75 Best Things To Do in NYC [updated 2025]

The Big Apple is the place where great artists have dreamed of achieving success, where many European immigrants found a way to change their destiny, and where every visitor has found a reason not to want to leave.

We are, of course, talking about New York: a city where it is practically impossible to close your eyes. There is so much to see and do that it is important to know what is worthwhile and what is not, so as not to become overwhelmed. That's why we've put together a list of the most amazing experiences for your trip to New York.

Taking a helicopter ride over New York will show you the city as very few people see it. The bird's-eye view will allow you to see New York as if you had it in the palm of your hand, and it's an experience that you'll definitely want to talk about when you return from your trip. What's more, there are many helicopter tour options available.

The city skyline is a spectacle in itself, even more so from a helicopter flight over New York. Most flights last around 15 minutes, combining wonderful views with the adrenaline rush of flying over New York in a helicopter at over 200 kilometres per hour.

Whether you're a basketball fan or not, going to an NBA game is an unforgettable experience. The iconic Madison Square Garden is home to the New York Knicks, the local team, and it's in this stadium where you can see the NBA stars give their all on the court. It's definitely an experience that will add a lot to your trip and a must if you're passionate about basketball. If you've already decided you're not going to miss it, buy your tickets for NBA games here.

If you want to read a little more about the experience, understand what you'll find there, or discover why it's one of the top experiences you can have in New York, let me convince you in my article about New York NBA Basketball 2025-2026: Tickets and Best Prices.

Discover the legendary Madison Square Garden

You may not be that into the NBA itself, but you're dying to discover this venue where so many artists and sports teams have made history. There are guided tours of the venue, you can attend concerts and, of course, you can watch the Knicks play at home. I'll tell you how to buy tickets for Madison Square Garden.

Don't miss the Brooklyn Nets' stadium

The Brooklyn Nets' stadium may not be as well known as Madison Square Garden, but that doesn't make the Barclays Centre any less interesting. This venue hosts concerts and events in addition to NBA games and is well worth a visit during your stroll through Brooklyn. Here's everything you need to know about the Brooklyn Nets' stadium.

New York is a city entirely dedicated to entertainment. It's no coincidence that Broadway musicals and theatre performances are famous around the world and a major attraction for visitors. If you want to enjoy a truly unique experience, I recommend buying your tickets in advance to add a special touch to your visit to New York.

Both The Lion King and Aladdin are undoubtedly two of the most popular musicals, so try to get your tickets as soon as possible to secure the best seats at the best price. But if you're still not sure which one you want to see, here's a list of what I consider to be the best Broadway musicals.

Other Broadway musicals

• Cats
• Moulin Rouge on Broadway
• Wicked on Broadway
• Chicago, the Musical
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Harry Potter
• The Book of Mormon
• Hamilton

The contrasts tour

New York is, without a doubt, a city where contrasts follow one another at such a pace that it is difficult to keep up. If you book the contrasts tour, you will be taken to four very different neighbourhoods of the city: Queens, Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn.

You will see the industrial part of the city, the Jewish neighbourhood, the history-filled streets of Harlem, iconic buildings of the city, and in a single day you will have toured the city and got to know it fully, just like a local.

The Upper and Lower Manhattan Tour

If the contrasts tour is a must for getting to know the different areas of New York and understanding how its different cultures fit together, the Upper and Lower Manhattan tour will delve much deeper into those contrasts and corners of Manhattan that you can't miss. Whether it's your first time in New York or you're already a regular visitor to the city, this expert guide will reveal many key places in the city that I bet you didn't know about.

If you want to be surprised by another of Lower Manhattan's neighbourhoods, treat yourself to a tour of Greenwich Village. You'll find the best tours of this fantastic neighbourhood and breathe in the bohemian air of the 20th-century bourgeois houses, all led by guides who will tell you the most interesting stories about the famous people who lived there.

Other tours

For better or worse, New York is a tourist mecca for millions of travellers who make the pilgrimage to the city that never sleeps every year. That's why there are dozens of options for exploring the city (on foot, by bus, in more or less depth, etc.) and sometimes choosing the one that best suits our travel itinerary can seem overwhelming. That's why I've made this selection of 13 Best New York City Tours so you can choose the one you like best.

One of the tours that may be of great interest to you if you want to see the ins and outs of the financial world first-hand is the best tours of Wall Street. If you book a tour with a Wall Street professional, they will tell you the most fascinating stories of the latest financial crises.

And if mystery is your thing, I recommend booking a guided tour of the New York Catacombs.

Discover the secrets of the city

If you're not a big fan of guided tours and prefer to explore the city at your own pace without a guide's explanations, I recommend creating your own itinerary to make sure you don't miss anything. If this isn't your first time in the city and you want to discover alternative or hidden places that are less visited by tourists, don't miss my guide to the city's secret places.

Exploring Harlem with a guide is one of the best experiences you can have in New York, as you'll discover everything that many tourists miss by only seeing Manhattan during their trip. You'll also be able to attend an authentic gospel mass and feel the enormous spirituality that exists in the neighbourhood's churches, with services so intense that they are a real spectacle.

If you want to explore this neighbourhood on your own, I recommend taking note of the essential things to see and do in Harlem to make sure you don't miss anything. Oh, and take advantage of this list of the best places to eat in Harlem and this other list of the best places in Harlem to listen to music. But I recommend booking a tour of Harlem with a gospel mass

Although not something to do in New York, it is a great way to make the most of your trip to the East Coast of the United States and tick one of the world's most impressive natural wonders off your list.

Excursions to Niagara Falls are a great option to round off your trip to the Big Apple with a large dose of pure nature. Accompanied by an expert guide and with transport to and from Manhattan included, they are the best option for exploring one of the most spectacular National Parks in the United States.

But is it worth the visit? If you are travelling to New York for two days or if your trip to New York is three days long, it is best to spend them in the Big Apple and not leave it, but if you are taking a 10-day trip to New York or are going to be in New York for 15 days or more, booking an excursion to Niagara Falls is an option you should consider.

You're sure to have a visit to Central Park on your list of things to do in New York, but do you know what not to miss once you get there? Stroll through the Conservatory Gardens, a European-style garden with beautiful fountains and statues; Belvedere Castle, a small castle located at the highest point of the park with beautiful views; and Bethesda Terrace and its fountain, an architectural marvel where you can take spectacular photos.

It is enormous, so to help you find your way around, I have put together this guide on 17 things to do in Central Park. There are many ways to explore this wonderful park, but one very special option is to take a carriage ride through Central Park. You can also rent a bike in Central Park and explore it that way.

In general, I recommend renting a bike (snow permitting) and spending a few hours getting lost in the green lung of Manhattan. Let's go! But if you're travelling with children, don't miss the Central Park Zoo, a place where you can see the most exotic species, both animals and wildlife. With your tickets to the Central Park Zoo, you can access the main zoo, another zoo designed especially for children, and the 4-D theatre.

Yes, you read that right. You can book tickets for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Just a few months after New York opened the glass-enclosed observation deck The Edge, we are once again faced with an opening that has left everyone speechless: SUMMIT is a spectacular observation deck that you cannot miss, both for the views it offers of Manhattan and for the incredible architecture of the building itself.

Everything here is designed for the visitor's enjoyment: mirrors and glass panels so you can take the best photos, glass-enclosed viewing platforms so you can experience the vertigo first-hand, ultra-modern lifts so you can feel the adrenaline rush... I won't give away any more. If you want to organise your visit, check out this article on how to get to the new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt observation deck.

This linear park, built on old railway tracks, crosses the Chelsea neighbourhood with a walkway flanked by floral arrangements and views of the surrounding buildings and the Hudson River to the south. Walking along it is a different way to explore New York, and I recommend including it in a stroll through Chelsea.

In this article, I'll Guide to the High Line in New York City I'll give you some tips for exploring it, where to stop for lunch or to take in the best views, and I'll suggest an itinerary so you don't miss the most important sights.

Times Square needs no introduction: neon lights, giant screens and crowds of people. It can be overwhelming and wonderful in equal measure, but it's sure to leave an impression. It's definitely a place to lose yourself in during your visit to New York, especially at night, when the buildings shine with their own light and you begin to feel the magic of New York.

What else can you see and do in Manhattan?

Although it may seem like I'm resorting to clichés, Times Square is undoubtedly an iconic part of the city. Fortunately, Manhattan has many other corners (some surprising, others we've seen a thousand times in the movies) that will leave us in awe. If you don't know where to start, here's a practical guide to the top things to do and see in Manhattan to help you plan your visit.

Through SoHo

SoHo ("South of Houston Street") used to be an industrial area full of factories, and long before the concept of gentrification existed, the charm of the neighbourhood attracted the wealthy, who turned its buildings and streets into the cradle of "industrial chic".

Today, it is an area full of bars, restaurants and shops in the place once occupied by factories: visit it if you love exposed brick walls, exposed pipes and iron architecture.

I recommend that you find out about the best tours of SoHo to experience the glamour of this unique neighbourhood first-hand.

Down Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is New York's luxury street, where you'll find the city's most opulent residential buildings, the headquarters of some of the world's most prestigious jewellery and fashion brands, and a host of museums, including the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Visit the best outlet in New York

If you love shopping but are looking for the best deals, you're in luck in New York, because you can visit the Premium Outlets, where you'll find dozens of luxury brand stores at greatly reduced prices.

As it's a little way out of Manhattan, there are organised tours so you can go shopping without having to worry about the logistics of getting there. I'll tell you how I did it and give you some tips for organising your shopping day here: Woodbury Commons and Other Outlet Malls in New York.

What to buy

You're probably going to New York with a "bargain" in mind that you want to get. And you're not wrong: American brands (both clothing and electronics) are undoubtedly the most worthwhile. In New York, you'll be able to find certain products at very good prices, but you'll have to know where to look. To do this, it's highly recommended to book a shopping excursion to New York's outlets.

In addition, here's a practical guide to help you get the most out of your shopping: 10 things to buy in New York Remember to leave enough space in your suitcase!

New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is a lush 100-hectare park where more than a million species are cultivated in 50 different spaces and environments. One of its main attractions is that it contains part of the ancient forest that covered New York before it was colonised in the 17th century, where you can find beautiful specimens of white ash, birch, tulip, cherry and beech trees. I recommend visiting it, especially if you are travelling to New York in spring.

The New York Aquarium

This is one of the most enjoyable experiences if you are visiting New York with your family. Located on the Coney Island boardwalk, the New York Aquarium is home to more than 500 marine species. The visit is organised in an entertaining way through exhibitions and games focused on teaching children values related to nature. You can find all the information you need in this guide to the New York Aquarium.

The Bronx Zoo

One of New York's great attractions, which unfortunately (or fortunately for you) goes unnoticed by the millions of tourists who visit the city, is the Bronx Zoo.

If you book tickets to the Bronx Zoo, you will have the opportunity to see the hundreds of species that live in this gigantic zoo in semi-freedom, making it a perfect place to visit. Especially if you are travelling with children, a visit to the animals at the Bronx Zoo will be well worth it. Here are several articles with everything you need to know about how to get tickets to the Bronx Zoo, the zoo's opening hours and the prices of the Bronx Zoo.

Manhattan's Chinatown, surrounded by TriBeCa, the old Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, is a place where you could easily imagine yourself on the Asian continent, with the comings and goings of Cantonese phrases and signs, and the constant market atmosphere, with fishmongers, butchers and greengrocers in constant activity. Chinatown is not the prettiest neighbourhood in the country, but it is certainly one of the most authentic and well worth booking a tour of Chinatown.

So that you don't just get lost in its streets without rhyme or reason (although wandering around is always highly recommended), here is a practical guide with 10 things to do in Chinatown NYC with tips and a list of things you can't miss seeing and doing there. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the most authentic Chinese food in the city: here's a guide to the best places to eat in Chinatown.

This is New York's newest trendy neighbourhood. In just a few years, it has gone from being a completely abandoned area to the new golden mile for luxury residences, ultra-modern Manhattan skyscrapers and the trendiest restaurants and shops. In addition to hosting The Vessel and The Edge (I'll tell you more about them later, but I can already tell you that you can't miss them), it has the famous High Line, the city's new park that I've already told you about.

In this neighbourhood, you can enjoy fine dining, admire the new wonders of New York architecture and go shopping at its new luxury shopping centre. In addition, here's a practical guide to getting to know the neighbourhood 6 Things to do at Hudson Yards in NYC, whether you're visiting on your own or booking a tour of Hudson Yards and The High Line.

If you had to choose a single icon to represent the City that Never Sleeps, it would be the Statue of Liberty. The famous Lady Liberty is located on Liberty Island, a short ferry ride from the piers south of Manhattan, and visiting it is one of the must-do activities on a trip to New York.

By the way, if you take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, don't miss out on everything you can see and do in Battery Park before boarding or on your return from visiting the Statue.

If you book tickets to the Statue of Liberty, you have the option of going inside and visiting the Statue's pedestal or even climbing up to the Crown. You can also visit the museum and enjoy the views from the Statue of Liberty's observation deck, which offers unbeatable panoramic views of Manhattan. If you choose a guided tour, some of them complete the experience with a visit to Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum.

And my favourite option is to book a film tour of New York. It's clear that the city hides thousands of legendary film and television locations in its streets and squares.

If you want to know exactly where the flat is where Monica and Rachel had Chandler and Joey as neighbours in Friends, or if you want to discover the legendary fire station from Ghostbusters, this article will help you. 10 TV & movie locations in New York City will help you. Whether you join one of the guided tours or visit the locations on your own, be sure to look for them!

The Memorial and Museum dedicated to the 11 September terrorist attacks are located on the site where the Twin Towers once stood, also known as Ground Zero. In their place, you will find fountains engraved with the names of the victims and a memorial museum that tells the story of the attacks and how New York was gradually rebuilt in the days that followed.

Although visiting the 9/11 Museum exhibition is an emotionally overwhelming experience, I recommend it as it will give you an alternative context to your trip and you will see New York through different eyes after your visit.

Don't hesitate, book a tour to visit the 9/11 Museum and if you want to evaluate the different options for learning about what happened on 9/11, check out this post with 5 Best 9/11 Tours in New York.

If you are in the area and have decided to visit the 9/11 Memorial or Museum, you may want to book your ticket to the One World Observatory and go up to admire New York from above. At the top of One World Trade Centre, the skyscraper built on Ground Zero, devastated by the 9/11 attacks, you'll find a glass-enclosed observation deck that offers crystal-clear views of southern Manhattan, the Hudson River and Brooklyn.

If you're afraid of heights, you don't have to miss out on the views from the One World Observatory, as it's the best viewpoint in the city. Being glass-enclosed, it provides a feeling of protection that other open observatories don't have. You can read all the details here: One World Observatory in New York: Tickets and Tours and take note of how to get to the One World Observatory in this other article.

Climb to the Top of the Rock

And while you're there, why not book your ticket to the Top of the Rock, one of the city's most popular observatories? Don't miss the New York skyline and the views from the Top of the Rock, at the top of Rockefeller Centre, including the night views...

Here are the details so you can plan your visit: Top of the Rock in New York: Tickets and Tours and decide whether you'd rather go up to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. Keep in mind that there are plenty of places to eat at Rockefeller Centre, so it's worth a visit even if you don't go up to the observation deck.

At Christmas

If you visit the city during the Christmas season, Rockefeller Centre at Christmas is a must-see, both for its famous tree (one of the best Christmas trees in New York) and its ice rink. The city wouldn't be the same at Christmas without this little corner, where you can take the typical photo and even put on your skates and hit the rink. In general, I won't deny that Christmas in New York deserves a special mention.

That's why I've put together this guide 15 Christmas Things to Do in New York City so you don't miss a single Christmas tree, shop window or, of course, ice rink. Oh! And if you're lucky enough to visit New York at Christmas, don't miss the spectacular decorations that the residents of Brooklyn put up every year on their houses in Dyker Heights. An ideal way to enjoy this experience is to book a Christmas lights tour of Dyker Heights. Also, if you're into lighting, don't miss the chance to see the Christmas lights at the Bronx Zoo. Christmas lovers, this will be your paradise!

Another option is to take one of the guided tours to discover the city's lights. You'll find it an incredible experience to discover the Big Apple decked out for the Christmas holidays!

Whether you want to devour all the museums the city has to offer or prefer to select one or two museums to visit during your trip, I have prepared this list of 14 best museums in New York City. Here you can read about the most important aspects of each one so that you can see all the options available, what you will see in each one, and how to get tickets at the best price.

The MoMa

It is impossible not to mention the MoMa, or Museum of Modern Art, among the must-sees in New York. Among the best works at MoMa are Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Dalí's The Persistence of Memory, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans and many other works of modern art that are worth seeing in person at least once in your life.

Take note of the MoMA prices and opening hours so you don't miss the opportunity to visit this fantastic museum.

The MET

The majestic museum on Fifth Avenue, the MET (whose staircase you will recognise instantly if you have seen Gossip Girl) houses works of art and artefacts such as Chinese calligraphy books, cuneiform writing tablets, Egyptian mummies, European royal armour, musical instruments and a collection of paintings that will leave you speechless, with works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Raphael among the most important.

Madame Tussauds

If you're curious to visit the wax museum to see your idols or the most popular figures from today and history up close, Madame Tussauds and its wax figures are a great option. In addition to being a fun visit, it will leave you with endless photos and anecdotes that are well worth it. If you are going to New York with children or friends, it is essential that you book tickets for Madame Tussauds. Here is all the information you need about Madame Tussauds in New York Tickets

A day at the museum from "Night at the Museum"

Although it was the film "Night at the Museum" that made it famous, one of the museums that has impressed visitors for decades with the wealth of curiosities and objects that can be seen (and learned about) inside is located near Central Park: the Natural History Museum.

Today, it remains one of the city's most important scientific and research centres, and its collection includes thousands of fossils, meteorites and minerals that you won't see anywhere else. If you're visiting New York with children, don't hesitate to take them on this tour, which will leave them speechless.

The Guggenheim in New York

This incredible museum will steal your heart, not only for the amazing works it houses but also for its design and structure, which are unique in the world. Step onto its majestic staircase and lose track of time in the heart of Manhattan inside the Guggenheim Museum in New York. You won't regret it!

