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What are the top five things to do in New York?

What are the top five things to do in New York? This is the essential distillation for every traveler facing the overwhelming wonder of the Big Apple. With infinite possibilities, honing your itinerary down to the absolute core experiences is the key to a trip that feels complete rather than chaotic. This definitive guide answers what are the top five things to do in New York by selecting the quintessential experiences that, if missed, would mean you hadn’t truly encountered the soul of the city. We’re not just listing attractions; we’re defining the five pillars of a perfect New York visit: an iconic monument, a world-class museum, a legendary green space, an unforgettable walk, and the pinnacle of live performance. This is your curated, non-negotiable foundation upon which to build your dream trip.

Determining what are the top five things to do in New York requires balancing monumental scale with intimate moments. It’s about choosing experiences that are both globally symbolic and deeply personal. This guide provides that balance. For each of the five selections, we will explain not only what it is, but why it’s essential, how to experience it correctly, and how to integrate it into your schedule. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable, and inspiring answer to what are the top five things to do in New York, transforming anxiety into excitement and ensuring your visit captures the city’s unparalleled spirit.

The Selection Criteria: What Makes a “Top Five” Experience

Before revealing the list, it’s important to understand the philosophy behind choosing what are the top five things to do in New York. Each selection meets these rigorous criteria:

  1. Iconic & Unmistakably New York: The experience is synonymous with the city itself, recognized around the world.
  2. Profound Cultural or Historical Weight: It offers more than a photo op; it provides a meaningful connection to art, history, or the human spirit.
  3. Unrivaled in its Category: It is the best or among the best of its kind anywhere.
  4. Accessible to All Travelers: While some require planning, they are achievable for most visitors.
  5. Creates a Lasting Memory: The experience resonates long after you return home.

Using this framework, we move beyond subjective preferences to a definitive list. Let’s answer what are the top five things to do in New York.

1. Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

This is the paramount historical and symbolic experience, and the undisputed first answer to what are the top five things to do in New York.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable:
The Statue of Liberty is the universal symbol of freedom and hope. Ellis Island is the hallowed ground where over 12 million immigrants began their American story. Together, they tell the foundational narrative of modern America. It’s a powerful, emotional journey that transcends tourism.

How to Do It Right:

  • Book Early: Secure tickets months in advance through the only official vendor, Statue City Cruises. Aim for the first ferry of the day to avoid crowds.
  • Go to the Pedestal: If possible, reserve Pedestal access. The museum inside the statue’s base is excellent, and the view from the balcony is unique.
  • Allocate Time for Ellis Island: Don’t rush. The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is one of the most moving museums in the country. Allow at least 90 minutes to walk through the Great Hall and search the arrival records.
  • Pro-Tip: If ferry tickets are sold out, the free Staten Island Ferry offers a distant but beautiful view. However, for the full historical immersion, the official tour is essential.

2. Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art

For art and culture, this is the singular, unbeatable institution and a cornerstone of any list on what are the top five things to do in New York.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable:
The Met is one of the world’s great encyclopedic museums. Its collection of over two million works spans 5,000 years and every corner of the globe. You can stand before an ancient Egyptian temple, Renaissance masterpieces, and iconic American paintings all under one roof. Its scale and quality are simply unmatched in the Western Hemisphere.

How to Do It Right:

  • Accept You Can’t See It All: This is crucial. Plan to spend 3-4 hours and focus on two or three collections.
  • Must-See Highlights:
    • The Temple of Dendur (Sackler Wing): A complete Egyptian temple, bathed in light.
    • European Paintings Galleries: Home to works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.
    • The American Wing: Features the iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware.
    • The Arms and Armor Court: Dramatic and fascinating for all ages.
  • Use Their Resources: Visit the Met’s official website before you go to plan your route. The museum has a “pay-what-you-wish” admission policy for New York State residents and students; others pay a suggested fee.

3. Walk Through Central Park

This is the essential natural and urban design experience, providing the vital counterpoint to the city’s steel and glass. No consideration of what are the top five things to do in New York is complete without it.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable:
Central Park is a 843-acre masterpiece of landscape architecture and the beating green heart of Manhattan. It’s where the city breathes, plays, and gathers. Experiencing its meadows, lakes, and woodlands is to understand how New York balances intense urbanity with essential pastoral beauty.

How to Do It Right:

  • Don’t Just Skirt the Edges: Enter and get lost on its paths. Key landmarks to weave into your walk include:
    • Bethesda Terrace and Fountain: The architectural and spiritual heart of the park.
    • The Bow Bridge: An iconic cast-iron bridge offering perfect photo opportunities.
    • Strawberry Fields: The peaceful memorial to John Lennon.
    • The Mall & Literary Walk: A majestic promenade under American elms.
  • Choose Your Vantage: Rent a Citi Bike to cover more ground, or simply stroll. Visit in different seasons for vastly different experiences.
  • Local’s Tip: The Central Park Conservancy offers excellent free guided walking tours—a fantastic way to learn the park’s secrets.

4. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset

This is the definitive New York perspective experience, combining engineering wonder with cinematic beauty. It is a timeless answer to what are the top five things to do in New York.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable:
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is a Gothic-revival marvel of engineering. Walking its elevated wooden pedestrian pathway provides a breathtaking, unimpeded view of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the East River. At sunset, the setting sun bathes the Financial District’s skyscrapers in golden light, creating one of the most romantic and awe-inspiring sights on Earth.

How to Do It Right:

  • Direction Matters: Start on the Manhattan side (access from City Hall Park) and walk towards Brooklyn. This gives you the iconic skyline view in front of you.
  • Time It for Golden Hour: Begin your walk about 45 minutes before sunset. Watch the city transform from day to twilight to glittering night.
  • Continue into DUMBO: At the bridge’s end, you descend into the DUMBO neighborhood. Walk to Washington Street for the famous photo where the Manhattan Bridge frames the Empire State Building. Enjoy dinner here with a triumphant view of the skyline you just crossed.

5. See a Broadway Show

This is the unparalleled live performance experience and the crowning jewel of New York’s cultural scene. It is the glittering finale to our list of what are the top five things to do in New York.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable:
Broadway represents the absolute peak of commercial theatrical production in the English-speaking world. The energy of the Theater District, the craftsmanship of the sets and costumes, the power of a live orchestra, and the collective emotion of the audience create a magic that cannot be replicated on screen. It is pure, unadulterated New York spectacle and storytelling.

How to Do It Right:

  • Plan Ahead for Hits: For megamusicals like Hamilton, Wicked, or The Lion King, you must purchase tickets months in advance via official sellers like Telecharge or TodayTix.
  • For Discounts, Use TKTS: The TKTS Booth in Times Square (or at Lincoln Center) sells same-day discounted tickets for many shows, often at 30-50% off. Arrive early for the best selection.
  • Embrace the Ritual: Make an evening of it. Have a pre-theatre dinner in Hell’s Kitchen (9th Avenue) and soak in the buzzing atmosphere of Times Square before curtain.

Building Your Itinerary Around the Top Five

Knowing what are the top five things to do in New York is one thing; fitting them into a logical trip is another. Here’s a strategic 3-4 day plan:

  • Day 1: Morning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Afternoon exploring Central Park (they are adjacent). Evening exploring Midtown.
  • Day 2: Morning ferry to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Afternoon visiting the 9/11 Memorial (located nearby). Evening walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, followed by dinner in DUMBO.
  • Day 3: Day for other museums (MoMA, American Natural History) or neighborhoods. Evening at a Broadway show.

This framework ensures you efficiently hit the core pillars while leaving room for discovery.

Honorable Mentions: The Next Tier of Essentials

While the top five are definitive, your personal answer to what are the top five things to do in New York might include swaps based on interest. These are the strongest contenders:

  • The 9/11 Memorial & Museum: A profoundly moving and essential modern historical site. It could easily replace an item for history-focused travelers.
  • The High Line: An innovative and beautiful elevated park built on an old rail line, showcasing brilliant urban renewal.
  • Times Square: The overwhelming sensory overload is an experience in itself, best visited at night to see the neon in full blaze.
  • A World-Class Observation Deck: Summit One Vanderbilt or the Empire State Building offer the classic “view from the top.”

Practical Tips for Executing Your Top Five Plan

  1. Purchase Attraction Passes Cautiously: If your list is only these five, a pass like the New York CityPASS might not save money. Calculate individually first.
  2. Wear Exceptional Walking Shoes: This itinerary involves miles of walking. Comfort is non-negotiable.
  3. Book Everything in Advance: This cannot be overstated for the Statue of Liberty, Broadway hits, and popular observation decks.
  4. Use the Subway: All these destinations are easily accessible via subway. Download a transit app.

Conclusion: Your Foundation for an Unforgettable Journey

So, what are the top five things to do in New York?

  1. Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for the foundational American story.
  2. Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a journey through human creativity.
  3. Walk Through Central Park for the city’s essential green soul.
  4. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset for the definitive panoramic perspective.
  5. See a Broadway Show for the pinnacle of live theatrical magic.

This list is your compass. It ensures that no matter how you fill the rest of your time—whether hunting for the perfect bagel, browsing SoHo galleries, or discovering a hidden jazz club—your trip will be built upon the bedrock of what makes New York truly great. These five experiences offer scale, depth, beauty, and awe. They provide the memories that last a lifetime and the stories you’ll tell forever. Now that you know what are the top five things to do in New York, the only thing left is to go and experience them for yourself. Your unforgettable New York adventure is waiting.

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