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39 Fun Things To Do in New York City (+ Map)

View of the city from the Edge, one of the best things to do in New York City
View of buildings from the Edge, one of the best things to do in New York City

With its iconic landmarks, incredible museums, amazing viewpoints, fun attractions, and much more, there are a lot of things to do in New York City.

Traveling to New York City is amazing as the city has so much to offer! From seeing art at a world-class museum to exploring an artificial island park to getting a view of the city from the 86th floor of an iconic building, there is something for everyone’s liking in NYC.

If you are wondering what to do in NYC, I got you covered! I made this list of the most fun activities in the city. I included the city’s highlights, best attractions, museums, nature, and much more!

Best Things To Do in New York City

See Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art from the outside
Exterior of The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Kamira / Shutterstock.com

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the best museums in New York City. It’s the largest art museum in the city.

The collection of the museum includes close to 500,000 works of art from all around the world and from a period of more than 5,000 years. From objects from ancient Egypt to paintings by European Old Masters to musical instruments from all over the world, there’s much to see at the museum.

The collection of the museum can be found spread over various areas of the museum that all focus on a specific type of art. For example, one section of the museum is dedicated to Greek and Roman art.

In addition to seeing the permanent collection, you can attend one of the temporary exhibitions of The Met that are at the museum for a limited amount of time and focus on a specific theme.

There are also tours, workshops, performances, and lots of other types of events that you can attend at the museum.

Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

Enjoy a View of the City at the Empire State Building

View of buildings from the Empire State Building
View of the city from the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, which is one of the most famous buildings in NYC, is a tall skyscraper in the Art Deco architectural style that you can find on Fifth Avenue. With a total height close to 1500 feet, it is one of the tallest buildings in the city.

The Empire State Building is featured in various movies and TV series. For example, one of its most famous appearances is in the movie King Kong.

The building has two observation decks, which are located on the 86th and 102nd floors, from where you can enjoy an incredible view of the city.

The 86th-floor observatory is an outdoor area, and the 102nd-floor observatory is an indoor area with floor-to-ceiling windows where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Address: 20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001

Do a Cruise and See the Statue of Liberty

View of the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty in NYC

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal sculpture that is situated on Liberty Island in New York Habor. The statue dates back to the end of the 19th century when it was given by the people of France.

The Statue of Liberty depicts the Roman goddess of liberty, and the sculpture represents freedom.

If you want to see the statue up close, you can take a cruise. There are various cruise companies that can take you close to the statue so that you can see it from the water.

One of these companies, Statue Cruises, can also bring you to Liberty Island. It is possible to go to the top of the Statue of Liberty from where you can enjoy a view of the skyline of Manhattan.

Instead of doing a cruise, you can also see the statue for free from The Battery, which is a park in Lower Manhattan.

Explore the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art

Exterior of The Museum of Modern Art
Outside of The Museum of Modern Art – 1000 Words / Shutterstock.com

The Museum of Modern Art is a museum with a collection of about 200,000 works. At the museum, you can see both modern and contemporary art. You can find this museum in Midtown Manhattan and it is one of the most visited art museums in the city.

The collection includes many different types of art, including photographs, prints, paintings, and other types of works by lots of famous artists, including Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, Francis Bacon, and Willem de Kooning.

In addition to seeing works from the permanent collection, you can also go to the Museum of Modern Art to attend a temporary exhibition. There are also events at the museum and going to one of these is one of the best activities in NYC as well. Some types of events that take place here include performances, film screenings, workshops, lectures, and many other types of events.

Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

Explore Times Square

View of Times Square
Times Square in New York City – Allen.G / Shutterstock.com

Times Square is a famous square that you can find in Midtown Manhattan. This place is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the world.

Times Square is known for the many digital billboards on the buildings that surround the square, and the square is the center of the Broadway theater district, which is an area that surrounds the square and is home to many theaters where you can see musicals.

The square is also home to various large stores of well-known brands, such as the Disney Store

Because Times Square is well known, it often appeared in TV series and movies.

Attend a Concert at Radio City Music Hall

Outside of Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall from the outside – RuslanKphoto / Shutterstock.com

Radio City Music Hall is one of the best music venues in New York City. You can find this iconic venue at 1260 Avenue of the American within the Rockefeller Center complex.

Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932 and is an official New York City Landmark. The venue has an exterior that features two iconic signs and it has an Art Deco architectural style.

You can go here to attend a concert as lots of well-known artists perform at the venue. You can enjoy concerts of a large variety of genres at this place.

In addition to concerts, other types of events are hosted at Radio City Music Hall, including comedy shows and theatrical performances.

Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020

Bowl and Listen to Live Music at Brooklyn Bowl

View of a mural at Brooklyn Bowl
Mural at Brooklyn Bowl – Felix Lipov / Shutterstock.com

Brooklyn Bowl is a venue in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn where you can enjoy live music, have delicious food, and bowl.

At Brooklyn Bowl, there’s a stage where artists perform a large variety of genres of live music and a modern bowling alley where you can bowl in the same space, which means that you can bowl while enjoying live music at the same time.

It is also possible to get food that is served by Blue Ribbon at Brooklyn Bowl.

The menu features French bread pizza, bowls, smoked wings, sandwiches, burgers, entrees, and many other types of dishes, as well as unique drinks, such as local craft beer, shakes, and floats.

Going here is also one of the best things to do in Brooklyn.

Address: 61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Explore Central Park

Bridge and boats in Central Park
Boats and bridge in Central Park – GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Central Park, which is one of the best parks in New York City, is a park that you can find between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side neighborhoods.

It is the most visited and most famous park in the city, it has a total size of more than 800 acres, and it is home to many attractions.

For example, there are two large lawns in Central Park where you can relax. These are the Great Lawn and the Sheep Meadow. At both of these places, you are surrounded by the park’s nature and you can enjoy views of the city’s skyscrapers.

You can also find Bow Bridge in Central Park, which is one of the most famous bridges in New York City. This is a cast-iron pedestrian bridge that spans Central Park Lake.

Central Park is also home to the Central Park Zoo, which is the oldest public zoo in the city, and many different types of events take place in the park throughout the year, such as the free Shakespeare in the Park festival.

Learn New Things at the American Museum of Natural History

Building of the American Museum of Natural History
Exterior of the American Museum of Natural History – Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com

The American Museum of Natural History is a museum where you can learn about the universe and the natural world. It is one of the best history museums in New York City.

The museum’s permanent collection can be found across all kinds of halls that all focus on a specific topic.

One of the most interesting halls at the museum is the “Hall of New York City Birds”, which all about the 400 species of birds that live in the New York area.

Another hall at the museum that is interesting is the “Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites”, which is a hall where you can see more than 130 meteorites.

The “Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs” is an exhibit where you can see fossils of various dinosaurs, including the triceratops and the stegosaurus.

There are also halls that focus on the origin of humans and various cultures. One of these is the “Hall of South American Peoples”, where you can learn about the various pre-Hispanic cultures.

Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024

Do a Tour of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

View of nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a botanical garden that is situated in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

The garden is home to various specialty gardens where you can see thousands of species of plants. Each garden focuses on specific types of flora.

For example, one of the gardens features plans that are native to the New York City area.

Another specialty garden is the “Fragrance Garden”. In this garden, you can see all kinds of plants with scented leaves, kitchen herbs, and fragrant flowers.

A great way to discover the garden is by doing a guided tour. For example, you can do the “Seasonal Highlights Tour”, which is a tour during which you can see highlights of the season with an expert guide. This tour is free with admission to the garden.

There are other types of tours as well, including tours that focus on specific types of flowers and plants, and these are also great to check out if you’re looking for things to do in New York City.

See Modern Art at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Building of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Outside of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Roy Harris / Shutterstock.com

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is a museum where you can see modern art, and it’s also one of the best places for contemporary art in NYC.

The museum is located on Museum Mile, which is located on 5th Avenue on the Upper East Side. The Guggenheim is housed inside an iconic bowl-shaped building that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous American architect.

The collection of the museum features many different types of modern and contemporary art styles, and the collection includes works by famous artists, including Van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Brice Marden, and many others.

You can see the works of the museum by walking a spiral ramp to the top of the building. The works of the museum are displayed along the ramp.

In addition to exploring the museum’s collection, you can also attend an event at The Guggenheim, such as a workshop, a talk, a performance, or another kind of event.

Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128

Go for a Relaxing Walk at The High Line

People walking on The High Line
People on The High Line – Inspired By Maps / Shutterstock.com

The High Line is a park that is located in the Chelsea and Greenwich Village neighborhoods.

The park was created in 2009, on a section of the former New York Central Railroad, which was abandoned in 1980.

The park is an elevated linear park with a total length of approximately 1.5 miles. The park consists of a pathway that is surrounded by nature on both sides.

Along the path, there are many benches that you can sit down on.

You can go for a relaxing walk at The High Line to enjoy the park’s nature and views of the city at the same time.

This is also great if you’re looking for free things to do in New York City, as there’s no admission fee if you want to walk The High Line.

Do a Tour of the Rockefeller Center

View of Rockefeller Center from below
Rockefeller Center from below – Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com

The Rockefeller Center is a complex of various buildings that is located in Midtown Manhattan. The most famous of these buildings is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is a skyscraper that was constructed in the 1930s and has a height of about 850 feet.

30 Rockefeller Plaza is known for being the home of the headquarters of the TV network NBC.

An amazing thing to do in NYC is the “Rockefeller Center Tour”, during which a historian will show you around the complex and give you information about the complex’ architecture, outdoor gardens, art, and buildings.

For example, you’ll see the Prometheus statue during this tour, which is one of the most famous sculptures in New York City.

Keep in mind that this tour doesn’t include a visit to NBC Studios or Radio City Music Hall. There are other tours that you can do to see those venues.

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

Have Food at Smorgasburg

People sitting at Smorgasburg
People at Smorgasburg – James Andrews1 / Shutterstock.com

Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in the United States. The market is held during the summer months in Brooklyn’s Marsha P. Johnson State Park. The first time Smorgasburg took place was in 2011.

At the market, there are more than 75 food vendors that serve many different types of food. You can enjoy the food that you order at one of the picnic tables at the market.

Some types of food that you could get at Smorgasburg in the past include bagels, BBQ, tacos, sandwiches, ice cream, dumplings, donuts, fries, noodles, po’boys, lobster rolls, and much more.

When you go to Smorgasburg together with other people, you can all order the food that you like best and eat it at the same table. Having food here is also one of the most fun date ideas in New York City.

Address: 90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Go to an Event at Madison Square Garden

Outside of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden from the outside – Bildgigant / Shutterstock.com

Madison Square Garden is a music venue that you can find in Midtown Manhattan. At this place, a large number of concerts take place.

Lots of famous musicians perform and have performed at Madison Square Garden. For example, some artists who performed at this venue in the past include Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo, Travis Scott, and Billy Joel.

In addition to attending a concert, you can also attend another type of event. Some types of events that take place at the Garden include ice shows, boxing events, and many other types.

Madison Square Garden is also the home of two professional sports teams, the New York Knicks baseball team and the New York Rangers ice hockey team.

Going to an event at Madison Square Garden is also one of the best things to do in Chelsea.

Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

View of the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge in NYC

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best landmarks in New York City. It’s a famous bridge that connects Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan, and you can walk across it.

It is a beautiful suspension bridge that dates back to the year 1883. At the time it was opened, with a length of more than 6,000 feet, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge. The bridge has a Gothic Revival architectural style and is a National Historic Landmark.

The bridge is a popular place for photography, because of the design of the bridge as well as because of the views that you can get from the bridge. From the Brooklyn Bridge, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the skyline of Manhattan.

Have Dinner With a View at One Dine

One Dine is a restaurant that you can find at the One World Observatory, which is the tallest point in the city which you can find at the One World Trade Center building.

At One Dine, you can have delicious gourmet cuisine from a seasonally-inspired menu while enjoying an incredible view of Manhattan, the Hudson River, and other parts of the city, at the same time.

One of the best dishes on the dinner menu is the “Roasted Salmon”, which is served with country mash, collard greens, and leek beurre blanc.

You can also get the “Smash Burger”, which is a burger that is made with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions.

The menu also includes various desserts, such as the “Lava Cake”, which is made with caramel and French vanilla gelato.

Address: 117 West St, New York, NY 10007

Explore Wall Street

People walking on Wall Street
People on Wall Street – Michael Gordon / Shutterstock.com

Wall Street, one of the most famous streets in NYC, is a street that is situated in Manhattan’s Financial District.

