Be it a leisurely stroll, sampling street food, getting awed with the mesmerising view from the Empire State Building or whiling your time at the Times Square. NYC has no dearth of things to do and must-visit places. If you are planning a visit to NYC then keep on reading. In this post we have listed top 10 things to do in New York.
1. Central Park
One of the best places to escape from the urban life. Every season adds a different magic to the park. We were there during winter and the park looked straight out of a winter wonderland. Kids shushing down the icy slopes in a wide variety of sledge and inflatables, frozen lake and a fresh blanket of snow covered the entire park in January which made the park look very much Instagram-worthy.
2. Love for Art & Museum
NYC boasts of some of the finest art galleries and museums. If you love art and have an inclination towards history then we are sure you will have an amazing time. Ellis Island Immigration Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and the latest addition MoMA showcasing some diverse painting, sculpture, art and displays are some of the museums you simply can’t miss.
Don’t miss out on the Broadway shows. From the Lion King to Mamma Mia, some of the great shows have been played here. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
3. Times Square
The most bustling square of New York — Times Square is along Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 42nd Street to 47th Street. It is one stop destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Featured countless times in films, televisions and live events shows, it is one of the places I always wanted to visit. The vibe at Times square is insane. Any visit to New York City is incomplete without a visit to the Times square.
4. High Line
High Line is one of the hidden gems which is quite popular among locals and often overlooked by tourists. An elevated park which is a great place to slow down and enjoy the views of the bustling city below. The Park is built on a disused rail line and extends from Gansevoort Street to the 34th Street.
5. The View
Both Empire State building and Rockefeller Centre offer a mesmerizing and panoramic view of the City. As the sun sinks, the city is flooded with lights and the Hudson River meandering through the city looks stunning.
6. 9/11 Memorial & WTC
Visit Ground Zero which houses the 9/11 memorial dedicated to 3000 victims of the September 11 attacks. Visit the Underground Museum which houses the remnants of the twin tower and other artefacts from the debris.
7. Admiring Architecture Marvels
There are various places in NYC both old and new to admire. Starting from Grand Central Terminal to Statue of Liberty. Take a ferry ride to Ellis Island to marvel the beauty of the Statue of Liberty or just admire the starry ceiling of the Grand Central Station. Walk down the Brooklyn Bridge and admire the view of the New York City from there. The Brooklyn Bridge Park offers some stunning views of the Bridge with the city as its backdrop.
8. China Town
The moment you visit China town you are transported to one of the bustling streets of China selling all kind of trinkets, candies, food, souvenirs, and snacks. No doubt it’s a veritable treasure trove and definitely an ordered chaos in action that you don’t want to miss in case you want a change in scene.
9. Binge on Food
It is also a gastronomical delight, from Ethiopian to Cuban cuisine, from Indian to Chinese, the city of New York has every possible cuisine from all over the world. From Micheline star restaurants to street food, the place is a foodies delight. If you are big on street food, then do visit The Halal Guys on 6th and 53rd, but be ready to wait in the queue for at least an hour.
10. Getting Lost Aimlessly
The best thing you can do is getting lost aimlessly amidst the skyscrapers and be the part of the madness of the city that never sleeps.
We’ ve just scratched the surface, there are a plethora of activities to do and see in NYC.
We hope this post on top 10 things to do in New York was helpful in planning your things to do in NYC.
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Awesome list! I’m yet to visit the USA and obviously yet to see the Central Park. But I’ve already fallen in love with it seeing the location where the movie Vinnaithandi Varuvaya (orig of Ekk Deewana Tha) was shot! The night view of the city is just so awesome!
Central Park during winter looks hella amazing. But I’m not sure winter is the time I want to be in NYC. Great list guys! This will be very helpful whenever we visit USA. Food culture is definitely something I’d look forward to in NYC.
NYC is one of my favorite cities in the world! It’s so vibrant and energetic. The 9/11 Memorial wasn’t up when I visited last but I definitely will go see it next time I’m in town!
