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Highest-rated things to do in New York by visitors

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Aneese // Shutterstock
Aneese // Shutterstock
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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 Aug. 15, 2025.

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.

You may also like: Highest-rated free things to do in New York by visitors

#28. Corning Museum of Glass

Tripadvisor

3 / 30

#28. Corning Museum of Glass

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,058 reviews)
- City: Corning Finger Lakes New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

- Rating: 4.4/5 (18,582 reviews)
- City: New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Cave of the Winds

Tripadvisor

12 / 30

#19. Cave of the Winds

- Rating: 4.8/5 (6,501 reviews)
- City: Niagara Falls New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. American Museum of Natural History

Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. American Museum of Natural History

- Rating: 4.3/5 (26,503 reviews)
- City: New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tripadvisor

28 / 30

#3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

- Rating: 4.8/5 (55,445 reviews)
- City: New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Tripadvisor

29 / 30

#2. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (98,901 reviews)
- City: New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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