Wall Street is known for being the center of America’s financial industry. The street and the area that surrounds the street are home to various financial companies, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Exploring the street and seeing the various buildings on it is a great activity in New York City. For example, you can see the exterior of the New York Stock Exchange Building, which is a building that was constructed at the start of the 20th century.

Another famous building that you can find on the street is Federal Hall. This is a Greek Revival-style building that was built on the site of the former City Hall building, which housed the first central government of the country.

Attend a Comedy Show at Comedy Cellar

Sign of Comedy Cellar in NYC
Sign of Comedy Cellar – Tino Bandito / Shutterstock.com

Comedy Cellar is a comedy venue that was founded in 1981 which you can find in the Greenwich Village neighborhood on MacDougal Street.

You go to Comedy Cellar every day of the week to enjoy a fun stand-up comedy show. During each show, there are several comedians who perform for about 15 minutes each

Many famous comedians performed at this venue in the past. For example, Kevin Hart, Dave Chapelle, Jon Stewart, Amy Schumer, and many others performed here.

Directly above the Comedy Cellar and connected to it, is The Olive Tree Cafe, which is a restaurant where you can get delicious Mediterranean dishes as well as other food after seeing a comedy show at the Comedy Cellar.

Going to a comedy show here is also one of the best things to do in Greenwich Village.

Address: 117 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Learn About Maritime History at the South Street Seaport Museum

South Street Seaport Museum from the outside
Exterior of the South Street Seaport Museum – Anne Czichos / Shutterstock.com

The South Street Seaport Museum is a place where you can learn about New York City’s history as a port city.

The museum’s collection includes all kinds of objects that relate to maritime history.

Some examples of objects that you can find at the museum include works of maritime art, manuscripts, navigational instruments, photographs, ship models, and many other types of objects. The museum’s total collection consists of more than 80,000 objects.

The museum is also home to various historic ships. For example, you can find the “W.O. Decker” 1930s tugboat and the 1885 tall ship “Wavertree” at the museum.

Sometimes, it is possible to sail on these historic vessels, and you can often attend temporary exhibits at the museum that focus on a topic that is related to maritime history.

At the South Street Seaport Museum, there are also kids events, which is great if you’re looking for things to do with kids in NYC.

Address: 12 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038

Enjoy a View of the City at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt from the inside
Inside of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt – 365 Focus Photography / Shutterstock.com

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is one of the best observation decks in NYC.

You can find this observation deck at One Vanderbilt, which is a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan with a total height of about 1,400 feet that opened in 2020.

This observation deck has an indoor area with floor-to-ceiling windows which allows you to get a 360-degree view of New York City and there’s also an outdoor area.

You can also see immersive art by Kenzo Digital at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and it is possible to do the “Ascent” experience, which is an experience during which you ride a glass-bottomed elevator on the exterior of the building.

Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Learn About Animals at the Central Park Zoo

Japanese macaque at Central Park Zoo
Macaque at Central Park Zoo

Central Park Zoo is one of the best zoos in New York City. It’s the city’s oldest public zoo. Its history dates back to the year 1864 when it started as a menagerie.

You can find the zoo in the southeastern section of Central Park and it has an entrance on Fifth Avenue.

At the zoo, there are about 1,500 animals and more than 150 species of animals. Some species of animals that you can see at the zoo include snow leopards, penguins, and red pandas.

When you visit the zoo, you can also visit the 4-D Theater, which is a movie theater where you can see a 3-D movie and experience all kinds of sensory effects.

The Central Park Zoo is home to the Tisch Children’s Zoo, where you can find all kinds of farm animals, such as sheep, goats, and alpacas. When visiting New York City with kids, this part of the zoo is great to check out.

Address: East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021

Have Fun at the Museum of Ice Cream

Pink slide at the Museum of Ice Cream
Slide at the Museum of Ice Cream – Bryan Sierra12 / Shutterstock.com

The Museum of Ice Cream is a museum and indoor attraction that is located at 556 Broadway in Manhattan’s SoHo. The museum is focused on ice cream.

There are 12 immersive art installations at the Museum of Ice Cream through which you can learn about the history of ice cream and ice cream in general while having a fun time.

Each installation features unique elements and beautiful colors. In addition to that, the installations are interactive and great for taking photos.

