There are so many fun things to do in NYC. The options are almost endless thanks to new openings and pop ups always on the rise. If you have a weekend trip planned, be sure to check out some of these amazing tourist hot spots.
20 Fun Things To Do In NYC
NYC is certainly on top of my list for fun places to go with friends. If you are looking for things to do with the kids this weekend, I have you covered! Trust me, you won’t run out of things to do in NYC! You just won’t!
Here are my top 20 picks for fun things to do in NYC. Some of these fun activities in NYC are popup events and won’t be around forever. So, if you are really interested in something, make sure you get there and fast.
Fun Things To Do In NYC
Color Factory NYC is a collaborative interactive exhibit that debuted in San Francisco in August 2017. What was intended as a month-long run unexpectedly flourished as a celebration of color and creativity that lasted for another eight sold-out months.
There are so many fun things to do with kids in NYC. This amazing city offers a wide range of activities, events, and sights to see. So, gear up, grab a cup of caw-fee, and get ready for an action-packed day filled with adventure. If you're planning on an NYC vacation with the kids or simply looking for some fun things to do with kids in NYC during summer break, then I have the list for you
The SeaGlass story began early this century, when The Battery Conservancy was designing the park’s interior. The southern end of the park needed more light. The design team came up with the idea of an aquatic carousel to conjure The Battery’s history as the first home of the New York Aquarium.
We had the most AMAZING time in the city with the kids and I can't wait to tell you about it! Have you heard of Stomp before? I should hope so - the show has been running for over a decade and it is a ton of fun. A musical adventure if you will. Stomp NYC is like no other show. The price is right, the atmosphere is contagious and I can almost guarantee that your children will all leave wanting to plan an instrument.
If you are looking for the best restaurants in Little Italy NYC, you found it! La Mela has authentic Italian cuisine that keeps New Yorkers coming back for more but will also satisfy any tourist looking for old-world flavors and classic Manhattan vibes.
The dazzling floral creations of Jeff Leatham, famed artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and floral designer to the stars, energize the 18th annual Orchid Show. Leatham’s bold and colorful vision unfolds through captivating installations and designs, transforming each gallery of the exhibition in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a different color experience and visual effect, like the turn of a kaleidoscope.
The family finally made our way to the new FAO Schwarz located at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC. Just so you know, it’s RIGHT next to THE famous Christmas tree in case you plan on visiting during the holiday months.
In the midst of the bustle and fast-paced rhythm of downtown, right at the heart of TriBeCa, there is an oasis of tranquility exclusively designed to balance mind and body. Located at a restored historical building, originally an 1883 textile factory, the AIRE experience consists of an unforgettable journey through sensations across the various baths with water at different temperatures that will transport you to the ancient times of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman traditions.
I can’t believe I’m about to tell you how to get cheap Broadway tickets. This has been my secret for several months now, but I am finally ready to spread the word!
A sensory haven centered around slime, Sloomoo Institute is an artistic universe made to intrigue, delight, and evoke your inner child. Slime inspires wonder and joy, regardless of age. More than a childhood memory or satisfying social media trend, slime is artful, oozy fun. Even more, it is known to support stress relief as much as it does your imagination. Sloomoo Institute is a limited engagement, open for six months in NYC before moving to another city.
We offer you an intriguing visual, sensory and educational experience with a handful of new, unexplored illusions.
Iconic culinary destination Chelsea Market has become an internationally-renowned brand and is considered one of the greatest indoor food and retail marketplaces in the world today. Located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, the market’s collection of distinctive and diverse merchants adds up to more than just your average food hall, rather a lively marketplace where one can shop the region’s finest fishmonger, take home prime cuts of meat from one of the area’s best whole-animal butchers, load up on artisanal cheeses, fresh produce, and imported Italian dry goods. It’s the savory meals enjoyed at Chelsea Market, just as much as the fresh ingredients purchased there that make it a beloved destination for locals and travelers alike.
Build A Bear New York City - check! Officially off our list and so excited about the visit. Caleb and I had so much fun attending the opening of the new flagship store for Build-A-Bear in NYC. It's located right next to the Empire State Building and you cannot miss it… truly an amazing location!
