Choose from 159 Fun Things to Do in New York City
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Bronx Museum of the Arts
This iconic museum in the heart of the Bronx is home to more than 1,000 unique pieces of art that celebrate the culture, history and people of this diverse borough. Travelers who make their way to the Bronx Museum of the Arts will find galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, photographs and more that highlight the essential role the Bronx has played in education, activism and the urban landscape.
Visitors will find major works by Alvin Baltrop, Martin Wong and Raphael Montanez Ortiz in the permanent collection, as well as an exciting selection of visiting exhibits. A lengthy calendar of weekly teen and family programs ensures accessibility to every age group and proves the perfect way to expose a younger set to some of the Bronx most relevant art work.
Practical Info
The museum is located at 1040 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. It is accessible by taking the D or B train to 167 Street station. Exit at the back of the train and walk two blocks south. It is also accessible via the Bx1 or Bx2 buses. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and open until 8 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is free.
Address: 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10456, USA
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and open until 8 p.m. on Fridays.
From $ 64
American Museum of Natural History
With more than 30 million specimens and artifacts and almost 50 exhibits, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest scientific and cultural museums in the world. Displays highlight the wonders of our planet and the wider universe, spotlighting everything from dinosaurs to human origins to the solar system.
The Basics
Visitors can prepurchase a general admission ticket and explore the permanent exhibits as well as the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Alternatively, purchase an upgraded ticket that adds access to space shows in the Hayden Planetarium, IMAX films, and ticketed temporary and seasonal exhibitions, such as the annual Butterfly Conservatory.
To ensure you check off all the must-sees, opt for a guided visit. Choose between family-oriented tours, highlights tours, small-group tours, private tours, and early access tours that allow participants to explore before official opening hours. Some guided tours combine visits to the Natural History Museum with trips to other New York cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Various New York sightseeing and discount passes include admission to the American Museum of Natural History.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The American Museum of Natural History is a must for families.
- Leave large bags, luggage, and selfie sticks at home, as they are not allowed in the museum.
- Download the AMNH Explorer App on your smartphone to help you navigate.
- The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.
- A food court can be found on the museum’s lower level, while cafés are situated on the first and fourth floors.
How to Get There
Parking in NYC is expensive, so it’s best to come here by public transport. Ride the B or C subway lines to 81st Street, or the 1 train to Broadway and West 79th Street. Hop-on hop-off bus tours of New York also stop here.
When to Get There
The museum is very popular among families, so expect bigger crowds on weekends, school vacations, and rainy days. Plan to arrive early and head directly to the more popular exhibits, such as the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing, which tends to get busier as the day goes on.
Highlights of the Collection
Of all the exhibits at the museum, few are as popular among young visitors as the dinosaurs. Highlights include the Allosaurus, depicted hunched over and feeding on a carcass, and a Tyrannosaurus rex shown in stalking mode. Other standout displays include the animal dioramas at the Family Hall of North American Mammals, the Asian elephants at the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, and the 94-foot-long (29-meter-long) blue whale model suspended from the ceiling at the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.
Address: Central Park West at 79th Street, New York City, New York 10024, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 23
Belvedere Castle
Designed in the late 1860s by architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmstead and as part of their “Greensward Plan” to beautify a then-young Central Park, this turret-topped castle of schist and granite stands atop Vista Rock, looking out on the woodlands of The Ramble, the Turtle Pond, and panoramic views of the Upper West Side.
Originally built in 1865 as a Victorian Folly – a structure with no intended use beyond sheer delight – it would come to be used as both a weather station and a nature center. In 1919, the National Weather Service began taking wind and rainfall readings from the top floor of Belvedere’s tower, the highest point in Central Park; this practice continues today. Over the next several decades, the largely empty structure of high ceilings and winding staircases fell into increasing disrepair, until it was renovated and re-opened in 1983 as the Henry Luce Nature Observatory.
Originally built in 1865 as a Victorian Folly – a structure with no intended use beyond sheer delight – it would come to be used as both a weather station and a nature center. In 1919, the National Weather Service began taking wind and rainfall readings from the top floor of Belvedere’s tower, the highest point in Central Park; this practice continues today. Over the next several decades, the largely empty structure of high ceilings and winding staircases fell into increasing disrepair, until it was renovated and re-opened in 1983 as the Henry Luce Nature Observatory.
