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Best Things to Do in New York City
Looking for the best things to do in New York City? We've gathered 2 experiences covering the best attractions New York City is known for — tours in New York City, food walks, cultural highlights and New York City day trips — every one bookable directly with GetYourGuide, our trusted partner for skip-the-line tickets and local guides.
Landmarks
The icons of the New York skyline
The Statue of Liberty tops almost every list of things to do in NYC, and the ferry approach past the skyline is a genuine New York moment. A Statue of Liberty tour bundles the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island into a single well-paced morning, and Ellis Island’s immigration museum is the underrated half of the trip.
Pair it with the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock for a skyline view, Central Park for a breather, and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. For the full planning walkthrough, see our NYC travel guide.
Food tours
Eat your way through New York
New York is a city that eats on the move — a slice folded in hand, a bagel at a counter, a dumpling in a park. A guided food tour is the single best way past the tourist menus, steering you to the pizza joints, bagel shops and Chinatown counters New Yorkers actually use.
For a deeper dive, read our NYC food tours guide covering pizza, bagels and markets, or browse every food tour we offer worldwide.
Helicopter tours
See New York from the sky
A helicopter tour is the single most dramatic way to see New York — the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park laid out from above in under 20 minutes. Most flights depart from the Downtown Manhattan heliport near Battery Park, and several of our NYC tours include a harbour cruise alongside the flight.
It is not cheap, but for a once-in-a-trip memory it is hard to beat. Pair it with a Statue of Liberty tour on the same morning for the full harbour-and-skyline experience.
Day trips
Escapes beyond the city
Some of the best things to do in NYC are actually outside it. The Hudson Valley’s mansions and fall foliage, the historic riverside town of Cold Spring, and the beaches and estates of the Hamptons all make rewarding NYC day trips — the easiest worthwhile escapes when you want to see more without changing hotels.
Browse our day trips hub to compare escapes worldwide, or open the full NYC travel guide for planning tips.
Frequently asked questions
New York City travel FAQ
What are the top things to do in NYC?
The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock for a skyline view, Central Park, the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center, and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge headline most first visits. Pair them with a food tour through Greenwich Village or Chinatown and a harbour cruise for a well-rounded trip.
Is the Statue of Liberty tour worth it?
For most first-time visitors, yes. The ferry approach past the skyline is a genuine New York moment, Liberty Island gives you the classic up-close view, and Ellis Island’s immigration museum is moving and well worth an hour. If you are very short on time, the free Staten Island Ferry gives you a harbour view of the statue without leaving the boat.
Are NYC helicopter tours worth it?
A helicopter tour is the single most dramatic way to see New York — the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park laid out from above in under 20 minutes. It is not cheap, but for a once-in-a-trip memory it is hard to beat, and most flights depart from the Downtown Manhattan heliport near Battery Park.
Where are the best food tours in NYC?
Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side for pizza and bagels, Chinatown and Little Italy for dumplings and cannoli, and Chelsea Market and Smorgasburg for the breadth of the city’s food scene. A guided food tour lets someone else navigate and order, steering you to the slices and bagels New Yorkers actually eat.
What day trips can I take from NYC?
The Hudson Valley mansions and fall foliage of Bear Mountain, the historic riverside town of Cold Spring, the beaches and estates of the Hamptons, and the grand estates of the Berkshires are all reachable as NYC day trips. The Hudson Valley is the easiest and pairs well with a morning train ride along the river.
How many days do I need in New York City?
Four full days is a comfortable minimum — enough to cover the major landmarks, take a food tour, fit in a Statue of Liberty trip and add one day trip without rushing. Add a fifth day for a second day trip to the Hamptons or the Hudson Valley if you want to see more of the region.
What is the best time to visit NYC?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) for mild weather and smaller crowds are the most pleasant. Summer is hot and busy but full of free outdoor events, while winter (December to February) is crisp, festive and atmospheric, with fewer queues at the major sights and the holiday lights of Fifth Avenue.
Explore New York City tours
Every NYC tour above is bookable directly with GetYourGuide — skip-the-line tickets, local guides and free cancellation on most experiences. Ready to dive deeper? Open the full NYC travel guide.
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