First-time visitors will have no trouble finding things to do in New York City. New York City is one of the most famous cities in the world, being recognized in movies, tv shows, and the fashion world.
Also known as The Big Apple, America’s City, and The City That Never Sleeps, New York is a bucket-list destination for many travelers.
Best Things to do in New York City for First Time Visitors
If you are planning on being in the city for three or four days, rest assured that our list of the top 20 things to do in New York City will provide you with the ultimate itinerary.
So don’t fret about missing out on any must-see attractions, neighborhoods, or sights – we’ve done all the research for you.
Also be sure to download our free New York City tourist map of attractions and sights.
Best Views Of New York City
Empire State Building
The best viewing of the Manhattan skyline is from the observation deck on the Empire State Building. The observation deck is out in the open air and besides a fence, there is nothing between you and the spectacular view. Head here early to beat the crowds, since it’s one of the best things to do in New York City, it gets pretty packed. Get more details to plan your trip to the Empire State Building.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Another great view of the city is from the top of the Rockefeller Center. It’s a great place to come in the evening to watch Manhattan light up against the night sky. Rockefeller Center also features many other attractions including tons of places to shop, eat, and drink.
One World Observatory
The highest observation deck in New York is located at the One World Observatory. This building opened in 2015 as a replacement for the Twin Towers and is currently the tallest building in the western hemisphere. While the observatory is enclosed rather than open air like the Empire State, you still get a phenomenal view of the city – it’s also a lot less crowded!
Famous Landmarks To See In New York City
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is not only one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, but it’s also at the top of the list of things to do in New York City. Be prepared to spend at least a few hours here as the statue is on Liberty Island and you’ll have to hop on a ferry to get to it. Find out more about the Statue of Liberty.
If you don’t have time to head out to Liberty Island, you can still view it from Manhattan, although it will be quite small and far out in the distance. Here’s where you can view the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island is the next island over from Lady Liberty and is also a must-see if you’re interested in learning more about New York’s history. It was the largest and most active immigration site in America and the tours of the buildings there are absolutely amazing. Find out more about the Ellis Island.
9/11 Memorial
With almost everyone in the world knowing what took place on 9/11, this memorial is a touching tribute to visit in New York City. While it is one of the more solemn things to do in New York City, it is a special place that honors the many people who lost their lives as well as the bravery of others who risked theirs to save others.
Brooklyn Bridge
Over by Wall Street, you’ll find the legendary Brooklyn Bridge which is a hot spot for tourists to walk. Just over a mile long, it’s a great place for pictures, people-watching, and taking in the views. You’ll end up at the revitalized Brooklyn Bridge Park where you can chill on the grass or take in whatever event is happening.
Read about how you can take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
History In New York City
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Also known as ‘The Met’, this art gallery is one of the most visited in the world. You will be stunned by the collection of artifacts from around the world from ancient times, as well as art from today.
If you love art, you may also wish to pay a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in the Upper West Side.
American Museum of Natural History
The largest museum in the world is one of the most important museums in the city. With mind-blowing exhibits featuring dinosaur skeletons, the great blue whale, and even a butterfly conservatory, you’ll want to spend all day here. We recommend you pick a few exhibits and hit the road since the city has a lot more to see and do!
Read about the new Glider Center wing that open at the American Museum of Natural History.
New York Public Library
You may think we made a mistake putting a library on the list of the best things to do in New York City but we did not. Even if you’re not a fan of books, the architecture alone at the New York Public Library main building is worth the trip to take a walk through this free, phenomenal space.
Read our tips on what to expect when visiting the New York Public Library.
Coolest Streets In New York City
Times Square
The bustling street of Time Square is like nothing you’ve ever seen before with its bright lights, towering billboards and street performers. Times Square is packed with restaurants, shops, and entertainment everywhere you look. There is also fun and rather over-the-top attractions such as the M&M New York Store. It’s also nearby to Broadway so it’s a good idea to check these both off your list of things to do in New York City at once.
Fifth Avenue
Calling all shoppers! Fifth Avenue is the place to go if you want to take a break from touring around to do some shopping. Many of the other attractions on our list are on or closeby Fifth Avenue so you don’t even have to go out of the way to get to it.
Wall Street
Famous for being the financial hub of the USA, Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange is exactly like how you’d imagine it to be from the movies. There are also great photo ops at the Charging Bull at Bowling Green and George Washington Statues as well as the cobblestones paths of Stone Street, one of the oldest areas in the city.
Best Parks In New York City
High Line
The High Line is a unique elevated public park built on an old rail line. It’s an elevated walkway with high twisting platforms covered with gardens and flowers. If your’e looking for a great park, that is like nothing you’ve ever seen and gets you away from the business of the city, the High Line is a fun one to check out.
Central Park
Next up on the list of things to do in New York City is Central Park. This iconic park is big and has an abundance of things to see and activities to do. Since it’s also known as New York’s backyard, it’s also nice to just sit in the grass doing nothing except taking it all in.
Read all about what you can see and do in Central Park.
Shows To See In New York City
Broadway
Catching a Broadway or musical show at the live theater while you’re in New York City is a must! There’s a reason why these shows have had audiences for decades. Make sure you book well in advance though since tickets sell out quickly. Make sure to put this on your list of things to do in New York City.
Carnegie Hall
For the music lovers out there, Carnegie Hall is a world-famous concert venue in Manhattan. It’s divine architecture and exceptional acoustics provide you with an unforgettable concert experience. If you are able to catch a show or performance here, you will not regret it!
Foods To Eat In New York City
New York Pizza
The city is home to some great restaurants but one of the best things to do in New York City is to try their world-famous pizza. It truly is a delicacy and budget-friendly!
Some other great options to eat like a true New Yorker are a Pastrami on Rye sandwich or a good old-fashioned hot dog from a street vendor.
Hot Dogs
You can’t leave New York City without trying one the hot dogs from a street vendor or going to a place like Nathan’s Famous on 5th Avenue. Give a try and sink your teeth into a dog.
Pastrami Sandwiches
A staple of the New York City diet, pastrami sandwiches are a must try while in NYC. Here are some places to get the best pastrami sandwiches in NYC.
Sports To Watch In New York City
Baseball
New York is a sports fan’s dream city! There are two of every major league team so there is always a game of some sort going on.
The most famous team is the New York Yankees and you can watch them play at the classic Yankee Stadium. There’s also the not as famous New York Mets just down the road.
Football fans have their choice between the Giants or the Jets. If you’re around Madison Square Garden, it is home to both the New York Knicks basketball team and New York Rangers hockey team. You also have the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and NHL’s New York Islanders to round off the list.
Getting Around New York City
Metro Card
The best way to travel around the city and feel like the locals is to grab a MetroCard. Since the bus or subway is a $2.90 ride one-way, we recommend you get a 7-day pass for only $33. This will get you unlimited rides on all of the trains and buses during your stay.
New York Pass
A hot tip to see all the sights you want while going easy on the wallet is to look into getting a New York Pass. This pass gets you entrance to over 100 of the best attractions, tours, and museums for one price. They offer passes for 1 to 10 days and the savings you get are well worth the cost of the pass.
Enjoying the Best Things To Do In New York City
With no shortage of things to do in New York City for first time visitors, our list takes you to all of the must-visit hot spots. From the sparking skyscrapers to the trendy parks, there are endless opportunities for excitement and adventure.
Your trip to New York City will leave you buzzing with excitement and with a fantastic album full of all of the spectacular attractions and sights to cherish for years to come.
You may also be interested to read about some affordable stays in New York or the best things to do in Los Angeles.
