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The Best of New York · See and do · Things to do

The best things to do in Manhattan.

Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 23 places.

New York City consists of five distinct boroughs, most famous are Manhattan and Brooklyn, with Manhattan getting the lion’s share of iconic attractions. Odds are high that if you’re planning your first trip to the Big Apple, your itinerary will focus on Manhattan and Brooklyn.

And honestly, that’s the best place to be! There’s so many iconic buildings and fun Manhattan activities, you could easily spend a few days exploring the island and barely scratch the surface So, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Manhattan, New York City.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide

Best things to do in Manhattan, 2026

  1. American Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum · Upper West SideThe American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is conveniently located right next to Central Park.
  2. Brooklyn BridgeLandmark · Brooklyn/Financial DistrictWalking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-do for anyone visiting Manhattan for the first time.
  3. Central ParkPark · Upper West SideLet’s start with a quintessential New York City experience. taking a leisurely stroll through Central Park.
  4. Chelsea MarketMarket · ChelseaThe Chelsea Market is a famous food hall mixed with unique shops, restaurants, spice markets, and cafes.
  5. Chinatown Food CrawlOther · ChinatownTaking a self-guided Chinatown food crawl is an absolute must for foodies looking for things to do in Manhattan.
  6. EdgeLandmark · Hudson YardsSimilar to Top of the Rock, Edge is a popular Manhattan attraction that lives up to the hype.
  7. Grand Central TerminalLandmark · MidtownStepping into Grand Central Terminal for the first time is an experience you won’t soon forget.
  8. High Line & Little IslandPark · Chelsea/Meatpacking DistrictThe High Line is a top attraction in Manhattan.
  9. Levain BakeryBakery · Upper West SideLevain makes the most famous cookies in New York City.
  10. Oculus MallStore · Financial District
  11. Rockefeller CenterLandmark · Midtown
  12. RubirosaRestaurant · NolitaRubirosa is a classic New York pizza joint beloved by locals and tourists alike, for good reason.
  13. Russ & DaughtersRestaurant · Lower East SideStart your day the true New York way – grab a bagel and lox (smoked salmon) from Russ and Daughters in the Lower East Side.
  14. SoHoStreet · SoHoShopping in SoHo is one of the best activities in Manhattan for many reasons.
  15. St. Patrick's CathedralLandmark · MidtownMoving along Fifth Avenue, you’ll come across St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece captivating visitors since 1879.
  16. Statue of LibertyLandmark · Financial District/Liberty Island
  17. Top of the Rock Observation DeckLandmark · MidtownThe reason I like this New York City viewpoint so much is because the large glass panels offer unobstructed views the NYC skyline, unlike some of the other observation decks that use fencing.
  18. Washington Square ParkPark · Greenwich Village/West VillageLocated in the heart of the charming Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is one of the most beautiful parks in New York City.
  19. West VillageStreet · Greenwich Village/West VillageFew neighborhoods in New York City are as charming as the Greenwich Village.
  20. 9/11 Memorial & MuseumMuseum · Financial DistrictThe 9/11 museum is a profound tribute to the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001 and is truly one of the best things to do in lower Manhattan.
  21. Bryant Park & New York Public LibraryPark · MidtownBryant Park, nestled amid midtown’s skyscrapers, is found behind the New York Public Library.
  22. Fifth AvenueStreet · MidtownAfter admiring the Plaza, take a stroll down Fifth Avenue.
  23. The MetMuseum · Upper East SideWith more than 2 million pieces of art spanning 5,000+ years, the Met is the largest museum in the country and the fifth largest museum in the world.

On the map

Where they are.

14 neighborhoods, Midtown and Upper West Side most of all.

Midtown

Upper West Side

Financial District

Greenwich Village/West Village

Brooklyn/Financial District

Chelsea

Chelsea/Meatpacking District

Chinatown

Financial District/Liberty Island

Hudson Yards

Lower East Side

Nolita

SoHo

Upper East Side

Best things to do in Manhattan, 2026

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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 28 Iconic Things to Do in Manhattan New York City.