Fun Things to Do in New York - The Ultimate Tourist Guide for Your Trip

By Casey Makovich
Published: May 16, 2024

Greatest city in the world? You decide. From a skyline populated with more skyscrapers than we can count to the expansive green that is Central Park, there’s one thing that can’t be argued: New York City has something for everybody. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or just going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need to plan the perfect trip and make sure you see it all (and then some).

What are some popular attractions to visit?

These are just a few. Want more fun ideas for things to do in New York? Head over here for more New York attractions to see during your trip.

How long are you visiting?

Whether you're visiting New York City for 24-hours or a whole week, we've put together sample itineraries that include a ton of the most popular things to do in the city. From top-rated tours to iconic landmarks, these itineraries give you the best New York City experience based on the time you have.

Who are you visiting with?

No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of things to do in New York City for everyone. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities tailored to every type of traveler, from young kids to couples and even nerds.

What type of activities interest you?

Whether you're envisioning yourself checking off all of the city's top museums or you just really want to be part of a live audience, our New York City local experts put together a few 'best of' lists to help you streamline your itinerary.

What parts of New York City are you visiting?

We highlighted a handful of the top attractions and places to see by neighborhood so you can maximize your time in each location.

When are you visiting?

New York City offers a different experience with each season, weather, and holiday. Check out our lists of things to do in New York City throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based events.

What's the best way to get around?

NYC is easy to navigate and there are lots of options for transportation, including public transportation, taxis, and shared ride services. Hop-on, hop-off tours: A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour, like Big Bus New York, is a great way to get acquainted with the city and visit popular attractions. Tours follow a specific route and time schedule, so plan accordingly if you have timed tickets or reservations. Public transportation: the MTA subway and bus system is the most popular way to get around the city. You can purchase a reusable MetroCard from vending machines at most subway stations. The subway is often faster than relying on cabs due to traffic. Tip: get the free moovit app for point-to-point trip planning and real-time updates for both subway and bus routes. Taxis: taxis are available and easy to hail down. Looking for more info? Check out our post on getting around New York for tourists.

Where should you stay?

There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do.

  • The Gotham Hotel
  • Langham Place, New York, Fifth Avenue
  • The Plaza Hotel
  • Hilton Garden Inn New York-Times Square Central
  • Hudson New York, Central Park

Where should you shop?

In between sightseeing, try and find some time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some of the best shopping in New York.

  • Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
  • Bloomingdales
  • Macy's Herald Square
  • SoHo
  • Upper East Side

Make sure to check out all of the extra discounts and savings available on the New York City Explorer Pass.

Where to Eat?

Go on a tour of New York City’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in New York City. We’ve included top picks for every appetite and even made note of nearby attractions so you can sightsee while you taste your way through New York City’s culinary destinations. No judgment.

Fun Info from a Local

  • Despite what you may hear, literally, honking is illegal in NYC.
  • Approximately 1 out of every 21 New Yorkers is a millionaire.
  • New York City is the most linguistically diverse city in the world. Almost half of its residents speak a language other than English at home.
  • The MTA subway system consists of 722 miles of track.
  • New York City was the original capital of the United States.

Share your adventure with us!

Tag us when you upload photos from your trip to Instagram: @GoCity or #GoCityCard.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Ultimate New York Bucket List

There are more exciting, amazing adventures to have in NYC than you could tackle in a single vacation. From inspiring cultural attractions to outdoorsy activities, even New York locals have a hard time deciding what to do on a given weekend. Prioritizing what to see and do in New York City is possible, however, with the help of this ultimate New York bucket list. Check off a few at a time to get to know one of the most diverse cities in the world. New York Bucket List 1-10 Compare the views. Visit both the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock to make the final determination for yourself on which is better. Enjoy real NYC pizza. Avoid the stuff in Times Square and head into Little Italy for an authentic slice. Snap a photo of Lady Liberty. There are many ways to see the Statue of Liberty, from a cruise to a visit to Liberty Island itself. Climbing up to the crown is worth it, too. Honor the fallen at the 9/11 Memorial. This sobering attraction is an important place for all Americans to visit at some point with its enduring influence on modern culture. Attend a taping of Saturday Night Live. It can be tricky to manage, but we’ve got a few tips on how to get Saturday Night Live tickets. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a rite of passage. You could also bike across, or make it part of a larger tour including DUMBO. Visit The Strand. This legendary bookstore features 18 miles of new, used, and collectible volumes. It’s an experience just to roam the stacks. Marvel at the vastness of the universe. The Rose Center for Earth & Space, at the American Museum of Natural History, is the premier place on the East Coast for space reflections. See the original soup cans. Andy Warhol’s iconic soup cans can be found at the MoMA, which is also home to some famous paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, and hundreds more. Explore an Ancient Egyptian Temple. The Met houses the reconstructed Temple of Dendur, which was originally built around 15 BCE. New York Bucket List 11-20 Look up in Grand Central Terminal. This historic train terminal is renowned for its unique artwork—especially the “celestial ceiling” in the Main Concourse. Tour a WWII-era aircraft carrier. The USS Intrepid, once host to more than 50,000 men who served during various campaigns, is today part of the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. Take in a show or game at MSG. Madison Square Garden is among the most iconic performance venues in the entire world. See the Knicks, a concert, or any of other popular events they host each year. Peek at the windows in NYC’s Fashion District. Enjoy some active window-shopping (or pull out that plastic) while you stroll 5th Ave. to explore the city’s legendary fashion culture. Visit the New York Public Library. The reading rooms at the NYPL feel like something out of a Harry Potter movie. Ice skate at the Rockefeller Ice Rink. Featured in several movies, this is also a romantic thing to do in NYC. You could also take a tour of the Rockefeller Center for the full experience. Count the sculptures in Central Park. While tallying them all is impractical on one trip, a tour of Central Park will highlight things like Cleopatra’s Needle and Angel of the Waters. Walk the High Line. This massively popular elevated park offers great views alongside an infusion of nature in the concrete jungle. Check out our guide to the High Line[insert link here when it’s up] for more info. Pay a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The largest Neo-Gothic Catholic Cathedral on the continent, their stained glass windows alone are worth the visit. Eat like a New Yorker. There are culinary adventures to be had across the city, from Chinatown to Hell’s Kitchen to Harlem. We’ve got some foodie recommendations, too. New York Bucket List 21-15 Take your significant other to the Museum of Sex. This quirky, unique museum manages to engage both the intellect and the libido. Visit historic Coney Island. One of the most iconic amusement parks in the country, Coney Island offers nostalgia and fun in equal doses. Check out Luna Park for the rides, too. Get pictures of the cherry blossoms. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the few places in the country to feature these lush Japanese trees. See Shakespeare in the Park. This beloved summer tradition means inexpensive or free performances of the Bard’s plays in various locations throughout the city. Pick up some new art. The galleries in Chelsea—a booming neighborhood—frequently play host to up-and-coming artists and are a good place to hunt for that next art investment. Save on New York Bucket List Ideas Many of these ultimate New York bucket list ideas are included with the New York City Explorer Pass. Snag one today to save up to 50% versus buying individual tickets. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
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A Guide to the High Line in New York City

