Best Things to Do
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Top 20 Best Things to Do
New York
Downtown

Top 20 Best Things to Do in New York - 2023

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Discover the top attractions, sightseeing spots, activities, landmarks, and unforgettable experiences in New York. Plan your perfect itinerary and make the most of your visit to this vibrant destination.
Updated Sep 2023
  • No.1
    4.8/5
    2,059 Reviews
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 55139 reviews
    "The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an absolute gem in New York City. As a cultural enthusiast with a passion for history, culture, and religion, this museum is a paradise of knowledge and inspiration. What makes it even better is that it's free for New Yorkers, a fantastic perk that encourages locals to explore the vast array of art and artifacts from around the world. Walking through its hallowed halls, you'll be immersed in a tapestry of human creativity, from ancient civilizations to contemporary masterpieces. The museum's vast collection includes stunning artworks, sculptures, and historical artifacts that span centuries, cultures, and continents. The exhibitions are meticulously curated, offering deep insights into the rich tapestry of human existence. Whether you're intrigued by ancient civilizations, fascinated by religious artifacts, or simply appreciative of the beauty of human expression, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has something for everyone. From its exquisite Egyptian artifacts to the captivating European paintings, every corner holds a treasure waiting to be discovered. Even beyond the permanent collections, the museum hosts numerous special exhibitions, lectures, and events that further enrich your understanding of the world's history, cultures, and religions. It's a place where you can broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation for the diverse facets of human civilization. Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't just a museum trip; it's a journey through time, space, and the remarkable ingenuity of humanity. Whether you're a local New Yorker or a curious traveler, this institution is a must-visit, offering an enriching experience that lingers long after you've left its magnificent halls."
    New York
    8.1km from downtown
    Highlights: Located in close proximity to the beautiful Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's five major museums. The Museum has art collections in excess of 3 million, holding invaluable artifacts and a art works from across the world, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, Europe, and Asia, and innumerable world-class art treasures such as Egyptian temples, Chinese porcelain, Greek statues, and European paintings. This place is worthy of a whole day's time for an in-depth visit.
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  • No.2
    4.7/5
    1,988 Reviews
    From57.86
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 94447 reviews
    "It was a great experience. Lovely staff and friendly environment. Makes a perfect day out with friends & family. Great city views from the top."
    New York
    4.2km from downtown
    Highlights: Our main deck observatory on the 86th floor has been the setting for dozens of movie and television scenes, as well as tens of millions of unforgettable moments.The open-air observation deck wraps around the building’s spire, providing 360-degree views of New York, Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond. On the clearest days, this unforgettable view spans six states, offering glimpses of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
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  • No.3
    4.6/5
    1,660 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 56719 reviews
    "amazing city with colorful led screens, clean and full of excitements. a lot of place to visit especially Hard Rock Cafe (NY)"
    New York
    5.1km from downtown
    Highlights: Times Square is a New York landmark. The triangular zone is flanked by high rise buildings and clustered with shops, with a plethora of department stores, restaurants, and Broadway theaters in the vicinity. Ablaze with lights both day and night, Time Square is overwhelmed by iridescent neon billboards and LED screens, each broadcasting adverts and promotion films from around the world. Throngs of people speaking different languages pack the streets and engrossing street shows can be seen everywhere. The Square is particularly boisterous during festivals, parades, and firework shows.
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  • No.4
    4.8/5
    1,408 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 133926 reviews
    "Central Park is located in the middle of Manhattan Island, New York, with the reputation of New York's "back garden", is one of the most representative attractions in New York. Not only have many films of the population been filmed here, but also many local residents sports, leisure and even large-scale activities."
    New York
    8.3km from downtown
    Highlights: Central Park is located in the middle of Manhattan's urban forest of skyscrapers. Like an oasis in the desert, this is an refuge of green calm in the middle of the bustling metropolis. The park is dotted with many lakes and stands of trees both large and small. There are walking paths, running trails, bicycle paths, a zoo, sports fields and children's rides. You can stretch out on the lawn and enjoy the warm sunlight, stroll along while eating a hot dog, or go to the John Lennon Memorial - Strawberry Fields. This is a great way to enjoy a quiet and relaxing moment in the busy city.
