10 unmissable things to do in New York City (that go beyond the obvious).
Few cities capture the imagination quite like New York. Whether you’re dreaming of skyline views, Broadway lights, or bagels eaten on a park bench, the Big Apple delivers in every way and every season. Split across five distinctive boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island – NYC offers more than just the usual tourist checklists. It’s a feast for the senses, a cultural colossus, and, yes, a food lover’s paradise. So, if you’ve been to New York before and read my Things to Do in Manhattan blog post, and you’ve seen the big hitters and are now looking beyond the famous icons, or if you have a longer time to spend in the city that never sleeps and want more things to see and do, I got you!
Want some more information on the borough of Queens? Here is my Queens travel guide.
Classic Manhattan Highlights (And Why They’re Worth It)
Most visitors start in Manhattan, and it’s easy to see why. From the dizzying heights of the Empire State Building to the grandeur of Grand Central Terminal, you’re stepping into movie scenes as you wander the streets. Don’t skip the Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the 9/11 Memorial, or the Met – America’s largest art museum. And, of course, hop on a ferry from Battery Park to greet the Statue of Liberty herself. The Staten Island ferry is one of my favourite free things to do in New York.
But once you’ve ticked off the icons, dig a little deeper. Here are some of my personal favourite ways to explore the city that never sleeps.
Things to do in New York City – by someone who’s lived and worked there!
1. The High Line
Once an abandoned train track, the High Line is now a thriving greenway suspended above Manhattan’s West Side. This elevated park is a peaceful escape from the busy streets below, and I could spend just hours here meandering through interesting plantings and looking at the street art and panoramic views. You don’t even have to be as energetic as that, as you can grab a wooden recliner, relax, soak up the sunshine, and watch the city move around you. As you can see from the photo, there was no sunshine when I was there last! My favourite thing about the High Line is that I was living in New York whilst it was being built, and I love visiting each time I return to see its evolution.
Just downstairs, underneath the High Line, you’ll find Chelsea Market, which is a mecca for foodies. I always stop at Amy’s Bakery for something sweet and get my coffee from Ninth Street Espresso, one of my most beloved coffee spots in NYC. Down the street, well, it’s a 30-minute walk, you’ll find another one of my favourite places to eat, the Meatball Shop.
2. The New York Public Library
Located beside Bryant Park, the New York Public Library is a temple of books and beauty. It is a photographer’s dream with its stunning Beaux-Arts architecture, intricate ceilings, grand chandeliers, and arched windows that flood the space with natural light. Stroll around inside, it’s free, and make sure you visit the famous Rose Main Reading Room, a setting you might recognise from the original Ghostbusters movie.
3. The Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York is dedicated to telling the story of NYC from its earliest days to its present day. This museum gives an insightful look into what makes this city tick. It is actually the first place I tell people to go if it is their first time in New York, as you really get a sense of the place, and then you have a great foundation in the history of New York, and when you visit the most iconic locations, you know a little bit more about them. I was here by myself, but it is excellent for kids, too, as there are interactive exhibits and lots of things to look at to keep them entertained.
What’s more, the “pay what you wish” admission policy makes it one of the most accessible and rewarding attractions in the city. Here’s the link to the museum’s official website.
4. The Irish Hunger Memorial
Kinda tucked away in Battery Park City, this moving tribute to Ireland’s Great Famine is a peaceful pocket of greenery with a poignant message. Modelled after a rural Irish landscape, complete with a traditional stone cottage and flora native to Connacht, it’s a meaningful reminder of the city’s immigrant roots. Bonus: the views across the Hudson River to New Jersey are spectacular. The Irish Hunger Memorial is also another iconic filming location, well, iconic if you love Irish-American rom-coms, as a scene from the movie P.S. I Love You was filmed here.
5. The Conservatory Garden
When Manhattan gets overwhelming, Central Park offers an oasis, and its only formal garden, the Conservatory Garden, is a true hidden haven. As a designated Quiet Zone, it’s ideal for a reflective stroll or a peaceful coffee break. Springtime here is especially magical when the blooms burst into colour.
