street-art-walking-tour-in-nyc" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>International Center of Photography Museum</h2>

You&rsquo;ll find tons of intriguing photos on display at the International Center of Photography. The installations showcase photography techniques as well as the development of cameras and photography equipment.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/international-center-of-photography-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">International Center of Photography Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Make your way downtown and discover the beautiful interior design of the Museum at Eldridge Street. While exploring the museum, you&rsquo;ll learn about its long history and significance to the Lower East Side of Manhattan.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/museum-at-eldridge-st" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Museum at Eldridge St. tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Dave &amp; Busters Times Square</h2>

After a long day of traveling to popular attractions in the city, there&rsquo;s nothing better than unwinding and letting loose. There are games and activities for everyone in the family as well as mouth-watering dishes and sports broadcasts - check for the latest promotions onsite.

<h2>DAY 7 American Museum of Natural History</h2>

Explore the many fascinating halls of the American Museum of Natural History, where you can find exhibits on the development of species over time including mammals, insects, and dinosaurs. You&rsquo;ll be sure to find something new and exciting in each hall of the museum and be bursting with fun facts by the time you&#39;re through.

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/american-museum-of-natural-history" rel="noopener" target="_blank">American Museum of Natural History tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Enjoy an amazing panoramic view of New York City from the top of Rockefeller Center. Three observatory floors at the Top of the Rock allow you to see as far as Central Park and well into downtown Manhattan.&nbsp;

Tip:&nbsp;this is a great location for photos during the day or night as Top of the Rock is open until Midnight.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/top-of-the-rock-observation-deck-rockefeller-center" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Top of the Rock tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with the New York Pass.

<h2>DAY 3 The Ride</h2>

Explore NYC in style on this 75-minute exhilarating tour bus ride. You&rsquo;ll be on the edge of your seat for the entire trip with a beautiful full view of the greatest landmarks in the city and exciting special performances along the way.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/the-ride" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Ride tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Become familiar with the native tastes of New York City when you take the Food on Foot Tours. You have the choice of what neighborhood and the type of food you want your tour to be catered to with Food on Foot&rsquo;s wide selection of NYC tours. You&rsquo;ll get to know the best restaurants in the city and all of the mouth-watering dishes within each neighborhood.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/food-on-foot-tours" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Food on Foot Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum</h2>

End the day viewing futuristic technology and innovative exhibits on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. You&rsquo;ll see over 210,000 objects in the museum&#39;s collection related to creative design.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/cooper-hewitt-smithsonian-design-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>DAY 4 Brooklyn Bridge bike tour</h2>

Nothing beats cruising New York City on two wheels at your own pace. Treat yourself to a comfortable and convenient bicycle rental or join a group tour on which you can venture across Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy cityscape views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/brooklyn-bridge-bike-rental-unlimited-biking" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking</a>&nbsp;is included with The New York Pass.

&nbsp;

Learn about a historic New York City performance venue when you take the Carnegie Hall Tour. This guided tour will take you to the concert halls that once hosted shows for The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and more. You&#39;ll also get a chance to see Carnegie Hall&rsquo;s high profile memorabilia with artifacts from some of your favorite performers.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/carnegie-hall-tours" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Carnegie Hall Tour&nbsp;</a>is separately ticketed.

Carnegie Hall

<h2>DAY 5 Little Italy Walking Tour</h2>

On this tour,&nbsp; see the streets where legendary Italian-American director Martin Scorsese grew up and other locations immortalized on film and television shows, including The Godfather.&nbsp;Your expert guide will walk you through Little Italy&#39;s storied streets and regale you with tales and anecdotes of the neighborhood&rsquo;s often troubled history.

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/official-little-italy-walking-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Official Little Italy Walking Tour</a>&nbsp;tickets&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise Tickets</h2>

Hop on board a historic yacht and cruise in vintage style around Manhattan&rsquo;s tip&ndash;one of the most popular things to do in New York City for adults and couples. You&rsquo;ll love the views of the iconic New York skyline, but the trip&rsquo;s highlight has to be the waterfront, up-close-and-personal perspective of the Statue of Liberty. The Shearwater Classic Schooner has been plying the waters off Manhattan since 1929, and for good reason, too.

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/shearwater-sailing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise</a>&nbsp;is separately ticketed.

<h2>DAY 2 On Location Tours - Central Park TV &amp; Movie Sites Walking Tour</h2>

New York is known for its unique and beautiful architecture, specifically the iconic skyscrapers that are synonymous with the city. At the Skyscraper Museum, you&rsquo;ll get to see and learn about all of your favorite NYC architectural gems like the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and many more.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/the-skyscraper-museum" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Skyscraper Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Get your day started with a morning tour of Central Park. But not just any regular tour in the park - On Location Tours provides a unique journey that will show you famous areas in Central Park that have appeared on the big screen and well-known television shows.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/on-location-tours-central-park" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Central Park TV &amp; Movie Sites Walking Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>The Paley Center for Media</h2>

Immerse yourself in brand-new technology and discover tomorrow&rsquo;s forms of media when you visit the Paley Center for Media, located in Midtown.&nbsp;

Tip: When you visit on Thursdays, you can enjoy two extra hours to explore the center.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/the-paley-center-for-media" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Paley Center for Media tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Check out this fun-packed one week in NYC itinerary geared towards first-time visitors (though anyone, really!) and discover everything New York City has to offer.

One Week in New York City - 7 Day NYC Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Bright lights, big city: gaze up at the ever-changing neon billboards and soak up that iconic New York energy.

From technicolor adverts to enigmatic street performers, Times Square is a great place to get acquainted with the razzle-dazzle of New York City.

Things to Do in Times Square

With its larger-than-life billboards, scrolling ads, flashing lights, and bustling crowds, it&#39;s no wonder Times Square is one the top attractions in NYC.

Times Square is a great place to start your trip to New York City. There&rsquo;s a ton of fun things to do in Times Square, so right off the bat, if you&#39;re wondering what to do you&rsquo;ll get to see some of the city&rsquo;s most popular attractions right here in the Square.

Be sure to take a souvenir photo right in the heart of Times Square with the flashing billboards and advertisements in the background &ndash; you might just have to wait for a crowd to pass to get a good shot. As such a busy hive of city action, Times Square a popular spot for street performers to set up shop as well, so you&rsquo;ll get to see some of the most talented performers while you&rsquo;re there, too.

There&rsquo;s no shortage of things to do in Times Square, and these top attractions on your New York Pass should be top of your bucket list!

<h2>Big Bus Tours</h2>

&nbsp;

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best things to do when you arrive in New York City. Start your city tour in Times Square and get a professionally-narrated overview of all of Manhattan.

Stay on for the whole tour and hop back off in <a href="https://travelthebestplaces.com/best-things-to-do-in-time-square/">Times Square</a> to explore the area more or hop off at another location you want to explore more.

Your onboard tour guide will direct your attention to lots of top landmarks you&rsquo;ll see along the way, including the Empire State Building, Chinatown, the Broadway Theatre District, and more, depending on which route you take from Times Square.

<h2>Madame Tussauds</h2>

The world-famous wax museum chain is one of the most popular things to do in Times Square - it&rsquo;s a must-see and the only way to guarantee a &ldquo;celebrity sighting&rdquo; in the city!

Pose with all your favorite TV and movie characters, sports heroes, superheroes, musicians, and more &ndash; all under one roof. Walk through themed rooms and check out some of their featured exhibits, too, including King Kong, Ghostbusters, MARVEL Super Heroes 4D, and more.

In addition to seeing some of your favorite celebrities, you&rsquo;ll gain a new appreciation for the labor-intense artistry and skill that it takes to create these lifelike wax figures.

<h2>The Ride</h2>

See the streets of New York City transform into multiple stages on this entertaining and interactive moving theater experience.

Sit back as your two comedian hosts narrate your bus ride and take you to see several street performances around the city. You&rsquo;ll have unobstructed views from the custom bus design&rsquo;s stadium-style, sideways-facing seats that offer panoramic views of the streets below through the bus&rsquo; large windows so there are plenty of things to see.

Tip: be sure to arrive early as tickets are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and often sell out.

Why limit yourself to seeing only a few of New York attractions? With <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us">New York Pass</a> you get the above and much more, so the more you see, the more you save!

Bright lights, big city: when you think of New York, you'll inevitably think of the heart of the city. Discover top things to do in Times Square with our guide

Things to Do in Times Square | The New York Pass®

Fearless adrenaline junkies will love this unique observation deck - but when should you visit?

You know you want to visit The Edge in NYC, but will you go at the crack of dawn, watch the sunrise, gaze out at the sunset or take in the glittering late night lights?