Three of the installations that you can find here are a pink sprinkle pool, an ice cream-themed subway car, and a large pink slide.

When you visit the museum, you can also enjoy as many ice cream treats as you like. There are many types of treats and flavors to choose from.

Address: 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

Attend a Broadway Show

Broadway in NYC
View of Broadway – Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

Attending a Broadway show, which is a live theater show that takes place at a theater in the Theater District, is one of the most fun things to do in NYC. Most of the Broadway shows are musicals.

The Theater District is an area in the city that surrounds Broadway and Times Square, and there are more than 40 theaters that are considered Broadway theaters. Most of these theaters are not actually located on Broadway itself.

Some theaters that you can go to are the Winter Garden Theatre, the Nederlander Theatre, and the Palace Theatre. Most of the theaters have a capacity of more than 500 people.

When you want to attend a Broadway show, you should keep in mind that you need to buy tickets in advance as some of the shows are very popular.

Learn About Photography at the Fotografiska Museum

The Fotografiska Museum is a museum where you can see and learn about contemporary photography from all around the world. The museum is situated inside the Church Missions House, which is a historic building that dates back to the year 1892.

Throughout the year, you can see all kinds of contemporary photography exhibitions at the museum that are at the museum for a limited amount of time.

You can also often attend events at the museum, such as comedy shows, concerts with contemporary music, film screenings, and lots of other types of events.

In addition to that, you can find a restaurant, bar, and cafe at the museum where you can enjoy food and drinks.

Address: 281 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010

Go for a Relaxing Walk on Little Island

View of Little Island
Little Island in NYC – Ungvari Attila / Shutterstock.com

Little Island is an artificial island park that is located in the Chelsea neighborhood within the Hudson River.

The park has a modern design and it has 132 tulip structures that support the island. These tulip structures all have different heights, and because of that the park has a hilly landscape.

Little Island is connected to Hudson River Park by several footbridges, and you can enter it for free.

The park is perfect for a relaxing walk while you enjoy a view of the Hudson River.

There are also lots of shows that take place at the amphitheater that is located on Little Island. Many of these shows are free to attend.

See a Baseball Game at the Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium from above
View of the Yankee Stadium – Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

New York City is home to many professional sports teams, and the New York Yankees are one of them. This is a team that comes in Major League Baseball and the team is based at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. This stadium opened in 2009.

You can often attend a baseball game of the team at the stadium.

In addition to that, the stadium is also the home of New York City FC, which is a soccer club, and you can often see games of that team at the stadium.

It is also possible to do a public tour of the stadium and learn about the building and the team from a tour guide. You can also see all kinds of baseball artifacts during this tour. The “Classic Tours” last 60 minutes in total.

Address: 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451

Visit the Intrepid Museum

Intrepid Museum from the outside
Outside of the Intrepid Museum – View Apart / Shutterstock.com

The Intrepid Museum is a unique museum that you can find at Pier 86 in Manhattan. What’s unique about this museum is that most of the museum is located on an aircraft carrier from the World War II era, which is called the USS Intrepid.

On the flight deck of this aircraft carrier, you can see many different types of aircraft, including an E-1B Tracer and a F-14 Tomcat.

Inside the aircraft carrier, on various levels of the vessel, you can find all kinds of objects and exhibits related to maritime history and the US military.

Next to the USS Intrepid, you can find the USS Growler submarine and the Space Shuttle Enterprise. The museum is also home to a British Airways Concorde.

If you’re wondering what to do in New York City, you can also check out the events at the museum. Lots of different events take place there, such as special tours, movie nights, and other types of events.

Go to Carnegie Hall and Attend a Concert

People walking in front of the Carnegie Hall
People in front of the Carnegie Hall – Osugi / Shutterstock.com

Carnegie Hall is a live music venue that you can find in Midtown Manhattan. It is one of the world’s most prestigious venues in the world for live music.

The venue is located inside a historic building with a Renaissance Revival style that was built at the end of the 19th century. The venue has three auditoriums, one of which, called the Stern Auditorium, is a 5-story auditorium with close to 3,000 seats. The venue is a designated New York City Landmark.

You can attend various types of concerts at the hall, including a large variety of classical music performances.

There are also family events that take place at Carnegie Hall. For example, there are special concerts that are great for children to attend.

