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This is where to travel in 2023, according to the New York Times

London, Japan and Arizona came out top of the newspaper’s annual list of must-visit destinations

Looking to book a big trip this year but can't decide where to go? Well, this is worth a gander: the experts over at the New York Times have released their annual 52 Places to Go list for 2023.

This year’s edition focuses on the question of why we travel, highlighting food, culture, adventure and natural beauty as four of the main elements that drive us to see the world. As such, the places they’ve chosen aim to offer some or all of those elements  –  plus a whole lot more.

Ready for some inspo? Here’s the full New York Times list of places to go in 2023.

1. London , UK

2. Morioka, Japan

3. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona

4. Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

5. Auckland , New Zealand

6. Palm Springs , California

7. Kangaroo Island, Australia

8. Vjosa River, Albania

9. Accra , Ghana

10. Tromsø, Norway

11. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

13. Kerala, India

14. Greenville, South Carolina

15. Tucson,  Arizona

16. Martinique

17. The Namib Desert, Southern Africa

18. The Alaska Railroad

19. Fukuoka, Japan

20. Flores, Indonesia

21. Guadalajara, Mexico

22. Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria

23. Kakheti, Georgia

24. Nîmes, France

25. Ha Giang, Vietnam

26. Salalah, Oman

28. Odense, Denmark

29. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,  Australia

30. Boquete, Panama

31. Tarragona, Spain

32. Charleston, South Carolina

33. Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

34. Burgundy Beer Trail,  France

35. Istanbul , Turkey

36. Taipei , Taiwan

37. El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia

38. Lausanne, Switzerland

39. Methana, Greece

40. Louisville , Kentucky

41. Manaus,  Brazil

42. Vilnius, Lithuania

43. Macon, Georgia

44. Madrid , Spain

45. Grand Junction, Colorado

46. La Guajira,  Colombia

47. Bergamo and Brescia,  Italy

48. American Prairie, Montana

49. Eastern Townships, Quebec

50. New Haven, Connecticut

51. The Black Hills, South Dakota

52. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

We’ll admit it’s a pretty great selection. You can read more about each place and why it was selected for the list here .

Have you seen our pick of underrated destinations to explore in 2023 ? Plus: How to save money, beat the crowds and travel better in 2023

Stay in the loop: sign up to our  free Time Out Travel newsletter  for the latest travel news and the best stuff happening across the world.   

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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The 42 Best Things to Do in New York City

Our selection of the best things to do in New York City has been compiled over several years, with the help of editors and contributors past and present. We all call this place home, or did at one point, and put in the time living like tourists to figure out just how exactly to make the most of its myriad pleasures. What is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty? Where can one get the most “New York” meal, whatever that means to you? How do you get off the beaten path to avoid ceaseless crowds and discover something nobody else is talking about? We've got the answers to all of these questions and more, with recommendations spanning all five boroughs. Read on for the best things to do in New York City.

Read our complete New York City travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Andrea Whittle.

Balthazar Arrow

Keith McNally's flagship restaurant—this is also the master behind such atmospheric Manhattan mainstays as Pastis, the Odeon, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, each also worth a visit if I may suggest a “Keith McNally crawl”—is a high-ceilinged, brasserie-inspired scene to end all scenes. Martinis are omnipresent at the bar and in deep red-leather booths. So are steak frites smothered in peppercorn sauce. But the asset that's fabulous with the greatest diversity are the patrons—like if that New York magazine cover all convened to share a meal. Alison Roman once told Interview : “The food is so bad, it’s too expensive, I love going there.” She's being facetious for comedic effect—the food is just fine, but it is true that you're really going there to go there. With your expectations duly measured, enjoy an uncomplicated onion soup gratine and some yummy, well-buttered escargot for starters before moving on to the steak frites main event. For dessert, there's nowhere worth going more than the perfect profiteroles, poured with warm chocolate sauce tableside.

Arthur Avenue

Almost every awning along the stretch of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue between D'Auria-Murphy Triangle and Ciccarone Park marks an Italian name possessing something—a pizzeria, a restaurant, a bakery. But just because it's all Italian, all the time along these two blocks doesn't mean all aren't welcome to come and patronize these establishments. It's some of the absolute best Italian food in New York City lined up for your convenience, bustling with life and good eats. Executive editor Erin Florio's relatives still do their Sunday shopping in the market, which she describes as "dusty but great." Poking around and picking a few things up there is really where it's at—bright seasonal produce, sausages of all stripes dangling from the ceiling, fresh-baked bread and vinegar-y imports from the old country line the walls in cans and jars. It's true one-stop shopping.

Film Forum Arrow

This is the last independent, nonprofit cinema in New York City. Little has changed about this humble, unpretentious theater since it first opened in 1970 as a screening space for independent films—there's the big marquee outside, lighting up an otherwise quiet stretch of West Houston; a ticket booth with microphone and glass partition; and a red carpet underfoot. It's retro without feeling dated, a warm place out of time. Behind the concessions counter, by the way, are some very nice people selling some very good espresso and baked goods (try the cakes carrot and orange bundt) in addition to regular sodas and candies. From new and obscure cinema made outside the US to a dazzling assortment of global classics that has most recently included Midnight Cowboy and Le Samourai , you can rest assured that every last thing on the marquee is worth a few hours of your time.

Central Park Arrow

To get that Nora Ephron New York experience, you have no choice but to take a stroll through Central Park while in the city. As you step off the crowded sidewalks of 59th Street into a mass of green, you’ll hardly realize what lies before you: 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and  hillsides. If you ambled down every one of Central Park’s pathways, you would walk 58 miles. Along the way, you pass sculptures, bridges, and arches, plus 21 playgrounds, a winter ice-skating rink, even a zoo . But you’d hardly notice the four major crosstown thoroughfares, which cleverly disappear into foliage-covered tunnels. Map your park route to stop at classic Central Park landmarks, like the Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.

Chinatown Arrow

 Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods that makes lower Manhattan vibrant and unforgettable. After surfacing from the steps of the Canal Street subway station onto the sidewalk, meandering past thick crowds, neon light shops, and vendors peddling fake designer bags, you’ll find yourself in the narrow streets of Chinatown, where there are bright heaps of produce, succulent ducks hanging in windows, and restaurants old and new. Touching Tribeca, SoHo, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, Chinatown has a rich history and began being populated by Chinese immigrants as early as the 1850s. You can visit in whichever way makes sense for you. Whether you spend an hour devouring a box of roast pork or duck from street-style Wah Fung No. 1 before you have to proceed elsewhere, or you spend half a day shopping for produce, dining out, and paying a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America , everyone will gain something from a visit to Chinatown.

Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883—extending 1,595 feet across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights—it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now, it’s a historic staple of the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic underneath and touristic foot traffic above . Standing before arches and rectangles with city skyscrapers rising in the distance, will at once inspire a sense of grandiosity and slightness.

The Noguchi Museum Arrow

This intimate, meditative museum in Long Island City was conceived and built by Isamu Noguchi himself. Here, his mostly abstract sculptures and often-copied paper lamps are displayed across two levels of exhibition space and throughout a quiet, ivy-covered walled garden. Even if you're not familiar with Noguchi's work, you've probably come across one of his Akari light sculptures—geometric or globular lamps made of washi paper and bamboo that glow softly from within—which have become something of a modern design trope since he started designing them in the early 1950s.

Yankee Stadium Arrow

A spring or summer day spent cheering at an NYC ballpark is a classic activity for a reason. Located in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium is the home field of New York’s 27-time World Champions. It’s a half-hour subway ride from Penn Station and approximately a 20-minute subway ride from Grand Central Terminal, making it easily accessible from Manhattan. It replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost $1.5 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums. It seats 50,287 fans. New York Yankees games, obviously, are the main event here, but you can also attend concerts, college football, and soccer matches.

Jewish Brooklyn: Tours of Hasidic Brooklyn Arrow

The pockets of Brooklyn inhabited predominately by the Hasidic are not often explored on the average Big Apple itinerary. There are two guided tours you can take of Hasidic Brooklyn: Frieda Vizel's of conservative Williamsburg and the Friedman family's of the slightly-more-flexible Crown Heights (none yet open us to the cosmopolitan Borough Park.) The former rendezvouses in the bus plaza just below the Williamsburg Bridge, the latter around the dining room table of a family home. From there, you're off to the races learning from people who know and love their subject deeply. You'll also sample kosher sweets and stop at the deli, dip into a toy store or wigmaker, and meet quite a few friendly faces. Both are excellent ways to immerse yourself, for a few hours, in the culture of some of Brooklyn’s more enigmatic inhabitants.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine Arrow

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 112th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights is the largest cathedral in the world and the sixth-largest church by area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk through these doors annually for a reason. The cathedral itself—and its remarkable Gothic architecture, story-telling stained glass windows, and 17th century tapestries—is already worth visiting. But there is artwork that is especially meaningful to New York City here as well, including Keith Haring's white gold and bronze altarpiece and a 9/11 memorial sculpture by Meredith Bergmann, which holds debris of the towers in it. The cathedral holds daily and Sunday worship services, which welcome all. There is no charge to pray, meditate, or contemplate in the cathedral. Visitors who show for sightseeing purposes can enter for $15 admission. Special tours are offered depending on the day of the week.

Staten Island Ferry

One of the first things associate editor Hannah Towey did when she moved to New York City was board the (free! bright orange!) Staten Island Ferry by Battery Park at Manhattan's bottom, watch the sunset over the water on her way to that far-flung borough, and then turn around and get right back on for the return to Manhattan. Forget the outrageously expensive Statue of Liberty cruises and the discomfort of the official ferry (although Ellis Island, unfortunately the next stop on the same trip, is worth a visit)—here you see plenty of Lady Liberty, Governor's Island, and the skyline without opening your purse. It's a dreamy 25 minutes each way, passed easily watching the myriad terns dip into the ship's wake. This is not to say you shouldn't spend a few hours on Staten Island if you have the time—the Botanical Garden is as gorgeous as it is free, and the food is impeccable with abundant Sri Lankan options (try New Asha, although you can't go wrong anywhere) and excellent Italian at Enoteca Maria for nonnas and their appreciators.

The Morgan Library & Museum Arrow

The Morgan is like a multi-hyphenate millennial—only instead of actress/model/influencer/whatever, it’s museum/library/landmark/historic site/music venue. Inside the multimillionaire’s personal library, expanded into a must-see museum and cultural space, you'll find rare artifacts, paintings, and books, some dating back to 4000 B.C. that are worth more than your house. In particular the museum is home to one of 23 copies of the original Declaration of Independence; Mozart's handwritten score of the Haffner Symphony; the collected works of African American poet Phillis Wheatley; the only extant manuscript of Milton's  Paradise Lost ; and Charles Dickens’s manuscript of  A Christmas Carol . Swoon.

MoMA PS1 Arrow

The sister institution to MoMA   is no ordinary art museum. Located in a striking Renaissance Revival former public school building in Long Island City, Queens, MoMA PS1’s setting is just as interesting as its collection. All manner of cutting-edge contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, from the likes of James Turrell and Ai Weiwei. The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration.

For locals and first-time visitors alike, seeing a Broadway show is a special experience, and one that is exclusive to New York City. Times Square is ordinarily a drag, but when you’re moseying into Midtown Manhattan for a show the bright billboards and lights don’t flash in your face—they dazzle in your eyes. A Broadway show's costumes, sets, songs, and stories are the stuff of dreams. Shows that could very well run forever include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton , but there's also an ever-rotating selection of revivals and debuts worth checking out. And that's not to mention the more daring fare happening downtown at theaters like the Public, Off-Broadway.

Bemelmans Bar Arrow

At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations—you might remember them from the Madeline books—adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park ; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive—it’s clear why you’re here—so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

New York Botanical Garden Arrow

The New York Botanical Garden has carefully manicured flower gardens, lush fields, winding hikes, and impeccable greenhouses. There are spaces that feel deeply intimate, as if you're truly separated from the world, and there are vast expanses where it's hard to believe you're still in the Bronx . In winter, the greenhouses host an annual train show recreating all of New York City in miniature; the warmer months bring every floral delight imaginable, from cherry trees to peonies. Plan to spend at least half a day here and pack a picnic.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

It’s one thing to be in the midst of Manhattan, on the ground; it’s quite another to look upon it from across the river. In Brooklyn Heights, a couple subway stops away from lower Manhattan, the city’s image looms large before you. Arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, the Brooklyn Heights promenade hovers above the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway. Underlying the peaceful, tree-lined walkway, traffic rumbles below. The promenade stretches from Remsen Street at the south end to Middagh Street at the north. Around the corner, pedestrians can discretely cross a basketball court to access a suspended footbridge that zigzags down to the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park. While in the picturesque neighborhood, make stops at the New York Transit Museum, the Sardinian trattoria River Deli, and the old-time dive bar Montero.

Grand Central Terminal Arrow

Grand Central Terminal is more than just one of the busiest train stations in the world—it's a window into old New York and into a time when train travel was the ultimate luxury for the wealthy and a necessity for the working man. If you aren't commuting in or out of the city, avoid coming during rush hour, and take your time admiring the landmark architecture and checking out the top-notch dining and shopping.

9/11 Memorial and Museum Arrow

Every American should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at least once. As you enter the museum, you descend from the street to bedrock level—the foundation of the former Twin Towers—and are placed in a meditative mindset, forced to recall where you were on that fateful day. The museum itself is a masterful balance: It's grand in scale, contemplative in its construction, and personal in its execution. It pays homage to the enormity of the loss, both physical and spiritual. 

The Cloisters Arrow

Located on four acres in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the Met Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The building overlooks the Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval-inspired cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic, contextualized backdrop in which to view the art.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Arrow

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the MoMA is larger than it appears as you approach it from the street below. One of the world’s most influential museums—displaying the works of important artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, and Diane Arbus—it has 630,000 square feet of space and attracts more than a million visitors a year. While making a beeline for the fifth-floor Collection Galleries to take in The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies is understandable, don’t miss the exhibitions, which tell new stories and can only be experienced in a limited time frame. Allocate time to spend pouring over the remarkable books and objects in the famous gift shop, too—an NYC must-visit in its own right.

Apollo Theater Arrow

Countless careers have been made and stars have passed through this world famous, legendary Harlem theater—Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo to name a few. The venue—which began as a white-only burlesque destination until 1934, when under new ownership it began welcoming and becoming central to the Black community—has been active for 88 years, with swing, blues, jazz, R&B, and comedy acts taking the stage. Today, visitors can attend events like Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of the city’s most long-standing, fame-making live shows. Capacity is 1,500, with three levels of seating, and contrary to the way it appears on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' is intimate without much legroom.

Prospect Park Arrow

Prospect Park is in many ways the Central Park of Brooklyn; in fact, it was designed shortly after by the same team of architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has many of the same features: sprawling meadows, walking trails, and picturesque bodies of water. In feeling though, it’s more rambling and less manicured than its touristed Manhattan counterpart. Prospect Park Woodlands is Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, with 250 acres of trees, turtles, chipmunks, 200 species of birds, and other fauna and flora. There's also basketball and tennis courts, a carousel, playgrounds, zoo, and a 3.35-mile loop for runners and bikers (they’re fast —watch out!). While there, make a trip to adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden , particularly lovely during cherry blossom season.

Coney Island Arrow

Coney Island has a reputation as a circus-worthy tourist trap, which is exactly what it is. But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town. You’ll definitely be impressed by the food and drinks—Totonno's Pizza, Gargiulo's and Coney Island Brewery in particular. Locals and tourists hang out on the beach, eat ice cream cones on the promenade, and stand in line for the famed Cyclone roller coaster. The beach and boardwalk along with spots like Nathan’s are open year-round. The amusement park itself is seasonal. Events like the annual Mermaid Parade (crowded as they may be) are worth watching for the audacity and theatrics you can’t find anywhere else in the world but Coney Island.

Lincoln Center Arrow

World-renowned performing arts center Lincoln Center is always worth visiting when the opportunity arises, and in October 2022, David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, reopened after a major renovation that improved the venue’s acoustics and spiffed it up with a modern look. The sprawling Upper West Side complex is also home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. All kinds of music, dance, theater, and films show here; some highlights from the upcoming calendar include the rapturously energetic New York Film Festival (catch the latest films long before they hit theaters, embedded in one of the reactive audiences on this Earth), the operas like The Life and Times of Malcom X and La Boheme , and ballets like The Nutcracker . Whether you’re on a special date or reconnecting with old friend when you’re in town, seeing a live performance at Lincoln Center will always make for an elegant and memorable night out.

Washington Square Park Arrow

If people-watching is your sport, Washington Square Park is your place. Entertainment is a given in this intimate, not-quite 10-acre space, filled with career chess players, musicians, performers, students, sunbathers, strollers, and general throngs of Greenwich Villagers, desperate for a bit of fresh air. Take your time as you go through: Pause beneath Washington Arch, honoring our country’s first president (for whom the Park is named), and observe the laurel wreaths and intricate motifs that extend from the base to the keystones, atop which twin eagles perch like constant watchmen. Washington Square Park is the beating heart of this vibrant New York neighborhood.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Arrow

For nearly a century and a half, the Met has remained the cultural epicenter of New York City, thanks to forward-thinking exhibits and an extensive permanent collection. With its Gothic-Revival-style building, iconic tiered steps, and Central Park location, the building is a sight to be seen. But step inside its Great Hall—as a ceaseless parade of museumgoers move to-and-fro—and you’ll feel the overwhelming sense of possibility and discovery that lays beyond. If you've got limited time or compatriots with limited attention spans, start with the Temple of Dendur, a 2,000-year-old soaring Egyptian temple (the only complete one in the Western Hemisphere)

Blue Note Jazz Club Arrow

Blue Note has been one of the best jazz clubs in New York, and the world, since the 1980s. It offers music every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30, and on Friday and Saturday nights has a late night series at 12:30 a.m., which showcases emerging talent. If you're looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Over the years, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Tables are intimate, close-set, and all-ages (with the bar being 21-plus).

Union Square Greenmarket Arrow

Union Square is a place of the people, not unlike the agoras of ancient Athens—and no offering of Union Square showcases this quality quite like the bustling Greenmarket. From upstate New York, the Berkshires , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, vendors sell artisan bread, honey, fresh-cut flowers, heritage meats, pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables both common and uncommon, and much more. Don't miss the free events, like book signings and more: Cooking demos take place at the Market Information tent daily, beer and spirits pop-ups show seasonally, and the education station offers tours and tastings.

Rockefeller Center Arrow

Rockefeller Center sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan, both in terms of its physical location and its prominent place in the city's folklore and culture. Whether you want to check out a performance on the plaza outside the TODAY show, visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, you're in for an iconic, family-friendly experience. If you buy a ticket to Top of the Rock, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city below. No matter where you are, you're bound to be constantly pointing and shouting “hey, look at that!”

Comedy Cellar Arrow

None of the promoters on MacDougal Street shouting “stand-up comedy tonight!” are trying to get you into the Comedy Cellar, where the show is already sold out. Blockbuster stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy made their names at the Cellar; if you're lucky, one may show up the night you're there. Seating is intimate and close together, and there is a two-item minimum on food or drinks. It's 21-plus and vaccine-mandatory; be prepared to surrender your phone at the door, too. There's no bad seat in the house, but sit in the front at your own risk of getting (playfully) heckled by the host or a comic.

American Museum of Natural History Arrow

Truly one of the world's great natural history museums, the American Museum of Natural History spans four city blocks just across from Central Park . All aspects of the natural world are represented here, from a vast collection of taxidermy mammals, to depictions of the life of Native American tribes, to an entire hall dedicated to marine life—including a life-size model of a blue whale. The crown jewel is the dinosaur floor, with an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that dominates the room. The newest attraction comes in the form of the long-awaited Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation , which opened in May of 2023 and, among many other things, boasts a comprehensive insectarium and vivarium. Breathtaking architecture from New York-based Jeanne Gang doesn't hurt, either.

The Strand Book Store Arrow

With its towering stacks, filled with more than 2.5 million titles, this 94-year-old bookstore is less neighborhood haunt and more globally recognized institution. You could call the Strand's employees tour guides, considering their deft ability to find the exact title you're looking for and recommend a book you may not have otherwise plucked from the shelves. The store will make you question why you don’t read more; and chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.

Bronx Zoo Arrow

With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're traveling with kids. Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better.

