Lower Manhattan skyline seen across the East River from Brooklyn

Updated 2026

15 best things to do in New York

Skyline missions, free ferries and the world’s best people-watching.

Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

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We picked these 15 because together they give you the full New York: one skyline view from above, one from the water, a big museum, a park and two neighbourhoods to wander. For every stop you get the honest cost, how long it takes, the best time to go and when to skip it. Prices change often, so we link to live prices instead of quoting numbers that go stale.

Things to do in New York: tap a number to open it in Google Maps.

Tickets & tours in New York: compare before you buy

Official sites are often cheapest for single museums; resellers are handy for skip-the-line combos, tours and free cancellation.

Tickets on Tiqets Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Lower Manhattan ↔ DUMBO

Opened in 1883, the bridge has a raised wooden walkway above the traffic, so you get Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty in one stroll. It’s free and there’s no ticket.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 30–45 min one way
Best time: Early morning (before 8 am) or a weekday evening

Insider tip: Take the subway to Brooklyn (High St or York St) and walk back towards Manhattan, so the skyline is in front of you the whole time. Then explore DUMBO before or after.

Skip it if: You’re only free at midday on a summer weekend, when the walkway gets packed. Do the Manhattan Bridge walk instead for fewer people.

Brooklyn Bridge tours Compare on Viator Read our full guide →

Get lost in Central Park

Midtown to Harlem

At 843 acres it’s bigger than a lot of city centres. Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields and the Reservoir loop are the classics, and they’re all free.

Cost: Free (bike rentals and carriage rides cost extra)
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Best time: Morning, or golden hour in spring and autumn

Insider tip: Enter at 72nd St on the west side for Strawberry Fields, walk to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, and finish at The Met on Fifth Ave. Pick up food on the Upper West Side first, because park kiosks are basic.

Skip it if: You’re here in a January cold snap with only one day. Grand Central and a museum are better use of the time.

Bike rental & tours Compare on Viator

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Upper East Side

Egyptian temples, armour, Vermeer, Van Gogh and a seasonal rooftop garden, all under one roof. You could spend days here. Two to three focused hours is better than a rushed marathon.

Cost: Paid entry for most visitors (New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students pay what they wish). Check the current price.
Time needed: 2–4 hours
Best time: Right at opening or late afternoon. Check which day it’s closed.

Insider tip: Choose two or three wings before you go: the Temple of Dendur, European Paintings and the Arms and Armor court make a good first route. Keep the ticket. Same-day entry to The Met Cloisters is usually included, so check yours.

Skip it if: Museums bore you. Do the free outdoor highlights (Central Park, High Line) and save the money for a show.

Official tickets Guided tours Compare on Viator

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

New York Harbor

Standing at Lady Liberty’s feet feels different from seeing her from a boat. The ferry includes Ellis Island, where the immigration museum is one of the most moving stops in the city.

Cost: Paid ferry ticket. Pedestal and crown access need specific tickets that sell out. Check the current price.
Time needed: Half a day (4–5 hours with Ellis Island)
Best time: First ferry of the day

Insider tip: Buy from the official ferry operator (Statue City Cruises) or a clearly bundled tour. Lots of street sellers near Battery Park sell harbour cruises that never land on the island. Crown tickets often go months ahead.

Skip it if: You only want a photo. The free Staten Island Ferry sails right past the statue.

Compare tickets Compare on Viator Read our full guide →

The High Line + Chelsea Market

Meatpacking → Hudson Yards

A disused elevated rail line turned into a 1.45-mile (2.3 km) park with planting, art and views down the avenues. Free, and an easy walk between two very different neighbourhoods.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours with Chelsea Market
Best time: Weekday morning; it gets crowded on sunny weekend afternoons

Insider tip: Start at Gansevoort St (south end), detour to Little Island on the Hudson, eat in Chelsea Market around 15th–16th St, and finish at Hudson Yards. Edge is right there if you want a sunset view.

