A Guide to the Big Apple: Best Things to Do in New York City

A Bite of the Big Apple

Full to the brim with soaring skyscrapers and striking landmarks, New York City is a pulsating corner of the United States of America that offers an eclectic fusion of culture, big city life and irresistible cuisine. The Big Apple is a city of limitless opportunity and inspiration, as seen in countless musicals, movies and novels. It brings you some of the world’s most-loved locations, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and the list goes on…

A plethora of cruises set sail for and out of New York City, giving you plenty of opportunities to effortlessly discover the city’s diverse offerings before or after your ship whisks you away to the Caribbean, Canada and beyond. Let us inspire you with our list of the top 9 things to do in New York City and travel tips to make your holiday fuss-free!

Scramble in Times Square

Bright lights, big billboards and Broadway shows galore await in Times Square! This bustling intersection is often the first stop of first-time visitors and a popular spot for return travellers as well, thanks to its idyllic location near the cruise port. We personally suggest going to Times Square in the early morning when the crowds aren’t swarming yet and of course, there’s better lighting for photos too! But if you don’t mind the bustle, basking in its lively atmosphere where neon lights and digital billboards illuminate the area is a quintessential experience. New York is an energetic city, but it’s especially bursting with life in Times Square – where you can enjoy busking performances, see Sardi’s caricatures and listen to the mysterious humming sound!

Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyscrapers

Embark on a NYC Harbour Lights Cruise

The dazzling lights that keep New York’s streets and skyline aglow at night are a testament that it’s truly a city that never sleeps! We enjoyed admiring the harbour’s sights and lights onboard a city lights cruise, giving us an opportunity to witness the sunset and some of NYC’s most sought-after spots from a fresh vantage point. Lasting approximately two hours, you can take a scenic journey under the Brooklyn Bridge, strike a pose with the Statue of Liberty and soak in the lustre of the Manhattan skyline that never goes out!

People shopping at street vendors along the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue

Shop ‘til you drop at 5th Avenue

Fifth Avenue is a major and busy thoroughfare in Manhattan. Boasting a prestigious shopping scene, lined with luxury flagship stores and high-end boutiques — this iconic street is a shopper’s paradise! Browse through the shops of some of the most famous brands like Bulgari, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and more. Apart from shopping, the chic avenue also packs a punch of must-see attractions for architecture and art aficionados. Admire St. Patrick's Cathedral’s architectural grandeur and visit the Museum of Modern Art, showcasing an extensive collection of masterpieces from renowned artists like van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol.

Take a sunset walk in Central Park

If you’re looking for a place to connect with nature amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Central Park – where you can soak up some fresh air and lush greenery. This expansive urban park sits in the heart of the dynamic Manhattan, offering non-stop activities, attractions and events. Walking under the canopy of towering American Elm trees at sunset, without the cloud-scraping buildings in sight, is a perfect way to slow down from the rapid rhythm of New York City. It was truly a breath of fresh air – literally and figuratively! You can also check out the Alice in Wonderland sculpture and the statue of the heroic sled dog Balto. For panoramic views, climb up the Belvedere Castle – with balconies overlooking the Great Lawn, Turtle Pond and the bird-watching oasis Ramble!

Indulge in New York’s cuisine

New York City is a foodie’s haven, with a range of options to match every mood and taste – from fine-dining restaurants and classic bakeries to food trucks and street-food stalls. We loved the New York-style pizza, so be sure to grab a cheesy slice from the best pizzerias in the city – Scarr’s Pizza and Joe’s Pizza are notable for their integral roles in NYC's pizza tapestry. Little Italy and Chinatown also made it to our list of favourites, perfect for sampling authentic local flavours beyond New York! Halal carts are also ubiquitous in the city, attracting long queues of hungry pedestrians on the hunt for affordable and delicious street specialities. For dessert, treat your sweet tooth to some chocolate cookies from Levain Bakery or the legendary creamy New York-style cheesecake!

Catch a Broadway show

Seeing a Broadway show reigns top of the bucket-list of many tourists visiting the Big Apple. There’s something so special about experiencing a musical or theatrical performance live in a place like New York City, where the love for arts and culture is kept alive and thriving. The Theatre District, also called the Great White Way, is home to some of the city’s premier theatres clustered around Times Square. From classic stories like The Phantom of the Opera and Hamilton to popular film-based shows like Lion King and Aladdin, there’s something to entertain everyone!

