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It’s America’s big day and we're here for it. Head to one of Gotham’s best beaches, grab your sunscreen and your sunnies and prepare for some fun in the sun. After gorging on red-white-and-blue treats and drinks, head out for the night to watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks or sail around NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of the 4th of July in NYC

Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: including two nights of Jay Z at Yankee Stadium, outdoor movies at Brooklyn Bridge Park, an "Off Campus"-themed dance party at Webster Hall, an improv festival, garden jazz and more, plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! And cap off a great month with our round-up of the best things to do in July.  RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best New York attractions Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Some of the best things to do in NYC this summer happen in July. Even after all the 4th of July events simmer down, the fun doesn't end. Post-Independence Day, there's still plenty to do outside of seasonal regulars like hitting up one of the city’s many scenic rooftops and working on your tan at the best beaches in NYC. From music festivals to outdoor movie series, new museum exhibitions to World Cup mania, here are 60+ great things to do in NYC this July.  RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar

A beloved New York City tradition since 1976, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are back for 2026 with a dazzling show. It's one of the best events to celebrate the 4th of July in NYC. What time is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show? On Friday, July 4 at 8pm. Where are the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks? The Macy's July 4 Fireworks Show returns to the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River for 2026. Specifically, the show will launch from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District. What is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show? Every year, the spectacular show launches 80,000 shells off of barges in the river. The extravaganza typically lasts 25 minutes and features numerous effects in 30 colors and shapes. What are the best places to watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks?  As for viewing locations, any anywhere with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River should do the trick. Macy's says that prime public viewing will be available along elevated portions of the FDR Drive with the following access points managed by NYPD: Montgomery Street at Madison Street Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Brooklyn Bridge off/on ramps Broad Street at Water Street. ADA viewing will be available at the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field with access at Pike Slip and Cherry Street.  Just a heads up that those viewing points will get very busy, and you'll want to show up early. As crowds build at these areas, some of these...

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including Fleet Week celebrations, improv festivals, a Jay-Z takeover at Yankee Stadium, an "Off Campus"-themed club night and a Wimbledon pop-up in Central Park, along with seasonal faves like outdoor movies, garden jazz and more, plus awesome free events in NYC. For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

You know that peak summer feeling: sweating on the subway, baking on the sidewalks… the unrelenting heat and humidity makes you crave a dip in a cold pool. While the city is home to a number of public pools, sometimes you’re looking for the whole shebang—poolside cocktails, towel service, a cabana with friends and maybe a DJ—the kind of setup you’ll find at a swanky hotel or resort. Well, you’re in luck: you too can enjoy some amazing hotel rooftop pools in NYC. For a fee, some of the top hotels in the city open their pools, and all the poolside amenities, to the public. Once you procure a day pass, you’ll be splashing it up like you’re on vacay, kicking back on a chaise lounge with a cocktail in hand. Many of these hotel pools double as rooftop bars, so you’re in for a real summertime party. RECOMMENDED: The best beaches in NYC for fun in the sun  

Marilyn Monroe would have turned 100 this year — a milestone that feels almost impossible for someone whose image has remained permanently embedded in global culture. A century later, the world still instantly recognizes the platinum hair, the camera flashes, the glamour, the mythology. But Manifesting Marilyn: The Making of an Icon asks a more interesting question: who was the woman behind the image, and how intentionally did she create it? Opening June 2 through August 2 at Genesis House in the Meatpacking District, the immersive exhibition reframes Monroe not simply as a Hollywood icon, but as a woman of intelligence, ambition, discipline and continual reinvention. Through rewritten headlines, immersive cinematic environments, and archival storytelling and the experience reveals Marilyn as a strategist, reader, businesswoman and architect of her own becoming. Rather than treating Monroe as a figure frozen in nostalgia, the installation connects her story to broader themes of self-creation, transformation, authorship and new beginnings.  For decades, Monroe’s public narrative was often reduced to surface-level shorthand: the blonde bombshell, the movie star. Manifesting Marilyn intentionally moves beyond those familiar interpretations. The exhibition explores the discipline behind the glamour, the intellect behind the fame and the woman who deliberately shaped her own identity within a culture determined to define her for her. Visitors move through a series of immersive...

Few dishes are as universally comforting—or as versatile—as rotisserie chicken, and right now, New York can't seem to get enough of it. Found across cuisines ranging from French and Dominican to Peruvian and Greek, the humble bird has become one of the city's most crowd-pleasing dishes. It can be dressed up with foie gras stuffing and velvety sauces or served simply alongside rice, beans and plantains, making it equally suited for celebrations, weeknight dinners or family-style feasts. Ahead, 10 New York restaurants proving that great rotisserie chicken never goes out of style. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in New York City

Last updated April 13, 2026: Pickleball is back in Central Park, outdoor movie season is finally here, and Veselka is again turning out pierogi 24/7. Make the most of the spring season both indoors and out as city's iconic museums, big attractions and favorite restaurants host the coolest exhibits, shows and menus right now.  How we choose the best things to do in NYC: Time Out editors traverse New York City from end to end looking for the coolest things to do, the most delicious places to eat and the most impressive shows to see. We then pick the very best items to make it to this list each month.  From its art museums (The Met and MoMA) to its attractions (Broadway theaters and sunrises from the Empire State Building), we are certain that New York City is the best city in the world. Its dining and drinking scenes are still unbeatable with unrivaled bars, restaurants and creative culinary inventions. Every day, we’re discovering something new and wonderful about our city, whether it’s one of the best parks, incredible views, cool hotels, must-see art or quirky museums—and we’re highlighting the best of the best right here. Quick picks: The best things to do in NYC at a glance Central Park: The world's most famous green space, stop by to enjoy some peace and quiet. (Free entry) The Metropolitan Museum of Art: This massive museum spans 5,000 years of art history to get lost in. ($30/adult)  The High Line: This innovative reclaimed space turned railroad tracks into a cool...

Name recognition and lore will always attract a certain number of people to “iconic” restaurants, but do long lines and waiting lists and wall-to-wall reservations mean that they’re worth going to? To call a restaurant “iconic” means that it’s more than just a place to eat—it’s a symbol for tradition, its respective niche, and maybe most importantly, the city itself. But ask any New Yorker and they’ll tell you: many “iconic” restaurants coast on hype and reputation. So what should you look for when you want to have a great experience at a supposedly “iconic” New York restaurant? We’ve boiled it down to three criteria: consistent quality, value for time and/or money, and, in the absence of a single-star dish, an overall experience that’s emblematic of something larger—a neighborhood, a cuisine, a style. Maybe you’re visiting. Maybe you’re a newcomer. Maybe you’ve lived here for years and haven’t gone to any place you’ve heard about because you’re afraid it would hurt your cred. Well, take this as permission. Every place below is worth a visit at least once.Updated January 2026: Searching our souls, it didn’t really feel right to recommend places whose line is prohibitively long and you’ve probably heard of anyway. We’ve also swapped out any places that are only worth the visit to tick off a box on a list–whatever else they may be, every place on here serves delicious food. Finally, we swapped out some overhyped spots in order to highlight different cultures and...