Don’t know what to do when in New York City? You’re not alone. New York City is a big place. You could say it’s one of the most fun and magical places you can see in the United States. There are so many things you can do and see. It truly is impossible to get bored while in the Big Apple. There is something there for everyone!

The problem with travelling to New York and getting yourself acquainted with the city is that a lot of people try to do it in one weekend and get stuck with one place they find to be the most interesting. And a lot of people don’t even know what to visit while there because there is just so many things to check out. So if you’re asking yourself what to do when in New York city, we’ve made a list of things that you simply have to experience. We hope it will make your trip easier!

Central Park

Central Park should probably be the first thing you experience in New York City to kick off your adventure the right way. Central Park has a beautiful juxtaposition of nature and futuristic skyscrapers. It is the place to be on a weekend. Even though it’s right in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world, you’ll find that’s it’s actually quite chill. There is a number of cafes and restaurants in Central Park in case you get hungry while walking along the park. You can also rent a bike and ride around the park, but the best way to check it out is a relaxed walk for an hour or so.

After Central Park, you can check out the three Met Museums that are near it – The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer and The Met Cloisters. Fifth Avenue is just a few minutes away from Central Park. It’s the largest museum in the States showcases 5000 years of ar from around the world. Tickets are 25$ for adults. Discounts are offered for seniors and students. The ticket is valid for all three museums within three days. You can also buy your tickets here, which will of course save you some time. It’s recommended you spend a few hours in the museums.

5th Avenue

If you’re not interested in museums, it’s recommended you stroll down 5th Avenue. If you’ve got the money, you can also do some shopping along the way.

Rockefeller Center is just around the corner from 5th Avenue and should be next on your list. This is where the famous Christmas tree gets put every year. It’s a massive complex made out of 19 commercial buildings. Here you can find several restaurants, stores, television networks and business offices. 

Staten Island Ferry/Statue of Liberty

While thinking of the question “What to do when in New York”, this is probably one of the first things that come to mind. The best way to get to the Statue of Liberty is The Staten Island Ferry that takes you from Manhattan to Staten Island. It’s the best bargain because it is free and has some great views. The ride lasts about 30 minutes and is available 24/7.

Be wary of anyone trying to sell you tickets for the ferry, there is no charge to use it. When you get onboard, try to find a seat upstairs on the right side. You’ll have the best view of the Statue of Liberty from that point of view.

Wall Street

When returning to Manhattan, head over to Wall Street. Wall Street is an icon that’s known around the world and it houses many chief financial institutions. This is where the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are located. Don’t forget to take a photo of the infamous Charging Bull.

The Empire State building

What to do when in New York City? Why, check out The Empire State building of course. It was, until recently, the tallest building in the world. There is an observation deck at the top of the building that offers the best view of New York. To get there, you’ll spend about 42$. But you can also go to one of the rooftop bars and have yourself a cocktail. 

Broadway

While visiting New York, you should probably check out Broadway. In case you didn’t know, Broadway is actually the name of the street which is lined with theaters. Some of the most popular shows include The Lion King, Hamilton and others. You should probably do your research and buy the tickets ahead of time.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial is the place of the tragic terrorist attack that happened on the 11th of september, 2001. Thousands of lives lost and billions in material damages make this one of the saddest places in New York.

The memorial is where the former World Trade Center complex stood. The memorial is made out of two reflecting pools that commemorate those who tragically lost their lives. Their names are etched into bronze stones. The memorial is free of charge.

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of the largest and busiest passenger train stations in terms of volume. However, GCT isn’t just your run of the mill train stations, it’s a shopping and dining venue as well. Odds are that you’ll be travelling through here anyway, so just check it out on the way!

In the end

We hope we’ve been helpful with your question of what to do when in New York. This isn’t all you can see or all you should see, it’s just a helpful little list that makes it easier to travel around the Big Apple. As we’ve previously said, New York is one of the biggest cities in the world. Not just in terms of population, but also in terms of history and culture. The city itself is pretty young but developed so fast that if someone from the 19th century visited it, he would probably have a mental breakdown. We sincerely hope you have a nice time in New York, as it is truly one of the most beautiful and also the most chaotic places you can see in the world.