Travel Tips

25 best things to do in New York, by a local

The 25 places worth your time in New York, chosen with a writer who was born and raised in Queens.

The best things to do in New York start with Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Add the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge and a Broadway show. New York City’s 25 top attractions split into landmarks, museums, Broadway shows, neighborhoods, food and shopping.

The list was put together with Mahnoor Bangush, a Holafly writer born and raised in Queens. It covers the halal carts she would send you to instead of a restaurant, and what to know about the subway before you tap in.

In this article

Free things to do in NYC

The best free thing in New York is not an attraction at all. “Strolling around in New York’s Central Park or Manhattan is so rewarding, especially on a windy, summer day,” says Mahnoor.

New York City is an expensive destination, but there is plenty to do for nothing:

Exploring Central Park: strolls through the scenic paths, people-watching at Bethesda Fountain, a play at the open-air Delacorte Theater in summer, or a picnic on the Great Lawn — all free.
Taking a free ferry ride: the Staten Island Ferry is a 24/7 free service with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline.
Exploring the New York Public Library: the Beaux-Arts building houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts and rare materials. Sit in the Rose Main Reading Room, pick a book, and read for hours at no cost. The library also runs free exhibitions and tours.
Wandering through Little Italy and Chinatown: Mulberry Street for Italian food, Mott Street for colorful markets and shops.

You will need a lot of mobile internet in New York, for research, navigation and staying in touch. An eSIM New York plan with unlimited data means no data caps or roaming costs to think about.

Visit the iconic landmarks in NYC

Some of these are on every list for a reason. Mahnoor’s own five are Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge, and she is straightforward about the most divisive one: “While I would consider Times Square overrated, many tourists seem mesmerized by all the lights, so I would still recommend a visit.”

For the skyline, she sends people to Brooklyn Bridge Park at sunset.

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

At 305 feet tall, the Statue of Liberty is one of America’s most social-media-driven tourist destinations. Lady Liberty is a symbol of freedom and hope, which makes seeing her in person a bucket-list experience for visitors from around the world.

As you approach on the ferry from Battery Park, you get postcard views of Manhattan’s skyline, so have your camera ready. Combine the visit with Ellis Island for a fuller sense of New York’s history.

Cost: $32.00 for adults, $23.00 for children (4-12) and $29.00 for seniors (62+)
Book tickets in advance, especially for crown access
Reserve at least four to five hours for the full experience
Visit Ellis Island first to beat the midday crowds
The first ferry departs at 9:30 AM
Security is airport-level strict, so pack light using this NYC packing checklist
The audio tour is worth it — it adds stories and historical detail you would miss walking around alone
Food options are limited and pricey, so pack your own snacks or a light lunch

2. Empire State Building

Built during the Great Depression and towering over the city since 1931, the Empire State Building represents New York’s drive to push boundaries. From the Art Deco design to the spire, it tells the story of how the city became a global icon of progress.

Cost: from $44.00 for adults and $38.00 for children
Book early morning (8-10 AM) or late evening (after 10 PM) to avoid crowds
Consider the Express Pass in peak season (May to September)
Security checks are mandatory
Download the free multimedia app before visiting
Dress warm — it gets chilly up there

3. Central Park

Central Park is the heartbeat of New York, and every season brings its own character. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the Reservoir create a pastel wonderland. Summer turns Sheep Meadow into a gathering of sunbathers and picnickers. Fall turns the Mall into a golden, leaf-covered tunnel, and in winter there is nothing like Gapstow Bridge dusted with snow, with the skyline behind it.

One of the best ways to explore is to enter at 72nd Street and Central Park West. It is the perfect route for Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain and the Boathouse in one walk. The official Central Park app helps with navigation and turns up corners you would otherwise miss.

Cost: free to enter. $20 per hour for a rowboat, $50 for a 20-minute horse-drawn carriage ride, $25-$40 for guided tours
Restrooms at Bethesda Terrace, Loeb Boathouse and Delacorte Theater
Bring cash for the food vendors — the hot dogs and pretzels are a must
Central Park Zoo is a must-visit for families, and is not free

4. Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is iconic, vibrant and full of energy. Take in the views from the Top of the Rock, catch a show at Radio City Music Hall, or wander through the Channel Gardens to see the seasonal planting. In winter, don’t miss skating beneath the Christmas tree at The Rink.