The High Line is one of the world’s most unique public parks. The park in New York City is made from reclaimed elevated rail running above Manhattan’s West Side. It was originally slated for destruction after remaining unused for decades. But locals and the city decided to repurpose the stretch of rail for public benefit. They opened the High Line in 2009. Today, it’s one of the more unusual tourist attractions in NYC, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular with visitors. If you’re looking for a quick guide to the High Line NYC, we’ve got you covered. When is the High Line Open? As a public park, the High Line does have regular operating hours. These vary seasonally, with the longest hours in the summer months. Regardless of the time of year, the park is open at 7 am every day, including weekends. Gansevoort Street – 17th Street Tiffany & Co. Foundation Overlook (at Gansevoort St.). This dramatic overlook marks where the original rail line was taken apart in the 1980s to make way for construction. Whitney Museum of American Art: Located just east of the overlook, this popular museum features over 21,000 modern works of art. Donald Pels & Wendy Keys Gansevoort Woodland (between Gansevoort & 13th St.): A lush garden space filled with striking flora, this is a great spot for photos. 14th Street Passage (between 14th St. & 15th St.): A quasi-enclosed passageway, here you can find an original video series on display at dusk each evening. Diller-Von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature (between 14th St. & 15th St.): This water feature marks the spot where water tended to gather during the days when the High Line was still a railroad track, drawing inspiration from life. Chelsea Market Passage (between 15th St. & 16th St.): Running right along the iconic Chelsea Market, this section of the park is the perfect place to descend if you’re looking for a snack or souvenir. Chelsea Market: This expansive complex is beloved for its food hall. It is brimming with vendors selling everything from cheese and wine to coffee and bread. There’s also a retail component with many popular and hyper-local options. Northern Spur Preserve (at 16th St.): This section of the park honors the indigenous plants that grew on and around the High Line before it was converted into cultivated parkland. 10th Avenue Square & Overlook (at 17th St.): Featuring a giant “window” down onto 10th Ave., this area also encompasses an amphitheater with public performances. 21st Street to 34th street Chelsea Thicket (between 21st St. & 22nd St.): Another piece of wilderness brought to downtown Manhattan, this section of the New York High Line boasts a variety of dense trees and shrubs indigenous to the region. 23rd Street Lawn & Seating Steps (at 23rd St.): A great spot for picnics, this elevated lawn area is also home to many local art installations like a massive mural that changes each year. Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover (between 25th St. & 27th St.): Designed specifically to allow visitors to encounter larger trees like magnolias and sassafras, the path elevates several feet above the rail line. 26th Street Viewing Spur (at 26th St.): A great place to get views of the city below, and gain perspective on your position relative to the bustle. Crossroads (at 30th St.): This is the widest section of the High Line Greenwich and therefore often the most accessible to those wanting to sit for a bit. It’s also where the High Line switches from a North-South orientation to an East-West one. Spur (at 30th St. & 10th Ave.): The final section of the original trail to be converted to park space, the public art here is spectacular—keep an eye out for the High Line Plinth! Pershing Square Beams (at 30th St.): A delightful place for the little ones to play, the exposed steel beams have been coated in a safe silicone surface, turning them into a playground. Interim Walkway (between 30th St. & 34th St.): Stop here for panoramic views of the Hudson River. Stay for the wildflowers and uncultivated plants. CSX Transportation Gate (at 34th St.): The only point at which the High Line New York hits street level. This is where you can most easily access it from downtown Manhattan. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
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