The New York skyline is far too iconic to be seen from only one angle! The spectacular vista is best experienced from a bit of a distance, so you can fully appreciate the sheer scale of the city. 

A number of boat cruises allow you to do just that; taking you away from the hustle and bustle of the city to give you a spectacular panoramic view of the metropolis. Add to the experience with an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch as you float past the Statue of Liberty, or a delicious three course gourmet dinner while the city glitters under the night sky; truly a special thing to do in New York. 

For more active adventurers, Hudson River Park in Brooklyn offers paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing, while jet skis can be rented from the opposite side of the city, along the New Jersey side of the Hudson. 

Alternatively, if you want to soar above the highest skyscrapers, why not take to the skies on an awe-inspiring helicopter flight for a bird’s eye view of the city’s most famous landmarks? 

You could also view the iconic skyline from one of the city’s viewing platforms; Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Centre is one of the most well-known, offering expansive 360-degree views across the rooftops of the city.

The stretch of Fifth Avenue alongside Central Park, also known as Museum Mile, is home to the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), and the Guggenheim, both of which featuring some of the city’s most impressive collections of art, history and culture. This section of Fifth Avenue also houses other New York institutions such as the Jewish Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and El Museo del Barrio. 

On the other side of Central Park you'll find the Natural History Museum, a great thing to do in New York for all ages, or for a slightly less well-known option, head to the Cloisters, a subsidiary of the Met in a stunning building reminiscent of a medieval castle. 

Head downtown to the Lower East Side and visit the Tenement Museum, a non-profit institution that takes you through the historically recreated homes of New York’s early immigrants, migrants and refugees. Nearby in the Financial District, pay a visit to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a sombre exhibition that remembers and honours the horrific attacks on 11 September 2001. 

For more unique options, or for families, perhaps try the Museum of Food & Drink, The Houdini Museum, The New York City Fire Museum, or the New York Transit Museum. 

The best value option for entry into many of New York’s top museums, plus hundreds more attractions, is to purchase the CityPass, allowing you to book ahead and save big on entry prices.

New York is a food lover’s paradise, and every cuisine at every price point is available in the city. Indulge in a three-course meal at one of the city’s 71 Michelin starred restaurants, or savour a classic New York hotdog from a street vendor. Sample some of Brooklyn’s trendiest restaurants, eat pizza by the slice in Greenwich Village, or food crawl your way around Chelsea Market, tasting a variety of flavours.

Discover an enormous variety of cuisine at one of New York's food festivals, such as Smorgasburg, a weekend market in Brooklyn which runs from April to November, with over 100 vendors offering delicious options from every corner of the globe. 

The Lower East Side is particularly well-known for its selection of restaurants and bars, and the area includes Chinatown and Little Italy. Opt for a walking tour where you can discover the history of the area while sampling a selection of delicacies along the way. While in the Lower East Side, be sure to check out New York institution Katz Delicatessen (the city’s oldest deli), famous for their enormous (and delicious!) pastrami sandwiches and kosher-style cuisine, served in theatrically lively surroundings. 

You also can’t leave New York without trying one of the city’s iconic bagels; some of the best loved bagel places in the city include Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side, Murray’s Bagels in Greenwich Village, and Tompkins Square Bagels in the East Village.

At 693 acres, Central Park is almost six times the size of Monaco – and a visit to this iconic green space is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in New York. 

With 58 miles of pathways, only a tiny fraction of the park can be covered in a day on foot, so what better way to see Central Park than on a cycling tour. Sights such as the John Lennon Memorial, Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle and Shakespeare Garden are easily accessible by bicycle, and a cycling tour is the perfect way to experience the best Central Park has to offer with a knowledgeable local guide. For lower effort options, some companies even offer the option of an e-bike!

New York City has been the backdrop to a plethora of movies and TV shows, and recognisable locations can be found all over the city. Central Park, Grand Central Station and the Brooklyn Bridge are amongst the most filmed locations in the city, but there’s so much more to be seen; from the Ghostbusters fire station and the Friends apartment building, to the Plaza Hotel from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. 