Best Time to Visit The Edge

Only the highest outdoor observation platform in the Western hemisphere, Edge sits a mind-melting, knee-trembling, stomach-flipping 1,131 feet in the air. Its triangular, glass-floored platform protrudes 80 feet from the facade of the soaring 30 Hudson Yards building, affording epic views of the Manhattan skyline and &ndash; for anyone bold enough to look down &ndash; the city streets far, far below. One hundred floors not high enough for ya?

Thrillseekers with nerves of absolute steel can also brave the Edge&rsquo;s City Climb experience, in which participants are harnessed to the building for a vertical stroll to the top of the skyscraper before being invited to lean forward over the apex at a nauseating 1,271 feet. So now you know what it is (and have either opted in or fainted at the very thought, depending on your constitution), read on to find out more, including the best times to visit the Edge NYC.

<h3>Opening hours</h3>

&nbsp;

Edge is open 10AM-10PM daily, year-round, with the last elevator going up 50 minutes before closing time, and guests are welcome to stay as long as they like. City Climb closes a little earlier, with latest entry at 8PM in order to accommodate the entire experience which, including check-in, suiting up, safety briefings and the climb itself, lasts around 90 minutes. Note that there are often extended opening hours during high season, from 8AM-midnight. <a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/en" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Check the Edge website</a> for information on operating hours on the date of your planned visit.

<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The New York Pass</a> includes general admission to Edge, and can save you money when visiting multiple attractions in the Big Apple. We&rsquo;re talking top-tier bucket-listers like MoMA, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Note that an extra fee applies for the City Climb experience &ndash; you can <a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/en/buy-tickets" rel="noopener" target="_blank">book tickets for that here.</a>

<h3>Best Time to Visit the Edge</h3>

&nbsp;

If you want to beat the crowds, your best bet is to visit in the morning when Edge opens, or after sunset (bearing in mind the last elevator goes up 50 minutes before closing time). This is easily the most hassle-free way of experiencing Edge as you&rsquo;ll avoid the worst of the lines. Arriving much later than 10AM pretty much guarantees longer waiting times.

Sunset is the busiest time of the day. No surprise there, perhaps, especially in the age of Instagram, when budding photographers are out in force, eager to capture the flaming skyline at its brick-red, flamingo-pink and bruised-purple best. If you can bear the crowds, it&rsquo;s definitely worth visiting at this time of day. Plan to book your slot around an hour before the sun is due to go down, to make sure you get there in plenty of time. The crowds dissipate fairly rapidly after this, making late evening a fine time to make your visit. What, after all, could be more iconic than Manhattan after dark, with lights all atwinkle across the famous city skyline? Indeed, the relative post-sunset calm may just be the very best time to visit Edge.

Outside of the golden hour, the busiest times of day at Edge tend to be between noon and 5PM &ndash; generally best avoided if you can make it there at *literally* any other time of the day or night.

&nbsp;

<h3>Edge Stats</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Number of floors: 103.</li>
	<li>Height: The Edge platform is 1,131 feet (345 meters) up, while adventurous types willing to take on the City Climb experience will reach the dizzy heights of 1,271 feet (381 meters).</li>
	<li>Elevators: 59.</li>
	<li>Edge platform: the platform protrudes 80 feet from the building&rsquo;s facade and boasts a transparent nine-foot-high balcony that&rsquo;s angled outwards at 6.6 degrees, the better to overhang the streets far below.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Getting to Edge</h3>

The No.7 Subway provides the most popular and direct route into Hudson Yards, and several bus lines also stop within a few minutes&rsquo; walk. Or you could, you know, make like a true Noo Yoiker and pitch up in an iconic yellow NYC cab.

<h3>Tickets</h3>

&nbsp;

A <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New York Pass</a> saves you money by including general admission to <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/new-york-attractions/Edge" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Edge</a> as well as many more Big Apple icons. These include the 9/11 Memorial &amp; Museum, One World Observatory and American Museum of Natural History, as well as a number of walking and cycling tours and much more.

You can also <a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/en" rel="noopener" target="_blank">book tickets direct via the Edge website</a>, where you can choose from general admission, flexi, skip the line and annual passes. This is also the place to book slots for the epic City Climb experience.

<h3>Where to get Refreshments</h3>

There&rsquo;s a champagne bar on the observatory platform terrace, perfect for that romantic selfie moment, or simply to take the edge off your rising panic. Hungry? You don&rsquo;t have to look far for sustenance in the Hudson Yards development &ndash; there are dozens of bars and restaurants to choose from here.

<h3>Best Time to Visit The Edge...</h3>

In truth, there&rsquo;s no bad time to visit Edge: the experience of gazing out across Manhattan&rsquo;s movie-star skyline from way up in the clouds is one that will stick with you far longer than the mild irritation of having to stand in line for 45 minutes. So: if midday is the only time you can make it, we say do it anyway; you won&rsquo;t regret it. Sunset is hands down the most beautiful time of day to visit and should be experienced at least once &ndash; get there early to avoid disappointment. If, however, crowds (or indeed sunsets) ain&rsquo;t your thing, try early morning or late evening for shorter waiting times and more elbow room.

<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Get the New York Pass</a> to make great savings when visiting Edge and other popular New York City attractions!

&nbsp;

<h3>Useful links</h3>

<a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">More info about The Edge</a>

<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Get the New York Pass</a>

<a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/en/faqs" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Edge FAQs</a>

We scale the dizzy heights of Edge – the highest outdoor observation platform in New York – to take a look at the best times to visit, and which times to avoid.

Best time to visit the Edge | New York Pass®

Watch the city unfurl beneath you from one of these soaring skyscrapers.

Choosing between SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and The Edge? Never fear, our guide will help you make a decision. Both observation decks have a jaw-dropping view of New York City and beyond, but which one will you go for? 

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt vs The Edge Comparison

Observation platform one-upmanship in the Big Apple has taken humanity to terrifying new heights in recent years. But few have gone as far as the giants that are SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/new-york-attractions/Edge" style="text-decoration:none">Edge</a>, both of which offer genuinely unique new experiences for the fearless adrenaline junkie from their nerve-jangling locations over 1,000 feet in the air. So: two skyscrapers, both alike in terror-inducing height. But which is higher? Which one can you scale? Which has a mirrored infinity room? And which boasts the best views of the Empire State Building? Dive in to our guide to find out how Edge and SUMMIT compare.

<h3>SUMMIT</h3>

Name: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. But ask any NYC local for directions to plain old SUMMIT or SUMMIT One and they&rsquo;ll know exactly where you mean.

Age: The tapering wedge of concrete, glass, steel and terracotta tiles that is One Vanderbilt opened its doors in September 2020. Its crowning glory, SUMMIT, opened a year later in October 2021.

What is SUMMIT One? Coming up with a new concept for a Manhattan observation platform is no mean feat, given that the primary draw is always going to be those stunning 360-degree views of the iconic skyline. But a new concept is just what SUMMIT has achieved, adding cool art installations and dreamlike immersive experiences that will &ndash; says the PR blurb &ndash; see you &lsquo;break through to a new realm&rsquo; and &lsquo;escape the boundaries of perception&rsquo;.

<h3>SUMMIT One: Vital Statistics&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Height: At the time of writing, One Vanderbilt is the fourth tallest building in New York, standing at 1,401 feet (427 meters). You&rsquo;ll find the SUMMIT observation platforms a heart-stopping 1,100 feet (336 meters) over Madison Avenue.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Number of floors: 93.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Elevators: 42.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Visitors: Despite the pandemic, SUMMIT welcomed a whopping 1.4 million visitors in its first year (to October 2022).</li>
</ul>

<h3>What&rsquo;s the SUMMIT Experience Like?</h3>

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Opening hours: 9AM-10PM Monday-Thursday; 9AM-midnight Friday-Sunday. The last elevator ascends 50 minutes before closing.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Tickets: general admission to <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/new-york-attractions/Edge" style="text-decoration:none">Edge</a> is included with a <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none">New York Pass</a>. Alternatively, you&rsquo;ll find various ticket options, including the epic City Climb, at the <a href="https://www.edgenyc.com/en/buy-tickets" style="text-decoration:none">Edge website</a>.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Closest transport links: the No.7 Subway is the main route into Hudson Yards, and several bus lines also stop within a few minutes&rsquo; walk.</li>
</ul>

<h3>SUMMIT vs Edge: Which Should You Visit?</h3>

If you only have time to do one, the decision is probably best based on your own personal tolerance for heights. Sure, SUMMIT&rsquo;s Levitation zone is nerve-wracking, but it&rsquo;s got nothing on Edge&rsquo;s huge, protruding glass platform. A <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none">New York Pass</a> gets you access to the nail-biting see-through platform at Edge as well as dozens more top New York attractions.