Experience the buzz of Grand Central Terminal

Let yourself be carried away by the flurry of activity at the Grand Central Terminal — a stunning train station in Midtown Manhattan recognised for its impressive architecture and history, as well as endless dining and shopping opportunities. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a grand façade characterised by beaux-arts neoclassical architectural style. You’re in for an even better treat once you enter the terminal, where ornate marble floors, skylight windows, elegant chandeliers and an elaborately-adorned ceiling will make you feel like a decadent in a royal palace. Some of the star attractions are the four-faced opal clock in the main concourse and the Grand Central Market for souvenirs and culinary delights.

Dinosaur display at the American Museum of Natural History

A butterfly at the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium.

A giant dinosaur display in the American Museum of Natural History

Swot up in the Natural History Museum

History buffs are sure to have an immersive time in the Natural History Museum — a massive museum set in the heart of Manhattan. Marvel at the extensive displays of excavated fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Apart from the fossil displays, the museum also houses permanent exhibition halls for earth and planetary sciences, human origins and civilisations, culture, arts and more. Walk down the Hall of North American Forests to soak up some serenity, travel beyond Earth in Hayden Planetarium Space Theatre and be in awe of the butterflies at the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium. Some of the must-see sights here are the 122-foot-long Titanosaur and the Great Blue Whale!

New York City skyline from Top of the Rock

See the New York City skyline from the Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock, in our opinion, offers the best views of the city skyline out of all the observation decks and viewing platforms in New York City! This staggering outdoor observatory is located on the top of Rockefeller Centre — providing guests with sweeping views of downtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building, Central Park and beyond. It features glass terraces facing north, south, east and west, so you can expect an unobstructed panorama of the city 850 feet up in the sky. For a magical experience, we recommend getting tickets for the golden hour – seeing the sun rise from and dip over the awe-inspiring skyline is definitely one for the books!

Picture Yourself in New York City

Here's a memory haul of lovely photographs and snapshots taken by the LoveitBookit team members, recounting some of our most treasured moments, best experiences, and favourite places in New York City...

Our Top Travel Tips & Tricks in NYC:

Visit the busy tourist areas early morning or late evening to avoid crowds for better picture opportunities and more peaceful sightseeing.
Explore beyond Midtown and Museum Mile. The Lower East Side and West Village are where you’ll get a glimpse of the authentic and traditional side of the city.
Navigate the city on a subway and feel like a local. The subway operates 24/7 all year round, providing a convenient and easy way to get around New York City. You can pay fares using the OMNY system or MetroCard, or buy a single-ride ticket from a vending machine if you’re using the subway only once. It’s best to purchase a 7-day pass if you’re planning on using the Subway often as you will save a lot of money compared to taking lots of individual journeys.
Tipping is customary when taking a photo with a mascot in Times Square. Wandering around the neon-lit Times Square, you’ll encounter characters in fancy themed costumes beckoning passersby to take a picture with them. Any amount between $3 and $5 is the standard for tipping.
Purchase tickets online for Broadway shows. Or, if you want to go the traditional route, you can queue in the TKTS booths around Times Square, which sells discounted Broadway tickets.
Crowds in Top of the Rock usually peak between 11 am and 1 pm. We recommend visiting in the early morning for the sunrise or late evening for the city lights!
The best time to visit New York City is spring or fall. The spring season runs between April and June whilst fall is from September to November. These two seasons offer warm weather, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities and appreciating the vibrant colours of either the fall foliage or springtime cherry blossoms.

Let’s Get Lost in New York City!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the vastness of New York City, where the blinding neon lights and kaleidoscope of colour are as constant as the never-ending stream of crowds engaging in a flurry of activity. It’s fast-paced and electrifying — a city that never sleeps — but it’s the kind of place you’d love to lose yourself in… and perhaps feel most alive! So, let us bring out the wanderlust in you as we get lost in the buzz and beauty of New York City…

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A Guide to the Big Apple: What to do in New York City!

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