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New York City

Best Things to Do in New York City

There's something for everyone in this bustling city. World-renowned museums? Check. Michelin-rated dining? Check. Cheap eats? Yep, NYC has those too. Theater, opera, ballet? Absolutely, and there's also a raging nightlife in swank bars and low-key clubs. What about parks? Ever heard of the Central one? And among other sites, there are also the icons that make New York, New York: the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building. For those of you on a budget, the New York CityPASS can save you big on some of the most popular attractions, including the Guggenheim and Modern Art museums.

Tips on What To Do in New York City»

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How We Rank Things to Do
#1
Central Park Free attraction
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most ... read more»

#2
American Museum of Natural History
Museums | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: Visitors are thrilled with the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether ... read more»

#3
Rockefeller Center Free attraction
Entertainment and Nightlife, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: This iconic plaza has it all -- beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view ... read more»

#4
St. Patrick's Cathedral Free attraction
Churches/Religious Sites, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: This sprawling cathedral sits amongst the hustle and distinctively secular bustle of Rockefeller Center. But ... read more»

#5
Bryant Park Free attraction
Entertainment and Nightlife, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: Just east of Times Square lies one of the most beautiful four-acres in Manhattan -- Bryant ... read more»

#6
SoHo Free attraction
Shopping, Neighborhood/Area | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 5.0

Why go: Fifth Avenue is known for its tony buildings, big-name designer stores and almost unattainable merchandise ... read more»

#7
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museums | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5

Why go: No museum in the United States is as celebrated as the Metropolitan Museum of Art ... read more»

#8
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Free attraction
Monuments and Memorials, Museums, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5

Why go: The National September 11 Memorial & Museum serves as the primary tribute to the nearly 3 ... read more»

#9
Grand Central Station Free attraction
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5

Why go: At this beatuiful train station, you can eat some lunch, or shop till you drop ... read more»

#10
Empire State Building
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5

Why go: New York City Tourist 101 dictates that you must swing by this landmark structure in ... read more»

#11
Museum of Modern Art
Museums | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5

Why go: You don't have to be an art lover to appreciate the Museum of Modern ... read more»

#12
New York Public Library Free attraction
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: This main branch, officially called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, attracts plenty of book lovers ... read more»

#13
Times Square Free attraction
Entertainment and Nightlife, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself ... read more»

#14
Chrysler Building Free attraction
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: Technically, the Chrysler Building is an office building open Monday through Friday, but you don ... read more»

#15
Broadway
Entertainment and Nightlife, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the ... read more»

#16
Statue of Liberty
Sightseeing, Tours | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: This brightly shining beacon draws visitors year-round. So let's discuss your visiting options. The ... read more»

#17
Fifth Avenue Free attraction
Shopping, Neighborhood/Area | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: It's fitting that St. Patrick's Cathedral would be on the same street with ... read more»

#18
Radio City Music Hall
Entertainment and Nightlife | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: It's where Ella Fitzgerald pined for the man she loves, the Rolling Stones couldn ... read more»

#19
The Guggenheim
Museums, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 4.0

Why go: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or simply, "The Guggenheim," is one of the most well-known ... read more»

#20
Brooklyn Bridge Free attraction
Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 3.5

Why go: One of many signature landmarks of New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is also one ... read more»

#21
Ellis Island
Museums, Sightseeing | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 3.5

Why go: For 62 years this was the United States' main immigration entry point, and many U ... read more»

#22
Bronx Zoo
Zoos and Aquariums | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 3.5

Why go: No, we're not referring to the Yankees' less affectionate nickname, but the actual wildlife ... read more»

#23
Apollo Theater
Entertainment and Nightlife | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 3.5

Why go: One of the most famous music halls in the United States, "the Apollo" started as ... read more»

#24
Metropolitan Opera House
Entertainment and Nightlife | Map It

Overall Rating: Rating: 3.0

Why go: Stroll through the courtyard of the Metropolitan Opera House even if you're not going ... read more»

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