Top 10 Things to Do in New York City

Using this list

Ten of New York's defining experiences as a checklist. The list spans Manhattan and Brooklyn, so group it by area rather than working down it in order.

Book the observation decks and the ferry-dependent sights

The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and Summit One Vanderbilt all sell timed tickets, and sunset slots go first — those are also the best ones, since you get daylight, dusk, and the lit skyline in a single visit.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island need a ferry ticket, and crown access in particular books out months ahead. The Staten Island Ferry is free and passes the statue if you only want the view.

Walk more than you plan to

Manhattan's grid makes it unusually walkable, and the good parts of New York happen between destinations. Twenty north–south blocks is about a mile; crosstown blocks are considerably longer.

The subway runs 24 hours, which no other American city can claim. Pay by tapping a contactless card or phone at the turnstile — fares cap weekly.

Museums have quirks worth checking

The Met is enormous — pick two or three sections rather than attempting it. Several major museums close one day a week, so check before building a day around one.

Central Park is the one to leave time for

It's larger than most visitors expect and the best hours in the city are often spent there with nothing scheduled.

Timing

Run it plain, or add due dates from your arrival to spread it across the trip.