Other interesting museums in the city

As with practically everything in New York, this city has a cultural offering that surpasses that of any other city in the world. It's difficult to calculate how long it would take to visit all of its incredible museums, but if you have time or are passionate about art and culture, check out these other museums that are sure to impress:

Read more about Fotografiska New York, venture into the Brooklyn Museum, discover the history of the city at the Museum of the City of New York, delve into the Whitney Museum of American Art, explore the Intrepid aircraft carrier with a visit to the Museum of the Sea, Air and Space, or feel like a spy at the KGB Spy Museum.

The Empire State Building is New York's most iconic building, and from its observation deck you can enjoy wonderful views of the Big Apple. You can go up at sunrise, just before sunset, or even go up at night: whatever you choose, it will be an experience you will remember fondly for many years to come.

To do so, I definitely recommend buying your tickets online for the Empire State Building in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office, choose the best time to go up the Empire State Building and avoid the large crowds of tourists who, naturally, have this visit among their priorities when visiting New York.

One of the most amazing viewpoints in the world has recently opened its doors in New York: The Edge. With a glass floor (yes, you read that right), if you book your tickets for The Edge, you can fly over the New York skyline with your own feet.

The structure of the building (it is literally an "edge", as its name suggests) is designed so that you can feel the wind (and vertigo) on your skin when you lean out from the top. Ready to test your adrenaline with the views from The Edge?

That's right: visiting Harvard is possible, and you don't have to be an intellectual (or a student) to do so. One of the most famous universities in the world opens its doors to travellers who visit on a guided tour.

On a day trip to Boston from New York, you can also explore the historic centre of Boston, where one of the most important episodes in American history took place: the American War of Independence.

If you book the excursion to Boston, you will also be able to see MIT and learn everything you need to know about the city and its customs, which contrast with the hustle and bustle of New York. Best of all? By nightfall, you will be back at your hotel in the Big Apple, ready to continue your journey.

Whether you visit New York in winter, when the cold will take its toll, or if you are short on time, the tourist bus will alleviate the low temperatures and allow you to explore the city in the easiest way possible.

Although it may seem like an inauthentic experience at first glance, the truth is that New York's tourist bus routes are designed to take you from one attraction to another as quickly as possible (and without having to fight with the underground map!).

What I like most about this experience is that you can do it both during the day and on the New York night tourist bus, when you have finished your marathon day of sightseeing and just want to relax while continuing to enjoy the panoramic views.

Even if this isn't your first time in the city, this area will be completely unfamiliar to you: after decades as a semi-abandoned industrial area, Hudson Yards has emerged in Midtown Manhattan in recent years (and is still under construction) to house shopping centres and luxury housing.

And much of the limelight in this new futuristic area of Manhattan is taken by The Vessel (or the beehive, as many call it).

Halfway between an architectural gem and a tourist attraction or viewpoint, this building stands out for its external appearance, but also for the optical illusions and views it offers visitors. I encourage you to go inside, climb its four flights of stairs and draw your own conclusions.

If the views from one of the city's observatories weren't enough for you, you can continue to enjoy them from one of Manhattan's wonderful rooftops or terraces.

Although the views won't be as impressive (almost none of them offer 360-degree views of the city, because other skyscrapers in front can block the view), they usually have live music and a very New York atmosphere, which I always think is a great way to end a busy day of sightseeing in the city.

Sometimes, finding these little bars or rooftops can seem complicated, so I've put together a list of what I consider to be the best rooftops in New York.

Sorry, but... New York is much more than Manhattan, and although it's tempting to stay and explore the island's most iconic sights, New York has so much more to offer. In fact, the city is made up of five boroughs where New Yorkers live, go out to dinner, shop, dance... Don't let laziness get the better of you and explore what Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island have to offer besides Manhattan. Here's what you can't miss on your visit to the city: 5 Best New York City Neighborhoods.

What to do and see in Brooklyn

I won't hide or deny that Brooklyn is one of my favourite areas of the city, so I encourage you (because I can't force you) to take to its streets and explore every corner of this area. You'll love its cafés, vintage markets, alternative shops and food markets. Also, take note of the best places to eat in Brooklyn, where you can try authentic dishes at lower prices than in Manhattan. Here are my recommendations: 13 Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC.

Visit Williamsburg

Also, within Brooklyn, you can visit Williamsburg and New York's Jewish neighbourhood, a world apart that blew me away the first time I visited. Here are some tips for organising your visit in this practical guide on 15 Things to Do in Williamsburg

If there's one thing that will make you feel like you're truly in the heart of the United States, it's enjoying its most popular sports. While in New York, you'll have the opportunity to see the legendary New York Yankees in a baseball game, which was a real experience for me (I didn't even know the rules of the game, but I found the atmosphere surrounding these events spectacular).

Don't hesitate, book tickets for the NFL. And if you're not travelling to New York during the MLB season, you can always take a tour of the stadium or visit the surrounding area. After all, it's a legendary place that sets the cultural, sporting and leisure agenda for New Yorkers. Here's an article for you to discover how to visit the Yankees stadium.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to watch an NFL (National Football League) game, the New York Giants play at MetLife Stadium and seeing them live is quite a spectacle.

If you book a cruise on the Hudson and sail the waters of the Hudson, you'll be able to take a break from long walks while you admire the views of the Manhattan skyline, pass under the Brooklyn Bridge and get up close to the Statue of Liberty.

Best of all, there are routes and itineraries to suit all budgets (from a short one-hour route to a luxurious cruise with dinner and live music) and even cruises on the Hudson to do with children. Go ahead and give it a try, and even if it's cold, wrap up warm and go out on deck to take the best photos.

Here's an article I've written about New York cruises and boat tours my favourite options, but I'll give you a heads up: taking a dinner cruise on the Hudson could be the most incredible experience of your trip. If you want more details, here's an article about the best time to take a cruise on the Hudson, another about how much Hudson cruises cost, and this last one about tips for enjoying a cruise in Manhattan.