<h3>Save on New York Activities and Attractions</h3>

Save on admission to 90+ London attractions with <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none">The New York Pass</a>. Check out @NewYorkPass on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newyorkpass/" style="text-decoration:none">Instagram</a> for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Standard tickets take you on a thrilling journey through four &lsquo;chapters&rsquo; of frankly hallucinatory immersive experiences. You&rsquo;ll start in Transcendence, where mirrored floors and ceilings reflect the city skyline, the clouds (and you) to infinity. The journey continues through Unity and Affinity, which feature such trippy effects as floating silver balls and your own face rendered in cloud form, before ascending to the main event &ndash; Levitation &ndash; a series of glass boxes that hover above the city streets. Peer down between your toes, if you dare, at the distant hustle and bustle of Madison Avenue, a mere 1,063 feet below. You&rsquo;ll also get some of the best views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings from up here. Daredevils can get higher still with the ultimate add-on experience. Buckle up for &lsquo;Ascent&rsquo;, in which fearless fun seekers can enjoy the twin sensations of stomachs dropping and knees buckling aboard one of two *glass-bottomed elevators* (the largest in the world, fact fans) that rise a further 120 feet into the air.

<h3>Fascinating SUMMIT Fact of the Day</h3>

If the eye-catching tiles that punctuate One Vanderbilt&rsquo;s gleaming glass exterior look familiar, that&rsquo;s because they&rsquo;re the same tiles used on the ceilings inside the adjoining Grand Central Station!

<h3>SUMMIT Fast Facts</h3>

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Opening hours: 9AM-midnight, year round. Last entry is at 10PM.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Tickets: there are several booking options available on the <a href="https://summitov.com/tickets/" style="text-decoration:none">SUMMIT website</a>.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Closest transport links: the entrance to SUMMIT is located on the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal.</li>
</ul>

But how does SUMMIT compare to Edge? Let&rsquo;s find out...

<h3>Edge</h3>

Name: Not to be confused with the U2 guitarist of the same name (height 5 feet 10 inches), Edge (height 1,131 feet) is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.

Age: 30 Hudson Yards &ndash; currently NYC&rsquo;s sixth-tallest skyscraper &ndash; was completed in March 2019. Edge opened in March 2020, closing after a mere two days due to the pandemic, then reopening in September 2020.

What is Edge? Only the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and the second highest viewing deck in NYC, after the One World Observatory&rsquo;s fully enclosed platform.

<h3>Edge: Vital Statistics&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Height: Up on the 100th floor, the Edge platform is at 1,131 feet (345 meters), while guests brave enough to book the City Climb experience will reach 1,271 feet (381 meters) at The Apex.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Number of floors: 103.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Elevators: 59.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Distance the Edge platform protrudes from the main building: 80 feet.</li>
</ul>

<h3>What&rsquo;s the Edge Experience Like?</h3>

This one&rsquo;s definitely not for the faint of heart. Here on the 100th floor, 1,131 feet above terra firma, is where you&rsquo;ll find some of the most astonishing 360-degree views of the Big Apple and beyond. Edge&rsquo;s unique gimmick is as simple as it is frightening: the triangular viewing platform (complete with transparent floor, natch) protrudes 80 feet from the side of the building, hanging suspended over the streets of New York. And, as if that isn&rsquo;t thrilling enough, there&rsquo;s also the City Climb, in which brave souls are harnessed to the building for a bucket-list ascent to The Apex. Scale the top of the skyscraper and summon those nerves of steel to lean right out over the edge at an epic 1,271 feet.

<h3>Fascinating Edge Fact of the Day</h3>

The transparent nine foot balcony that surrounds Edge is angled outwards at 6.6 degrees, meaning visitors can safely &lsquo;overhang&rsquo; the ground and rooftops far below.

<h3>Edge Fast Facts</h3>

We pit two titans of the New York skyscraper scene against one another in our compare-and-contrast of the mighty SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and Edge viewing platforms.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt vs The Edge Comparison | New York Pass®

One World Observatory vs. Empire State Building vs. Top of the Rock

Let's break it down and help you decide which observation deck you'll love the most on your trip to NYC. Or... you could visit all three, thanks to The New York Pass®

NYC Observation Decks

Visiting one of New York City&#39;s iconic observation decks is a must-do when you&#39;re in the Big Apple.&nbsp;There are an endless amount of fun things to do and historical landmarks to see, but a visit to an observation deck (or two, or three...) is one of the most memorable things you can do on your trip to NYC. Plus, it&#39;s a great way to &#39;see&#39; everything there is to see in New York.

New York City is home to 3 of the best observation decks in the world: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and One World Observatory.

We&#39;ve put together a comparison of New York&#39;s most popular observation decks, so you can get an idea of what the difference is between the Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock vs One World Observatory so you can decide which one suits what you want to do and see best.

<h3>1. The One World Observatory</h3>

The One World Observatory is an icon of the city skyline with an amazing spire. Travelers can take one of its 70 elevators up to three observation decks in under 50 seconds; it&#39;s an elevator ride that feels like a launch.

The views: One World Trade Center is located on the southwestern side of the Manhattan peninsula (close to the tip of it), so you&#39;ll get close views of the Hudson River, New Jersey, and Manhattan. You can see Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and the Financial District.

A bonus is that you&#39;ll be able to see the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock. (though your view will be farther than from the Top of the Rock) and Top of the Rock. It has 360-degree views that stretch from Westchester and Rockland Counties to New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

Then, step into the Main Observatory and view HD footage of Manhattan&rsquo;s streets. Enjoy some artisanal cocktails at the One Mix bar and indulge in some culinary delights at One Dine. The structure and its observatory decks show a rebirth of downtown Manhattan, after the tragedy of 9/11.

Admission:&nbsp;One World Observatory tickets are sold separately from The New York Pass&reg;

<h2>Remember to save on observation decks and New York attractions</h2>

New York City&#39;s top 3 observatory decks are at the top of many tourists&#39; itineraries. They&#39;re all popular attractions, but how can you afford the admission price at each? The New York Pass&reg; grants you free admission to two of these Observation decks, with Empire State Building tickets and Top of the Rock tickets, plus admission to over 90 additional attractions, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price.

Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

✈️ <a href="http://newyorkpass.com">Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass&reg;</a> ✈️

You&#39;ll also be able to see New York City&#39;s other popular observation decks; the view from the Empire State Building of One World Observatory is much closer than the view you get of it from Top of the Rock.

Similarly, the view from the ESB of Rockefeller Center is much closer than the view you get of it from One World Observatory.

Be sure to check out the Dare to Dream exhibit, which pays tribute to the builders and architects who helped create this historic landmark. There are period photographs, mementos, architectural sketches, and more.

If you plan your visit to the Empire State Building around a mealtime, consider dining at its STATE Grill and Bar for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In exceptional Art Deco design, it showcases New York State&rsquo;s winemakers, brewers, and farmers.

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/empire-state-building-observation-deck" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Empire State Building Tickets">Empire State Building tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with the New York Pass&reg;.

The views: the Top of the Rock is located just south of Central Park, right in Times Square, so you&#39;ll get the best views of Central Park compared to the other observation decks. In the other direction, you can see the Empire State Building framed by the sprawling city, the Bank of America Building, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, and more.

From Top of the Rock, the view of the Empire State Building is closer than the view of the ESB from One World Observatory.

After you pass the Swarovski chandelier in the lobby, artifacts and photos outline the history of Rockefeller Center and an open-air deck on the 70th floor. Compared to the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock is less claustrophobic.

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/top-of-the-rock" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Top of the Rock Observatory Tickets">Top of the Rock tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass&reg;.

Monkey around at the Central Park Zoo. There are even pot-bellied pigs, penguins, and sea lions. You never have to wait for the carnival to come to town in NYC!

In the summer, head to Victorian Gardens for an all-American day of juggler performances, cart rides, and funnel cake. In the winter, take to the ice for some skating.

<h2>The biggest differences between the top New York City observation decks</h2>

Each observation deck experience provides an educational and informative experience on your way up to the deck, complete with exhibitions and displays.&nbsp;One World Observatory, being the most recently built, features a more modern design and feel and its exhibits explore the development of downtown Manhattan, the impact of 9/11, and how the One World Observatory building came to be.

Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building both offer a classic and nostalgic New York City experience that highlight the history of the city with a particular emphasis on the American dream and the eventual prosperity post-Great Depression era.

The biggest difference between One World Observatory vs Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock is the view you&#39;ll get at the top, rather than the exhibits. Of course, if you have a favorite skyscraper, just remember that whichever observatory deck you choose to visit, you won&#39;t see that building in the skyline. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>One World Observatory (southern-most building):&nbsp;views of the Hudson River and the city skyline looking north from the southern tip of Manhattan</li>
	<li>Empire State Building (middle building):&nbsp;views from the middle of Manhattan with One World Observatory visible to the south and Rockefeller Center visible to the north</li>
	<li>Top of the Rock (northern-most building):&nbsp;views of Central Park to the north and views of the Empire State Building and One World Observatory to the south</li>
</ul>

The&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.newyorkpass.com/high-line-park">High Line</a>&nbsp;was once a railroad track carrying freight trains. Today, it&#39;s a railway-turned-beautiful city retreat situated high above the busy city streets. Take a stroll along the path and check out the park&#39;s many features, including picnic tables, seating, curving walkways, and well-manicured gardens. All while you take in the unique views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.