Governors Island Arrow

Located in New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, walking onto quirky, car-free, brick-covered, 173-acre Governors Island feels like being transported to an alternate universe from the city—but in reality it's a quick, affordable ferry ride away. One-way fare is $4 and boats are serviced from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building every day, as well as from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook on the weekends. In the past couple of years, Governors Island has become an even more popular city destination, and has welcomed a slew of new luxury businesses. One is special in particular: Collective, the only place you can stay overnight on the island. Collective is a glamping experience, offering plush beds inside the tents, morning yoga, sunset cocktails, and iconic skyline views—Lady Liberty included, herself. Which is all to say, you’re by no means roughing it here. On the menu at their restaurant, you’ll find grilled seafood, gorgeous spreads of pastries, and more. Another luxury experience new to the island is QC NY Spa, with top-grade saunas and a skyline view-filled pool.

Elsewhere Arrow

Located in Brooklyn on a hip stretch of Bushwick’s Jefferson Avenue, Elsewhere—a vast, three-story nightclub and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop—has become one of the city’s best nightlife destinations. Spinning disco balls and kaleidoscopic lights set the scene. A somewhat recent staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Elsewhere is a converted warehouse that opened in 2017. Blocks away from similar venues like Avant Gardener and House of Yes, Elsewhere stands out for its inclusivity, its intimate vibe in spite of its size, and for lifting up smaller, up-and-coming acts.

Rockaway Beach Arrow

One of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper, Rockaway is a sandy, sprawling stretch of surf located in Queens on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a 5.5-mile boardwalk of delicious concessions. A summery way to get there in style? Take the ferry from Wall Street or Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and let the wind blow through your hair as you take in the city views, sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and past Coney Island on the way. From just about everywhere else in the city, you can also get there via the A train. Each stretch has a different crowd and personality: Beach 90-106 is the busiest section, with the most food and drink options; Beaches 67-69 as well as 90-92 are the surfing zones; between Beach 153 and Beach 169 you’ll find Jacob Riis Park, which is popular with young people and is a summer gathering place for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg Arrow

Sip iced coffee in McCarren Park, catch an indie show at Baby's All Right, walk two blocks over to some of the city's most-coveted Italian at Lilia (with a month-in-advance res, of course.) This is the busiest thoroughfare in hip Williamsburg: Bedford Avenue—and the L train that feeds it—might as well be North Brooklyn’s own personal people-watching catwalk. Pedestrians with voluminous pants, dogs with miniature rain boots, and high-speed scooters will swish past you. As you make your way south from the subway station, likely en route from the East Village, you’ll pass local businesses that characterize the area, like Catbird (ethereal, vintage-inspired jewelry), Spoonbill & Sugartown Books (poetry, special design and cookbooks, cards), and Awoke Vintage (best-known for their genuine denim often from the ‘90s.)

Empire State Building Arrow

Though many across town are trying, there's still no better way to enjoy Manhattan's cityscape than from the top of the Empire State Building. The 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world for 40 years, and though it's been outgrown by dozens of projects across three other continents, it's just the classic viewing point. There are, of course, always long lines to buy tickets, but that's nothing a little planning and purchasing in advance can't solve. It's also still a functioning office building with a bustling Art Deco lobby, so the people watching on the way up is excellent.

Tenement Museum Arrow

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is, as the name implies, a historic tenement house (two, if you want to get technical). On a tour of the tenements, you’ll hear personal histories of the working-class individuals who lived there and see how they made do with cramped quarters to build new lives in America. On a neighborhood walking tour—the other way to visit the museum—you’ll learn about the evolution of the Lower East Side and how its thriving immigrant population made it the most densely populated area in the country during the 1900s.

Industry City Arrow

This stretch of waterfront has been a hub of Brooklyn manufacturing since Irving T. Bush first developed his family's rail-marine terminal (then called Bush Terminal) in the mid-1890s to add warehouse structures. The sprawling campus that stands today in the quiet Sunset Park neighborhood is Industry City, the ripe and succulent fruit of decades' worth of redevelopment efforts. The idea here is one-stop shopping: Pick up a coffee from one proprieter and sip it while flitting through the Makers’ Guild’s wonderful artisan shops. There's also a slate of full-service restaurants and outdoor spaces—manicured lawns on-par with what you'd expect from those in a private, luxury apartment building.

Russian Turkish Baths Arrow

This is a really nice place to hang out for half a day—beneath the churning East Village, sweating it out in a no-frills den of functionality. Up a steep, nondescript stoop in that neighborhood and through a heavy door and you’re in, leaving your wallet in a safety deposit box in exchange for a locker room key and then down another stair to the subterranean saunas and steam rooms. They’ve got ‘em all here, from the red hot Russian room (where they also perform the platza venik treatment) to a more bearable Turkish, with a cold plunge and showers for in-between regulation. There’s also a bountiful food menu serving up such classics as borscht and beef stew to keep you nurtured.

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You Won’t Want to Miss August’s Rare Super Blue Moon. Here’s How and When You Can See It

O n the heels of  the exciting Perseid meteor shower, the public will be graced with another thrilling night sky moment.

On Monday evening, you’ll have more of a reason than usual to gaze up at the sky, as August’s rare super blue moon will take center stage for the pleasure of photographers, astronomers, and casual viewers.

Here's what to know about the celestial event:

What is a super blue moon?

A super blue moon is simultaneously a full moon, blue moon, and a super moon.

The first of these three is pretty well known to us: a phase in the lunar cycle in which the Earth, sun, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, so the moon is fully illuminated on Earth.

A blue moon is not about the color of the moon, but instead the frequency of the full moon. There are two definitions of a blue moon—the first describes when there are two full moons in a single month. Since the moon’s cycle is 29.5 days, and our average calendar month is 30-31 days, it is incredibly rare to have two full moons in one single month, but it is possible, happening every two to three years, according to NASA. Around 3% of full moons are blue moons.

There are also seasonal blue moons, in which a calendar season contains four full moons instead of the usual three, and the blue moon is the third of the four full moons. August’s full moon is of this variety. The next seasonal blue moon is expected in May 2027.

The super moon part refers to the moon's orbit, which brings it slightly closer to Earth this month, making it appear bigger and brighter. This occurs since the moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical instead of just a circle, and thus there are times when the moon is further and closer to our planet.

During the moon’s closest approach to Earth, it can appear approximately 14% larger and shine 30% brighter than when at its farthest point in the orbit. This will be the first of four consecutive super moons this year, and it is less rare than the blue moon, occurring three or four times a year.

August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon moon , dubbed by the Algonquin Native American tribe living in the Great Lakes area and throughout what is now known as the northeastern United States. They named the full moon after sturgeons—a type of large fish—which were most plentiful in the lakes during the month of August.

How and when can you see August’s super blue moon?  

The full moon's peak will occur on Monday afternoon, according to NASA , at 2:26 p.m. EDT and 11:26 a.m. PT. It will appear for three days, from Sunday morning until early Wednesday morning.

Though the moon will be visible to the naked eye, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., says that telescope and binocular viewers will be able to see even more detail on the lunar surface than usual.

How rare is a super blue moon? 

According to NASA, the combination of the super moon and the blue moon is rare, and the time between their occurrences is quite “irregular” and could be as much as 20 years, with 10 years between the average.

Though we had a super blue moon somewhat recently, in August 2023, NASA predicts the next super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037. All the more reason to make sure you don’t miss 2024’s offering.

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• Nation & World

Volcano erupts near fishing town in Iceland

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Thursday, spewing ashes and lava, the sixth such eruption since December, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

The flare-up of the volcano, part of the Svartsengi volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marks a continuation of intense geological activity in a region where eight volcanic blasts have been recorded since 2021, several of which occurred this year. Before 2021, the volcanoes on the Reykjanes Peninsula had been dormant for about 800 years.

The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa and a popular tourist destination near the site of the eruption, announced that it had evacuated its guests and that it would be closed Friday as a “precautionary measure.” Grindavik, a nearby fishing town of nearly 4,000 people, has been largely empty of its residents since January, after volcanic activity started threatening the area.

The eruption occurred in a part of a newly active volcanic zone in Iceland that had been dormant for eight centuries before activity that started in December, with its most recent eruption starting in May.

Scientists said they expected the zone to continue producing magma and generating eruptions every few months for years, possibly decades.

“With every eruption, we see new unforeseen events,” said Matthew J. Roberts, the managing director of the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which tracks volcanic activity in addition to weather patterns.

There are significant dangers during the early stages of an eruption, particularly in the first hour, when intense pressure sends magma to the surface, Roberts said. “This is when we see the highest flow rates and the greatest danger to infrastructure and human life if anyone happens to be in the area,” he said.

About 10 to 30 residents had remained in Grindavik after evacuations, though residents who own homes in the town were legally allowed to visit and stay, despite strict police controls for access to the threatened area. The town is equipped with a siren system that could be activated within seconds of a civil protection warning, Roberts said.

Authorities were concerned that with each successive eruption it would become increasingly harder to contain the lava. A series of barriers, constructed from boulders the size of small cars, had been put in place to hold back lava.

Those “rings of protection,” as Roberts called them, encircled the town of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon. But those barriers were nearing the point where there would be no more space to keep the lava contained, potentially leading to its overflow. “When that happens,” Roberts said, “it’s very difficult to control.”

High-capacity water pumps were installed to spray water onto the lava in places where the levees might be overtopped. During an eruption in late May, the lava flow crossed a main road and threatened to reach a critical pipeline that transports hot water from the Svartsengi power plant to nearby towns.

While the site of this latest eruption is isolated from other towns and infrastructure, volcanic activity in the coming years could shift and endanger populated areas, Roberts said.

So far, most of Iceland’s attractions and urban centers remained unaffected by the eruptions, allowing the country to safely welcome visitors while offering some explorers a rare glimpse of nature’s raw power. Air travel to and from Iceland was not expected to be disrupted, according to Iceland Air’s website.

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Written by An NYC Local

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20 Epic Things to Do in Times Square (Perfect for First Time Visitors)

By Antonina | Updated: July 31, 2024 | Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for things to do in Times Square, you’ve come to the right place. As a tourist turned local (I now love living in NYC !), I totally understand the allure of this much-hyped New York City destination.

Visiting Times Square is an absolute must for first-time visitors to the big apple . But are there any real activities to actually do in Times Square other than looking at the illuminated billboards? Yes, plenty! Here’s my own list of the ones people seem to love based on first-hand experience.

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid) . Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

• Tips for Exploring Times Square
• Avoid people in costumes: The folks dressed up in character costumes can be rather aggressive. They try to pull people in for photos and then demand payment. Avoid getting caught up in this scheme by avoiding eye contact and be assertive in saying “no”.
• Visit Times Square at night : Times Square swells with tourists all hours of the day, but especially at night. While you’ll find yourself sympathizing with sardines in no time, seeing the bright lights in person at night is magical. Also, brace yourself for whiffs of marijuana smoke – comes with the territory.
• Expect crowds: New York City averages more than 63 million visitors per year, and the holidays are the busiest season. There’s  a lot  of people wanting to see the same attractions, eat at the same restaurants and do the same things as you. Be patient and start your days early if at all possible!
• Set expectations: The influence of Hollywood has contributed to an overly romanticized perception of Times Square. In fact, if you’ve every been to “Hollywood” in Los Angeles, the vibe here is almost identical. Most folks I take here end up telling me they expected something different (ha!).
• Locals: Many tourists don’t realize that most NYC locals try to avoid Times Square like the plague because it’s just so busy, overwhelming, and overpriced, even by New York standards!

Best Things to Do in Times Square

Table of contents: fun things to do in times square nyc, snag a photo on the iconic red steps, visit the drama book shop, customize your own chocolate at m&m’s world, get tacos at los tacos no.1, catch a broadway show, grab a cream puff from bibble & sip, enjoy a treat from hershey’s chocolate world, visit the yankee clubhouse shop, grab a coffee from ten thousand coffee, check out urbanspace (food hall), grab a slice of cheesecake from junior’s, take in the views from a rooftop bar, sign up for a live tv show taping, sing along to jimmy buffet margaritaville, shop your way through times square, try your luck at the broadway tickets lottery, people-watch at times square, grab drinks at r lounge in the renaissance hotel, take a selfie with your favorite celebrity at madame tussades, bryant park, the new york public library, grand central terminal, rockefeller center & top of the rock, also worth visiting near times square, more on midtown, iconic spots in nyc everyone needs to try, map of popular things to do in times square.

• Address: Broadway at, W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

When you’re in Times Square thinking to yourself, hmm, where should I take a selfie? I want you to do yourself a favor and head to the TKTS ticket booth (more on this below). The booth sells discount tickets to Broadway shows, but the back of the building has been transformed into an iconic red staircase and visiting has quickly become one of the most popular things to do in Times Square. 

From the stairs you have a direct and often unobstructed view of all the flashing lights along with the crowds of people below. Snapping a photo on the red stairs is one of the best ways to memorialize your visit to Times Square.

• Website:  Drama Book Shop
• Address: 266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

Any Hamilton fans in the house? Great, hold that thought. The Drama Bookshop has long been a Times Square staple, vital to the New York theater scene. In fact, over the course of its 100+ year history it’s served as an invaluable resource for theatrical works to some of Broadways greats with over 8,000 plays in stock.

Back to Hamilton – what has made the beloved bookstore more popular than ever is it’s latest owner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who purchased it in 2020. Miranda, along with other Broadway peers, used the basement of the previous location to rehearse “In the Heights”, the musical that helped launch Miranda to stardom. 

Speaking for myself, a visit to the serene Drama Book Shop is always a welcome respite from the bedlam of Times Square commotion. Inside you’ll find a quiet space with reading couches, a small coffee shop, and a world of books.

Regardless of whether you’re visiting to unleash your inner bookworm or just a fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda, swinging by this charming bookstore is a worthwhile add to your list things to do in Times Square.

• Website:  M&M’s World NYC
• Address: 1600 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

If you’re looking for fun Times Square activities for the family then be sure to check out M&M’s World where you can create your own customized candy. This interactive three-story store offers a range of goodies, from apparel to chocolate personalized with your face. It’s not only a memorable Times Square activity (especially for kids) but also a great spot to pick up some edible souvenirs.

• Website:  Los Tacos No.1
• Address: 229 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

One of the top spots in Times Square (and a personal favorite of mine) for food is Los Tacos No. 1, a renowned taqueria founded by Tijuana and California natives who aimed to bring authentic Mexican flavor to Manhattan.

Despite the initial shock of $5+ per taco, the juicy and tender meat quickly justifies the price, making it a great quick bite in Times Square (Los Tacos is actually one of the best cheap eats in all of NYC ). With a simple menu honoring traditional flavors, even my Mexican in-laws agree – it’s one of the best things to do in the area!

If you’re budget allows, I cannot more highly recommend adding a Broadway show to your list of things to do in Times Square. The amount of effort that goes into all of these shows is unparalleled and something that everyone should experience. I’ve been to more than a dozen shows and have yet to leave one feeling like it wasn’t worth it.

Believe it or not, there are 41 official Broadway theaters in NYC, with most of them being concentrated around Times Square (which happens to be situated within the Theater District) and at any given time, more than half of them are operational. This means there’s always plenty of plays and showtimes to choose from. Admittedly, Broadway Shows can be quite expensive, but, as anyone who attends one will tell you, the experience is easily the most memorable thing you can do in Times Square.

One thing to note is that many of the shows offer lotteries, through which they’ll sell very discounted tickets to randomly selected winners. I’ve got more tips on how to score discount Broadway tickets here.

• Website:  Bible & Sip
• Address: 253 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

This fusion of French confectionery with Asian inspired flavors at Bibble & Sip is downright delicious . This unexpected Times Square pit stop serves playfully decorated desserts that are too cute (and tasty) to pass up. If you’re anything like me you’ll have a hard time picking just one treat to take home.

Of the ones I’ve tried so far, the cream puff stands is the one that warrants an addition to your list of things to do in Times Square.

Further reading: Curious what else we recommend for sweet-toothed New Yorkers? Check out 15 Irresistible New York City Desserts Worth Pausing a Diet Over.

• Website:  Hershey’s Chocolate World
• Address: 20 Times Square, 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Spanning 7,800 square feet, getting lost at the Hershey’s Chocolate World is a not out of the question. The smell of this place instantly takes me back to fond childhood memories of roasting s’mores around a campfire. If you’re visiting Times Square with kids, this is a must-do.

Enjoy cookies, s’mores, cupcakes, and frozen goodies like Reese’s Peanut Butter milkshakes. This is one of the most popular attractions in Times Square for families. And with the ability to customize your own candy bar wrapper, it’s a great spot to pick up some souvenirs for loved ones back home.

• Website:  Yankee’s Clubhouse
• Address: 245 W 42nd St SP1, New York, NY 10036

If you’re traveling with a baseball fan then be sure to swing by the Yankee’s Clubhouse in Times Square. This is an official New York Yankees store selling authentic gear. Official jerseys, t-shirts, hats, balls, books, toys, jackets bobbleheads, hoodies, keychains, baseball cards, and even Yankees tickets – you get the idea.

Just be sure to prep yourself for steep prices, this is Times Square after all. You might not realize it but the Yankee Shop in Times Square is a mere 25-minute subway ride from Yankee Stadium itself!

• Website:  Ten Thousand Coffee
• Address: 1410 Broadway Unit 105, New York, NY 10018

Although Ten Thousand Coffee is relatively new to Times Square, they hold their own among the best coffee shops in New York City . This Australian-based cafe derives its name from the 10,000 hour rule – 10,000 hours of practice leads to expertise. After the first sip of coffee I can attest,  they’ve put in the time.

If you’re looking for a pick-me-up activity in Times Square, swing by and try the Einspänner and an Espresso Cream Latte.

• Website:  Urbanspace
• Address: 152 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
• Market Hours: Monday- Friday | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

It’s no secret that New York City has an abundance of great restaurants and delicious food. So much so that narrowing down your options can be tricky. Fortunately ,there’s a Times Square activity to the rescue. Urbanspace is a food hall filled to the brim with a variety of different eateries and only a 10 minute walk from the heart of Times Square.

To me, what makes Urbanspace an especially worthwhile Times Square activity is that you can mix and match with a group – grab fried chicken from one place and ramen from another. Even the two people in your party who can never agree will find something fun to try.

I highly recommend Roberta’s Pizza – my husband swears it’s the best pizza in NYC (bold claim, I know!). The dining hall also offers a full bar along with popular NYC spots like Seamore’s and Partners Coffee.

• Website:  Junior’s Cheesecake
• Address: 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

The same way you can’t go to Philly without trying a cheesesteak, they say you can’t come to Times and not try cheesecake. One in particular. Opening up shop in 1950, Junior’s Cheesecake is one of the most famous New York institutions. Their diner-style restaurants feels extra cozy and makes for one of the best things to do in Times Square for those with a sweet-tooth.

You can enjoy a single slice at a table or take a whole pie to go. While there are endless cheesecakes to choose from, I tend to gravitate towards anything with chocolate, while my husband sticks to the classics. All this to say – it’s hard to go wrong!

Given its status as a world-renowned tourist destination, most of the things to do in Times Square are inherently geared towards tourists. One of the few places to interact with locals in Times Square is to step away from the chaos and find some high ground to enjoy the scenery from a rooftop bar (with a a cocktail in hand, of course!).

Here’s a short list of rooftop options I recommend to friends and family looking for things to do in Times Square:

• Castell Rooftop : Cocktails cost between $16-$22.
• St. Cloud Rooftop : Cocktails cost $24+.
• Hard Rock Hotel : Cocktails cost between $17-$21.
• Beast & Butterflies : Cocktails cost between $15-$24.

If you’re looking for more unique things to do in Times Square consider being part of a live audience for a TV taping. Most shows available are late-night talk shows with guests changing nightly. The amount of work that goes into producing a single episode is astounding and seeing the hosts and celebrities up close is surreal.

I will say, having been to a few of these myself, you should be prepared to be treated similarly to a seal at the aquarium – being required to repeatedly clap on queue by the producers to receive strokes of “good job!”.

With that being said, the price is right! These shows are free to attend but require that you apply in advance. Here’s the shows you can attend that tape in and around Times Square with links to tickets:

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
• Today Show (NBC)
• Late Night with Seth Meyers Tickets (NBC)
• The Daily Show Tickets (Comedy Central)
• Saturday Night Live (NBC)

• Website:  Margaritaville
• Address: 560 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Whether you’re a Jimmy Buffet fan or not, Margaritaville is an experience and a half. Where else can you find a two-story replica of the Statue of Liberty raising a margarita (I’ll drink to that). While Jimmy insisted Margaritaville is a lifestyle – here that translates into a resort hotel with restaurants and bars. Good news is that you don’t have to be a guest to add this to your list of things to do in Times Square.

There are 5 different spots to grab a bite at Margaritaville, including its namesake restaurant and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. Expect classic American foods as well as plentiful adult beverages in a setting that can almost make you forget you’re in New York City. I frequently recommend this spot as one of the best happy hours in Times Square – where else can you get $8 margaritas in this city?