Practical Info:
This small natural history museum is geared towards children and
families, providing education about the flora, fauna and geology of
Central Park, and inviting observation via maps, binoculars, and notes.
Its on-site weather instruments allow for up-to-the-minute forecasts,
and its hidden corners and gentle views allow it to remain a romantic
destination within the park.
Address: Central Park West, New York, NY 10021, USA
Hours: Open Tue-Sun, 10am- 5pm Closed Mondays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
From $ 8
Bloomingdale's
In 1860, the Bavarian-born Bloomingdale brothers, Joseph and Lyman, began selling ladies’ hoop skirts in a storefront on the Lower East Side; by 1872, they’d expanded their trade to a wider variety of European-made garments for both men and women, and moved their operations to a row house in then-unfashionable Midtown.
Within a few years this area would become home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, streetcar service and a wealthy clientele, inspiring the brothers to open their flagship department store on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. Encompassing an entire city block, the building was reconceived in the Art Deco style in 1930 by architects Starrett & Van Vleck, who also designed the flagships for Bloomingdale’s competitors Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and more.
Known as the home of the “Big Brown Bag,” Bloomingdale’s offers seven-and-a-half floors of luxury goods, sportswear, accessories, jewelry, and home wares, as well as a ground-floor Visitor’s Center where you can consult a shopping concierge, check your coat and packages, receive a $50 gift certificate to be used in the store, and arrange to have your purchases delivered to your lodgings. Home to six different eateries, including an outpost of New York City’s famous Magnolia Cupcakes, you can easily spend half a day or more in this enormous shrine to shopping.
Within a few years this area would become home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, streetcar service and a wealthy clientele, inspiring the brothers to open their flagship department store on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. Encompassing an entire city block, the building was reconceived in the Art Deco style in 1930 by architects Starrett & Van Vleck, who also designed the flagships for Bloomingdale’s competitors Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and more.
Known as the home of the “Big Brown Bag,” Bloomingdale’s offers seven-and-a-half floors of luxury goods, sportswear, accessories, jewelry, and home wares, as well as a ground-floor Visitor’s Center where you can consult a shopping concierge, check your coat and packages, receive a $50 gift certificate to be used in the store, and arrange to have your purchases delivered to your lodgings. Home to six different eateries, including an outpost of New York City’s famous Magnolia Cupcakes, you can easily spend half a day or more in this enormous shrine to shopping.
Address: 504 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, USA
Hours: Open Mon-Wed, 10am- 8:30 pm; Thu, 10am - 10pm; Fri- Sat, 10am - 7pm; Sun, 11am - 7pm.
From $ 35
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is a popular outdoor recreation area in New York, with year-round outdoor sports as well as attractions to visit.
Located on the western side of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain State Park covers more than 5,000 acres of land. There are mountains – including the 1,300-foot-peak from which the park takes its name – along with vast forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries. Recreational activities include fishing, boating, hiking, trail running, and even ski jumping, sledding, and ice skating in the winter.
The Bear Mountain Inn, built in 1915, sits atop Bear Mountain, and the Trailside Museums and Zoo occupy what was once a fort used during the American Revolution.
The Appalachian Trail runs through part of Bear Mountain State Park.
Practical Info
Bear Mountain State Park is roughly 50 miles north of New York City, which you can see from some elevated points in the park. The entry fee for the park is $8 per vehicle. There are individual fees for various attractions, including the pool, ice skating rink, and merry-go-round. The museum and zoo are free, though a donation is encouraged. The park is open from 8am until sunset.
Address: 3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Bear Mountain, New York 10911, USA
Admission: $8 per vehicle
From $ 65
Bronx Little Italy
While changing urban interests and high rents may have taken the traditional flavor out of Manhattan’s Little Italy, Italian culture and its renowned cuisine are still alive and well in the Belmont region of North Bronx along Arthur Avenue.
This vibrant, market-filled microcosm of the ‘Old World’ is not just for tourists – butchers, bakeries, Italian eateries, seafood mongers, retail stores and noodle shops have persevered here, perfecting trades and providing services to the surrounding Italian community, some for as many as five generations.
The scents of sweet Italian sausage and baking pizza lure in-the-know visitors seeking hard-to-find Italian ingredients or just a day of cultural immersion. In addition to the many food vendors – including the cut-by-hand creations of Borgatti’s Ravioli and Egg Noodles, Randazzo’s Seafood selling fresh oysters and anchovies, as well as the dozens inside the cavernous Arthur Avenue Retail Market modeled after open air markets in Europe – you’ll find enough sit-down trattorias, cafés, pizzerias and fine dining establishments serving rich, savory and traditional Italian cuisine to try a new one for lunch and dinner each day for a month.
