Highest-rated things to do in New York, according to Tripadvisor
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in New York your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for New York reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in New York using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 3, 2024.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in New York, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. The Strong National Museum of Play
- Rating: 5/5 (2,230 reviews)
- Address: 1 Manhattan Square Drive Rochester, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,770 reviews)
- Address: 25 Main St. Cooperstown, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. The Met Cloisters
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,166 reviews)
- Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive Fort Tryon Park New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Corning Museum of Glass
- Rating: 5/5 (3,975 reviews)
- Address: 1 Museum Way Corning, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Radio City Music Hall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,314 reviews)
- Address: 1260 6th Ave. Between 50th and 51st Streets New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Ground Zero Museum Workshop
- Rating: 5/5 (3,072 reviews)
- Address: 420 West 14th St. Floor 2 New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,870 reviews)
- Address: 45 East 42nd St. Entrance located on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Rating: 4.5/5 (18,400 reviews)
- Address: 11 West 53rd St. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. American Museum of Natural History
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26,255 reviews)
- Address: 79th St. Central Park West New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Niagara Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (8,224 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Rockefeller Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25,624 reviews)
- Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. One World Observatory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (29,071 reviews)
- Address: 285 Fulton St. One World Trade Center New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. New York Public Library
- Rating: 4.5/5 (14,646 reviews)
- Address: 476 5th Ave. New York, NY 10018 New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15,330 reviews)
- Address: 50th St. & 5th Ave. Wheelchair accessibility located off the corner of 51st St. and 5th Ave. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Bryant Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (23,898 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Watkins Glen State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (4,826 reviews)
- Address: 1009 North Franklin St. Watkins Glen, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Cave of the Winds
- Rating: 5/5 (6,449 reviews)
- Address: Goat Island Road Niagara Falls, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Times Square
- Rating: 4.5/5 (56,847 reviews)
- Address: Broadway New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Staten Island Ferry
- Rating: 4.5/5 (23,029 reviews)
- Address: 4 South St. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Statue of Liberty
- Rating: 4.5/5 (44,101 reviews)
- Address: Liberty Island New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Grand Central Terminal
- Rating: 4.5/5 (44,762 reviews)
- Address: 89 East 42nd St. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Top of the Rock
- Rating: 4.5/5 (80,268 reviews)
- Address: 30 Rockfeller Plaza Enter on West 50th Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Manhattan Skyline
- Rating: 5/5 (21,499 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Brooklyn Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26,070 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Broadway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (31,849 reviews)
- Address: 599 Broadway New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. The High Line
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63,067 reviews)
- Address: Gansevoort St. To W. 30 St. Between Washington St. and 11 Ave. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Empire State Building
- Rating: 4.5/5 (95,426 reviews)
- Address: 20 West 34th St. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Rating: 5/5 (55,248 reviews)
- Address: 1000 5th Ave. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (97,041 reviews)
- Address: 180 Greenwich St. World Trade Center New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Central Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (134,012 reviews)
- Address: 59th to 110th St. Manhattan Borough, from Central Park West to 5th Ave. New York City, New York
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Michelle No, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