Skip it if: It’s pouring with rain. There’s little shelter up there.

Food & walking tours Compare on Viator

One skyline deck (choose wisely)

Midtown / Hudson Yards

Seeing the grid from above is a must. Top of the Rock gives you the Empire State Building and Central Park in one frame. Edge has an outdoor deck with a glass floor. Summit One Vanderbilt is an immersive mirror-room experience. The Empire State Building is the classic.

Cost: Paid; sunset time slots cost more. Check current prices.
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Best time: Book a slot that starts about 45 min before sunset

Insider tip: Do one, not four. For the classic photo with the Empire State Building in it, choose Top of the Rock. For a thrill, choose Edge. Summit’s floors are mirrored, so trousers are a better choice than a skirt.

Skip it if: It’s low cloud, because you’ll see nothing. Most decks let you check the forecast and change your ticket, so read the terms when you book.

Top of the Rock Edge Compare on Viator Read our full guide →

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9/11 Memorial & Museum

Financial District

The two reflecting pools sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers. The museum below tells the story of the day with real care. Expect it to be emotional.

Cost: Memorial pools free; museum is paid (check the current price)
Time needed: 30 min (pools) / 2–3 hours (museum)
Best time: Morning, combined with the Statue of Liberty ferry from Battery Park

Insider tip: Walk through the Oculus transit hub next door. It’s free and makes a striking photo. One World Observatory is here too if you want a downtown view.

Skip it if: You’re travelling with young children and want to skip the museum. The pools are still worth a quiet visit.

Museum tickets Compare on Viator

Times Square at night (once)

Midtown

Yes, it’s touristy. But standing under the screens after dark is a New York moment you only need to have once, and it’s on the way to Broadway anyway.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 20–30 min
Best time: After dark, before or after a show

Insider tip: The costumed characters and “free” CD sellers expect money once you take a photo or accept something. Smile and keep walking. The red TKTS steps give you the best view.

Skip it if: You hate crowds. Eat and stay elsewhere: Hell’s Kitchen, a few blocks west, is much better for dinner.

Ride the free Staten Island Ferry

Whitehall Terminal (Lower Manhattan)

A 25-minute harbour cruise that costs nothing, runs 24/7 and passes the Statue of Liberty and the downtown skyline. One of the best deals in the city.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 1 hour round trip
Best time: Sunset or after dark for skyline lights

Insider tip: On the way out to Staten Island, stand on the right-hand side (starboard) for the statue. Everyone has to get off at St. George. Just follow the signs and board the next boat back.

Skip it if: You’ve already booked the Liberty Island ferry and want to save time.

#10

MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)

Midtown

Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lilies, Warhol’s soup cans and Frida Kahlo, all in a building that’s easy to navigate in two hours.

Cost: Paid entry (check the current price)
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Best time: Opening time on a weekday

Insider tip: Go straight to the fifth floor for the most famous works before the crowds arrive, then work your way down. The sculpture garden is a calm break.

Skip it if: You’re already doing The Met and only have 3 days. Pick one big art museum.

MoMA tickets Compare on Viator

#11

See a Broadway show

Theater District

Live theatre at this level is a reason to visit on its own, from long-running musicals to limited-run plays with film stars.

Cost: Varies hugely by show and seat; check live prices
Time needed: 2.5–3 hours
Best time: Weekday evenings and matinees are often cheaper

Insider tip: For discounts, try the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day tickets or the show’s official digital lottery and rush tickets. Avoid resellers outside the theatres.

Skip it if: Musicals aren’t your thing. Comedy clubs or jazz in the Village cost much less for a great night.

Broadway tickets Compare on Viator

#12

Grand Central Terminal

Midtown East

A working station since 1913 with a turquoise, star-painted ceiling. Free to walk in, and it’s easy to combine with Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.

Cost: Free (guided tours are paid)
Time needed: 20–40 min
Best time: Mid-morning, outside rush hour

Insider tip: Find the Whispering Gallery outside the Oyster Bar on the lower level. Stand in opposite corners and whisper into the wall. Summit One Vanderbilt is next door.

