4-day New York indoor itinerary for solo explorers

The American Museum of Natural History New York is one of the largest in the world, and over five million history, science, nature and space buffs visit every year. You might even recognize it as the star of the movie Night at the Museum.The impressive exhibits include a 94-foot whale model, the 563-carat Star of India sapphire and a giant Sequoia tree almost 2,000 years old. You’ll also find one of the biggest collections of fossils and dinosaur bones in the world.Our pass gives you access to all exhibition halls and one ticketed exhibition of your choice.Paid exhibitions you can choose from are: Invisible WorldsExplore nature’s hidden realms, from ocean depths to DNA strands, in this immersive family-friendly experience. Life at the Limits: Nature’s SuperheroesMeet the amazing species that survive and thrive on planet Earth. A spectacle of colors, textures, behaviors, specialized parts, and exacting skills. Encounters in the Milky Way A time-traveling journey about the cosmic movements that shape our galactic neighborhood, narrated by Pedro Pascal. The Giant-Screen FilmLupita Nyong’o narrates Worlds Beyond Earth, exploring our solar system’s dynamic worlds and Earth’s unique conditions for life. Butterfly VivariumEnjoy 80 species of free-flying butterflies in the year-round Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium. Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs explores the before-and-after story of the cataclysmic asteroid collision that led to the mass extinction of the majority of life on the planet. Discover what happened sixty-six million years ago, and how it paved the way for new species.

Wander through the impressive permanent galleries and become awe-struck by the top-notch collection of gorgeous art. The Guggenheim is home to the works of Cézanne, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, and Renoir. From Impressionist and Post-Impressionist to sculpture and the Avante Garde, this museum is an art lover’s paradise.

Enjoy immersive and fun exhibits showcasing science, technology, math, engineering and history through artifacts from the first space shuttle to the fastest commercial airliner. Find all this and more on display in and around the historic aircraft carrier, Intrepid. Intrepid is a celebrated WWII vessel, famous for having survived five kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike, it later served in the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and as a NASA recovery vessel.Explore the museum’s collection of historical artifacts and exhibitions spanning over 150,000 square feet. Get an up-close look at the space shuttle Enterprise and 28 aircraft, including the world’s fastest military jet. Enter Growler, the only guided missile submarine open to the public. Climb into a real Bell 47 helicopter and land a space shuttle in the Exploreum.

Follow in the footsteps of legends on this 60-minute Madison Square Garden Tour Experience. This legendary venue has hosted unforgettable boxing bouts, concerts and live events, as well as being home to the NBA's New York Knicks and the NHL's New York Rangers.Uncover the secrets that have made The Garden the epicenter of sports and entertainment, gaining access to see exclusive backstage areas, and luxury suites, and the Chase Bridge for a unique view of the arena's concave ceiling.There's something happening all year round so each visit promises exciting surprises and a chance to imagine the crowds roaring from every angle.Whether you're a sports lover, a music enthusiast, or simply someone who thrives on a city's rich history, a trip to Madison Square Garden is a must.

Make your way through fun-themed areas and interact with the characters. You can hop on a flying bike with E.T., warm-up for late-night TV with Jimmy Fallon or compete to win the Hunger Games with Katniss Everdeen. You can even attend an A-list party with the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, and Morgan Freeman, and shake hands with world leaders including Donald Trump and Abraham Lincoln.It’s not just about snapping selfies either, there are plenty of immersive, multi-sensory exhibits where you can get involved. At the Kong: Skull Island experience, you’ll explore a replica jungle, meet an 18-foot animatronic King Kong and come face-to-face with the biggest spider you’ve ever seen.

Step inside the Museum of Broadway and discover the stories behind the shows that have shaped New York’s most famous stage. Throughout the museum, interactive exhibits highlight legendary performers, landmark productions, and the behind-the-scenes creativity that brings Broadway to life. From original costumes and set pieces to rare photographs and memorabilia, the collection offers a closer look at the craft and history of live theatre.The experience begins in 1732, tracing Broadway’s evolution from its earliest performances through to the present day. As you move through the galleries, you’ll see how Broadway has continually reflected – and challenged – social attitudes, pushing creative boundaries and influencing culture far beyond New York City.Themed exhibition spaces focus on different eras, styles, and genres, allowing you to explore iconic shows while also discovering new favourites. Along the way, hands-on displays invite visitors of all ages to get involved – whether that means stepping onto a mock stage, engaging with performance-inspired activities, or immersing yourself in the sound and spectacle of Broadway’s greatest moments.

