Top things to do in manhattan ny

  • Local
  • New York
  • Manhattan
  • Things To Do

New York City’s most iconic borough has a big reputation. Though Queens is larger and Brooklyn is more densely populated, Manhattan serves as the geographical, commercial,  and cultural heart of New York City. There’s a lot of ground to cover — From the Statue of Liberty to the High Line, these are some of the best things to do in Manhattan.

Critics and locals agree that Manhattan never runs out of highly rated things to do. The best things to do in Manhattan include restaurants, bars, parks, and more.

The best things to do in Manhattan include:

  • Recline on the High Line’s wooden lounge chairs for a calming, litter-free experience
  • Watch a late-night movie at Nitehawk Cinema
  • The 102-story Empire State Building is the most iconic skyscraper in the New York skyline
  • Try and find a ticket to Madison Square Garden, an indoor arena that features hockey games and superstar concerts
  • Take a coffee break in Bryant Park

Events in ManhattanView All

Top things to do in manhattan ny

Admission to Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center

30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York1.8 mi

4.8

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66 ratings

20% discount_off

Through 11/30/22: Admission for One Adult (13-61 Years), Valid 9am-Noon Only

America's Next Top Glow Up Runway Project

94 Saint Marks Place, New York4.0 mi

10% discount_off

Thursday, Nov 17, 2022 / 8:00pm - General Admission

Up to 44% Off on Museum at Museum of the City of New York

1220 5th Ave., Manhattan1.0 mi

4.6

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1,731 ratings

30% discount_off

Admission for two

Big Apple Circus – Up to 26% Off

10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York

26% discount_off

Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center - Multiple Dates Available

750+ bought

Up to 50% Off Dinner Cruise from Cornucopia Cruise Lines

2 Locations3.6 mi

4.3

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4,891 ratings

50% discount_off

Three-Hour Hoboken Dinner Cruise for One; Valid Mon to Thur

Pop in the City - Up to 17% Off

Broadway between 32nd St and 33rd St, New York2.7 mi

3.9

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13 ratings

17% discount_off

Single-Day Admission for One; Valid Weekdays Only (ONLINE REDEMPTION REQUIRED AFTER PURCHASE)

Up to 30% Off on Aquarium Visit at SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium - Woodbridge, NJ

250 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge Township23.5 mi

4.4

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3,460 ratings

20% discount_off

Admission For One

Up to 38% Off Admission to One World Observatory

285 Fulton Street, New York5.4 mi

4.7

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6,610 ratings

38% discount_off

Standard Admission Experience

American Dream Mirror Maze Ticket

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3.7

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3 ratings

$10.66

American Dream Mirror Maze Ticket

The best Manhattan attractions are as iconic as they are beloved. No matter where you begin checking off the items of your New York City itinerary, these cultural landmarks serve as beacons for first-time visitors.

Popular attractions near Manhattan include:

  • Bethesda Terrace and Fountain overlooks Central Park, on the center terrace
  • Union Square is a must-see pedestrian plaza and park
  • The One World Observatory sits atop the One World Trade Center
  • Watch a game at Yankee Stadium
  • Bryant Park offers family-friendly movies in the park

There’s always something fun happening in Manhattan, ensuring there’s an abundance of things to do for city dwellers. New York City seems to have the monopoly on psychics, vintage comic book salesmen, and performance art at just about every corner, but its signature street fairs take the fun-finds to a whole new level.

Fun things to do in Manhattan today include:

  • Exploring the shops at Chelsea Market
  • Seeing the contemporary art at The Whitney Museum of American Art
  • Visiting Flatiron Building, a groundbreaking Manhattan skyscraper
  • Eating spicy pork meatballs at The Meatball Shop
  • Slurping trendy ramen creations at Momofuku Noodle Bar

Manhattan’s hustle and bustle continues even after the sun goes down. Try one of the best happy hours in New York City, or dance ’til your heart’s content at a club.  

Things to do in Manhattan at night include:

  • Start any night out with chandelier-lit shots at The Belfry
  • Buy a ticket to a concert at Webster Hall
  • Go on a New York at Night Bike Tour
  • Sing at Marie’s Crisis cafe, with show tunes and live piano accompaniment
  • Watch an opera at Lincoln Center to support phenomenal performances

Exciting Things To Do This WeekendView All

Manhattan continues to move even as the typical work week ends. Make a reservation for happy hour, dinner, brunch, and more.

Things to do in Manhattan this weekend include:

  • Start Sunday off with a doughnut from Peter Pan Bakery
  • Go shopping at the Union Square farmers market
  • Have a champagne Sunday brunch at the Algonquin Hotel’s The Round Table room
  • Find a new dive bar in Meatpacking District
  • See the water alongside Financial District

Making a happy hour reservation is essential to meeting up with friends after work. For larger groups, it pays to coordinate plans a couple days ahead of availability.

Things to do with your friends near Manhattan include:

  • The Standard Biergarten offers beer, pretzels, and ping-pong underneath the High Line
  • See improv comedy at Peoples Improv Theater, then share a drink with the comics at the bar
  • Split a pitcher at Rudy’s Bar & Grill
  • Sail by the Statue of Liberty on a summer Alphabet City Beer Co. booze cruise
  • Trek out to Coney Island to see a Cyclones game

With weather conditions that range from humid to frigid, Manhattan offers many ways to seek solace from weather conditions. Let loose and try one of these indoor activities in Manhattan.

Manhattan things to do indoors include:

  • For exercise, book a class at SoulCycle, Barry’s, or Rumble
  • Go to Porto Rico Importing Co. for fresh coffee and friendly staff
  • Sample the unique flavors of Big Gay Ice Cream
  • Play shuffleboard at the Royal Palms
  • Rejuvenate the mind at body at Aire Ancient Baths

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What should I do with 2 days in NYC?

Lower Manhattan.
Stop 1. See the Statue of Liberty..
Stop 2: Snap a photo with the Charging Bull..
Stop 3: Wall Street..
Stop 4: Explore Oculus & Grab a Bite (and a Glass of Wine).
Stop 5: Commemorate the 9/11 Memorial..
Stop 6: One World Observatory..
Stop 7: Take a Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge..
Stop 1. Grand Central Station..

How do I spend a day in Manhattan?

What to Do in Manhattan in One Day.
One World Observatory. One World Trade Center, 117 West St. ... .
9/11 Memorial. World Trade Center (museum: 180 Greenwich St.) ... .
Westfield World Trade Center. 185 Greenwich St. ... .
Eataly NYC Downtown. 4 World Trade Center, 101 Liberty St., 3rd fl. ... .
Central Park. ... .
MoMA. ... .
Times Square. ... .
Restaurant Row..

What is Manhattan NY famous for?

Among these are Broadway, one of the world's best-known streets; the financial district of Wall Street; skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building; Greenwich Village, Harlem, and Central Park; the United Nations headquarters; and various cultural and educational institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art ...

How can I have fun in Manhattan?

The 60 Fun Things to Do in NYC.
Visit a Van Gogh Exhibit. ... .
Take a Ride in a Luxury JetBoat. ... .
Take in a Nighttime Theatre Performance. ... .
Take an NYC Architecture Tour. ... .
Visit Famous Filming Locations. ... .
Appreciate the Street Art. ... .
Visit the Museum of Sex. ... .
Visit the Mythic Cotton Club in Harlem..