Things to Do
The best things to do in NYC, including popular events, festivals, attractions and tours, free activities and entertainment. See upcoming events and what’s on in New York today.
Things to do outdoors in NYC
The most amazing outdoor comedy shows in NYC
New Yorkers—how much do you miss belly-laughing at a comedy show? While we cannot yet huddle inside some of NYC’s beloved comedy dens, comedy institutions across the city are taking their stages outdoors, and bringing back laughter to New York. While you can stay at home and stream your go-to stand-up comedians’ specials over and over again, you can also head out to hear the roar that erupts after a cheeky joke in person. From impromptu performances in NYC's sprawling green spaces to stand-up at a drive-in movie theater, here are all the best outdoor comedy locales you can visit for a good laugh right now.
The best scenic drives in New York
Sometimes you just gotta jump in the car and ride. New York City is surrounded by beautiful country lanes and scenic highways worth discovering. If you have a car or can rent one, these scenic drives in New York will induce you to roll down your window and drive at a Sunday-driver pace. From Long Island to Upstate, New York's lakes, oceans, mountains and rivers are yours to behold. You just have to know where to look. That's where we come in. We've rounded up 10 of the best scenic drives around NYC to help plan your weekend getaway. Note: If you plan to get out of the car, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Call ahead to see if nearby businesses are open. RECOMMENDED: The best places to go camping near NYC
Free and cheap things to do in NYC
The best free things to do in NYC this week
It's a busy week with a plethora of activities for the taking. You're gonna need this list of the best free things to do in NYC if you are to have any hope of avoiding serious FOMO. First and foremost, don't miss out on the exhibit of large artworks at the Socrates Sculpture Park or take the ferry to Governors Island for some respite. Also, don't miss a free comedy show being hosted in Google Docs! RECOMMENDED: Find out more free things to do in NYC
The most gorgeous gardens in NYC
New York is often seen as a concrete jungle, but there are small pockets where greenery not only thrives, but provides a welcome respite from the hectic pace of urban life—that is, if you know where to look. Next time you want to take a minute to stop and smell the roses, check out NYC parks like Central Park or visit New York's various conservatories (like the one at the New York Botanical Garden). We've also included lesser-known, secret gardens in NYC that provide rare moments of solitude in a city packed with eight million people. Note that most of the stunning botanical gardens are requiring pre-reserved tickets at this time, so check their websites before heading out.
The best free cultural experiences in NYC
Considering New York is the biggest city in America—and the greatest city in the world—it’s not a surprise that we’re home to some of the most amazing cultural experiences in NYC. But while everyone knows about fabulous Broadway shows and the fantastic music scene in Williamsburg, not everyone realizes just how many of these experiences are actually free things to do. Yes, you really can get into the city’s top venues—along with the best lesser known NYC attractions—without paying a cent.
All the free museums days in NYC you should know about
Say it's a beautiful day (or maybe even a miserable one), and you say to yourself, I want to go see some art. Maybe it’s a specific exhibition that everyone you know is raving about at one of your favorite museums, such as The Metropolitan Museum Of Art or MoMA or the Guggenheim. Or maybe you just want to stroll through their respective collections. It’s one of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City that these institutions (and many more) are at your beck-and-call. They are, after all, among the finest in the world. There’s just one hitch: They’re pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Most NYC museums expect you to shell out $25 bucks or more to get in, and while that doesn’t seem like a lot compared to a ticket for a Broadway show, it adds up if you’re a regular museum goer. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis—if you’re willing to pop for the annual fee. But except for New York State residents headed for The Met, where a driver's license or other ID allows you pay whatever you wish, you pretty much have to pony up to get in there, or at The Modern, the Gugg and just about every other museum in town. There is one alternative though: Most museums offer free hours or days. You just have to know where and when they are.
The best museums in NYC
The best museum exhibitions in NYC
New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world-beating art institutions like the Metropolitan Museum. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions, of every variety and taste, that it's hard to keep track of them. But if you’ve starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA, fear not! We've got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC
