{"id":30229,"date":"2024-11-22T16:21:29","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T05:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=30229"},"modified":"2025-07-07T10:02:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T00:02:46","slug":"things-to-do-new-york-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/things-to-do-new-york-city\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bite of the Big Apple: The Best Things to Do in New York City\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>Few cities can compete with New York for its breadth of things to do, see, taste and treat yourself to.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since humble beginnings as a Dutch colony 400 years ago, somewhere along the way, New York City transformed into the worldwide centre of culture, society and business. It\u2019s loud and proud. It\u2019s cool, and a city that truly lives in its streets. And it has a whole heap of ways to entertain any type of traveller.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019d be impossible to list every offering, this is our roundup of some of the best.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best things to do in New York City: arts and culture&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take in world-class art&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve probably heard of <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/meet-the-met-extended-metropolitan-museum-of-art-tour\/rez:PEX7CD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/a> (The Met) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moma.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Museum of Modern Art<\/a> (MOMA) \u2013 famous for housing masterpieces like Vincent Van Gogh\u2019s <em>Starry Night<\/em>. For a more contemporary experience, stroll down to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guggenheim.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guggenheim Museum<\/a>, an architectural gem designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Or travel to medieval times among unicorn tapestries and Romanesque artefacts at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/plan-your-visit\/met-cloisters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Cloisters<\/a> in Washington Heights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Look up the largest landmarks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New York\u2019s unique skyline helped build its international reputation. A visit is incomplete without looking upon <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/fully-guided-statue-of-liberty-tour-with-ellis-island\/rez:PHWBP0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lady Liberty<\/a>, the Empire State Building and the rebuilt World Trade Center, keeping watch over Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and the <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/nyc-911-memorial-tour-and-priority-entrance-911-museum-tickets\/rez:PDQSXQ\">9\/11 Memorial Museum<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a pause in the parks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s almost impossible to visit New York and miss Central Park. <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/statue-of-liberty-express-tour-museum-statue-grounds-and-battery-park\/rez:PJ4FGC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Head to the Battery<\/a> for insight to the city\u2019s foundational history paired with refreshing views across the water to New Jersey, Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. Animal lovers shouldn&#8217;t miss the Bronx Zoo, acclaimed as one of the best in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snap a photo at the most scenic sites&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Shibuya Scramble, Piccadilly Circus\u2026 few intersections can compete with the lights and action of Times Square. Walk east on 42nd Street at its south end to stand beneath <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/official-grand-central-terminal-tour\/rez:P90RYG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grand Central Station<\/a>\u2019s starry Art Deco atrium, then take the subway south to the Brooklyn Bridge, perhaps one of the most recognisable water-crossings in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shop till you drop&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For major label designers and department stores of the rich and famous, stroll up Fifth Avenue from 42nd to 60th Street, where it hits Central Park. After boutique and vintage fashion? SoHo has you covered. And a little farther south, Little Italy and Chinatown offer a breadth of <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/secret-food-tours-nyc-chinatown-and-little-italy\/rez:PTDAG2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">international culinary treasures<\/a> and souvenirs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Book yourself a spot on the <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/new-york-sip-shop-and-gossip-on-a-3.5-hour-sex-and-the-city-hotspots-guided-tour\/led:0062y00000FMts9AAD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sex in the City tour<\/a> for a fashionable city-wide experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/au\/search?destinationName=New+York&amp;destinationId=le_1ada7faf229425b786d87f7d9d5d43f2&amp;adults=2&amp;children=none&amp;pages=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-1024x576.webp 1024w,https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-350x197.webp 350w,https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-768x432.webp 768w,https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-1536x864.webp 1536w,https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-1024x576.webp\" height=\"576\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-350x197.webp 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0uyy7b64gj7cgai4pvvo.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" class=\"wp-image-30233 sp-no-webp\" alt=\"A busy shot of bustling Times Square, while a group of bright yellow taxis cross the intersection - Luxury Escapes\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  > <\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best things to do in New York City: entertainment&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sit down for a show&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Broadway is New York\u2019s ultimate theatre destination, but catching something off-Broadway (in a smaller theatre) can be just as satisfying. If you\u2019re around in summer, attend a period piece at the Delacorte Theater\u2019s original Shakespeare in the Park. Or visit the Lincoln Center if dance and classical music is more your thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Catch a concert&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For musicians of every genre, performing at Madison Square Garden is one of the signs you\u2019ve made it, so making it to a show here means seeing them at their best. For something more toned down or a touch of comedy, there\u2019s always Carnegie Hall. The Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg have fun and dynamic line-ups if you prefer standing room and smaller-scale performances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go to a game&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New York has some of the most recognisable sporting teams in America \u2013 just pick your sport and season. Head to Yankee Stadium March to September for a <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/new-york-yankees-at-yankee-stadium\/rez:PKUMQQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">baseball home game<\/a>, follow the Giants (American football) at the MetLife Stadium from September to January or <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/new-york-knicks-at-madison-square-garden\/rez:PW0CA0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">watch the Knicks<\/a> (basketball) <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/experience\/new-york-rangers-at-madison-square-garden\/rez:PE8LGY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">and the Rangers<\/a> (ice hockey) at Madison Square Garden, dependent on the season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best things to do in New York City: food and drink&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eat on the street&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one American city famous for its street foods. For the most reputable interpretations, try an all-beef hot dog at <a href=\"https:\/\/nathansfamous.