Getting in: Admission to the High Line is free and open to the public.

The High Line

<h3>Metropolitan Museum of Art</h3>

Roam the labyrinthine corridors of the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art where you view more than 2 million works of art showcasing 5,000 years of history. Its Egyptian collection features stone sarcophagi inscribed with hieroglyphics and pages from the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Other highlights include the American Wing with collections of American Arts. There are also stunning Islamic galleries with metalwork and ceramics. Its roof garden serves up fabulous views of Central Park and the city skyline.

Getting in:&nbsp;The Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets can be purchased online.

The Grand Central Terminal is the world&rsquo;s largest railway station and a magnificent public space. It&rsquo;s modeled after an ancient Roman bath and features glimmering chandeliers, an amazing concourse, and a robin&rsquo;s egg-blue ceiling displaying the constellations.

Getting in:&nbsp;Grand Central Terminal is free and open to the public.

Grand Central Terminal

The Empire State Building also showcases 360-degree views of the city. At night, this international icon displays dazzling light shows to celebrate various occasions, often synchronized to music. In addition to its 86th-floor observatory, there&#39;s the Top Deck. From here, you can see up to 80 miles away and get a full picture of the city.

The views: the Empire State Building is located right in the middle of Manhattan, so from its top Observation Deck, you&rsquo;ll get one-of-a-kind vistas of the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the brilliant city streets below.

The Top of the Rock is a must-do on any tourist&#39;s bucket list. The Top of the Rock Observation deck is nestled in the heart of&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/rockefeller-center-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Rockefeller Center Tour">Rockefeller Center</a>. Ascend 70 floors up and take in the sweeping view from three indoor and outdoor viewing decks. The indoor viewing areas are on the 69th and 67th floors.

Rockefeller Center is chock-full of beautiful architecture, culture, and rich history. Take it in with a guided tour through its gardens and significant buildings.

<h3>Popular things to do nearby</h3>

In addition to these 3 observation decks (One World Observatory, the Empire State Building, and Top of the Rock) there are other great sites and activities worth checking out while in NYC.

<h3>Central Park</h3>

This world-famous park is 36 acres of beautiful streams, waterfalls, rocks, and winding trails. It&rsquo;s ideal for strolling and a wonderful sight from each of the observation decks. Take a romantic paddle around the lake or even a Venetian Gondola ride at Loeb Boathouse. Savor some great fare like crab cakes at the Central Park Boathouse Restaurant.

You can take a ferry over to the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island. Visit the crown and see panoramic views of Brooklyn. This colossal copper statue was designed by artist Frederic Bartholdi. It&rsquo;s the symbol of freedom. The Liberty Island Museum is located in the lobby of its pedestal and chronicles the history of freedom. At the pedestal, you can great views of New Jersey, New York, and the New York Harbor.

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/statue-of-liberty-and-ellis-island" title="Statue of Liberty Tickets and Tour">Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass&reg;

The Statue of Liberty

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city&rsquo;s noblest landmarks. It stretches over Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the East River and delivers amazing views. Take a walk across its promenade above the roadway and feel the city&rsquo;s vibe. It only takes about 40 minutes.

Getting in:&nbsp;the Brooklyn Bridge is free and open to the public.&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/the-brooklyn-bridge-and-dumbo-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Brooklyn Bridge DUMBO Tour">Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/new-york-attractions/brooklyn-bridge-sightseeing-bike-tours-and-rentals" target="_blank">bike</a><a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us/new-york-attractions/brooklyn-bridge-sightseeing-bike-tours-and-rentals" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour Tickets">&nbsp;rentals</a>&nbsp;you can use to cycle across the Brooklyn Bridge&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass&reg;.

The Brooklyn Bridge

<h3>The American Museum of Natural History</h3>

The American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum on the globe. It stretches four city blocks and showcases 45 exhibition halls, with over 30 million artifacts from outer space, the sea, and the land. Don&rsquo;t miss it.&nbsp;

Getting in:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/american-museum-of-natural-history">American Museum of Natural History tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass&reg;.

Everyone knows NYC's major observation decks, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Top of the Rock, but which observation deck is best--and what's really the difference?

Comparing NYC's Most Popular Observation Decks

Two of the Big Apple’s most celebrated art museums – the Whitney and the Guggenheim – go head-to-head in our guide.

Both specializing in art of the 20th and 21st centuries, the Guggenheim and Whitney museums hold some 30,000+ paintings, sculptures, sketches, prints, films and photographs between them, covering a range of artists as diverse as Hopper, O’Keeffe, Modigliani, Picasso, Pollock and Brâncuși.

The Guggenheim Museum vs. The Whitney Museum Comparison

A Brief History

Established by socialite Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney&nbsp; in 1930, the Whitney Museum has enjoyed several locations, most notably Madison Avenue, where it spent five decades. It relocated to a building designed by Renzo Piano, at the southern entrance to the High Line park in the Meatpacking District, in 2015. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was established in 1939 by Guggenheim and artist Hilla von Rebay and has been in its extraordinary Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home on the Upper East Side since 1959.&nbsp;

Collections

The Whitney and the Guggenheim are all about quality over quantity. The Whitney&rsquo;s collection of mostly American art runs to around 25,000 pieces, while the Guggenheim&rsquo;s European-leaning collection contains more like 8,000 works.

The Guggenheim vs The Whitney: Lowdown

Art and Architecture

It&rsquo;s kind of impossible to consider the collection inside the Guggenheim Museum without also taking a gander at the building that contains it. With its flowing rotunda-like shape, spiral-clad exterior, soaring atrium and geometric design by maestro Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim is a work of art in its own right. Inside, works are exhibited in a bright, open space, unimpeded by internal walls and with no separation of pieces by artist or time period. Spot iconic paintings by some of the greatest artists the world has even produced, among them many examples of 20th-century Expressionism and Surrealism. Artists including Paul Klee, Kurt Schwitters and Joan Mir&oacute; are well-represented here, keeping company with the likes of Gauguin, van Gogh, Pissarro, Manet, C&eacute;zanne and Jackson Pollock.

The sculptural brick-and-glass that is The Whitney&rsquo;s current home was designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano and nods to the Meatpacking District&rsquo;s industrial past. The building makes the best of its location overlooking the High Line&rsquo;s southern entrance, with around 13,000 square feet of terraces and outdoor exhibition space facing this much-loved New York park. Inside, an additional 50,000 square feet of gallery showcases the work of some 2,000 modern and contemporary American masters, with a permanent collection that includes the likes of Georgia O&rsquo;Keeffe, Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns and Edward Hopper. Indeed, The Whitney holds the entire Hopper estate and, as such, the largest archive of his work anywhere on the planet. But it&rsquo;s the temporary exhibitions of (mostly) contemporary artists that draw the biggest crowds, particularly the prestigious Whitney Biennial, an always-controversial review of the US contemporary art scene that&#39;s held here every two years.

Annual Visitors

The Guggenheim edges it, with around 860,000 annual visitors to The Whitney&rsquo;s 770,000.&nbsp;

Did you know...?

You can visit both The Guggenheim and The Whitney Museum with the New York Pass, which can save you up to 50% on a wide range of Big Apple attractions, tours and activities, including the Empire State Building Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial &amp; Museum, the Statue of Liberty and the mighty MoMA. Click the links below to find out more and pick yours&hellip;

Selected Highlights of the Guggenheim Museum

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Thannhauser Collection is worth a couple of hours of anyone&#39;s time, featuring as it does a number of important Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces by the likes of Manet, Pissarro, Gauguin, van Gogh and, especially, Picasso. Don&rsquo;t miss the maestro&rsquo;s stunning &lsquo;Woman with Yellow Hair&rsquo; from 1931.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Vasily Kandinsky&rsquo;s &lsquo;Composition 8&rsquo; (1923) is a perennial favorite at the museum, thanks to its abstract use of shapes and colors. A must-see, it&rsquo;s just one of many Kandinsky pieces held by The Guggenheim.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The clue&rsquo;s in the name of Modigliani&rsquo;s 1917 &lsquo;Nude&rsquo;, a show-stopping piece in the artist&rsquo;s characteristic modern style.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Unmistakably Paul Klee, &lsquo;Red Balloon&rsquo; (1922) is a gauzy, colorful cityscape rendered in floating geometric shapes. Strangely mesmerizing.</li>
</ul>

