Things To Do in New York City

Ellis Island National Monument - Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.

Museum of Modern Art - Collection has grown to include more than 100,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects. MoMA also owns some 14,000 films and four million film stills, as well as 140,000 books, artist books, and periodicals, all part of the Museum's library.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck - The 67th floor of Rockefeller Center offers an indoor viewing area from which guests can marvel at majestic structures such as the Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge, in any kind of weather. Open-air terraces on the 69th and 70th floors provide breathtaking views and permit all visitors to stand in awe of New York City from 850 feet above street level.

American Museum of Natural History - Temporary and permanent exhibits on such topics as endangered species, the masks and costumes of Nigeria, how diamonds are created, and the history and spread of epidemics, entertain and educate millions of visitors a year.

Guggenheim Museum - Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece of modern architecture. The museum is home to a fine collection of 20th century art, including works by Chagall, Degas, Kadinsky, Picasso and Van Gogh.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum - Remembering and honoring the nearly three thousand people who died in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The Museum will be a dynamic 21st century institution, the authoritative source for an evolving understanding of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and 1993.

Brooklyn Children's Museum - The world's first museum for children. Since 1899, BCM has given youth a place where learning and life come together, and children can explore culture, arts, science, and the environment. BCM offers innovative hands-on exhibitions, daily workshops and programs, and weekend multicultural performances.

Rockefeller Center - As one of New York's most popular destinations, Rockefeller Center is a hub of activity, with thousands of visitors and New Yorkers alike taking in an array of exciting attractions. Whether you're looking to spend the afternoon ice-skating, joining the audience at NBC's "Today Show," seeing the annual Christmas tree display or shopping at its world-class retail stores, the Rock has something for everyone.

Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum - Part of the Smithsonian Institute, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum draws on more than a century of collecting, documenting, and studying design. The Museum's collection today holds more than 250,000 objects, with a library of 60,000 volumes and archives of designers and design firms.

New York Public Library - Contains more materials than any other public library in the nation, it is also the largest research library with a circulating system in the world. The Library offers a variety of changing exhibitions and the landmark Beaux Arts building.

Central Park Zoo - Exhibits are surrounded by the picturesque Manhattan skyline and the trails of New York's most famous park. Just steps from Fifth Avenue, you can chill out with penguins and polar bears or warm up with tropical rainforest critters.

Carnegie Hall - A world famous concert hall. For more than a century, Carnegie Hall has set the standard for excellence in performance.

Noble Maritime Collection - Includes an education program with art, history, drama, music, and boat trips to the ships' graveyards of New York.

Staten Island Children's Museum - Appeals to the intrepid explorer in every child. Interactive exhibitions and creative workshops offer plenty of opportunities for hands-on, first hand experiences that nurture children's natural curiosity and creativity. Visits to the museum launch children on a voyage of discovery - about themselves and the world around them.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Called 'the premier horticultural attraction in the region' by the New York Times, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden features over 12,000 plants varieties on 52 acres, a renowned bonsai museum & Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.

Jewish Museum - One of the world's largest and most important institutions devoted to exploring the remarkable scope and diversity of Jewish culture. The museum features a vibrant, two-floor exhibition which tells a story spanning 4,000 years, from ancient times to the present.

Museum of the City of New York - The Museum holds one of America's most important photographic collections, a world renowned collection on American theater, and the finest and most complete collection of Currier and Ives hand-colored lithographs. There are more than 1.5 million paintings, prints, photographs, costumes, toys, rare books, manuscripts, sculptures, decorative arts objects, and other artifacts.

Brooklyn Historical Society - A museum, library, archives and educational center dedicated to the exploration and appreciation of Brooklyn's rich heritage.

Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust displays more than 2,000 photographs, 800 artifacts, and 24 original documentary films.

Brookfield Place - Overlooking the Hudson River in lower Manhattan, Brookfield Place is home to major international financial firms, a dynamic Arts and events program, scores of fine shops and restaurants, and beautiful public spaces.

Children's Museum of Manhattan - 5 floors of unique exhibits and programs to help engage children and families in a partnership of learning through interactive exhibits and educational programs.

Alley Pond Environmental Center - Over 635 acres of woodlands, meadows fresh and salt water marshes encompass this northeast Queens park. It is truly a haven for NYC's wildlife and a peaceful refuge for its human residents.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditorium - Experience NYC's only Odditorium where fact is stranger than fiction. Explore the unbelievable in over twenty galleries of outrageous interactive, video and archival exhibits in this one of a kind museum.

Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex - A 30-acre entertainment complex offering bowling, golf club, roller rinks, sky rink, field house, health club, shopping, events and more.

The Paley Center for Media - The Center leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public.

Morgan Library & Museum - A complex of buildings in the heart of New York City features a collection of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts; early printed books; and old master drawings and prints.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts - A performing arts center featuring plays, concerts and performances throughout the year.

Jewish Hassidic Walking Tours - Gives you a unique opportunity to learn and discover the mystery of Hassidic Life, not from outsiders, but by the Hassidic Jews themselves.

Museum of the Moving Image - Dedicated to educating the public about the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media, and to examining their impact on culture and society.

Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute - Houses a resource and research center, an art gallery, and an international gift shop that features books, music and video recordings, handcrafted jewelry, instruments and other authentic art from throughout the African Diaspora.

New York Hall of Science - Enjoy more than 225 hands-on exhibits at one of America's premier science and technology museums and have a fun-filled educational experience while learning about sound, light, optical illusions, motion, biochemistry, and much more! Ages 6 and up can learn physics on a 30,000.sq.ft outdoor Science Playground.

Queens Zoo - A tribute to American animals, opened to the public on June 25, 1992. It was the second of three 'city zoos' to be renovated and operated by Wildlife Conservation Society, through a partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

Staten Island Zoo - For over half a century generations of families have enjoyed frequent visits to the Staten Island Zoo because there is so much to see, so much to learn, and so much to love.

651 Arts - Deepens awareness of and appreciation for contemporary performing arts and culture of the African Diaspora and provides professional and creative opportunities for performing artists of African descent.

Queens County Farm Museum - The only working historical farm in New York City. The 47 acre site includes the 18th century Adriance farmhouse, a greenhouse complex, barns and various outbuildings. The planting fields, orchard, herb garden and livestock bring the true farm experience to life for its visitors.

Whitney Museum of American Art - Features more than 12,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and photographs, representing nearly 2,000 individual artists and providing the most complete overview of twentieth-century American art of any museum in the world.

New York Botanical Garden - One of the oldest and largest botanical gardens in the world, The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is a museum of plants and a National Historic Landmark with 250 acres of gorgeous grounds, 48 gardens and plant collections, as well as thousands of shrubs and trees, 40-acres of the Forest that once covered all of New York, and the spectacular Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Bronx Zoo - The largest metropolitan zoo in the nation, with more than 6,000 animals and many award-winning exhibits.

Little Italy - Walking beside the narrow, cobblestone streets beneath the fire escapes of turn-of-the-century tenements, you're tempted by the sights, sounds and smells of Italian cuisine and culture emanating from the restaurants surrounding you at every step.

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum - One of the most successful, battle-tested ships in U.S. history is now one of the most unique attractions in New York City. Berthed on the mighty Hudson River in Manhattan, the Museum consists of diverse sea, air and space exhibits.

New York Aquarium - Situated on 14 acres by the sea in Coney Island, the New York Aquarium is home to over 350 species of aquatic wildlife and over 8,000 specimens.

Chinatown - Located in the lower area of Manhattan, Chinatown offers unique Chinese shops, fruit and fish markets and around 300 restaurants featuring authentic Chinese cuisine.

Cloisters Museum & Gardens - Devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The Cloisters collection comprises approximately three thousand works of art from medieval Europe, dating from about the ninth to the sixteenth century.

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Statue of Liberty National Monument - Enlightening the World, it was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

Cirlce-Line Sightseeing Cruises - Whether you are exploring New York for the first time, rediscovering your hometown or seeking a mini-vacation, a Circle Line cruise is a relaxing and fun way to see the world's most famous skyline. There are numerous cruises to choose from.

Empire State Building - Soaring more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. It has both a glass-enclosed area, which is heated in winter and cooled in summer, and spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the Building.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - One of the highlights of any visit to New York. The collection contains more than two million works of art from all points of the compass, ancient through modern times.

Times Square - The largest tourist attraction in the United States. This intersection is World-famous for the scores of advertisements, and popular buildings, as well as the surrounding Theatre District. Also home of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop, the first drop happening December 31st, 1907.

Radio City Music Hall - America's most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences at Radio City Music Hall since its doors opened December 27, 1932. Radio City Music Hall is also home to the world-famous Radio City Rockettes.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - Presents more than 350 live performances each year through six distinguished performance programs which bring music, opera, theater, dance, puppetry, circus, and cultural expression from around the globe to Lincoln Center stages.

Central Park - The first landscaped public park in the United States. The park offers over 840 acres of landscaped and recreational areas that include a zoo, a theater, sports facilities, lakes, food, entertainment and lots more.

Grand Central Terminal - See the most famous Terminal in the nation up close and personal. Each week there are two public tours of Grand Central, or take your own walking tour of this historic terminal.

Madison Square Garden - Home to the NY Knicks, NY Rangers, NY Liberty and a variety of family shows, concerts and sporting events. An 'All Access' tour is also offered in which visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Garden The World's Most Famous Arena.

NBC Studio Tour - Journey through 30 Rockefeller Plaza and visit the NBC Sharp Globe Theater, Broadcast Operations, the Make-up Room, and even produce your very own news and weather program.

Skyline Princess Cruises - Offers tours of all types, schools, international tourists, senior citizens, etc. completely customized to your specifications. Times, locations, food & beverage options, multi-lingual narration's and entertainment.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden - A cultural center set within an 83-acre National Historic Landmark district containing the finest collection of Greek Revival buildings in the United States, plus Beaux Arts, Italianate and Victorian style architecture. The Botanical Garden offers 90 acres featuring gardens, ponds, wetlands and forests.

