The Ultimate Bucket List for New York City – 21 Top Attractions

Are you excited to check off things on your Bucket List for New York City? You’ve come to the right place!

Visiting New York City is on many people’s bucket list – and for good reason! Getting there is one thing, but you need an additional bucket list for what to do while you’re in New York City. My experience as a New Yorker was that I was so happy living the day-to-day in NYC, I somehow missed out on a bunch of bucket list items. It wasn’t until I became such a frequent visitor that I began to really go down the list and check things off!

New York City is the epicenter of so many fantastic things – iconic architecture, movie culture, food, fashion, and of course, Broadway – which means there’s no shortage of incredible places to see and things to do. 

No worries, if you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere!  Put on your walking shoes, get inspired, and let’s dive into this ultimate New York City bucket list.

21 Things that should be on your Bucket List for New York City

I’m going to guide you through the list – neighborhood by neighborhood. As you plan your visit around these bucket list locations, you’ll be able to explore some of New York’s best areas!

Midtown Manhattan

#1 Empire State Building

📍20 West 34th Street
The Empire State Building is open daily from 8 AM to 2 AM and is a must-see. Skip the pricier 102nd floor and visit the 86th floor for stunning 360° outdoor views of Manhattan. Built in 1931, this Art Deco landmark was once the tallest building in the world at 1,454 feet. It’s appeared in countless films — from An Affair to Remember to Sleepless in Seattle. My top rec is to visit the Empire State at sunset to sip champagne and watch the city lights come up. Learn about visiting The Empire State Building here.

Click Here to Get Your Empire State Building Tickets!

#2 Grand Central Station

📍42nd Street and Park Avenue
Grand Central Station is on this list for many reasons. Even if you’ve heard of it, or seen it in photos, you’ll be blown away by its grandeur and beauty. Grand Central is a 1913 Beaux Arts masterpiece and one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Be sure to look at the zodiac painted ceiling of the main concourse’s 35,000 square feet. I’m sure you’ll notice the famous Tiffany clock, and the flow of so many people heading to the train platforms. The best photos spots are at the top of the stairs. You can also see the famous Oyster Bar Restaurant and try the Whispering Gallery in the archway of the Oyster Bar.

Click Here for a Fun Secrets of Grand Central Station Tour!

#3 New York Public Library – Main Branch

📍Bryant Park, 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue
The main branch of the New York City Public Library, AKA the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is another one of those classic midtown New York Buildings that never loses its class and appeal. Built in 1911, this Beaux Arts gem features marble staircase and halls, carved wood-paneled reading rooms, and of course, the iconic lion statues. There is a special room called the Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Libraries Treasures with very special and rare artifacts and books..Take a tour! It’s free to visit and to explore as long as you want. Schedule your Free Tour at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building here.

#4 Chrysler Building

📍42nd Street and Lexington Avenue
The Chrysler Building might be my favorite building in NYC. Before the Empire State Building, the Chrysler was the world’s tallest skyscraper. This 1048 foot Art Deco masterpiece was completed in 1930, and still stands out  as an icon of New York City’s skyline.You’re allowed to wander the lobby floor and admire the magnificent hand painted mural depicting “Transport and the Human Endeavor.” Check out the floors, ceiling, and the gorgeous elevator doors!

#5 Rockefeller Center

📍Between 48th & 51st Streets at Fifth Avenue
Rockefeller Center is not just a quick stop on your bucket list.  It’s actually a 22-acre complex with 19 buildings. Head to the Ice Skating Rink and enjoy the fountains and the 193 flags of nations. If you’re there for Christmas, you’ll see the famous tree and all the festive decorations. You can then wander to the Top of The Rock observation deck, or take a tour of Radio City Music Hall, home of the Rockettes. Definitely see the Rockettes Holiday Special if you can. What a treat!