Located in Times Square, RiseNY’s immersive three-part adventure lets you experience New York City in a whole new way, connecting you to some of the city’s most famous sights and historical moments!Your experience begins inside a replica of the original NYC City Hall Subway Station where you’ll enjoy a screening of Ric Burns and James Sanders’ documentary about the Big Apple’s evolution into a global cultural hub, narrated by Jeff Goldblum.A virtual subway car transports you to RiseNY’s seven galleries, which are themed around finance, film, fashion, music, the New York skyline, TV/radio and Broadway. Museum-quality exhibits showcase the city’s pop culture roots, with highlights including a hand-painted jacket made for Madonna by graffiti artist Keith Haring, the guitar Bruce Springsteen used to write Born To Run, Biggie Smalls’ red tracksuit, a check signed by Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and replica set designs from iconic New York TV shows including The Honeymooners.Your thrilling adventure climaxes in the state-of-the-art flying theater. Take your seat, strap in and get ready for an uplifting experience like no other. You’ll rise into the air before dipping, swooping and soaring across the New York skyline. Enjoy the best seats in the house for the Times Square New Year Ball Drop, soar over Central Park and see Brooklyn Bridge and the Yankee Stadium from dizzying heights. Amazing 8K aerial footage, realistic flight movement and wind and mist effects might even convince you that you’re experiencing the real thing!

Navigate Manhattan with ease with a Big Bus tour, where you can hop on and off at all the city's top attractions, and enjoy commentary along the way.Explore Downtown with ease on the Classic Tour, with the chance to see Times Square, 5th Avenue, Broadway, and Wall Street. Jump off in Little Italy for your foodie fix, or stop off at the Brooklyn Bridge for a selfie.You can also head to Uptown, where you can hop off and enjoy the tranquility of Central Park or pop into the world-famous MoMa for your cultural fix.With convenient stops across the city, this tour is a hassle-free way to navigate New York while taking in all the must-see sights. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, it’s the perfect way to experience the Big Apple.Popular stops Times SquareBrooklyn BridgeThe Statue of Liberty and Battery ParkCentral ParkChinatownGrand Central StationW 42nd Street and BroadwayEmpire State Building: 5th Avenue and 32nd StreetBrooklyn Bridge / City Hall: Park Row & BeekmanBattery Park: State Street between Battery Place and Bridge Street7th Avenue and W 48th StreetW 42nd Street and 8th AvenueGet the Big Bus Hop on Hop off Route Map.The tours run year-round and are perfect for visitors who want to maximize their time exploring the city. Instead of navigating the city on your own, the Big Bus New York's Hop-on Hop-off bus tours allow you to relax while you sightsee.Two Bus Routes Uptown Loop – explore the Upper East Side, home to some of New York's most popular museums. Get lost in history and the arts by exploring the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The loop also takes you through Midtown, passing by the Grand Central Terminal and the famous Chrysler Building.   Downtown Loop – take in the lower part of Manhattan while passing through the Flatiron District as well as Union Square, Greenwich Village and Chinatown before the bus tour heads back toward Times Square along the Hudson River, stopping at Pier 84, where you can hop off to take the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Both the Uptown and Downtown routes last approximately 90 minutes when done in full.

The Museum of Modern Art — or 'MoMA' as it's known by locals — is the most influential modern art museum in the world. It houses one of the best collections of contemporary masterpieces and is an inspiring place to spend an afternoon or an entire day.The gorgeous building is worth a visit alone — it's filled with light and boasts cutting-edge architecture. Use your pass for admission and enjoy modern art masterpieces like Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies,” and Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans.”And, when it comes to the classics, you've got pieces from Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, and many more.After you've explored the interiors, head to the outdoor garden to relax among the plants and sculptures. In addition to its premier permanent collection, the Museum of Modern Art regularly showcases a range of special multimedia exhibitions too, so check the schedule before you plan your visit.

At this multi-sensory museum, you'll experience a day in the life of a spy and discover what kind of undercover role you'd be perfect for – agent, analyst, handler, hacker, and everything in between.Learn all of the essential spy skills and take part in special ops missions to measure your agility. Crack impossible codes, take a crash course in how to spot a liar, and duck and twist through a room full of laser beams. As well as measuring your own secret agent skills, you'll get the chance to see authentic spy artifacts and real intelligence organization devices.Learn all about some of the most notorious criminals in the world and hear plenty of espionage stories – there's the one-legged spy who fled the Nazis over the Pyrenees, the teenager who hacked the CIA, and more.

You’ll head up to the 86th floor, 1,050 feet above the ground, to get a 360-degree view of the city that never sleeps. Whether you’re visiting day or night, this is a must-do for visitors to NYC. The outdoor deck's heaters will keep you toasty all year round, so you can enjoy views of the iconic NYC skyline whatever the weather.Located in the heart of Midtown and built during The Great Depression, the Empire State Building serves as a symbol of hope, perseverance, and prosperity, and it’s one of the most well-known landmarks in the world.You’ll start your self-guided Empire State Building tour in the newly-restored Observatory entrance, before you head through the interactive museum on your way to the observatory. 12 galleries will take you through the history of the legendary building and you can even snap a selfie with King Kong. You'll also visit the revamped 80th floor, which features exciting, artistic exhibits and labelled views so you know where to spot what when you head upstairs.Once you’ve learned all about the Empire State Building's unique history, make your way up to the 86th-floor observation deck for that amazing view.Don’t forget to download the official Empire State Building self-guided multimedia tour to get the details of what you’re seeing from every vantage point.