Luna Park at Coney Island - Named after the first Luna Park which was located on Coney Island during its heyday. The park includes 19 attractions including Thrills Rides, Family Rides, and Kiddie Rides.

National Academy Museum & School - One of the largest institutional assemblage of American art in the world, consisting of 2,200 paintings, 240 sculptures, and approximately 5,000 works on paper by over 1,500 artists.

International Center of Photography - A museum, a school and a center for photographers and photography. ICP's mission is to present photography's vital and central place in contemporary culture, and to lead in interpretation issues central to its development.

The Seaport - This cultural marketplace along the dynamic Lower Manhattan waterfront is a gateway to the harbor. The neighborhood offers attractions, shops and restaurants for every taste. Concerts, street performers, boating, bike rentals, a farmers market, summer beach and winter celebrations abound.

Brooklyn Museum - One of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. Its world-renowned permanent collections range from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art, and represent a wide range of cultures.

Ukrainian Museum - Maintains collections of folk art, fine arts, and photographic/documentary as well as permanent, changing and traveling exhibits.

Discovery Times Square - More Than a Museum. This is a place where extraordinary exhibits and unforgettable experiences come to life in an exciting, vibrant space for entertainment, learning and adventure. From Titanic to Harry Potter and everywhere and everything in between.

Madame Tussauds New York - The American idea of wax museums will be changed forever when you visit Madame Tussauds in the heart of New York. The Museum features over 175 wax figures of celebrities, sport figures and singers.

New Museum - Founded in 1977, the New Museum is the premier contemporary art museum in New York City and among the most important internationally. The New Museum is the only place where the art is truly global, presenting an astonishing range of installations, videos, paintings, and sculptures from around the world.

Broadway City - An interactive amusement center just off Times Square. Experience the latest high tech video games, simulators, virtual reality, authentic New York food, New York memorabilia and lots more.

New York City Fire Museum - Displays one of the most comprehensive collections of fire-related art and artifacts from Colonial times to the present.

Waterfront Museum - Visitors can enjoy visual and performing arts programs and educational tours in marine history aboard the Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79.

Brooklyn Academy of Music - Presents concerts, contemporary and classical dance, performance art, theater for young people, repertory and first run films, and reaches out to artists and audiences throughout the city as well as being home to both the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Next Wave Festival.

Puppetworks - Dedicated to preserve and present Classic Puppet Theater entertainment, with special emphasis on the hand-carved wooden Marionette.

New York Transit Museum - Home to 100 years of transit lore and memorabilia. The Museum is housed in an authentic 1930s subway station containing vintage subway and elevated cars, antique turnstiles, a working signal tower, and much more.

Queens Botanical Garden - 39 acres of unsurpassed beauty and tranquillity in the heart of New York City's largest borough. Located at the northeast corner of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Garden is an integral and verdant part of a corridor of green space that traverses the county for several miles.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - A national research library devoted to collecting, preserving and providing access to resources documenting the experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. The Schomburg Center contains over 5,000,000 items and provides services and programs for constituents from the United States and abroad.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab - A unique hands-on interactive experience which allows visitors of all ages to explore exhibits in audio, imaging, robotics, design and networks. The lab also offers a variety of workshops, movie screenings and special events.

Literally Alive Children's Theatre - A year-round NYC based theatrical production company that specializes in bringing classic children's literature to life on the stage. In addition to a full professional presentation, families can participate in a pre-show arts workshop and learn how the arts bring literature to life.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts - Presents a varied performance series of over 45 events annually, including classical concerts, dance, jazz, popular entertainment, family theater productions and arts-in-education programs.

Wave Hill - A non-profit cultural institution located on 28 acres in the northwest Bronx, Wave Hill is dedicated to exploring the interaction between human beings and the natural environment. Programs in both the arts and sciences are designed to foster public understanding of and appreciation for this complementary relationship.

Staten Island Museum - Founded in 1881 and home to more than two million artifacts and specimens from ancient to contemporary periods, this "mini-Smithsonian" is rich with arts, natural sciences and local history.

Tenement Museum - A New York City Museum that tells the stories of immigrants who lived in 97 Orchard Street, a tenement built in 1863 on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Prospect Park - A 526-acre Park which immediately surrounds its visitors with nature. The Park's is home to many popular destinations. The Park also hosts hundreds of events annually, including concerts, sporting events, performing arts, festivals, and tours.

Queens Museum - Dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area.

Bargemusic - Believed to be the largest chamber music presenter in the world. The Barge, a 102-foot long converted barge once used by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, offers a splendid performance space with wood paneling, a fireplace, and spectacular views of the lower Manhattan skyline along the East River.

National Museum of the American Indian - The museum's collections include more that 800,000 works of extraordinary aesthetic, religious, and historical significance, as well as articles produced for everyday, utilitarian use. The collections span all major culture areas of the Americas, representing virtually all tribes of the United States. Other collections include tribes from Canada, Middle and South America and Caribbean.

NY Waterway - Offers you the most unique cruises in New York. Whether you are a visitor, entertaining out-of-town guests, or you just want to see a different side of New York, sightseeing cruises offers something for everyone.

Things To Do in New York City - Attractions