The Ultimate NYC Bucket List
57 Things Every New Yorker Needs to Know
New Yorkers seldom complain of boredom—if anything, there’s too much to do in New York, and not enough time to do it. To help you refine your NYC bucket list, we’ve compiled 57 things every New Yorker needs to do, from attending a live TV taping, to walking the High Line.
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Check out Central Park's secret waterfall.
You won't want to miss North Woods. -
Take out a boat in the summer.
Experience the skyline in a whole new way on the water. -
Explore the US's biggest open-air food market, Smorgasburg.
Sample +100 vendors. -
Picnic at an outdoor film screening.
Choose from Rooftop Films, SummerScreen, and more! -
Experience culture in Koreatown.
With restaurants, bars, spas, and karaoke, it's the best way to experience Korean culture in the US. -
Check out a concert at Madison Square Garden.
Enjoy a concert in true New York style! -
Experience a real New York bagel.
Try Absolute Bagels, Russ & Daughters, and Ess-a-Bagel. -
See a New York sporting event live.
The sport doesn't matter; it's the experience! -
Take a helicopter tour of the city.
It's not cheap, but it's unforgettable. -
Witness a live show at the Apollo's Amateur Night.
The Apollo's Amateur Night offers viewers the unique opportunity to judge performers live. -
Take a course at NYC's trapeze school.
They also have gymnastics and acrobatics courses. -
Discover the American Museum of Natural History.
Explore fossils and dinosaurs! -
Satisfy cravings at Chelsea Market.
The Market has food for every mood. -
Experience the New York City Marathon.
You can participate in the festivities without running. -
Watch fireworks after a baseball game.
Watch Friday-night fireworks after a Brooklyn Cyclones or Staten Island Yankees game. -
Watch a live taping of Saturday Night Live.
It's great on TV but even more fun in person. -
Visit the US's largest zoo.
You can see just about any animal at the Bronx Zoo. -
Stroll through the High Line.
The old train tracks are now a beautiful 1.5-mile park! -
Visit the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art.
There's no better place to read comics. -
Check out the Governors Ball Music Festival.
Enjoy top musicians and the best food vendors! -
Gaze at NYC from Top of the Rock.
It's the best view of the best city. -
Go ice-skating in Central Park.
This is a magical experience you can't afford to miss. -
See a secret big-name artist perform at a small club.
Search enough and you'll find a gem. -
Try some true NYC pizza.
Grimaldi's, Angelo's Coal Fired Pizza, and Serafina are among the best. -
Get inspired at the Museum of Modern Art.
This unique museum is a haven for art lovers and a place of enlightenment for soon-to-be art lovers. -
View world-class art at the Guggenheim.
Take in highlights of human creativity. -
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
You have to see these up close. -
Have a picnic at Prospect Park.
It's more serene and lush than Central Park. -
Dine at Peter Luger Steak House.
Eat a phenomenal steak at this Michelin-starred steakhouse. -
Catch a basketball game at Rucker Park.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant all honed their skills there. -
See a live TV taping.
See Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, and more. -
Sample bygone cocktails at the Campbell.
It's an ornate Grand Central lounge. -
See a Broadway play.
You can find cheap tickets if you're not going to see Hamilton. -
See all of Museum Mile.
You'll learn a ton about the world in just blocks. -
Check out the New York Food and Wine Festival.
Indulge in exquisite food and wine from world-renowned chefs and attend exclusive parties! -
Enjoy the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
It's an incredible view that's incredibly cheap. -
Stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Venturing across this icon is a must. -
Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
It's an American tradition you won't want to miss. -
Relax at the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar.
Enjoy a Popsicle dipped in a wine glass and the view! -
Book the EmptyMet Tour to avoid the crowds.
Beat the crowds at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and experience the museum's wonders basically all on your own. -
Relax in the botanical gardens at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
Find your zen. -
See George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
There's no better way to experience the NYC Ballet. -
Go to opening night at the Metropolitan Opera House.
It's a truly unique cultural experience. -
Attend the Tribeca Film Festival.
For daring independent films, look no further! -
Attend a Bryant Park movie screening.
There are weekly opportunities to see a movie under the stars. -
See Times Square without the people.
There are no crowds at 4 a.m. -
Eat the world's best cookies at Levain Bakery.
Thousands of reviewers rank them the best. -
Experience live Harlem jazz.
Check out Shrine, Bill's Place, or Minton's. -
Book cheap Carnegie Hall seats for the best acoustics.
The top balcony has the best sound. -
Enjoy authentic Asian cuisine in Flushing.
The lack of English signage can be intimidating, but you'll be willing to brave it for the scrumptious food. -
Sit front row at the Comedy Cellar.
Have big-name comedians make fun of you! -
Enjoy Coney Island's rides.
The Wonder Wheel and the iconic Cyclone roller coaster are fantastic! -
Take in the views at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
You'll never want to leave. -
See a performance at Lincoln Center.
Attend an event among NYC's classiest. -
Navigate the labyrinth of Strand Book Store.
Find hidden gems, including rare and out-of-print books, in this massive independent book store. -
Breathe in the fresh air at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Escape into nature. -
Listen to music at Bargemusic, the floating concert hall.
It's an epic way to enjoy music.