The Guggenheim vs The Whitney: Highlights

Selected Highlights of the Whitney Museum

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Whitney&rsquo;s Edward Hopper collection is second-to-none. Check out the Depression-era &lsquo;Early Sunday Morning&#39; and the cinematic beauty of &lsquo;A Woman in the Sun&rsquo; and &lsquo;Second Story Sunlight&rsquo;, both from the early 1960s.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The works of American sculptor Alexander Calder are also well-represented at the museum. Don&rsquo;t miss his signature piece &lsquo;Calder&rsquo;s Circus&rsquo; (1926-31), a modernist masterpiece in wire and wood with nearly 200 individual pieces depicting lion tamers, fire eaters, ringmasters and more.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Alice Neel&rsquo;s 1970 intimate portrait of Andy Warhol depicts the Pop Art pioneer in a vulnerable condition, complete with sagging body, scarred torso, stick-thin arms and orthopedic underwear.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">A standout among the many Georgia O&rsquo;Keeffe pieces on display at The Whitney, &lsquo;Music, Pink and Blue No. 2&rsquo; (1918) uses gentle curves and vibrant pastels to conjure the rhythms and harmonies of nature.</li>
</ul>

Let&rsquo;s be honest: neither of these museums is so large that you couldn&rsquo;t fit in both and, indeed, The Whitney and The Guggenheim tend to complement rather than compete with each other. Into Impressionism and Post-Impressionism? The Guggenheim has your back, with a collection that features van Gogh, Manet and Picasso pieces galore. More of a modernist? Paintings by Hopper and sculpture by the likes of Alexander Calder are among the highlights at The Whitney. Meanwhile abstract art (Kandinsky, Schwitters et al) tends to be the point at which the two galleries meet.

Don&rsquo;t forget, you can visit both, plus over 100 more NYC attractions with a New York Pass. <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find out more here.</a>

 
&nbsp;

The Guggenheim vs The Whitney: in Summary

We take a closer look at the relative merits of the Whitney and the Guggenheim, from architecture to the highlights of each collection.

The Guggenheim Museum vs. The Whitney Museum Comparison | New York Pass

Tick off two of the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks with our guide to visiting the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty in a single day.

It’s entirely possible to experience these titans of the New York skyline on the same day, should you choose to do so. We give you the lowdown on what to expect from each attraction, the best times to visit to avoid queues, and our suggested itinerary.

How To Visit Empire State building and Statue of Liberty in the Same Day

Here&rsquo;s an attraction that requires no introduction. Even if you&rsquo;ve never actually seen the Empire State Building in real life, your mind&rsquo;s eye can still immediately conjure it up just as clearly as if you were standing right in front of it. Icon of Hollywood movies including Sleepless in Seattle, Independence Day, The Muppets Take Manhattan and (most famously of all) King Kong, the Empire State Building was constructed in just 13.5 months (!) in the early 1930s, a frankly astonishing feat which required nearly 3,500 workers.

The Empire State Building was the world&rsquo;s tallest for over 40 years and, at 1,454 feet (not including the antenna which adds a further 204 feet) still more than holds its own in the top 100.

The Empire State Building in Brief

General admission to the Empire State Building&#39;s 86th-floor observatory is included with a <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">New York Pass</a>. This 360-degree open-air platform affords fine views of NYC landmarks including Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Lady Liberty herself. You can also peep at rival skyline monoliths including the Chrysler and Flatiron buildings. Indeed, just about the only iconic Manhattan landmark you can&rsquo;t ogle from up here is the Empire State Building itself!&nbsp;

Top tip: head to the Top of the Rock or One World Observatory if its views of the Empire State Building you seek. Both are also included with the New York Pass.

What’s the Empire State Building Experience Like?

A definitive symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty is another of those Big Apple landmarks that can be viewed from several points across the city, but which really benefits from being seen close up. Like, really close up. For only then can you appreciate the Green Goddess&rsquo;s distinctive patina and, indeed, the sheer scale of the thing (Lady Liberty stands 305 feet tall from ground level to the tip of her torch).

Dedicated in a ceremony led by President Grover Cleveland and celebrated with the world&rsquo;s first-ever ticker-tape parade, the Statue of Liberty has stood in the same position on Liberty Island for nearly a century-and-a-half.

The Statue of Liberty in Brief

There are a few ways to visit the Statue of Liberty. You can take the free Staten Island Ferry for some decent (if somewhat distant views). There are also hour-long Liberty Cruises if you want fast access to close-up views direct from Midtown Manhattan. Alternatively, go for the full package with a ferry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and Statue of Liberty Museum and grounds. There&rsquo;s also the opportunity to ascend to the famous crown &ndash;&nbsp;that&rsquo;s 162 steps up a spiral staircase inside the statue; for those with a head for heights only!

Liberty Cruises and general access to the island museums are available on <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">the New York Pass</a>, but you&rsquo;ll need to book separate tickets to climb the statue.

What’s the Statue of Liberty Experience Like?

It&rsquo;s fairly easy to build a one-day sightseeing itinerary that includes both the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. The Liberty ferry departure point in Battery Park is only a 20-minute cab or subway ride from the Empire State Building in Midtown and the ferry to Liberty Island takes just 15 minutes, so here&rsquo;s the good news: you&rsquo;re not going to be spending your day negotiating long trips from one attraction to the other.

The trick here is to try to avoid waiting in lines as much as possible. Obviously weekends and school holidays (especially summer) are some of the very busiest times at these popular New York icons so if you can visit on a weekday, and ideally also outside of peak vacation seasons, you&rsquo;re likely to have a much better time.

In addition, the start and the end of the day are always going to be less busy than mid-morning and mid-afternoon when the tourists are at their most active. Not only does this mean shorter lines, it also makes for a more pleasant sightseeing experience with less crowding.

As ferries to and from Liberty Island shut up shop in the early evening (last departures from Liberty Island are usually just after 6PM), it makes sense to make the Statue of Liberty your first port of call, leaving on the first ferry from Battery Park at 9AM to beat the crowds. The Empire State Building stays open way later (past midnight in summer) so you could even delay your same-day visit until after-dark to see the famous Manhattan skyline in all its twinkling nighttime glory. Heck, do it this way and you could probably even squeeze in a third attraction in the afternoon. Pick up a <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en-us" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">New York Pass</a> and the Big Apple&rsquo;s your oyster, with savings of up to 50% to be had on options including MoMA, the 9/11 Memorial &amp; Museum, Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge bike tours, and about 100 more NYC tours, activities and attractions.

How to Visit the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building in One Day

Morning: Catch the 9AM ferry from Battery Park and spend the morning exploring Liberty and Ellis islands with their various museums, artifacts and, of course, the Statue of Liberty herself.

Afternoon: Return to Lower Manhattan and stop off in Chinatown or Little Italy for lunch. Afterwards, make use of your New York Pass to visit an additional NYC attraction of your choosing.

Evening: Mosey on over to the Empire State Building, where spectacular sunsets and nighttime skyline views await from the 86th-floor observatory.

One-Day NYC Itinerary Recap

Discover the best ways to experience the bucket-list NYC titans that are Lady Liberty and the Empire State Building – in just one day!

How To Visit Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty in the Same Day | New York Pass

Maximising your time in Midtown is your cheat code to sightseeing in the Big Apple.

It can be tricky to design the perfect itinerary for NYC, even if you've got a whole week or more. Luckily, many attractions are close to the Empire State Building, so it makes for a great starting point. Here are our top picks.

Things to Do Near the Empire State Building

When planning your trip to New York, organizing your attractions by location can save you lots of time and help you make the most of your trip. Fortunately, many of the main attractions are located in Midtown Manhattan, like the iconic Empire State Building.

There are so many attractions and fun things to do near the Empire State Building included on The New York Pass, including:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Central Park</li>
	<li>Rockefeller Center</li>
	<li>Madame Tussauds</li>
	<li>Times Square</li>
	<li>Greenwich Village</li>
	<li>and more!</li>
</ul>

But before we move on, let&#39;s get started with an overview of the ESB itself.

<h2>Empire State Building</h2>

Of course, if you&#39;re looking for things to do near the Empire State Building, visiting the Empire State Building itself should be at the top of your list. Taking in the views from the building&#39;s 86th-floor observation deck is an iconic New York City experience.

You&#39;ll get 360-degree views of the surrounding cityscape from 1,050 feet above ground and learn all about the building&#39;s history and significance as you make your way to the top and pass through the exhibits on display.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/empire-state-building-observation-deck">Empire State Building tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with the New York Pass.

A visit to the Museum of Modern Art allows you to see works by Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso up close and personal. Impressive works of art abound around every corner and MoMA visitors are welcome to stop in the museum&#39;s garden to relax while you take in the world-class art that is on display here.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/museum-of-modern-art-moma">Museum of Modern Art tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

To get a real feel of what New York City is about, take a trip to Greenwich Village (you can read about a fun, guided walking tour of the neighborhood&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.newyorkpass.com/attraction-week-greenwich-village">here</a>), home of the lively Washington Square Park. Here, you&#39;ll find some of New York&#39;s best dining and entertainment options.