Of course, there’s more to Italian culture than food. Other neighborhood haunts include Ciccarone Park with regular bocce tournaments, the 100-year-old Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, that still offers Sunday mass in Italian and the Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center featuring exhibits on the Italian American experience and a huge collection of printed materials, videos and audiobooks in the community’s mother tongue.
Practical Info
Culinary and driving tours are popular ways to experience the best of the neighborhood. If transportation isn’t included, access Bronx’s Little Italy via the Metro-North Harlem River Line, which stops at Fordham Road with an exit on Arthur Avenue, or by MTA bus, which in the summer connect the area with other regional tourist stops – the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. If you choose to drive, parking – like in most of greater New York City – can be challenging. Two lots (2347 Arthur Avenue and 2340 Hoffman Street) offer paid spots. A new smartphone app called ‘Parker’ gives real-time updates of street parking in the Belmont Business Improvement District.
Address: 2396 Arthur Ave, Bronx, New York 10458, USA
From $ 35
Brooklyn
Historically known for its multicultural neighborhoods and working-class roots, the New York City borough of Brooklyn has become in recent years the epitome of hip. The city's most populous borough, Brooklyn draws both locals and visitors with its food (particularly pizza), art spaces, brownstones, parks, and views of Manhattan.
The Basics
Lying just across the East River from Manhattan, Brooklyn is home to attractions like Coney Island, Prospect Park, Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and, of course, the Brooklyn Bridge. Popular Brooklyn neighborhoods for exploring include trendy Williamsburg and Bushwick; the former warehouse district of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass); Park Slope with its brownstones, restaurants, and shops; and Flatbush, home to the 1920s-era Kings Theatre. Walking tours and food tours offer a relaxing way to see the area with insight from a guide about Brooklyn's history, gentrification, and top spots.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Brooklyn Bridge spans about 6,000 feet (1,830 meters), and the walk across from Manhattan takes about 20 minutes.
- For a shot of Brooklyn's most popular photo op—a slice of the Manhattan Bridge between red-bricked buildings—head to the intersection of Washington and Water streets in DUMBO.
- Top views of the Lower Manhattan skyline can be seen from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
How to Get There
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must, at least one way. Public transport options include several New York City subway lines, MTA bus lines, and the NYC Ferry on the South Brooklyn or East River routes. Alternatively, hop-on hop-off tours provide easy transportation between Manhattan and Brooklyn, where you can hop off at the bus stops that interest you.
When to Get There
Avoid traveling between boroughs during morning and evening rush hours unless you want to fight commuters for a spot on the subway. Otherwise, Brooklyn is great at any time. Go during the day if you're interested in browsing shops, relaxing over coffee, comparing pizza slices for lunch, or walking across the bridge. For live music in Williamsburg or a romantic stroll along the water, visit at night.
Parks in Brooklyn
Near the center of Brooklyn, Prospect Park is the borough's heart, with Park Slope on one side and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on another. Locals head here to picnic, play sports, and relax by the Boathouse. Fort Greene Park is known for its Revolutionary War history, while Brooklyn Bridge Park provides waterfront green space, gardens, and a bike path. For retro fun, visit Luna Park at Coney Island and take a ride on the 1927 Coney Island Cyclone wooden roller coaster.
Address: New York City, New York 11201, USA
From $ 29
American Express 11 Tears Memorial
In the lobby of the American Express headquarters at the World Financial Center in New York City, the company has created a memorial honoring the eleven American Express employees who were killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The memorial was designed by lower Manhattan artist Ken Smith. The foundation of the memorial is composed around a black granite reflecting pool with eleven sides. A 600-lb piece of Brazilian quartz is shaped like a tear and carved with eleven sides. The quartz is suspended over the granite reflecting pool by eleven thin cables. Inscribed in the sides of the granite pool are the names of the victims who died in the attack, along with five words or phrases describing each person. “Tear drops” of water fall gently from the ceiling into the pool below, and a nearby plaque offers more personal details on each of the victims.