Click Here for an Excellent Guided Tour of Rockefeller Center with a
Visit to The Top of the Rock

#6 The United Nations Headquarters

📍405 East 42nd Street
The United Nations Headquarters is a must-see in New York City — a place where global history and diplomacy meet. Technically international territory, it’s home to the iconic row of flags representing 193 nations, striking mid-century architecture, and art from around the world. You can tour the General Assembly and Security Council chambers, to get a glimpse into global decision-making right in Midtown Manhattan. Book tours at the Visitor Center at United Nations Headquarters open daily (Monday–Sunday) from about 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Uptown Manhattan

#7 Central Park

📍Enter anywhere between 59th Street and 110th Street
Central Park is 843 acres of iconic green space in the heart of Manhattan. This is everyone’s favorite park and has its own long bucket list of spots. Wander from one end to the other, in any weather! My top rec is to find these iconic Central Park spots.

#8 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

📍1000 Fifth Avenue & Central Park
The Met is one of the most special things on this bucket list.. The Met is the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere, filled with incredible art collections and timeless architecture. Pick a few things you want to see, so you don’t get overwhelmed on your first visit. Don’t miss its grand steps in front and the Egyptian Obelisk in the back. Lines can be long, so get tickets in advance and enjoy a pretzel and some street music while you wait.

Click Here to Book an Exclusive Private Tour of The Met!

Theater District

#9 Times Square

📍42nd Street and Broadway
Times Square has to be on the list, but don’t feel pressured to spend too much time here! It’s wild, bright, and buzzing 24/7. Known as “The Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is the hub of all the Broadway Shows, billboards, and tourism. It has been the site of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop since 1907. My rec is to wander a bit and then head up the red steps above the TKTS Booth so you can see the square from above.

#10 A Broadway Show

📍 Times Square
Seeing a Broadway show in New York City is top on everyone’s bucket list for a reason! Whether it’s a musical or a drama, you’ll get the best that theater has to offer. BUY Broadway show tix in advance! Download the Today Tix app on your phone now and start searching for show tickets. The theaters are pretty intimate, so don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive seats, you’ll be able to see well from any part of the theater. Let me know if you want recommendations!

Downtown & The Financial District

#11 The Statue of Liberty

📍Liberty Park, New York Harbor
You must visit Lady Liberty at least once. It’s a historic and exciting visit – plus you get a little time out on the water! From Battery Park, you can admire her from afar, but best to hop on a Statue Cruises ferry for $23.50 and visit Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Museum. The museums are fascinating and often reveal personal family history connections. Learn more about visiting the Statue of Liberty here.

Click Here for a Top Rated Guided Tour of
The Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island

#12 One World Trade Center

📍285 Fulton Street
The One World Trade Center, AKA Freedom Tower is located in Lower Manhattan. This building is a beautiful tribute to the Twin Towers that were attacked on 9/11. You can enter the building and go to The One World Observatory at the top of the tower. While I went up on a foggy day with almost no visibility, I did have a lovely lunch in the restaurant!

Click Here to get your Admission Tix to the One World Observatory!

#13 The 9/11 Memorial

📍180 Greenwich Street
The 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial Museum are among the most significant things to do on this bucket list. Even if you don’t have the time to visit the museum, which is very well done and fascinating BTW, you must spend time by the twin reflecting pools created on the location of the former twin towers. Look for the Survivor Tree. This Callery Pear tree is the only remaining tree that survived the 9/11 attacks. Take your time here, it’s a beautiful tribute to the lives lost.

Click Here for your Admission Tix to the 9/11 Museum

#14 The Oculus

📍50 Church Street
The Oculus is the massive transportation hub/shopping mall that was built as part of the 9/11 Memorial complex. Designed to symbolize a white dove of peace, the stunning building is the place to grab a train up town or stop for lunch and some shopping while you’re on your bucket list tour.

#15 The New York City Stock Exchange

📍Corner of Broad and Wall Street
The world famous New York Stack Exchange is a stunning building on Wall Street downtown. While you can no longer visit inside, you can take pics outside with the 4-foot-tall Fearless Girl statue, created in 2017 for International Women’s Day. You can even hear the opening bell at 9:30 AM on weekdays.