Get around using the ferry

The Hudson is one of the city's main attractions, and if you want to leave Manhattan, you'll have to cross it by underground, train or ferry. I think the ferry is a great way to get around the city while enjoying the views of the skyline, so even though the boat isn't as comfortable as a cruise ship, don't hesitate to use the ferry during your trip. Here is all the information you need about the New York ferry.

Yes, I know, hamburgers aren't exactly what comes to mind when you think of "haute cuisine", but the great thing about New York is that you can literally eat anything. From the cheapest street food to the best pasta, fish, sushi or pizza you can imagine.

Of course, hot dogs, legendary burgers and cheesecakes are a must on your trip. Treat yourself to a picnic in one of the parks, save money at the fast food chains and sit down for dinner one night at one of the cosy candlelit restaurants in the West Village or SoHo. I'll tell you all about it here: 10 Places to Eat in New York City.

Visit Chelsea Market

If you're planning to book a tour of Chelsea, eating at Chelsea Market before or after your tour is a great option. At this food market, you'll find shops where you can buy high-quality food, as well as several stalls where you can stop for a bite to eat. If you're looking for desserts, breakfast or snacks, you're in luck: there are bakeries, cupcake shops, pastry shops...

New York itself is a world apart, but the United States has so much to offer that it would be a shame to miss out on a trip to other nearby cities. This is the case when booking a trip to Washington or Philadelphia from New York. If you take a guided tour to the cradle of this country's history, you will learn much more about its culture and idiosyncrasies. I found Washington in particular to be an incredible place, full of monuments and with many corners, monuments and iconic places to discover.

What's more, its order, cleanliness and majesty contrast sharply with the chaos of the Big Apple, so you'll round off your trip by adding this counterpoint that is sure to make an impression. Best of all, there are several options for discovering the surrounding area as well as visiting Washington, especially if you take a two-day trip to Washington, so I've compiled the most interesting ones here: 3 Best Day Trips to Washington DC from New York.

Other excursions

If you feel like exploring the surroundings of New York but are still not sure which destination you prefer, I have written a guide on 17 Day Trips from New York where I've compiled the best places to discover and how to join a guided excursion so you don't have to worry about the logistics of getting there by public transport or renting a car. Let's travel!

Madison Square Garden is not only home to the best NBA three-pointers and great shows and concerts, but you can also experience the atmosphere of the New York Rangers, New York's ice hockey team, games there.

Watching a game in the NHL, the American hockey league, is a highly recommended experience. Its fast pace and the "battles" between players as they slide the puck will get your adrenaline pumping. If you want to know more about the fourth national sport, read our post on how to get tickets for hockey in New York and get your hands on some.

At Rockefeller Center, you have a date with what is considered the most important theatre in the United States, Radio City Music Hall. Its facilities have been witness to the most spectacular shows in the country for decades, and now you can take a guided tour where you'll learn the best behind-the-scenes secrets. But you can also talk to a Rockette dancer, a true institution on this stage.

If you're visiting New York at Christmas, don't miss the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a Christmas classic that has been performed in this theatre since the 1930s and which you can enjoy with your family. In fact, I recommend booking your visit to Radio City Music Hall in advance to get the most out of the experience.

There are many ways to explore Brooklyn, but don't miss the iconic bridge that connects this neighbourhood to Manhattan. You can walk across it, which takes about 45 minutes, but a really interesting way to explore it is by booking a bike tour of the Brooklyn Bridge. There are guided tours where you can learn about the history of the bridge while enjoying spectacular views from it.

As you cycle along the path, you'll see other popular tourist attractions such as Brooklyn Heights, Wall Street and Dumbo. The guide will tell you all about each of them.

If you're a yogi and can't go another day without practising meditation, book a yoga class in Central Park. There's plenty to see in this huge park, including strolling through almost 3.5 kilometres of nature. But if you want to add something extra to your visit, you can take advantage of a yoga and meditation tour.

Disconnect from the hustle and bustle of New York Citystreets and treat yourself to a moment of relaxation and well-being for your body and mind. Thanks to the yoga exercises taught by a specialised instructor, you can take a break and exercise in New York's great green lung.

Beneath New York City, specifically in the underground floors of the old St. Patrick's Basilica, are the catacombs where the remains of bishops and other illustrious figures from the city's Catholic world are hidden.

Along the corridors of the cathedral are numerous crypts that you can see by candlelight. In fact, you can book a tour of the New York catacombs, which will take you through the cemeteries housed in this temple and reveal its greatest secrets. If mystery is your thing, I recommend finding out how to visit the New York catacombs.

Want to try the most delicious and unimaginable ice creams? Book tickets for the Ice Cream Museum in New York and have a fun and tasty time. If you're a fan of this product, whatever the season, don't miss this interactive museum where you can let your imagination run wild by experimenting with unique flavours and colours.

Of course, you can taste sweets, slide down a snail-shaped slide, bathe in a pool of chocolate chips, and much more. Get your Instagram ready because you'll be taking lots of photos that you'll want to share on all your social media accounts.

Visiting the places in the Big Apple where scenes from the legendary series Sex and the City were filmed is a great thing to do in the city. You can relive the best moments of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte by booking a Sex and the City location tour.

The Meatpacking District where they used to shop, the Plaza Hotel, the Buddakan restaurant and the Scout bar, where they used to drink their cosmopolitans, are some of the places you can visit during a 3½-hour tour with a professional guide who will tell you all the secrets of the series.

If you love horror and want to hear the most spine-chilling stories in one of New York's most iconic neighbourhoods, you should book the Greenwich Village ghost tour. A route through places steeped in legends and hair-raising stories.

Visit haunted buildings such as New York University, Washington Square Park and Jefferson Market Library, all of which have stories of spirits and ghosts that will make you remember this day forever. Only the most squeamish will regret it!

Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn... Do you know New York's most authentic neighbourhoods? Visit some of them and immerse yourself in their people and culture. You'll recognise New York's characteristic diversity as soon as you set foot in the city, but there's nothing like booking a tour of the boroughs from Manhattan and walking the streets of the boroughs that surround the Big Apple.

There are bus tours with local guides who will show you the most unusual places in districts such as Coney Island, a place to escape from the busy streets of the city centre. You can also discover the birthplace of hip hop and the true street art of graffiti in the Bronx. Or visit Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Delve deep into America and get to know the neighbourhoods of New York.