Skip it if: Honestly, don’t skip it. It’s free and right in the middle of Midtown.

Tickets & tours

#13

DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn

Cobbled streets, the famous Manhattan Bridge shot on Washington Street, Jane’s Carousel and a waterfront park facing the skyline.

Cost: Free (the carousel ride is a small fee)
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Best time: Late afternoon into sunset

Insider tip: Take the Washington St photo early or on a weekday. For skyline views and a picnic, walk south along Brooklyn Bridge Park’s piers.

Skip it if: You don’t care about photos or views. Williamsburg is better for shops and bars.

Brooklyn tours Compare on Viator

#14

Greenwich Village & Washington Square

Downtown

Leafy streets, brownstones, street performers under the arch, and some of the city’s best-known jazz and comedy clubs.

Cost: Free to wander; club covers vary
Time needed: 2 hours or an evening
Best time: Afternoon wander, then a late show

Insider tip: The Village Vanguard has been running since 1935. Book ahead for a set. Walk Bleecker, Bedford and Commerce Streets for the classic Village look.

Skip it if: You want big landmarks. This is about atmosphere.

Village food tours Compare on Viator

#15

American Museum of Natural History

Upper West Side

Dinosaur halls, the giant blue whale model in the Hall of Ocean Life, the planetarium and the newer Gilder Center. The best rainy-day pick if you have kids.

Cost: Paid for most visitors (NY, NJ and CT residents can pay what they wish for general admission). Check the current price.
Time needed: 2–4 hours
Best time: Weekday after 2 pm, when school groups leave

Insider tip: Pair it with Central Park: the museum sits right on the west side of the park at 79th St.

Skip it if: You’re travelling without kids and already doing The Met.

Tickets Compare on Viator

Save money: is a city pass worth it?

Passes only save money if you visit enough of the attractions they include, and if you’d have paid full gate price anyway. List what you’ll really do, add up the official prices, then compare. Free highlights (the Staten Island Ferry, High Line, Central Park, Grand Central, Brooklyn Bridge) don’t need a pass.

New York CityPASS

Best for: First-timers who want the big classics

A fixed bundle of top attractions with some choice options.

Check current price

Go City New York (Explorer / All-Inclusive)

Best for: Planners who pick a set number of attractions, or very busy sightseers

Explorer = choose a number of attractions; All-Inclusive = unlimited for a set number of days.

Check current price

Pay as you go

Best for: Travellers doing 1–3 paid sights

Often the cheapest. Book observation-deck slots directly or via a trusted platform.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in New York?

Four days covers the classics at a comfortable pace: Lower Manhattan, Midtown, Central Park with a museum, and the West Side and the Village. With 5–7 days you can add Brooklyn neighbourhoods, Queens food and a day trip.

Is the Staten Island Ferry really free?

Yes. The ferry between Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and St. George on Staten Island is free and runs 24 hours a day. It passes the Statue of Liberty but doesn’t stop there.

How do I pay for the subway?

Tap a contactless bank card, phone or OMNY card at the reader. A ride costs $3, and once you’ve spent $35 within 7 days on the same card or device, the rest of your rides in that period are free.

Which observation deck is best?

Top of the Rock is best for the classic view with the Empire State Building and Central Park. Edge is best for a thrill with its outdoor glass floor. Summit is best for the immersive mirror rooms. See our full comparison.

Is a New York city pass worth it?

Only if you’ll visit enough of the paid attractions it includes. Add up the official prices of the sights you’ll really do and compare. Many top experiences in New York are free.

Plan your next step

Where to stay in New York →

Neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.

4-day itinerary →

All of this turned into a day-by-day route.

New York City Quest →

Explore the highlights as a treasure hunt.

New York travel guide →

Quick facts, getting around and every guide.

Packing list →

A printable checklist for city breaks.

Tours & tickets in New York

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