The heart of Times Square is essentially made up of three major components; giant TV screens, restaurants, and shops. You can’t walk more than a few steps before making it to the next store, so it only makes sense to add shopping to your list of things to do in Times Square (even if that just means window shopping!).

Here is a short list of stores you can find in Times Square:

• Levi’s
• American Eagle
• Disney Store
• A bajillion souvenir shops

Website:  TKTS Ticket Booth

The TKTS booth in Times Square (and Lincoln Center) is operated by a non-profit that strives to make theater more accessible by selling (legitimate) discounted same-day tickets to Broadway shows in NYC. Simply show up in person ( you can check availability in advance online ) to see which performances have last-minute tickets available.

Local’s Advice: Ticket availability is updated throughout the day, so I suggest downloading the TKTS App . While you can’t purchase tickets online (all sales must be done in-person), you’ll be notified whenever tickets becomes available, so you can get in line ASAP.

With over 50 million visitors annually, you can bet your bottom dollar Times Square has seen it all. People come from all over the world to experience the bright lights in person. With such a wide variety of humans and interactions, I’m convinced Times Square has to have some of the best people watching in the world.

You’ll hear all sorts languages completely unbeknownst to you and you’ll see folks in all seasons of life enamored and repelled by the sights, sounds, and smells.

• Website:  R Lounge at The Renaissance
• Address: 714 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Home to what has to be the best top down views of Times Square, visiting the R Lounge at the Renaissance Hotel has become one of the most popular things to do at Times Square. This upscale lounge is located at the north end of Times Square offering panoramic views of the pandemonium below.

The menu offers an array of casual eats like pretzels, burgers and even grilled cheese. Cocktails will cost you around $20 which is (unfortunately) typical for the city. Don’t let the price tag deter you though, enjoying the panoramic views is one of the most relaxing things to do in Times Square, and a small price to pay to stay above the fray.

If you’re curious to know what all the hoopla is about reservations are easy to make online . My suggestion is to make reservations for sunset.

• Website:  Madame Tussades
• Address: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

While encountering celebrities in NYC is not uncommon, there’s an unspoken rule to respect their privacy. For a chance to snap a picture with your favorite star without causing a scene, consider visiting Madame Tussauds in Times Square.

With ticket prices ranging from $40-$80, you’ll have access to nine floors of wildly realistic wax figures and over 80,000 sq. feet of interactive fun – a must-do in Times Square, so grab your tickets in advance. Here’s a short list (covering just a fraction) of the life-like celebrities you’ll find at Madame Tussades in Times Square:

• The Avengers
• The Royal Family
• Taylor Swift
• Selena Gomez
• Indiana Jones
• Marilyn Monroe
• The Kardashians
• Former presidents

More Things to Do Near Times Square

While Times Square is one of the most visited attractions in the world , people quickly realize it’s a tad over-romanticized and – dare I say – overrated (shocker, I know). That’s not to say it’s not worth the trip, because it’s too iconic of a place to be skipped and everyone should see it (in person) at least once.

With that said, Times Square is conveniently located in Midtown and within walking distance to other epic NYC sites. In that spirit, here’s a quick list of things to do near Times Square.

Located just one block from Times Square, Bryant Park is perfectly tucked into the shadow of towering office buildings that make up the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located right behind the breathtaking New York Public Library, it’s not uncommon to find all the chairs and benches full during sunny days.

It’s a hub for the folks that work in the office buildings nearby. The park benches swell with locals during the busy lunch hour most seasons of the year. My favorite season to visit Bryant Park is summer because of the free movies hosted on the lawn.

You’ll also notice library carts full of books, park visitors are encouraged to grab a novel and read under the shady trees at their leisure. There’s a friendly librarian on hand that keeps track of the books to ensure they don’t get swept up.

A quick ten minute walk from Times Square will take you to one of New York’s most treasured institutions. When it opened to the public in 1911, the New York Public Library was officially the largest marble building ever built in the country. No small task, considering it took 16 years to construct this monolithic structure. But the wait was worth it — more than 50,000 people showed up on opening day.

There are multiple rooms in the library you can peruse, even if you don’t have a NYPL card. Of course you’ll want to mindful of your noise level. There are folks working and studying in the reading rooms.

A 10 minute walk or 6 minute subway ride from Times Square will take you to one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. Stepping into one of the main entrances to Grand Central Terminal never fails stops me dead in my tracks every time. The Beaux Arts design transports visitors into an intricately detailed main hall that boasts a striking celestial ceiling.

It’s hard to believe that this 110-year-old train terminal still serves more than 750,000 visitors daily .

Over the years Grand Central Terminal has become synonymous with New York City itself. In fact, this the third most popular tourist attraction in New York City (after Central Park and Times Square).

While you’re at Grand Central Terminal don’t forget to get a close up view of the clock above the information booth in the center of the concourse . Valued at a whopping $20 million , the clock has been nicknamed “the jewel hidden in plain sight.”

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

The Rockefeller Center is a series of 19 commercial buildings in Midtown, Manhattan just off of Fifth Avenue and a mere ten minutes walking from Times Square. 30 Rockefeller Plaza is the crown jewel, and odds are you’ve seen it on TV and in the movies.

Remember the end-scene for Home Alone 2: Lost in New York? Or the ice-skating rink final battle in Marvel’s Hawkeye? Or any episode from the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon? They’re all filmed here!

Riddled with shops, restaurants, the city’s best observation deck , and a bustling plaza, most first time visitors will find one reason or another to visit.

The entirety of Rockefeller Center feels like NYC’s living room, made evident by the large groups of visitors that congregate here every day of the year, but especially so during Christmas to see the beloved Rockefeller Tree .

• 5th Ave: 15 minute walk from Times Square
• Empire State Building: 15 minute walk from Times Square

Times Square Attractions (Post Summary)

In summary, these are the things to do in Times Square:

• Eat at Los. Tacos No. 1
• Customize your own chocolate at M&M’s World
• Visit Madame Tussades
• Check out a Broadway Show
• Enjoy a treat from Hershey’s Chocolate World
• Grab a bite from R Lounge
• Grab a souvenir at Yankee’s Clubhouse
• Visit the Raising Cane’s flagship location
• Sip on cloud coffee from Ten Thousand Coffee
• Eat your way through Urbanspace
• Try Junior’s Cheesecake 
• Check out views from a rooftop bar
• Grab a cream puff from Bibble & Sip 
• Partake in a live show taping
• Get lost in the Drama Book Shop
• Grab a bite at Margaritaville 
• Shop your way through Times Square
• Snag a photo on the iconic red steps 
• People Watch 
• Explore near Times Square 

Times Square, is renowned for its dazzling lights, towering billboards, and vibrant atmosphere. Serving as the epicenter of New York City’s Theater District, it draws visitors from around the world with its iconic Broadway theaters and the unforgettable New Year’s Eve ball drop celebration. This bustling hub encapsulates the city’s energy, entertainment, and cultural allure.

Times Square is worth visiting for its electrifying atmosphere, iconic Broadway theaters showcasing world-class performances, and the mesmerizing display of lights and billboards that make it a symbol of New York City’s vibrant energy and entertainment. Whether day or night, the dynamic and bustling ambiance of Times Square offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.

Tourists love visiting Times Square for its captivating blend of dazzling lights, iconic theaters featuring Broadway shows, and the palpable excitement of one of the world’s most famous entertainment hubs. The vibrant atmosphere, diverse shopping options, and the chance to witness cultural events make Times Square a must-visit destination, offering a quintessential New York City experience.

Times Square has a significant police presence and extensive security measures in place, making it generally safe for visitors. The area’s popularity and constant foot traffic contribute to a well-monitored environment, ensuring a secure experience for those exploring this iconic New York City destination.

Times Square Happy Hours:   10 Tempting Happy Hours in Times Square  New Years Eve in Times Square:  2023 Guide to Celebrating New Years Eve in Times Square (Is it Worth it?)

Best Pizza in NYC:   15 Best Pizza Joints in New York City Iconic Restaurants in NYC:   10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try Mouthwatering Bagels in NYC:   15 BEST Bagels in New York City Unbelievable Brunch Spots in NYC:   18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait

Did you know you’re a short subway ride away from Central Park?

After you finish exploring all the fun things to do in Times Square, hop on the train and continue the adventure!

And there you have it, our list of things to do in Times Square! Let us know if you think we missed anything.

About Antonina

Hi there! I'm Antonina. Like so many folks, living in New York City was always a dream of mine. Now it's my reality! I started New York Dearest as a means to share my passion for NYC with locals and visitors alike.

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Watch CBS News

When and where to see August's rare supermoon blue moon

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: August 19, 2024 / 5:33 PM EDT / CBS News

August's supermoon blue moon , the first of 2024's four consecutive supermoons, will appear full from Sunday through Wednesday this week, giving astronomy fans a rare show when they look to the skies. 

The full moon had been expected to reach its peak on Monday, Aug. 19, at 2:26 p.m. EDT, and it will appear full for three days, NASA said. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for different ZIP codes across the U.S. 

When and how you can see the August supermoon blue moon peak?

While the full moon peaked on Monday afternoon, it first appeared full on Sunday morning, and will continue to appear full through early Wednesday morning.

Around 98% of the moon's nearside had been expected to be illuminated by the sun on Sunday, according to NASA. By Monday, 100% of the moon's nearside will be illuminated and about 99% of it will be illuminated by the sun on Tuesday.

You don't need binoculars or a telescope to enjoy the spectacular view.

What is a supermoon?

Supermoons occur when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth at the same time as the moon is full, according to NASA. The moon's distance from Earth varies between about 221,457 miles and 252,712 miles. 

During this month's supermoon peak, the moon will be around 225,288 miles from Earth. It will be even closer to Earth in September: roughly 222,005 miles. In October, the full moon will be about 222,095 miles from Earth. The last supermoon in the series — November's — will be when the moon is around 224,385 miles from Earth.

Supermoons appear bigger than the average full moon. It's similar to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel, according to NASA . They're also about 16% brighter than an average moon. 

How much bigger and brighter will the August supermoon appear than the average full moon?

While all supermoons appear bigger and brighter than the average full moon, there is some variance. According to NASA, the August full moon should appear 6.2% bigger and 12.8% brighter than the average full moon. 

The moon will appear even bigger and brighter the next month. September's full moon will look 7.5% bigger and 15.5% brighter than average, NASA said.

October's full moon, which will appear 7.6% bigger and 15.7% brighter than average, will be the biggest and brightest moon of the year, according to the space agency.

The November full moon will appear 6.2% bigger and 12.8% brighter than 2024's average full moon.

When are the next supermoons this year?

August's full moon is the first of four consecutive supermoons this year. The full moon in September will reach peak illumination on Tuesday, Sept. 17. It's known as the Harvest Moon.

The full moon the following month, known as the Hunter's Moon, peaks on Thursday, Oct. 17. The final supermoon will be November's Beaver Moon, which peaks on Friday, Nov. 15.

According to NASA, the full moons in September and October will be virtually tied for the closest full moons of the year.

Will the blue moon look blue?

August's full moon is not just a supermoon — it's also a blue moon. But those hoping to see a shade like cerulean, cobalt or navy blue when they check out the moon are out of luck. A blue moon has two meanings when it comes to astronomical phenomena, and neither one is related to color. 

A blue moon refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons, as is the case with this August's full moon, according to NASA. The term is also used to refer to the second full moon in a month that has two full moons. 

Does August's full moon have a special name?

August's full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac . The name comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, which was easily caught during this part of the summer. 

This month's full moon is also known as the Red Moon, Corn or Green Corn Moon, the Barley Moon, the Herb Moon, the Grain Moon and the Dog Moon, NASA notes.

Aliza Chasan is a Digital Content Producer for "60 Minutes" and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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The Travel Sisters

New york times 52 places to go in 2021.

by The Travel Sisters | Jan 7, 2021 | Travel Inspiration , Travel News | 1 comment

I love reading the annual travel lists compiled by various travel websites and newspapers on top travel destinations for the year.  While I don’t particularly care if a destination I travel to is considered a must see, I love reading these lists for inspiration on where to travel to and discovering places I might not have considered.

The New York Times list is one of my favorites. This year instead of their usual New York Times 52 Places to Go list they asked readers to tell them about the spots that have delighted, inspired and comforted them in a dark year and they have titled it “52 Places to Love in 2021.”

Update: Here is the newest list for 2024 .

Here are their picks for places to love in 2021:

1. South Wales, Wales 2. Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 3. Kaliya Dhrow, India 4. Isfahan, Iran 5. The Llanos, Colombia 6. Siwa Oasis, Egypt 7. Montana’s ‘Golden Triangle’ 8. The Camino de Santiago, Spain 9. Malpaís, Costa Rica 10. Dakar, Senegal 11. London’s St. James the Less Church, England 12. The Marrakesh Medina, Morocco 13. Nanda Devi Mountain, India 14. Laugavegur Trail, Iceland 15. Wadi Rum, Jordan 16. Aruba 17. Kaohsiung, Taiwan 18. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland 19. Lake Michigan 20. Niansogoni, Burkina Faso 21. Asunción, Paraguay 22. South London Parks, England 23. Beirut, Lebanon 24. Siberia, Russia 25. Andros, Greece 26. Romania 27. East Haddam, Conn. 28. Yarra Ranges National Park, Australia 29. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah 30. Huanchaco, Peru 31. Jimmy’s Beach, New South Wales, Australia 32. The University of Cambridge, England 33. Lahore, Pakistan 34. Svalbard, Norway 35. Alberta, Canada 36. Santa Rosa, Calif. 37. Haiti 38. Ladakh, India 39. Hokkaido, Japan 40. The Hudson River’s Tappan Zee, New York 41. Northern Arkansas 42. Tagaytay, Philippines 43. Milford Sound, New Zealand 44. Córdoba, Spain 45. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska 46. Con Dao, Vietnam 47. Northern Kyrgyzstan 48. Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa 49. Turku, Finland 50. The Rawah Wilderness, Colorado 51. The Methow Valley, Washington 52. The World

This list is definitely more off the beaten path than previous lists. Some of these are already on our travel wish list especially Svalbard, Norway and Hokkaido in Japan.

Click here for the  complete New York Times list .

To see the past lists from recent years here are the New York Times 52 Places to Go lists from 2015 , 2016 , 2017 ,  2018 ,  2019 and 2020 .

I especially like number 52–The World. That sure makes it impossible for anyone to claim they left my favorite destination off the list.

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New York City   Travel Guide

34 Best Things to Do in NYC

There are countless reasons to be mesmerized by New York, from its skyscrapers and monuments to its vibrant art, food, fashion and nightlife. Across the city, fresh perspectives are yours to be found; go for a stroll in Central Park or along the High

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
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• 3-Day Itinerary

Central Park Central Park free

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum serves as the primary tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the six lost in the 1993 bombing. The memorial's twin reflecting pools and human-made waterfalls rest as eerie footprints where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood. The 1-acre pools are enclosed in bronze panels on which the names of every victim are inscribed. The museum spans across 110,000 square feet and relays the narrative of the attacks through a series of multimedia displays, real-time recordings, authentic artifacts and interactive technology.

Recent visitors cited the overall atmosphere of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as sobering and moving. Many travelers say they were impressed with the site as a whole, noting its respectful and informational displays. Reviewers say you won't want to rush your time here, with some recommending that you budget three to four hours to see all of the exhibits.

Empire State Building Empire State Building

U.S. News Insider Tip: Watch out for "sunset peak" pricing, which adds an extra $10 per ticket for two hours around sunset each evening. But on a clear day, it just might be worth it. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

New York City Tourist 101 dictates that you must swing by this landmark structure in midtown Manhattan. And despite the hefty admission fees, the crowds and the long lines, recent visitors insist that you won't be sorry. In fact, taking a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is either the perfect way to begin or end your Big Apple excursion – on a clear day you'll be able to the see the city's major highlights some 1,250 feet beneath you. 

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Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Museum of Art

U.S. News Insider Tip: Come for the art, stay for the rooftop cocktails. A seasonal rooftop garden bar offers views over Central Park, which is especially coveted at sunset. The roof garden stays open into the evening on Friday and Saturday. – Jessica Colley Clarke

No museum in the United States is as celebrated as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spilling over with masterpieces from all over the world, including notable collections from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity, "the Met" is an art experience unlike any other, and like much in New York, it's impossible to see all the museum has to offer in one day (or even two days, for that matter). 

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of many travelers’ must-see lists. A feat of 19th-century technical engineering and a beacon for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, the statue can be admired from several different vantage points around Manhattan, including Battery Park and the High Line . But to truly appreciate its size and significance, you’ll want to visit the statue and Ellis Island while on your NYC vacation.

The only way to access the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is by using the official National Park Service ferry operator, Statue City Cruises. If you’re departing from the New York side, you’ll hop on a ferry at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. If you’re departing from the New Jersey side, you’ll depart from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge free

One of many signature landmarks of New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is also one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Its six lanes (and one pedestrian and bicycle walkway) span the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Walking across the bridge remains a tourist pastime.

Some visitors decide to skip the bridge in favor of other attractions, but if you're short on money, this truly is one of the best ways to experience the city and to get a unique view of either borough at no cost. Several reviewers warn that since there is no shade along the bridge, it can get quite hot in the summertime (though there are vendors selling bottles of water). Many also warned that it can get quite crowded, and advised visiting in the morning before 9 a.m. if you don't want to maneuver around crowds.

The High Line The High Line free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you walk from north to south, add on a visit to The Standard Biergarten or the vibrant Chelsea Market for great people-watching, food and drink. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Set on an abandoned rail track on Manhattan's West Side, this sprawling, nearly 1½-mile-long landscaped park stretches over three of the city's most lively neighborhoods: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. Standing 30 feet above street level, the High Line offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Manhattan's cityscape. But the vista isn't the only reason visitors and Manhattanites flock to this manicured green space. Here, you'll find continually changing public art installations, a handful of food vendors and a sprawling picnic and sunbathing area (known as the 23rd Street Lawn).

NYC Food Tours NYC Food Tours

Known for everything from cheap eats to authentic international fare to Michelin-starred restaurants, New York City is a culinary hot spot and undoubtedly one of the best foodie cities in America . However, chances are you won't have time to experience everything the city has to offer in just one trip. One way to get a taste of New York's excellent cuisine across a variety of neighborhoods is to take a food tour.

Whether you want to explore a particular borough or neighborhood, or even a specific cuisine or dish, you'll find a tour to appease your taste buds. Relying on traveler reviews and expert analysis, U.S. News rounded up the best food tours in New York City . Though tours vary in length and price, they all receive rave reviews from past travelers, who applauded the variety of food and the expert knowledge of the guides.

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Washington Square Park Washington Square Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Finding an empty bench in Washington Square Park after visiting one of the neighborhood's independent bookstores – from The Strand to Three Lives & Company to Left Bank Books – is a true lower Manhattan pleasure. – Jessica Colley Clarke

The central gathering place of Greenwich Village is Washington Square Park, an almost 10-acre green space known for its downtown buzz. Here, kids splash in the fountain, musicians perform to a crowd, artists sell sketches or photographs, and chess enthusiasts gather to challenge each other to a game. What was historically a cemetery and later a bohemian hot spot is now a neighborhood institution that draws locals and visitors alike with its kids' playground, sizable dog run and ample shady space for picnics. An arch dedicated to George Washington is the dominant architectural feature of the park. 

Broadway Broadway

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a stop at the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Lincoln Center location to snag discounted same-day tickets for an array of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the Broadway circuit. And if you like plays and musicals, this is where you should be: "The Great White Way" represents the heart and soul of American theater. Considering that nearby Times Square is a dizzying maze of sights and sounds with no real starting point, some visitors suggest you can see all you need to of that neighborhood just by trundling back and forth between shows. 

One World Observatory One World Observatory

Formerly known as Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in lower Manhattan. This observatory sits atop the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the highest point in the city. You'll find it adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial . At more than 125,000 square feet, the three-level observatory is located on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of this office skyscraper. Travelers enjoy the panoramic, 360-degree views, up to 45 miles in every direction on clear days. 

Visitors reach the observatory by direct express elevators known as SkyPods. The trip upward includes a visual presentation showing how New York has changed over the decades, from open land to smaller buildings to skyscrapers. The trip takes less than a minute. Expect a multimedia presentation at the top before stunning views are revealed. A restaurant and bar on the 101st floor are open to guests who have purchased tickets to the observatory. 

Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal free

At this beautiful train station, you can eat some lunch or shop till you drop, but recent travelers most enjoyed just taking in the scenery. Before you enter, be sure to snap a few shots of the exterior's ornate beaux-arts neoclassical architecture. Inside the celebrated main concourse, you're treated to glimmering marble floors, gold and nickel-plated chandeliers and a sky-themed ceiling. Other must-sees include the Information Booth clock, the Whispering Gallery and Grand Central Market, a European-style food market that sells produce, gourmet ingredients and treats. Food options range from the upscale (Cipriani Dolci and The Campbell Bar) to the legendary (the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant) to the fast and easy (Shake Shack). As mentioned, there are also plenty of shopping options, though most travelers suggest you leave most of Grand Central's pricey merchandise in the store. If you want a train-themed souvenir, visit The New York Transit Museum Store in the shuttle passage.

Travelers call the train station "iconic" and say it's a beautiful space to walk through or to grab a meal and people-watch.

Bryant Park Bryant Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: This Midtown park draws crowds for two seasonal events: summer movie nights under the stars and a holiday market complete with ice skating. For summer picnics or winter shopping sprees, Bryant Park delivers year-round. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Sprawling across nearly 10 acres, Bryant Park sits just south of Times Square – though it feels a world away. Though its lush green space has existed for more than 150 years, Bryant Park was a revitalization project of the 1990s that made it a sanctuary for locals and tourists alike. This is the preferred place for midtown Manhattan professionals to eat lunch, for fashionistas to strut during fashion week and for performers to showcase their talents during annual events like Broadway in Bryant Park and Piano in Bryant Park. If you're interested in learning more about the park's history, consider joining one of its free tours. Tours, which last 45 minutes, are free and offered every Wednesday, year-round. 

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Staten Island Ferry Staten Island Ferry free

Perhaps the most famous ferry service in the United States, the Staten Island Ferry runs daily between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan and St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The city has been operating the ferry service since 1905 and transports some 70,000 passengers across New York Harbor every day. It’s one of the last remaining vestiges of an entire ferry system that served New York City residents before the construction of any bridges.  

But the Staten Island Ferry is more than a transportation service; it’s an attraction, drawing tens of thousands of out-of-town visitors a year for a free ride across the harbor (that’s right, no charge; the service is provided by the City of New York). The 5-mile ride lasts about 25 minutes. Passengers must disembark and then reboard to make the return trip to Manhattan. Travelers remark about the views of the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Manhattan skyscrapers and the bridges of lower Manhattan. 

Museum of Modern Art Museum of Modern Art

You don't have to be an art lover to appreciate the Museum of Modern Art; this airy midtown gallery also doubles as a shrine of pop culture and 20th century history.

Some of the most significant contemporary pieces hang on its walls, including Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," Van Gogh's "Starry Night," Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory," Monet's "Water Lilies," and the list goes on and on. In October 2019, the museum reopened after completing an expansion project that added more than 40,000 square feet of gallery space, as well as a performance studio that features live programming.

New York Public Library New York Public Library free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  If you love all things book-related, consider visiting The Morgan Library & Museum nearby, which features J.P. Morgan's stunning 1906 library. The museum offers free admisson (and live jazz music) on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

This main library branch, officially called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, attracts plenty of book lovers, history junkies and architecture aficionados. Most people swing by the Bryant Park landmark to say hello to Patience and Fortitude (the famous marble lions guarding the entrance) and to admire the lovely beaux-arts design.

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History

Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether you're exploring the interactive exhibits on the land, the sea or outer space; user reviews take on a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafeteria and gift shop are worth your notice.

There are more than 34 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 26 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't plan on seeing everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a particular favorite, but you should also plan on visiting the dinosaurs, the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Butterfly Conservatory (accessible November through May), which houses nearly 500 butterflies. Local experts say the institution is one of the city's can't-miss museums , especially for families.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Wander along Brooklyn's Washington Avenue, and you can't avoid stumbling upon this verdant 52-acre park.

A main highlight here is the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, punctuated by wooden bridges and Japanese maples. And if you arrive at the end of April, you can't miss the Cherry Esplanade ( Sakura Matsuri ) when rosy cherry blossoms burst into bloom. Another standout: the Shakespeare Garden, which contains more than 80 plants described in the playwright's works.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park free

Located on the Brooklyn side of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre oasis at the foot of the famous bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. The park stretches 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s waterfront, connecting Columbia Heights and Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, an eclectic neighborhood of boutiques, trendy cafes and restaurants. Travelers rave about the views of the lower Manhattan skyline, the New York Harbor and the bridge.

Among the city’s newest parks, Brooklyn Bridge Park was once an industrial district and home to a transportation terminal that served as an entry point for immigrants. Today, the park features rolling hills, promenades, playgrounds, basketball courts, sports fields, a roller skating rink, gardens, and more among six piers and the riverfront. What’s more, the park is home to more than 12,000 species of plants and wildlife. It also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, such as sunset yoga and stargazing.

The Guggenheim The Guggenheim

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or simply, "The Guggenheim," is one of the most well-known art museums in the country, and it's just as renowned for its cutting-edge design as it is for its pieces. The coiled building (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) stands out on Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Inside, the halls are chock full of works from the likes of Picasso, Cézanne, Degas, Manet and Van Gogh, among others.

Visitors loved the building's design and architecture, but offered more mixed reviews for the art on display. Some raved about the permanent collection and the special exhibitions, while others felt the cost of entrance tickets was overpriced for the amount of art displayed. Reviewers recommended the Museum of Modern Art over the Guggenheim if you're short on time. 

Off-Broadway Shows Off-Broadway Shows

Off-Broadway may not have the glitter of the Great White Way , but these smaller theaters and their productions are often innovative and are no less engaging. Unlike Broadway, these theaters are not centered around Times Square , but scattered all over Manhattan and generally seat fewer people (between 100 to 499 audience members). Smaller venues provide a more intimate experience for plays, musicals and revues. Many of New York’s most famous productions found their start off-Broadway, such as “Hair,” “Rent” and “In the Heights.”

Tickets also are more affordable, generally between $20 and $75 per person. Look for innovative productions at places like the Public Theater, Cherry Lane Theatre or Playwrights Horizons. The Signature Theatre showcases revivals and new plays.

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck

This iconic plaza has it all – beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view of NBC Studios, plus a plethora of stores and restaurants. Though undoubtedly there will be intense crowds, this is an experience that's worth having at least once. During the wintertime holidays, the plaza sparkles with an illuminated Christmas tree and skaters gliding across the ice rink. But don't fret if your New York adventure doesn't take place during the cold months. There's plenty to do year-round. If you plan ahead, you can spend a morning watching a taping of the "Today" show, an afternoon admiring the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an evening catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall .

Travelers say the Top of the Rock offers some of the best views of Manhattan and say the experience is worth every penny. Visitors recommend booking the Rock Pass ticket that includes a tour of the building and observation deck access.

Little Island Little Island free

New Yorkers have long needed to get creative to maximize space on the island of Manhattan, where space is limited. But with the opening of Little Island in 2021, that creativity stretched beyond the island's borders and into the water. Little Island is an artificial island located on the west side of Manhattan in the Hudson River.

This public park, which is free to visit, offers a new space for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in nature, art, free events like concerts and one of the most memorable locations in New York City to catch the sunset.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral free

This sprawling cathedral sits amid the hustle and distinctively secular bustle of Rockefeller Center . But that doesn't take away from its otherworldly vibe. Whether you're religious or just making an architectural pilgrimage, you can't help but be impressed by St. Patrick's.

Opened in 1879, the neo-Gothic cathedral spans the length of an entire city block and features 330-foot spires. Its interior is just as impressive thanks to its numerous altars, stained-glass windows, organs and imposing 9,000-pound bronze doors. The church welcomes more than 5 million visitors annually.  

Little Italy Little Italy free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Taste the best of Little Italy at C. Di Palo Wine Bar. With connections to the fine foods store serving this neighborhood for more than a century, this wine bar serves Italian cheeses, meats and wines in a comfortable, modern environment. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Once a thriving enclave of Italian immigrants, Little Italy is now a popular tourist destination (though remnants of the past remain).

Times Square Times Square free

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights.

Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue free

It's fitting that St. Patrick's Cathedral would be on the same street as stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels. That's because for many people, shopping is a religious experience, and here between 34th and 59th streets you'll find the holy grail. 

Even if you're not planning to put your credit card to work at high-end stores, travelers say a stroll along Fifth Avenue is a must. It's one of the top places to shop in the city, according to local experts. Plus, during the winter holidays, the street is decked out in festive decor.

Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo

According to travelers, these 265 acres sheltering more than 10,000 animals should be near the top of every young family's itinerary in New York. And if you're an older visitor, the Bronx Zoo could be a great way to escape the nonstop activity in Manhattan. This zoo's claim to fame is that it's one of the largest metropolitan animal parks in the country. It's also one of the best zoos in the U.S . Originally opened at 1899, the zoo also houses several famous landmarks, including the Rainey Memorial Gates, the Rockefeller Fountain and the historic Zoo Center, which was constructed to look like a palace.

Among the zoo's popular exhibits is JungleWorld, which aims to recreate the jungles of Asia with animals like white-cheeked gibbons, gharials, tapirs, fruit bats and more. There's also the Wild Asia Monorail, a seasonal outdoor monorail that allows visitors to observe animals like rhinos, tigers and red pandas roaming freely in the outdoor habitat. Other star attractions include the Congo Gorilla Forest, the seasonal butterfly garden, Tiger Mountain and the Children's Zoo. Along with the animals, there are also several rides and experiences, such as a carousel and sea lion feedings.

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Apollo Theater Apollo Theater

U.S. News Insider Tip: Go to BLVD Bistro on 116th St. before or after your visit to the Apollo. They serve breakfast all day and literally have the best grits and pancakes I have ever had in my life. It is also Black-owned! – Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global

One of the most famous music halls in the United States, "the Apollo" started as a burlesque theater in 1914. By the 1930s, it transformed into a concert hall that helped launch the career of several black musicians. A then-unknown Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson (with the Jackson 5) and Stevie Wonder all performed on the Apollo stage during an Amateur Night competition. If you're in Harlem on a Wednesday you can still go to Amateur Night, an experience some previous travelers highly recommend.

Metropolitan Opera House Metropolitan Opera House

Stroll through the courtyard of the Metropolitan Opera House even if you're not going inside for a performance. Every element of this opulent building – from the limestone architecture, to the lobby's glittering chandelier, to the acoustics in the concert hall – is gorgeous. Travelers call this opera house a feast for the eyes and ears. Tickets are notoriously expensive (as much as several hundred dollars for the best seats), but the sticker shock evaporates quickly if you're into performing arts. You can try to score a same-day ticket at a discounted rate, plus there are discounts for senior citizens.

The Metropolitan Opera House features spring performances by the American Ballet Theatre and fall and winter performances by the Met Opera Company. Showtimes and ticket prices vary by performance and seating, so check the Met Opera's website for additional details. You'll find the opera house at Lincoln Center Plaza on Manhattan's Upper West Side – take the 1 train to 66th Street.

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall

It's where Ella Fitzgerald pined for the man she loved, the Rolling Stones couldn't get no satisfaction and Lady Gaga had a "Bad Romance." Among performers, there's no New York concert venue that's quite like Radio City Music Hall. Not only is it the largest indoor theater in the world, its marquee spans a full city block. Opened in 1932, the theater is a New York City Landmark. Today, the theater welcomes musical performers like Ben Platt and Lil Nas X, as well as comedians like Chris Rock.

If you're in town any dates between November and January, consider attending the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which stars the Rockettes. According to recent visitors who attended a show, there's not a bad seat in the house.

The Battery The Battery free

The Battery is a 25-ace park that sits at the very southern tip of Manhattan Island and offers a green respite from the steel and concrete of lower Manhattan. The park, named after artillery batteries that protected the settlement in the 17th century, is popular with visitors because of its views of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty . 

The park is home to perennial gardens, bike paths, grand lawns, an urban farm and a unique carousel, known as the SeaGlass Carousel. On the carousel, riders sit within iridescent fish and glide through a 360-degree aquatic adventure. The carousel’s bioluminescent design honors the waterfront site as well as another landmark, the Castle Clinton, one of the country’s earliest aquariums. 

Coney Island Coney Island

Known as the "the People's Playground," this famous amusement area in Brooklyn has an illustrious past. In the early 1900s, Coney Island enticed New Yorkers to visit with its bathing pavilions, seaside resorts and amusement park. The Great Depression took its toll on the fun-loving spot, causing many attractions to close. But after years of economic instability, Coney Island has reclaimed its place on the Brooklyn map, with a fresh roster of eateries and entertainment (including a July Fourth hot dog-eating contest and an annual Mermaid Parade ) found along the boardwalk. Coney Island now features several separate amusement parks, as well as a museum, which hosts a variety of exhibits and shows.

According to recent visitors, Coney Island is a worthwhile trip in the summer if you have the time and are traveling with young kids who would enjoy the rides. If you're not up for indulging your inner thrill-seeker, you can also walk along the beach, which spans nearly 3 miles and features several sports courts, as well as playgrounds. A walk along the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk is just as memorable, according to recent visitors.

New York City Mafia and Local Food Tour led by NYPD Guides

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from $ 139.00

Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

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from $ 54.00

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Chrysler Building Chrysler Building free

Technically, the Chrysler Building is an office building open Monday through Friday, but you don't need to go inside to appreciate its aesthetic appeal. Recent visitors praised the building's unique architectural style (though a few wished you could still go inside to admire its intricate lobby and elevators).

Built in 1930, the Chrysler had a short-lived run as the tallest building in the city, before it was usurped of its title by the Empire State Building . Nevertheless, this 1,046-foot-high skyscraper remains a favorite among New Yorkers for its classic art deco style. And unlike the Empire State, at this site you won't need an expensive entry ticket, a strong stomach to stand soaring heights or patience for long lines to see what all the fuss is about. You can behold the building's menacing gargoyles and triangular openings from many spots in Manhattan. Though the lobby is currently closed to visitors, there have been talks of building an observation deck, though none is available at this time.

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Where to Stay in New York City: A Guide for First Timers

We’ve now spent a few weeks in New York City, split between a couple of different trips, and the first thing we’re always struck by when we arrive in Manhattan is the buzzing energy that fills the streets of NYC at all hours. 6:00 am? Tons of people out and about. 2:00 am? Same thing.

It boggles my mind, but I guess that’s what happens when you pack millions of people into a place the size of Manhattan. 

The second thing that strikes me every time is the size of the buildings and the density. It truly is a concrete jungle. I grew up in Seattle and lived in San Francisco where there is a downtown area with massive buildings, but once you get out of that relatively small area the tallest building is roughly three stories – and you find green spaces around every corner. 

In New York City, I regularly looked up and saw a 40 story building, no matter where I was – from Lower Manhattan to the Upper Eastside. The density is mind boggling. 

In this guide, we’re going to share our take on where to stay in New York City, based on our own experience and point of view, to help you find the perfect place to stay for your trip. For each one, we’ll give you an overview of each area, then dive deep into the pros and cons, a few highlights that we love, and some handpicked places to stay. 

Sound good? Let’s get into it.

PS: Planning a trip to NYC? We’ve got some other super detailed travel guides you might find useful. Read our guide to planning an amazing NYC itinerary for our take on EXACTLY how to spend a few days in New York City, and our guide to the best gluten free restaurants and bakeries in NYC if you’re a gluten free foodie, like us.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in New York City: The Best Places to Stay

When you’re trying to decide where to stay, it is important to think about what kind of New York experience you’re looking for. 

Are you there to eat all the best food and see the city like a local (I am)? Do you want to visit all the art galleries and museums? Or are you wanting to see as many tourist attractions as humanly possible (I don’t recommend it)? 

The best place to stay in New York City will vary depending on your style, budget, and expectations.

Luckily for you, we put together this DETAILED guide of the best neighborhoods to stay in, complete with pros and cons, neighborhood highlights, and handpicked highly-rated hotels in each area. 

Don’t have time to read the entire guide below? Here’s a quick summary to get your search for the perfect place to stay started. 

• Our overall recordation is the Flatiron District / NoMad . This area gives you all the benefits of Midtown (in fact, it’s basically the southern end of Midtown), but it’s a little less hectic and overwhelming. Plus, unlike Midtown, where the food and drinks are underwhelming (at best), this area is full of great places to eat and drink. You’re also walkable to Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the East Village, which all are great places to eat and drink too. We like the Ace Hotel (I stayed there a couple of years ago) and the Freehand (we also stayed there – it’s a relatively affordable option). 
• If it’s your first time in New York (or you have a short trip) , stay in Midtown . It’s as central as it gets, walkable to Central Park, and full of the unbridled energy that makes NYC special. We will say that it gets a little overwhelming near Times Square. We love CitizenM Hotels (we’ve stayed in three of their hotels in the past four months, at the time of writing), and their Times Square location gets great reviews and is relatively affordable.
• If you’ve done the touristy stuff before and are looking for a different experience, stay in Brooklyn or Williamsburg . Brooklyn, if taken as its own city, is massive in its own right, and there’s plenty to do, see, eat, and drink. Plus, the ferry system is a very, very pleasant way to get between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Brooklyn is more urban – we were surprised that the downtown area is full of skyscrapers. Williamsburg is more residential. 
• If you’re on a tight budget , there’s really no single area that has all the budget accommodations. There’s the HI Hostel on the Upper West Side, which has dorms that are affordable (though it’s FAR). Pod 39 in Times Square has small, affordable rooms. The Jane Hotel in Greenwich Village is about as good a value as you’ll find in the city. 

Where We’ve Stayed in New York City

As always, we like to start these guides with our own personal experience staying in New York City. 

I’m going to disregard my first time in New York City, which was a two day trip where I spent most of my time inside a conference room. 

The next two trips were both weeklong affairs, and over the course of that time we stayed in a couple of different places. 

For the first weeklong trip, we stayed in the Flatiron District , which is – SPOILER ALERT – our top recommendation.

We love this area, from the greenery of Madison Park and Union Square, to the excellent bars, restaurants, and coffee shops that it has to offer.

Plus, it’s a great central location between Midtown and Central Park, and Lower Manhattan (not to mention where Penn Station is located, which means an easy journey if that’s where you’re arriving). 

We stayed at two separate hotels during that trip. 

First, we spent a few nights at the budget-friendly Freehand Hotel . The Freehand is part hostel, with smaller-than-average rooms, great common areas (including a nice rooftop), and lower-than-average prices, and part boutique hotel, with stylish decor and good service.

Rooms are smallish, though they do have some bigger configurations, and have some creative layouts for groups traveling together (some of which include bunk beds). Overall, we were fans, and the price was right at the time. 

Next, we moved a few blocks over to the Ace Hotel .

We’ve stayed at the Ace in Seattle, and this hotel was an upgrade from that experience, with bigger, quieter rooms, and a nicer lobby area. There are rooms of various sizes, from cozy single rooms to huge loft suites that are bigger than the average NYC apartment. 

It’s not the cheapest hotel in New York City, but it’s somewhere around the mid-range category, and probably is one of the better options in that particular tier.  

On our most recent weeklong NYC adventure, we spent most of our time in Lower Manhattan, and Matt spent a couple of nights at the end of the trip on his own staying in Midtown. 

We were pleasantly surprised at how nice it was to stay in Lower Manhattan , which we thought would be a little lifeless with tons of office buildings and not all that many cool spots.

To an extent, that’s true, but there’s also some very real positives: good transit connections to the rest of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and some of the best museums and traditional tourist attractions in the city. 

We stayed at Sonder Battery Park , which is sort of like a hotel whose rooms are apartments, with full kitchens and bigger living spaces.

There are a few Sonder locations in Lower Manhattan, but we liked this spot a block away from Battery Park. There’s a nice rooftop deck, a fitness center, a couple of lounges, and more amenities in the building. 

Our apartment – which is a contactless experience (though there are staff at the front desk if you have questions) – was nice and spacious, and was stocked with everything we needed for our trip. We’d definitely stay there again. 

On the back end of our trip, which took us to Boston, Vermont, and NYC, we split up and I, Matt, spent a week doing some more exploring on the east coast, including a few days in Philadelphia.

I flew out of JFK in New York, so I came back to the city for a couple of nights before my flight, and stayed in Midtown . 

To be honest, Midtown is a little much for me. I’m a city person at heart, but Midtown is just too hectic for me. Every single sidewalk is packed wall-to-wall from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. It’s wild. 

But, I also think Midtown is a solid place to stay. Because of the sheer number of hotels, the prices are actually decent considering their proximity to places like Times Square and Central Park. Plus, it’s super central. 