Practical Info
To reach the memorial by subway, take the E line to World Trade Center. Walk west on Vesey Street, then cross West Street on the pedestrian overpass. Enter the American Express Tower on West Street and Vesey Street. The memorial is on the ground floor.
Address: 200 Vesey Street, American Express Tower, Three World Financial Center (at West Street),, New York City, New York, USA 10004, USA
Hours: Open daily 7am-9pm
From $ 20
Alexander Hamilton US Custom House
Long before the Alexander Hamilton Custom House was constructed in the early 1900s, the area served as an important trading place for Native Americans living in the region. The ornate building’s ode to commerce is not only a fitting home for the National Museum of the American Indian’s New York outpost—its exhibits and open-to-the public offerings have occupied parts of the building’s first and most of the second floor since 1994—it also offers visitors who make the trek to Manhattan’s far south a two-for-one: the historic Beau Arts building is an attraction in itself.
Across from Battery Park, the finely detailed trapezoidal exterior sits squarely in a city block. Forty-four carved-out columns adorning its façade are topped with images of Mercury, the Roman God representing commerce, a reminder of the building’s original tenants who collected taxes on imported goods from the Port of New York, then the country’s most prosperous trading post. Seated sculptures representing America, Asia, Europe and Africa, were carved by the same sculptor who carved the statue in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. An equally elaborate marble interior culminates in colorful mosaics leading up to the domed rotunda, with its spectacular and light-infusing glass top.
All of this was almost lost to time—its exterior granite covered in algae and plants and interior crumbling from disuse—but a complete restoration in the 1980s revitalized the building. The structure is listed as a National Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours detailing the building’s architecture and history take place throughout the week (check in with the Visitor’s desk at the museum for times).
Practical Info
The Alexander Hamilton Custom House is located at 1 Bowling Green in Manhattan. The entrance of the Bowling Green Subway Station (4 and 5 trains) is across from the building’s north side, and buses M5, M15 and M20 service the area. The building itself does not have parking, but there are several nearby garages.
The National Museum of the American Indian, the George Gustav Heye Center, is open daily from 10am til 5pm (except Thursdays when it remains open until 8pm). Admission and tours are free. The museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions, and a regular slate of public programming.
Address: 1 Bowling Green, New York City, New York, USA
Hours: Open daily from 10am-5pm (except Thursdays when it remains open until 8pm)
From $ 35
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in the heart of Harlem is one of the world’s most famous live music venues. Some of the biggest names in contemporary music have played the Apollo, including Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and the master of soul, James Brown.
Hear jazz, blues or R&B, or come along on a Wednesday evening for the long-running Amateur Night. Stars who first flexed their talents as amateurs on the Apollo’s legendary stage include Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill.
Informative and entertaining daily tours highlight the history of the Apollo and the performers who've played there.
Practical Info
The Apollo Theater is on West 125th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue). To get here, catch the subway to 125th Street.
Address: 253 W 125th Street, New York City 10027, USA
Hours: Tours 11am - 3pm, performances scheduled for the evening
Admission: Tours - Weekdays: US$16 per adult Weekends: US$18 per adult
From $ 25
Battery Park
Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, Battery Park is a 25-acre public park sitting right on the New York Harbor. The attraction is named after the artillery batteries that were once positioned there for protection. When visiting, it’s enjoyable to explore the many gardens, as well as admire the views of the Statue of Liberty and relax on a bench and listen to the water. While Battery Park gives visitors a chance to enjoy the outdoors, it also provides a glimpse into the past. For example, in 1855 the park’s Castle Garden became the world’s first immigrant depot. Additionally, the park also served as the gateway for European newcomers long before Ellis Island existed. Littered around the grounds you’ll also find memorials like the East Coast Memorial that honors the U.S. 4,601 missing servicemen who died during combat in the Atlantic Ocean during WWII and the New York Korean War Veterans Memorial, commemorating military personal who served during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to1953. Today, Battery Park provides ferry transportation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. During the summer, visitors can enjoy free music concerts at the park’s Castle Clinton, as well as the annual River to River Festival in June and July with more than 500 dance, performance and music events.
Address: USA
From $ 18
Brookfield Place (World Financial Center)
Formerly known as the World Financial Center, the office complex known as Brookfield Place was renovated after 9/11 and has been the home of numerous financial companies like Merrill Lynch and American Express.