6. Brooklyn Bridge
For a quintessential New York moment that doesn’t cost a cent, take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The views of Manhattan’s skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the East River are unmatched. If you cross into Brooklyn, reward yourself with ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or a slice of classic pizza at Grimaldi’s, both DUMBO favourites. Well, favourites with the tourists at least!
7. Take a Food Tour
Eating your way through NYC is a full-time job, so let a local guide help you. Join a pizza tour of Brooklyn to sample the best slices in the borough or explore Harlem’s rich culinary and cultural history through its soul food staples. These guided tastings double as walking tours, giving you a flavour of the city’s neighbourhoods in more ways than one. I highly recommend a food tour of Harlem; you can do it yourself without needing a guide. Just start at Levain Bakery on Frederick Douglass Blvd and walk along W 116th Street, popping into any places that pique your interest. Finish at Amy Ruth’s for a hearty Southern comfort, soul food feast.
8. Eat Like a Local
Each borough has its own flavour. Head to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for some of the city’s most authentic Italian eats. Astoria in Queens is a hotbed of Greek dining. Staten Island still has family-run pork stores making sausage from scratch. Harlem is often considered the epicentre of soul food excellence. And, of course, Brooklyn is a haven for hot dogs and pizza.
Looking for more things to do in Queens? Take a self-guided setjetting tour with my guide to the Movies Filmed in Queens – Filming Locations.
Manhattan might have a glitzy fine dining scene like Eleven Madison Park, but you can also enjoy excellent food on a budget. Grab a bagel with cream cheese and lox from Ess-a-Bagel or Russ & Daughters, or snack on a soft pretzel from a Central Park cart. Chinatown is also great for dumplings and slurpable noodle soups that won’t break the bank. And I adore the hot dogs from Gray’s Papaya, and a dollar pizza slice from Times Square.
9. Christmas in New York
Few cities do Christmas as well as New York. Wait till you see the iconic window displays at Macy’s and Saks and the glittering lights on Fifth Avenue. It’s like walking through a festive film set. Top things to do during Christmas in New York include watching the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the high-kicking Rockettes and wandering around the Winter Village at Bryant Park, which has lots of cute market huts and an ice-skating rink. At the top of the Christmas in New York bucket list is admiring the massive Rockefeller Centre tree, which is lit with over 45,000 lights. It is stunning!
10. New Year’s Eve in New York
New Year’s Eve in New York is unforgettable. Some of the best things to do to ring in the New Year in New York are watching fireworks at Coney Island and, of course, counting down in Times Square, but my favourite thing to do is to head to Prospect Park for live music and midnight fireworks. You can book a river cruise and toast the new year with skyline views from the water.
Weather & When to Go
New York’s seasons are bold and beautiful. Summers can be sweltering, winters snowy and dramatic, spring fresh and floral, and autumn crisp and colourful. December brings festive magic, April bursts with cherry blossoms, and rooftop season kicks off in May.
There’s no wrong time to visit. Just pack accordingly and plan for the weather.
Flying from Ireland to NYC
You can fly directly to New York from Dublin and Shannon and clear US customs before takeoff at pre-clearance, which is a huge time-saver. JFK Airport is around 40 minutes from Manhattan by subway or a bit longer by car. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Ireland, such as Cork, Knock, or Kerry, connecting flights via Dublin or a European hub will get you there. Psst: here’s everything you need to know about flying to and from Dublin Airport.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, New York always has something new to offer. Come hungry, pack comfy shoes, and prepare to fall in love with the city – one bite, one borough, one bagel at a time.
Keep Exploring…
If you loved this guide to the best things to do in New York, you might also enjoy my travel posts on other iconic destinations like:
- Bordeaux, for wine and riverside strolls
- Lake Iseo, Italy’s quieter alternative to Lake Garda
- Bergamo, where cobbled streets meet culinary gold
And if you’re a fan of Irish adventures with a foodie twist, don’t miss:
Here are some more travel guides to New York
- Things to do in Manhattan – See, Do, Stay & Eat
- Romantic Things to Do in New York City for Couples
- Movies Filmed in Queens – Filming Locations
- Queens Travel Guide – See, Do, Stay & Eat
Want more? Click here to browse all my travel guides.
Here are some more of my travel blog posts…