I stayed at the Arlo Midtown , which I’d recommend as a boutique hotel that’s fairly affordable (I probably wouldn’t splurge for the city view, although I could see the Empire State Building from the foot of the bed).

The CitizenM Times Square was also on our list because we LOVE CitizenM hotels (we’ve stayed in three of their hotels in the past four months, at the time of writing).

Flatiron and NoMad: Our Personal Pick for Best Area To Stay In New York City

The reason we think Flatiron and NoMad should be at the top of your list of the best places to stay in New York City is simple. It’s essentially the lower end of Midtown Manhattan, which has a decidedly different, more pleasant character than the area further north towards Times Square. 

It combines the energy and centrality of Midtown and the excellent access to food and drinks of Chelsea and Greenwich Village (and the West Village). 

First, let’s talk about geography. In terms of location, what are we talking about here? Essentially, I’m referring to the area between Union Square on the southern end and W32nd St on the northern end . In terms of east/west borders, it’s going to be something like Park Ave and 7th . 

This little slice of paradise in the city has everything we like in a neighborhood: excellent green spaces (Union Square and Madison Square Park), great food and drinks (Cosme for Michelin starred Mexican) and Devoción (for excellent Colombian coffee), and a perfect central location between Midtown, Chelsea / Greenwich Village, and the East Village. 

As you get further north into Midtown, the energy gets to be a little much, at least for us. This part of Manhattan has a taste of that energy, but it’s far more accessible and less overwhelming, and shares the same transit connections that makes Midtown a perfect place to stay for your first trip to New York. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Flatiron / NoMad

Pros: 

• Excellent food and drinks. This area is PACKED with restaurants and bars, and chances are whether you stay here or not, you’ll end up here to eat at least once. 
• Good public transit connections. With the exception of Brooklyn (more on that in the cons section), this is a perfect location to use to explore Manhattan. It won’t take you much more than 30 minutes to get anywhere you need to go, from Battery Park to the Upper West Side. 

Cons: 

• It’s a trek to Brooklyn / Williamsburg. This is the exception to the “good public transit” bullet above. Not that it’s bad, but you’re going to have to transfer, and it’s likely to take you 40-45 minutes, if not more. If you can, catch the East River ferry here – it’s a much more pleasant journey than the subway. 

Flatiron / NoMad Highlights

Here are some of our favorite spots in the neighborhood, in no particular order.

• Madison Square Park: Not to be confused with Madison Square Garden, the stadium just a few blocks west, this park is right at the base of the Flatiron Building at the intersection of Broadway and 5th Ave. There’s some excellent people watching to be had here, from old men on their daily coffee meetups, to street performers, and flustered office workers. There’s also a Shake Shack right in the park, a great place for a lunch (or snack?). 
• Union Square: At the southern border of the neighborhood is this nice green space, famous for its centerpiece, the statue of George Washington. Don’t miss the Greenmarket , which takes place Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday year round (8:00 am – 6:00 pm). 
• Cosme : I love Cosme, chef Enrique Olvera’s (of Pujol fame) outpost in the Flatiron District. I’ve been twice, and both times it was a stellar experience. It has a Michelin star, and the service, ambiance, and food are impeccable. Get the duck carnitas, which are enough to feed a small army, and DO NOT MISS the corn husk meringue, which might have been the best thing we ate on our entire trip. 
• Devoción : We have actually been to their cafe in Bogotá, Colombia, and I didn’t even know they had shops in NYC until we walked by the one in Williamsburg. The beans come straight from Colombia (within 10 days of roasting), and they have a BEAUTIFUL space filled with lots of plants and natural light. 
• Beecher’s Cheese : Hey, look, a company from Seattle ( Filson also has a location not too far away – we’re taking over!). I love Beecher’s Flagship cheese – my mom almost always has a chunk of it waiting for me when I visit her house – and they do a mean mac n cheese here (though I can’t partake, because gluten). Bedford Cheese Shop is another good spot nearby, if you’re looking for a wider selection of cheese. 

Where To Stay In Flatiron And NoMad 

Part of the reason I like this particular area is the great assortment of charming hotels. From budget to boutique, it has something for everyone.

The Freehand NYC: Best Affordable Hotel in New York City

Listen, if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay and you’re not too concerned with having all the bells and whistles that some of the upscale hotels have, this place is great. Besides, you won’t be spending much time in your hotel anyway, you’ll be out exploring! 

We stayed here for three nights on our first trip and were blown away by the value. The Freehand is a great option for groups of friends or couples traveling together. It is a beautifully designed, minimalist hotel with really reasonable rates. 

They have large plant-filled social areas and restaurants. My favorite part of this hotel was the rooftop bar and lounge; such a great way to finish up a day exploring! 

The Ace Hotel: Best Combination of Style and Budget

Another fantastic option in the heart of NYC, I stayed at the Ace Hotel for 3 nights and it was a great home base for exploring the surrounding areas. In particular, it’s the best combination of style and budget in the neighborhood. Big, bright rooms, a mix of modern amenities and vintage touches, and a central location. 

The Ace Hotel is located right in the middle of NoMad, a five-minute walk from Koreatown and some great cafes. The hotel’s public areas and rooms are decorated in vintage style with some of the larger rooms having a turntable. Rudy’s Barbershop is located onsite for a bit of pampering. I stayed here and loved how easy it was to get around by subway. 

The MADE Hotel: Splurge-worthy Boutique Hotel

The Made Hotel is the hotel I have always wanted to stay at when visiting New York, but it was fully booked last time I visited. It has a zen-like vibe to the entire hotel with lots of exposed wood, greenery, and natural light. Aka my ideal style. 

There’s a cafe, rooftop bar, and a patio for hotel guests only. Minimalist rooms with sweeping city views and super comfortable beds are the main draw, though. 

Midtown Manhattan: Best Central Location for First Timers and Short Trips

There’s truly no better place to soak up the boundless energy that characterizes New York City than Midtown Manhattan.

Especially during the day, when tourists and office workers make it so that, no matter where in Midtown you find yourself, it’s a pretty good bet that the sidewalks will be packed. 

Truth be told, we’re very much city people (we’ve lived in San Francisco and Seattle, and at the time of writing are in the process of moving to Portland, Oregon) and Midtown is a little overwhelming, even to us. 

However, for a few nights, this is the most central place to stay in New York City. Just north is Central Park, the best urban green space in the country (sorry, Golden Gate Park), and you’ll be surrounded by some of the most iconic sites, sounds, and eats in Manhattan. 

Matt has stayed in Midtown a couple of times over the course of his last few trips to New York, and firmly believes that it’s best in relatively small doses.

The location is great – though it is hectic – and has convenient subway connections to just about everywhere in NYC. Plus, there’s a bunch of great places to eat and drink… as long as you walk at least four blocks from Times Square. 

One of our favorite memories from this last trip is finding ourselves in the middle of a spontaneous-ish dance party in Bryant Park. At 4:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon. That kind of energy is emblematic of New York City, and it’s best experienced in Midtown, which is the beating heart of Manhattan in terms of energy. 

A note on geography: Midtown Manhattan refers to a giant swath of Central Manhattan that swallows up distinct neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen, not to mention areas like “Midtown East” and “Midtown West.” We’re going to combine them all, and this section covers everything in Manhattan between the southern end of Central Park and the Empire State Building (roughly). 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Midtown Manhattan

• The Location is as central as it gets. There’s plenty to do and see within Midtown itself, and just outside the borders of the neighborhood, you’ll find even more amazing sights (the Met and Central Park to the north, and Chelsea Market, the Highline, and Flatiron Building to the south). 
• The Transit Connections. Penn Station, NYC’s main train station, is at the southwestern corner of Midtown, where you’ll find trains to Newark International Airport and the Amtrak to various other Northeastern cities. Plus, just about every subway line runs through Midtown, which will get you anywhere you need to go in the New York Metro Area. 
• The Unbridled Energy. When we think of New York City, we think of a sort of buzzing energy at all hours. Which is exactly what you’ll find in Midtown. Is it overwhelming at times? Yes. But also, where else in the world will you find a spontaneous-ish dance party at 4:00 pm on a Thursday, like we found in Bryant Park during our trip? 
• It’s Budget-Friendly. Despite being one of the most “touristy” parts of Manhattan, this is actually a relatively affordable area to stay in.
• It’s dirty. I mean, given the “unbridled energy” bullet above, it should come as no surprise that there’s a tradeoff to the constant flow of people. This is a pretty dirty part of the city. Lots of humans usually means lots of trash, and that’s certainly true of Midtown. 
• It’s just… A LOT. Especially around Times Square, which is an overwhelming place to visit. We like the northern end of Midtown because it’s walkable to Times Square, and the southern end because we love the Flatiron District / NoMad, which is walkable from there. 
• The restaurants around Times Square are mostly pretty terrible. Please don’t eat at Olive Garden while you’re in New York City! There’s so much good food and places to drink in Midtown, but the six square blocks around Times Square are, generally, not a good place to find it. The exception being Los Tacos , which is supposedly incredible (but they serve flour tortillas, so no tacos for us because Matt has Celiac Disease and gluten makes him sick for days). 

Midtown Highlights

Here are some places in Midtown that we think you might enjoy.

• Los Tacos No. 1 : As we mentioned above, we didn’t actually get to eat here because they serve gluten in multiple forms. But it was recommended by a couple of New Yorkers we know who didn’t think about that aspect. They also have a location in Chelsea Market, but if you’re in Times Square and you’re hungry, don’t be afraid to brave the fast-moving line for their tacos. 
• Tanner Smiths : A lovely cocktail bar in Midtown that was the first bar we ever went to in the city. We also discovered Stormalong Cider here, which has become one of our favorite hard cider brands. 
• Top of the Rock : We’ve found that the top deck of the Empire State Building is similar to other viewing platforms on top of major tourist attractions, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Space Needle in Seattle. It’s missing a key element of the NYC skyline… the Empire State Building. Instead, head over to the Top of the Rock, the viewing platform on top of Rockefeller Center, for a jaw-dropping view of New York City, including the Empire State Building and Central Park. It’s pricey, but it’s the best view of the city for us. 
• Bryant Park: A lovely green space in the middle of a concrete jungle. Surrounded by 30+ floor buildings, this park is packed at all times of day with workers getting a coffee or a drink and basking in the sun (when it’s out). The New York Public Library at the eastern end of Bryant Park is worth a visit for their collection of various artifacts, including a handwritten copy – by Thomas Jefferson – of the Constitution, and the original stuffed animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh. Plus, it’s free!
• The Museum of Modern Art : We’re not huge art museum people – we really need a guide to tell us what to focus on and craft a narrative – but we enjoyed MOMA. They have some great works on the fifth floor, like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies , and some of the more experiential, multi-medium exhibits were enthralling and immersive. We also really liked some of the abstract art, including some of Picasso’s works. 

The Best Places to Stay in Midtown Manhattan

Here are some places to stay in Midtown Manhattan, from affordable stays to a splurge-worthy boutique hotel. 

Arlo Midtown: A Great Mid Range Option in a Great Location

I, Matt, stayed at the Arlo Midtown for a couple of nights alone before flying back home to California, and I really enjoyed it. The rooms are compact, but they’re comfortable, thoughtfully laid out and designed (USB ports by the bed, reading lights, and mini fridges!), and some have excellent views of Manhattan. 

It’s also a few blocks north of Penn Station, so you’ll be able to walk to your hotel if you’re arriving by train, which makes for an easier day of travel. 

I paid a little extra for a room with a city view, and loved the amount of light that the big windows let in. If you’re looking for a special stay, the King rooms with a city view are a good choice, though I will say that the views vary by room, and my room had an Empire State Building view, but only from the foot of the bed. 

If you’re not too concerned with what kind of view you’ll have, you’ll save a few dollars by booking a room without a view. 

They also have a nice rooftop bar with great views (it’s small, so you’ll want to get there early if you want to be up there for sunset), a fitness center, and a bunch of great common space on the ground floor, including a fun little atrium. 

Overall, I’d recommend it, and I’d stay there again if I wanted a place in Midtown (though, to be honest, I don’t think I’d stay in Midtown again). 

They also have hotels in NoMad and SoHo , which are similar concepts in different neighborhoods. 

CitizenM Times Square: The Best Overall Hotel in Midtown

First of all, we LOVE CitizenM hotels. They regularly make our list of the best hotels in cities like Seattle and London because they do one thing, and they do it well: affordable hotels with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Perfect for travelers that will be spending most of their time out exploring, they only have one room size. No more decision fatigue around whether you should choose “comfort” or “economy.”

The CitizenM Times Square is super highly rated. If it’s your first time in New York City, this might be the perfect place to stay. It’s located right in the heart of all the action with a Times Square address. 

It’s a great value with no frills – instead of a reception desk, there is a self-check-in with staff on hand if you need assistance. There is a gym on the 20 th floor with impressive views over the city and a rooftop bar, so they provide the things that count. 

They also have a location in Lower Manhattan that would be a great location for business travelers who want to be close to the Financial District. 

Pod 51: The Most Affordable Hotel Near Times Square

This charming, affordable hotel is all about the location. Pod 51 is located in the heart of Midtown, 15 minutes from Times Square and across the street from Greenacre Park with its huge waterfall, but the prices would make you think it’s in Jersey. 

The best feature is the rooftop deck with colorful sun loungers, perfect for soaking up the sun in summer. It also has an onsite restaurant and bar as well as a cafe. Hostel style rooms and private rooms are available. 

Library Hotel: A Splurge-worthy Boutique Hotel

The Library Hotel is a super central option – a hidden gem located right near New York Public Library and Grand Central Station. It is library-themed, as you probably guessed from the name, and goes as far as designing its rooms on the Dewey decimal system.

So room 500.005 is dinosaur themed, room 800.005 is fairy tale themed and so on.

It also has a reading room on the second floor with Madison Avenue views and hundreds of books to browse. Coffee, tea, and cookies are always available in the reading room, so there is no need to ever leave to grab a snack or pick-me-up. 

Lower Manhattan: A Well-Connected Hub with Plenty to See

On our latest trip to New York City, we spent the bulk of our time staying in Lower Manhattan just a block away from Battery Park, which has views of the Statue of Liberty.

Originally, I will admit that I was fairly against staying in Lower Manhattan, which felt like it was a little soulless, full of towering office buildings with workers milling about during the day. 

However, after staying there for five nights, I would like to say that I have completely changed my tune. Not only are there a huge variety of things to do in Lower Manhattan (like the moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum), but it’s also one of the most conveniently located neighborhoods for accessing places like Brooklyn and the Lower East Side. 

This is downtown New York City (or, the Financial District), which means it’s a lot of office buildings, sharply dressed office workers, and the businesses that support them (a lot of fast-casual lunch options, for example). 

Combine that with several subway lines running north to get you to Midtown in 20-25 minutes or so, and it’s not such a bad place to make your temporary home in New York City. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Lower Manhattan

• Great transit connections. Between express trains that move from Lower Manhattan to uptown, skipping stops along the way, to an easy hop over to Brooklyn and Williamsburg, you’ll be able to go just about anywhere you need to go within a half hour. Even getting to the Upper West Side (81st Street) only took us about 25 minutes. 
• Tons of things to do and see. Within the neighborhood (which is big), there’s a ton to see. Battery Park, the famous bull, the Stock Exchange, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum… the list goes on!

Cons:  

• It’s boring in terms of food and drinks. Plan on eating elsewhere. This is a sea of Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and there’s even a TGI Fridays, which I haven’t seen in a decade or so.
• It’s dead on weekends. Unsurprisingly, given the number of office buildings and workers in this area, it’s pretty dead come Saturday and especially Sunday. Not a huge deal, but worth noting. 

The Best Places to Stay in Lower Manhattan

Here are some of our picks for the best places to stay in Lower Manhattan. 

Where We Stayed: Sonder Battery Park (nice apartments, modern contactless check-in, cool roof deck)

Affordable Options : Hotel Mulberry or the NobleDEN Hotel (affordable by NYC standards, anyway)

Hip Mid Range Hotel : CitizenM Bowery (we love CitizenM, and have stayed at three different locations in the past four months)

A Touch of Luxury : The Roxy Hotel

Chelsea / Greenwich Village: Cool Neighborhoods with Tons to Eat and Drink

Chelsea is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York, full of art galleries and industrial-chic galleries.

It is wedged firmly between Midtown and Greenwich Village, making it easy to get around and explore. It has pretty cobbled streets and plenty of great places to eat, drink, and shop to explore as you meander your way through. 

Plus there’s the most unique green space in New York, the Highline , to wander slowly through and enjoy the greenery and art installations.

It is a repurposed rail line suspended above the streets. Now it is full of wildflowers, art installations, and shrubbery. It is about a mile and a half long and runs between Chelsea and the Hudson Yards, and it offers some spectacular views of the NYC skyline. 

Get up there in the early morning to take it in before the rest of the tourists show up.

Greenwich Village is just south of Chelsea, but has a completely different vibe, which was apparent as we walked north from Washington Square Park towards the southern end of the highline.

Greenwich Village is much more residential, with commercial strips with bars, restaurants, and shops interspersed with brownstones. The best stretch is probably along 7th Avenue, though Hudson Street is another good one. 

If you are looking to experience the New York you see in movies, then Greenwich Village is the best place to stay in New York City. 

There are plenty of brownstone-lined streets, long curving lanes, and romantic little cafes tucked away just waiting to be stumbled upon. Your favorite 90’s shows, like Sex and the City and Friends, were filmed in this part of the city.

It is also the home of NYU which gives the area a young feel to it while still remaining upscale and picturesque. 

The area just south of Washington Square Park is one of our favorite parts of the entire city, and the streets are lined with some of our favorite bars, restaurants, and coffee shops (Nami Nori, Posh Pop Bakeshop, and Senza Gluten Cafe to name a few). 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Chelsea / Greenwich Village

Pros:  

• It’s about as charming as it gets. Particularly Greenwich Village. Lots of tree-lined streets, typical brownstones with fancy porches (we love the elevated porches!), and bricks and cobblestones (we’re suckers for both). 
• Unparalleled food and drink options. The concentration of great restaurants might be higher here than anywhere else in the city. 
• The great urban green spaces. Between the Highline and the piers that have been transformed into green spaces, it’s not hard to break free from the concrete jungle for a little fresh (ish) air. 
• It can be pricey. Two things are true here – there aren’t a whole lot of hotels in either of these neighborhoods, and it’s a desirable place to stay. Which means if you want to stay here, you’re probably going to be paying for it (though there are a couple of good budget options). 
• It can be loud. As you might imagine given its proximity to NYU and the sheer number of places to eat and drink, the nightlife here is great. It can get loud and rowdy. 

Chelsea / Greenwich Village Highlights

Here are some spots in Chelsea and Greenwich Village that we enjoyed, and think you might too.

• Chelsea Market : An indoor market with a craft market at one end, and a bunch of food options inside. Peruse the stalls, but don’t miss Los Tacos (you’ll know it because of the line outside around lunch time). 
• Terremoto Coffee : If you’re into places where you can choose what coffee beans you’re served in your drink, this place is for you. They serve Unity Coffee, and have a couple of beans available for filter coffee and espresso, along with a couple of special beans that you won’t find elsewhere (for a slight upcharge). It’s a tiny spot a block away from Chelsea Market, and it’s a good stop for coffee lovers in the neighborhood.  
• Washington Square Park: The centerpiece of Greenwich Village / the West Village, known best for its arch. Although pup-watching at the dog park is probably the highlight for us. 
• Nami Nori : We loved this sushi spot in Greenwich Village that serves temaki, which are basically single-serve handrolls that are kind of like tacos. Definitely get the furikake fries with tonkatsu ketchup, and the green curry shrimp roll, which was BY FAR our favorite. Sit at the bar for the best experience, where you get to watch them crafting your rolls individually. 
• Little Island: One thing that New York does really well is repurposing formerly industrial spaces into more practical spaces. Especially in places like Brooklyn Bridge Park and on the western side of Manhattan, where you’ll find defunct piers that are now amazing green spaces. Little Island is a great example of that, and is one of the newer piers to be renovated. It’s gorgeous, and it’s just a block or two away from Chelsea Market. You need to make a timed entry reservation after 12:00 pm in the summer, which you can do here . 
• The Highline: Another great example of a manufactured green space in the concrete jungle that is New York City! This is an elevated walking path from Hell’s Kitchen down past Chelsea Market that is lined with plant life and is definitely worth a stroll, especially on a sunny day.  

The Best Places to Stay in Chelsea / Greenwich Village

Here are three solid options in Chelsea and Greenwich Village to look at, depending on your style and budget. 

