New York City attractions

Brooklyn’s premier public library defies the adage about not judging books by their cover: the building’s entrance resembles an open book, with its concave portico adorned by bronze sculptures of figures from American literature. Head inside to browse the collection of reading materials—one of New York City’s largest—or to check out curated author talks and other literary events.

For some of New York City’s most famous chocolate treats, head to Jacques Torres Chocolate. Stop by the company’s flagship store in DUMBO, Brooklyn, or its Grand Central Terminal outpost to enjoy a variety of sweets—from handmade truffles to mugs of luxurious hot chocolate and handmade ice cream sandwiches. And don’t forget to try the chocolate chip cookies; they’re legendary for a reason.

Skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center is one of New York’s favourite wintertime activities. For the ultimate festive experience, glide past the golden Prometheus statue and the extravagant Rockefeller Christmas tree at this holiday season staple, which warms up the winter months with a fun program of events.

Situated at the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, the Hard Rock Cafe Yankee Stadium is a branch of the worldwide chain of rock-themed restaurants and hotels. Its classic menu and rock memorabilia make the eatery a hit among sports and music enthusiasts, while its location at Gate 6 of Yankee Stadium makes it a convenient spot for a pre- or post-game meal for fans.

Flatbush Avenue is a major thoroughfare running south through Brooklyn from the Manhattan Bridge to Jamaica Bay. Brooklynites live, eat, shop, socialize, and relax along Flatbush Avenue, which is home to a wide range of stores, restaurants, landmarks, parks, and historical neighborhoods. Don’t miss highlights such as Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the 1920s-built Kings Theatre. Flatbush’s numerous eateries serve a diverse range of cuisine, from Caribbean to classic American fare.

A neighborhood named for its large park, Sunset Park is known for its cultural diversity. It’s well-known in Brooklyn for its Chinatown and myriad flavors from restaurants from across the globe, including some of the city’s best Mexican, Central American, South American, and South Asian dishes. First-time visitors won’t want to miss the park, which offers views of the waterfront and the Manhattan skyline.

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, located in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, is one of the top family-friendly attractions in New York City. Its founding in 1899 also makes it officially the world’s first dedicated children’s museum. At this interactive space, you’ll find inclusive spaces, cultural and arts programs, and educational exhibits, from kid-sized stores in World Brooklyn to diorama habitats in Neighborhood Nature.

For more than 160 years, workers at this former industrial site on the East River cranked out America’s most famed warships. Through minor miracles of urban planning, “The Yard” has been transformed into an industrial and innovation hub, with hundreds of locally minded businesses operating side by side with art and exhibition halls, a food hall modeled after a bygone pre-World War II market, and other public spaces.

Step into the Potterverse at this NYC store, a Muggle’s answer to Diagon Alley. Fantastical props, photo ops, and a vast range of Harry Potter products make this three-floor locale—the world’s only flagship Harry Potter store—a must-visit for any Potterhead. Plus, a Butterbeer Bar, VR cinema, and a broomstick-flying experience offer fun for the whole family.

Not just one of the most popular comedy clubs in NYC but in the whole country, the Comedy Cellar is a Greenwich Village staple. The storied venue, which has hosted stand-up for more than 40 years, attracts top-tier comics as well as up-and-comers—and the shows usually sell out.

One of New York City’s most storied and luxurious hotels, The Plaza Hotel is steeped in glamor. Located on Central Park South, the high-society enclave has been a Big Apple icon for more than 100 years, and has made cameo appearances in Hollywood films including Home Alone 2, North by Northwest, and Sleepless in Seattle.

One Times Square is New York City’s newest observation deck—and one of its most recognizable buildings, even if you don’t know its name. Home to the famous New Year’s Eve ball drop, the landmark has reopened to visitors for the first time in decades. You can now ride a glass elevator to an open-air skywalk above Times Square, view digital-art installations inside the building, and see the site of one of the world’s most famous annual celebrations from a completely new perspective.

Katz’s Delicatessen isn’t just a beloved restaurant—it’s a New York City institution. Known for the over-the-top proportions of its pastrami sandwiches, Katz’s traces its history all the way back to 1888. Today considered a culinary and cultural staple of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the deli made a famous cameo appearance in the movie When Harry Met Sally.

Perched above the Hudson River and connected to the mainland via two bridges, Little Island is one of New York City’s most unique park spaces. On the Manhattan side of the river, this pier-like structure features a waterfront amphitheater, gardens, play equipment, and a food kiosk selling drinks and snacks.

By the Atlantic Ocean in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, the New York Aquarium showcases more than 500 species, including sharks, sea lions, and colorful fish. View interactive exhibits like the "Ocean Wonders: Sharks!" and watch live animal shows, while also supporting the aquarium’s conservation efforts. Its family-friendly atmosphere makes it a must-visit for marine life enthusiasts of all ages.

