Things to do in New York City Eat, shop, and fall in love with world-class museums, historical landmarks, and skyscrapers galore. Enter your dates to find available activities Check availability Entry tickets Water activities Guided tours Transfers Food & Drinks City cards Nature & Adventure Top activities explore all ENTRY TICKET NYC: Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket Valid: 1 day 4.4 (298 reviews) From € 41.96 per person WATER ACTIVITY 60-Minute Cruise Around the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Duration: 1 hour 4.2 (1,437 reviews) From € 31.17 From € 26.49 per person WATER ACTIVITY New York: 90-Minute Landmarks Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office Skip the line Duration: 1.5 hours 4.6 (418 reviews) From € 32.69 per person Get free cancellation up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund. Top sights in New York City 1. Statue of Liberty 62 activities 2. Empire State Building 18 activities 3. One World Trade Center 24 activities 4. 9/11 Museum 23 activities Festive holiday experiences Explore all GUIDED TOUR From Manhattan: 4-Hour Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour Duration: 4 hours 4.5 (31 reviews) From € 49.47 per person WATER ACTIVITY New York City: New Year's Eve Party Cruise 2022 Skip the line Duration: 3 hours New activity From € 175.80 per person ENTRY TICKET NYC: Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes Duration: 1.5 hours 5.0 (11 reviews) From € 79.50 per person PRIVATE TOUR New York: Tour the Christmas Lights on a Horse Carriage Ride Small group Skip the line Duration: 40 minutes New activity From € 212.01 per group up to 4 NYC from above Explore all GUIDED TOUR New York City: Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour Small group Duration options: 15 - 30 minutes 4.8 (1,076 reviews) From € 171.38 per person GUIDED TOUR New York City: Doors-Off Helicopter Experience Small group Duration: 16 minutes Optional audio guide New activity From € 220 per person PRIVATE TOUR New York City: Private Helicopter Tour for Couples Small group Pickup available Duration options: 30 - 45 minutes 4.9 (83 reviews) From € 644.88 per group up to 2 GUIDED TOUR From New Jersey: NYC City Lights Helicopter Tour at Night Duration: 25 minutes 4.9 (43 reviews) From € 215.55 per person Ten Things You Must See in NYC You know it from your favorite Woody Allen film or Sex and the City episode. Whether you dream of combing East Village bookshops or sipping martinis in the Meatpacking District, there's something here for you. Skim our highlights and you will fall in love in a New York minute. 1. Manhattan Skyline The iconic view of Manhattan's Skyline! Head to the Top of the Rock or the Waterfront Promenade in Williamsburg to see the Empire State Building as it gleams above city spires like a crown jewel. 2. Empire State Building The view of Manhattan from the observation deck is astounding. Book Empire State Building tickets ahead of time to skip the line. 3. Battery Park Battery Park is a cool green space at the tip of Manhattan along the Hudson River. Grab a picnic and catch the sunset while you marvel at the fact that this great big city is an island. 4. Top of the Rock Rockefeller Center is an Art Deco skyscraper, and the view at the Top of the Rock is like no other. Photo op: catching the skyline here means the Empire State building is included in the view. 5. Statue of Liberty An icon of freedom, the Statue of Liberty is a must see. Special exhibits or a climb to the top of the crown (booked in advance!) will make you feel like a part of NYC’s special history. 6. Ellis Island The melting pot that is NYC: more than 12 million immigrants arrived here in search of the American Dream. View original manifests and get inspired by the history of Ellis Island. 7. Central Park That sprawling green oasis in the middle, separating east from west. In the world-famous Central park you’ll find zoos, strawberry fields, bike paths, a great lawn, and much more. 8. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) In this unparalleled museum of modern art, you get to see some of the greats up close and personal. Van Gogh, Picasso, Pollock, Warhol... the list goes on. 9. New York Harbor One of the largest natural harbors in the world, the waterway is another great place from which to enjoy the view. Book a boat tour, sit back, and enjoy Manhattan’s magical lights. 