Budget Option: Leo House

Hip Midrange Hotel: Moxy NYC Chelsea

A Touch of Luxury : The Maritime Hotel

Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg: Cool Areas for Your Second Trip

When you think of Brooklyn, what comes to mind? For us, after our last trip, it’s great food, excellent views of Manhattan’s skyline, and charming waterfront parks. 

Oh, and hipsters. In the 2010’s (ish), it felt like every cool food and drink brand, from coffee shops to single origin chocolate, was started in Brooklyn. 

Other than a quick trip over to Brooklyn for dinner at Claro – which we highly, highly recommend – we had never really spent any meaningful amount of time east of the East River until our latest trip, when we found ourselves in both areas multiple times. 

At this point, Brooklyn is hardly a hidden gem or hipster area – it has been firmly on the tourist map for a solid few decades.

It’s full of great food and drinks – some of our favorite restaurants in NYC are here – some nice green spaces (Prospect Park and all the piers in Brooklyn Bridge Park), and the DUMBO area is cool. 

First of all, the ferry system that runs up and down the East River is an excellent way to get around, particularly between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn / Williamsburg. We got a tip from a local friend who pointed us to the ferry on our first visit, and we ended up taking it several more times after that. 

Second of all, multiple places that make our “best places to eat and drink” section in our New York City itinerary were in Brooklyn.

The biggest knock on Brooklyn is that, if you stay in Brooklyn, it’s going to take you FOREVER to get anywhere in Manhattan north of about 30th Street.

Which means Times Square, Central Park, and the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are going to be a little hard to reach. If you’ve got a short trip, that’s going to be a little bit of an issue. 

However, if you’re in NYC for a longer trip and have the luxury of time OR you’ve done most of the typical New York tourist stuff and are content spending the bulk of your time in Brooklyn and Williamsburg, this would be an excellent place to base yourself. 

A geography note: We’re going to go ahead and combine Brooklyn and Williamsburg, which are two neighborhoods that are east of the East River in the Brooklyn borough. Though they’re not actually particularly easy to get between, they are similar in terms of the pros and cons of staying there, and what they offer tourists. However, because they are distinct neighborhoods, we are going to give you a separate section for highlights and places to stay for each. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Brooklyn / Williamsburg

• It’s charming. From the tree-lined streets in Brooklyn Heights to the waterfront real estate of Domino Park in Williamsburg, there’s a lot of charm to be had up and down the eastern side of the East River.
• It’s full of great eating and drinking. Some of our food and drink highlights from our entire trip are located here (you’ll find them sprinkled in the neighborhood highlights sections below). And it’s a diverse food scene, featuring foods from all over the world. 
• It’s FAR from most of the main sights in Manhattan. Via the subway or ferries, you’re looking at 30-40 minutes to places like Chelsea, Times Square, and Central Park. If you’ve already done the tourist stuff and are happy spending most of your time on the east side of the river, then this would be a lovely place to spend a few days eating, drinking, and exploring.
• Gentrification. Brooklyn and Williamsburg are one of the original epicenters of gentrification in the United States (along with the Mission District in San Francisco), with brunch spots and third wave coffee shops – and the people who frequent those places – replacing local residents and businesses. It’s not a reason not to stay here, but it is worth knowing the context going into your decision. Many parts of Brooklyn and Williamsburg used to be primarily non-white, and those residents have been pushed out due to rising cost of living. 

Brooklyn Highlights

• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Stretching south from Dumbo and the Brooklyn Bridge, this park covers a fair amount of ground, including a few defunct piers that have been transformed into green spaces, basketball courts, and soccer fields. It’s worth doing a loop from Dumbo down to Pier 6, and walking back through Brooklyn Heights (which also has great views of the Lower Manhattan skyline).
• Cardiff Giant : If a bar that serves EXCLUSIVELY beer, wine, and cider from New York state sounds like a good time, this is the place for you. Plus, the back garden is an excellent place to spend a sunny afternoon procrastinating on all the stuff you’re supposed to be getting done. 
• Claro : We’ve been twice, and love this place. The back garden is where you should reserve if you’re coming in the summer. It’s now exclusively a tasting menu, and the most interesting things on the menu for us were the strawberry aguachile (it’s spicy!), though everything we ate was fantastic. Plus, it’s entirely gluten free!
• Dumbo: The formerly industrial area just north of the Brooklyn Bridge has been on the map for a decade or more now, but it has recently been taken up a level with the opening of the Time Out Market (similar to the one in Lisbon), whose rooftop has great views of NYC. Cobblestone streets and red brick buildings are the name of the game here, and the iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge that you’ve probably seen on Instagram can be found here . 
• The Brooklyn Bridge: Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a great activity at any hour, but it’s especially spectacular in the early morning and late afternoon / early evening. It’s a long walk, it’s loud, and there’s a lot of cars whizzing by, but the views of the bridge and the skyline are worth it.  

Williamsburg Highlights

• Devocion : We have been to their cafe in Bogota! This place serves exclusively Colombian coffees that are shipped straight to their roastery in Williamsburg and served within 10 days, roughly. Super fresh! They have a BEAUTIFUL space, with lots of natural light streaming through the glass ceiling and all sorts of plant life. And the coffee is great, too. They have some fun pour over offerings, for true coffee enthusiasts like Matt. 
• Domino Park: A beautiful waterfront park with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. There’s a seasonal mini golf course that opens in the summer, too!
• Caracas Arepa Bar : The first thing you need to know is that we LOVE arepas. Specifically, the Venezuelan variety, which are cut in half and stuffed full of all sorts of delicious fillings. This place has a lovely back patio, great cocktails, and a mix of classic and inventive arepa offerings. 
• For All Things Good : While we love Claro and Cosme, two Michelin-starred Mexican restaurants in New York City, this might have been our favorite Mexican food of the trip. They use SUPER fresh masa, and the first thing we noticed is HOW MUCH BETTER tortillas, memelas, and tlayudas are when the masa is fresh. They had just started their dinner service when we were there, and we opted to stop by for brunch. Don’t miss the tlayudas (basically, a pizza with a masa base, beans, cheese, and other toppings) and tetelas (triangle-shaped stuffed masa). 

Best Places to Stay in Downtown Brooklyn

Here are two solid options in Brooklyn to look at, depending on your style and budget. 

Solid Mid Range Hotel: NU Hotel or Even Hotel Brooklyn

A Touch of Luxury : The Ace Hotel

Best Places to Stay in Williamsburg

Here are three solid options in Williamsburg to look at, depending on your style and budget.

Budget Option: Pod Brooklyn

Solid Mid Range Hotel: Hotel Indigo or Hotel Le Jolie

A Touch of Luxury : The Wythe Hotel

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

You guys are amazing, as soon as we saw you recommended Gramercy Tavern I knew we were in safe hands, it one of our fave dining experiences ever, we stayed at the Dream Downtown for my 60th, which a lovely hotel, but on your recommendation think well try the Made Hotel for my 65th next year (2022), thx again for the advice, BW, Nick

Thanks for all the recommendations! Just got back from our trip to NYC and we loved every minute of it. Stayed at the Arlo Midtown which was perfect, Los Tacos was delicious and the ferry to Brooklyn was super easy and a beautiful way to commute. Will come back for more travel tips in the future 🙂

Thanks for the kind words, Brittney! We’re glad you had an amazing trip. We LOVED the ferry, and used it as many times as possible while we were in town. Cheers!

Great articles. However, I was searching for your list of GF eateries but couldn’t find it.

Hey there Chris! Here it is: https://wheatlesswanderlust.com/gluten-free-new-york-city-restaurants/

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28 Fun Things to do in Times Square! (+ Hidden Gems)

Looking for the best things to do in Times Square? We got you. Love it or hate it, Times Square is one of the must-see attractions in the city. Even locals who detest walking through the crowds Times Square have at least been there. I mean, once you visit you might understand why it’s not a place you’d want to walk through on your daily commute – it’s crowded with an average of 330,000 to 460,000 visitors daily and over 130 million visitors annually, this is one of the busiest tourist attractions in the world!

Ok, so what’s so special about the places to visit in Times Square? For starters, it’s the Broadway Theatre District hub and a worldwide entertainment hub. Not to mention, all the ads and screens. In fact, the NASDAQ sign at Times Square is the largest continuous sign here with a whopping 9,000 square feet of display space, the largest LED light in the world! And one of the most quintessential things to do in Times Square at night is to look up at the chaos of LED screens displaying ads, with lights so bright they can be seen from outer space.

The ‘people watching; you’ll encounter here from the Naked Cowboy to Elmo, street performers, and even the occasional scammer trying to take advantage of an unknowing visitor, there’s no other place in the city, let alone country, like Times Square.

Plus, you’re close to all the most famous Midtown attractions !

But, you’ll be surprised to learn there are actually quite a few cool things to do in Times Square that even the locals can’t resist. Whether you’re visiting during the day or looking for things to do in Times Square at night – this guide has got you covered.

Disclaimer: This post contains commissionable links.

Tips for Visiting Times Square

Due to the popularity and large crowds of tourists Times Square draws, this is a place where you can easily fall victim to common scams in NYC , and even less common ones. Don’t worry and don’t let that deter you though, with a little bit of knowledge beforehand and general awareness during your visit, you’ll most likely be fine. And worst case, most of these scams are pretty harmless and in the end of the day only cost you a few bucks.

That being said, this is a place where you will not want to be lackadaisical with setting valuables down (you shouldn’t do that in any big city in the world) and just be a little more alert of your surroundings to avoid pickpockets or thieves looking for an easy opportunity.

First thing is first, don’t take things from strangers trying to hand them out to you.

Watch out for the CD scammers. Yes, there are people still trying to sell CDs in Times Square. I can’t remember the last time I had a CD player, but sometimes an ’emerging artist’ will try to gift you their CD, they will sign it, and gas you up a bit. If you accept the CD and don’t offer money, then things will take a turn and things can get ugly as they try to intimidate you. 

There’s also a fake monk that walks around and tries to hand you a bracelet. Don’t accept it, it’s not for free, they will ask for donations which are also ‘fake’. There are many forms of this common scam, so just avoid it and don’t ever hold or accept anything anyone is trying to give you.

Fake comedy shows are another one. Anyone ‘selling tickets on the street’ in Times Square should be met with skepticism. Just buy your tickets online or at the actual venue. There will be people trying to sell you tickets to a huge A-list comedian show for $50 bucks. Often the tickets are for a comedy show, but you’ll discover they were $10 tickets and you’ll be sitting in a shady venue at a card table and discover that the tickets were actually $10 and the promise of that famous comedian performing will fall short. 

This will be covered more later, but those characters you see in Times Square? If you want a photo, be ready to cough up a few bucks for the characters. They can get quite aggressive if you don’t pay up. Avoid photos or carry a few dollars on you. And don’t even dare try to say you don’t have change on you, some carry credit card machines and accept electronic forms of payment. 

And if you’re really worried about pickpockets or the safety of your belongings, you can always invest in anti-theft gear to give you ease of mind and an extra layer of safety.

This Pacsafe Shoulder Bag   slings over your body and is the perfect size to carry your day essentials while exploring Brooklyn. This lightweight bag has anti-theft features so you can enjoy NYC with ease of mind with Pacsafe’s anti-theft patent products whether you’re in a crowded area or on the subway.

This Pacsafe Anti-theft Backpack is another essential for New York City or any city trip. This backpack has a patented anti-theft design with lockable zippers and slash-proof material in this sleek and comfortable designed backpack.

Cool Places to Visit in Times Square

Take in the lights of times square.

(Located at 7th Avenue and Broadway, from 46th Street to 47th Street)

There’s no better evidence showing that New York is the city that “never sleeps” than the iconic sea of illuminated billboards of Times Square. Times Square’s continuously illuminated lighting is one of the area’s biggest draws for tourists and for good reason. Seeing these high-powered digital screens is truly mesmerizing and absolutely one of the best things to do in Times Square at night!

With all the expensive and large display of illuminated ads, this is an experience you’ll find nowhere else in the country and will surely leave a lasting impact on any first-time visitor. In fact, those companies you see up here pay top dollar to be a part of one of the world’s largest tourist attractions, it can cost anywhere from $5,000 – $25,000 for an ad to be displayed for 1-3 days!

One of the coolest ads to watch out for is the 3D billboard screen about the Edition Hotel (47th Street & Seventh Avenue). This 14,000-square-foot display takes advertising to a new immersive level.

Also, even if you’re not celebrating New Year’s in Times Square , you can see the famous Waterford Crystal ball (that’s illuminated on NYE with 32,256 LED lights) on the top of One Times Square year-round.

• Catch a Show on Broadway

(Located throughout Times Square area in the Theater District)

Out of all the best things to do in Times Square—seeing a Broadway show should definitely be near the top of that list! With over forty theaters in the area known as the Theater District, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch some of the city’s most popular long-running shows including Hamilton, Wicked, Chicago the Musical, and Lion King.

TKTS, a ticket booth in Times Square, serves as one of the best ways to get affordable tickets to one of these famed shows. Be sure to swing by this booth for a deal for the highly entertaining world of musical theater!

However, if you have your heart set on what show you want to see, it’s best to secure your tickets in advance. See our full guide on money-saving tips and everything you need to know about seeing a show on Broadway to help you plan your visit whether you’re seeing a matinee or an evening show!

Oh, and you’ll want to plan your meals accordingly! Check out all our picks for the best theater district restaurants to enjoy a pre or post show meal! (plus how to get a reservation!).

Also, you can get Broadway tickets for the many shows on SeatGeek , and when you add our promo code BROOKLYNGUIDE to your SeatGeek account, you receive $20 off your first ticket purchase. (we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you)

Times Square Characters

(Located at the intersection of 7th Ave and Broadway)

Probably one of the most “touristy” things to do in Times Square (but still worth mentioning)—taking photos with some of the most famous characters in popular media. Whether or not you’re getting a photo or watching others get their photo, this is a quintessential Times Square experience.

There’s nothing more ‘Times Square’ then taking photos with one of your favorite animated characters like Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Mickey, or Batman. Some costumed characters in Times Square are better than others, some look like they were pulled out of a dumpster and you might catch a beloved figure popping their head off to take a vape break.

You may also come across the Naked Cowboy , the city’s favorite (almost) nude guitarist whose been entertaining the masses in his painted underwear since the late nineties! Rain (snow) or shine, he’s out there in his skivvies making people smile.

It’s also worth noting that most of these characters don’t take photos for free and they do indeed expect a tip in return. I mean hey—The Incredible Hulk’s got to eat, too!

While there have been issues with these characters in the past (Most notably a 2015 street brawl between Spider-Man and an unfortunate pedestrian), there’s been less problems between visitors and characters in recent years thanks to stricter guidelines defined by local authority. Such guidelines include:

1.) Only interacting with characters within two green marked areas (green lines are visible on the ground) and

2.) Tipping is not a requirement for taking pictures according to the official Times Square site , but it is expected and you won’t gain much sympathy from authorities if you encounter any problems.

• Midnight Moment

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 (Located at 7th Avenue and Broadway, from 46th Street to 47th Street)

If you’re in the Times Square area right around midnight, you’re in for one heck of a treat. And by treat I mean the world-famous Midnight Moment. Midnight Moment is a synchronized digital art display that occurs every night between 11:57 pm to midnight. It’s a very short window of time, but it serves as a marvelous showcase of what contemporary artists have to offer and one of the best things to do in Times Square at night!

There’s no better way to cap off an evening in Times Square than joining millions of people in admiring the famed light show. This is one of the best digital art exhibitions in the world, and better yet it’s free!

• Castell Rooftop Lounge

(rooftop of AC Hotel, 260 W 40th St)

One of the best things to do in Times Square any time of year is to get in on the rooftop action! There are so many great rooftop lounges in the city, and a few of the best are right here in the heart of Times Square. Head to the AC Hotel in Times Square, where you can find the fantastic Spanish tapas restaurant, Boqueria on the ground floor which is one of the best brunch spots in the area, and higher up you can find Castell Rooftop Lounge, which is a great spot to grab a drink and take in the views.

There’s an indoor area with windows so you can enjoy the views of the Empire State Building even on the coldest of days near a fireplace, or if the weather is lovely, head outside where you can enjoy the beautiful skyline and city views paired perfectly with a great cocktail.

• Brunch at Boqueria

260 W 40th Street

As briefly mentioned above, one of the best things to do in Times Square is seek out one of the great restaurants that aren’t a chain eatery you can find in your hometown (sorry, Olive Garden). Take advantage of being in one of the best cities in the world for global cuisine and head to Boqueria for their menu full of Spanish tapas and excellent weekend brunch options.

While you’re not limited to dining here for brunch as they serve fantastic lunch and dinner options, their brunch is incredible! They also have happy hour too! (If you’re looking for more happy hours, check out our guide to the best spots for happy hour in NYC !)

But speaking of brunch, we recommend coming with others so you can try a few shareable tapa options (there are several) and be sure to split the brunch paella and a few other tapas paired with cocktails. Be sure to save room for churros for dessert too!

• Dine at The View Restaurant

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1535 Broadway

One of the most memorable places to visit in Times Square, The View is a revolving restaurant and bar (located in the Marriott Marquis on the 48th floor) is the only of its kind in New York.

Calling The View a “unique experience” is an understatement as the restaurant provides a mobile meal while also managing to avoid making patrons dizzy. The restaurant’s fine dining and beautiful views of the skyline also make it one of the most romantic things to do in Times Square at night (with your better half). 

This venue also hosts pop-up events like their “Le Petit Chef” , and you can check out their main web page for more details. But whether you’re there for one of their immersive pop-ups or their impressive cuisine, The View is one of the best places to visit in Times Square and an absolute must for couples visiting the big apple!

• St Cloud Rooftop Bar

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6 Times Square, 17th Floor

Located at the top of Knickerbocker Hotel , one of the best hotels in Midtown , St Could Rooftop is one of the best rooftop bars in the city and one of the coolest things to do in Times Square at night.

Made up of three sky pods, St Cloud overlooks Times Square and offers some of the best views thanks to its unbeatable location. This rooftop lounge and bar will have you feeling as though you’re on top of the city and similar to The View—is a great spot for a date night!

This is one of the best places to visit in Times Square as you’ll get a better view of the square while enjoying St Cloud’s great selection of cocktails (Like their Volcano Ash Cocktail) or snacks. This bar is first come first serve, so be sure to stop by before seats fill up!

• Attend Good Morning America Live!

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Broadway & West 44th Street

Ever wanted to be part of a live broadcast? At Good Morning America’s Times Square studio, you’ll get the opportunity to join the lucky few who get to enjoy the wildly popular daily talk show up close and personal.

Currently, you can only experience the outdoor of the studio where people line up early in the morning to see the highly anticipated guests and sometimes guest performances from the biggest names in show biz. Taking place Mondays through Fridays at Broadway and 44th from 7 AM to 9 AM. Although, you’ll need to get here much earlier to secure one of the few spots up front!

While standing in line for a few hours may sound like a hassle, joining Good Morning America live is one of the most popular things to do in Times Square on weekday mornings! Especially for visitors who are used to tuning in from home daily!

• Visit a Speakeasy

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There are so many cool speakeasies in New York City , while many of the best are around the Lower East Side, there are quite a few in Midtown and one of the best things to do in Times Square at night is check out the ones located around here!

Disguised as a sex shop, Woo Woo Room (266 W 4th St) is a vibrant cocktail bar with a funky retro atmosphere and great drinks to match. This is a nice spot to visit and dance to some vintage old-school tunes. Reserving a table ahead of time is recommended, and you can do so by visiting their website !

Another great gem, Bar Centrale (324 W 46th St) is tucked away inside of an unassuming brownstone and is one of the most unique things to do in Times Square at night. This place feels very exclusive and intimate even for a speakeasy and with plenty of good food and cocktails—it can serve as a great setting for a date night. While it can be seen as touristy, Centrale is definitely a worthwhile venture! 

Last but certainly not least there’s The Secret Room (707 8th Ave), an event venue that hosts many different forms of entertainment from stand-up comedy to belly dancing. This diverse spot is one of the best places to visit in Times Square if you want to enjoy some of the best music and live performances the city has to offer! Purchasing a ticket ahead of time or reserving a table is a must at this exclusive space, so be sure to visit their website to get that started.

• See a Live Taping

Ever wanted to see a live taping of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert ? Fallon? Daily Show? Being present at a live taping for one of these shows is one of the best things to do in Times Square as many of these popular programs are shot within the area!

Experience Colbert’s signature brand of political satire as well as his diverse selection of guests at the Ed Sullivan Theater (1697 Broadway). Just make sure you bring a sweater as this particular theater can get a little chilly. Check out their website for more details!

