Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.com
New York City
Trip Planning & Itineraries
7:46 AM Saturday, Nov 21
Clear. Cool.
7 day forecast »
New Yorkers are lucky. But you, dear visitor, are far luckier. This is a city made for explorers: the more you roam in New York, the more you discover, the more you'll want to see -- and the more you'll be thrilled by the range of things to do in New York City.
New York is a densely packed mass of humanity. Whomever you encounter, from New York's famous Broadway to the Empire State Building, in giddy spring or gilded fall, in quiet summer or cozy winter, you can be sure of one thing: it'll be the real deal.
Best of New York: Must-do Experiences
Best of New York: Suggested Itineraries
New Yorkers believe Manhattan is the center of the universe. No city is as vibrant, culturally flush, fashion-forward, nor has a comparable restaurant scene. And the truth is they're kinda right. Gotham is undoubtedly among the top metropolises in the world. Simple advice for visitors tackling the many things to do in New York: pack comfortable shoes and prepare to go, go, go!
If you're asking yourself what can I do in New York City, read a summary of our suggested NYC itineraries below, or see our complete New York City Itineraries. You can also read the latest posts on the Viator Travel Blog about things to do in New York City for $20 or less. And check out the New York City vacation guide from SmarterTravel.com.
Day 1: Get Oriented in the Big Apple
One of the best ways to get your bearings is on a New York City hop-on hop-off bus tour, which makes 50 stops while cruising several Manhattan routes. If it's a nice day and you need a shot of green, meander into the 843-acre oasis that is Central Park, for prime people watching, gorgeous scenery, a zoo, restaurants, boating and so much more.
For your first evening in New York, why not take in a Broadway show. A few of our favorites include Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, Hairspray, and Beauty and the Beast. Bravo!
Day 2: Museums in the Morning, Shopping in the Afternoon
If you have time for only two museums in NYC, make a beeline to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York's premier modern art museum. Then tackle a very different kind of museum, the NYC Tenement Museum, which gives you a taste of 19th-century New York.
The city's Garment Center in Midtown is singularly New York. For cool boutique shopping, check out SoHo, the Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village's Bleeker Street, NoLita, and the Lower East Side. No doubt, all that shopping has made you hungry. How about a romantic dinner cruise, an evening jazz tour, or soul food and jazz in Harlem?
TV and movie fans will be in big- and little-screen heaven, with several guided New York tours that whisk you past -- and explore -- some of the key locations and haunts of your favorite television shows and movies. Those obsessed with Carrie Bradshaw and company, sign up for the Sex and the City Hotspots tour.
Likewise, Tony Soprano devotees can't miss the Sopranos Sites tour. For a mix of your favorite TV and movie locales, the New York TV and Movie Sites Tour is the golden ticket.
Best of New York: Top 3 Restaurants
Best of New York: Top 3 Hotels
New York hotels are generally not cheap, though right now you can find bargains if you look hard or are willing to sleep out of the box, so to speak, by renting an apartment or studio. In addition to these options, browse New York City hotels at Uptake.com or New York hotels from United Vacations.
Money is no object? The Ritz-Carlton
It's about as luxurious as Manhattan gets: a landmark building with views of Central Park so giant you almost can't see New York. All 261 rooms are faintly French colonial. There's also a great spa.
New York Boutique: Iroquois Hotel
James Dean's old haunt - he lived in Room 803 from 1951 to 1953 - the 114-room Iroquois boasts history, along with mod cons from a recent renovation. Ask for 'zero line' rooms for nicely framed Chrysler Building views.
Private Apartment Rentals: CitySonnet
CitySonnet rents private apartments or (hosted) guest rooms in an occupied apartment, many in the hippest downtown locations plus locations in Williamsburg and Brooklyn.
Best of New York: Viator Staff Picks
Best of New York: Shows for Kids
Still can't decide? Browse our complete list of NYC tours & activities:
-
All things to do in New York City
-
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours
-
Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
-
Cultural & Theme Tours
-
Day Trips & Excursions
-
Family Friendly
-
Food, Wine & Nightlife
-
Holiday & Seasonal Tours
-
Multi-day & Extended Tours
-
Outdoor Activities
-
Private & Custom Tours
-
Shopping & Fashion
-
Shore Excursions
-
Shows, Concerts & Sports
-
Sightseeing Tickets & Passes
-
Tours & Sightseeing
-
Transfers & Ground Transport
-
Walking & Biking Tours
-
Water Sports
New York Lights Night Tour
From USD $31.49
Tour the Big Apple, glowing in all its splendor, on this city lights night tour. Beginning in Times Square, you will cross over the Manhattan Bridge for magnificent views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the lights of Manhattan from across the river.
Discover the beauty and power of Niagara Falls on a day trip from New York. You'll fly to upstate New York and tour the falls on both the US and Canadian sides. Don't forget your passport! Upgrade to a Front of Line ticket which allows you to skip security, elevator and ticket lines. Exclusively sold here - BOOK NOW!
Traveling within the next 48 hours? Call us for last-minute New York City availability toll-free at 1-866-753-4923!
- Plan New York City vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- New York City hotels from PlanetWare
- Compare hotels in New York City at HotelsCombined.com
- New York City trip planner & travel guide from NileGuide
- Event news from Time Out New York
