Aptly named The City That Never Sleeps, this skyscraper-filled, fast-paced metropolis is a source of cultural pride for locals and visitors alike — not to mention one of the most bucket-listed destinations on the planet.

Always buzzing with events, New York City offers an unparalleled array of activities and experiences for visitors of all ages, from checking off iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge to wandering through historic areas like Harlem, Chinatown and Tribeca, this mega-city will always have something new and exciting to offer.

Spread across the five diverse, eclectic boroughs — Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island — New York has something for everyone. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, an art lover (don’t miss the Met and the MOMA) or a foodie fanatic (Little Italy awaits), the Big Apple will deliver an incredible sense of awe… every, single, time.

Throw in world-class museums, a-grade sporting events, old-school Coney Island, ghost tours, Broadway theaters and an array of rooftop bars, and you will soon discover why over 8.5 million people call this bustling city home.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top fun things to do in NYC!

Don’t want to read? Check out our video!

1 – Try indoor skydiving at iFLY Westchester

Indoor Skydiving in NYC

iFly Westchester is a themed wind tunnel where you can try indoor skydiving. Prices are around US$105 and it usually includes 2 1-minute flights and all the equipment.

There is no jumping, no bad weather, no danger, just a jolly good time to spend with your friends or family!

indoor skydiving in NYC

2 – Fly on a helicopter and be stunned by the view of NYC

New York City Helicopter tour

Tours by helicopters are one of the most famous and fun things to do in NYC, especially for first-time visitors. Most flights take between 15 to 30 minutes and prices range from US$200 to US$600 depending on the duration and the attractions you will see.

It is the most thrilling way to see NYC’s top landmarks, the Hudson River and its bay. Soar high above the New York City skyline and enjoy the panorama.

Compare Helicopter flights in NYC

Uncover the Magic: Navigate the Museum of Illusions, NYC

Museum of Illusions, NYC

When exploring the vibrant tapestry of New York City, there’s an abundance of entertainment options to satisfy every taste. Among the myriad attractions, the Museum of Illusions stands out as a must-visit destination.

Offering a whimsical journey through optical illusions and mind-bending exhibits, this museum captivates visitors of all ages with its interactive displays and immersive experiences.

Step into a world where perception is challenged, where walls shift and gravity defies expectation. From holograms that seemingly materialize before your eyes to rooms that distort reality, each exhibit sparks curiosity and wonder.

Whether you’re snapping mind-boggling photos for your Instagram feed or simply enjoying a day of exploration with friends and family, the Museum of Illusions promises a unique and unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Big Apple.

learn more

3 – Explore the catacombs of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral

New York City Catacombs — Credit to GetYourGuide

Ready for a spooky night? Plan a visit to the only active catacombs in New York City. A guided tour costs around US$37 and lasts from 60 to 90 minutes.

During this tour, you go behind the scenes at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and get access to the off-limits and hidden areas of the Basilica grounds.

New York City Catacombs tickets

Directions in Google Maps

4 – Take a spin on The Beast

The beast speedboat ride

Hold on to your hats as you blast across New York Bay on the ride of your life. The Beast is a luxury jet boat and one of the fun things to do in NYC for adrenaline junkies.

This ride costs US$32 and lasts 30 minutes of pure adrenaline!

Take in the panoramic sights of midtown and lower Manhattan and bounce along to live music on this watery roller coaster journey. Keep your cameras handy for the Statue of Liberty!

The Beast tickets

5 – Recover a priceless painting in 60 minutes or less!

The Escape Game, NYC

One of five available adventures at The Escape Game, The Heist will immerse you and your friends in a one-of-a-kind adventure, where you must steal back a priceless Monet painting before the art curator returns. These games cost US$44.99 per person and last 60 minutes.

You’ll have to work with your team to solve clues and overcome challenges in order to complete your mission.

You have 60 minutes max, so be quick! Can you escape in time?

Escape games in NYC

6 – Watch a famous Broadway show

Broadway - Fun Things to do in NYC

Watching a Broadway show is one of the most fun things to do in New York City at night, an guaranteed to be an experience like no other. You can expect to spend between US$60 and US$200 per person for a Broadway show.

There is no better place in the world to watch famous worldwide musicals, such as The Lion King, Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Chicago, and many more!

tickets for Broadway shows

Hot tip: check out the best Broadway shows to see right now!

7 – Admire the view of Manhattan over the Hudson

One World Observatory, Manhattan

From street level, Manhattan is a bustling, vibrant city of towering skyscrapers, meandering paths and people in every direction. But from above, from one of the several jaw-dropping observation decks around the city, the Big Apple really shows off its majestic beauty.

But in a city literally packed to the brim with skyscrapers, which provides the best Insta-worthy views?

The observation deck of the One World Observatory – part of the 541-meter-tall Freedom Tower which stands on the site of the former World Trade Center – offers dramatic city views that turn magical at sundown. Located high upon the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors, this observation deck delivers incredible views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

The 443-meter-tall Empire State Building is another great choice for a bird’s eye view of the city. Located in Midtown, its observation deck stands on the 86th floor of this near-century-old building – an absolute must-see for first-time visitors to the Big Apple and a great spot to take in magnificent views over Central Park.

Thanks to its location in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial, the One World Observatory also offers fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the harbor.

Top of the Rock, Manhattan

But if it’s panoramic views OF the Empire State Building you’re after, you can’t beat Top of the Rock. Perched 70 floors above Rockefeller Plaza, the observation deck of this art deco-style skyscraper gives visitors an unobstructed view that extends for miles.