Check Out This 5 Star Private Walking Tour of Wall Street & FiDi

#16 South Street Seaport

📍Fulton Street & East River
The South Street Seaport Historic District is the most charming and oldest part of New York City. You’ll find cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. Check out the maritime museum, shop for books and clothes, and be sure to eat in the large gourmet food court of Fulton Market. The Seaport often has family events, live music, and an outdoor cinema during the summer. Learn more about South Street here!

Lower Manhattan +

#17 Historic Chinatown

📍Mott Street & Bleecker Street
Get yourself to Mott Street between Bleecker and Chatham Square  or Canal Street to find the heart of Chinatown. This is one of the country’s oldest Chinese enclaves which began in the 19th Century and really expanded after a 1965 Immigration Act allowed for more Chinese immigrants to come to New York. You’ll see many shops selling all kinds of goods! 

#18 Little Italy

📍Mulberry Street
Little Italy, home to its large Italian population and amazing restaurants and bakeries, is just north of Chinatown. You’ll find the heart of Little Italy on Mulberry Street. which  is famous for its San Genarro Festival in September. Also, a historic neighborhood, Little Italy has been growing since the 1840’s.

#19 Washington Square Park

📍5th Avenue & Waverly Place
Washington Square Park is Greenwich Village’s famous, 10-acre park known for its arch, fountain, and bohemian energy. Surrounded by NYU, it’s a hub for art, protests, performances, and people-watching. The park was built on top of a potter’s field where 20,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. The original arch was erected as a tribute to George Washington’s and later was built as a permanent structure by local New Yorkers. The park is on the bucket list because, well, you have to experience it at least once! 

#20 Chelsea

📍Between 14th & 34th Streets and 6th Avenue & Hudson River
Chelsea is a really fun neighborhood by the Hudson on the West Side. There, you’ll find the awesome Chelsea market, the renowned Whitney Museum, Little Island, and the Chelsea Piers. Explore this area filled with art galleries, lots of food courts, fun boutiques, and loads of walking paths. Learn more about Chelsea here!

#21 The High Line

📍Gansevoort Street to 34th Street
You might say, I saved the best for last! The High Line is a 1.45 mile public park built on the historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. The neighborhood residents saved the old rail line from demolition in 2009 and made it everyone’s favorite nature walks filled with art and plants. Open from 7AM to 7PM in the winter and until 10PM in the summer months. Climb the steps from the Whitney Art Museum up onto the High Line. This is a MUST DO any time of the year. 

Where to Stay in New York City – Bucket List Choices

NYC is chock full of great hotels and VRBO’s. I have curated a list of the safest places to stay in New York which includes boutique hotels. There are also some of the best restaurants in the world in NYC – perfect for a bucket list trip! Check them out here!

For a bucket list trip, here are some top hotel recommendations to make the visit extra special!

Uptown

The Lucerne Hotel
📍201 W 79th Street
I recommend the Lucerne Hotel because it’s a grand hotel with affordable prices, in a treasured landmark building built in 1904. The amenities include a lovely French Mediterranean restaurant, Nice Matin, and a full fitness center. They also provide wifi and laundry service. This is not a pet friendly hotel.

Midtown

The Empire Hotel
44 West 63rd Street
I recommend the Empire Hotel because it’s tucked into a perfect spot across from Lincoln Center, steps away from Central Park. It’s considered the iconic “crown jewel” of Midtown.  The amenities include a very special rooftop bar and swimming pool. It’s a dog-friendly hotel, offers valet parking, a fitness center, and all the modern amenities such as wifi and laundry service.

Downtown

The Hotel Chelsea
222 West 23rd Street
I recommend the Hotel Chelsea because not only is it a famous hotel known for all of its former residents, but it’s in the very hip and historic Chelsea neighborhood. The building is a Victorian era marvel of red brick and wrought iron facade. It was built in 1885 and has since become a part of the fabric of this part of Manhattan. A host of the world’s most famous writers, musicians, and artists lived and stayed at the Chelsea. Some of the best works were created there, romances started there, and several lives were lost there. 