Today, this incredible architectural masterpiece that overlooks the Hudson River, is a destination for art-lovers, shoppers and foodies, thanks to a wide variety of boutiques, high-end stores, art installations and top-tier restaurants. Visitors can relax on park benches near the waterfront, enjoy strong drinks at one of the lively watering holes, or shop for unique items at some of the nearby retailers.
Practical Info
Brookfield Place is located at 230 Vesey Street in Manhattan’s Battery Park City. It is open daily from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. It is accessible via the World Trade Center subway station.
Address: 230 Vesey Street, New York City, New York, USA 10281, USA
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
From $ 15
9/11 Tribute Museum
Founded by the September 11th Families’ Association, this moving museum (formerly known as the 9/11 Tribute Center) tells the story of the 2001 Twin Towers attacks from the perspective of individuals directly affected by them. Exhibits include personal accounts, family photographs, and artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center wreckage. Displays lay bare the horrors of that tragic day while bringing to light individual responses and reactions, and showcasing the resilience, courage, and compassion of the human spirit.
The Basics
The events of September 11th, 2001, shook not just New York City but the whole world, and served as a historic turning point that changed the entire course of the early 21st century. The 9/11 Tribute Museum is a must-do for anyone who wants to hear vivid, eye-witness accounts of the events of that pivotal day. Visitors can tour the museum independently and take a walking tour around the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, led by a guide with a direct connection to the events. For an even more comprehensive experience, combine a visit to the Tribute Museum with a trip to the separate and larger-scale National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which offers a broader overview of the tragic day.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on doing the walking tour.
- While the museum’s exhibits are not graphic, they can be emotionally taxing and some may find them overwhelming.
- Entry to the 9/11 Tribute Museum is included in the New York Sightseeing Pass.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The 9/11 Tribute Museum is located in New York’s Financial District, less than a 10-minute walk from One World Trade Center. The nearest subway stations are Rector Street (1, R, and W trains), Cortland Street (R train), Fulton Street/Broadway (A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains) and World Trade Center station (E train). The Cortland and Fulton Street stations have elevators.
When to Get There
The museum is open 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Guided tours take place several times daily. Arrive shortly after opening to experience the museum at its quietest.
Hear Personal Stories About 9/11
The 9/11 Tribute Museum is unique in that it tells the story of September 11, 2001, through the stories and voices of those who lived and directly experienced the tragic events. Volunteers with a personal connection to the attacks—whether first responders, recovery workers, residents of lower Manhattan, family members who lost loved ones, or even survivors—lead guided walking tours of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum plaza. Tours last about 75 minutes and include first-hand accounts of the guide’s experiences of the day, plus discussions of the attacks’ aftermath and rebuilding of the new World Trade Center.
Address: 92 Greenwich St., New York City, New York, USA
Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm
Admission: Tour & Gallery: $20; Tour only: $10
From $ 15
Broadway
Known as the Great White Way because the theater lights burned so brightly in the early days of electricity, Broadway has been the home of the New York theater district for almost 150 years. The history-drenched street is one of Manhattan's most famous thoroughfares, and many consider seeing a blockbuster Broadway show an essential New York City experience.
The Basics
If you want to see a Broadway production with rave reviews (or any show, really), it's best to book tickets in advance. Broadway is No. 1 for a reason, with visitors and New Yorkers alike vying for prime tickets. Pricing can vary greatly per show and per showtime, making a theater excursion accessible for almost every budget. Shows range from the musical theater to the family friendly to the risque, so there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Aside from buying the coveted theater tickets, there are other options to take in the sights and history on Broadway. Visitors might opt for a behind-the-scenes walking tour to learn about NYC landmarks and legends before stepping into a theater and getting a deeper understanding of the venue's history, backstage stories, and the insider's details that put it on the map. Some tours are even led by a tour guide who is a former (or current) Broadway performer.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It's best to plan ahead and purchase tickets well in advance.
- Plan to arrive with a full stomach (or go for a meal right afterward); food is not allowed in the theaters.
- Dress code is smart casual.
- Plan to arrive to your chosen show early to find your seat well before the curtains go up.
- Most theaters are required to be wheelchair accessible.
How to Get to Broadway
Broadway (the street) runs diagonally north to south across the length of Manhattan. New York's Theater District runs along Broadway from 42nd to 53rd Street. The handiest New York City subways for the major theaters on Broadway are at Times Square, 49th Street, and Seventh Avenue.
When to Get There
Because the star attractions of Broadway are the (indoor) theater shows, you can visit year round. A great way to take in the sights is on a walking tour that combines theater history and a show.
