Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Theater District, the Ambassador Theatre is an in-demand Broadway venue known for its hexagonal auditorium and hits such as the long-running Chicago. Dating back to 1921, this historic theater is a favorite among architecture and design fans who visit to admire its interior plasterwork. Theater enthusiasts typically purchase tickets to shows at the Ambassador in advance to secure seats, and both matinee and evening performances are usually offered.
In Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, the Met Cloisters showcases art and artifacts from medieval Europe, including the world-renowned 15th-century Unicorn Tapestries. A branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is built from parts of several historical European monasteries that were dismantled and transported to New York—making you feel like you’re traveling back in time. The museum also boasts a large educational garden with hands-on experiences to learn about medieval uses for flowers and herbs.
The lush landscapes of Bear Mountain State Park rise up from the banks of the Hudson River, providing a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts from New York City and beyond. Here you'll find more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares to explore. Hike peaks ascending to 1,300 feet (396 meters, and enjoy activities like boating, skiing, fishing, and more.
The Jewish Museum is a highlight of New York City’s ever-popular Museum Mile (which is also home to attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim Museum). Offering contemporary art, panel discussions, and more, the Jewish Museum appeals to arts lovers of all backgrounds. You can explore temporary exhibitions—from monograph shows to group exhibits—as well as a permanent collection dedicated to Judaism and Jewish culture.
A South Brooklyn gem, Carroll Gardens’ brownstone-lined blocks are ideal for an afternoon stroll. Small cafés, antique shops, and boutiques abound on Smith and Court streets, while you can visit tree-lined Carroll Park and the Carroll Gardens Historic District for a taste of old New York architecture. Thanks to its Italian community, the area is also known for its abundance of Italian bakeries and restaurants.
See the rising stars of New York’s comedy scene and enjoy an evening of laughter at the Broadway Comedy Club. Located in the heart of Times Square, this intimate venue has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy, who still perform here on occasion. The club hosts daily performances featuring headliners and up-and-coming stand-up comics, and even offers comedy nights in Spanish and family-friendly shows.
An opulent building steps from Times Square, the Palace Theatre has a well-earned reputation as one of Broadway’s top venues. The theater has staged numerous Tony Award–winning shows and lauded musicals since it first opened in 1913—from Beauty and the Beast to Aida—and continues to wow audiences today. In addition to its cultural importance to Broadway actors and audiences, it’s also a designated NYC Interior Landmark.
Named in honor of an illustrious American playwright, Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre has been entertaining guests since 1925. Take a Broadway Theater District walking tour to glimpse the exterior or book a show to see inside one of the most desired midsized theaters in New York. It has hosted many top musicals over the years, but has been showing The Book of Mormon exclusively since 2011.
Discover some of New York City’s best Italian food in the Bronx’s Little Italy, located in the Belmont region of the North Bronx along Arthur Avenue. Come for the locally owned bakeries, butchers, and fishmongers—many of which have been family-run for generations—alongside markets offering old-world favorites. Then, stay for an outstanding Italian meal at one of the neighborhood restaurants where service comes with a personal touch.
Designed to be one of the most opulent theaters of its time, the Al Hirschfield Theatre has staged large ensemble plays and music theater productions since opening in 1924. This Broadway theater is named for a famous illustrator and caricaturist, and design enthusiasts come here to see the colorfully painted dome and stained glass windows. To see the interiors and for a full theater experience, book tickets to a performance.
Even if you’ve never been ice skating in New York City, you might recognize Wollman Rink. The outdoor skating rink has not only entertained New Yorkers and their families since the 1950s, but it’s featured in movies from Love Story to Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. With a backdrop of soaring Manhattan skyscrapers, it’s a winning spot to put your skating skills to the test.
The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre has hosted hundreds of shows since it opened in 1910, including notable productions such as A Doll’s House and Equus. As one of the smaller venues on Broadway, the theater offers a more intimate experience than some of its big-name neighbors. Both the building’s neoclassical facade and auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.
The Music Box Theatre has put on musicals, comedies, and plays for over a century, ever since it opened in 1921 to host The Music Box Revue by renowned composer Irving Berlin. Since then, it’s hosted legendary actors and performances, including Marlon Brando in his Broadway debut and the Tony Award-winning plays Jerusalem and One Man, Two Guvnors. The theater’s dainty, neo-Georgian architecture style is befitting of its name and sets it apart from other Broadway venues.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts—also known as the Bronx Museum—showcases contemporary artworks by culturally diverse artists who reflect the multicultural communities that characterise the Bronx. Housed in a striking building with an accordion-style aluminium facade, the museum is well worth the trip to New York City’s northernmost borough.