10. Metropolitan Museum of Art Climb the regal front steps into a world of wonder and inspiration. From ancient to modern art, the Met is an art history paradise. The roof offers breathtaking Central Park views. Frequently asked questions about New York City What top attractions are a must-see in New York City? The must-see attractions in New York City are: Statue of Liberty Museum of Ice Cream NYC One World Trade Center Museum of Modern Art, Midtown Manhattan American Museum of Natural History See all must-see sights in New York City What are the top things to do in New York City this week? The top things to do in New York City are: NYC: Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets New York One World Observatory: Skip-the-Line Ticket Options New York: Pier 36 Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Cruise NYC: Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: Ticket Options with Ferry Explore the best things to do in New York City on GetYourGuide Which tours in New York City are taking additional COVID-19 precautions? These experiences in New York City are taking additional COVID-19 precautions: NYC: Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets New York One World Observatory: Skip-the-Line Ticket Options New York: Pier 36 Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Cruise NYC: Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: Ticket Options with Ferry See all New York City tours on GetYourGuide Planning Your Visit How many days to spend in New York? Spend at least five days in order to see New York like a local. Manhattan is the ultimate walking city, densely packed and not very long or wide. You won't have to go very far and you'll find Broadway plays to see, districts and restaurants to explore, drinks to be had, bookstores and botanical gardens to browse. And don’t miss a walk on the Highline or the Brooklyn Bridge! Where to shop? From Bergdorf Goodman to local Soho boutiques, there’s something for everyone. Our tip? Be sure to check out the Brooklyn Flea: tons of local designers will give you a unique take-home souvenir. Where to eat? Interested in finding the best eats in New York? Here are our favorites. Pizza: Check out Roberta’s, a legendary Brooklyn institution. Classic bagels and lox: Head to Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side. Authentic diner experience: Empire Diner and Tom’s Restaurant are two of the best. Fun brunch spot: Try Prune in the East Village, or Marlow & Sons or Cafe Colette (both in Williamsburg). Good to know Language English Currency USD ($) Time Zone UTC (-05:00) Country Code +1 Best time to visit There's truly no best or worst time to visit New York, because this city is alive 24/7/365. That being said, those on a budget should look to plan a trip between January and April, when prices will be (at least a little) cheaper. Also, summer travelers should plan 6 months ahead. Insider tips: Planning a trip to New York City Looking to take a bite out of the Big Apple? We've enlisted the help of New York City expert, Steffen, from Loving New York to help you make the most of your next trip. Read our tips below for your next visit to New York City. What should I do on my first trip to New York City? If it's your first time in New York, you should definitely visit one of the big observation platforms! You have several to choose from, but I recommend the Edge observation deck at the Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory. Also, take a boat tour to see New York from the water. What are some hidden gems to see in New York City? I'll tell you two of my favorite spots in New York: the Grand Banks at Pier 25 on the Hudson River and Domino Park in Williamsburg. Both places grant you sensational views of the city. How much time should I spend in New York City? To explore New York – and not feel stressed out – you want to stay at least 5 to 7 days. That way, you can visit the most important spots and still have time to let the city work its magic on you – but without the time pressure What food is New York City known for? I'm a total foodie – so New York is obviously paradise to me! Start with the typical Cream Cheese Bagels (for example at Russ & Daughters in the Lower East Side), try the Pastrami Sandwiches (at Katz' Delicatessen or the Pastrami Queen), and eat a typical New York Pizza Slice. And if you have a sweet tooth: Juniors has the best cheesecake in the city, hands down! What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit New York City? First-time visitors should always book their hotel in Manhattan – this way the distances are short and you can easily reach all the sights on foot. I like Soho, Tribeca, Lower Manhattan, and Murray Hill in particular. What is the best way to get around New York City? In New York, the best way to get around is on foot – or you can jump on a 'Citi Bike', which is super cheap to rent. We also like to use the NYC Ferries, which can shuttle you between Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens on the East River for the price of a one-way subway ride. What are the best months to visit New York City? It's worth visiting New York at any time of the year. But if I had to settle on individual months, I recommend May/June and September/October. What are the best neighborhoods for food? There are so many different gastro spots in Williamsburg, the East Village, and West Village. What are the best neighborhoods for shopping? New York and shopping simply go hand in hand, Great areas are SoHo, 5th Avenue, and the lower part of Broadway. Be sure to avoid the Times Square area for shopping at all costs – most stores are overpriced and true tourist traps! What is the best family-friendly thing to do in New York City? Exploring New York with the family is huge fun - I myself have been to our favorite city with my kids numerous