Cost: $40-$45 for adults and $34-$38 for children (6-12)
Timed tickets mean no waiting in lines
Book the NBC guided tour to see behind the scenes of the shows
Restrooms are on the concourse level
It’s less crowded in the fall

5. The High Line

The High Line feels like a hidden corner of the city even though it runs right through the middle of everything. It is an elevated park built on a former railway track, stretching 1.45 miles through the West Side of Manhattan.

What makes it work is the mix: wild gardens whose planting changes with the seasons, art installations tucked along the path, and a view that puts skyscrapers on one side and greenery on the other. It’s a good place to slow down.

Cost: free
Pack a picnic — there is plenty of seating
Free art tours on Thursdays
Closes during severe weather
Less crowded on weekday afternoons
Download the High Line map before visiting

6. The Vessel

Standing 150 feet tall with 154 interconnecting staircases, the Vessel is a striking piece of modern architecture in Hudson Yards. Climbing its spiral staircases gives you an unusual, almost dizzying view of the city.

When you’re ready to refuel, head down to Mercado Little Spain on the basement level. This food hall, created by chef José Andrés, is his tribute to Spanish cuisine, and the tapas are excellent.

Cost: $10 per person
Public access to the higher levels is currently limited
Avoid weekend afternoons
The Public Plaza has free WiFi and hosts free performances
There’s a secret garden on the 5th floor

If you want several landmarks in one go, the NYC tourist cards bundle them.

Explore museums and art galleries in NYC

Beyond the Met, MoMA and the Guggenheim, Mahnoor adds one the list is missing: the American Museum of Natural History. It is also the museum most worth knowing about if you are traveling with children.

7. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the Met, you can take in a world-class collection of Old Master paintings and then walk through the Cloisters museum and gardens for medieval art and architecture.

If ancient history is your thing, the museum’s holdings run deep: Egyptian artifacts, Asian art spanning over 4,000 years, African sculptures, and indigenous Australian rock paintings dating back 40,000 years. Don’t miss the Temple of Dendur, a reconstructed Egyptian temple from 15 BC.

Cost: $30 for adults, $17 for students and $22 for seniors
Set aside at least two hours
Collections by Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso
The rooftop garden, with its views, is open May to October
Download the free Met app for navigation and themed tours

8. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

MoMA is the place for modern and contemporary art. What stands out is how consistently it pushes at what art can be — from Barnett Newman‘s color fields and monumental sculptures to film and video installations that change how you see the room you’re standing in.

Cost: $30 for adults, free for children under 16, $22 for seniors (65+), $22 for visitors with disabilities and $17 for students
Book online tickets in advance
Free admission on Friday from 4-8 PM
Collections by Picasso, Warhol and Pollock
Plan for a four-hour visit
Cafes on the 6th floor

9. The Guggenheim

If you’re into modern and contemporary art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is a must. Even if you’re not, the building alone, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is worth the trip. Its white spiral rises from Fifth Avenue like nothing else in the city, and walking the winding ramp is more of an experience than a typical museum visit.

Cost: $30 for adults, free for children under 12, $19 for students, visitors with disabilities and seniors (65+)
Collections by Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, Miró, Ai Weiwei, Calder and Serra
Pay-what-you-wish entry on Saturdays from 4 to 5:30 PM

Enjoy Broadway and entertainment shows in NYC

The Lion King at the Minskoff, Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers and Wicked at the Gershwin are all still running, and all three are still worth the ticket.

10. The Lion King

If you’re visiting New York with kids, don’t miss The Lion King — a blend of costume design and puppetry that goes well beyond a typical Disney production. It’s worth seeing even if you’re visiting solo. The Pride Rock set, the masks and the African-inspired choreography make it memorable.

Cost: $89 to $299
Performed at the Minskoff Theatre
Center orchestra seats give the best view
Runtime around two hours 30 minutes

11. Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The diverse cast, the musical style and the storytelling make the whole show an emotional journey.

Cost: $110.75 to $320
Performed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre
Tickets sell out fast
Runtime around two hours 45 minutes

12. Wicked

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked reimagines the witches of The Wizard of Oz with a depth that will challenge what you thought you knew about good and evil.

