Things to Do in New York, NY

Known as the city that never sleeps, New York exudes the type of magic that only certain places can capture. The city is thriving with restaurants, nightlife, culture, and new ideas. Whether you check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art, stroll along the High Line, or explore Central Park, you’re in for a treat. New York’s boroughs and neighborhood are as diverse as the people who live here—hang out in hipster Williamsburg in Brooklyn or get lost in bohemian Greenwich Village. Whatever you do and wherever you go, New York is a destination not to be missed.

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Top Attractions in New York, NY

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Itineraries in New York, NY

Whether you’re traveling with family, craving culture or you’re on a tight budget—or a combination of the three—you’re sure to find plenty of places to visit in New York that will fit your unique needs. Here are three custom itineraries to help you on your way.

The Family Traveler

New York City is surprisingly family-friendly, with an array of unforgettable destinations for kids and their parents. At the American Museum of Natural History, little explorers can check out a model blue whale or wander the fossil halls searching for a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Younger kids will have fun learning at the colorful Children’s Museum of Manhattan, which includes exhibits on dance and art (as well as a chance to splash around and discover more about aquaculture in warmer weather). Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day roaming around The Bronx Zoo, an expansive outpost that’s home to thousands of animals, including lions, snow leopards and red pandas.

Insider Tips:

Parents of the stroller set take note: It’s possible to ride the subway with a stroller, even if you’re solo. New Yorkers will often stop to help carry a stroller up the stairs.,With so many children’s books set in New York City, it’s fun to seek out literature-related backdrops, like The Plaza, where mischief-maker Eloise lived, or The Met, where the kids From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler hid out.,Central Park has tons of areas beloved by little ones, including about 20 playgrounds, the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, a zoo, the carousel and a pond where kids sail miniature boats.

The Culture-Seeking Traveler

New York is known for its diverse cultural landscape. With its intimate jazz clubs and world-class museums, travelers can support up-and-coming artists and ogle the works of the masters in a single day. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum houses a dizzying collection of modern and contemporary art in its circular Frank Lloyd Wright building. Sitting on the edge of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is known for its works that span the centuries and the globe. The famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, where African-American legends like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder once performed, hosts touring musicians, dance performances, amateur nights and gospel celebrations.

Insider Tips:

A ticket to MoMA also grants admission to its sister museum PS1, a Queens-based space devoted to contemporary art.,Catching a Broadway play is a time-honored New York City tradition. Also consider taking in a show at an off-Broadway theater or at one of the city’s other beloved venues, like Lincoln Center or Brooklyn Academy of Music.,Some of the best places to eat in NYC are tucked away in the city’s ethnic enclaves, like Manhattan’s Chinatown, Koreatown in Queens and Brooklyn’s Little Odessa.

The Budget Traveler

Despite its high-end restaurants and pricey Park Avenue apartments, it’s possible to enjoy New York on a budget. You’ll find plenty of free things to do in NYC, and some of the city’s signature foods—bagels, pizza and hot dogs—are inexpensive. The High Line, a former elevated train line that was converted into an park, has become a quintessential urban escape where the city and nature converge. Take a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge, where you can admire its famous architecture, as well as views of Manhattan and the East River. Once in Brooklyn, walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park or take the subway to see the Bushwick Collective, a series of bright murals that form an outdoor gallery.

Insider Tips:

The main branch of the New York Public Library, technically called The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is a Beaux-Arts building “guarded” by two literary lions. Walk past these sculptures and through the front doors of the library to find free Wi-Fi and an abundance of artwork.,A ride on the Staten Island Ferry is free, and affords passengers a look at the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline.,Tickets to Hamilton, the play, might be out of the price range of many travelers on a budget—but a visit to the founding father’s former home, the Hamilton Grange, is free.

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