NYC Bucket List: 90 Things to Do in New York City

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NYC Bucket List (From a Local!)

As a native New Yorker, I’ve spent many years exploring all that this city has to offer. I think NYC is a fantastic destination for tourists, and if it’s your first time visiting, you’re in for a treat.

Looking for the ultimate NYC bucket list? I’ve got you covered!

Below, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in New York City, broken down into categories like classic tourist attractions, outdoor activities, museums, and more. You’ll also find my NYC food bucket list ideas and seasonal bucket list ideas, depending on what time of year you’re visiting New York.

Note: I’ve linked to some activities, attractions, and experiences on GetYourGuide. I highly recommend using this platform to book tickets for things in NYC, because you can get the lowest price and have the flexibility to reschedule or cancel your tickets at no added cost. I always use GetYourGuide when I travel!

Classic Tourist Attractions

These are some classic NYC tourist attractions you can’t miss. I’ve listed multiple observation decks below, but you don’t need to do them all — one or two is fine! For most of the attractions linked below, you’ll want to make sure you book them online in advance to avoid waiting in long lines or sold-out tickets.

See the views from the Top of the Rock (my favorite observation deck!)
Take in amazing views from the Edge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (it’s 1.2 miles long)
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to learn about NYC’s immigration history
Go to the top of the Empire State Building for iconic city views
Rent a rowboat from Loeb Boathouse in Central Park
Admire the lights of Times Square at night
Climb the Vessel in Hudson Yards, a unique modern art structure
See the views from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Take a sightseeing cruise around Manhattan
See a musical on Broadway (this is a classic NYC activity!)
Admire the architecture of the iconic Flatiron Building
Take in even more great views from One World Observatory
Visit the New York Public Library (a must for book lovers!)
Admire the architecture inside Grand Central Terminal

Outdoor Activities

These are some of the best outdoor activities in NYC to add to your bucket list. Many of these items are totally free (or at least, pretty affordably priced), which makes them ideal for visitors on a budget. I love being outdoors in NYC (well, with the exception of summer, my least favorite season…)

But spring, fall, and winter are all great times to visit NYC. And if you don’t mind the heat and humidity, you can also have a good time in New York in the summer, making the most of the long days.

Have a picnic in Central Park (Sheep Meadow is a popular spot)
Stroll down the Chelsea High Line (it’s 1.45 miles long)
Ride the free Staten Island Ferry and see great views of the Statue of Liberty
Visit the park at Little Island, a 2.4-acre floating island at Pier 55
Rent a Citi Bike to explore Central Park
Walk across the Manhattan Bridge for unique views of the city
Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in any season
Spend an afternoon at Luna Park in Coney Island, an old-school amusement park
People-watch in Washington Square Park
Have a beach day at Rockaway Beach in Queens

Museums

NYC is full of amazing museums! Unfortunately, tickets for many of them can be quite pricy, so I do recommend checking my list of free museum days in NYC to see if you can time your visit to one of them. Once again, you should book your tickets for museums in NYC in advance in order to save time.

Get lost at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (my favorite on Museum Mile!)
Learn about NYC’s history at the Museum of the City of New York
Immerse yourself in the American Museum of Natural History
Admire the art (and architecture) at the Guggenheim Museum
Spend some time getting inspired at the Museum of Modern Art
Explore the peaceful and beautiful Met Cloisters
Step into the old-world charm of the Frick Collection
Learn about NYC’s subway history at the quirky New York Transit Museum
Check out the art at the Whitney Museum of American Art
Visit the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86

Unique Activities

Are you looking for some unique activities to add to your NYC bucket list? These are perfect for repeat visitors who have been to NYC before and have already done all of the classic tourist attractions. If you want to get a little off the beaten path and discover more of New York, these are my top picks!

Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island
See a performance at the Metropolitan Opera
Go out for karaoke in Koreatown (maybe after a Korean BBQ dinner?)
Splurge on a helicopter ride over Manhattan
Walk Manhattan from top to bottom (it’s 13.4 miles!)
See a jazz show at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem
Check out picturesque Wave Hill in the Bronx, a hidden oasis garden
Ride the historic Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn for great views
Tour Gracie Mansion, the Upper East Side residence of NYC’s mayor
Enjoy a concert at Carnegie Hall
Go to a comedy show at the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village
See the animals at the Bronx Zoo
Explore some of NYC’s independent bookstores
Go gallery hopping in Chelsea and admire contemporary art
See the street art in the hip Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn

NYC Food Bucket List

New York is an amazing city for foodies! Many of these spots are very popular and touristy, and while I think they’re all worth it, I personally wouldn’t wait in line (or “on line” as most New Yorkers say) for an hour for any of it. I recommend going at off times (like a super early lunch or dinner) to avoid crowds.

One thing I’ve noticed about popular food spots in New York in recent years is that they tend to get insanely overhyped. It’s up to you if you want to check them out — they are popular for a reason!

Try a slice of Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village
Get a rainbow bagel from Liberty Bagels
Enjoy a delicious banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery
Try a noodle dish at Xi’an Famous Foods (my favorite is the liang pi!)
Grab a bite to eat at the bustling Chelsea Market
Eat a giant cookie from Levain Bakery (you can easily share one between two people)
Take a food tour to discover unique NYC cuisine
Indulge in some soul food at Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem
Try a hot dog from Papaya King
Go to Smorgasburg, a massive food festival in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Have a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity (I’m obsessed with these!)
Try a pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Delicatessen
Eat dumplings from Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown
Try the original cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery
Score a reservation at Carbone, a popular and exclusive Italian restaurant

NYC Christmas Bucket List

Is there anything more magical than NYC at Christmas? I don’t think so! Christmas is my favorite time of year in the city. These are the best Christmas activities to add to your NYC bucket list.

Admire the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lit up at night
Shop and eat your way through Bryant Park Winter Village
See the Radio City Rockettes perform their Christmas Spectacular
Watch the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue
Stroll down Fifth Avenue to see the holiday window displays
Go see the Dyker Heights Christmas lights
Meet Santa Claus at Macy’s in Herald Square
Catch a performance of The Nutcracker from the NYC Ballet
See the giant candy canes, ornaments, and Christmas lights on Sixth Avenue
Visit the Union Square Holiday Market

More Seasonal Ideas

Here are some more seasonal bucket list ideas you can try, depending on when you visit NYC. I’ve included plenty of great and unique things to do in New York in the winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Cheer on runners at the New York City Marathon in November
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park
Dress up like Santa Claus and join the fun at SantaCon
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Admire cherry blossoms in the springtime at Central Park
Catch a baseball game (Yankees or Mets, pick your favorite team!)
Behold Manhattanhenge, a unique phenomenon that happens four days a year
Score tickets to Shakespeare in the Park in the summer
Attend the Coney Island Mermaid Parade in June
Go to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4th
Watch fireworks over the river on the 4th of July
Take in the views from the rooftop of the Met (mid-April to mid-October)
Stroll around Central Park and admire the fall foliage
Attend the Village Halloween Parade on October 31

Bucket List Ideas for NYC

These are the best NYC bucket list ideas. Hopefully, you found some things to add to your own NYC itinerary from this list! I definitely recommend spending as much time as you can in New York City.

If you’re short on time, pick a few of your top priorities from each category and don’t try to do it all. Rushing around and cramming in as much as possible is a recipe for disaster. You could spend a whole lifetime in NYC and still not see or do it all, so be sure to relax and simply enjoy the moment.

Enjoy your trip to NYC!

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