Top Things To Do in Manhattan

If cities were magnets, NYC would probably have the greatest pull strength and it’s easy to see why. The city that never sleeps, where dreams are turned into reality, has been attracting people from all over the world for a long time. Visitors have myriad opportunities to experience something unique, something that only this cosmopolitan city can produce. However, NYC is huge and it’s made up of five boroughs. Whether you are looking for unique things to do in Midtown Manhattan tonight or free things to do in Manhattan at night, you will find everything here.

While Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx all have a lot to offer, it’s very likely that first-time visitors will focus on the best places to visit in Manhattan. Even those returning to the Big Apple will probably visit this island bounded by the East, Hudson and Harlem rivers, in order to visit the places they didn’t have time to see on previous occasions. So, if you’re planning a trip to NYC, or more specifically Manhattan then here is a list of top things to do in Manhattan New York to make your tour memorable :

1. Getting around in the city

First of all, we recommend you forget about renting a car in Manhattan. There is one of the most extensive subway systems in the world that is much cheaper and more efficient for tourists. You should use New York’s MTA website to plan your itinerary and you’ll have no problems getting from point A to point B. However, be ready for huge crowds, especially when commuters are coming to Manhattan or leaving it.

2. Bring your family at Central Park

It’s not the largest park in the world, or in the US for that matter, but there are many good reasons why you should visit this iconic park when you get here. It’s packed with great art and vistas combining land and cityscapes and it has an important role in the history of both NYC and the USA. To make the most of your visit, think about taking an organized tour. All these reasons make it one of the fun things to do in Manhattan today with kids.

3. Explore the Museum of Natural History

You’ll find many museums just outside Central Park, but if you go west, you’ll reach the American Museum of Natural History, which became globally popular due to the “Night at the Museum” movies, although it has always contained most remarkable collections of exhibits. There is also the Hayden Planetarium (81st Street-Museum of Natural History subway station), offering fantastic programs on topics in cosmology that change from time to time. If you plan to visit both the museum and the planetarium, you should know that you’ll need at least half a day, though it would be better to allocate a whole day, if possible.

4. Don’t forget the Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you go east from the Park, you’ll get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a.k.a. “The Met”. This is amazing that can easily be compared with the Louvre, the Prado or any other world-famous museum. Depending on how interested you are in art, you can easily spend an entire day here, but make sure you take a tour to get the most out of the experience. Exploring the masterpieces of this museum is one of the best things to do in Manhattan this weekend.

5. Rejuvenate yourself with special Food and drinks

It makes no sense to list what Manhattan has to offer in terms of restaurants and bars, because it really has everything. No matter what you’re after, you’re bound to find it here. From stalls offering great fast-food to top-end restaurants, you won’t have to go far to find something to eat or drink. If we really had to recommend something, it would probably be cocktails, since Manhattan is really famous for those and one of them is even named after this part of NYC. Just ask around and you’ll get recommendations for a great mixologist in NYC and you’ll be ready to sip your drink and get some rest from your busy schedule. Tasting special dishes and beverages is one of the top things to do in Manhattan beaches.

6. For a memorable tour choose Times Square

Most visitors love visiting Times Square (the Times Square – 42nd Street subway station) and taking photos and selfies here. It got its name from the Times Building, the former 25-storey headquarters of The NY Times newspaper. If you’re lucky enough to be here for New Year’s Eve, this is the venue where the huge crystal ball drops. No wonder, it is listed in one of the best things to do in Manhattan Kansas.

7. Broadway to make your tour all-inclusive

Visiting Manhattan without visiting Broadway just makes no sense. The range of comedies, dramas and musicals is simply amazing, but you need to book your tickets online in advance. Some of the most famous actors have appeared in various productions on Broadway and you might have a chance to see some of your favorite actors performing live on stage. Just make sure you make up your mind about whether you’d like to see classics, such as “Phantom of the Opera”, “Jersey Boys” and “Wicked” or the hugely popular “Hamilton”. If you don’t get the tickets, but would still like to see a play while here, visit one of many off-Broadway theatres.

8. Witness incredible views of the city from Rockefeller Center

Close to Times Square, you’ll find the world-famous art-deco Empire State Building (34th Street – Herald Square subway station), one of the most popular sites in NYC. It offers spectacular views of NYC and you should definitely get to the top of the building (unless you’re afraid of heights, of course). Alternatively, you can visit the Top of the Rock, the observation deck of Rockefeller Center.

9. Fall in love with the Lower Manhattan

As you go south, you might want to visit the WTC site (World Trade Center subway stop), where the famous twin towers used to stand. There is also the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which commemorates the events that changed the lives of many New Yorkers. Not far from it, you can visit the Trinity Church, probably the most recognizable one in America. From the southernmost point of Manhattan, you can take a ferry ride to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, two renowned sites in NYC. The list of top things to do in lower Manhattan is limitless and you will require a significant amount of time to cover those.

10. An offbeat destination worth trying – Photo Ops

Close to Times Square, you’ll find the world-famous art-deco Empire State Building (34th  Street – Herald Square subway station), one of the most popular sites in NYC. It offers spectacular views of NYC and you should definitely get to the top of the building (unless you’re afraid of heights, of course). Alternatively, you can visit the Top of the Rock, the observation deck of Rockefeller Center.

11. ChinatownFeel like been at Asia

This part of Manhattan is home to a dense population of Asian immigrants and, as such, one of the most evocative neighborhoods. You can walk down its busy, narrow streets and see the statue of Lin Zexu, a Qing dynasty official who led the fight against Britain’s illegal importation of opium, the Buddhist temple and many pagoda-style roofs. Needless to say, there are many basement bars here if you’re thirsty. If, on the other hand, you feel peckish after a long walk, treat yourself to dim sum, dumplings and inexpensive noodles offered all around the neighborhood.

12. Your tour is incomplete without visiting Little Italy

Immigrants from Naples and Sicily ventured to NYC in the late 19th century and many of them found a home in the area that once stretched from Canal to Houston Streets, between Lafayette Street and the Bowery. Nowadays, the strong Italian presence is felt in the blocks surrounding Mulberry Street, but the Italian spirit and pride have prevailed. This is especially true during the annual Feast of San Gennaro. Of course, if you’re after authentic pasta dishes, this is the area to explore, but you can also find some of the trendiest clothing stores on Mulberry Street. After all, Italy is famous for food and fashion probably in equal measure thereby making it part of cool things to do in Manhatten today.

What’s next waiting for you?

Needless to say, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Manhattan has to offer, but it is most certainly enough to whet your appetite. Naturally, a lot depends on how many days you’re staying here, but you can always leave something for another visit, as most people do. However, one thing is guaranteed: you’ll be amazed and you’ll want to return here. From fun things to do in Manhattan with kids and cheap things to do in upper Manhattan, the above list covers everything.

Now you know what to do in Manhatten with this whole list of top things to do in Manhattan, you can plan your journey in a smart way. If you are planning to visit a few more cities around New York then check out our other travel guides.

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