Top-Grossing Broadway Shows of All Time
Along with the latest new hits, some famously long-running shows are still playing on Broadway, including the Tony Award-winning musical Chicago at the Ambassador Theater, Wicked at the George Gershwin, The Lion King at the Minskoff, and The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater. As it happens, these Broadway musicals are also some of the top-grossing shows of all times. The Book of Mormon is another favorite.
Address: Broadway, New York City, New York 10001, USA
From $ 30
Bowling Green
The oldest public park in one of America’s oldest cities, Bowling Green offers a serene escape in the middle of New York City’s urban jungle. Situated at the heart of the financial center and beside Wall Street, it is home to the famous Charging Bull bronze statue that has become a symbol of New York. Many visit the bull, which stands for aggression and economic success, to receive good luck.
The public area dates all the way back to 1733, and you’ll notice it is still surrounded by an 18th century iron fence. The teardrop-shaped square is framed with trees and manicured greenery, with an elegant fountain at its center and many benches for people to pause and enjoy.
Historically the space did indeed house a bowling green. It has also served as a trade route, market, and even a cattle field. It has always been a central meeting point in the city. It is even thought that the sale of Manhattan lands from an Indian tribal leader took place on these grounds.
Practical Info
Bowling Green is located in lower Manhattan at the intersection of State and Whitehall Streets. To get there by Subway, take lines 4 or 5 to Bowling Green. It is nearby to both the New York Stock Exchange and the 9/11 Memorial.
Address: Whitehall St, New York City, New York, USA 10004, USA
Hours: Open daily 6am-1am
From $ 35
Bronx Zoo
In the middle of the Bronx, this New York borough’s zoo pops up in Bronx Park. It is the largest urban zoo in the United States, and one of the most well known worldwide. Its exhibits and habitats span more than 265 acres, on which its diverse collection of more than 4,000 animals and plants can be found. There are both free exhibits accessible with a general ticket—such as the African Plains, Bison Range, and Himalayan Highlands—and there are premium exhibits available for viewing at an additional cost. These experiences include a carousel, butterfly garden, jungle world, shuttle, monorail, 4-D theater, and a zoo created specifically for children.
Other sections of the zoo are divided by type of animal, including birds and reptiles. The zoo has an emphasis on conservation, particularly for the American Bison which have been threatened in the past. Interactive feedings for the zoo’s sea lions and penguins take place daily.
Practical Info
Get to the Bronx Zoo via the subway 2 train to Pelham Parkway. The Bronx Zoo The BxM11 express bus is a convenient public transport option if you’re traveling from Manhattan. Admission is $22.95 for adults, $15.95 for children, and $20.95 for seniors, and free to all on Wednesdays. It’s open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York, USA 10460, USA
Hours: Open daily 10am-4:30pm
Admission: Adults: $22.95; Children: $15.95
From $ 35
Brooklyn Bridge
Extending for 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) across New York City’s East River, this 19th-century bridge sees constant foot, bike, and car traffic thanks to commuters and sightseers alike. After a construction beset by tragedies—at least 20 people died during the building process—this steel-wire suspension bridge, then the world’s largest, finally opened to the public in 1883. Today crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is an essential New York experience. Visitors come in droves to admire the bridge’s dramatic neo-Gothic towers and the stellar views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront.
The Basics
The storied history of the Brooklyn Bridge and the spectacular views it affords make it a common inclusion on guided walking tours and bike tours of the city. For a whole new perspective on the bridge, take a sightseeing cruise or even a helicopter flight during which you will buzz over the iconic structure as well as other well-known NYC landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty.
Things to Know Before You Go
- In cooler months, wear an extra layer or two, as it can be colder and windier on the bridge than on street level.
- The bridge’s pedestrian path is narrow; be careful not to veer into the adjacent bike lane.
- Crossing the bridge on foot takes around 25 minutes, or longer if you pause for photographs.
How to Get There
From Manhattan, you can access the bridge’s walkway from Park Row and Centre Street, opposite City Hall Park. The closest subway stations are Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall (4, 5, and 6 trains) and Chambers Street (J and Z). On the Brooklyn side, access the pedestrian walkway from Tillary Street and Adams Street in Brooklyn Heights. Here the nearest subway stations are Jay Street–MetroTech (A, C, and F), Court Street (N and R), and Borough Hall (2, 3, 4, and 5).