Cost: $125 to $288
Performed at the Gershwin Theatre
Runtime around two hours 45 minutes
Wednesday and Saturday matinees are usually a bit cheaper

13. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The only play on this list, and the one that most obviously justifies a theatre ticket over a film. Cursed Child picks up nineteen years after the books end, with Harry’s son starting at Hogwarts. What people come out talking about is not the story but the stagecraft. The effects happen in front of you, in the room, with no screen involved, and nobody has satisfactorily explained how half of them work.

Cost: confirm at the box office before publishing
Performed at the Lyric Theatre, on 43rd Street just off Times Square
Runtime: confirm before publishing. It was restaged as a single play in 2021, so any listing still showing two parts is out of date
You do not need to have read the books. The play recaps what matters, though the references land harder if you have

Discover NYC neighborhoods

For the neighborhoods with the most history behind them, Mahnoor points to “Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, Bronx, and Harlem”. Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library are worth going inside for the buildings alone.

14. Greenwich Village

Good for: experiencing the city’s bohemian side.

Greenwich Village is a hub of creativity and the birthplace of countless movements. The Stonewall Inn, a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ history, is one example of how the Village has shaped cultural change. It’s where progressive ideas thrive and every corner feels like it’s telling its own story.

15. Williamsburg (Brooklyn)

Good for: Brooklyn’s hipster culture.

This neighborhood is a hotspot for indie music, artisanal coffee and vintage shopping. Walk down Bedford Avenue for boutiques, record stores and farm-to-table eateries. Craft beer drinkers will find plenty of breweries in the area.

16. Upper East Side

Good for: world-class museums and nightlife.

This neighborhood has the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, Central Park and Madison Avenue. For old-school New York glamor, visit the Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court for a cocktail.

17. West Village

Good for: a more laid-back, small-town feel.

A stone’s throw from Greenwich Village, the West Village will make you feel like you’re on a film set. Tree-lined streets, art galleries, small restaurants and independent shops. Don’t miss Little Spain for tapas and paella.

18. Chelsea

Good for: art galleries and nightlife.

With around 350 art galleries and museums, Chelsea is an art lover’s neighborhood. The Whitney Museum of American Art shows established and emerging artists, and the Rubin Museum of Art specializes in Himalayan and Indian art. While you’re there, visit Chelsea Market, a locals’ favorite for food, fashion and design.

For more help planning, the day trips from new york guide covers what is worth leaving the city for.

Try the best places to eat and drink in NYC

Ask a New Yorker what to eat and you do not get a tasting menu. “Any of the top halal carts, especially in Queens,” says Mahnoor, naming Mahmoud’s, King of Souvlaki, King of Falafel & Shawarma, Shah’s, Adel’s and the Halal Guys.

Her non-negotiable is simpler still: “a classic New York everything bagel with cream cheese.” The rest of her list: sandwiches at Katz’s Deli, banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery, huge slices from Joe’s Pizza, chicken or lamb over rice at The Halal Guys, and cookies at Levain Bakery.

For vegetarian and vegan, which the page has nothing on: “Here’s what my vegetarian friends recommend,” says Mahnoor — Hangawi for Korean, Jajaja for Mexican, Coletta for Italian and Kin’d for Thai, all vegan.

One practical note. Tipping is expected, at 15 to 20% in restaurants and bars and around 15% in taxis.

For a sit-down meal, these four are worth the booking. New York food covers the wider scene.

19. Crown Shy

This Michelin-starred restaurant in the Financial District is the work of chef James Kent. Farm-to-table American cooking on a menu that balances comfort and invention.

Cost for two: $150+
On the menu: Gruyère fritters, citrus-marinated chicken with house hot sauce, roasted bone marrow, charred octopus with chorizo, horchata ice cream with chocolate and churros, and a cantaloupe and chamomile white negroni

20. Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi

At Lincoln Center, this restaurant won its reputation on an unusual menu. The chef’s Afro-Caribbean roots and his upbringing in the Bronx shape the dishes.

Cost for two: $200+
On the menu: short rib pastrami suya, shawarma roasted chicken, bodega special ice cream and the Tatiana tonic

21. Dhamaka

This Indian restaurant in the East Village, from chef Chintan Pandya, is all about bold flavors.

