New York City Bucket List: Top 30 Experiences

If you are thinking about visiting one of the most mesmerizing cities in the world, chances are, you have a few items to cross off your bucket list. Our detailed guide will take you through the top 30 activities on a New York City bucket list.

After 5 separate trips to the Big Apple, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to visit lots & lots of iconic sites. Some of these you’ve heard of, while some of these might be new. Enjoy our comprehensive guide to all things NYC! In no particular order, here are the top experiences you can’t miss.

1. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture in NYC. It is so beautiful from both sides. A walk across the whole bridge is a bucket list experience. Every angle is photogenic!

You are likely staying somewhere in Manhattan, so the easiest method is to start on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. As you walk across the bridge, occasionally look back over your shoulder. The views of Manhattan are breathtaking. Once across the bridge, you are in one of the coolest areas – DUMBO, Brooklyn!

How to get to the Brooklyn Bridge walkway entrance: From Manhattan, the entrance begins just across from the northeast corner of City Hall Park along Centre Street. The closest subway stops are via the 4, 5, and 6 trains at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall station; the J or Z train at the Chambers Street station; or the R train at City Hall. If you are coming from Manhattan’s west side (& don’t mind walking a few extra blocks), you can take the 1, 2, or 3 trains to Chambers Street, walk east, then cross Park Row to begin your walk across the bridge.

Admission: Free!

2. Explore DUMBO

The wedding image above was from one of my Destination Wedding portrait sessions in New York! If you want to see more of my work, or even book your own session, click here!

The lively neighborhood of Dumbo has some of the trendiest restaurants and unique, Instagram-worthy photo spots. Once you’ve crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, you are in for a treat. Spend some time exploring Empire Fulton Ferry Park for *incredible* views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the East River. That park also has other unique features, like taking a ride on the iconic Jane’s Carousel. Just nearby is Pebble Beach & Brooklyn Bridge Park, which both offer for more amazing views!

Be sure to snap a photo of one of New York’s most photographed roads: “Dumbo – Manhattan Bridge View.” This beautiful angle perfectly frames the bright blue Manhattan Bridge (along with the Empire State Building) in between some charming Dumbo buildings. You might have to wait a few minutes for your photo, but be extra patient because the views & photos are worth it!

Address (Manhattan Bridge View): 39-21 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Address: (Empire Fulton Ferry Park): 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Admission: Free, except for carousel ride

3. Experience Times Square

Touristy and perhaps a tad-bit overrated? Yes…BUT, exploring Times Square is one of those things that you have to do at least once in your life. No first-timer’s trip to NYC would be complete without a stroll through the vibrant, exciting streets of Times Square.

One of my favorite things to do here is photograph all of the lights and colorful billboards. There are other photo ops such as the various characters who are dressed up & walking around (whom charge for photos), the red steps, the street vendors, and more.

Pro Tip: Visit Times Square at sunset so you can watch it come to life as the sun goes down.

Address: Manhattan, NY 10036; formed by the intersection of Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street, and Broadway.

4. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & the Oculus

The Oculus is the centerpiece of The World Trade Center Transportation Hub. Serving the PATH, the building cost four billion dollars, which makes it the most expensive train stop in the world. A significant percentage of this hub is devoted to the Westfield World Trade Center mall, which offers a luxury shopping experience in the most beautiful setting. Another thing: the architecture on the outside of the One World Trade Center is simply amazing!

While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the 9/11 Memorial. This is a memorial and museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks. It is your opportunity to pay tribute to the people who tragically lost their lives. You can book tickets to the 9/11 Museum here.

The Oculus Address: Church St, New York, NY 10006
9/11 Memorial Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

5. Spend a Day at the Metropolitan Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s largest and finest art museums. Its collection includes more than two million works of art spanning five thousand years of world culture, from prehistory to the present and from every part of the globe. My personal favorite works are those by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt – all of which you can catch a glimpse of at this wonderful museum.

Some people make The Met a quick stop during their trip to the Big Apple. Although, you could easily spend multiple days in the museum. There is just SO much to see! The Met is the #4 museum in the world – and for good reason. Admire various pieces from history, including paintings, sculptures and more. The steps leading up to The Met are famous as well, so be sure to snap a photo before walking in.

For visitors from outside New York State:

Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Website: https://www.metmuseum.org/

6. Rent Row Boats in Central Park

Central Park is the beautiful oasis inside a concrete jungle. From jogging paths, to castles (yes, a fairytale castle in the middle of NYC) and everything in between, Central Park has a little bit of everything. One of the most romantic activities is riding in your row boat along The Lake. You’ll feel like Giselle in the movie, Enchanted.

Head to Bethesda Terrace, check out the views, and walk down to The Loeb Boathouse. Rent a row boat nearby for a memorable New York City experience!

Want to learn more about Central Park? Click here to see why the park is so beautiful in the fall!

Address: East 72nd &, Center Drive, New York, NY 10024
Prices & Website: www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/

7. Views From Top of the Rock

My favorite perspective in all of New York City is from the top of the Rockefeller Center, or commonly known as Top of the Rock. Seventy floors above the city, it’s the perfect place to experience New York. You will have unobstructed views of the Empire State Building, Central Park, and other famous landmarks.

Top of the Rock is unmissable during your trip. It is our favorite viewpoint in the city! In our opinion, it is definitely worth the price – I mean, anything is worth crossing off a bucket list experience in New York City. Once at the observation decks (yes, there are multiple), you can stay as long as you please. We spent over an hour just snapping photo after photo. Again, we loved it and hopefully you will too!

Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Admission: Adults $38, Child $32 (under 6 is free), Senior $36
Website: www.topoftherocknyc.com/
Tickets: Click Here

8. Try a New York Bagel

You can’t travel to the city and not try the iconic bagels. The most delicious bagels can be found at Ess-A-Bagel. With only one location in New York, this special restaurant is a treat for everyone. We loved picking between the various cream flavors to create our own bagel. Apparently, “Ess-a-Bagel” means “Eat a bagel” in Yiddish and in German. Wherever you go, NYC bagels are a must!

Address: 831 3rd Avenue (between 50th & 51st Street), New York, NY 10022

9. Visit Grand Central Terminal

Channel your inner Gossip Girl and recreate Serena Van der Woodsen spotted in Grand Central Terminal. The world-famous landmark in Midtown Manhattan is not simply a transportation hub – it’s also a shopping, dining, and cultural destination. If you’re looking for another bucket list experience in New York City, this is it. Grand Central Terminal covers 48 acres and has more platforms than any other train station in the world. It is absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to look up at the intricate artwork that decorates the ceiling.

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

10. See New York’s Only Castle

Did you know that New York City has its own 19th-century fairytale castle? Belvedere Castle still somehow remains a hidden gem, and I hope it stays that way. Even the area surrounding the castle is beautiful. You’ll often find lots of people basking in the sun around the castle.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to walk up to the observation deck! Some of our favorite perspectives in all of Central Park can be found up here.

Address: Once in Central Park, look up walking directions on Maps 🙂
Admission: Free, except for interior tours

11. Check Out St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Easily one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture within New York City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is worth a quick stop on your trip. It also is conveniently located on Fifth Avenue, right across from Rockefeller Center. The sanctuary is the largest Gothic Catholic cathedral in the U.S. and it is stunning inside & out. If you’ve been to cathedrals in Europe, you’ll see just how much St. Patrick’s Cathedral rivals the beauty of those scattered across Europe.

Best of all, you can visit the cathedral for free! For tours, check out their website for the latest information.

Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Admission: Free, except for tours
Website: https://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/

12. Photograph the Friends Apartment (& other movie/show filming locations)

If you are a fan of the TV series, Friends, you need to check out their apartment! While this tan brick building served as just the exterior for the apartment in the popular 1990s TV series, it still is a neat memory to visit. Snap a quick photo and then move on with your amazing trip in the Big Apple.

Bonus: Check out other famous filming locations!

There are obviously SO many filming locations throughout New York City. I highly suggest doing a bit of research on your favorite movies or TV shows and see if you can find & visit the locations. For example, did you know that you can eat at Joe’s Pizza – the pizza shop where Peter Parker worked at in Spider-Man 2? So cool!

Address: 90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014
Admission: Free

13. Admire Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue within Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. Nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, it is the headquarters for the famous Rockettes. More than 300 million people have come to the Music Hall to enjoy stage shows, movies, concerts and special events. In fact, it is the largest indoor theatre in the world!

There are various tours you can take to explore the interior, but even if you just photograph the outside, it will be a wonderful sight.

Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
Admission: Tours only
Website: Click here

14. Browse Through the New York Public Library

With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States and the third largest in the world. The architecture both inside and outside the library is magnificent. When I visited, I felt like I was inside an elaborate museum rather than a public library!

Basic admission is free, so you definitely need to add this beauty to your itinerary. While there, be sure to look up at the gorgeous ceiling detailing and artwork. Right behind the library is Bryant Park, where you can get some yummy food and take a break in the park. New York Public Library is hands down one of the top bucket list experiences in New York City.

Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Admission: Free, except for tours

15. Locate the NYC Murals

There is no shortage of street art throughout NYC. Around every corner is a new mural that is just waiting to be photographed. A simple search on Pinterest can bring you to some of the most Instagram-worthy murals in the city. We found this mural above while walking around the Flatiron building.

Address (I Love NY mural): 100-104 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011 (on the corner of West 17th St & 6th Ave)

16. Stroll Through Central Park

If you can’t tell by this post, we LOVE Central Park. Aside from visiting the castle and renting row boats, you should take a few hours to simply stroll through the park. The natural beauty is so peaceful. One of the best things to do is grab a snack from the street vendors or pack a picnic. There is so much to do in the park, so there is no need to rush through it! No matter the time of the year, Central Park is a a scenic and natural escape from the bustling city roads.