When to Get There
Avoid the morning and evening rush hours: The bridge is congested with commuters. It’s quieter early on weekend mornings (before 10am) and at night (after 8pm), when the bridge’s neo-Gothic towers are dramatically illuminated.
The Fascinating History of the Brooklyn Bridge
Though the Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John Roebling in the 1860s, Roebling never got to see his creation realized, having died following an accident in 1869. After his death, his son, Washington Roebling, and his wife, Emily, oversaw the construction. On May 30, 1883, just a few days after its opening, the bridge was the site of a tragic stampede that killed 12 pedestrians. In 1884, in an effort to allay concerns regarding the structural integrity of the bridge, circus owner P.T. Barnum had a troupe of 21 elephants, including the famous Jumbo, cross it.
Address: FDR Drive, 10038, USA
Hours: 24 hours a day
Admission: Free
From $ 6
Bethesda Fountain
Located in Central Park on the lower level of Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, or “Angel of the Waters,” features a neoclassical eight-foot-bronze angel holding a lily on top of a tiered fountain. Bethesda Fountain is considered not only one of the most beautiful fountains in New York, but also in the world. It is one of the city’s largest fountains, at twenty-six feet high by ninety-six feet wide. The angel, designed by Emma Stebbins, was the only sculpture commissioned as park of Central Park’s original design. During the initial stages of Central Park’s planning, the idea was to create a welcoming “open-air hall of reception” where visitors could enjoy views from a terrace overlooking the lake. They also wanted something that blended in with the surrounding nature, which was to be the focus of the park. Bethesda Fountain was a fitting choice then, and still is today. Additionally, when the Croton Aqueduct was opened in 1842 to bring fresh water to New York City, Bethesda Fountain was used to commemorate this purification, which is why the angel carries in her outstretched hand a lily, the symbol of purity. She also stands about four small cherubim, which symbolize peace, health, purity and temperance.
You can view Bethesda Fountain from 6am to 1am. To get to Bethesda Fountain by subway on the West Side take the A, B, C, D lines to 72nd Street. If traveling on the East Side, take the 4, 5, 6 lines to 68th Street.
You can view Bethesda Fountain from 6am to 1am. To get to Bethesda Fountain by subway on the West Side take the A, B, C, D lines to 72nd Street. If traveling on the East Side, take the 4, 5, 6 lines to 68th Street.
Address: USA
From $ 25
Brooklyn Bridge Park
When it comes to life in the Big Apple, Central Park has always taken the prize for expansive outdoor space and scenic greenery in an otherwise urban setting. But these days, Brooklyn Bridge Park, with its epic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, soccer fields, walking paths, food stalls and ferry terminals, is inching its way to the top.
Grab bagels in the trendy nearby neighborhood of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and enjoy breakfast in the park with an incredible view of the city. Stroll or bike along the recently renovated greenway, which connects the piers that make up this impressive park to one another. Take a ride on Jane’s Carousel—one of the oldest operating rides in America, or head to Pier 2 for outdoor roller-skating and basketball on the East River. Further down the greenway, near Pier 5, travelers can find beach volleyball courts, public BBQ grills and soccer fields for local club teams.
Practical Info
Brooklyn Bridge Park is easy to access via public transportation by taking the F train to York Street, the A or C train to High Street or the 2 and 3 trains to Clark Street. It is also accessible via the ferry. Piers 2 and 5, as well as the volley ball courts at Pier 6, are open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Address: 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Hours: 6am-1am
From $ 6
Adirondacks
This iconic upstate mountain range is contained within a 6.1 million-acre state park and includes two peaks that reach more than 5,000 feet. An impressive network of scenic trails attracts nature-loving travelers to this popular park, and calm, beautiful rivers are ideal for canoeing and kayaking.
Picturesque campgrounds make this the perfect stop for visitors to New York looking to escape the city and embrace the beauty of upstate in the spring, summer and fall. And close proximity to Lake Placid, a two-time home to the Olympic Games, makes the Adirondacks a four-season destination, where winter sports lovers can snowboard down White Face Mountain or attempt to land one of the massive professional ski jumps on both feet.
Practical Info
The Adirondack Mountains run through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, Hamilton, Herkimer and Washington counties. The mountains are bordered by Lake Champlain, Lake George and the Mohawk Valley.
Address: New York, USA
From $ 1,299