New York City has so much to offer that first-time visitors often feel paralyzed by choice. Here’s a curated list of 15 things to do — from completely free to worth-the-splurge experiences.
Free Things to Do
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. One of the most iconic walks in the world. Start from the Manhattan side and walk to Brooklyn for the best views of the skyline.
- Explore Central Park. Free and massive. Rent a bike, find a quiet spot by the lake, visit Strawberry Fields, or just wander. It takes multiple visits to see everything.
- Visit the High Line. A beautiful elevated park built on a former freight railway. Public art, great views, and free to enter.
- Take the Staten Island Ferry. Free, runs 24 hours, and gives you a spectacular close-up view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
- Wander the neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own personality. Explore the brownstones of Brooklyn Heights, the street art of Bushwick, the food stalls of Flushing, and the vintage shops of the East Village.
- Visit Times Square at night. Touristy but undeniable. The light show is free and genuinely spectacular after dark.
Mid-Range Experiences
- Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One of the greatest art museums in the world. Suggested admission is $30 — worth every dollar. Plan for at least half a day.
- See a Broadway show. Cheaper than you think if you use the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounted tickets. Rush tickets and lottery tickets are also available for most shows.
- Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. A moving and important experience. The outdoor memorial pools are free. The museum requires a ticket ($33) but is deeply worth it.
- Eat at Katz’s Delicatessen. The most famous deli in New York. Order the pastrami on rye. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it.
- Explore the Brooklyn food scene. DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Smorgasburg (a massive outdoor food market on weekends) offer some of the best food in the city.
Splurge Experiences
- Go to the top of the Empire State Building or One World Trade. The views are unforgettable. One World Trade (the Freedom Tower) has the better observatory.
- Take a helicopter tour. Expensive but breathtaking. The views of Manhattan from the air are unlike anything else.
- Eat at a world-class restaurant. New York has more great restaurants than almost any city. Book in advance — the best places fill up weeks or months ahead.
- See a game at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium. Experiencing live sports in New York — whether it’s the Knicks, Rangers, Yankees, or Mets — is a genuine New York experience.
