7 Thrilling Things To Do in New York City

New York City is a fascinating city with no lack of things to do, and everyone should visit at least once. If you find yourself in the city trying to figure out where to start, read on to discover some things you can do in your exhilarating adventure.

See a Broadway Show

Theater fans and non-fans alike will enjoy the thrill of seeing a Broadway play or musical live on Broadway. There are year-round shows such as Wicked, while newer musicals and plays are often around for a limited time only. Look at the schedules to plan and secure your seats for the live experience of a lifetime.

See Times Square

Times Square needs no introduction because all the lights in this iconic district will do that for you. Tourists love it, and the locals don’t care for it. Regardless of how one feels, there’s no denying its grand stature. Once you weave past the massive crowds and bedazzled chain restaurants, there’s much more to do than meet the eye, such as seeing The Late Show and meeting Hello Kitty. Don’t forget to stop by any of the gift shops and pick up some gifts for your friends and family.

Madame Tussaud’s

The wax museum with locations around the world may seem like an expensive way to hang around wax statues. But there’s something gratifying about saying you took a selfie with Johnny Depp, Frank Sinatra, and Prince all in the same day. Each statue is made to represent the celebrity it’s modeled after, which makes the experience as close to the actual thing as possible.

Visit a Bookstore

They’re not your average bookstores—New York City has some of the most distinctive bookstores in the world. The Strand in Manhattan sells a multitude of used and new books of all genres, and Kinokuniya serves as the chief destination for anime and pop culture merchandise. Albertine sells books only in English and French, making it a hotspot for Francophiles. The Housing Works Bookstore Café, also in Manhattan, sells donated merchandise and is run entirely by volunteers with 100% of profits going to charity.

See the Museums

You may not have time to visit every museum in New York, depending on how long your stay is. But if nothing else, consider paying a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for less than $50—for students, the $12 admission price cannot be beat. There’s also the prestigious Whitney Museum of Art, the MoMa, and the 9/11 Memorial where you can pay your respects to the lives of victims lost on that fateful day. The American Museum of Natural History’s got you covered for your history fix.

Flowers and Parks

For nature enthusiasts, New York has an abundance of both flowers and parks to see. Besides Central Park and Prospect Park, there’s also Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village with nine acres of fields to walk, bike, or assimilate with the neighborhood's vibrant bohemian culture. If you’re dying to see lots of unique flowers and plants, make your way to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx for fantastic flower shows.

Animals, and Lots of Them

The Big Apple is home to thousands of animals. Some you don’t have to pay any money for since NYC has an abundance of squirrels and birds, including pigeons. Other animals you must pay money to see, such as the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. Central Park and Prospect Park both have their own zoos with admission prices suitable for animal lovers on a budget.

Truth be told, it’s impossible to fit everything one can do in the Big Apple into one list. There’s something for everyone’s tastes and interests, and when it feels like you’ve done it all, there’s still even more to explore. Wear comfortable shoes when you’re in the city because there’s a lot of walking to do!