The Best Things to Do in New York: A Local's 12 Picks

At a glance

• Where: New York, New York: picks in Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Chelsea, the Upper East Side and Central Park
• Best for: First-time visitors with two to four days
• Cost: Mix of free (Central Park, High Line, Staten Island Ferry, 9/11 Memorial plaza) and ticketed; check each official site
• Getting around: The MTA subway runs 24 hours a day and serves almost every pick below

The best things to do in New York are Central Park, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the High Line, then a loop through Midtown, Times Square and Lower Manhattan. All twelve picks below are inside New York City, and we checked each one against its official site or official social page before listing it.

This is the answer we give a friend who texts, "I have three days, what do I do?" Pick five or six, not all twelve. New York rewards walking between things more than racing through a checklist.

How we chose

We started with the landmarks the city itself promotes, then added the places locals actually send visitors to. A pick had to be open now, inside New York City, and worth the time it takes. We gave hours only where an official page stated them, and we write them as typical: they shift by season and holiday, so check the official site the day before you go.

Prices are left out on purpose. They change, and several attractions only show them at checkout.

The five anchors

1. Central Park, Manhattan

Central Park is 843 acres of lawns, lakes, rock outcrops and paths in the middle of Manhattan, New York. The Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that cares for it, lists 42 million visits a year, and says the park was built nearly 170 years ago.

• What to do: Walk in from Central Park South, loop past the lake, and let yourself get a little lost. Rent a bike or just sit on a bench for an hour.
• How long: 90 minutes for a taste, a half day to do it properly.
• Local tip: The park is typically open 6 am to 1 am, every day of the year, so a late stroll is on the table. Check the Central Park Conservancy visit page for current hours.

2. Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York Harbor

The Statue of Liberty National Monument sits on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, and you reach it by ferry. The National Park Service names Statue City Cruises as the only authorized ticket seller and ferry operator, so skip anyone selling tickets on the street.

• What to do: Take the ferry from The Battery in Lower Manhattan (a Liberty State Park departure in New Jersey also exists), walk the island, and look up.
• How long: Allow most of a half day, including security screening and the boat ride.
• Local tip: The time on your ticket is when to join the security queue, not when the boat leaves. General admission does not include the pedestal or the crown. Those are reservation-only, and the crown is 162 steps with no elevator. The National Park Service lists a Jersey City mailing address for the monument, but your trip starts in Lower Manhattan. See the official plan-your-visit page.

3. Empire State Building, Midtown

The Empire State Building stands at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown Manhattan, and its official site says it is open 365 days a year. It has two observation decks.

• What to do: Go up for the skyline, then walk the avenue below.
• How long: About 90 minutes with the elevator lines.
• Local tip: Hours run late, typically to 10 pm with last entry an hour or so before. A night visit shows the grid of the city lit up and is usually less crowded than midday. Buy through the official visit page.

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Upper East Side

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the Met, is on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street on the Upper East Side, on the edge of Central Park along Museum Mile, according to NYC Tourism.

• What to do: Do not try to see it all. Pick two or three wings, such as the Egyptian galleries or European paintings, and stop when your feet say so.
• How long: Two to three hours is plenty for a first visit.
• Local tip: Check current hours and admission on the Met's official site before you leave. Cut across Central Park on foot afterward: the park is right across the street. More museums are in our Upper East Side guide.

5. The High Line, Chelsea

The High Line is a park built on an old elevated railroad line on Manhattan's West Side, running from Gansevoort Street up to 34th Street. It is free, and its official site says the park aims to stay that way.

• What to do: Walk it south to north (or the reverse) and watch the city drop away beneath you.
• How long: An hour at a stroll, longer if you stop at the art and benches.
• Local tip: Hours are typically 7 am to 10 pm from April through November and 7 am to 8 pm from December through March. There are park-level entrances at 30th Street and at 31st Street and Dyer Avenue, so you can join mid-route. Finish at Chelsea Market, below. See the High Line visit page and our Chelsea guide.

Where to send yourself next: Midtown, Times Square and Lower Manhattan

The next seven picks cluster in three areas, so you can group them into easy days. Use our Midtown, Times Square and Lower Manhattan pages for more around each.

6. Times Square, Midtown

Times Square is the Theater District crossroads where Broadway meets Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It has no hours or admission, and the Times Square Alliance runs the official site with events, public art and live concerts.

