Things to do in New York City

Why go to New York City

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

  Sail to America's most iconic symbol and walk through the moving immigration museum on Ellis Island.

• Central Park

  840 acres of urban escape with rowboats, free concerts, and skyline views that rival any paid attraction.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  One of the world's greatest art collections spanning 5,000 years, from Egyptian temples to Van Gogh masterpieces.

• Empire State Building Observatory

  The quintessential NYC panorama, 102 floors up with views stretching to five states on a clear day.

• Brooklyn Bridge Walk

  Stroll across this Gothic-arched marvel for free and soak in breathtaking views of Manhattan and the harbor.

Good to know in New York City

• Buy an OMNY card or use contactless payment on the subway, a 7-day unlimited MetroCard costs $34 and pays for itself after just 12 rides; avoid taxis which start at $3 plus $0.70/mile.
• Tipping is culturally expected in NYC: 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and $2-5 for hotel housekeeping per night, budget accordingly.
• NYC tap water is among the cleanest and best-tasting in the world, always refill a reusable bottle and skip buying bottled water entirely.
• Many world-class museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish entry: the Met is pay-what-you-wish for NY state residents, MoMA is free Friday evenings 5:30-9pm, and the American Museum of Natural History suggests a donation rather than a fixed fee.

Trip essentials