10 top things to do in New York.

Alex Curran
By Alex Curran
6 Min Read

There aren’t many cities in the world that can top New York in terms of atmosphere, excitement and the sheer number of things to do and see there. That’s why every year over 20 million people head for the Big Apple – and most find that they just don’t have enough time to fit in everything they wanted to do on their visit.

So if you’re planning a trip, it could be a good idea to draw up your own bucket list to make sure you don’t miss out – and here are ten things that definitely deserve a place on it.

New York from the air

One of the very best ways to get a good sense of the city is to take a helicopter trip around its major sights, as well as taking you out over the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island too. There are plenty of operators offering the service and it will show you more of the city in an hour than you could manage on foot over several days. Plus, you’ll be treated to an expert running commentary as you go.

The Intrepid, Sea Air and Space Museum

Prepare to have your breath taken away by this incredible display of American military and maritime history. You’ll find it at Pier 86 on 46th Street and you really can’t miss the huge aircraft carrier Intrepid that houses the museum. Once on board you’ll find exhibits like a missile submarine, a Cold War reconnaissance plane and even the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

Check out a Broadway show

It’s the world’s most famous theater district where you’ll find everything from comedies to dramas and musicals. There’s also a good chance to see a Hollywood star or two honing their stage acting. Tickets aren’t cheap and they’re in high demand but you can get them at any of the ticket booths dotted around Time Square. You can also check out availability online before you go.

Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Almost as famous for its legendary Ball that attracts the movers and shakers each year, the Met is also the largest collection of art and antiquities in the country. You’ll find it up on Fifth Avenue where it’s home to everything from exquisite Rembrandt paintings to a reconstruction of a Roman villa. There are also frequently-changing temporary exhibitions to enjoy.

Walk the High Line

For a few minutes’ peace in the heart of the city, take a stroll along the High Line. It’s an elevated walkway that passes through Chelsea and the old meat-packing district and runs along the route of a disused section of the New York Central Railroad. It offers plenty of places to sit down and rest for a while as well as having many planted areas to enjoy.

See a Giants game

It’s going to mean a trip over the water to New Jersey to take in a New York Giants game, but the experience will be well worth it. The team shares the place that they play with the New York Jets, the 83,000 capacity Met Life Stadium and this is a spectacle in itself. Plus, to make the experience even more involving, check out the NFL odds for the game and try your luck on the result.

Take a movie tour of the city

Visit New York and sometimes it can feel like there’s a TV show or movie being shot on virtually every block. So why not take a tour of many of the most famous locations? There are countless available whether you want to see where Sex and the City was filmed or visit the Ghostbusters fire station.

Treat yourself at Katz’s famous deli

Anyone who’s seen When Harry met Sally will be more than familiar Katz’s Deli up at 205 East Houston Street. It claims to be the oldest deli in the city and it’s famous for its legendary pastrami on rye and other Jewish delicacies. Be prepared for some fairly forthright New York service though as it’s always very busy.

Head up the Empire State Building

It might not be the tallest building in the city any more, but it’s certainly one of the most famous. Just off Madison Avenue, it’s also a great vantage point to see most of central Manhattan from its 86th floor observation gallery.

Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Where better to end this round up than in the place where millions of people made their first steps on American soil? It’s home to the three-story Immigration Museum telling the stories of just some of those new arrivals. Tours generally start from Battery Park, just south of Wall Street where a high speed ferry will take to the island.

So hopefully these suggestions will have given you plenty of ideas for your next trip to New York – and several visits after that too!

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