This is the home of New York&#39;s cultural revolution in the 1960s and of New York University. Greenwich Village&nbsp;is the artistic capital of the Big Apple and serves as a bohemian capital. Discover the area on your own or take advantage of one of the area&#39;s organized tours.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;admission to Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park is free; guided&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/greenwich-village-walking-tour">Greenwich Village Walking Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

Activities in the 843-acre Central Park can keep you busy for days! Rent some bicycles and take a bike tour in the park. Alternatively, you can visit the Central Park Zoo, and see sites where famous TV shows and movies were filmed. Partake in a walking tour or hop on an unforgettable&nbsp;horse and buggy or pedicab ride. No trip to New York City would be complete without at least a stroll through Central Park.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;Central Park is free and open to the public; certain activities and things to do within the park such as guided&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/central-park-bike-rental-unlimited-biking">Central Park Bike Rentals and Tour tickets</a>, or if you want to get to know the Central Park you recognize from blockbuster hits, the&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/on-location-tours-central-park">TV &amp; Movie Sites Walking Tour </a>are all included with The New York Pass.

<h2>Museum of Modern Art (MoMa)</h2>

If your only reference to Times Square is watching the New Year&#39;s Eve ball drop on television, you have yet to really appreciate what this area of Manhattan has to offer. A visit to Times Square is one of the most exciting things to do near the Empire State Building - the energy from the crowds is palpable and its larger-than-life billboards are a NYC landmark. One of the best ways to see Times Square is through a variety of bus and walking tours that are available. Of course, if you want to be dazzled, visit Times Square after dark.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;Times Square is free and open to the public; some activities and attractions, like&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/madame-tussauds-new-york">Madame Tussauds Times Square tickets</a>&nbsp;are available with&nbsp;The New York Pass.

<h2>Madame Tussauds New York</h2>

Located in the heart of Times Square, get up close and personal with wax figures of the most famous people on the planet. You&#39;ll find figures ranging from the world of entertainment, sports, and politics. Madame Tussauds is the ultimate selfie destination and you&#39;ll want to share every one!

Pose next to Lady Gaga, Morgan Freeman, and more. You&#39;ll be amazed at the detail of the figures inside. Especially once you know that each takes about six months to create using over 2,000 lbs of wax. Enjoy the Marvel 4D and Ghostbusters Experience, Kong: Skull Island, and more!&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/madame-tussauds-new-york">Madame Tussauds New York tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>From Broadway lights to Empire State heights, we&#39;ve got you covered</h2>

Plus, the Empire State Building is surrounded by many of NYC&#39;s greatest landmarks. There is so much to see and do and you know friends and family will want to know what you saw. That&#39;s why you&#39;ll want to make the most of each of your adventures while in the Big Apple.

If you&#39;re interested in visiting the Empire State Building during your trip to NYC, then get your New York Pass today! The pass will grant you access to over 100 of New York&#39;s most popular attractions and guided tours.&nbsp;

Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

✈️ <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/buy-a-pass?duration=1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy The New York Pass&reg;</a> ✈️

A trip to &ldquo;The Top of the Rock&rdquo; at Rockefeller Center provides stunning views of the New York City skyline, Manhattan Island, and Central Park. The art deco-style building soars 800 feet above ground level and offers an amazing three stories of indoor and outdoor observatory space. Even the ride to the top is a light-show-filled adventure that the kids will love.

A trip to Rockefeller Center should also include a visit to the building and the exceptional neighborhood surrounding it.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/top-of-the-rock-observation-deck-rockefeller-center">Top of the Rock observation deck tickets</a>&nbsp;and guided&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/rockefeller-center-tour">Rockefeller Center Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass.

<h2>St. Patrick&#39;s Cathedral</h2>

A visit to New York&#39;s St. Patrick&#39;s Cathedral is an awe-inspiring experience that celebrates the human spirit. It is also an incredible example of Neo-Gothic architecture. The cornerstone for the cathedral was laid in 1858 but it didn&#39;t open its doors until 21 years later in 1879. Today, the ornate structure stands proudly among soaring skyscrapers, providing an almost surreal setting for the structure.&nbsp;

Admission:&nbsp;guided public tours are offered depending on volunteer availability, so check availability online, Although not required, a donation of $5 is requested to support &quot;America&#39;s Parish Church.&quot;

<h2>Times Square</h2>

Make the most of your time at this iconic NYC landmark by adding things to do near the Empire State Building to your itinerary before and after your visit to the 86th-floor observation deck.

Things to Do Near the Empire State Building | The New York Pass®

Soak up the sights with our guide to NYC 

When school's out, save our tips and head to the city that never sleeps. From tours of SoHo and Chinatown to artsy museums, New York is the ultimate city break.

10 Things to Do in NYC for College Students on Vacation

Planning to spend some study-free days in New York City and looking for fun things to do in NYC for college students on vacation? Whether you plan to spend three, five or seven days exploring New York City, we&rsquo;ve listed the top ten NYC attractions for all of you hard-working college students that includes exciting excursions and tours including:

<ul>
	<li>Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tours</li>
	<li>Statue of Liberty Cruises</li>
	<li>Virtual Reality Downtown Tours</li>
	<li>The Empire State Building</li>
	<li>Radio City Music Hall</li>
	<li>Much More!</li>
</ul>

<h2>Save on Admission to Top NYC Attractions</h2>

With The New York Pass, you and your group can save a bundle on admission to more than 90 attractions amid the city. See the best of NYC and visit as many sites as you want each day your pass is valid for one low price with this flexible pass. Simply put, you decide what to see and when you want to see it!&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us">Learn more about our available passes and attractions.</a>

<h2>Big Bus New York: Hop-on Hop-off Tour</h2>

Rated by TripAdvisor as one of the top NYC sightseeing bus tours, jump onto one of these double-decker big buses and hop off whenever you please to soak in the sites and sounds of Uptown, Downtown, and Midtown at your own pace.

Take the full 2.5-hour loop of each district with a full day pass on the Big Bus New York and enjoy the historic commentary and learn facts about the city&rsquo;s rich history, culture, and architecture from an onboard guide. Some attractions you can see on the tour include: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Times Square</li>
	<li>Empire State Building</li>
	<li>Statue of Liberty</li>
	<li>Chinatown</li>
	<li>Central Park</li>
	<li>Rockefeller Center</li>
	<li>Brooklyn Bridge</li>
	<li>And More!</li>
</ul>

<h2>Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tour</h2>

Submerge yourself in NYC&rsquo;s colorful urban culture in the heart of Brooklyn during this guided tour through the community&rsquo;s most creative spaces where art abounds. Learn about the history and techniques of street art throughout Bushwick&rsquo;s open-air &lsquo;galleries&rsquo; while enjoying a visual experience like no other. It&rsquo;s not uncommon to come upon artists in action who are willing to show off for eager audiences.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/graffiti-street-art-walking-tour-in-nyc" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Graffiti &amp; Street Art Walking Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on The New York Pass&reg;.

<h2>Statue of Liberty Express Cruise</h2>

Capture the sights of the big city and the memorable skyline from the observation deck on the 86th floor of the impressive and iconic Empire State Building. As New York is the city that never sleeps, you can opt to experience 360-degree views from over 1000 feet in the air during the day or when the city is brilliantly lit up in the evening hours before heading out to enjoy NYC nightlife.

Take a moment on the way up or before departing to check out the Art Deco lobby to view fascinating displays including the iconic Dare to Dream exhibit.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/empire-state-building-observation-deck" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Empire State Building tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with the New York Pass&reg;.

<h2>Experience everything New York has to offer with&nbsp;The New York Pass&reg;</h2>

There&rsquo;s no limit to the number of things to do in NYC for college students and a lot of the activities and attractions mentioned in this post are included on The New York Pass.&nbsp;

With The New York Pass&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

✈️ <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/buy-a-pass?duration=1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buy The New York Pass&reg;</a> ✈️

Join one of these award-winning tours to learn the inside scoop from an experienced local guide concerning where to get the most authentic New York City cuisine during a Food on Foot Walking Tour. People travel from around the globe to venture through various boroughs to experience culinary achievements with a distinctly regional flavor representative of NYC&rsquo;s vast diversity. Don&rsquo;t miss out on one of these mouth-watering food tours that will put your college cafeteria to shame! Book your reservation using your pass number today.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/food-on-foot-tours" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Food on Foot Walking Tours tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on The New York Pass&reg;.

<h2>The Downtown Experience: A Virtual Reality Tour</h2>

Powered by THE RIDE, this adventure takes you through downtown Manhattan in a theatre-style luxury van with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and side-facing seating. Passengers are equipped with state-of-the-art virtual reality goggles that allow them to re-live some of the iconic moments that occurred within the community&rsquo;s most notable landmarks. Don&rsquo;t miss your opportunity to experience the world&rsquo;s only virtual reality traveling theater!&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;The Downtown Experience&nbsp;is separately ticketed.