The Ride is a unique show that you can experience from a stage never seen before: a bus. This experience of enjoying a Broadway-style show on a bus is undoubtedly a highly recommended thing to do in New York.

If you book tickets for The Ride experience, you can enjoy a magnificent production from the comfort of the bus's tiered seating. You will see the performers sing and dance as the bus travels through the city. Whether with family or friends, The Ride will leave you completely amazed.

Fancy a good cheeseburger, ribs or a Texas sandwich? Play it safe by booking a menu at the Hard Rock Cafe, a three-course menu with drink and dessert at the legendary restaurant in Times Square.

Enjoy American cuisine at this franchise bar, which was founded in London over 50 years ago and has now spread to more than 63 countries. Take a break from your trip to New York and admire the largest exhibition of musical memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. The hard part will be choosing from the wide variety of dishes on the menu.

There are two key landmarks in New York that you can visit to learn about the history of slavery. On the one hand, there is the African Burial Ground National Monument, which houses the remains of African-American slaves from the 17th and 18th centuries. And on the other hand, the Underground Railroad, where you can travel back in time as you explore this network that thousands of slaves forged to escape the country, aided by some Americans of the time.

If you book the historical tour on slavery, you will be taken to these and other places representative of this dark period in American history, and you will learn more about the daily life of slaves and their liberation.

If you've always wanted to be part of street art by creating your own graffiti but never dared to try, there's no better time than your trip to New York to learn the true technique of aerosol art.

Book a graffiti workshop in New York with an expert graffiti artist and learn how to paint murals with spray cans in a key location on the New York art scene, the Bushwick neighbourhood of Brooklyn. You'll have the opportunity to debut your own creation and take it home as a souvenir. The perfect plan for all ages and levels.

The Spyscape Museum is a place where you can experiment and unleash your inner daredevil. It's an interactive adventure that challenges your intelligence and lets you discover what kind of spy you would be.

Designed by a former head of the Secret Intelligence Service, the challenges offered by this immersive museum will keep you entertained for an afternoon as you try to decipher codes or explore hidden worlds. Test your skills by booking tickets to the Spyscape Museum and feel like a real CIA agent for a day.

The LGBTQ community is very large in the US, and booking the Gay Pride Tour of New York City's historic sites can help you recognise and learn about their struggle over the years. Part of the tour's proceeds will be donated to Heritage of Pride, an organisation that promotes pride marches in the city.

The Gay Liberation Monument, the Axis Theatre Centre and the Stonewall Inn are some of the buildings you can visit along this route, where a guide will tell you the historical details of each place. For example, the Stonewall Inn is the bar where the riots took place on 28 June 1969, which led to the uprising of the LGBTQ community in the country.

There are many ways to explore the great Central Park, but if you want a comfortable and fun experience, book an electric scooter tour of Central Park. On this scooter, you can visit many of the park's corners and places of interest without getting tired.

There are guided tours throughout the park that will also give you details about each monument. And I can assure you that a guide accompanying you along the way will be very useful, as otherwise you could get lost among its thousands of nooks and crannies. What's more, the electric scooter will allow you to reach many more places in this large urban park, which is over 4 kilometres long.

If you love photography, booking a photo shoot in Brooklyn will be right up your street. Thanks to a session with a professional photographer in the Brooklyn neighbourhood, you'll be able to take home a great souvenir of New York. This experience will take you to iconic locations that are perfect for taking spectacular photos, such as Dumbo, Rockefeller Centre, Manhattan Borough and Times Square.

You can choose your route and the duration of the session, and after a few days, your photos will be ready to download. Sounds like a great plan, doesn't it? The hard part will be choosing which ones you want to share on your social media...

Harlem is one of New York's most culturally vibrant neighbourhoods, and this is evident in the area's nightlife. The best jazz clubs are located here, and booking a tour of Harlem's jazz venues, whether you're passionate about this style of music or not, will make you feel like a true American.

Some tours of this legendary neighbourhood can give you an insight into the artistic scene in Harlem, considered by some to be the birthplace of jazz. You can also stroll through its streets, visit its gospel churches and check out the most famous venues for a fantastic night out.

Art and technology come together in a futuristic museum in New York City, the Artechouse. We're talking about science and innovation applied to the art scene, where you can see unique exhibitions with light and sound. An immersive experience of avant-garde art for those who have already visited the more traditional museums and want to see something new in New York.

There are multisensory exhibitions, some temporary and others permanent, all of which are highly recommended. Don't miss it!

Want to experience a night out in the city that never sleeps? Book a food tour of Brooklyn to make sure you eat well, then head to one of New York's most impressive hotspots, Brooklyn Mirage, an outdoor party temple dedicated to music, sound and spectacle that you'll never forget.

The special audio system, the shape of the room, the catwalk and its walls completely covered with plants and LED lights, among many other things, will make you think you're in a dream. Take your friends for an unforgettable night at this incredible summer club, a paradise for party lovers.

Are you going to leave the US without trying a real American burger? If you want a suggestion for one of the best in New York, head to the Upper East Side and book a table at JG Melons. A unique place that envelops you in a pure Yankee atmosphere, where you can eat juicy burgers accompanied by a Bloody Mary.

If that's not enough to satisfy you, I recommend the roast beef sandwiches or the authentic steak tartare. Is your mouth watering yet? Another option if you want to try other dishes and delve into the culinary tradition is to book a food tour of Manhattan.

The world of the legendary series Friends awaits you in this unmissable experience where you'll feel like one of the characters. Step inside Monica and Rachel's flat and sit on their orange sofa or attend Ross and Rachel's wedding.

Friends Experience recreates the best scenes in an immersive journey perfectly set in this group of friends from Manhattan who gave us so many good times in the 90s.

Take a break from your tour of New York and visit the Museum of Sex. There you will find various art exhibitions, secret photographs, galleries of objects and works on sexuality and eroticism.

Learn about human sexual science, history and culture at this museum. A unique place that you cannot miss on your trip to the US capital.

