Location: New York City
Top Things to do in New York City
Top 10 Free Things to do in New York City, New York (NY)
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. Manhattan Skyline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21,260 reviews
Reviewed By 91JC - London, United Kingdom
You can get an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn or if you jump on the free Staten Island ferry the view is brilliant, it will also go past the Statue of Liberty so you can get some great photos. The ferry runs 24 hours a day and leaves about every 30 mins. The night time or sunset view is fantastic too.
2. World Trade Center Memorial Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,266 reviews
Reviewed By brentthenurseryman - Merimbula, Australia
This is a must see on your visit to NYC. It was raining on the day that we visited but it is majestic and moving in any weather conditions. Make sure you check out the Survivor Tree - the Pyrus tree that survived 9/11 - very awe inspiring. Looking forward to seeing the memorial again on our next visit, but this time lit up at night.
3. Brooklyn Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25,207 reviews
Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge provides passage between Brooklyn and Manhattan for motorists, trains, bicycles and pedestrians. One of the primary symbols of New York City, it is a marvel of design and provides spectacular views of the city's skyline.
Reviewed By PAVMAN70 - Ashford, United Kingdom
Great walk across the epic/iconic bridge great views of the sky line also Ellis island n Statue of Liberty about 30 minute walk each way dress warmly as the wind can be very “biting”
4. Grand Central Terminal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44,259 reviews
Grand Central Terminal is the most extraordinary public space in New York City. Opened to the public in 1913, this historic train terminal is a world-famous landmark in Midtown. Its rich history is a story of immense wealth and great engineering. Grand Central is one of the busiest train stations in the world, with approximately 750,000 visitors every day. It is the home of Metro-North Railroad, a subway station, iconic restaurants, shops, and the world's most alluring Apple Store. Some of the highlights to see along your tour of Grand Central include the opal-faced clock, valued at $20 million, above the Information Booth, the Largest Tiffany Glass Clock in the World below the 48-foot, 1500-ton Transportation statue overlooking 42nd Street at Park Avenue, and the mystifying acoustics of the Whispering Gallery in front of the Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Audio and guided tours are available for those with a passion for history. More information regarding tours and ways to plan your visit can be found on the Grand Central Terminal website.
Reviewed By TheCuriousCowgirl - Dallas, United States
Because thousands of commuters pass through Grand Central Terminal every day, there's a market, filled with delicious pre-prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even a small outpost of the EAT Gifts. As a tourist, this is a GREAT place to pick up delicious goodies for an impromptu picnic in Central Park, or snacks for midnight cravings in your hotel. If you have a little more time, consider having a meal at the Grand Central Oyster Bar. First opened in 1913, this restaurant is a true NYC gem, offering up over twenty varieties of fresh oysters, a large menu of fresh, grilled and fried seafood choices, and an ambience and history that makes The Oyster Bar a very fun dining experience! Just outside the entrance to the Oyster Bar, is a space with a high vaulted ceiling. The four corners offer a bit of magic. If you and a friend will stand on opposite corners, you can speak directly into the wall, and the geometry of the space will carry your message up the wall, across the ceiling, and to your friend on the other side, earning the area the informal title of "the whispering walls." It's a ton of fun, and kids will get a HUGE kick out of sending and receiving messages! If cocktails are more your speed, The Campbell Apartment is a super swanky spot. The space was first rented out in 1923 by William Kissam Vanderbilt II, whose family built the terminal. It was once the ornate private office of early 20th century railroad exec and financier John Williams Campbell, andlater a studio for CBS Radio and a jail used by Metro-North Railroad. Today, it's a step back in time, and a little hard to find, making cocktail hour both glamorous and a little mysterious. If pure history is what you are after, take some time to admire the the zodiac mural on the ceiling of the Grand Concourse, one of New York City’s most beloved pieces of public art, created by French pastelist and etcher Paul César Helleu in 1912. The signs of the zodiac from October to March are outlined in gold leaf and modeled with nearly 2500 tiny, stippled gold leaf stars.Be sure and walk outside to 42nd street, and admire the gorgeous facade, particularly the imposing sculptures of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva at the top. I never tire of the view, both during the day and at night, and few sites make me feel more truly in the heart of Manhattan than time spent in Grand Central Terminal.
5. Chrysler Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,046 reviews
This Art Deco masterpiece is actually no longer the property of the auto manufacturer.
