Looking for the best things to do in New York City? Locals point visitors to Central Park, the High Line, the Met and MoMA, a skyline view from the Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO, and a Broadway show. NYC is endless — here’s how New Yorkers actually spend their time, by borough, by night, by budget, and by who you’re with.
Things to do in New York, by area
Midtown & the Icons
Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, Broadway, and Grand Central.
Downtown Manhattan
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the High Line, Greenwich and the West Village, SoHo, Chinatown, and the Financial District.
Museum Mile & the Upper Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History along Central Park.
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Williamsburg, Prospect Park, and Coney Island.
Queens
Global food in Flushing and Astoria, plus MoMA PS1 in Long Island City.
Things to do in New York at night
Broadway and Times Square, rooftop bars, live jazz in the Village, the Lower East Side and Williamsburg scenes, and late-night eats in Chinatown and Koreatown.
Indoor & rainy-day things to do in New York
The Met, MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney, plus a Broadway matinee and Grand Central.
Free things to do in New York City
- Central Park and the High Line
- The Staten Island Ferry (Statue of Liberty views)
- Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
- Times Square
- Pay-what-you-wish hours at select museums
Things to do in New York for couples
Sunset from the Top of the Rock, a Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge Park stroll, a Broadway show, a West Village dinner, and rooftop cocktails.
Things to do in New York with kids
Family wins: the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park and its zoo, the Intrepid Museum, and Coney Island.
What New York locals actually recommend
Which shows and museums are worth it, where to eat off the tourist track, how to skip the lines — that comes from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ New York community, real New Yorkers answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” Join your NYC neighbors free →
Where this fits in New York
The best days here mix the well-known spots with the places only locals frequent. The picks in this guide make the most sense once you know how New York is laid out. Central Park and the High Line sit at the center of where locals actually spend their time, so planning a full day out around one of them rarely goes wrong. When you want something calmer, the Staten Island Ferry pulls you away from the busiest blocks, and the Brooklyn Bridge walk is the kind of spot regulars mention but visitors miss. Anchor your plan to one of those and the rest of the day in New York tends to fall into place.
More New York guides
New York rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Free things to do in New York, Best restaurants in New York, undefined New York — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Ask a New York neighbor
The best tips never make the guidebooks — they come from neighbors who know which spot is worth it this week. That is what the New York community on Neighborhood Nurturers is for. Ask New York locals what they would do, or join free and get honest answers from people who actually know New York.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in New York City?
Locals send visitors to Central Park, the High Line, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA, the views from the Top of the Rock or Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO, and a Broadway show — plus the free Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty views.
What is there to do in NYC at night?
New York never sleeps: Broadway and Times Square, rooftop bars, live jazz in the Village, the Lower East Side and Williamsburg bar scenes, late-night eats in Chinatown and Koreatown, and skyline views from Brooklyn.
What can you do in New York when it rains?
World-class museums: the Met, MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney. Add a Broadway matinee, Grand Central, and the shops and food halls to stay dry.
What are free things to do in New York City?
Central Park, the High Line, the Staten Island Ferry (great Statue of Liberty views), walking the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and pay-what-you-wish hours at some museums are all free.
What are the best things to do in NYC for couples?
Sunset from the Top of the Rock, a Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge Park stroll, a Broadway show, a West Village dinner, and rooftop cocktails with a skyline view.
What are fun things to do in New York with kids?
Family favorites: the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park and its zoo, the Intrepid Museum, Coney Island, and the interactive children’s museums.