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  • No.5
    4.7/5
    538 Reviews
    From108.54
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 25576 reviews
    "this is a must see stop in New York City especially during Christmas!! they have NYC largest Christmas tree up!! the also gave ice skating!!"
    New York
    5.4km from downtown
    Highlights: This is a complex of 19 commercial buildings. The famous Top of the Rock Observation Deck is located on the 70th floor. It is a good place to overlook the panoramic view of Manhattan after the Empire State Building. There are shopping malls and restaurants inside, and the NBC radio station is also located in it. Every year from the end of November to the beginning of December, the larger Christmas tree in New York City is lit here to welcome the arrival of Christmas. The Christmas tree lighting event is a small carnival. Visitors from all over the world will gather in the square. Starting in the afternoon, famous singers and actors will perform on the open-air stage for free.
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  • No.6
    4.7/5
    675 Reviews
    From43.43
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 26115 reviews
    "There's way too much to see! You could probably spend a whole day in there and be just halfway done with the exhibits. It was rather crowded with a lot of children running around but the overall crowd control was pretty decent. It's not too expensive but if you really want to avoid the ticket fees, go in 30 min before closing. It's free but I'm not sure how much of it can you enjoy."
    New York
    7.9km from downtown
    Highlights: The American Museum of Natural History has a history of more than 100 years. As soon as you enter the door, you can see two huge dinosaur skeletons resurrected in "Night at the Museum". A large number of specimens and fossils are collected here, covering the entire evolutionary history of human civilization from the beginning of the earth's birth.
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  • No.7
    4.7/5
    402 Reviews
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 18295 reviews
    "MoMA understands its assignment as the world leading modern art museum. lots of renown pieces and most importantly, the museum shop itself is worth to visit"
    New York
    5.8km from downtown
    Highlights: The Museum of Modern Art in New York, or MoMA for short, is a cultural icon of New York. Monet's "Water Lilies", Van Gogh's "Starry Night", Matisse's "Dance", Picasso's "Girls of Avignon" and other masterpieces, as well as sculptures, prints, photography, furniture, installation art and other modern artworks as many as 150,000 pieces. The two basement floors of the Modern Art Museum are cinemas, and there are six floors upstairs. The exhibitions are roughly divided into painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, architecture and design, installation art, sculpture and special exhibitions. There is an information desk in the middle of the lobby, and you can ask for a guide map in Chinese.
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  • No.8
    4.6/5
    363 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 8574 reviews
    "The Fifth Avenue in New York, USA is a must-see place for tourists coming to New York, USA. I went around January 2023. The viewing is the itinerary of watching the flowers. The theme building of Fifth Avenue should be one of the great urban architectural models. The street is clean and tidy. The imaginary shoppers are not seen shoulder to shoulder. Maybe it is winter? The carriages on Fifth Avenue give a special impression, with the momentary return of time. Luxury stores are not as hot as they are; beggars are seen on the streets from time to time as if they are an out of place management. As is the case in most cities around the world, it is difficult for motorists to park. It's worth seeing Fifth Avenue in New York, America."
    New York
    7.6km from downtown
    Highlights: Manhattan's Fifth Avenue is a shopper's lifeline and a famous destination, which attracts visitors daily from all over the world to shop till they drop. The whole street brings together numerous global luxury labels, boutiques, flagship stores and upscale department stores. Haute couture fashion, jewelry, electronics mixes with everything and anything you can think of, no matter how extravagant or exquisite. Day or night, the elaborate window displays shine bright. The boulevard also connects many of New York's famous attractions including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
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  • No.9
    4.7/5
    89 Reviews
    From44.96
    "The Statue of Liberty is a must-have item for New York City on the Free Island. You can take a cruise to enjoy the Statue of Liberty from different angles around the island."