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon offers not only the famed late-night host’s high-energy interview style, but a variety of different improvisational impersonations and skits. This show also stands out for its willingness to let the audience in on the fun, as some activities warrant audience participation. Join the magic at 30 Rockefeller Center by grabbing a ticket on their main site today!

Another show that takes place in 30 Rockefeller Center— Late Night with Seth Myers features some of the top-ranking guest stars in Hollywood today. And thanks to his SNL background, Meyer’s show really comes through with the reliable monologue jokes you’d come to expect from a veteran in the comedy game. For the most reliable and up-to-date ticket availability, be sure to check out 1iota !

Taped in Hell’s Kitchen (733 11th Ave), The Daily Show is known for its funny satire, but the host also knows how to transition from comedy to thought-provoking conversation without missing a beat. And thanks to the fact that it has one of the most diverse teams of writers and performers in the biz, The Daily Show brings a very unique perspective to late night. You can check out this site for more details on securing a ticket.

• M&M’s World

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1600 Broadway

M&M lovers rejoice! With this giant candy shop in the middle of the Times Square area—candy enthusiasts, both young and old, get to enjoy three floors of chocolaty wonder! 

M&M’s world offers a wide variety of flavors for the iconic candy that will keep you busy for hours on end. Also, patrons will find plenty of gifts, and merchandise to take back home with them. This spot also offers customers the unique opportunity to design their very own M&M.

While this candy store is popular among children, all candy lovers are welcome at this sweet establishment. This one of most fun places to visit in Times Square if you’re really into candy or you have kids along. Just bring your wallet and your sweet tooth and you’re sure to have a blast!

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160 W 45th St

Rise NY is part museum, part expedition with three main acts! Rise NY pre-games visitors with an enthralling film (narrated by none other than Jeff Goldblum) from documentary specialist Ric Burns, then takes you on a journey through New York’s pop culture history through a series of galleries—and then finally caps things off with an unforgettable ride 30 feet from the ground over the city’s famous skyline!

This is one of the most fun things to do in Times Square and serves as one of the most exhilarating ways to learn more about the city’s history! Be sure to book your tickets in advance .

• Paradise Club

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701 7th Ave

Located at the Edition Hotel —Paradise Club is one of the most popular things to do in Times Square at night thanks to its reputation for being a great dance club! Hosting everything from dance parties to comedy shows, this club is a great place for New York visitors looking to experience the city’s vibrant night life and even more perfect for those looking for a birthday bash.

It’s also worth noting that the dress code for Paradise Club is business casual. You may be turned away at the door if you don’t fit their standards, so be sure to arrive at Paradise with your best dress attire!

• Russian Samovar

256 W 52nd St

New York is known for having a lot of diversity when it comes to the culinary delights and Russian Samovar is a great testament to that! Right in the middle of Times Square, Samovar is an authentic Russian eatery/bar and one of the best places to visit in Times Square to wet your whistle thanks to their flavor-infused vodkas!

This dimly lit old-world venue also hosts events, features live music, and acts as a perfect spot for dancing on Saturday nights.

Spots for this restaurant fill up pretty quickly, so making a reservation ahead of time is highly advised! Visit their website in order to reserve a table.

But if I’m being honest, you should really just come for a spot at the bar and try your pick at one of their house-infused flavored vodkas including flavors like horseradish, dill, pomegranate, cucumber, apple cinnamon, and more! They also can combine flavors to make your own mix too. They sell them by the single shot, tasting flights, or go big for a carafe.

• Living Room Bar at W Hotel Times Square

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1567 Broadway

A cocktail lounge located on the 7th floor of the W Hotel New York , Living Room Bar is one of the funkiest places to visit in Times Square! This bar offers guests comfortable seating pods allowing you a little privacy and space to breathe as you enjoy one of their classy cocktails. This lounge takes a “less is more” approach with its décor, but don’t let its design fool you—Living Room is one of the most vibrant spots in the area dripped with. neon signs.

Thanks to its fun vibe and ambiance, Living Room Bar serves as one of best things to do in Times Square if you’re looking for a break from the action (for a moment). While it may be on the expensive side, the peace of mind you’ll get in return is priceless!

• Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

If you’re interested in seeing what else Manhattan has to offer, there’s no better place to go than Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour ! Let’s be real, you’ll be walking ALOT during your NYC trip, so why not take advantage of a bus tour to take you around. It’s through this bus tour you’ll get to visit famous landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and you guessed it—Times Square.

You’ll also be treated to interesting facts and history about the city during the tour. And sweeten the deal even more, Hop on Hop Off also includes a 1-hour bike rental for good measure!

Hop on Hop Off is a great way to explore not just Times Square, but other parts of Manhattan as well, stretching from downtown all the way to Midtown. For exploring Times Square and beyond, this bus tour is your best bet!

• Visit Rockefeller Center

30 Rockefeller Plaza

A landmark filled with other landmarks, Rockefeller Center is full of things New York visitors need to see. Within Fifth and Sixth Ave, you’ll pass by many different commercial buildings as well as the famous Radio City Music Hall.

Visiting Rockefeller Center is one of the best things to do near Times Square at night—and especially during the holiday season as this is one of the most festive places to visit in NYC at Christmas . With the holiday lights, Christmas tree, and the Rink at Rockefeller Center, you’ll get to experience a real New York Christmas!

And located at the top of Rockefeller Center is Top of the Rock Observatory , one of the city’s most famous landmarks and the best observation decks in NYC . It’s here you’ll get a panoramic view of New York City in all its glory—and if that wasn’t enough, the brilliantly designed deck itself is honestly worth the visit alone, book your tickets in advance here .

• Dine at Carmine’s

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200 W 44th St

Carmine’s is a widely popular family-style Italian restaurant, located in the heart of the famous commercial area. This restaurant offers Italian classics like pizza, pasta, bread, and desserts like tiramisu.

You can also find other dishes as well from steak to seafood all in big, family-style portions. And for those looking to take the edge, enjoy wine or a cocktail from the bar.

This is one of the most popular restaurants in the city let alone one of the best things to do in Times Square—especially after walking through the area all day as you’ll need to refuel. Due to its popularity, this restaurant can get extremely busy, so making reservations is highly recommended. You can do so by going here .

All’Antico Vinaio

729 8th Avenue

One of the best sandwich shops from Florence, Italy with locations in Milan and Rome can now be found near Times Square! Enjoy their delectable sandwiches served on freshly-baked Tuscan schiacciata bread filled with Italian meats, spreads, and cheeses and see what the fuss is all about. 

Better yet, they are open not only for lunch but until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays! (8 PM on the rest of the weeknights). See all the fine ingredients through their glass case as your sandwich artist creates your insanely delicious and generous-sized portion sandwich.

• Go to Ellen’s Stardust Diner

1650 Broadway

A well-renowned diner in New York City , Ellen’s Stardust Diner is known mostly for its 1950s theme and its super-talented singing wait staff (The Stardusters). At this interactive diner, you’ll be both entertained and well-fed thanks to their large portion sizes of diner classics (Rueben sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and meatball hero).

There’s probably going to be a line to get inside once you’ve arrived here, but don’t let that intimidate you. Ellen’s lines tend to move pretty quickly!

Or Go to Friedmans

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228 W 47th Street, Inside Edison Hotel

Want to enjoy show tunes while you dine? Head to the Theater District/Times Square location of Friedmans for show tunes and supper Thursdays through Sundays! Located inside the Edison Hotel (this hotel has a cool history, when it opened in 1931 Thomas Edison is the one who turned on the lights to the marquee!), this restaurant has partnered with Gayle’s Broadway Rose singing servers to entertain you as you dine!

This is lesser-known than Ellen’s Stardust Diner, so it’s a bit easier to get a table! Plus the food is great. I love their brunch, but their dinner service is when the singing happens!

• Madame Tussauds New York

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234 W 42nd St

Touristy but fun, known as the “World’s greatest wax museum”— Madame Tussauds New York is a popular attraction and one of the most highly recommended things to do in Times Square if you’re looking to do something kitschy.

Walk through their exhibits and find some of the most astonishingly realistic wax figures you’ll likely ever see. And if wax sculptures of famous celebrities don’t scratch your fancy, you may also enjoy their 4D Marvel movie experience or go through their thrill inducing Carnival Carnage 7D sensory game.

Their wax museum is one of the best places to visit in Times Square for picture taking if you want to fool your friends at home that you met a famous celebrity or have fun posing in recreations of popular movie scenes, so be sure to keep your camera handy when entering this indoor attraction!

• Super Hero Tour

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(Meeting location in front of the New York Police Department by West 43rd Street between 7th Ave and Broadway)

Another touristy attraction (but goodie), NYC: Bus Tour to Superhero Film Locations is a great way for superhero fans to get a closer look at where some of their favorite movies and TV series were shot! Starting and departing from Times Square, you’ll see many famous filming locations in NYC of famous Marvel properties such as Spider-Man, Captain America, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and The Incredible Hulk TV series.

This is definitely a worthwhile experience whether you’re a superhero buff or not because it’s a fun and entertaining guide through many of the city’s famous landmarks (Empire State Building, Madison Square Park) and neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Lower East Side! Book your tour here.

See A Comedy Show

If you didn’t already know—New York City is the mecca of standup comedy and you can’t really consider it a proper visit if you leave before catching a show at one of the city’s famous comedy clubs. And thankfully there are a few in or near Times Square!

Broadway Comedy Club (318 W 53rd St) is another spot to stop by while exploring Times Square. Broadway always delivers a great lineup of famous comedians—both foreign and domestic. Purchasing your ticket ahead of time is the easiest (and also the cheapest way) to guarantee seat at this popular club!

Finally, there’s LoL Times Square Comedy Club (336 W 46th St)—one of the few comedy clubs that allows minors and serves as a great option if you’re looking for more family-friendly laughs!

Enjoy Rum Drinks at The Rum House

228 W 47th Street

Calling all rum lovers! This is one of the best things to do in Times Square for you! The Rum House is a gorgeous bar and hideaway in Times Square located within the Edison Hotel.

Inside the bar you’ll feel transported back to mid-century New York where you’ll get to choose from a selection of rum cocktails or rum flights. They have over 100 styles/types of rum to try and a few light bites like soft pretzels, popcorn, and hot dogs if you start feeling a bit peckish.

This is the perfect post-Broadway show place to grab a drink or place to escape the madness of Times Square as it feels like a true hideaway in the most happening part of the city.

Get the Big Apple Doughnut from Krispy Kreme

Instagram पर यह पोस्ट देखें L&L Holding Company (@llholdingco) द्वारा साझा की गई पोस्ट

1601 Broadway

Yes, going to Krispy Kreme is one of the more unique things to do in Times Square and I’ll tell you why! Not only is this a flagship location, the largest location in the world, and they have fresh hot doughnuts coming out all day long – but this location has a special doughnut you can only get in Times Square!

The Big Apple Doughnut is exclusive to this location and is shaped like a red apple, for The Big Apple! Bite into this sweet, shiny doughnut for a Red Delicious apple flavored cream filling sold in a special souvenir box.

Yes, this is something people do come here for! And it’s $11. There’s also the Doughnut Experience here, where you get an immersive experience into the world of Krispy Kreme!

Oh, and did I mention they are open until midnight?! Also, if you don’t want to go inside, you can get your fresh hot doughnuts from the streetside window too!

• NYE Ball Drop!

1 Times Square

A tradition dating back to 1907, every year on New Year’s Eve the Times Square Ball Drop occurs—celebrating the start of the New Year. While it is broadcasted on national television for all to see, New York visitors are gifted with the opportunity to witness the ball drop firsthand!

It’s worth noting that hotel rooms with views can cost around $20K. Also, you’ll have to come in person and expect a day-long wait (without a bathroom) in the cold. If this is something you’ve always wanted to do and you’re willing to wait in the cold, come join thousands of New Yorkers as we usher in the New Year with the famous NYE Ball Drop!

Where to Stay in Times Square

If you’re wondering where to stay near all the best things to do in Times Square, be sure to consider the Moxy NYC Times Square ! Also home to the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge, a pink-themed rooftop with views of the Empire State Building. The rooms are also amazing and you can book one with a view of the city!  Book The Moxy Times Square here.

The W New York in Times Square  has an amazing location overlooking Times Square and has rooms with unbeatable views of the city not to mention the extensive amenities available at this hotel. Plus, they’re pet friendly and steps away from the best Times Square attractions. Book W New York Times Square here.

For budget-friendly hotels in NYC , check out Voco Times Square ! Rooms at the Voco Times Square have views of the city, Apotheke toiletries, which is a local Brooklyn brand, and is pet-friendly!  Book Voco Times Square here.

The Times Square EDITION is one of the best hotels near Times Square not to mention this is a luxurious 5-star property with floor-to-ceiling windows so that you can enjoy the views of the city. Also, you have one of the coolest clubs in the city here at Paradise Club, one of the best things to do in Times Square at night. Book The Times Square EDITION here.

Amazing Things to do in Times Square (Post Summary)

• Lights of Times Square
• See the Times Square Characters
• Get a Ridiculously Good Italian sandwich at All’Antico Vinaio
• Or See a Show with Dinner at Friedman’s
• See a Comedy Show
• Enjoy Rum Drinks at the Rum House
• Get the Big Apple Doughnut at Krispy Kreme

It’s easy to spend a day in Times Square when visiting NYC as there are a surprisingly a large amount of things to do in Times Square including great restaurants, museums, and attractions. A perfect day in Times Square would be breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, during the day you can do the Hop on Hop Off bus tour, visit museums, go to Rockefeller Center, or take a fun tour, get lunch at popular Italian sandwich shop All’Antico Vinaio, see a show on Broadway or catch a live taping of a show, visit a Times Square speakeasy or rooftop lounge, and catch Midnight Moment at Times Square.

There are alot of cool things to do in Times Square, while it’s crowded and famous as being a popular tourist destination that locals avoid at all costs, there are actually some awesome attractions, shopping, dining, and really cool bars in Times Square that even locals love! There are multiple speakeasies, cool nightclubs, great restaurants, rooftop bars, museums, and tours that are available in Times Square that make it a good spot to visit in NYC.

How long should you spend in Times Square totally depends on what you want to do. If you just want to see the famous Times Square lights, you only need 30-45 minutes, but we recommend sticking around and enjoying a few of the cool things to do in Times Square like visit the rooftop bars, great restaurants, shopping, or events like catching a show on Broadway, seeing a live taping of a show, or see a comedy show in Times Square which would make your visit last a few hours to a half of a day.

The most famous street and section of Times Square is Broadway, this is where you’ll spot the flashy lights and advertisements, where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, and the heart of the commercial district in this area where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and the TKTS ticket counter to get Broadway tickets!

Times Square is and is not a tourist trap! Yes, there are a few common scams here and knock off characters who will hit you up for money if you snap a picture, but there are also some cool things you can only do in Times Square like see a show on Broadway and visit a few famous restaurants like Carmine’s and a few one-of-a-kind attractions that make it worth visiting at least once in your lifetime!

Times Square is just as safe at night as it is during the day. Just like any crowded tourist area in any city around the world, you’ll want to be an alert and aware visitor keeping an eye on your belongings from pickpockets and common scams where people try to get money out of non-suspecting visitors.

Visiting Times Square at night is the best because you’ll see the full effect of the glow of the flashy lights and advertisements although there are plenty of things to do in Times Square during the day that make it worthwhile to visit too as it’s never empty or a sleepy area of the city to visit. To see Times Square with less crowds you’ll want to visit early morning.

About the Author

Eric Garner is a Brooklyn-based writer who was raised down South who loves talking about film, TV, hip-hop, and fashion.

Enjoy all these amazing things to do in Times Square! If you found this guide helpful bookmark it for later or share with a friend.

Eric Garner is a Brooklyn-based writer who was raised down south who loves talking about film, TV, hip-hop, fashion and sharing some great recommendations around Brooklyn.

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Russia claims control over strategic Ukrainian town of ‘Niu-York’

The Russian military said on Tuesday that its forces had taken control of what it described as the strategically important logistics hub of Niu-York in eastern Ukraine, part of Moscow’s grinding drive to capture the entire Donetsk region .

Even as Ukrainian troops seek to advance in Russia’s Kursk region after a surprise cross-border attack launched on Aug. 6, the fate of Niu-York — which NBC News could not independently confirm — is a reminder that Russian forces are pressing on with their own offensive in eastern Ukraine regardless.

Russia refers to Niu-York, which Ukraine gave back its original name in 2021, as Novgorodskoye, the Russian spelling of the settlement’s Soviet-era name.

“As a result of intense action by units of the ‘Centre Grouping’ of troops, a large grouping of enemy troops was crushed and one of the largest settlements in the Toretsk agglomeration and the strategically important logistics hub of Novgorodskoye ... was liberated,” the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The Ukrainian military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the current status of the settlement.

With a pre-war population of just under 10,000, Niu-York is on the railway line to Sloviansk, one of the cities in eastern Ukraine which Moscow has long wanted to take.

The Ukrainian military said earlier on Tuesday that heavy fighting was underway in the Toretsk sector, including in Niu-York, amid reports from Russian military bloggers that Moscow’s forces were engaged in mopping up operations in Niu-York.

In a morning report, Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces said on Telegram that Russian forces had tried to advance 24 times in various areas, including Niu-York.

On Monday, Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-backed official, posted video of a Russian soldier hoisting the Russian flag atop what looked like an administrative building in Niu-York while a charred Ukrainian flag lay on the pavement outside.

Ukraine war latest: Vladimir Putin 'has made decision' on responding to Kursk invasion

Vladimir Putin has "made a decision" and there will be "severe punishment" following Ukraine's incursion into Russia, according to the Russian ambassador to the US. Elsewhere, Russia has been forced to suspend a ferry service to Crimea following a Ukrainian attack.

Friday 23 August 2024 18:44, UK

• Putin has 'made decision' on responding to Kursk invasion
• Russia suspends ferry service to Crimea after Ukrainian attack
• Moscow strengthening offensive towards key strategic hub
• Russian snipers kill prisoners who took hostages at penal colony
• Your questions answered : Is there a larger response to come from Russia over the Kursk invasion?
• Live reporting by Samuel Osborne

We're ending our live coverage of the Ukraine war for now.

We will return with any major developments this evening, but if not we'll be back soon with all the latest updates.

Here is a reminder of today's key events:

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sit down for talks with Russia to end the war as the two leaders met in Kyiv;
• Russia accused Ukraine of trying to attack a nuclear power plant in an overnight drone attack;
• The Wagner mercenary group has become "increasingly fragmented" in the year since its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and founder Dmitry Utkin were killed in a plane crash, according to the UK Ministry of Defence;
• Germany is investigating suspected drone espionage after drones were flown over several industrial sites;
• Ukrainian forces claimed they have recaptured nearly two square kilometres of territory in the northeastern Kharkiv region;
• Russian snipers killed four prisoners at a penal colony who seized prison guards as hostages and declared allegiance to the Islamic State - all hostages were freed, local media reports said;
• Moscow suspended a ferry service operating between its southern territory and Crimea following a Ukrainian attack.

Russia has reportedly reinforced troops in its push for the key Ukrainian strategic hub of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region.

Although Moscow has been redeploying troops from other regions in Ukraine back to Russia in order to head off a Ukrainian incursion, it has not redeployed troops from its offensive towards the city but has instead reinforced them, according to The Economist.

Russian forces have been pushing towards the key strategic hub for months.

Capturing the city would compromise Kyiv's defensive abilities and supply routes, and bring Russia closer to its stated aim of controlling the entire Donetsk region.

Earlier, our military analyst Sean Bell answered a reader's question on whether there is a response to come from Russia over the Kursk invasion - and he said Moscow might focus on its offensive towards Pokrovsk. 

You can read more on that below...

We brought you reports earlier that prisoners at a Russian penal colony had taken prison staff hostage and killed one person. 

Local news outlets now say snipers from Russia's national guard have killed the four hostage-takers.

The National Guard Service said the inmates were "neutralised" and all hostages freed, the reports said, though the number of hostages was not specified.

Before the inmates were shot, state news agency TASS said four victims were taken to a local hospital, with two of them in serious condition.

Unconfirmed reports on the Telegram messaging app said one or two people had died.

A video filmed by the attackers showed four uniformed officials lying in pools of blood - three of them motionless. Another was sitting upright in a doorway with a knife held to his neck.

One man shouted that they were Islamic State militants and had seized control of the prison in the Volgograd region.

Other videos showed four men pacing about a prison yard where a bloodied prison staff member was being held hostage.

One of the prisoners appeared to have an improvised explosive vest while the others were carrying knives and hammers.

Russian media said the four suspects were citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and three were in jail for drug offences and the fourth for unpremeditated murder.