On Sunday, my entire family headed to Lincoln Center to attend the Nutcracker Ballet. I was born in Manhattan, raised in Queens AND HAVE NEVER had a chance to see the NYC ballet before. Why did I wait so long? This show was simply one of the most beautiful pieces of art in motion that I've the pleasure to witness in my life. Hands down.
The worlds most interactive museum. Among the best things to do in New York.
The Oculus in NYC is a newly debuted artistic landmark located within walking distance of the World Trade Center. The transit hub, serving the PATH, cost four billion dollars, making it the most expensive train stop in the world. With its sleek and modern design, it immediately became an attraction in Lower Manhattan.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class waterfront park with rolling hills, riverfront promenades, lush gardens, and spectacular city views. Our list of amenities continues to grow as we work each day to revitalize this previously deteriorated industrial space and build a park that allows New Yorkers to rediscover the waterfront.
Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.
What do New York people do for fun?
As you can see, New York people do a variety of different things for fun! Sometimes they hit up a museum and other times they play with slime. It all depends on what they are in the mood for!! The best part about fun places in NYC is that the options are ENDLESS and I actually mean that.
What do do in NYC during the day?
Everything I added to the above list is available to visit during the day. So, if you are planning a day trip to one of the five boroughs, you can definitely reference this list.
What should I do on my first trip to New York?
Listen, I am NOT going to tell you to visit Times Square on your first trip to NYC. I am just NOT. I know you want me to. I KNOW YOU DO. But the truth of the matter is… you could spend an entire week downtown and never make it to midtown and still have an amazing experience!
The only thing you should absolutely do on the first day in NYC is go to a restaurant that is NOT A CHAIN OMG PLEASE DON’T GO TO A CHAIN RESTAURANT and enjoy some delicious food. And then just repeat that process for the next two meals and three snacks. EAT!
What should you not miss in New York?
Yikes! This is such a personal question. There are so many fun things to do in NYC. This could take a while. I would absolutely see a Broadway show. I would also consider going to a museum, a pop up, some sort of food tour. I would also do some personal research and see what matters to ME.
Do you love the movies? Then maybe you want to go on a walking tour to see where some of your favorite films have set up shop? Into ghosts? Take a walk down memory lane and check out some haunted addresses. Really obsessed with donuts? We have the best of those, too. What do you LIKE? How about high end fashion? Yup… have that too.
How do I not look like a tourist in NYC?
This is a funny question. Don’t just stop in the middle of the street. Like, when you are walking… don’t just STOP. That would disrupt about 2000 people. Tourists do that. New Yorkers don’t. That is all I am going to tell you. Just move over to the side of the sidewalk and figure out what you want to do.
I am not going to get on this huge “5 Things Only TRUE NEW YORKERS WILL UNDERSTAND” rant because I literally HATE those posts. They drive me INSANE. And odds are they are written by people who actually aren’t “true New Yorkers”. Like, stop.
In all seriousness, nothing else matters but the flow of life. If you are walking around the city, just move over to collect your thoughts. That’s it. It’s the only things you need to know. Don’t worry about anything else. I promise. The city is really nice and easy. Not like the movies wants you to believe. New Yorkers aren’t rude. We are just fast walkers and busy. But we will ALWAYS HELP and WE will ALWAYS CARE. Just fast.
How do you dress in New York?
This is another question that gets asked pretty often. How should I dress while I visit New York? Um… however the hell you want. Do you, boo.
Are you ready to try out my fun Things To Do In NYC?
Whether you want to visit the meatpacking district, downtown Manhattan, the High Line, the Hudson River, or anywhere in between – there is something waiting for you in New York.
Do you think you want to take a guided tour? I didn’t add the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or Madison Square Garden to the list because those are absolute staples and are known to the world, but you should also consider huge landmarks like these as well.
Personally, I hope you step away from the traditional tour guides and head to the east village, west village, upper east side and more! Union Square is simply divine! There is just so much to do!
Even if you just grab an ice cream and go for a very long walk – you will get to see things you didn’t expect. And a walk is FREE! SCORE!
If you need a printable travel list, here is one to download for free. I hope you book a trip ASAP because NYC has so much to offer to families, couples, and solo travelers. I was born in Manhattan and raised in Queens. There’s literally no other place like it.