New York City Things To Do

Things To Do

It’s impossible to cover all of New York’s sights in a single trip. You’ll need at least three days – and a good dose of stamina – to hit up the major highlights, but don’t get overwhelmed when you can’t cover all the bases – not even lifelong Manhattanites can stake that claim!

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Brooklyn Bridge
Crossing the late 19th-century, Gothic-inspired bridge affords phenomenal views of Manhattan. It’s best enjoyed if you start your walk on the Brooklyn side (just hop the subway one stop over the river).
Brooklyn/Lower Manhattan; New York City, NY
Tags: family | architecture | outdoors | view
Empire State Building
Take in Manhattan from the heights of the 102-floor Empire State Building – its observatory is open for spectacular views day and night.
350 Fifth Ave., btwn 33rd & 34th Sts.; New York City, NY; 212-736-3100; www.esbnyc.com
Tags: family | architecture | view | editor pick
Statue of Liberty
Catch the ferry from Battery Park – the fare includes a stop at the iconic statue, as well as at Ellis Island, where between 1892 and 1954, 12 million immigrants passed through New York Harbor.
Lower Manhattan; New York Harbor, Ellis Island; New York City, NY; 212-363-3200; www.nps.gov/stli
Tags: family | culture | history
Times Square
This over-the-top sensory experience clusters chain shops, restaurants, and tawdry attractions under sparkling neon lights – steer clear of the tourist traps and just spend some time ogling the spectacle.
42nd St. and Broadway; New York City, NY; www.timessquare.com
Tags: family | performing arts | outdoors
Central Park
This 843-acre urban oasis – "the lungs of New York City" – is full of treasures like the Central Park Zoo, lakeside Bethesda Fountain, and Loeb Boat House, where rowboats and bicycles are available for rent.
mid-park at 65th St.; New York City, NY; 212-794-6564; www.centralparknyc.org
Tags: family | outdoors | zoo
The Metropolitan Museum of Art great value
Called “The Met,” this star New York museum’s two-million+ collection spans from 75,000 B.C. through the 20th century. It also regularly hosts special exhibitions.
1000 Fifth Ave. at E. 82nd St.; New York City, NY; 212-535-7710; www.metmuseum.org
Tags: family | architecture | culture | history | art | great value | editor pick
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
This is the largest Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the United States. The inside is decorated with soaring stained glass windows and wood and marble sculptures.
5th Avenue and 51st St.; New York City, NY; 212-753-2261; www.saintpatrickscathedral.org
Tags: family | architecture | culture | history
Rockefeller Center
This Art Deco masterpiece is home to Radio City Music Hall, NBC studios, and the Top of the Rock observation deck – great for panoramic city views. Come winter, the ice rink and Christmas tree in the flag-lined plaza take center stage.
5th Avenue, btwn. 47th and 50th Sts.; New York City, NY; 212-332-6868; www.rockefellercenter.com
Tags: family | culture | outdoors | view
Museum of Modern Art
One of America’s most visited museums, MoMa’s 150,000-work collection includes films, paintings, prints, and architectural models. Friday afternoons are free.
11 West 53 St.; New York City, NY; 212-708-9400; www.moma.org
Tags: culture | museum | art | editor pick
West Chelsea Gallery District
West Chelsea is to the contemporary art world what Broadway is to the theater world. Since the mid-1990s, New York’s most prominent contemporary art galleries have migrated from Soho to West Chelsea. Currently, there are more than 200 galleries in the area, including heavy hitters like Gagosian, Matthew Marks Gallery, Mary Boone Gallery, and Andrea Rosen Gallery. We recommend taking one of the Chelsea Art Galleries tours.
west of Tenth Ave., from 17th St. to 29th St.; New York City, NY; www.chelseaartgalleries.com
Tags: culture | gallery | art
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