To keep you nourished while you discover your film favourites, stop off at Katz Delicatessen (as mentioned in the food section above), made famous by the film When Harry Met Sally, and eat your pastrami sandwich under a sign that reads: ‘hope you had what she had!’. Alternatively, head to Tiffany & Co’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue, where the Blue Box Café means you really can have Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

To visit as many filming locations as possible, consider a tour of New York’s most famous movie and TV locations, where a knowledgeable guide gives an insight into some of the industry’s best kept secrets. For film buffs this really is one of the best things to do in New York.

No visit to the USA would be complete without catching a sporting match, and with two professional teams for each of the four main sports in the US, you’re not short of sporting options on a visit to New York City! 

Get to grips with American Football with the Giants or the Jets, get pumped up at a fast-paced basketball game with the Knicks or the Nets, or get rowdy at a hockey game supporting the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. And if you want to really immerse yourself in US sporting culture, head to the world-famous Yankee Stadium for an afternoon of America’s favourite pastime: baseball. 

For any major sports fans, catching a game is certainly one of the best things to do in New York.

An hour’s subway ride from Times Square will bring you to Coney Island in Brooklyn, a legendary amusement district fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Coney Island’s three miles of sandy beaches are lined with numerous family-friendly attractions, most notably Luna Park, a thrilling theme park featuring the Cyclone, the country’s oldest wooden rollercoaster. You can easily fill a day here going on the rides, lazing on the beach and visiting the aquarium. Top it all off with a hotdog from Nathan’s Famous, followed by an ice cream from Coney Island Cones. 

If Coney Island is a bit too hectic for your liking, consider Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens, South Beach on Staten Island, or Long Beach on Long Island for calmer beach alternatives. New York City isn’t known for being a beach destination, but there are some great options not too far from the centre of Manhattan if you’ve got a spare afternoon on a hot day.

The fantastic performances put on by some of the world’s most talented singers, dancers and actors is one of the best things to do in New York and is an experience not to be missed when visiting the city. 

With 41 professional theatres in the city, you’re bound to find a show that suits you. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they are all incredibly popular, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! Current performances at the time of writing (August 2024) include: Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Six and Cabaret.

Off Broadway shows (performed in theatres with a smaller seating capacity than Broadway shows) and the Metropolitan Opera also offer great entertainment. In the summer months, you can also head to Central Park for Shakespeare in the Park, a series of free, open-air theatre productions running from May to August.

New York is a popular destination year-round, and no matter what time of the year you visit, there will be countless festivals and annual events taking place across the city. Make your visit more unique by experiencing something specific to the time of year you’re visiting. 

Take a look at my Best Time to Visit New York blog post for more inspiration, but a couple of honorary mentions go to: the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in the spring; outdoor movie nights in Bryant Park in the summer; the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in the autumn; and ice skating under the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre in the winter.

After all that time exploring, walking, eating and sightseeing your way around New York, you’ve definitely earned some relaxation time, and there are some fantastic, chilled out spots across the city. 

The High Line is a public park built on a historic, elevated rail line on Manhattan’s west side, and its peaceful atmosphere feels a world away from the busy streets below. Spend some time walking through the tranquil gardens, admiring the art and taking in the skylines of Chelsea. 

The New York Public Library is a stunning building and the perfect place to while away a few quiet hours. Browse the shelves for historic books or join one of their free author talks or exhibitions. 

When it comes to relaxing in New York, there’s no better place than Central Park. Stroll the perimeter of the lake, chill on a bench with a good book, watch musical performances in Strawberry Fields, or even pack a picnic and relax on the grass. 

Finally, if you’re looking to splurge, a visit to the AIRE Ancient Baths in Tribeca is a must. This is an incredible spa experience located in a historical building (originally an 1883 textile factory) offering a range of indulgent treatments. The perfect antidote to a busy holiday!

For more inspiration, take a look at our New York Holidays pages.