Located in East Rutherford—an easy trip from New York City—American Dream is a massive entertainment and retail complex, featuring North America’s largest indoor theme park, a massive indoor water park, a year-round indoor ski slope, and hundreds of shops and dining venues. In other words? This is not your average shopping mall. It’s the perfect destination for families looking for all-day entertainment and enough options to satisfy every member of their group.

Formerly the personal library of banker J. P. Morgan, the Morgan Library & Museum is a treasure trove for book lovers and culture vultures of all stripes. Celebrated for its collection of rare books and lavish interior, the library underwent a major expansion roughly 20 years ago. Today, it offers visitors historic architecture to discover and a well-developed events calendar.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the Oculus is part of the World Trade Center PATH station. In addition to PATH trains to New Jersey, the transit hub is near 12 subway lines. The main concourse is filled with shops and cafés and is typically packed with commuters and visitors. The Oculus is known for its unique architectural design, which pays tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

The birthplace of Pride, the Stonewall Inn is the perfect place to discover the LGBTQ+ history of New York City. The bar—located in downtown Manhattan’s West Village neighborhood—was the site of the 1969 uprising that launched the gay rights movement. It’s now a National Historic Landmark and part of the Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Staging everything from contemporary productions to classic ballet revivals by Balanchine and Baryshnikov, the long-standing New York City Ballet (NYCB) is one of the most celebrated dance companies in the world. Performances are hosted at the David H. Koch Theater, part of the landmark Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

New York City’s SeaGlass Carousel is an amusement ride like no other. Housed in a glass-paneled nautilus shell atop the original New York Aquarium site, the carousel whisks visitors away to a whimsical world under the sea, creating a magical convergence of art and entertainment enjoyed by locals and tourists.

Situated right in Times Square, M&M'S World New York is packed with the popular colorful candies. Beyond everything else, it features a 2-story wall made of plastic tubes filled with thousands of sweet treats, making it a must-visit for chocolate lovers. For a personalized NYC souvenir, you can customize your own M&M'S with a range of images and text.

Luna Park Coney Island offers dozens of rides, games, and attractions—including the wooden Cyclone roller coaster, which opened in 1927. Epitomizing summer in the Big Apple, the park has been a beloved Brooklyn destination for more than 120 years. It’s close to several miles of beaches and boardwalks too, making it a warm-weather must for visitors of all ages.

What’s the difference between a “bear” and “bull” market? Word on Wall Street is that while a bear swipes its paws down, a bull strikes its horns up, signaling rising stock prices. A symbol of financial power and optimism, this muscular bronze statue draws travelers who want to take photos next to an American icon.

Located in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and Queens, Roosevelt Island has an interesting story and a wealth of historical monuments. Formerly known as Welfare Island—due to its abundance of hospitals, prisons, and other less-than-savory institutions—it was redeveloped into a residential area in the mid-20th century. Highlights include a lighthouse, verdant public parks, and an aerial tram that offers spectacular city views.

One of Lower Manhattan’s major thoroughfares—and the main artery through Chinatown—the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) Canal Street stretches from the Hudson River to the Manhattan Bridge. Known for its ever-bustling feel, the street is filled with vendors selling knock-off designer items as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, and is also celebrated for its eclectic dining scene.

For more than a century, Russ & Daughters served its now-legendary “appetizing” foods—“anything that goes with bagels”—from its Lower East Side shop on Houston. In 2014, to celebrate the original deli's 100th anniversary, Russ & Daughters Café opened a few blocks away. The Jewish family-run, New York Times-approved foodie hub is where you can also buy the bagel.

New York City’s Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) is dedicated to all things film, TV, and video. Here you’ll see some pretty wild artifacts, such as a puppet used in the classic horror flick The Exorcist, plus be able to take part in interactive exhibits, like making your own flipbook or stop-motion animation. If this isn’t enough to make a trip to Astoria worthwhile, a room full of vintage arcade games might.

Home of The Met Cloisters, and spanning 67 acres (27 hectares), Fort Tryon Park offers an escape from the city bustle. The park is located along Manhattan’s northern edge and features extensive walking paths and gardens, outdoor recreation, and views of the Hudson River from one of the highest points in the borough. The Met Cloisters is a must-visit for art and design enthusiasts who come to explore the museum’s European medieval art and architecture.

A uniquely vibrant and immersive experiential museum in downtown Manhattan, the Color Factory New York transports visitors of all ages to a super-saturated and multi-sensory world of color. Featuring 14 different art installations that each tell stories, inspire play, and reflect the city’s own vivid character, it’s an interactive cultural venue where you’ll connect with color in new ways.