Things to do in New York on a Sunday

Sundays in New York hit all the right notes. The city wakes up late, brunches hard, and keeps a lively buzz all day long, if a little kinder and more gentle than during the weekday rush. From Upper West Side strolls to Brooklyn flea markets, lazy afternoons in Central Park, and candlelit jazz downtown, Sunday in NYC can be as energetic or laid-back as you want it. Our guide maps out how to weave food, culture, shopping, classic sights, and hidden gems into that perfect New York Sunday.

Browse the Brooklyn Flea market

Sundays and the Brooklyn Flea are a match made in vintage heaven. This sprawling market, set in Williamsburg’s gritty-chic heart (or sometimes under the Manhattan Bridge), is an absolute treasure trove. Rows of stalls burst with everything from art deco jewelry and mid-century furniture to hard-to-find vinyl records, old-school cameras, and one-off handmade finds. Stallholders are expert storytellers, always willing to share the history behind that perfect thrifted sweater or battered record sleeve. Sunday mornings here are full of couples scouring for new apartment décor, families on scavenger hunts, and fashionistas after new statement pieces. The market also tempts with food stands—think fresh lemonade, vegan empanadas, and hand-pulled doughnuts.

Join a gospel brunch in Harlem

Sunday in Harlem feels joyous, and one of the most soulful ways to experience that is at a gospel brunch. Many neighborhood restaurants, like Sylvia’s or Red Rooster, feature a live gospel choir belting out stirring harmonies while you tuck into platters of fried chicken, buttery biscuits, or shrimp and grits served with plenty of sweet tea. The sense of community here is powerful and uplifting—families gather in their Sunday best, regulars swap stories with staff, and visitors are always welcomed like old friends. Even if gospel isn’t your usual style, you’ll be swept up in the music, clapping along and feeling a deep sense of connection with the crowd. The food delivers comfort in every bite; don’t miss the short stacks of pancakes or collard greens for the true Southern-style experience. By the end of the meal, you’ll find your spirit lifted and your belly full—a combination that makes Harlem’s gospel brunches one of the city’s best Sunday rituals.

Visit the New York Botanical Garden

For a breath of fresh air and tranquility, hop to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, a peaceful Sunday retreat away from the city bustle. The garden’s vibrant blooms, winding trails, and stately conservatory invite slow strolls, mindful photography and quiet contemplation. Special Sunday programming often features gardening demonstrations, live music or family discovery days. The seasonal displays rarely disappoint either: think daffodils in spring, tropical orchids in winter and giant pumpkin sculptures in autumn. The grounds are vast, so you’ll find space to yourself even when the parking lot’s busy. Pack a picnic, bring binoculars for birdwatching, or just find a quiet bench and take in the natural beauty—all just a quick train ride from Midtown.

Have a lunchtime adventure at Chelsea Market

Sundays at Chelsea Market are just right. The crowds are lively but less hectic than peak Saturday, making it the perfect day for a food crawl. The twinkling lights and rustic brick corridors are filled with the scents of baking bread, frying garlic, and slow-roasted brisket. Pick your adventure: buttery lobster rolls from Lobster Place, spicy tacos at Los Tacos No. 1, or a medley of global treats ranging from Moroccan couscous to Japanese matcha lattes. Live demo kitchens and pop-up sellers appear often, especially on weekends, offering samples and bonus surprises you won’t find during the week. Sit down at communal tables to share a meal with locals and friendly travelers or grab bites to enjoy while you wander.

Meander through the West Village

Sunday is made for rambling, and no neighborhood rewards the aimless explorer quite like the West Village. Winding, tree-lined streets and brownstone stoops seem tailor-made for a carefree stroll. Start on Bleecker Street for boutique window shopping, then take a detour down leafy side roads where you’ll spot ivy-clad houses and picturesque cafes. On Sundays, outdoor seating fills with people lingering over espresso and pastries, jazz spilling from the open windows. Small, independent bookstores and record shops beckon, as well as oddball stores hawking everything from imported cheese to limited-edition sneakers. Find your way to Washington Square Park; on a Sunday, it’s alive with amateur musicians, street performers, and chess matches watched by enthusiastic crowds. The laid-back pace means you can dawdle or discover at will—with no pressure to be anywhere but exactly where you are.

Catch a Broadway matinee

Sundays may be sleepy elsewhere, but in Midtown, Broadway’s matinee tradition is going strong. Many shows offer early afternoon performances perfect for a relaxing theater fix, or to cap off a weekend visit. There’s a special buzz in the air as crowds spill onto sidewalks, eagerly scanning playbills and chatting about favorite musical numbers. Inside, theaters feel extra inviting on a Sunday, with plush seats and a sense of gathering for a shared story before the working weeks rolls around. Whether you’re in the mood for a toe-tapping musical or a heartstring-tugging drama, the experience brings you into NYC’s cultural heart. After the curtain falls, step out and catch Times Square in its energized, mid-afternoon glory—or duck into a nearby bakery for a treat and post-show analysis. A Sunday show will leave you with melodies (and memories) to start the new week with a skip in your step.

Go on a street-art hunt in Bushwick

Bushwick turns into an outdoor gallery every day, but on Sunday it feels like the whole neighborhood is in on the creative action. The streets here are lined with colossal murals, some abstract, others photorealistic, and many with messages about community and activism. Sundays often bring guided walking tours led by local artists or aficionados who know the stories behind each piece, including works by international stars and up-and-coming locals. Along your route, expect to pass pop-up markets hawking handmade jewelry and indie fashion, food trucks dishing out empanadas or vegan tacos, and friendly shopkeepers greeting you from open doorways. 

Jazz it up at the Village Vanguard

For a blissfully cool end to your Sunday, head to the Village Vanguard, a Greenwich Village icon and one of the world’s most storied jazz clubs. On Sunday nights, you’ll experience top-tier musicians—sometimes genre-defining talent, sometimes bright new stars—playing up close in a cozy, acoustically perfect room beneath red velvet lampshades. There’s history in the air; every seat feels intimate, every note is played with feeling. The club’s policy of no-frills, no talking during sets means you can truly lose yourself in the music, which can range from jazz standards to skronking avant-garde jams. You’ll step out afterward into the night, the sounds of jazz still swirling around your head, a timeless New York experience and a sublime way to close out your Sunday.

Enjoyed this? Check out our favourite things to do in New York on a Saturday and, indeed, on a Monday.

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