NYC Guide
Want to experience NYC as a local? Here’s a hint: think like a tourist. Seriously! Just ask the members of our team. No matter how long we've lived here, the city still wows us the way it does first-time visitors. Check out our favorite NYC experiences.
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The Brooklyn Bridge
“Every time I have visitors the first thing they want to do is walk over the bridge. I always feel the enormity of New York City from there. NYC is extraordinary and you see it and feel it from the Brooklyn Bridge.”
– Josephine V., Security
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*4*Families
- Enjoy interactive play at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
- See dinosaurs and meteorites at the Museum of Natural History
- Experience shipboard life at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Explore subway cars dating to 1907 at the New York Transit Museum
- Get to know the wildlife at the Bronx Zoo
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Shows on Broadway
The TKTS booths in Times Square, South Street Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and at Lincoln Center offer same-day discount tickets to musicals, plays, and dance productions.
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The High Line
“I love the High Line because you get to experience New York from a unique altitude. Elevated above the street on an old railroad track, you’ll find yourself looking up at the sky scrapers and down at the concrete jungle that is New York.”
– Agustin N., Operations
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The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library presents 93,000 free exhibits, performances, and author talks each year.
*4*Foodies
- Spend a tasty afternoon with Scott’s Pizza Tours
- Discover the maze inside historic 112 year old landmark Chelsea Market
- Explore Kalustyan’s, the best international food stockist in the country
- Head to the Upper West Side for Zabar’s. Rugelach, bagels or chocolate babka anyone?
- Don’t miss Eataly, foodie nirvana care of Mario Batali.
- Smorgasburg, a festival of food trucks and icon of Williamsburg’s and Prospect Park's summer life.
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Solomon R. Guggenheim
“Frank Lloyd Wright really outdid himself. The building is as much a work of art as the collection it holds.”
– Matthew L., Security
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Yankee Stadium
“Some people criticize Yankee Stadium and say it looks like a museum. It is a museum! The Yankees have a lot of history. And rings! It's a unique place.”
– Diana T., Administration
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New York Harbor
You’ll enjoy sightseeing discounts and won’t have to wait in line at major attractions when you buy New York City attraction passes, all presented by the city’s tourism office.
*4*Nature
- Take a romantic walk amid seasonal blooms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
- Go walking, biking, or boating in Central Park, the first major urban park in the US.
- Enjoy gardens, artworks, and Hudson River views at Wave Hill.
- Admire the expanse of the New York Harbor on a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Stroll Fort Tryon Park along the Hudson River in upper Manhattan and visit the Cloisters.
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Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall offers free Neighborhood Concerts for the music lovers. The New York Philharmonic also presents free Concerts in the Parks each summer.
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One World Observatory
“At One World Observatory you can see the checkered floor on the rooftop at Building 4 of WTC which is where I got engaged, so from here I get a glimpse of a place that was a new beginning for me.”
– Angie, Commercial
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SoHo
“I love the shopping selection, from designer names to indie boutiques. Sleek new buildings and Old New York architecture. And the buzz on the street! You can’t beat the energy.”
– Brianna C., Marketing
*4*Art
- The world-class collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not to be missed
- The Museum of Modern Art is a showcase for art, design, film, and special events
- The Whitney Museum is known for its American art collection and stunning architecture
- Native American arts take center stage at the Museum of the American Indian
- At the Frick Collection, you’ll see masterworks displayed in a 1914 mansion.
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Accessibility
The New York City subway system is more than a century old and was built before people became aware of the importance of access for people with disabilities. System upgrades continue to address that issue.
As of January 2017, 117 New York City subway and Staten Island Railway stations meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility standards. Consult the MTA Guide to Accessible Transit for the latest information station by station.
The city’s 107-page Official Accessibility Guide provides accessibility information for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island and includes sections about accommodations, sightseeing, arts and entertainment, museums, dining, nightlife, and sports.
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Taking the Subway
To help you choose the best or fastest route to your destination, consult the MTA’s Trip Planner. It’s available on your computer or in mobile versions for Android and iPhone.
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Map & Service Changes
There’s also a Planned Service Changes page to help you avoid stations that are closed for maintenance or lines that have been rerouted. These street maps can also help you navigate the city on foot.
NYC Safety Tips
The New York experience is unlike any other. You’ll find the city and its people friendly and fabulous, and we want you to take only happy memories from here. That’s why, although we’re the safest large city in the U.S., we want to offer a few suggestions to help ensure that you and your companions remember your visit for all the best reasons. For your safety and protection, please remember:
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Stay alert
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Stand back
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Stay focused
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Dial 911
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Copy your passport
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Beware of strangers
T4 Tip
Traveling from JFK to Long Island? The AirTrain connects passengers with the Long Island Railroad’s Jamaica Station, where you can catch eastbound trains on the Oyster Bay, Huntington/Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma/Greenport, Babylon/Montauk, and Long Beach lines.
