9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the lives lost at the World Trade Center and tells the story of that day through exhibits, artifacts, and personal accounts. Nearby, One World Trade Center rises 1,776 feet, a nod to American independence and now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Visiting both gives a full sense of the history, loss, and resilience tied to the site.

• Web:

  www.911memorial.org

• Address:

  180 Greenwich Street, New York

Broadway Shows

Broadway is the center of New York’s theatre scene, where long-running musicals, new plays, and performances from top actors draw crowds from around the world. While you’re in the city, try to see a show; it’s an experience unique to New York.

• Web:

  www.broadway.com

• Address:

  729 7th Ave, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 541 8457

• More info:

  6th Floor

Bronx Zoo

With over 650 different species, this 250-acre zoo, the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, gives visitors the chance to admire and experience a huge variety of wildlife. Popular exhibits and sections include the Wild Asia Monorail safari, Congo Gorilla Forest, and, of course, everything to do with big cats.

• Web:

  https://bronxzoo.com

• Address:

  2300 South Boulevard, Bronx, New York

• Phone:

  +1 718 220 5100

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–4:30pm

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a green space in the heart of Midtown, tucked between Grand Central Station and Times Square. Locals come here to relax, grab a coffee, or join one of the many events held throughout the year, from outdoor concerts to film screenings and theater performances. The New York Public Library sits right on the park’s edge and is also worth a quick visit while you’re in the area.

• Web:

  https://bryantpark.org

• Address:

  Bryant Park, New York

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–11pm

Carnegie Hall

This world-famous concert venue is a New York City landmark and must-see music attraction. Carnegie Hall presents classical, jazz, folk, world, and popular music with breakthrough and veteran performers. Since its opening in 1891, this concert hall has become the emblem of musical achievement around the globe. It has showcased the world’s finest artists, from Tchaikovsky to Mahler, Horowitz and Callas to Bernstein, and even Judy Garland and the Beatles.

• Web:

  www.carnegiehall.org

• Address:

  57th Street and 7th Avenue, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 247 7800

Central Park

Central Park is New York’s backyard, a green stretch of calm right in the middle of Manhattan. Spend some time on the Great Lawn, rent a bike, or find a quiet bench by the lake; it’s easy to forget how close the city really is. The park’s surrounded by cultural landmarks too, including the Met on the east side and the Museum of Natural History just across the west side. Summer brings concerts, open-air theater, and plenty of locals just soaking up the sun.

• Web:

  www.centralparknyc.org

• E-mail:

  social@centralparknyc.org

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6am–1am

Biking

New York is more bike-friendly than you might think, with options for short rides or full-day explorations. The Citi Bike program makes it easy to hop on and off around the city, whether you’re cruising Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park, or the Hudson River Greenway. For a change of pace, Governors Island is car-free and perfect for a relaxed ride. Over on Staten Island, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk gives views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, while the Bronx River Path offers a quiet paved trail. In Queens, a ride to the Rockaways lets you enjoy the beach and city skyline along the water.

• Web:

  https://citibikenyc.com

Boating

New York is surrounded by water, so there are plenty of ways to get out on it. In Central Park, rent a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse between April and October and paddle across the lake for a quiet break from the city noise. Over in Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park offers paddleboats and open water views, along with plenty of space to relax after exploring the park’s World’s Fair landmarks. If you’d rather be by the ocean, head to Midland or South Beach on Staten Island for canoeing, kayaking, or just a swim and some sun.

Botanical Gardens

New York City has a few botanical gardens that are worth a visit when you need a break from the city. In Queens, the Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing offers themed areas like the Bee Garden and Fragrance Walk across 39 acres of green space. On Staten Island, the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden inside Snug Harbor has koi ponds, curved bridges, and quiet corners inspired by traditional Chinese design. In the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is the biggest of them all, with more than 250 acres, a tram tour, and seasonal exhibits. In Brooklyn, the Botanic Garden is best in spring, when the cherry blossoms reach full bloom during Sakura Matsuri.

Bridge Crossing

Walking New York’s bridges offers a different view of the city. The Brooklyn Bridge is the classic choice: cars and trucks buzz below while you take in skyline views and the East River. Crossing from Manhattan into Brooklyn, you can spend a few hours wandering around Brooklyn Bridge Park, with its playgrounds, bike paths, and even a small beach. For something quieter, head to Central Park and stroll across Gapstow or Bow Bridge for some of the park’s best views and photo spots.

City Parks

A picnic in one of New York City’s parks is practically a rite of passage for all New Yorkers. When the weather is nice, head to the Great Lawn in Central Park. Dotted with sunbathers, picnickers, and families, this iconic green space is Manhattan’s own version of the great outdoors, complete with a backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers. Farther downtown on a scenic stretch of elevated railway, the High Line in Manhattan is a popular pedestrian park with casual cafés and fantastic views of the city. Over in Brooklyn, plan for an afternoon barbecue at Prospect Park, visiting the zoo and the Audubon Center while you’re there.

Ice Skating

When winter hits, ice skating is one of the best ways to enjoy New York outdoors. The rink at Rockefeller Center is the classic spot, open from October to April and always busy with visitors taking a spin under the city lights. In Central Park, Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink both offer rentals and lessons through the colder months. Over in Brooklyn, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park has two rinks for skating, hockey, and broomball, plus a café nearby to warm up afterward.