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New York, United States

Destination Guide

New York

United States

Best things to do in New York

60 curated attractions in New York, United States. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

April - June, September - November

Average temp

13°C/55°F

Budget

Expensive

Safety

Generally safe

About New York

New York City, a sprawling metropolis with a density and energy that can be overwhelming, is defined by its towering skyline and cultural landmarks. The grid of streets teems with people from all over the world, and the financial district has buildings that touch the clouds, while Central Park offers a necessary breather amidst the urban chaos. Key attractions like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty draw millions, but the real heart of the city beats in neighborhoods like Chelsea and Brooklyn, where art and food flourish. Despite its size, many of the city's highlights are surprisingly close together, which is fortunate since navigating by foot is often the quickest option amidst the traffic. People come to immerse themselves in a cultural scene, with museums, theaters, and diverse cuisines available at nearly every turn.

Who it's for

Great for anyone who enjoys urban exploration, food, and arts. Those who prefer quiet, small-town atmospheres or dislike crowds may find it less appealing. If you are not ready to walk, you'll quickly find your feet have other plans.

Getting around

Public transport: Very Good

  • Manhattan can be walked end to end in about two hours, but you will likely need more time for all the distractions
  • The subway is efficient, though it can be a bit of a labyrinth to navigate for newcomers
  • Taxis and rideshares are available but may be slow due to traffic
  • Airports are not in Manhattan, so factor in extra time to reach your destination
Fort Wadsworth

Fort Wadsworth

Historical Attractions
Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery

Cemeteries & tombs
Chinatown & Little Italy Walking Streets

Chinatown & Little Italy Walking Streets

Streets & neighbourhoods
Lower East Side

Lower East Side

Streets & neighbourhoods
Tenement Museum

Tenement Museum

History museums
The Vessel

The Vessel

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Staten Island Ferry

Staten Island Ferry

Scenic trains, cable cars & ferries
Nolita, Manhattan

Nolita, Manhattan

Streets & neighbourhoods
Central Park

Central Park

City parks
DUMBO, Brooklyn

DUMBO, Brooklyn

Streets & neighbourhoods
Little Island

Little Island

City parks
Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon Park

Natural Wonders
Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

Bridges
9/11 Memorial & Museum

9/11 Memorial & Museum

History museums
Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

Theatres & opera houses
The Met

The Met

Art museums & galleries
The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters

Art museums & galleries
Roosevelt Island Tramway

Roosevelt Island Tramway

Observation decks & city views
The Merchant's House Museum

The Merchant's House Museum

Cultural
Gantry Plaza State Park

Gantry Plaza State Park

Urban Attractions
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park

City parks
Bow Bridge

Bow Bridge

Urban Attractions
St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals
Central Park Stroll

Central Park Stroll

City parks
Times Square

Times Square

Squares & plazas
Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
The Cloisters

The Cloisters

City parks
Empire State Building

Empire State Building

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden

Entertainment
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Observation decks & city views
One World Observatory

One World Observatory

Observation decks & city views
5th Avenue Shopping

5th Avenue Shopping

Shopping streets & districts
The Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan Library & Museum

Historic libraries & universities
New York Hall of Science

New York Hall of Science

Science & natural history museums
High Line

High Line

City parks
Astoria Park

Astoria Park

Urban Attractions
New York Public Library (Main Branch)

New York Public Library (Main Branch)

Historic libraries & universities
Broadway

Broadway

Entertainment
Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum

Art museums & galleries
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Specialty & quirky museums
Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Monuments & memorials
Governors Island

Governors Island

Forts & citadels
Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall

Entertainment
Broadway Theaters

Broadway Theaters

Theatres & opera houses
Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock

Observation decks & city views
Prospect Park

Prospect Park

City parks
The Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum

Arts and Entertainment Venues
Bushwick Street Art

Bushwick Street Art

Street art districts
Inwood Hill Park

Inwood Hill Park

City parks
Queens Night Market

Queens Night Market

Street food & night markets
Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in the Bronx)

Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in the Bronx)

Streets & neighbourhoods
The Edge

The Edge

Observation decks & city views
Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Botanical gardens
Coney Island

Coney Island

Theme parks
Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Harlem’s Apollo Theater

Theatres & opera houses
Riverside Church

Riverside Church

Religious Sites
Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Urban Attractions
Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park

Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park

City parks
Museum of the Moving Image

Museum of the Moving Image

Science and Technology Exhibits

Where to eat in New York

The places worth planning a meal around.

Katz's Delicatessen

Katz's Delicatessen

Jewish Deli · $$

★ 4.5 · 55,384 reviews

Joe's Pizza

Joe's Pizza

Pizza · $

★ 4.4 · 26,975 reviews

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

$$

★ 4.3 · 25,907 reviews

Ellen's Stardust Diner

Ellen's Stardust Diner

American

★ 4.4 · 24,879 reviews

Peter Luger Steak House

Peter Luger Steak House

Steakhouse · $$$$

★ 4.4 · 16,162 reviews

Time Out Market New York

Time Out Market New York

$$

★ 4.5 · 8,552 reviews

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