Join the ranks of four million others who take to the waters of the Hudson River to visit Lady Liberty on Ellis Island each year. Board the Circle Line Downtown Cruise to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty while enjoying panoramic views of the glorious NYC skyline. During this one-hour express cruise, your tour guide will share the statue&rsquo;s long history and cultural significance. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the stunning sights you&rsquo;ll encounter along the way.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/statue-of-liberty-and-ellis-island" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Statue of Liberty Express Cruise tickets</a>&nbsp;are included with The New York Pass&reg;.

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a visit to Brooklyn&rsquo;s Coney Island to experience the mind-blowing rides at Luna Park. With a free 4-hour wristband that gives pass holders access to two dozen thrilling rides and various activities on the boardwalk. Leave your studies behind and embrace your inner thrill seeker! To access &lsquo;Extreme Thrill&rsquo; rides at the park, guests will be required to pay an additional surcharge at the gate.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/luna-park-coney-island" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Luna Park at Coney Island tickets&nbsp;</a>are included on The New York Pass&reg;.

<h2>When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour</h2>

Get on location with this entertainment-themed tour of some of New York&rsquo;s most famous set locations of popular shows like Seinfeld, When Harry Met Sally, How I Met Your Mother, The Nanny, and many others. You&rsquo;ll be taken to the doorsteps of your favorite TV characters all around the city just north of nostalgic Times Square.

Getting In:&nbsp;When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour&nbsp;is separately ticketed.

<h2>Radio City Music Hall: Stage Door Tour</h2>

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Radio City Music Hall&mdash;NYC&rsquo;s premier entertainment complex is home to the incredible Rockettes and has been graced by the biggest names in entertainment. This 75-minute tour takes you behind the curtain to the backstage zones where you&rsquo;ll get to meet one of the Rockettes in person and peruse the guestbook signed by notable celebrities and performers over the venue&rsquo;s history.&nbsp;

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/radio-city-music-hall-stage-door-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on the New York Pass&reg;.

<h2>SoHo - Little Italy -&shy; Chinatown Walking Tour</h2>

Experience a wealth of culture, arts, and regional fare within the districts lovingly known as SoHo, Little Italy and festive Chinatown with a fully-guided walking tour. On this day tour, you&rsquo;ll learn all about their significance and contribution to NYC&rsquo;s melting pot and truly see the best of the best of the Big Apple.

Find modern fashions, hip hangouts, cool art, and tempt your taste buds with traditional cuisine along the way.&nbsp;Don&rsquo;t forget to keep your eyes peeled, as you never know when a celeb will stroll by!

Getting In:&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/soho-little-italy-chinatown-walking-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">SoHo - Little Italy - Chinatown Tour tickets</a>&nbsp;are included on The New York Pass&reg;.

Planning to spend some study-free days in New York City and looking for fun things to do in NYC for college students on vacation? Whether you plan to spend three, five or seven days exploring New York City, we’ve listed the top ten things to do.

The Long Island borough of Queens is one of NYC's hippest and most culturally diverse boroughs, with museums, parks and bars galore.

Love modern art? Enjoy the great outdoors but prefer to dodge Central Park’s tourist hordes? Want to get a flavor of that legendary New York hip-hop culture? Queens has your back. Hit up the Big Apple’s biggest borough, where nearly 100 neighborhoods serve up a veritable smorgasbord of fun things to do.

Things to do in Queens New York

We&rsquo;ve hand-picked some of the best things to do in Queens New York, including:

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Flushing Meadows</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Queens Night Market</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Rockaway Beach</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Louis Armstrong Museum</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Mets at Citi Stadium</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">MoMA PS1</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Noguchi Museum</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">&hellip;and more!</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

Read on for our guide to Queens&#39; greatest hits below!

At nearly 900 acres, Flushing Meadows&ndash;Corona Park outguns even the mighty Central Park for sheer size. It&rsquo;s no shrinking violet when it comes to world-class attractions either. Stroll its leafy avenues in search of the iconic Unisphere sculpture, a 12-story steel globe that dates from the 1964 World&#39;s Fair. Set sail on the old-fashioned boating lake, say &lsquo;hey&rsquo; to the spectacled bears at Queens Zoo, take the kids for a fun day out at the New York Hall of Science, and check out the extraordinary room-sized scale model of NYC at the Queens Museum. There&rsquo;s enough here to occupy even the most jaded of sightseers for a day or more: botanical gardens, fishing lakes, sports grounds (anyone for tennis?) and 1964 World&rsquo;s Fair mosaics by the likes of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dal&iacute; are just the beginning of your adventure here. Dive in!

The Unisphere isn&rsquo;t the only sculpture you should check out while you&rsquo;re in Queens. The Noguchi Museum on Vernon Boulevard contains the world&rsquo;s largest collection of pieces by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, including mindful and thought-provoking sculptures, plus drawings, designs, models and more. Just around the corner, the Socrates Sculpture Park, built atop a former landfill site, is the largest open-air sculpture space in New York, and showcases eye-popping works by contemporary artists.

Only the largest urban park in the United States, the epic Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk spans some 5.5 miles of prime Queens coastline. Such a length of seaside boardwalk is of course manna for joggers, dog-walkers and roller-skaters, while the 170-acre beach attracts surfers, sun-seekers, and birdwatchers hoping to catch a glimpse of the local piping plover population. Other public facilities along the length of the boardwalk include basketball courts, skate parks, playgrounds, food kiosks and innumerable benches for resting weary feet and catching the sunset.

Part pioneering jazz musician, part popular entertainer, Louis Armstrong&rsquo;s complex character and public persona is explored at length in the Louis Armstrong Museum. Set in Satchmo&rsquo;s former home in Corona, Queens, where the influential musician spent the last three decades of his life, the museum gives fans a chance to enter Armstrong&rsquo;s interior world. There&rsquo;s an exhibition and tour, as well as several artifacts including photographs, trumpets, and other personal effects. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Art enthusiasts are in clover in NYC, where MoMA, The Met and the Guggenheim are considered some of the finest galleries on the planet. For those who like their culture a little more cutting edge, MoMA PS1 makes a worthy addition. Head to this hip Queens art museum for mind-bending audio-visual installations, contemporary photography, avant-garde performance and more from some of the most interesting artists working today, from NYC and beyond.

<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Entry to MoMA PS1 (plus over 100 more activities, tours and attractions) is included with the New York Pass. Get yours now!</a>

Back in Flushing Meadows &ndash; the beating heart of Queens &ndash; the epic Queens Night Market takes place on Saturdays from April through October (with a break in September to accommodate the small matter of the US tennis Open). Pitch up any time between 4PM and midnight to be greeted with an absolute feast for the senses &ndash; thanks, not least, to the dozens of sizzling street-food stalls hawking everything from zingy Peruvian ceviche and flaming hot Korean noodles to jerk chicken, tasty tacos and&hellip; fried ice cream. Plate prices are capped at a bargain $6, so no need to restrict yourself to just one! But do bring cash, as not all stallholders are able to take card payments. You can also stock up on retro apparel, artisan jewelry, local art and ceramics and many other souvenirs at this fab, friendly market.&nbsp;

Nothing quite matches the atmosphere of a Major Leagues Baseball game. Join in the fun over at Citi Park, where New York Mets home games are guaranteed to get the pulse racing. Grab yourself a beer and a hot dog and meet mascots Mr and Mrs Met. But don&rsquo;t forget to kit yourself out with that most essential of game-night accessories: the giant Mets foam finger.

Though the Bronx is widely considered the birthplace of hip hop, Queens can claim an equally rich pedigree. Hip hop culture looms large in the borough that launched some of the biggest names in the biz. We&rsquo;re talking no less than Run DMC, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas and Nicki Minaj, to name just a few. And there are plenty of places where these titans of the scene have left their mark. Hit up 203rd Street in Hollis, famous former hangout of Run DMC and their contemporaries, get togged up like your hip hop idols at Jamaica Colosseum Mall (as featured in music videos by LL Cool J and Wu-Tang Clan), and check out huge murals of Jam Master Jay and A Tribe Called Quest in Hollis and St Albans, respectively.

Our guide to the best things to do in Queens New York, including Flushing Meadows, Rockaway Beach, the Noguchi Museum, the Queens Night Market and more.

Things to do in Queens New York | New York Pass®

What to do in New York when it's icy and blue outside.

A rainy (or snowy) day in New York can be a real blessing. It's a great excuse to hunker down and get stuck into the city's world-class museums, food, and merriment.