Getting Around NYC

I am a huge proponent of walking everywhere you can in New York. It is the absolute best way to see things, get a feel for all your bucket list attractions, and to have the most fun.

However, when time and energy dictate, then take the subway. It’s generally safe and usually efficient. Ride apps like Uber and Lyft work well too. And of course, you can always hail a Yellow Cab!

PRO TIP:  Load all the ride share apps onto your phone ahead of time and then check the prices of Uber and Lyft, before your order, to compare. Prices vary a lot at different times of the day and night. Taxis are also visible and available everywhere, but still require the old fashioned hailing-from-the-curb system. If the light on the top of the cab is on, that means it’s available. There is an app called Curb that you can download. But according to locals who have used it, the cabs don’t come as quickly as the other ride shares do.

PRO TIP:  Download the MY MTA app on your phone. This is the official Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) app for NYC subways and bus system. It has ALL the info you need, including maps and schedules for all the subways, bus, and rail systems.

PRO TIP: If you are using your Maps/GPS App on your phone, hit the “transit” view and it will tell you exactly where the closest subway station is and which train to take to your destination.

NYC Subway Tips:

• Each ride costs $2.90. The easiest thing is to TAP TO PAY with your smartphone, credit card, or OMNY (One Metro New York) card.
• If you tap with the same device within 7 days, you’ll be capped at $34 and ride free the rest of the 7 days! If you spend less than $34, you’re only charged for the rides you take.
• You can tap in up to 4 people on your same device or card.
• Note: if it’s your first time tapping, it takes a few minutes for your bank to approve a new user, so you might not be able to tap in others on your first time.
• Subways and bus fares are $1.45 for 65 or older and those with disabilities – if you have applied for the reduced fare program. More info here.

When is the Best Time to Visit NYC?

Take your Bucket List Trip to New York City whenever you can! But if you have choices, here’s some info:

Mid June through Early July and Mid August through September are super popular times to visit NYC. It will be warm, but not too hot. The middle of the summer can get pretty steamy with the heat burning in the concrete jungle!

Fall is perfect with temps in the 60’s and 70’s. The crowds have died down, the sun is shining, the trees are turning, and the air is crisp. My favorite time of year there!

November and December are another great time to visit New York. The holidays make New York even more festive than usual. Enjoy all the winter pop-up activities, decorations, and of course, the New Year’s Eve extravaganza! Check out The Things To Do In New York City At Christmas here!

February and March can be fun because it’s still a little snowy, not very busy, and the prices are better! Bundle up with layers, and be prepared with umbrellas and all-weather shoes!

What to pack for your Bucket List Trip to New York?

Weather and season will have a huge impact on what to bring, so here’s an outline for some basics in the different times of year. Remember that most New Yorkers are not fashion models and typically dress for comfort and convenience. When touring around, you’re likely to leave your hotel in the morning and not return again until bedtime, so one stylish and comfortable outfit per day, with layers, should suffice.

Winter/Spring Packing for NYC

• Very comfortable water proof shoes or boots and warm socks.
• Very warm waterproof coat or jacket.
• Hat, gloves, scarf.
• Casual outfits – pants, warm shirts, a sweater.
• One nicer outfit in case you want to dress up one evening for a show or nice restaurant.
• A lightweight day pack.
• A portable phone charger.

Summer/Fall Packing for NYC

• Very comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, waterproof if expecting rain.
• A lightweight jacket.
• Casual outfits – pants, lightweight shirts, a sweater.
• One nicer outfit in case you want to dress up one evening for a show or nice restaurant.
• A lightweight day pack.
• A portable phone charger.
• Sunscreen.

Start Checking off your Bucket List for New York City!

In a nutshell…

From the top of the Empire State Building to the beauty of Central Park, every stop on this bucket list for New York City captures a piece of what makes this city unforgettable. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifty-first, there’s always new experiences in the Big Apple. Take your time, walk everywhere you can, and let the energy of New York inspire you to start checking things off — one incredible adventure at a time.

xx,
Carrie