This is a great points of interest list for NYC, did you book the cheap Virgin Flight out there after looking back through your memories? I have never heard of the High Line park, I will check it out next time I’m lucky enough to visit NYC. You guys took some cool pictures of the points of interest last time round!
Yes, yes, yes to all of these! I have never been to New York but honestly, if I could go tomorrow, I would! All of these things you’ve listed would make it on to my NYC bucket list. I love getting lost aimlessly in places too! I think sometimes that’s often the best part of travel. Some people stress out when lost in a big city, but it’s quite fun when you can let go.
I have been to NYC and visited the Times Square. I did some shopping and bought a jacket from H&M because it was so cold on that day. I wish that I could have planned my trip to NYC better because I did not have a chance to visit a lot of tourist destinations. I will be better in planning next time. I will remember your article.
These are really great suggestions! I have been to NYC and visited the Times Square. I did some shopping and bought a jacket from H&M because it was so cold on that day. I wish that I could have planned my trip to NYC better because I did not have a chance to visit a lot of tourist destinations. I will be better in planning next time. I will remember your article.
Can totally relate to the checking sky scanner for cheap flights I do that on a daily basis! We visited NYC 5 years ago and I am so desperate to go back!! Thanks for all your recommendations, what an awesome list! Will keep your recommendations in mind for when we make it back.
While I have heard of most of these places, what I like here is the fact that you visited them in the winters. The snow covered Central Park is something that dreams are made of. Getting lost aimlessly is the best thing to do anyway in any place.
New York is fascinating. I got interested in this megacity while watching the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and countless Bollywood movies shot here. I want to feel its vibe and energy.
Went to New York and loved it! The city is really something and its best to be experienced in person. I have done most of what you mentioned. Though I never got a chance to go to Central Park. 🙁 The elevated park sounds cool too… for next time! 🙂
Totally agree with this post. NYC is a fantastic city and would love to go back again. Central Park is awesome during the summer and a great place to get away from the urban sprawl. My highlight has to be the boat trip across to Ellis Island and checking out the Green Lady 😉
I’ve never spent any time in the US, but I would like to visit New York in the winter. The snow looks awesome! I love your night time views of the city. 🙂
Truly wonderful places to see.
Can you believe it, I still havent visited New york, yet….. i will get round to it, and the things you have listed are perfect for me. Thanks for sharing as now im off to check flights.
First of all congratulation of leaving your job ! Looks like you had great time in New York! Ive been there few times and I loved it every time! The only thing I always miss is High Line ! I definitely need to see it next time I go !
NYC is such a fun place to visit! I’ve got a lot of friends there so my experience is quite different. But I LOVE to visit in the fall. Such a lovely time of year there!
I love New York. I’ve been to other big U.S cities too but, nothing compares. you could spend weeks in New York and never get bored.
I had a 12 hour layover in NYC a few years ago, and I really need to go back there, and for longer! I loved Time Square, and had dinner in China Town but I missed out on so many things like Central Park, The Empire State Building, and almost everything else on your list! Thank you for taking me with you on your walk down memory lane.
“I wanna be a part of it! New York, New York!” Oh yes, what’s not to love at one of bastions of the USA! Would love to visit the 9/11 Memorial if we have the chance to visit there. The Freedom Tower looks really great!
I spent a huge majority of my life in New York City. Your post just brought back so many memories, thanks for sharing!
Love this! I’ve only been to NYC once, but it was a while ago and I was with my really artsy-fartsy grandma, so we spent an entire DAY at the MET! I love a good museum, but not when I’m in uncomfortable shoes and then have to walk back to our hotel. I wish I could have spent more time getting wonderfully lost. NYC really is amazing!
This is awesome. New York is my favorite city on the East coast. It has so much to do and very vibrant. My favorite is Central Park. I love the running through it and watching the people.
Central Park covered in snow looks amazing!
I’ve never been to New York but it really looks like a place I should visit. Not in winter, though. Would love to watch a Broadway show and visit the Central Park, of course.