Listening to music at the Carnegie Hall is also one of the most fun things to do at night in New York City.

Address: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Go for a Relaxing Walk at Domino Park

View of Domino Park
Domino Park from above – solepsizm / Shutterstock.com

Domino Park is a park that you can find in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, on the East River, and next to the Williamsburg River.

The park opened to the public in 2018 on the site of a former sugar refinery. The refinery that used to be at this place dates back to the year 1882 and made the “Domino” sugar brand. Some of the structures of this former factory are still located at the park.

You can go for a walk in Domino Park and enjoy a view of the East River and the skyline of Manhattan.

The park has more features, including several lawns, a beach volleyball court, and a large playground.

You can also find one of the best restaurants in Williamsburg, Tacocina, in Domino Park. This is a taco stand where you can get delicious tacos and other food and drinks during the summer months.

Play Arcade Games and Have a Drink at Barcade

Barcade is an arcade and a bar with several locations throughout the city and throughout the United States. The original location of Barcade opened in Brooklyn.

At each Barcade, there are between 40 and 75 video games as well as pinball machines. There are lots of different games that you can play here, including games from the 1980s and modern games. Some games that you can find at the locations include Asteroids, Donkey Kong, and Ms. Pac-Man.

In addition to games, there are about 30 American craft beers on draft. At some of the locations of Barcade, there are also other types of drinks and you can get pub fare at some locations.

Address: 148 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011

Learn About the City’s Public Transportation at the New York Transit Museum

Vehicle at the New York Transit Museum
Train at the New York Transit Museum – Felix Lipov / Shutterstock.com

Visiting the New York Transit Museum is an amazing thing to do in New York City if you like learning about transportation. It’s one of the best museums in Brooklyn and it’s all about the history of transportation in the New York City area.

You can find the museum inside a former subway station called “Court Street”

The museum has exhibits related to all forms of transportation, including trains, buses, and the subway.

You can find old subway cars at the museum that you can see from the inside.

In addition to that, the museum’s collection includes more than 10,000 objects. For example, there are maps, posters, photographs, and many other types of items.

The New York Transit Museum also organizations “nostalgia rides”, which are experiences during which you can ride a vintage railcar.

Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

See Marine Animals at the New York Aquarium

Entrance of the New York Aquarium
View of the entrance of the New York Aquarium – MarinaMonroe / Shutterstock.com

The New York Aquarium is the oldest continuously operating aquarium in America which was founded in the year 1896. You can find the aquarium in the Coney Island neighborhood.

At the aquarium, you can see many different species of animals, and these are spread over various exhibits.

For example, one of the exhibits at the museum is the “Spineless” exhibit, where you can see moon jellies, pacific octopus, and many other species of spineless animals.

There is also an exhibit where you can see animals that live in the waters near New York City.

At the “Sea Cliffs” outdoor exhibit, you can see sea lions, penguins, harbor seals, and sea others.

The New York Aquarium is also home to the “Aquatheater”, which is a place where you can see interactive shows that feature sea lions, and there is a 4-D theater where you can see 3-D films with sensory effects.

Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224

See Jane’s Carousel

Jane's Carousel from above
View of Jane’s Carousel

Jane’s Carousel is a historic carousel that you can find in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The historic carousel was built in the year 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The carousel features 48 wooden horses.

The carousel was in use at the Idora Park amusement park in Ohio. This amusement park closed in 1984.

The carousel opened to the public, inside a glass pavilion, in 2011.

Going to Jane’s Carousel is also one of the most fun things to do with kids in Brooklyn. Children can ride the carousel throughout the year for 3 dollars per ride. There are different opening hours in each quarter of the year. For example, during the summer, the carousel is open 7 days a week.

See the Flatiron Building

View of the Flatiron Building
Flatiron Building in NYC – Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock.com

The Flatiron Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

The building has a triangular shape that looks like a clothes iron when you view it from above, which is why it is called the “Flatiron” building.

The building dates back to the year 1902 and has a Renaissance Revival architectural style. It is a designated New York City Landmark.

The Flatiron Building is one of the most famous filming locations in NYC as it appears in various TV shows and movies. For example, the building features in the movies “Spider-Man” (2002), “The Usual Suspects”, and “Armageddon”.