Reviewed By michaelsM3853UC - London, United Kingdom
Dramatic architecture completed in 1930.Fantastic decorative details in stainless steel art deco style referencing stylized chromed motor car components:such as winged radiator caps and wheels.Fantastic crowning spire.The grand lobby can be visited and features multicoloured marble and granite,a beautifully painted ceiling with scenes of 1920’s transportation,wonderfully decorative elevator doors and art deco metalwork.
6. Flatiron Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,403 reviews
This Daniel Burnham design got its moniker because, as you might guess, it resembles an iron.
Reviewed By iluckiep - New York City, United States
I decide to write a review because when people don't know the truth behind something, they just write, wrong reviews, people should know! Before write anything, It is like say something without thinking. First of all this building is amazing! Specially because It was built in 1902, so If you carefully look at it, It is a piece of art! the shape of it was made under the need of the land shape, It is where 2 street begins, for this you need to know, now you know the shape is the main attraction of this building and artist during a century, photographed and painted it, here is where popularity ranked higher Building has arquitectural influences from France and Italy, specially renaissance art, no one can say It doesn't worth unless you ignore the importance of this art current The Flatiron building is the right sample of what expects don't like but who believed in its own projects never mind do and become a success New York is known mainly by its tall building, culturally speaking, If you are in the same page of visit place by its story, there you are! This is the most beautiful building I have ever seen, worth the stop by, to admire the shape and getting closer to admire the detail too!!!
7. St. Paul's Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,435 reviews
Founded in 1766, St. Paul's Chapel is part of the Trinity Wall Street parish. George Washington prayed here after his inauguration as President in 1789. It is open to visitors daily and worship services are held in the chapel every Sunday. The chapel regularly hosts community events, concerts, and art exhibitions. The churchyard is open to visitors who wish to visit the historic memorials and monuments or enjoy a moment of quiet. Free guided tours are offered Fridays at 3pm. Meet at the pulpit inside St. Paul’s Chapel. Beginning Sunday May 13, the 8 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, and 8 pm Compline services will take place at St. Paul’s Chapel.
Reviewed By dustythoughts - Manchester, United States
This small, beautiful chapel is grounded in America's founding history (it was founded in the 18th century and George Washington worshipped here), as well as in more recent history - given it's geographic location near the World Trade Center site, it offered refuge to first responders. There are stuffed animals and other memorials to acknowledge 9/11, in a sobering yet comforting reminder of where we've been and how far we've come. There's also a small cemetery next to the chapel. It's both a memorial and an active church with services, so while you're allowed to walk through the chapel, please remember to be respectful of the community still praying there.
8. Rockefeller Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25,302 reviews
Rockefeller Center is a national historic landmark in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and much more. Shop, dine and explore at one of New York's most inspiring locations.
Reviewed By joys919 - Morgantown, United States
Rockefeller center has great architecture, great shops, restaurants, ice skating, movie scenes from Home Alone, murals on the ceilings and an underground passageways to help you get back and forth and stay warm!
9. Central Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132,882 reviews
For more than 150 years, visitors have flocked to Central Park's 843 green acres in the heart of Manhattan. Since 1980, the Park has been managed by the Central Park Conservancy, in partnership with the public. Central Park is open 6 am to 1 am daily. Visit the official website of Central Park to learn more about Park happenings and activities and to learn how you to help Central Park!
Reviewed By 242SharonC - Mississauga, Canada
This is such a great way to spend the afternoon- it’s huge, so lots of walking but also lots of benches to rest and enjoy. You can rent a bike, row a boat, ride in a horse drawn carriage, visit the zoo, stop for ice cream or lunch, or just wander and take in the various sculptures like Alice in Wonderland, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Lennon’s Imagine mosaic. You cannot visit Manhattan without doing Central Park. Short walk to a lot of hotels and shopping as well.
10. Fifth Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,536 reviews
Famous street offering some of the most expensive and fashionable shops in the city.
Reviewed By IAmEve7 - Lexington, United States
Fifth Avenue is all that you've heard it to be...and more. We visit during the holidays which makes it even more festive because of the crowds of people, as well as the outstanding store windows, decorated to the HILT. This is where you stroll and dream, without necessarily spending a dime, as you walk by Cartier, Tiffany, Henri Bendel, Bulgari, Prada, Valentino, Lord & Taylor, Armani, Cole Haan, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and many others. St. Patrick's Cathedral is also on 5th Avenue and a must-see.
