Midtown Manhattan’s Walter Kerr Theatre is a grand performing arts venue that’s just off Broadway. Opened in the 1920s as the Ritz Theatre, it was later renamed and refurbished in honor of a Pulitzer Prize-winning theater critic. Throughout its long history, it has put on different kinds of shows, but nowadays, it hosts musicals and plays, including the likes of Hadestown and Springsteen on Broadway.
Artists without formal training produced the 7,000-plus works in the collection at the American Folk Art Museum, New York City’s only museum dedicated to folk and self-taught artists. The permanent collection—spanning four centuries and many mediums, from paintings and photographs to sculptures and textiles—portrays everyday American life. Diverse exhibitions change every few months.
Queens is known for its multicultural population, which is reflected in its diverse food scene. The seasonal Queens Night Market, held in the grounds of the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is a great place to sample this local cuisine and is a must-visit for foodies. It operates from mid-April to mid-October.
Set in a schoolyard in East Harlem, this open-air gallery of street art has been a New York City cultural institution for over four decades. Established back in 1980 by a pair of graffiti artists, it once served as a meet-up and practice space for emerging talents. Today, the Graffiti Hall of Fame is a canvas for international street-art stars.
Magnolia Bakery has been a New York City food icon for decades, perhaps best known for its cameo on Sex and the City. Based in Manhattan’s downtown Greenwich Village neighborhood—and now operating additional locations across town—the bakery is famed for its signature cupcakes, although other treats aren’t to be missed, including its cult-favorite banana pudding.
Born in Los Angeles to American-Japanese parents, Isamu Noguchi’s decades-long career as an artist saw him design everything from public sculptures to stage sets to modernist furniture. This museum and sculpture garden, located in Astoria, was designed and curated by the artist himself and remains the most significant collection of his works.
One of Brooklyn’s most popular foodie destinations, Smorgasburg Williamsburg is a street-food market, which runs seasonally outdoors. Held on Saturdays and located in Marsha P. Johnson State Park overlooking the East River, the market is a New York summer staple. With more than 70 food vendors serving dozens of global cuisines, it offers a uniquely eclectic dining experience.
Developed in the 1920s, Tudor City was one of Manhattan’s first residential complexes. A peaceful area bordering the East River in Midtown, the neighborhood is known for its distinctive European-looking architecture featuring Tudor-inspired stone and brick facades. There’s not much by way of attractions here (other than the United Nations Headquarters, located nearby), but Tudor City is popular with history and architecture buffs.
Don’t just take the Staten Island Ferry for the views—get off and explore a site with centuries of history. Now an excellent public park, Fort Wadsworth was a British stronghold until 1783. Nowadays, it’s less about cannons and more about walking, biking, and jogging, as well as learning a bit about New York’s past.
Pier 45 is no longer in the boat game—it’s now a 900-foot (275-meter) promenade that’s essentially a waterfront lawn, with shade structures, seating areas, and plenty of live music when the sun is shining. For a free afternoon in NYC, this spot in Hudson River Park offers an ideal break from the hustle of the city.
Rainbow flags, painted flower stencils, and an eclectic montage of paper lanterns welcome you to the Cubbyhole, one of just a handful of lesbian bars left in New York City. Starting life as DT’s Fat Cat in 1987, it changed into the Cubbyhole in 1994, continuing to be a safe haven for LGBTQ+ folks and anyone else who wants to swing by.
Established back in the mid-1980s in Long Island City, Socrates Sculpture Park boasts an open-air collection of sculptures overlooking the East River. This outdoor museum is popular with photography lovers—the Manhattan skyline makes for a stunning backdrop—while its green spaces and walking paths offer a relaxing escape from the bustle of the Big Apple.
Overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx, Wave Hill is both a public garden and a cultural center. Spanning 28 acres (11 hectares) of lush gardens and woodlands, the site is also home to an art gallery, and it offers a wide range of programs, including walks, talks, workshops, nature and art programs, live performances, and seasonal events.
Van Cortlandt Park is New York City’s third-largest park. Located in the northwest Bronx, its thickly forested interior valleys and ridges are flanked by sports fields, a pool, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. Containing some of New York City’s last remaining native woodlands and wetlands, it’s an ideal place to hike and get outdoors without going too far from the city.
The Cutting Room is an intimate concert and events venue, known for its cozy, cabaret-like vibe. Founded by the actor Chris Noth—of Sex and the City fame—back in 1999 at a different Manhattan location, it reopened at 44 East 32nd Street in 2013. Its stage hosts an eclectic mix of artists, from chart-topping musicians to emerging acts.
Spanning genres and media, the David Zwirner Gallery specializes in cutting-edge contemporary art in the heart of Chelsea. You’ll find an ever-changing roster of paintings, sculptures, and other works at this sleek gallery, which has several locations in NYC as well as outposts in Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, and Paris. But be quick—the shows here usually last only a month or two.
While Central Park might be New York City’s most famous park, Pelham Bay Park is its largest, at more than three times bigger than its Manhattan counterpart. Located on the city’s outskirts, it has sports fields, historic sites, golf courses, playgrounds, hiking trails, the Bronx’s only public beach at Orchard Beach, and more.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center is an expansive 83-acre (33.6-hectare) arts complex featuring museums, themed gardens, and performance spaces. The site on Staten Island was once a home for retired sailors, but now hosts art exhibitions at the Newhouse Center, concerts, and festivals. Come here to explore the beautiful landscapes, learn about maritime history, and enjoy cultural events.