    New York
    1.6km from downtown
    Highlights: The Statue of Liberty in the United States is located near the mouth of the Hudson River in New York, New York, and is an important tourist attraction in the United States. For thousands of immigrants to the United States, the Statue of Liberty was a guarantee of escape from the poverty and oppression of the old world, and the Statue of Liberty became a symbol of the United States. We will bring you to the Statue of Liberty, give you the opportunity to take a photo with her from an unobtainable angle on the island, get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty, feel the magnificence of the Statue of Liberty, and you can also learn about the unknown Goddess one side. Learn how more than 12 million immigrants entered the United States through the halls of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Whether you're visiting New York City for the first time or the hundredth, a boat ride is definitely a unique way to experience New York City's spectacular skyline and waterways.
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  • No.10
    4.6/5
    214 Reviews
    From48.53
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 9593 reviews
    "Experienced the internal structure of the aircraft carrier and submarine, the children like it very much, the light in their eyes is bright, many of the staff are veterans, I can see that they like their work very much, explain to tourists very seriously, and answer tourists questions seriously."
    New York
    5.6km from downtown
    Highlights: The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum exhibits include the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, the USS S Growler submarine and a variety of military fighter jets, coast guard rescue helicopters, anti-aircraft and torpedoes. The huge aircraft carrier is docked on the shore and becomes a beautiful scenery along the Hudson River. A simple security check is required before entering the museum, and the main entrance is the lower hangar deck of the aircraft carrier. Above the hangar deck is the flight deck, which is connected by elevators, which can quickly transport the aircraft from the bottom hangar to the flight deck. On the left of the flight deck is the ship island, which is the command center of the aircraft carrier. The command tower, flight control room, navigation room, and radar antenna communication center are all located on the ship island. The deck is full of fighter jets and helicopters, and military fans will surely know the model of these military aircraft. The USSGrowler submarine is currently the only submarine in the world that can be visited by tourists that can launch equipment. Because the interior space of the submarine is extremely small, only 20 people are allowed to enter and visit at a time. The internal metal machines, consoles, detection cabins are all worth seeing.
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  • No.11
    4.6/5
    351 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 25924 reviews
    "A beautiful piece of architecture and important transit bridge to Cross over"
    New York
    1.2km from downtown
    Highlights: The Brooklyn Bridge is a well-known bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, with pedestrian and cycling lanes on the bridge. Walking on the bridge, boats pass under the bridge, and Manhattan is full of high-rise buildings. Beneath the Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful park. The merry-go-round at the bottom of the bridge may help you regain your childlike innocence. The nearby DUMBO Art District can bring you the inspiration and creativity of American artists. In Manhattan, you can head to Chinatown or Little Italy for delicious food, or walk down the street near busy Wall Street and touch the copper bull that brings fortune. The bridge is also a frequent scene in American movies and TV series, such as "Broken Sisters", "Gossip Girl", "Gangs of New York" and other dramas.
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  • No.12
    4.6/5
    171 Reviews
    From44.59
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1009 reviews
    "Club Quarters hotel near one World Trade Center. Awesome hotel location to visit the one World Trade Center and 9/11 memorial site!"
    New York
    624m from downtown
    Highlights: The construction of the new World Trade Center began after the 9/11 incident. It was built next to the original World Trade Center and took 13 years to complete. At present, many companies have settled in the office. The 104th floor of Building 1 is now open to tourists. You can take the high-speed landscape elevator to the observation deck on the 100th floor to enjoy the panoramic view of New York.
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  • No.13
    4.7/5
    111 Reviews
    From71.39
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 94447 reviews
    "Ctrip is cheaper than buying on the spot, very convenient, first to the 80th floor, then to the 86th floor open-air observation deck, very shocking. The skyscraper building a hundred years ago, the exhibits and introductions inside are very detailed and awesome."
