Best Things to Do in New York
New York delivers more iconic experiences per square mile than almost any city on earth. Whether you have three days or a full week, the activities below are consistently the highest-rated, most-booked experiences in the city — verified by tens of thousands of traveller reviews. Book in advance: New York's top attractions sell out, particularly on weekends and during peak season.
What are the best things to do in New York that are worth booking in advance?
The experiences most worth pre-booking in New York are the Empire State Building top deck, a Broadway show with pre-theatre dinner, and a Harlem Gospel Brunch — all of which regularly sell out days or weeks ahead. Here is a curated list of the city's top-rated activities, with prices and review counts current as of April 2026.
Is the Empire State Building worth visiting in 2026?
The Empire State Building remains one of the most rewarding viewpoints in New York, especially with priority access that eliminates the main queue bottleneck. The NYC Empire State Building Top Deck Priority experience costs $55 per person, holds a 4.6-star rating from 34,000 reviews, and grants fast-track entry to the 86th-floor observation deck. On a clear day, visibility extends to 80 miles, taking in the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, and all five boroughs. The priority ticket is the single most important upgrade you can make — standard queues regularly exceed 90 minutes.
Book NYC Empire State Building Top Deck Priority →
Practical detail: Go at dusk for a combination of daylight views and the city lighting up at night. Arrive 15 minutes before your timed entry slot.
Where can I see a Broadway show with dinner included in New York?
The Broadway Show Tickets & Pre-Theatre Dinner package from Viator combines a curated three-course meal at a Midtown restaurant with premium seats at a top Broadway production, priced at $195 per person with a 4.8-star rating from 8,900 reviews. Book Broadway Show Tickets & Pre-Theatre Dinner → This is the most frictionless way to do Broadway if you are visiting from outside the US — show selection, dinner reservation, and seat allocation are handled together, removing the complexity of coordinating two separate bookings in an unfamiliar city. Productions rotate seasonally; confirm your show title at time of booking.
What is the best food and culture tour in Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Street Art & Smorgasburg Tour is the highest-rated Brooklyn experience currently available, carrying a 4.9-star rating from 4,200 reviews at $55 per person. Book Brooklyn Street Art & Smorgasburg Tour → The tour covers the Bushwick Collective murals — one of the world's largest open-air street art galleries — before moving to Smorgasburg, the Saturday outdoor food market in Williamsburg that draws over 5,000 visitors each weekend. A knowledgeable local guide contextualises the art within Brooklyn's neighbourhood history, making this considerably more than a food market visit.
Best for: Culture-focused travellers, food lovers, photography enthusiasts. Runs Saturdays.
Is the Harlem Gospel Brunch worth doing in New York?
The Harlem Gospel Brunch Sunday Tour is one of the most emotionally memorable experiences available in New York, rated 4.9 stars from 12,000 reviews and priced at $75 per person. The tour includes a live gospel performance at a historic Harlem church followed by a Southern soul food brunch — grits, fried chicken, waffles — at a neighbourhood institution. Running exclusively on Sundays, it offers genuine access to a living cultural tradition rather than a staged performance. The 12,000-review count at 4.9 stars makes this one of the most trusted tour products in the entire city.
Tip: Dress respectfully — smart casual is appropriate. Services are real community events, not tourist shows.
How do I get to New York from the UK or US?
New York is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK), Newark Liberty (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA). JFK handles the majority of transatlantic flights and connects directly to Manhattan via the AirTrain and subway. For the best available fares, use Skyscanner to compare all airlines and booking windows in real time.
- Book from the UK — Compare flights to New York from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other UK airports.
- Book from the US — Compare domestic and connecting flights to JFK, EWR, and LGA from across the United States.
Flight tip: Booking 6–10 weeks in advance typically yields the strongest transatlantic fares. Avoid flying the week of Thanksgiving or the last week of December without a very early booking.
FAQ
How much does it cost to do the top things in New York?
A realistic budget for the top experiences covered here is $380–$430 per person: Empire State Building priority ($55), Broadway show with dinner ($195), Brooklyn street art tour ($55), and Harlem Gospel Brunch ($75). This covers four of the city's highest-rated activities; individual day costs vary depending on dining and transport.
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures and manageable crowd levels. Summer (July–August) is hot and busy. December is festive but expensive. Spring 2026 — when this article was written — is an excellent time to visit.
Do I need to book New York attractions in advance?
Yes. The Empire State Building, Broadway shows, and Sunday brunch experiences all sell out regularly, often days ahead. Booking at least one week in advance is strongly recommended; two to three weeks is safer for weekend dates and peak season.
Is New York safe for tourists in 2026?
Midtown Manhattan, the Financial District, Brooklyn's tourist areas, and Harlem's gospel tour circuit are all well-frequented and generally safe for travellers exercising standard urban awareness. Use the subway with confidence during daytime hours and early evening. Check current travel advisories from your government before departure.
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