One of the most scenic walking paths is The Mall & Literary Walk. Along this walk you’ll find street/sidewalk vendors, live painters, musicians, huge bubbles for kids to play with (& try to pop), delicious snacks, and more.

Address: The Mall, New York, NY 10022

17. Walk the High Line

The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. It is actually super cool to walk above all of the busy roads through a green, clean, safe, elevated walkway. There are many Instagrammable spots along the High Line, so we recommend casually walking the full 1.45-mile trail (usually takes around 30 minutes). This is unlike any other experience in NYC and it cannot be missed!

Address: 812 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
Admission: Free

18. See the Unusual Flatiron Building

Looking for one of the most unique buildings in the city? Let me introduce to you the Flatiron. The distinctive triangular shape of the Flatiron Building, designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and built in 1902, allowed it to fill the wedge-shaped property located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

It’s fun to explore this area because you’ll often see people attempting to run out in the middle of the street to capture their photo. Definitely a bucket list experiences in New York City.

Address: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Admission: Street views free

19. Witness the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

You’ve likely heard of the Statue of Liberty. This national monument cannot be missed during your amazing trip. Close by is Ellis Island, a symbol of American immigration. Visitors can tour the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and research their family history, as well as view genealogy records of their ancestry.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island can be reached only by ferry transportation. This 5-hour self-guided tour is an excellent option, but tickets can be purchased in advance through the website or in person at the ticket box offices near the ferry departure points in New York City and in New Jersey. Advanced purchases are highly recommended to avoid lines at the ticket offices and the chance that your preferred time will sell out!

You can access the ferry departure points from either NYC or New Jersey. Battery Park is the New York City (Manhattan) departure, whereas Liberty State Park is the New Jersey terminal departure.

Address (Battery Park): New York, NY 10004
Admission: Starting at $26 for adults. Click here for tickets

20. Ride to the top of the Empire State Building

Top of the Rock is not the only incredible viewpoint in NYC. Head to the iconic Empire State Building to receive amazing panoramic views across the entire city. It’s hard to miss this gorgeous skyscraper when walking around the streets.

While we prefer the views from Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building is too famous the pass up. We suggest purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee access to the observation deck.

Admission: Adults $42, Children $36, Seniors $40
Website: https://www.esbnyc.com/

21. Fifth Avenue Shopping

As one of the most luxurious stretches of retail in the country, Fifth Avenue has welcomed a steady stream of fashion lovers for over 100 years. Buyers flock to this section of Midtown (between 49th and 60th streets) to shop for it all. If you’re even the slightest bit of a shopaholic, Fifth Avenue is for you!

Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Bergdorf Goodman, Valentino…need I say more?

Address: 610 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020

22. Witness a Sunrise or Sunset of the NYC Skyline

Sunrises and sunsets in New York are friendly reminders of just how beautiful the city skyline is. There are many picturesque spots where you can view the sunset, such as Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo, or practically anywhere along the Hudson or East River. The photo above was taken in Brooklyn Bridge Park – one of our favorite places in the city.

Address: 334 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

23. Admire Architecture at Hudson Yards / The Vessel

Hudson Yards is a newer & modern neighborhood in New York along the Hudson River. It offers a beautiful waterfront views, a massive indoor shopping mall / dining area, and amazing features like The Shed and The Vessel. With so much amazing architecture around, Hudson Yards is worth an hour or so of your time. We enjoyed visiting The Vessel and then stopping by the mall for a bite to eat at Shake Shack!

Address (The Vessel): 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

24. Browse the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

The Met is not the only place to go for famous artwork. Chances are, you’ve heard of Starry Night by Van Gogh – but did you know that it was located right in the heart of NYC? That’s right! You can witness one of the most popular paintings in the entire world at the MOMA. Luckily, Starry Night is just one of many famous pieces in the museum.

Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Website: https://www.moma.org/

25. Afternoon Tea at The Plaza

Treat yourself to a dining experience of a lifetime! The Plaza is recognized around the globe for being one of the top hotels to stay at. Kings, presidents, and stars of stage and screen have all gathered and stayed at The Plaza. Lucky for those of us who just want a taste of The Plaza, you can reserve a table at The Palm Court for afternoon tea. Or, for a more budget-friendly option, simply sit at the bar for a refreshing beverage.

It was a lovely, delicious experience and reminded me of afternoon tea in London! This is definitely a pricier meal, but worthwhile in our opinion. The interior of The Plaza is simply breathtaking.

Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Website/Reservations: Click here

Still On Our Bucket List:

26. See a Broadway Show
27. Visit the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt for Epic Views over NYC
28. Photograph the Arch at Washington Square Park
29. Take an Open-Air Helicopter Tour of NYC
30. Venture Outside the City to Explore New York State

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