Cost for two: $100+
On the menu: butter chicken, nalli biryani, champaran meat, signature creamy lassi and a Bombay blues cocktail

22. Gage & Tollner

An NYC institution, Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn Heights has been serving seafood since 1879. Chef Sohui Kim‘s menu draws politicians and celebrities alongside everyone else.

Cost for two: $120+
On the menu: a daily selection of East Coast oysters, dry-aged porterhouse, shrimp scampi, pear crumble and a Manhattan

Visit the best shops in NYC

For something to take home, Mahnoor skips the tourist stands: “It doesn’t get more New York than an NY bagel or some Levain cookies.” For handmade, she names Magpie. For the classic version, the gift shops at MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum, or a tote from The Strand. New York souvenirs has the rest.

23. Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is the place for serious retail therapy, with flagship stores of luxury brands alongside everyday favorites.

Where to shop: Tiffany and Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bergdorf Goodman, Zara and H&M

24. SoHo and West Village

SoHo is a shopper’s neighborhood of boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops. The West Village has vintage shops, artisanal markets and bookstores. Window shop in both.

Where to shop: Bloomingdale’s SoHo, Chanel, Prada, Alexander Wang, Mure + Grand, Madame Matovu and Cursive

25. Brooklyn Flea Market

The weekend Brooklyn Flea Market is a one-of-a-kind experience: vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, artisanal cheeses and antique furniture. Try the street food at the Smorgasburg section.

Where to shop: Van der Most Modern, Dan’s Parents’ House, The Brooklyn Lyceum, The Finch and The Chocolate Room

Things to do in New York with kids

New York is an easier city with children than its reputation suggests. So much of what is worth doing is outdoors and free.

Central Park is the obvious start and earns it. Mahnoor puts it near the top of everything: “Strolling around in New York’s Central Park or Manhattan is so rewarding, especially on a windy, summer day.” The park holds a carousel, a zoo and enough open ground to let a day run long without a plan.

The American Museum of Natural History is the one that works for every age in a group. It sits on the park’s western edge, so the two combine into a single day with no subway ride in between.

For a view without a queue, Brooklyn Bridge Park gives you the skyline from the water. Mahnoor rates it above the paid observation decks: “Brooklyn Bridge Park is also the best place to see New York’s skyline at sunset.” Roosevelt Island and Paley Park are the two she names for a slower afternoon.

The High Line suits children who would rather be moving than queuing. It runs above the street for around a mile and a half, which makes it a route between neighborhoods rather than a stop.

Timing matters more with children than it does otherwise. On the subway, avoid 8:30am to 9:30am and 5:30pm to 6:30pm on weekdays. That is peak commuter traffic in both directions.

The city’s free street events cost nothing and need no booking. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the Halloween Parade are all open to anyone who turns up.

Getting between all of it is the part that catches families out. New york public transport covers the subway, buses and OMNY in full, including how children travel and where the free-transfer rules apply.

Stay connected on your NYC adventure with Holafly

Asked what the biggest transport mistake visitors make is, Mahnoor does not hesitate: “Not having reliable mobile data when travelling, especially as a newbie. It’s super easy to re-route or navigate when you’re lost or your train terminates unexpectedly.”

The subway itself is straightforward once you know the logic. “Trains run uptown (north) or downtown (south). Uptown means Queens or the Bronx. Downtown means Brooklyn,” she says. Pay with OMNY by tapping a contactless card or phone. The base fare is $3, and the MTA caps it: spend $35 on subways and local buses within seven days and the rest of the week is free. That only applies if you tap the same card or device for every ride. Avoid 8:30 to 9:30 in the morning and 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening on weekdays.

An eSIM New York plan from Holafly gives you unlimited data, 5G speeds and 24/7 support. It installs before you fly and works the moment you land. Mobile internet in New York covers the alternatives.

Every Holafly eSIM includes Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data across 150+ destinations, at no added cost, so you are never fully offline between arrivals. If New York is one of several trips this year, Holafly Plans is a pay-monthly subscription covering 160+ destinations, with no long-term contract. Either way, it is the difference between navigating the city and guessing at it.

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Tom O'Leary

SEO Content Specialist

I am a Liverpool-based SEO content specialist with years of experience crafting content that connects. I combine my love for clear communication with a passion for travel and languages (currently diving into Japanese!). At Holafly, I'm here to help you understand everything about staying connected abroad, turning technical jargon into straightforward advice you can actually use.

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