The United States has added 105 Russian and Chinese firms to a trade restriction list for allegedly supporting the Russian military, ramping up pressure on Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine.

The 63 Russian and 42 Chinese companies, along with 18 from other countries, were targeted for several reasons, from sending US electronics to Russian military-related parties to producing thousands of Shahed-136 drones for Moscow to use in Ukraine.

Being added to the entity list means US suppliers will have to apply for a hard-to-get licence if they want to ship to the targeted companies.

Many of the firms were also given a special designation forcing overseas suppliers to get the same US licences before shipping to the targeted companies.

Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to attack a nuclear power plant in an overnight drone attack.

It is the second time Moscow has made such allegations in two days.

The nuclear plant is located in the Kursk region in western Russia, where fighting has raged since Kyiv's forces launched an incursion into Russian territory.

The Ukrainian defence ministry is yet to comment on the Russian allegation.

Meanwhile the Russian defence ministry said its air defence units had shot down three Ukrainian drones in the region overnight. 

It said it had thwarted Kyiv's attempt to carry out "a terrorist attack" against Russian facilities.

Russian state news agency TASS reported a drone had been shot down near a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at the Kursk power plant.

TASS quoted Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying it was an "act of nuclear terrorism" requiring an immediate response from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The head of the IAEA Rafael Grossi is due to visit the power plant next week and has appealed for maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident.

The Wagner mercenary group has become "increasingly fragmented" in the year since its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and founder Dmitry Utkin were killed in a plane crash, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

"In comparison to its peak personnel count of around 50,000 in 2023, Wagner now highly likely maintains around 5,000 total personnel across its residual deployments in Belarus and Africa," the MoD said in its latest update.

Prigozhin and Utkin were among 10 killed when their plane crashed north of Moscow one year ago today under mysterious circumstances.

It came two months to the day after the Wagner boss led a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military top brass, mounting the most serious challenge against Vladimir Putin since he came to power in 1999.

The Wagner group was formed of ex-convicts and mercenaries and played a key role on the battlefield in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It has also been active in conflicts in Syria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Libya.

The MoD also shared a map of the latest battlefield situation in eastern Ukraine:

Germany is investigating suspected drone espionage after drones were flown over several industrial sites.

Yesterday prosecutors said they had opened an investigation into repeated drone flights over critical infrastructure in northern Germany which they said were suspected of spying for sabotage purposes.

The German military's Territorial Command said it had complied with a police request to provide radar data on the suspicious drone flights.

German chemicals group Covestro and Swiss cement maker Holcim are among a group of chemical, energy and logistics companies that have operations in the ChemCoast Park industrial area in Brunsbuttel, in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Yesterday German newspaper Bild cited state criminal police saying the drones were likely to have been Russian Orlan-10s, which have a range of 500-600km (310-372 miles) and can fly at over 62mph (100kph).

Germany has been one of Ukraine's biggest suppliers of military aid since Russia invaded in 2022 and has been on increased alert over sabotage activity.

Narendra Modi has urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sit down for talks with Russia to end the war.

The Indian prime minister told the Ukrainian president he would act as a "friend" to help bring peace, as the two leaders met in Kyiv.

Mr Modi said he had come to the Ukrainian capital with a message of peace.

"The road to resolution can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy, and we should move in that direction without wasting any time. Both sides should sit together to find a way out of this crisis," Mr Modi said.

"I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any efforts towards peace. If I can play any role in this personally, I will do that. I want to assure you as a friend."

Mr Modi said India had not been neutral or a bystander during the conflict and was always on the side of peace.

New Delhi has so far avoided condemning Russia's invasion and Mr Zelenskyy previously criticised Mr Modi for his visit to Moscow in July, chiding him for hugging Vladimir Putin during their meeting.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment.

Today, Thomas Heavner asks:

Should the fact that there has been no direct response from Putin militarily regarding the Ukraine incursion into Russia signal a larger more catastrophic response to come from Russia? Or is this just "how they're playing it"?

Military analyst Sean Bell  answers:

When Ukraine first launched its audacious incursion into Russian territory over a fortnight ago, some commentators were concerned that the attack would provoke a swift and ruthless response from Vladimir Putin.  However, over a fortnight into Ukraine's military operation, it now appears that Russia has struggled to develop a coherent response, and Ukraine maintains the initiative.

The Ukrainian operation appears to have been well planned, and Ukraine has capitalised on its initial success by reinforcing its forces and pushing deeper into Russia.  Although Ukraine has not declared the objectives of this dynamic operation, it appears that Volodymyr Zelenskyy  was seeking to seize the initiative, bolster Ukrainian morale, and provoke a military response from Russia that would relieve pressure on an embattled Ukrainian frontline in the Donbas.   

Mr Putin was clearly frustrated at the Ukrainian incursion, but a ruthless Russian military response was only one option. Ukraine is short of military capability - soldiers and weapons - and it appears that they have deployed up to 10,000 soldiers (probably battle-hardened) into Russian territory. This "fixes" these Ukrainian forces well away from the frontline Russian action in the Donbas. 

Mr Putin knows that progress on the frontline will slow when winter arrives, so his forces have perhaps 10 to 12 weeks remaining to achieve the objectives of his so-called Special Military Operation. By focusing on Russian main effort in the Donbas, Mr Putin knows that Ukraine has diluted the forces available to resist the Russian assault towards Pokrovsk, which might enable greater progress in the limited time available.   

Once Russia's objectives in the Donbas have been achieved, Mr Putin might consider that he can address the Kursk incursion in slower time.

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The New York Times just released its annual list of the 52 places every traveler should visit. Here are the only 7 US destinations that made the cut this year.

• The New York Times has released its annual " 52 Places to Go " list. 
• To compile the list, The New York Times travel staff spent four months polling their travel networks and asking the question: "Why this place, this year?" 
• Commitment to sustainability and celebration of history are two threads running through this year's selections, Times travel editor Amy Virshup noted .
• Seven US destinations, ranging from Glacier National Park to Washington DC , made the cut.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Today, the New York Times released its " 52 Places to Go in 2020 " list. Over the course of four months, Times travel editors polled contributors, correspondents, seasoned travelers, and travel industry professionals for their recommendations, asking the question : "Why this place, this year?" 

The full list includes destinations hosting major events, such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; destinations celebrating major anniversaries, like the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's departure from Plymouth, England; and destinations undergoing drastic changes, such as the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Sustainability and history were two themes running through the selections, Times travel editor Amy Virshup noted .

This year, seven destinations across the United States made the cut, ranging from major cities to a remote island and national park. Seven travel professionals shared their thoughts on why for "52 Places."Take a look.

Read the full list from the New York Times »

Glacier national park and whitefish, montana.

Only 25 glaciers remain in Glacier National Park , compared to 150 in 1910, Montana-based writer and photographer Justin Franz notes. While the landscape is evolving, the park is still renowned for its beauty. Franz recommends a visit to the 17-room Sperry Chalet, a 100-year-old lodge reopening in 2020 after a $9 million renovation. The nearby town of Whitefish, Montana, is another great base destination with a few more urban comforts, such as award-winning restaurants and recently opened boutique hotels, Franz says.

Source: The New York Times

Austin, Texas

Southern lawyer turned journalist Shannon Sims calls Austin a "buoyant economy and an intellectual hub packaged in an aesthetic of cowboy patina and broken-in leather." Beyond serving an important role in the upcoming presidential election as a "blue capital in a red state," Austin continues to be a talked-about travel destination for its music, art, and food scenes, she says. Sims encourages people to look beyond the buzzed-about Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, recommending art galleries on the East Side and relaxed dining establishments — in particular Tacodeli for breakfast tacos — as alternative attractions. Source: The New York Times

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is reawakening, New York Times contributing writer John L. Dorman notes. Oft regarded as "sleepy" and "steeped in Confederate history," Virginia's capital has emerged a center of food and culture. A new food hall, the city's first, will open in 2020 on the heels of restaurant openings across the city.

Outside the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Kehinde Wiley's 2019 "Rumors of War" statue of an African-American man on a horse creates space for dialogue around the capital's large number of Confederate monuments, Dorman adds. On the recreation front, he recommends a visit to the James River, where visitors can enjoy Class III and Class IV rapids. 

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Grand Isle is not only Louisiana's last inhabited barrier island, it also faces a high rate of sea level rise, freelance journalist Christopher Hall notes. Spanning seven miles and located two hours south of New Orleans in a high-traffic fishing zone, it is home to roseate spoonbills, majestic live oak forests, migratory birds, and bottlenose dolphins. The isle's survival is uncertain, so now is the time to go, Hall says. Catch the migratory bird festival in April or a cruise with Calmwater Charters to learn more about the isle's rich history. 

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The new $90 million US Olympic & Paralympic Museum as well as a brand new summit complex atop popular fourteener Pikes Peak will draw visitors to Colorado in 2020 , according to travel writer and editor Kathryn O'Shea Evans . After soaking up panoramic views at Pikes Peak, travelers can visit a growing number of farm-to-table restaurants serving everything from organic heirloom grain to freshly caught trout, she says. 

Paso Robles, California

Bruce Munro's latest "Field of Light" installation, consisting of 60,000 glowing orbs of light spread across 15 acres, cast the world's eye on Paso Robles . More people are discovering "the good life" in this wine region, freelance journalist and frequent New York Times contributor Danielle Pergament notes. Accordingly, two of Paso Robles' more than 300 wineries just underwent expansions, Hotel Cheval is debuting a spa and infinity pool, and a 16,000-square-foot food market will open in 2020 featuring everything from local produce to beer to vegan cheese, she says. 

Travel & Leisure also included California's Central Coast on its Best Places to Travel in 2020 List .

Washington, DC

One hundred years ago, the 19th amendment was ratified and women earned the right to vote. To commemorate the historic anniversary, a handful of DC museums are introducing exhibitions. The best part? The majority of museums in DC are free to visit.

In 2020, DC will also witness the presidential election. History and politics aside, DC is a must-visit as a "cosmopolitan crossroads" with a growing number of "forward-thinking" restaurants, says Zach Montague , who works for the New York Times' Washington bureau. Among DC attractions, Montague highlights U Street with its historic theaters and music halls as well as the district's many Ethiopian restaurants.

"Even as a modern, homegrown, and ever-changing culture percolates below the surface ...Washington holds to its historical ideal of a city built on a common heritage — a place for all Americans to reflect on a shared identity, even in a contentious election year," Montague writes.

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Today's NYT Connections Hints (and Answer) for Saturday, August 24, 2024

I f you’re looking for the Connections answer for Saturday, August 24, 2024, read on—I’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all four categories. Along the way, I’ll explain the meanings of the trickier words and we’ll learn how everything fits together. Beware, there are spoilers below for August 24, NYT Connections #440! Read on if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Connections game. 

If you want an easy way to come back to our Connections hints every day, bookmark this page . You can also find our past hints there as well, in case you want to know what you missed in a previous puzzle.

Below, I’ll give you some oblique hints at today’s Connections answers. And farther down the page, I’ll reveal the themes and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need!

Hints for the themes in today’s Connections puzzle

Here are some spoiler-free hints for the groupings in today’s Connections:

• Yellow category - I’m not certain, but this is the word on the street.
• Green category - Movement to catch someone by surprise.
• Blue category - You might visit these places upon arrival at your destination, to help you get around for the duration of your trip.
• Purple category - These all have something hidden at the ends.

BEWARE: Spoilers follow for today’s Connections puzzle!

We’re about to give away some of the answers. Scroll slowly if you don’t want the whole thing spoiled. (The full solution is a bit further down.)

A heads up about the tricky parts

JARGON and TALK don’t go together.

THRIFTY and STEAL don’t go together either.

RUMBLING refers to muttering, not vibration or tectonic movement.

I’m not certain whether the brands represented in the blue category are known worldwide, but if you’re struggling, you may want to consult this list . 

And if you’re struggling with today’s purple category, think back to science classes in grade school—or consult this page .

What are the categories in today’s Connections?

• Yellow: HEARSAY
• Green: MOVE STEALTHILY
• Blue: CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
• Purple: ENDING WITH CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

DOUBLE BEWARE: THE SOLUTION IS BELOW

Ready to learn the answers to today’s Connections puzzle? I give them all away below.

What are the yellow words in today’s Connections?

The yellow grouping is considered to be the most straightforward. The theme for today’s yellow group is HEARSAY and the words are: RUMBLING, SPECULATION, TALK, WHISPERS.

What are the green words in today’s Connections?

The green grouping is supposed to be the second-easiest. The theme for today’s green category is MOVE STEALTHILY and the words are: CREEP, SLIP, STEAL, TIPTOE.

What are the blue words in today’s Connections?

The blue grouping is the second-hardest. The theme for today’s blue category is CAR RENTAL COMPANIES and the words are: BUDGET, ENTERPRISE, NATIONAL, THRIFTY.

What are the purple words in today’s Connections?

The purple grouping is considered to be the hardest. The theme for today’s purple category is ENDING WITH CHEMICAL ELEMENTS and the words are: ENVIRON, JARGON, LATIN, PLEAD.

How I solved today’s Connections

I see two categories to sort through: a sneaky category and a gossip category.

The first has TIPTOE, CREEP, SLIP, and… oh, STEAL, as in “STEAL away.” ?

Next, TALK, WHISPERS, SPECULATION, and RUMBLING all refer to gossip. ?

ENTERPRISE and BUDGET are together on the right side of the puzzle now, which helps me associate them with the rental car companies of the same name. I think NATIONAL and THRIFTY are two other car rental brands. ?

That leaves LATIN, JARGON, ENVIRON, and PLEAD—oh, they all have element names at the end: tin, argon, iron, and lead. ?

How to play Connections

I have a full guide to playing Connections , but here’s a refresher on the rules:

First, find the Connections game either on the New York Times website or in their Games app (formerly the Crossword app). You’ll see a game board with 16 tiles, each with one word or phrase. Your job is to select a group of four tiles that have something in common. Often they are all the same type of thing (for example: RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, and SNOW are all types of wet weather) but sometimes there is wordplay involved (for example, BUCKET, GUEST, TOP TEN, and WISH are all types of lists : bucket list, guest list, and so on).

Select four items and hit the Submit button. If you guessed correctly, the category and color will be revealed. (Yellow is easiest, followed by green, then blue, then purple.) If your guess was incorrect, you’ll get a chance to try again.

You win when you’ve correctly identified all four groups. But if you make four mistakes before you finish, the game ends and the answers are revealed.

How to win Connections

The most important thing to know to win Connections is that the groupings are designed to be tricky. Expect to see overlapping groups. For example, one puzzle seemed to include six breakfast foods: BACON, EGG, PANCAKE, OMELET, WAFFLE, and CEREAL. But BACON turned out to be part of a group of painters along with CLOSE, MUNCH, and WHISTLER, and EGG was in a group of things that come by the dozen (along with JUROR, ROSE, and MONTH). So don’t hit “submit” until you’ve confirmed that your group of four contains only those four things.

If you’re stuck, another strategy is to look at the words that seem to have no connection to the others. If all that comes to mind when you see WHISTLER is the painting nicknamed “Whistler’s Mother,” you might be on to something. When I solved that one, I ended up googling whether there was a painter named Close, because Close didn’t fit any of the obvious themes, either.

Another way to win when you’re stuck is, obviously, to read a few helpful hints–which is why we share these pointers every day. Check back tomorrow for the next puzzle!

36 Hours in Paris

By Laura Cappelle Updated June 22, 2023

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There is a reason Paris remains among the most visited cities in the world. Its scenic, walkable neighborhoods have been shaped by centuries of cultural and political history, and any short visit will involve tough decisions. Monuments like Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower need no introduction. Instead, this guide presents a different side of the French capital: under-the-radar spots in the popular Montmartre hilltop neighborhood, smaller museums without crowds and a taste of Paris’s diverse performance scene. And it’s easier to get around: As the city gears up for the Summer 2024 Olympics, the first it is hosting in a century, the venerable subway (the métro) is undergoing a makeover, with extensions to several lines. Spot the layers of urban transformation underway — while staying alert to the millefeuille of art and architecture you’ll encounter everywhere.

Recommendations

• The Gustave Moreau Museum is an under-the-radar house-museum that opens the doors to the studio of the 19th-century painter with a visionary flair for mythological subjects.
• Madame Arthur has become the cancan-free cabaret of choice for many Parisians, and a symbol of France’s thriving drag scene with its resident troupe of singers and musicians.
• The Petit Palais , an underrated gem on the Paris museum circuit, takes visitors on a delightfully random tour of centuries of French art history.
• The Parc de la Villette is a sprawling urban park with quirky playgrounds and a range of sports activities and cultural venues, like the Paris Philharmonic and the Cité des Sciences .
• The Montmartre Cemetery , under a viaduct, is the slightly anarchic resting place of numerous painters, authors and performers, including Vaslav Nijinsky.
• The Jardin des Plantes is a vast botanical park that started life as a royal medicinal garden in the 17th century. It is home to superb greenhouses and the National Museum of Natural History .
• The Grand Mosque of Paris , with architectural highlights that include a hand-sculpted cedar door, welcomes visitors to its patio, tea room and hammam.
• The Odéon – Théâtre de l’Europe , a prestigious Italian-style theater with a varied program, offers English surtitles for its Saturday performances.
• The Caveau des Oubliettes hosts live music under the stone ceiling of what was once a medieval prison in St.-Germain-des-Prés.
• The small ​​ Musée de la Vie Romantique offers a taste of Paris’s Romantic-era artistic salons, with a floor devoted to the trailblazing 19th-century female author George Sand.
• La Verrière , inside the 19th-century InterContinental Paris le Grand Hotel, is a luxurious cafe with plush armchairs under an arresting glass roof.
• Le Bar à Bulles , half-hidden behind the windmill of the Moulin Rouge, is a colorful, theatrical bar and terrace.
• Le 975 is an elevated bistro offering smart twists on French cuisine in a quiet part of Montmartre.
• Polissons serves imaginative dishes derived from traditional French gastronomy in Montmartre, with a six-course mystery menu.
• Bistrot Mee brings visual flair to Korean cuisine in a Zen-like, elegant environment.
• Aki Boulangerie offers a Japanese spin on French desserts, like yuzu- or matcha-flavored éclairs.
• Une Glace à Paris is an award-winning ice-cream shop in the Marais district, with some left-field flavor combinations.
• Pierre Hermé is synonymous with excellent high-end macarons and has many locations throughout Paris.
• Bouillon Racine , a stylish Art Nouveau brasserie, serves well-made French classics like snails and blood sausages.
• Ventrus is a portable, eco-friendly restaurant that currently brings guest chefs to the Parc de la Villette.
• Jardin 21 is a casual open-air bar and restaurant that doubles as a vegetable garden and community space, open from May to September.
• Mam’zelle Swing is a vintage shop specializing in fitted 1920s to 1960s women’s clothing.
• Clara Vintage offers luxury retro fashion for women and a selection of men’s accessories.
• Lapin Boutique Vintage has reasonably priced consignment pieces with striking shapes and colors.
• The Hôtel des Saints-Pères exudes old-world sophistication, and has a long history of welcoming artists to St.-Germain-des-Prés: The painter Francis Bacon was once a regular. Each room (from 220 euros, or $240) has personalized decor with paintings, drawings and sculptures. Guests in the Junior Suite Signature (from €400) sleep under a rediscovered 17th-century fresco that stretches across the ceiling.
• Hôtel Mademoiselle is a cozy, stylish three-star hotel with a cute courtyard for breakfast, conveniently located within walking distance of Gare du Nord (Paris’s Eurostar terminal, with good connections to the airports) as well as Montmartre. Rooms from €150.
• With four central locations, the People is a budget-friendly option for travelers, with bright, welcoming lobbies, on-site restaurants and rooftop cafés in select hostels. Its flagship in the Marais will take you close to the historical city center. Dorm beds from €50, with private rooms also available.
• Paris has stringent regulations to curb short-term rentals on websites like Airbnb, and landlords can only rent residential properties for a maximum of 120 days a year, otherwise they have to be converted into furnished tourist accommodations. Locals will appreciate it if you stay at professionally run hotels and hostels.
• Paris’s neighborhoods are highly walkable , and strolling from attraction to attraction is the best way to encounter unexpected slices of history. The local subway (the métro ) is a generally reliable option, and will take you to many destinations more quickly than taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber, which often run into traffic. Paris’s bicycle-sharing system, Vélib’ , has grown more convenient since new bike lanes have been installed in recent years.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Provincetown, Mass.:  Located at the tip of Cape Cod, P-town (as locals call it) has overlapping — and sometimes competing — identities : one of America’s oldest art colonies, nature preserve, thriving L.G.B.T.Q. resort and historic Portuguese fishing village.

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

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