If there's one time of year when you can enjoy more hours of daylight to explore the city outdoors, it's when you visit New York in summer. It's true that the temperatures are very high (sometimes too high) and you'll appreciate the air conditioning in shops and buildings, but the cool evenings on the terraces and endless walks through Manhattan, the banks of the Hudson and bike rides through Central Park make up for it all.

I recommend checking out the best bike tours in New York for this summer season and discovering the city in a healthier and more sustainable way. Another option, if you prefer to go at your own pace, is to hire a bicycle in Manhattan.

Starting with the 4th of July fireworks and bearing in mind that the baseball league takes place in summer, I can suggest endless activities that will make you never want to leave the city, despite the heat: what to do and see in New York in summer.

If you want to experience a different kind of adventure, book a hot air balloon flight and admire the New York skyline. Fly over the Hudson River and get the best views of New Jersey. It's a relaxing 45- to 60-minute ride through the clouds at sunrise or sunset that will leave you with a great feeling.

Some of these flights include champagne, in case you want to celebrate a special event with your partner, but they also allow children over the age of 10 to come on board, if you are travelling with your family. Just make sure you choose a clear day to enjoy this fascinating adventure through the skies of New York to the fullest.

Escape rooms are always an ideal way to spend an afternoon with friends or family. Here's one that will bring out your detective side. Specifically, in 'The Heist' you'll have to recover a valuable Monet painting that has been stolen from the museum. You have 60 minutes to find it. Are you up for the challenge?

The Escape Game is an escape room centre in New York with five games of varying difficulty. The most difficult one to solve is the one where you have to try to escape from prison, but there are also easier ones such as 'Playground', where you spend a day at school working as a team.

Arcadia Earth is an immersive journey that combines science and technology to allow you and your children to explore the inner workings of the planet. On this virtual reality platform, you can interact with the underwater world, see the Earth from the inside and feel how every element of nature comes to life.

Don't miss this multi-sensory experience at 705 Broadway, you'll love it!

New York's nightlife is endless, with thousands of things to do. But if you fancy something different, come and see a burlesque, circus or magic show at The Rose Room.

This variety theatre in Midtown will give you a magical night out. You can relax with a few cocktails while watching a cabaret show. Don't miss one of the most acclaimed venues on the New York night scene.

The great metropolis of New York hides many hidden treasures. That's why I suggest this super fun plan where you can discover hidden corners, sculptures and places while exploring the city.

Venture into the great Central Park and locate its hidden monuments, take a stroll through Greenwich Village and find the traces left by legendary celebrities such as Jimmy Hendrix, or discover the hidden secrets of Times Square and Rockefeller Centre. There are many exploration and adventure games for a fun day out in New York, so why not try one of them?

You may not have even heard of this small island east of Manhattan, but the truth is that if you have time and feel like discovering something different, it's a great option for spending an afternoon. To get there, it's best to take the cable car (departing from Second Avenue and 60th Street) and enjoy the views along the way.

You'll see some of Manhattan's most iconic buildings and land on the other side, on Roosevelt Island, where you can enjoy a stroll along the pier. If you're thinking of crossing the river on this cable car, you can read more about the experience in my article on Roosevelt Island Tramway NYC.

Other unique experiences in New York

If, in addition to the cable car, you want to discover other unique activities to do in the city, I've prepared a list of the best experiences to have in New York so that your trip is unlike any other. I recommend it especially if it's not your first time in the city or if you want to get off the beaten track and take home a unique souvenir of your stay in New York.

If you thought that New York had no green spaces beyond Central Park, you were wrong. Along its long streets and avenues, you'll find small squares and parks where you'll see crowds of New Yorkers walking, playing sports or having a picnic during their work break.

If I had to choose my favourite among the best parks in New York (after, of course, the obligatory visit to Central Park), it would be Bryant Park.

I recommend grabbing one of their tables (they put them out when the weather is nice) for a picnic with a view, but I'll tell you more about that in my article on 10 things to do in Bryant Park NYC.

For an entertaining time in New York, just sign up for one of the tours that take you down Stone Street, where you'll experience an authentic American party while drinking beer and listening to the best stories of Colonial America.

While the local guide tells you about the battles of the American Revolutionary War, you can enjoy draught beer or cider in the best taverns in the city. Meet people while sharing an afternoon of fun, but also learning about American culture.

Need a break from your trip to the US capital? If you're tired of tours, skyscrapers and sightseeing, I recommend this experience where you can relax for a few hours in authentic Arab baths. The AIRE Ancient Baths in New York are located in a renovated building dating back to 1883.

There you can enjoy relaxing baths at different temperatures or receive a massage in a unique atmosphere that will transport you back to Roman and Greek times.

Bang Bang is the New York tattoo studio of choice for celebrities. It is run by Keith McCordy, a renowned figure in the world of ink, who devotes practically all his work to tattooing famous people. But don't worry, he has a whole team of professionals behind him who can give you the best souvenir of your trip to the US.

Go for a hyper-realistic tattoo, a mini tattoo or get the symbol you've always wanted to tattoo and that means so much to you. If you're not sure about the design, don't worry, the tattoo artists will give you some great ideas. So make an appointment with Bang Bang and surprise everyone with your New York tattoo.

Paintball games are a great way to spend an afternoon with your children in New York. If they're young, they've probably never seen a pinball machine, but I guarantee they'll love it. Modern Pinball NYC has a wide variety of arcade and themed machines that you can try out and enjoy.

It also has the Modern Pinball Museum, where you can see an exhibition of vintage machines as well as those featuring the latest technology, watch a live demonstration by experts, and participate in the educational game programme aimed at children and adults.

If you've ever dreamed of skydiving but want to try it indoors for a safer experience, sign up for an indoor skydiving session at iFLY. Avoid any danger with wind tunnels that recreate the real sensation of flying.

They have experiences for all ages and levels. The instructors will teach you all the techniques you need to learn with this unique safe skydiving experience. Take the plunge and enjoy a day with a difference.

Let the adrenaline rush with a speedboat ride on the Hudson River. Its name, 'The Beast', is representative of the energy boost it will give you. It's a high-speed trip down the river with rock music blaring and captained by two comedians who will make your time unforgettable with their funny comments.

There are 30-minute tours that take you close to the Statue of Liberty, where you can take a selfie before heading back.