Built back in 1903, the Hudson Theatre is one of New York City’s longest-running Broadway theaters. Many stars graced its stage in its early years, including William Holden, Ethel Barrymore, and silent film star Douglas Fairbanks. Today, the theater is best known for its runs of award-winning plays and musicals, while the historic building (still featuring an opulent lobby with period lighting from Tiffany) is a registered New York City landmark.
Located in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan, the Neil Simon Theatre is one of New York City’s most iconic Broadway theaters. It first opened to the public in 1927, making its debut with Fred and Adele Astaire in Funny Face. It has continued to focus on musicals, adding the Tony Award-winning Hairspray and the revival of The Music Man to its stage. Today, it is home to the hit musical MJ the Musical.
New York’s Hudson Valley has long inspired artists and writers with its peaceful winding river, forested hills, and sleepy towns. Set just 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Manhattan, the historic valley is a peaceful escape famous for its art, local culinary offerings, and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a tranquil 52-acre (21-hectare) green space in the middle of a busy borough. Located adjacent to Prospect Park, the garden boasts an impressive selection of plants, flowers, and trees. It also hosts a range of themed gardens, including the Children’s Garden (which addresses sustainability) and the Fragrance Garden (which encourages everyone to stop and smell the flowers).
New York City’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) showcases objects and artifacts that demonstrate human innovation in historical and contemporary design. In addition to its impressive architecture and location just steps from Central Park, the museum is known for facilitating interaction between visitors and resident artists through its open studios program.
Founded in 1974, the International Center of Photography (ICP) has been an acclaimed institution for photographic images and visual culture for more than half a century. Above all, it champions photography as a vehicle for social and political change. The center includes a school, public educational programs, talks and workshops, and an on-site museum with cutting-edge temporary exhibitions.
A dedicated exhibition space, MoMA PS1 celebrates new and innovative art with a variety of experimental and contemporary exhibitions. Go to see genre-defying work in PS1’s historic building—a former New York City public school—or attend one of its regular events, including panel discussions and dance performances. The museum supports emerging artists through a range of programs, with a focus on underrepresented and international voices in contemporary art.
This multifaceted indoor attraction offers a captivating way to experience NYC’s famous sights, all while learning about the city’s history and culture. Comprising an immersive film (narrated by actor Jeff Goldblum), seven themed gallery areas, and a 4D “flight” experience, RiseNY provides a perfect introduction for first-time visitors to the Big Apple.
One of the most crowd-pleasing exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the Hayden Planetarium is an immersive theater experience that takes you on a journey through the cosmos, time, and space. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a curious novice, you’re sure to find the planetarium’s impressive visuals fascinating and enlightening.
In the heart of New York City’s Theater District, the New Amsterdam is Broadway’s oldest operating theater. It combines a tall Beaux-Arts facade with an intimate art nouveau 1,702-seat auditorium decorated with floral, grapevine, and peacock reliefs. Nicknamed “The House Beautiful,” this ornate venue features all-singing, all-dancing Disney® productions such as Aladdin and The Lion King.
New Yorkers know that when city streets heat up in the summer, weekends are best spent by the coast. That’s why every Friday, urbanites in search of escape fill the Hampton Jitney and the Long Island Expressway to take in some sun and fun in the Hamptons.
To combine a theater experience with the buzzing atmosphere of lower Manhattan, check out the Orpheum Theatre. This East Village theater, first opened in 1904, is a must-visit for theater buffs and New York history enthusiasts. The Orpheum has hosted many notable productions in its history, from Anything Goes to Little Shop of Horrors to three decades of Stomp. With just 347 seats, it’s advisable to book well in advance to guarantee admission.
A Brooklyn cultural beacon—and one of New York City’s top museums—the Brooklyn Museum boasts a permanent collection of more than 1.5 million pieces and hosts several rotating exhibits yearly. The museum has a little of everything, from one of the largest Egyptian art holdings in the country to a robust American decorative arts collection and landmark feminist artworks, including Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party.
A celebration of New York City's most diverse borough, the Queens Museum is situated in a historic building in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which has hosted the World's Fair three times. Known for its diverse collection of art and objects that spans eras, styles, and genres, the museum displays everything from Tiffany glass lamps to the famous Panorama of New York City installation (a scale model of the entire city).
For most of the year, MetLife Stadium is home to two football teams—the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League. Ironically, the stadium sits not in New York but in New Jersey, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of Manhattan. During football season, expect weekend games; the rest of the year, the stadium hosts concerts, soccer matches, and other major events.
Extending from the southeastern shore of Lake Erie down to the Pennsylvania border, the westernmost region of New York State is an outdoor playground. Here, you’ll find campgrounds, bike paths, hiking trails, and sandy beaches in scenic state parks as well as farmers markets, wineries, and local historical sites.