times. Among my personal highlights is a trip to the Statue of Liberty, the visit to the One World Observatory, and Central Park with its lakes and playgrounds. Also really exciting is the Museum of Natural History, which will be familiar to many from the movie "Night at the Museum". What is the best thing to do in New York City for solo travelers? Make sure to take a sailing tour on the Hudson River. Many tours, one with on-board wine tasting, for example, start at Pier 62. This is a really relaxed way to travel and a fun way to meet new people. What is the best thing to do in New York City for couples? New York can also be quite romantic. A visit to the Empire State Building in the evening from 10 pm (from Thursday to Saturday) is a real highlight, not just for couples. During this time, a saxophonist plays on the observation deck. Also very enjoyable are the dinner cruises and a flight in a helicopter over New York. What are the best annual events in New York City? Among the most important events in New York are St. Patrick's Day in March, Gay Pride in June, of course, the 4th of July, and also the Macy's Parade – which is an absolute must-see. Top Attractions in New York City 1 Statue of Liberty 2 Museum of Ice Cream NYC 3 One World Trade Center 4 Museum of Modern Art, Midtown Manhattan 5 American Museum of Natural History 6 Metropolitan Museum of Art 7 Empire State Building 8 Edge 9 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum 10 9/11 Memorial 11 New York Harbor 12 9/11 Museum 13 One World Observatory 14 Statue of Liberty Pedestal 15 Central Park 16 Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 17 Madame Tussauds New York 18 Ellis Island 19 Manhattan 20 Top of the Rock Observation Deck Things to Do in New York City 1 New York City Cruises & Boat Tours 2 New York City Air & Helicopter Tours 3 New York City Tours 4 New York City Museum Tickets 5 New York City Day Trips 6 New York City Hop-on Hop-off Tours 7 New York City Day Trips From 8 New York City River & Harbor Cruises 9 New York City City Cards 10 New York City Bus & Minivan Tours 11 New York City Summer 12 New York City Tickets 13 New York City Walking Tours 14 New York City Night Tours 15 New York City Family-friendly Activities 16 New York City Sightseeing Tours 17 New York City Audio Guides 18 New York City Christmas Activities 19 New York City Children's Activities 20 New York City Sailing Trips & Tours Cities in United States 1 Boston 2 Chicago 3 San Francisco 4 Las Vegas 5 Miami 6 New York City 7 Charleston 8 New Orleans 9 Savannah 10 San Diego 11 Miami Beach 12 Los Angeles 13 Hilton Head Island 14 Moab 15 Gettysburg 16 Salem 17 Honolulu 18 Washington, DC 19 Niagara Falls, USA 20 Atlantic City Other Sightseeing Options in New York City Want to discover all there is to do in New York City? Click here for a full list. What people are saying about New York City Overall rating 4.5 / 5 based on 58,988 reviews Debi was an amazing tour guide that loves NY and was full of information about the architecture around Rockefeller Center. Also she loves to slip in little side stories especially about Abby Rockefeller ( his wife ) NYC: Rockefeller Center Art & Architecture Guided Tour Reviewed by Debra, 10/29/2021 El guia y la conductora geniales. La atencion excelente. Si tuviera que mejorar algo alargaria la salida de Washington para tener mas tiempo libre (Se deja 1 hora y poco, saliendo 15 30) From NYC: Spanish Language Day Trip to Washington DC Reviewed by Oriol, 10/31/2021 Es espectacular, un lugar demasiado hermoso. Tendrás fotos divertidas, coloridas & hermosas! Vas a disfrutar muchísimo con tus amistades. NYC: Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket Reviewed by Merari, 10/29/2021 Super fun, the upbeat attitude of the employees make the experience even better NYC: Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket Reviewed by Pablo, 10/31/2021 We had a great time, enough time to see everything in a day. Recommend Washington, D.C. Day Trip from New York Reviewed by Riza, 10/29/2021 Top destinations Edinburgh London Rome Paris Dubai Barcelona Amsterdam Liverpool Venice Florence Milan Boston Chicago Split Reykjavik San Francisco Bath Lisbon Las Vegas Miami Popular on GetYourGuide London Zoos & Aquariums Chicago Cruises & Boat Tours London Cruises & Boat Tours Rome City Cards Amsterdam Cruises & Boat Tours Edinburgh Ghost & Vampire Tours Boston Cruises & Boat Tours Boston Duck Tours Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tours Paris City Cards Edinburgh Tours Edinburgh Day Trips Budapest Cruises & Boat Tours Paris Cruises & Boat Tours Liverpool The Beatles Liverpool Hop-on Hop-off Tours Edinburgh Harry Potter Tours Reykjavik Airport Transfers London Family-friendly Activities Dubai Desert Safaris Popular Attractions Colosseum Vatican City Burj Khalifa The London Eye Louvre Museum Eiffel Tower Anfield Tower of London Niagara Falls, Canada Edinburgh Vaults River Thames Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau Sagrada Familia Titanic Belfast Vatican Museums Royal Yacht Britannia Loch Lomond Warner Bros. 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