    New York
    4.2km from downtown
    Highlights: 86th Floor Observation Deck: Indoor and outdoor observation deck, located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the ground, with audio guides available in eight languages including Mandarin. This is the highest open-air observation deck in New York. Visit the 86th floor open-air observation deck of the Empire State Building and feel the thrill of being at the center of the world and on top of the world. As the world's observation deck, the 86th floor observation deck has been used as the backdrop for numerous movies and TV series, as well as countless private photos. Centered on the tower's spire, the observation deck offers 360-degree views of New York and the wider region. From here you'll enjoy unique views of Central Park, the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and more. Our multimedia handheld devices guide your view from all directions. Also get a clearer view with our high performance binoculars. 102nd Floor Observation Deck The indoor observation deck, located on the 102nd floor, is 1,250 feet (381 meters) above the ground. In 2016, in order to provide visitors with detailed exhibition explanations and a full range of beautiful scenery, and lead them to appreciate the nearly 100-year history of the building, the Empire State Building Observation Deck officially launched its new mobile terminal guide APP, and provides free WIFI for tourists to download. . The guide is divided into Chinese and English versions, designed to allow tourists from all over the world to download and learn more about the content according to their language needs. Chinese tourists can directly search for "Empire State Building" in the Apple Store to get the Chinese version, and users of Android systems can also download it through Google Play abroad.
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  • No.14
    4.6/5
    295 Reviews
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2134 reviews
    "it's such a great pleasure to understand the importance of United Nations in maintaining the world peace."
    New York
    5.1km from downtown
    Highlights: The land of the headquarters is international territory and consists of four buildings: the Secretariat Building, the Conference Hall Building, the General Assembly Hall and the Hammarskjöld Library. Visits need to be reserved in advance. The sculptures on the square represent the wish for peace. Postcards can be purchased at souvenir shops and postmarked here.
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  • No.15
    4.5/5
    614 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 3106 reviews
    "I feel that the skyline and various skyscrapers on Wall Street are really YYDS. I walked from the subway station to the bottom of Man Island. If there is enough time, I will arrange a cruise to go out to sea. The super comfortable New York play route punched in. New York's lower city, especially on the river bank, has a variety of classic niche museums, tired to go to the museum to sit around, feel that time unconsciously slow down. While the main street where the Wall Street bulls are located is crowded with tourists, the streets next to it are not too busy and crowded"
    New York
    955m from downtown
    Highlights: Wall Street used to be the seat of major financial institutions in the United States. After 9/11, many institutions moved out of this place, and most of them were converted into residences. However, this narrow street lined with skyscrapers is still a popular tourist destination. Visiting route: Walk eastward along the street number of Wall Street. No. 1 Wall Street is the Bank of New York Building (formerly the Irving Trust Bank Building). No. 11 is the New York Stock Exchange, No. 14 is the Bankers Trust Building, and No. 23 Wall Street was originally the JPMorgan Chase Building, which has now been converted into a residence. Continue to walk east to 37 Wall Street, which used to be American Trust Company and Chase Bank, and is now a rental residence. Ahead of 40 Wall Street is Trump Tower, Manhattan Trust Bank. 45 Wall Street is the original Toronto-Dominion Bank, and now it is also residential. 48 Wall Street, formerly the headquarters of the Bank of New York, is now the Museum of American Finance. 60 Wall Street is the Deutsche Bank Building/JPMorgan Chase Building. 63 Wall Street, formerly the Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Building, has also been converted to a residence. 111 Wall Street is the Citibank Building.
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  • No.16
    4.4/5
    217 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 3903 reviews
    "Chinatown, Singapore, prosperous economy, huge economy that the legendary Chinese community has been inherited for hundreds of years."
    New York
    719m from downtown
    Highlights: Chinatown is also known as China Town. Walking on the bustling streets, you can hear dialects from all over China. The signs of the shops are all familiar Chinese. There are more than 200 Chinese restaurants here. There is always a Chinese style that can satisfy you. The stomach, statues of Lin Zexu and Confucius also show Chinese culture. Of course, the festive moment in Chinatown is the Spring Festival every year, when red lanterns are hung in shops along the street, and the lively dragon and lion dance performances on the morning of the first day of the new year attract tourists from all over the world.
