The Best Places to Visit in New York in 2024

1. The Rockefeller Centre 

Manhattan is not short of Art Deco Masterpieces – the Chrysler Building, 70 Pine Street, and of course, the Empire State Building. Some of the most striking examples can be found among the 14 skyscrapers that make up the Rockefeller Centre. The plaza and surrounding buildings are also a great destination in New York for families – during winter, the square is converted into a giant ice rink, while the whole year round, tourists can visit the observation deck at One Rockefeller Centre for unparalleled views of Downtown Manhattan and Central Park. 

2. South Street Seaport

On the southern tip of the island, the South Street Seaport is a relaxing oasis just blocks away from the commotion of Wall Street. With its cobbled streets and some of the oldest buildings in the city, the Seaport is a fascinating mix of the traditional and contemporary. Highlights include the Tin Building and the Titanic Memorial.

3. The High Line

Experience Manhattan’s skyscrapers from an entirely new perspective on the High Line. This public park is built on the tracks of a former elevated railway and cuts through some of the busiest streets in the city. 

4. Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village stays true to its name – even in 2024, the neighbourhood still manages to give the impression of a communal, lived-in area amongst the towering commercial blocks of downtown Manhattan. Renowned as the heart of the counterculture and avant-garde scenes of the 50s and 60s, Greenwich Village today is one of the most sought-after postcodes in the country. The brownstone-lined streets feature a wealth of fine dining and great bars as well as landmarks from LGBTQ+ history like the original Stonewall Bar.  

1. Prospect Park

The ‘Central Park of Brooklyn’, Prospect Park is one of New York’s many entrants on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by the same team as its Manhattan counterpart, Prospect Park offers a wilder, less manicured alternative. Historic sights like the Brooklyn Museum and the 1912 Prospect Park Carousel are scattered throughout. 

2. Dumbo

Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass, you’ll find the upscale Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo. Once a former ferry terminal, the area is now filled with high-end bars, restaurants and shops in converted warehouses and industrial brick buildings. Its location in the shadow of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges means the streets of Dumbo are some of the most Instagrammed in the country.

3. Coney Island

Coney Island manages to pull off that trickiest of feats – an educational and historic site that kids will love. Much of the theme park is protected and some of the century-old rides are still in service. The Cyclone is a wooden rollercoaster that has been consistently terrifying visitors since 1927. 

4. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Far from the curated chaos of downtown Manhattan, much of the joy of NYC life can be discovered by strolling the waterfront promenade of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the public art on display and take in the view of the Manhattan skyline from across the East River.

1. Flushing Meadows

Right in the heart of Queens, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a 1930s alternative to Central Park. While the green lawns are an attraction in themselves, the area is also one of the premier destinations for sports fans visiting NYC. The park is the home of the US Open tennis championship and the New York Mets baseball Stadium. 

2. Queens Night Market

Nowhere is Queens’ international heritage better encapsulated than the Queens Night Market. Every Saturday between April and October, hundreds of vendors set out their stalls and offer food, clothing and art from every corner of the world.

3. Gantry Plaza State Park

A real New York hidden gem, Gantry Plaza is renowned among New Yorkers and photographers for having the city's best view of the iconic Manhattan Skyline. Located directly across the river from Midtown Manhattan, it’s the perfect setting for your holiday photos. A sunset stroll along Gantry Plaza is one of the best ways to take in the city.

4. Astoria

A historic neighborhood in the heart of Queens, Astoria is one of the city's most charming areas. Discover top cultural sights and family attractions like the Museum of the Moving Image and the Socrates Sculpture Park among the area's leafy streets and historic buildings. 

1. Yankee Stadium

Baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime, and a visit to Yankee Stadium is the quintessential American day out. Open-air stands, mascots, live organ music and hot dogs the size of your head – it's all there.

2. Bronx Zoo

New York’s biggest zoo, and one of the biggest in the country, the Bronx Zoo is one of the best family activities in New York. As well as the exotic animal population, the zoo contains many architectural highlights, including the 1930s Rainey Entrance Gates.

3. Bronx Museum of the Arts

The Bronx is rightly known for its cultural diversity. This is celebrated in the Bronx Museum of the Arts. A leading modern art museum, the Bronx Museum places an emphasis on local Bronx artists, community engagement, and cross-cultural exchange. It’s free to visit, making it one of the best free things to do in New York City.

4. Hush Hip Hop tour

New York, and the South Bronx in particular, is the birthplace of one of the great American art forms: hip-hop. A Hush Hip Hop tour is a fascinating way for kids and adults alike to learn the history of the genre and the city that shaped it. 

1. The Staten Island Ferry

Much like London’s 139 bus route, the Staten Island ferry is a municipal public transport service that happens to offer unbeatable views of some of the most famous attractions in the world – tourists and locals alike can ride the ferry for free and see the Statue of Liberty up close. The ferry is easily one of the best free activities in New York city.  

2. Historic Richmond Town

Among all the steel and glass, it can be easy to forget that New York City has been settled by humans for hundreds of years. Originally inhabited by the forcibly-displaced Lenape people, New York was a strategically important city during the British colonial era and the American War for Independence. Step back in time to see the past up close in historic Richmond Town. This living museum is one of the best family activities in New York, and lets visitors experience 1700s New York life first-hand.

3. Snug Harbor Cultural Centre

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum, Snug Harbor is an oasis of museums, historical buildings and gardens dotted around an 83-acre campus in Staten Island. There’s enough here to keep tourists entertained for days. Highlights include the Staten Island Botanical Garden, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden and the Staten Island Children’s Museum.