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nathan\u2019s Famous<\/a>, a big flat slice of pie at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joespizzanyc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joe\u2019s Pizza<\/a> and the original bagel with lox and schmear at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.russanddaughters.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russ &amp; Daughters<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a genuine New-Yorker-on-the-go meal, snag a platter from any of the halal trucks that line the borough blocks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taste city history&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New York\u2019s oldest deli, <a href=\"https:\/\/katzsdelicatessen.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Katz\u2019s Delicatessen<\/a>, serves some of the best egg creams and matzo ball soups. For something finer, do high tea off Central Park with blinis (an Eastern European pancake) and caviar at the <a href=\"https:\/\/russiantearoomnyc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russian Tea Room<\/a>, a traditional favourite of high-profile film and music personalities. Or carve out the ultimate American steakhouse experience at <a href=\"https:\/\/peterluger.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peter Luger\u2019s<\/a>, just below the Brooklyn Bridge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mull about the markets&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For international gourmet fare and craftworks, spend a day sampling at trendy Chelsea Market. The farmers, fishmongers, bakers and beekeepers of Union Square Greenmarket will cover you for local, small-batch produce. On the Lower East Side, Essex Market is New York City\u2019s oldest indoor food hall, specialising in flavours from the Americas and Europe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sip on more than just Manhattans&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like mixology? So does <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdtnyc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PDT<\/a> (aka. \u2018Please Don&#8217;t Tell\u2019) \u2013 the hidden East Village bar that made speakeasies a modern trend during the 2000s cocktail renaissance. Earlier history is alive within the timbers of <a href=\"https:\/\/mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McSorley\u2019s Old Ale House<\/a>, the oldest continuously operating bar in New York City. For something fancier, head to the Financial District and ascend to the 64th floor rooftop where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.overstory-nyc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overstory<\/a> serves retro cocktails on red-velvet banquettes, paired with 360-degree views.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best things to do in New York City: events&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Celebrate at the Times Square ball drop&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to live pop performances and stalls vending hot cocoa, cider and doughnuts in the streets, hotels and restaurants within view of the world\u2019s favourite New Year\u2019s tradition offer paid entry to their parties full of bubbly and feasting. On your way to the main event, stop by the Rockefeller Center for a few laps around the ice beneath its glitzy Christmas tree or join <a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/au\/experience\/manhattan-2.5-hour-festive-holiday-lights-and-movie-sites-tour\/led:0062y00000FMtxhAAD\">a tour<\/a> to see where your favourite holiday movies were filmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See the Fourth of July fireworks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New York City lets off a lengthy display of innovative explosives on Independence Day. Most impressive of all, the show runs in three separate places along the East River simultaneously, perfectly in sync. Imagine watching the best fireworks of your life in triple.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay ahead of trends at New York Fashion Week&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First of the bi-annual Big Four (preceding London, Milan and Paris), New York Fashion Week is the most innovative and edgy. It conducts the busiest event schedule, debuting the most&nbsp;up-and-coming designers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Few cities can compete with New York for its breadth of things to do, see, taste and treat yourself to. Since humble beginnings as a Dutch colony 400 years ago, somewhere along the way, New York City transformed into the worldwide centre of culture, society and business. It\u2019s loud and proud. It\u2019s cool, and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":30234,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,84],"tags":[],"location":[364],"customertype":[326,390,367],"class_list":["post-30229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-usa","category-new-york","location-new-york-city","customertype-family-friendly","customertype-offer-page","customertype-post-purchase"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/98atoe8su7ugxlyad0g.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"lux_id":30229,"lux_link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/things-to-do-new-york-city\/","lux_title":"A Bite of the Big Apple: The Best Things to Do in New York City\u00a0","lux_excerpt":"Few cities can compete with New York for its breadth of things to do, see, taste and treat yourself to. Since humble beginnings as a Dutch colony 400 years ago, somewhere along the way, New York City transformed into the worldwide centre of culture, society and business. It\u2019s loud and proud. It\u2019s cool, and a [\u2026]","lux_excerpt_trimmed":"Few cities can compete with New York for its breadth of things to do, see, taste and treat yourself to. Since humble beginnings as a Dutch colony 400 years ago,","lux_image_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/98atoe8su7ugxlyad0g.webp","lux_image_url_medium":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/98atoe8su7ugxlyad0g-350x197.webp","lux_image_url_large":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/98atoe8su7ugxlyad0g-1024x576.webp","lux_image_url_square":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/98atoe8su7ugxlyad0g-500x500.webp","lux_categories":[{"label":"USA","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/usa\/"},{"label":"New York","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/usa\/new-york\/"}],"lux_tags":[],"lux_locations":[{"label":"New York City"}],"lux_customer_types":[{"label":"Family Friendly"},{"label":"Offer Page"},{"label":"Post-Purchase"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30229"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39411,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30229\/revisions\/39411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30229"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=30229"},{"taxonomy":"customertype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/customertype?post=30229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}