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  • No.17
    4.6/5
    228 Reviews
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 14598 reviews
    "There’s a line to get in and so close by Grand Central! a Charles Darwin exhibit awaits you inside 😊📚📚📚📚"
    New York
    4.8km from downtown
    Highlights: The New York Public Library is a gorgeous building, and the two stone lions at the entrance are named Patience and Strength. The library has a rich collection, with a total of 16.47 million volumes of books, journals, manuscripts and pictures. After passing through security, visitors can visit the quaint hall, reading room and showroom. The classical library is also a frequent visitor in film and television works. "Wonderful Night at the Museum", "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Spider-Man" have all been filmed here.
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  • No.18
    4.9/5
    25 Reviews
    From187.25
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 9266 reviews
    "Lucky Girl, the front VVIP location, a great performance, finally communicated with music conductor Carol, very happy, the music is great! 👍🏽"
    New York
    5.1km from downtown
    Highlights: Based on the 1994 Disney film and the original book by Roger and Erin, the musical won an Oscar for the song CanYouFeeltheLoveTonight, with other music produced by Hans Zimmer, Lai Bo, Mark Macina and Jay Rifkin . Directed by famous director Julie Taimer, this visual feast successfully blends animals, puppets and real people seamlessly and is loved by audiences of all ages.
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  • No.19
    4.5/5
    183 Reviews
    From51.18
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 96740 reviews
    "In order to lose the American people's lives in the 9/∙ 11 incident, the site of the 9/∙ 11 terrorist attack in New York, the World Trade Center site, consists of three parts - two square waterfall pools, a museum built underground with a theme, and the trees surrounding them. These trees are designed by American garden designers. I recently came here to visit, it was winter, there was a little rain, the weather was very cold, the surrounding trees have basically lost the leaves, it looks cool."
    New York
    706m from downtown
    Highlights: After the 9/11 incident that shocked the world, the current 9/11 Memorial and Museum was built on the site of the original World Trade Center. On August 17, 2006, the reconstruction project of the former site of the World Trade Center in New York, USA started. Its main body consists of two pools implying "reflection" and a square. The reconstructed buildings include One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower), Two World Trade Center (200 Greenwich Street), Three World Trade Center (175 Greenwich Street), World Trade Center Four Building No. 1 (150 Greenwich Street), Building 5 World Trade Center (130 Liberty Street), Building 7 World Trade Center Museum Facilities September 11 National Memorial Museum Transportation Facilities World Trade Center Station. About 23,000 related pictures and more than 10,000 objects are displayed in the museum, among which the text messages and voice messages sent by the victims to their relatives or lovers at the end of their lives are particularly moving.
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  • No.20
    4.6/5
    167 Reviews
    From46.24
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 5632 reviews
    "worth a visit. the architecture itself is very inspirational."
    New York
    8.6km from downtown
    Highlights: The white spiral exterior of the Guggenheim Museum was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the visiting route is from the sixth floor down the spiral staircase. The museum exhibits mainly modern and contemporary art works, and is very famous for the original works of Van Gogh and Picasso. The museum in New York is a very large one under the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, next to Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum. The souvenir shop on the first floor, you can buy clothes, crafts and books full of design sense.
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FAQ

What are some Best Things to Do in New York?
Some Best Things to Do in New York include:The Metropolitan Museum of Art|Empire State Building|Times Square|Central Park|Rockefeller Center
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in New York?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in New York include:The Metropolitan Museum of Art:4.8|Empire State Building:4.7|Times Square:4.6|Central Park:4.8|Rockefeller Center:4.7
At what locations in New York can Best Things to Do in New York be found?
The Best Things to Do in New York are mainly located in:The Metropolitan Museum of Art:New York|Empire State Building:New York|Times Square:New York|Central Park:New York|Rockefeller Center:New York