There is so much to see and do in New York City, but some sights are truly unmissable. Here are the top five things to do in NYC, including a few hidden gems to put on your radar.
A bustling metropolis drawing millions of visitors annually from all over the world, New York City can get hectic, to say the least. So if you want to avoid the hassle of long queues and save money on NYC’s top attractions, book your visit with our partner Tiqets for an exclusive 7.5% discount (applied at checkout) when purchasing via the links in this article.
Best things to do in NYC
Best thing to do in NYC for history buffs: Statue of Liberty
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £22.31*
Known today as a symbol of hope, freedom, and democracy, the Statue of Liberty was given to the people of America by the people of France as a gift of friendship and alliance. It required 214 crates to house and ship the copper statue to New York Harbor, and it took four long months to reassemble the 350 pieces that now stand 151 feet tall on Liberty Island. Lady Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States. Now it welcomes visitors eager to learn her story and about those who have crossed her path. Of all the things to see and do in New York City, the Statue of Liberty remains one of the most awe-inspiring sights.
Your discounted tickets include round-trip ferry service to Liberty Island (Statue of Liberty National Monument) and Ellis Island (Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration), where you can take advantage of priority entry into the screening facility queue, access to and audio tours of Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum.
Dream Downtown is your stay-and-play New York City hotel, featuring a glass-bottomed swimming pool with imported sand and cabanas, trendy dining options (Bodega Negra and Philippe Downtown), and plenty of party spaces with beautiful people, drinks, and music.
Best thing to do in NYC with a view: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (Top of the Rock)
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £32.38
As an island of skyscrapers, there is no shortage of places to get a bird’s-eye view of Manhattan — but only one makes you feel like you could reach out and touch the city’s most iconic buildings and landmarks. Though it’s New York City’s ninth-tallest building (One World Trade Center is number one), 30 Rockefeller Plaza boasts arguably the best panorama of NYC. With indoor and outdoor observation decks, Top of the Rock has the most outdoor viewing space of any other NYC observation deck, with nearly 10,000 square feet across three floors. That means less-dense crowds so that you can enjoy astounding views of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park, unobstructed and uninterrupted.
Top of the Rock tickets include access to both the indoor and outdoor observation decks, a complimentary Downtown Manhattan city guide, including a self-guided walking tour and more than $20 USD in discounts, and access to the Sky Shuttle elevator and the interactive Beam Walk — all at an exclusive 7.5% off the standard price.
The newly renovated, modern rooms at Pod 51 may be a bit cosy, but that’s typical of NYC lodgings, and especially a pod hotel. Its spacious and welcoming lobby, terrace, and rooftop deck, however, make up for it. Not to mention the affordable nightly rate.
Best thing to do in NYC for art lovers: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £18.59
MoMa’s initial collection started with eight prints and one drawing. Today, that collection of modern and contemporary art has grown to nearly 200,000 pieces. The chronological displays start on the top floors. Begin with Cézanne and Van Gogh and make your way through movements such as Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop, and artists such as Dalí, Picasso, Magritte, Warhol, Lawrence, and Kahlo, until you reach the contemporary galleries on the lower floors with spaces dedicated to specific topics, artists, mediums, and creative ideas. Special exhibitions, performances, conversations, and art-making opportunities are likewise to stimulate and inspire visitors, making a visit to MoMa truly one of the best things to do in New York.
Book your discounted tickets in advance with Tiqets to gain entry to the Museum of Modern Art and any special exhibitions and audio programs, a free audio guide on your own device, and access to MoMA PS1 (within 14 days of your initial visit).
Fancy artistry and value in your accommodation? It’s possible when you book a room at the Carlton Arms Hotel. With original murals adorning each room and bathroom, this independently-run art hotel has hosted nearly 200 artists in its residency program. The result is an ever-evolving art project.
Best thing to do in NYC outdoors: New York Botanical Garden
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £26.03
New York may be the concrete jungle, but the city’s got plenty of lovely verdant spaces where residents and visitors can relax and recharge. The New York Botanical Garden, a National Historic Landmark, is a 250-acre oasis of reprieve, with more than 12,000 unique plant species from around the globe, from Japanese winterberry to titan arum (aka corpse flower). Discover them on a relaxing stroll through 50 distinct gardens. You can even see remnants of the forest that once covered much of New York. The gardens are not all show either; NYBG runs impressive plant research and conservation programs (puff rice was invented here) and has helped establish more than 300 community gardens throughout the five boroughs. This hidden gem is well worth the train ride to the Bronx.
Tickets to NYBG include an exclusive 7.5% off entry to the outdoor collections and trails, Rock Garden (seasonal), Native Plant Garden, NYBG Tram Tour, and Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.
Hotel Lucerne ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable and affordable New York sojourn, as it’s housed in a gorgeous landmark building, offers great service, and is close in proximity to excellent Upper West side restaurants, such as the adjoining Nice Matin.
Best thing to do in NYC for families: Central Park Zoo
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £14.84
Nestled in the southeast corner of Central Park, this lovely six-acre zoo proves that good things come in small packages. Accessible and intimate, you can interact with wildlife (more than 130 species) right in the middle of Manhattan, from tropical rainforest creatures to cold-weather dwellers. Don’t miss the adorable red pandas, one of the zoo’s most-loved residents. The dedicated Tisch Children’s Zoo is particularly popular with families, allowing kids big and small to feed and pet baby sheep, goats, and pot-bellied pigs. The on-site Acorn Theater features daily performances where kids and adults can learn about nature, wildlife, and the importance of conservation.
Like many New York City venues, Central Park Zoo requires a date and time-specific ticket to enter. Your discounted Tiqets booking includes entrance to the main zoo, the Tisch Children’s Zoo, and one visit to the 4-D Theater.
If you’re looking for a stylish hotel in a central Midtown location minutes from Central Park and Times Square, make WestHouse Hotel your top choice.
*Please note that ticket prices may change due to demand and availability. Prices are accurate at the time of publication, 21 April 2023. Also, when you purchase a ticket for a Tiqets attraction through our site, we earn a commission. But rest assured, this does not affect our views on the quality of these activities!
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