Cold Weather Activities in NYC

New York enveloped by snow is a wondrous sight; just like a snow globe scene brought to life. However, as beautiful as the city is on a cold winter day, it&#39;s not always pleasant to walk around for hours outside. Luckily, there are dozens of fun, indoor things to do in the city while staying warm and dry. So when there are blustery winds blowing and icy sidewalks underfoot, you&#39;ll still have a fabulous time in the city that never sleeps.

<h2>Visit New York Hall of Science</h2>

You can&#39;t beat a museum day - and there are so many outstanding ones in New York. Inquisitive minds love visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/new-york-attractions/new-york-hall-of-science" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New York Hall of Science</a>. NYSCI gives us the opportunity to get up close and personal with the elements of the world around us. Many of the exhibits at the Hall of Science are interactive and are lots of fun for the whole family.&nbsp;

<h2>Take a tour of Radio City Music Hall</h2>

Much to nobody&#39;s surprise, one of the world&#39;s largest museums boasts an impressive collection of art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is so big that you could easily spend hours here without seeing 10% of the space. It&#39;s been said that if you look at every piece of art at the Met for a minute, it would take you 3 years to see the whole museum.

<h2>A wintery day in New York can be a gift</h2>

A rainy day can give you the perfect opportunity to see some indoor attractions you might have missed on previous New York trips; because you were busy walking along the Brooklyn Bridge or sailing out to the Statue of Liberty. Make the most of your trip; with so much to see in the city, you don&#39;t want the cold weather slowing you down!

With colder weather comes fewer crowds for sightseeing, too. For those of you looking forward to sunnier weather, winter ends on March 20th, and hopefully Spring will bring weather more favorable for outdoor activites. To prepare, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/things-to-do/10-things-to-do-spring-nyc">Top Things to do in NYC this Spring.</a>

<h2>Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass&reg;&nbsp;</h2>

Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass&reg;, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you&#39;ll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. &nbsp;

✈️ <a href="https://newyorkpass.com/en/" target="_blank">Buy The New York Pass&reg;</a> ✈️&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Since 1932,<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/radio-city-music-hall-stage-door-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&nbsp;Radio City Music Hall</a>&nbsp;has been at the center of the entertainment world hosting events for some of the biggest stars. As the&nbsp;official home of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, winter is the best time to visit.&nbsp; Visitors can get an exclusive stage door tour of the Music Hall and even meet a Rockette.

If you prefer sports over showtunes, check out the All Access Tour of&nbsp;<a href="https://newyorkpass.com/pass-newyork/en-us/new-york-attractions/madison-square-garden-all-access-tour" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Madison Square Garden.</a>

<h2>Shopping at Century 21 Department Store</h2>

No matter the weather, you can always find a way to fit in some shopping. The shopping options in New York City are limitless but our favorite way to spend our hard-earned dollars is at the&nbsp;Century 21 Department Store, a 4-story beast full of discounted designer goods, clothes, shoes, and much more.

<h2>Spend an afternoon bowling</h2>

Bowling is the ultimate rainy day pastime - it&#39;s one of those tried-and-true winter activities everyone will enjoy. If you&#39;re up for an afternoon (or night) of fun, try&nbsp;Bowlmor Lanes&nbsp;in Times Square, a huge bowling alley in the middle of the New York City buzz. This spot is perfect for beginners and pros alike, with great cocktails and tasty fare.

Nothing warms the heart more than spending quality time with friends over a delicious beverage and a hearty meal. Feast on mouth-watering smash burgers while sipping on a pint of golden suds at one of Bronx Brewery&#39;s&nbsp;locations. Their taproom is centered around inclusivity and beer&#39;s power to build community.

This heavenly place&nbsp;has two locations in Brooklyn and offers a variety of hot chocolate and coffee beverages made from ethically sourced Belgian chocolate and Valrhona cocoa, alongside decadent chocolate deserts. If you&#39;re 21 and above and feeling it, you can get your cup of chocolatey goodness with a shot of booze.

<h2>Get lost in creativity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art</h2>

Cold weather doesn't have to stop you from enjoying NYC to the fullest. There are plenty of things to do in warm and cozy interiors.

Cold Weather Activities in NYC | The New York Pass®

Several fabulous ways to spend your day at NYC Pride 

New Yorkers know how to throw a party, and the NYC Pride parade and associated PrideFest street fair are no exception.

Things to do in New York for Pride Day

NYC Pride is the largest festival of its kind in North America, pulling in somewhere in the region of two million people for the main event every year. Visitors can expect month-long roster of performances and events that include queer theater, comedy shows, drag extravaganzas and LGBTQ+ movie screenings. Read on for our guide to the parade, Pridefest and all the other fun things to do on and around NYC Pride Day&hellip;

There&rsquo;s a whole host of satellite events taking place in the run-up to Pride Day proper, many of which are worthy of your attention if you happen to be in town for the duration. These include:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">A program of talks. workshops and activities (suitable for all ages) at the <a href="https://cmom.org/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Children&rsquo;s Museum of Manhattan</a>.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The annual Pride concert from Stonewall Chorale, the country&rsquo;s fist gay and lesbian choir.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc"><a href="https://newfest.org/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">NewFest</a>&rsquo;s LGBTQ+ film premieres, plus filmmaker Q&amp;As and fun social gatherings.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The <a href="https://www.nationalqueertheater.org/criminal-queerness-festival" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Criminal Queerness Festival</a>, which showcases theatrical works from queer and trans artists in countries that criminalize or otherwise suppress LGBTQ+ communities.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">New York City Dyke March requires little explanation, other than to say it&#39;s a protest (i.e.not an officially recognized parade) raising awareness around women&rsquo;s and trans rights, and that it takes place peacefully (with puppetry, homemade banners and love) the day before the official Pride March.</li>
</ul>

NYC Pride Events

The main date for your diary is the last Sunday of June. This is when the NYC Pride March snakes its way through Lower Manhattan and Greenwich Village, bringing flamboyant floats, eye-popping costumes and plenty of singing and dancing in its wake. Love is in the air as this celebration of inclusivity and LGBTQ+ culture gets the Pride party started in earnest from 11AM. Spectators line the sidewalks, eager to shout support and of course snag those all-important Insta shots, as float after increasingly outlandish float passes through en route to the Stonewall National Monument, in a nod to the 1969 NYC riots that kickstarted the whole global LGBTQ+ rights movement. Watch out for appearances by the festival&#39;s grand marshals &ndash; luminaries to have filled this ceremonial role in years past include Billie Jean King, Laverne Cox, Billy Porter and Sir Ian McKellen.

The party continues over at PrideFest, which runs in tandem with the parade, also kicking off at 11AM for a day of fun socializing and great live music. Expect dozens of local vendors, with goodies that run the gamut from international street food to craft cocktails, unique fashions and artisan jewelry. The performers are no slouches either: previous years have seen the likes of Ariana Grande, Grace Jones and even Madonna set the stage on fire (no, not literally).

If this all sounds a little hectic that&rsquo;s because, well, it is. But fear not: there&rsquo;s something for families too. Hit up YouthFest at the scenic South Street Seaport, where kids can make new friends, express themselves and enjoy games, food and live music in a safe, inclusive environment that celebrates their individuality.

NYC Pride March and PrideFest

As we said, New York doesn&rsquo;t do things by halves, and Pride month is no exception. The famous Pride rainbow flag is flown at state parks and buildings across New York and a whole host of major NYC attractions are illuminated in the spectrum of colors. That&rsquo;s right, everything from the One World Trade Center to the Empire State Plaza and even the Niagara Falls will experience a splash of the red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple magic at one point or another in the month.

It&rsquo;s a great time to visit New York&rsquo;s many attractions. Explore three centuries of queer culture at the excellent Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, see iconic works by 20th-century photographer and LGBTQ+ trailblazer Alice Austen at the Alice Austen House Museum, and pay your respects the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have lost their lives to AIDS at the moving West 12th Street memorial. The LGBT Center in Greenwich Village is a hub for community activities and events throughout the year, so it&rsquo;s only natural that Pride Day is among its most popular, with table games, live music, photo booths and, yes, karaoke. Don&rsquo;t miss the chance to duck into the second-floor bathroom for a peep at artist Keith Haring&rsquo;s famous &lsquo;Once Upon a Time&rsquo; mural.

Visit New York’s Top LGBTQ+ Attractions

Then, of course, there are the legendary gay bars and drag nights along the Parade route and beyond, among them Cubbyhole, Albatross, the Barracuda Lounge. And can you really say you&rsquo;ve been to NYC Pride if you haven&rsquo;t called in for a cocktail at The Stonewall Inn? Now a National Historic Landmark, this is one of Pride&rsquo;s busiest nightspots, so be prepared to queue. Look out for the sign declaring &lsquo;this is a raided premises&rsquo; at the entrance, in recognition of the events that led to the 1969 riots.

All the most fabulous things to do for NYC Pride, including PrideFest, the Parade, and a trip to the Stonewall Inn.

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