• What to do: Walk through once, at night, and look at the signs. See a Broadway show if you can.
• How long: 20 to 30 minutes on foot.
• Local tip: Locals cut through it only when they must. Go once, take your photo, and spend the rest of the evening elsewhere. The Times Square Alliance lists current arts and events.

7. Summit One Vanderbilt, Midtown

Summit One Vanderbilt is an observation experience at 45 East 42nd Street, next to Grand Central. Its official site shows it open daily, typically 8 am to midnight, with last entry at 10:30 pm.

• What to do: Go up for views at sunset or after dark.
• How long: About an hour.
• Local tip: The entrance is not the One Vanderbilt main lobby. You enter under Vanderbilt Avenue through the Grand Central transit hall. Tickets are on the official site.

8. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Hell's Kitchen

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is at Pier 86 on 12th Avenue, on the Hudson River in Manhattan. Its official site says it is open daily, typically 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry an hour before closing, and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• What to do: Walk the flight deck of the aircraft carrier and see the aircraft up close.
• How long: Two to three hours.
• Local tip: Check the official site for ticket options, including multi-attraction passes.

9. Staten Island Ferry, Lower Manhattan

The Staten Island Ferry is run by the New York City Department of Transportation. Its official page says it operates every day of the week, year-round, and describes it as free. It leaves from Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan.

• What to do: Ride it across the harbor and stand on the outside deck. Statue of Liberty views come with the ride.
• How long: Allow about an hour for the round trip.
• Local tip: It is the cheapest harbor view in the city: nothing. Check the NYC DOT ferry page for the schedule. Staten Island's St. George is the other end.

10. 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Lower Manhattan

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is at 180 Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan. The memorial plaza is free and typically open daily 8 am to 8 pm. The museum is typically open Wednesday through Monday (and select Tuesdays), 9 am to 7 pm, with last entry at 5:30 pm.

• What to do: Start on the plaza, then decide whether to go into the museum.
• How long: 30 minutes for the plaza, two to three hours with the museum.
• Local tip: Museum tickets must be bought in advance, and audio guides come in nine languages including American Sign Language. Details are on the official visit page.

11. Chelsea Market, Chelsea

Chelsea Market is at 75 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea. Its concourse is typically open 7 am to 10 pm.

• What to do: Eat. Walk the concourse, pick something, and take it outside.
• How long: An hour, longer if you graze.
• Local tip: Pair it with the High Line, which runs right over it. See the official site and our food and dining listings.

12. Little Island, Hudson River Park

Little Island is a park on Pier 55 in Hudson River Park, at West 13th Street. Its official site says it is open daily from 6 am.

• What to do: Walk the paths and watch the river from above the water.
• How long: 45 minutes.
• Local tip: It sits a short walk from the southern end of the High Line, so you can link the two. Check littleisland.org for closing times and events.

How do you fit it into three days?

Group the picks by neighborhood and New York gets much easier.

1. Day 1, Midtown: Empire State Building, Times Square after dark, then Summit One Vanderbilt if you have energy.
2. Day 2, Downtown: Staten Island Ferry in the morning, then the Statue of Liberty National Monument, then the 9/11 Memorial plaza.
3. Day 3, West Side and uptown: High Line, Chelsea Market, Little Island, then the Met and Central Park in the afternoon.

The subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to the MTA, so you can make your day long. See the MTA subway guide. For weather, see our weather page.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in New York?

Three days covers the anchors in this guide at a comfortable pace. Four lets you add a museum, a Broadway show or a borough outside Manhattan.

What is free to do in New York?

Central Park, the High Line, the Staten Island Ferry and the 9/11 Memorial plaza are free. Each is listed above with its official source.

What should first-time visitors not skip?

Central Park, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, a skyline view and one great museum. The route above builds them into three days.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in New York?

The best things to do in New York are Central Park, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the High Line. Add Times Square, the Staten Island Ferry and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

What is free to do in New York City?

Central Park, the High Line, the Staten Island Ferry and the 9/11 Memorial plaza are all free to enter or ride. Museums and observation decks charge admission, so check each official site.

How do you get to the Statue of Liberty?

You reach the Statue of Liberty National Monument by ferry. The National Park Service says Statue City Cruises is the only authorized ticket seller and ferry, and boarding follows security screening at The Battery in Lower Manhattan or at Liberty State Park.

Does the New York subway run 24 hours a day?

Yes. The MTA says the subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with 472 stations on 25 routes.

How many days do you need in New York?

Three days is enough for the main sights in this guide at a relaxed pace. Four days lets you add a museum, a show or a borough beyond Manhattan.