New York City Tour: Top 10 Things You Must do in New York City

New York City – the ultimate city in the world – continues to capture the attention of millions around the world. Its vibrancy and vivaciousness make it a city that everyone wants to visit. If there is a perfect example of the word cosmopolitan, it would be New York City. People from all over the world live in New York. Did you know more than 800 languages are spoken in this American city? There is so much to see and do in the city of New York that even people who live in New York can go through their lives without repeating a single place or activity. But this makes it difficult for tourists to choose the things they should do in New York City. The best would be to do the most popular things. Here we present to you the 10 best things to do in New York City.

1. Visit the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was the first tallest building of New York. Although it does not hold the same rank today, it remains one of the top sights in New York. Adapting modernist and art deco architectural styles, the Empire State Building embodies the true essence of the city itself. Even if you have never visited New York, you would have known about this building, as it has been immortalized in American movies and literature. The building stands at the height of 1454 feet with 102 floors. On the 86th and 102nd floors of the building are the observation decks, which will give you a panoramic view of the city and its major landmarks. You can also explore the galleries that will tell you more about the history of the building.

2. See the Statue of Liberty and Explore Liberty Island

The Statue of Liberty is the first thing that comes to one’s mind when one thinks of New York or even the USA. A gift from the French government, the Statue of Liberty is the most iconic and popular symbol of the USA and one of the top tour attractions in the world too. The statue is 305-foot tall, and it is possible to climb inside and enjoy the view of the New York harbor and surrounding area through the gaps in Lady Liberty’s crown. You must also take the time to explore Liberty Island, on which the statue rests. Apart from a beautiful garden, the island is home to The State of Liberty Museum, which will give you all the information about the statue. You can also visit nearby Ellis Island.

3. Explore Central Park

Most of us know that ‘concrete jungle’ is one of the monikers for New York City. But amidst all the tall buildings and structures lies the 843-acre green space, i.e., Central Park, another attraction popularized by movies. There are so many things to do here, both popular and hidden gems, that one visit is not enough to see and do everything that Central Park offers. As you explore this enormous green space, you will get to see innumerable playgrounds, beautiful gardens, iconic sculptures, gorgeous fountains, picturesque bridges, an old fort (from World War II), etc. Central Park also has a zoo, educational institutions, music and performance centers, museums, art galleries, and a castle. Some of the must-visit attractions here are the Conservatory Garden, the Bow Bridge, the Parabolic Light by Fred Eversley, the Carousel, and the Strawberry Fields.

4. Watch a Broadway Musical

Sightseeing in New York City is a delight, but you cannot leave the city without watching at least one Broadway show. Broadway musicals were introduced in the 1750s and are an integral part of New York City’s cultural identity. Broadway shows are known not just for their storyline but also for their marvelous stage decor, amazing costumes, mind-blowing music and dance choreography, and spell-binding performances. The only problem is deciding which musical to watch. You are spoilt with choices, as you can choose from musical dramas, comedies, contemporary plays, and even thrillers. You can also watch non-musical dramas on the New York City Broadway. The Lion King, Wicked, Moulin Rouge, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Aladdin, Six the Musical, MJ the Musical, etc., are some of the best shows to watch here.

5. Go on a NYC Food Tour

New York City is a melting pot of cultures, and this is clearly reflected in the food scene of the city. You will get to taste a myriad of cuisines and flavors in this bustling city of New York. But as a tourist, you may find it difficult to choose what to eat and where to eat. There is why going on a NYC food tour is one of the fun things to do in New York. Several companies offer NYC food tours, and you can choose one, depending on your food interests. Food tours are conducted by professional local guides who will take you to all the important cafes, restaurants, food trucks, and other food places in the city to give you a taste of the authentic flavors of the city. Get ready to gorge on New York’s famous pizzas, cheesecakes, cupcakes, bagels, and so much more during your food tour.

6. Go to See Times Square

New York’s Times Square is one of the most iconic locations in the city, most popularly known for its New Year’s Eve countdown. It is also the most happening area in the city all year around. There are plenty of places to see and things to do here for every individual, be it an adult or a kid. Times Square is where New York’s Broadway exists. Apart from this, there are some interesting museums like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, etc. Shopping is one of the best things to do at Times Square. You will find huge and unique retail stores of some of the most famous brands here. Times Square also hosts events and street performances almost every day. Apart from all this, taking a selfie with the giant billboards on the street is something you must do at Times Square.

7. Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art connoisseurs and art lovers cannot complete their New York trip without a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Met. It is one of the largest art museums in the world and the largest in the US. The museum is present in two locations, one in The Met Fifth Avenue and the other in The Met Cloisters. The galleries of this museum have art collections from all over the world. The American Wing, African Art, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Asian Art, The Costume Institute, European Paintings, Egyptian Art, Greek and Roman Art, Islamic Art, Medieval Art and The Cloisters, Modern and Contemporary Art are some of the collections that you can see here. Apart from being a museum, the Met also conducts conservation and scientific research to preserve and maintain its age-old collections.

8. Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge is another famous landmark that has been prominently featured in several American movies and shows. It is the world’s largest suspension bridge and is almost 140 years old. It connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. The main purpose of visiting the bridge is to see this amazing bridge, a true feat of human engineering. The advantage of going for a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge is to enjoy the panoramic views of the city. The bridge will give you some amazing views of the important landmarks of the city. As you get to see some of the iconic spots of the city from the bridge, you will also get to take some memorable pictures or selfies here. Of course, a picture of you with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background is something you cannot miss. You can also visit the Brookly Bridge Park at the foot of the bridge.

9. Enjoy the Staten Island Ferry

Staten Island Ferry was the only way of commuting from Manhattan to Staten Island when there were no bridges connecting the mainland to the island. But even after the bridges were built, the ferry continues to be quite popular among Staten Island residents. Tourists also like the ferry as it gives you some of the most uninterrupted views of the city. As the ferry departs from Manhattan, get ready to see some amazing views of Brookly Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and even New Jersey. The best thing about taking this ferry is that it is one of the free things to do in New York. Do not miss the ferry for the views as well as the leisurely ride.

10. Eat, Drink, and Shop at Chinatown

New York is home to a large Chinese community that came to the city in the 17th century. Although the community remained separate from the original New Yorkers, the Chinese slowly integrated into New York, as the former got attracted to the exotic culture and food of the Chinese. One of the main reasons that people flock to Chinatown is the delicious food comprising noodles, dimsums, stir-fries, and Chinese tea that it offers. Apart from the food, Chinatown also offers attractions that make it worth visiting. The Museum of Chinese in America will give you a glimpse of the history of America’s Chinese immigrants. Another important part of the Chinese culture is the Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association, where you will get to see the tallest Buddhist statue (16-feet) in the US. If you want to enjoy some affordable shopping, Canal Street is the place to go. Here you will find knockoffs of almost all luxury products here.

To enjoy everything that New York offers to the fullest, it is important to visit during the summers. The best time to visit New York is between May and September. Book your tickets during these months to make the most of the impressive city that New York is.