New York City attractions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re a fan of Broadway, you probably know of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (formerly Henry Miller’s Theatre). Numerous classics have premiered at this site, including Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, and La La Lucille, George Gershwin’s first full Broadway score. Though now a modern stage post-renovation, visiting the Sondheim is still a must on any tour of the Theater District.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 three major cruise ports that serve New York City (including the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and New Jersey’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port), the Manhattan Cruise Terminal connects the Big Apple with destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. Ships dock right in downtown Manhattan and the terminal boasts award-winning, modern facilities.

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.

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.

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.

One of three main airports in the New York City! area (the others being Newark and LaGuardia), John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is one of the most frequented transportation hubs on the east coast. It has six terminals (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8) and is the operations base for JetBlue and an international hub for Delta and American airlines.

Situated in the middle of Manhattan's Central Park, Bethesda Terrace is among Central Park's many stand-out architectural attractions. It features two grand staircases, an arched arcade, and a centerpiece fountain crowned with a large angel sculpture nicknamed the Angel of the Waters.

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.

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.

A West Village hot spot for weddings and engagements, One if by Land, Two if by Sea is known for romantic dining by flickering candlelight. The restaurant is set in a restored 18th-century carriage house with cozy brick fireplaces and grand windows looking out over a private garden. Come early for a cocktail by the piano bar, and hungry for luxurious American classics.

In a city with an abundance of traditional art galleries, Artechouse NYC presents a different type of art experience. Its exhibits are experiential and combine art with science and technology. Various digital artists and leading organizations—including NASA and the Nobel Prize Museum—have collaborated with Artechouse NYC to create innovative presentations.