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world, having been founded in 1842. It performs its concerts at David Geffen Hall and on Broadway, on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

If you don't want to miss out on the great classical composers, I recommend getting tickets for some of their concerts. Here is their official website so you can take a look at their entire programme.

Have you ever thought about trying out a real luxury electric car? Book a Tesla and drive through the streets of New York in the vehicles of the future. You can choose from luxury cars to super easy-to-drive models.

Respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainable energy is the mission of Elon Musk's company, and can you think of a better plan than trying out one of these fantastic cars in the Big Apple?

For fans of the Stranger Things series, there is an interactive experience that takes you to the Hawkins laboratory. Go back to the 1980s and help save the town from the Demogorgon, become a hero by uncovering the mysteries surrounding the famous Netflix series while exploring the world of the 'Upside Down'.

In this exhibition, you can visit the Family Video video store, sample food and cocktails inspired by the series, take thousands of photos with your favourite characters, play arcade games, or purchase exclusive merchandise from shops based on the popular series.

Wafels & Dinges waffles are not just any waffles. That's why I encourage you to find one of their mobile trucks stopping in New York and try one of their delicious Belgian waffles. You can choose from classics with chocolate and other toppings to almonds, minis, gluten-free or vegan options.

Look for the yellow truck, grab a box of waffles and enjoy this delicious baked treat that will transport you to Belgium. Here is a link to the locations and opening hours of Wafels & Dinges.

If you are a film lover, don't miss this museum dedicated to the performing arts, where you will find exhibitions, screenings and educational programmes dedicated to the seventh art and the digital world.

Located in the historic Astoria studio in Queens, the Museum of the Moving Image offers film and series clips from all genres, from science fiction to drama and animation.

If there's one fun activity in New York, it's buying tickets to a show at the Comedy Cellar, considered the best comedy club in the city and a great place to have a laugh. These are small shows where the great American comedians will give you an unforgettable time.

The Comedy Cellar is located in Greenwich Village, so you can take advantage of this to do one of the tours of this neighbourhood afterwards, such as the gastronomic tour. With both activities, you will have a fantastic day of fun and culinary pleasure in the Greenwich neighbourhood.

Pastrami is a typical Jewish food consisting of red beef that has been cured and salted. If you've never tried it, the best place to do so is undoubtedly by grabbing a sandwich from Katz's Delicatessen.

Be warned, they're addictive, and it's no surprise that this century-old shop specialising in Jewish food sells thousands of sandwiches every day. Head to their premises at 205 East Houston Street and you'll thank me for it. Enjoy!

If there's one time of year when you can enjoy more hours of daylight to explore the city outdoors, it's summer in New York. It's true that the temperatures are very high (sometimes too high) and you'll appreciate the air conditioning in shops and buildings, but the cool evenings on the terraces and endless walks through Manhattan, the banks of the Hudson and bike rides through Central Park make up for it all.

I recommend checking out the best bike tours in New York for this summer season and discovering the city in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Starting with the 4th of July fireworks and bearing in mind that the baseball league takes place in summer, I suggest a host of activities that will make you never want to leave the city despite the heat: what to do and see in New York in summer.

If, on the other hand, you decide to visit the city in winter, in addition to the great attraction of Christmas, I can assure you that the cold will not prevent you from enjoying the city, as it is more than prepared for low temperatures. If you are lucky, it may even snow and you will be left with some picture-postcard Christmas photos.

In addition to enjoying NBA games, you will appreciate having a hot drink in the city's cosiest cafés. My advice is to combine indoor activities in the afternoons (such as visiting viewpoints or observatories, attending a musical on Broadway or going shopping) with outdoor activities (walks around the city, a cruise on the Hudson or crossing Central Park) in the middle of the day when the sun warms up the temperatures a little.

If you feel the cold, don't worry, because I've put together a guide with everything you can see and do in New York in winter and what you need to take with you, what clothes to wear, etc. to make your stay there more than pleasant: what to do and see in winter in New York. In any case, whenever you travel, you'll find a thousand things to do. Of course, if you haven't booked your tickets yet, you can take a look at this article with all the information about the best time to travel to New York.

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To keep your travel budget in check, here are some practical tips to make your experience more comfortable.

Get a tourist card

If you want to visit several viewpoints, museums or tours, the best option is a tourist card:

• New York Pass
• New York CityPASS®
• New York Explorer Pass

Before you decide, check out this comparison of New York tourist passes.

Book an airport-hotel transfer

The most convenient way to get to Manhattan is to book a transfer (private or shared). See how to do it in this New York Airport Transfers or in this guide on how to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan.

Get around by public transport

The subway is fast, cheap and an attraction in itself. Don't be intimidated by the map: here's a practical guide to the New York subway.

Basic travel tips

Avoid beginner's mistakes by reading these 15 travel tips for New York that will help you organise your trip and avoid tourist traps.

Plan your itinerary

Save time and money with some basic planning. Get inspired by these guides: 10 Things to do in New York City in the Fall and 7-Days New York Itinerary.

Do not forget your travel insurance

Medical care in the US is very expensive. Take out good insurance. Here you will find all the information you need about Health Insurance to Travel to New York.

Prepare your ESTA visa

To enter as a tourist, you will need an ESTA visa. It is easy to apply for online. Complete guide here: how to obtain an ESTA visa to travel to New York.

• New York in January. Enjoy the last of the Christmas lights despite the cold.
• New York in February. Low season with cheaper hotels and Valentine's Day in the Big Apple.
• New York in March. Spring arrives: longer days and walks through Manhattan.
• New York in April. Easter marks the start of the high season: book in advance.
• New York in May. Parks in full bloom, perfect for cycling, picnics or rowing in Central Park.
• New York in June. Warm weather and long days, ideal for climbing a skyscraper.
• New York in July. Experience 4th of July with parades and fireworks.
• New York in August. Outdoor cinema, Brooklyn beaches and Coney Island.
• New York in September. The city comes back to life after the summer: restaurants, theatres and rooftops.
• New York in October. Halloween takes over: houses and streets decorated like never before.
• New York in November. Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas preparations.
• New York in December. Ice skating, lights, shop windows and entire neighbourhoods illuminated, such as Dyker Heights.