But there’s more. Located over in Hudson Yards, Edge Observation Deck holds the title of the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, towering in the open air at 345 meters and 100 stories high. Meanwhile, the ultra-modern SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, which opened in 2020, offers an immersive art-meets-technology experience to complement the impressive views of Midtown and Lower Manhatten from atop its tower.

No matter which observation deck you end up choosing, these unique perspectives of New York’s iconic skyline will leave your camera roll full for days!

8 – Visit famous filming locations

types of New York TV & movie sites tours

All the best movies and TV shows are filmed in New York, and this is your chance to visit some of the big screen sights.

For these activities, you can expect to pay from US$10 for the self-guided ones, up to US$250 for a private tour.

Hop onboard a comfortable coach and cruise around Manhattan, stopping at iconic locations from Gossip Girl, Sex and the City and The Sopranos.

Relive the glory days outside the Friends apartment and pose beside the iconic Ghostbusters Fire station.

Movie tours in NYC

Hot tip: check out the best TV & movie locations tours in New York City

9 – Cheer for the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden, NYC

While some might associate the Big Apple with baseball (the Yankees), and hockey (the Rangers) and football (the Jets), its basketball heritage runs deepest – and a visit to the legendary Madison Square Garden will make that even clearer.

Tickets for game nights can cost upwards of US$500, but if you are only interested in visiting the structure, you can have a comprehensive tour for about US$46!

Madison Square Garden tickets

Here, you’ll find the infamous New York Knicks — one of the NBA’s original teams that have played in New York City since 1946 — gracing the court in one of the most iconic venues in modern sports and entertainment.

And when it’s not game day or concert night, you can join an exclusive Madison Square Garden tour and explore the arena inside and out, checking out places like the locker rooms, the Garden’s TV studio, and the court itself. Either way, when the stadium’s packed with 20,000+ diehard fans, you’ll see (and hear) why it’s considered one of the best things to do in NYC for sports nuts.

Don’t want to read? Check out our video!

1 – Try indoor skydiving at iFLY Westchester

2 – Fly on a helicopter and be stunned by the view of NYC

Uncover the Magic: Navigate the Museum of Illusions, NYC

3 – Explore the catacombs of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral

4 – Take a spin on The Beast

5 – Recover a priceless painting in 60 minutes or less!

6 – Watch a famous Broadway show

7 – Admire the view of Manhattan over the Hudson

8 – Visit famous filming locations

9 – Cheer for the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden

10 – Balance your mind and body at Aire Ancient Baths

Enter the world of Squid Game

11 – Listen to unique concerts at candlelight

12 – Have fun in Central Park

13 – Visit the Statue of Liberty

14 – Embrace the outdoors

15 – Experience the city from a unique vantage point

16 – Wander around the Guggenheim Museum

17 – Meet a T-Rex at the Museum of Natural History

See genuine works of the mysterious street artist Banksy

18 – Unwind in the New York Botanical Garden

19 – Unleash your inner wizard at The Cauldron NYC

20 – Watch a baseball game at the NYC Yankee Stadium

21 – See the roaring Niagara Falls on a day trip

22 – Hit the rink and join the Roller Wave

23 – Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour

24 – Explore outstanding photographs at Fotografiska

25 – Stroll along the High line

26 – Visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

27 – Hone your secret agent skills at Spyscape

28 – Marvel at the chaos of Times Square

29 – Meet your heroes at Madame Tussauds

30 – Take the first virtual reality journey through Earth

31 – Encounter residents of the marine kingdom

32 – Head to Greenwich Village

33 – Admire international art

34 – Journey to The Hamptons for a day trip

35 – Join a scavenger hunt

36 – Cycle over Brooklyn Bridge

37 – Unleash your inner Viking at Live Axe NYC

38 – Support the Giants at the MetLife Stadium

39 – Visit ARTECHOUSE, a futuristic museum

40 – Hunt ghosts at the Ghostbusters Firehouse

41 – Satisfy your cravings at the Museum of Ice Cream

42 – Tour contrasting neighborhoods

43 – Laugh out loud at the iconic Comedy Cellar

44 – Discover Harlem and attend a gospel mass

45 – Watch hilarious Drunk Shakespeare

46 – See who’s playing at the Barclays Center

47 – Try the legendary Di Fara Pizza

48 – Taste the best burgers at J.G Melons

49 – Taste the best steak in the US at Peter Luger

50 – Enjoy the famous pastrami at Katz Delicatessen

51 – Explore Manhattan’s Chinatown

52 – Watch a movie on a Manhattan rooftop

53 – Go backstage at Radio City Music Hall

54 – Watch & listen to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

55 – Finish your night at Brooklyn Mirage

56 – Enjoy a sublime waffle at a ‘Wafels & Dinges’ truck

57 – Get a tattoo at Bang Bang

58 – Go shopping at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

59 – Get your music fix at the mythic Cotton Club in Harlem

60 – Visit the Museum of Sex

61 – Admire street art in Bushwick

62 – Go on an NYC architecture tour

63 – Walk through Little Italy and Soho

64 – Visit the Museum of the Moving Image

65 – Get a little wild on a pub crawl

66 – Experience the best speakeasy bars in NYC

Live in Marie Antoinette’s quarters in Le Boudoir

Drink a unique cocktail at Attaboy bar

How to get to NYC?

Where to stay in NYC?

Visiting NYC on a budget?

Where to go next?

Final thoughts

Table of contents:

66 Fun Things to Do in NYC - Cool and Unusual Activities