Address: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Have a Fun Time at the National Museum of Mathematics

The National Museum of Mathematics is a museum that you can find at 225 Fifth Avenue that is dedicated to mathematics.

The museum’s exhibits are geared towards children, and it is one of the best museums for kids in New York City.

At the museum, you can find all kinds of interactive exhibits through which the public can learn about mathematics.

For example, one of the exhibits at this place is “Funny Face”. This is an exhibit with a photo booth that lets you see what the effect of changing a formula has on the final image.

Another exhibit is the “Math Square”. At this place, you can play all kinds of mathematical games that you have to control with your feet.

The “Square-Wheeled Trike” is another fun exhibit. This is a tricycle with square wheels that you can take a smooth ride on.

In addition to exploring the exhibitions of the museum, you can also attend an event.

Address: 225 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Explore the Shops on Fifth Avenue

Cars and people on Fifth Avenue
People and cars on Fifth Avenue – Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

There are many great places to shop in New York City, and one of the best ones is Fifth Avenue.

Fifth Avenue is a street with a length of 6 miles that runs through several neighborhoods.

Many different types of stores are situated on the street.

For example, there are many luxury goods stores, such as Michael Kors, Longchamp, and Cartier, and Fifth Avenue is one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets.

You can also find Saks Fifth Avenue here. This is a luxury department store that opened in 1924.

Besides luxury goods stores, you can find many other types of stores on the street, including Zara, The LEGO Store, Urban Outfitters, H&M, and Nike.

Have Dinner and See a Movie at the Same Time at Nitehawk Cinema

Outside of Nitehawk Cinema
Exterior of Nitehawk Cinema – Richard Scalzo / Shutterstock.com

Nitehawk Cinema is a dine-in movie theater with two locations in Brooklyn. One of the locations is located in the Prospect Park neighborhood and the other one is located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg. Going here to see a movie while having food is a fun activity in NYC.

You can see all the latest Hollywood movies at this place and it is also possible to see other types of movies.

Nitehawk Cinema serves delicious food that you can have while watching a movie. It is possible to have dinner at this place, as well as brunch on the weekend.

The dinner features many types of entrees that are served with French fries. For example, you can get the “Philadelphia Pulled Pork Sandwich”, which is made with seasoned pulled pork, pepperoncini aioli, provolone, braised broccoli rabe, and Martin’s potato roll.

A great dish on the brunch menu is the “Breakfast Burrito”, which comes with guajillo black beans, queso scrambled eggs, sour cream, and a side salad.

The menu also includes various desserts, cheese, and charcuterie plates, concessions, salads, and shared plates.

There are also many drinks that you can choose from, such as different types of cocktails and wine.

Nitehawk Cinema is also amazing if you’re looking for date ideas in Brooklyn.

Address: 188 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Go to the Edge and enjoy a Beautiful View of the City

Group of people at the Edge
People at the Edge – Tada Images / Shutterstock.com

Edge, which you can find in the Chelsea neighborhood, is the highest outdoor sky deck in New York City.

Edge’s sky deck is suspended in the air, and because of that, you can look in all directions to enjoy an incredible view of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Hudson River, and other places.

There’s a glass floor at Edge, through which you can look down 100 stories.

In addition to visiting the observation deck to enjoy a view, you can also do the “City Climb” experience during which you climb a staircase on the exterior of the building while wearing a harness. During this experience, while being attached to the building, you’ll also lean out and look at the city below you.

Address: 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

More New York City Articles

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Things to do alone in New York City

Ice cream shops in NYC

Brunch spots in New York City

Rainy day activities in NYC

What To Do in NYC Tips

For some of the things to do in NYC, you’ll need a ticket. I recommend buying these online, when possible, as you sometimes get a discount when you do so. In addition to that, you don’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket that way.

Also, when you want to visit one of the museums that I mentioned, I recommend finding out before visiting if there’s an event that takes place at the museum that you’d like to attend. Most museums have a calendar on their website with upcoming events.

Do you like one of the places that I mentioned and do you want to visit that place more often? Many places, such as museums and observation decks, have a membership that allows you to visit that place as many times as you want for a fixed annual fee.

Bow Bridge in Central Park
Bridge in Central Park

NYC Things To Do Map


I hope you liked these activities. Thanks for reading my guide to the best things to do in New York City!

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