New York Experience: My Favorite Things to Do in the City That Never Sleeps

Back in 2019, I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life, I lived in New York City for few months while doing an internship.

It wasn’t just a place I visited; it became a piece of me. The rhythm of the city, the constant energy, the mix of cultures and stories, everything about New York taught me how powerful travel can be when you let it change you.

So if you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, here’s my personal list of things to do in New York, the ones that made me fall in love with this incredible city all over again.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

No trip to New York is complete without meeting Lady Liberty face to face. I made a tour organised, I recommend you to do the same... you can;t reach the LAdy Liberty without a tour. This tour also includes Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants once arrived chasing their American dream.

→ check you tickets here: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience

If you love breathtaking views, this one is pure magic. SUMMIT isn’t just an observation deck, it’s an immersive, reflective art experience suspended over Manhattan. Go at sunset and thank me later.

→ check you tickets here: → SUMMIT

Empire State Building Admission

An icon for a reason. The Empire State Building still has that old school charm that no other skyscraper can replicate. The view from the 86th floor? Goosebumps guaranteed. I have been in NYC two times, and during both of them I coundn/t resist to go on the top of this building.

→  check you tickets here: Empire State

9/11 Memorial & Museum

This is one of the most emotional and meaningful places in New York. The museum tells stories of loss, courage, and resilience, a visit that stays with you.

→  check you tickets here: Memorial & Museum

Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Perfect for your first day in the city! You can see all the major landmarks while relaxing on an open top bus, choosing when to hop off and explore.

→ check your tickets: on-hop-New-York

New York City Dinner Cruise with Live Music

Imagine sailing along the Hudson River, dining under the stars, with the Manhattan skyline glowing all around you. This is one of those “pinch-me” experiences romantic, elegant, unforgettable. If you are doing your honey moon in New York City, you cannot miss this incredible experience!

→ check your tickets: New York City Dinner Cruise

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

From here, you can actually see the Empire State Building in the skyline, which makes it one of the best views in the city. Day or night, it’s spectacular.

→ check your tickets: Top of the Rock

One World Observatory

Located at the top of the Freedom Tower, this is the tallest observation point in the Western Hemisphere. Standing tall where the Twin Towers once rose, the One World Observatory crowns the top of the Freedom Tower, the main building of the World Trade Center complex. Visiting this place isn’t just about the breathtaking view, though at over 100 floors high, the panorama of Manhattan and beyond is truly spectacular. It’s also about what this tower represents: hope, strength, and renewal after unimaginable loss.

From the moment you enter, you feel the emotion in the air, a mix of pride, remembrance, and awe. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you how deeply human stories and great cities are intertwined.

→ check your tickets: One World Observatory

Chelsea Market & High Line Food Tour

One of my favorite neighborhoods! Walk the High Line, a park built on an old elevated railway (very nice sport to go for a run o a walk... that's what I did almost every morning when I was living in the Big Apple), and end with food heaven at Chelsea Market. Perfect for foodies and urban explorers alike.

→ check your tickets: Chelsea Market & High Line Food Tour

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

For those who love history and adventure, explore an aircraft carrier, submarines, and even a space shuttle! It’s fascinating for kids and adults alike. I am not really into this kind of things, but I decided to visit it and it has been one of the most beautiful attraction in NYC! Trust me, it is something you will not regret!

→ check your tickets: Intrepid Museum

Helicopter Tour Over NYC

One word: WOW!

Seeing New York from above the Empire State, Central Park, the bridges, is an experience that stays burned in your memory forever. The orice is a bit high, but come on, this is THE EXPERIENCE of THE EXPERIENCES! This could be the perfect gift for an anniversary or ar a celebration!

→ check your tickets: Helicopter Tour Over NYC

Washington DC Highlights (1-Day Tour from NYC)

A great day trip for history lovers. In just one day, you can see the, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Capitol Hill, an easy escape that adds a new dimension to your NYC adventure. I made this experience and I suggest you to add it if you are staying in NYC even only for a week. If I will be back there one day, I would do it again, becasue Washington is magic!

→ check your tickets: Washington DC Highlights (1-Day Tour from NYC)

New York CityPASS

If you plan to do several of these attractions, the CityPASS is your best friend. It gives you access to the city’s top sights at a discounted price, practical, flexible, and perfect for travelers who want to see it all. I used it when I went in NYC for only few days. IT allows you to do more attractions with only one pass.

→ check your tickets: New York CityPASS

New York is not a city you just visit, it’s a city you feel.

From the iconic skyline to the hidden streets full of stories, every moment there makes you a little more alive. And whether it’s your first or fifth time, there’s always something new to discover.

After all, that’s the magic of New York it never stops surprising you.