brightly lit New York City skyline at dusk
The Empire State Building is open until 2:00 a.m. every night, with the last elevator going up at 1:15 a.m.
Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / mishooo

Experience It All: 7 Unmissable Things to Do in New York City

Have a Truly Unique NYC Experience

New York City offers so much to see and do, which means planning your trip to the Big Apple can be quite the stressful undertaking. Even if you think you have it all figured out, all your planning will go out the window when you first step onto the busy streets and are arrested by all of the sights, smells, noises and people.

Talk about overwhelming!

Keep in mind that you’ll never be able to check off everything in just one trip, even if you decide to go sleepless in New York, as custom goes. It’s okay to save some things for your inevitable return to the big city.

Compounding the problem is the fact that most people are only in New York for a few days. For example, the city often tops lists of destinations for girls weekend getaways, so if you’re trying to pack all the best into a few days, you’re going to need to narrow things down a little.

If you want to make the most of your time here, these are the things to do in New York City that need to be at the top of your list!

Visit the Empire State Building Late at Night

The Big Apple’s most iconic landmark is a definite must-visit, but the best way to experience it is by going late at night. Save it for the grand finale at the end of a long day and you’ll avoid wasting precious hours standing in line.

Plus you’ll get to see the dazzling lights of the city’s illuminated skyline.

The Empire State Building is open until 2 a.m. every night, with the last elevator going up at 1:15 a.m. If you’re able to go between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, you can enjoy listening to the sounds of a live saxophonist while soaking up the view.

central park in New York City at sunriseYou never know who you’ll spot, as locals, including celebrities, enjoy spending time here, too.Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / SeanPavonePhoto

Take a Walk Through Central Park

If you want to experience authentic New York City life, take a stroll through Central Park. You never know who you’ll spot, as locals, including celebrities, enjoy spending time here too.

If you want to do more than just walk, you can rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse and paddle around, check out the Central Park Zoo or explore the park on two wheels, pedaling to sights like Belvedere Castle and Strawberry Fields. Taking a bike tour is one of the most popular New York City tours you can take and will certainly enrich your experience in Central Park.

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people walking in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York CitySome of its highlights include the Egyptian Collection which features the tomb of Perneb, circa 2440 BC.Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / 1001gece

Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met is the largest museum in the Western Hemisphere and offers enough to keep visitors busy for days. Its collection includes more than 2 million works of art that spans the entire world from antiquity to the present.

Some of its highlights include the Egyptian Collection that features the tomb of Perneb, circa 2,440 BC, and the Temple of Dendur, built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 15 BC.

Spectacular European paintings include masterpieces by the likes of Vermeer, Botticelli and Rembrandt.

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