The top 20 best things to do in Manhattan
We’ve picked our favourite unmissable Manhattan activities for your New York trip
A trip to New York City is a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to its many fascinating neighbourhoods. And there is no better example than Manhattan, probably the most popular of five boroughs.
Some of New York City's most popular attractions can be found in Manhattan. As a first-time visitor to the city, you'll likely be overwhelmed by the sheer number of places and attractions to see and experience. To help you choose the things you want to see, we’ve collected out top 20 favourite Manhattan attractions to make planning a little easier!
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9/11 Memorial & Museum
New York City's 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a memorial to those who perished in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Eight-acre (3.2-hectare) plaza, erected on World Trade Center site, has two large square reflecting pools with waterfalls that drop into the footprints of the old Twin Towers.
Ten years after 2001 attacks. Museums and plazas are a great way to learn more about what happened on that day, and the museum is located beneath the plaza.
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Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is housed in the same cookie factory where Oreos were initially produced. From wine bars to fish markets to kitchen supply stores to offices and television studios, it has evolved into a premier dining and shopping complex since its redevelopment in the 1990's.
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Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building from 1931 until 1977 and is still one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. After viewing the Art Deco lobby's mosaics, take an elevator up to the 86th or 102nd floor and prepare to be wowed by the iconic skyscraper observatory's stunning 360-degree views.
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Times Square
Times Square is one of New York City's most recognisable sites, thanks to its neon lights and video billboards. An integral part of every trip to New York City's Big Apple is the annual New Year's Eve ball drop, which takes place at this triangular confluence of Broadway, 42nd Street, and Seventh Avenue.
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Flatiron Building
One of New York's most iconic landmarks and an architectural masterpiece, the Flatiron Building was built in 1902 and has been a city icon ever since. The building, which was created by architect Daniel Burnham, is a National Historic Landmark because of its unusually thin, triangular shape. It is currently closed to the general public.
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Edge NYC
Edge NYC is the highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere. Spend some time on top of the tower's glass-floored platform, which offers a stunning view of New York City icons, including Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.
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Rockefeller Center
Midtown Manhattan's Rockefeller Center is a gleaming example of art deco splendour, home to Radio City Music Hall, NBC studios, and the Top of the Rock observation deck. In 1933, John D. Rockefeller Jr. opened the Rockefeller Center as a cultural centre and architectural landmark, making it a must-see New York City destination.
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Central Park
Central Park features running routes, a lake, pond, zoo and fountains as well as fountains, gardens and a skating rink. Since 1857, locals and tourists have flocked to this National Historic Landmark to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
Read next: The best parks in New York City
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St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, the largest neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, takes up a whole city block and draws millions of people each year. The Manhattan landmark was first built in 1879 and is famed for its high-soaring spires, enormous organ, and stunning rose window.
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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, which served in World War II, was retired to Manhattan's West Side and turned into a museum. The complex is home to notable aircraft, including NASA's Enterprise space shuttle, the USS Growler missile submarine, and a Concorde.
Check see authentic artefacts, film, and photographs, as well as simulators that simulate the flying experience, while you're there.
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Frick Collection
The Frick Collection is your one-stop shop for Renaissance and early twentieth-century masterpieces. One of the world's largest collections of European fine and decorative arts, the museum was founded by Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919). Rembrandt, Fragonard, Ingres, Bellini, Vermeer, and more are just a few of the great artists whose works are in the museum's collection.
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Macy’s
One of the world's most iconic department shops, Macy's has been a New York City landmark for nearly a century. When visiting New York, it's not uncommon for visitors to spend a few hours perusing the store or admiring the seasonal window displays.
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The Vessel
This peculiar structure is part modern art sculpture, part observation deck. Stairways and landings are interwoven in this interactive, public art piece by Thomas Heatherwick. You'll have an outstanding bird's eye view of New York City from the top.
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Broadway
Broadway in New York City has been the centre of the city's theatre sector for more than 150 years because of the bright lights in the early days of electricity. It's one of Manhattan's most famous streets, and many consider viewing a Broadway performance an essential New York City experience.
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Little Italy
It was originally the business and residential centre of New York's Italian immigrant community to be found in Little Italy, located in the heart of Lower Manhattan. The Feast of San Gennaro street festival, which takes place every year in the neighbourhood, has become a draw for tourists.
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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan's Upper East Side in 1959. The museum's white interior, which spirals upward into a skylight, attracts visitors in addition to its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.
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Winter Garden Atrium
The Winter Garden Atrium, located in Brookfield Spot, just a few blocks from One World Trade Center, is a beautiful place to shop, eat, and relax. With a view of the Hudson River, the atrium provides a respite from the commotion of the city.
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Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
When it comes to art and culture, New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art is unrivalled. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's 17 acres (6.9 hectares) of museum space welcomes five million visitors each year, who come to view artefacts spanning the last 5,000 years.
The museum's permanent collection contains more than 2 million items, ranging from Egyptian tombs to American abstract expressionist paintings, so plan on spending some time there.
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The High Line
New Yorkers who wish to escape the city's bustle can take a stroll around the park, which spans the once industrial west side of Lower Manhattan, where visitors can enjoy the vistas of the Hudson River, artisanal food kiosks, public art, and some of the city's best people-watching spots.
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American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's largest scientific and cultural institutions, with more than 30 million objects in nearly 50 exhibitions. All kinds of fascinating things are on display, from dinosaur fossils to human evolution to the solar system.
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