Things to do in Manhattan
- Manhattan's bedrock, known as Manhattan Schist, is a durable mica-heavy stone that allows for the construction of massive skyscrapers while remaining close to the surface.
- The borough's grid street layout was officially established by the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which prioritizes uniform rectangular blocks north of Houston Street.
- The island was originally purchased from local Lenape people in 1626, a transaction that served as the foundational moment for the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam.
- Manhattan contains more than 1,000 high-rise buildings exceeding 330 feet, the highest density of skyscrapers in the United States.
- The city's 'Canyon Effect' refers to the phenomenon where tall buildings funnel wind through streets, significantly altering local microclimates.
About Manhattan
Manhattan functions as the dense, vertical heart of New York City, serving as a global center for finance, culture, and media. The island is defined by its rigorous grid system and the massive green expanse of Central Park, which provides a necessary counterpoint to the city's intense development. Iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and the soaring observation decks of Top of The Rock dominate the skyline, while world-class institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art anchor its cultural life. Visitors navigating the borough find themselves amidst a high concentration of historical architecture, including the intricate facade of St. Patrick's Cathedral and the mid-century design of Rockefeller Center.
Highlights of Manhattan
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This 843-acre urban park acts as the green lungs of the island, housing numerous lakes, walking paths, and specialized gardens.
Historical places
This Art Deco skyscraper remains one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the global skyline, offering historic 86th and 102nd-floor views.
Museums
It houses an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years of art, including significant Egyptian and European decorative collections.
Places of interest
The observation deck provides a unique vantage point to photograph the Empire State Building directly across the skyline.
Parks
This elevated linear park was constructed on a repurposed historic freight rail line and stretches through the Chelsea neighborhood.
Museums
Widely regarded as the premier collection of modern art, it features seminal works by Van Gogh, Picasso, and Warhol.
Museums
This maritime and air museum is housed on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked permanently on the Hudson River.
Places of interest
It features the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, offering a transparent floor experience suspended over the city.
Top things to do in Manhattan
The 212 highest-rated places in Manhattan, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Central Park is an 843-acre urban landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, spanning 51 blocks in th...
2
Places of interest
Times Square serves as the major commercial intersection and entertainment center of Midtown Manhattan. It functions as...
3
Historical places
Rockefeller Center is a 22-acre landmark complex in Midtown Manhattan consisting of 19 commercial buildings constructed...
4
Historical places
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th S...
5
Museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on the eastern edge of Central Park, houses a permanent collection exceeding two...
6
Places of interest
Top of The Rock is the three-level observation deck situated atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. The deck pr...
7
Parks
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated 30 feet above Manhattan's W...
8
Museums
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown Manhattan houses one of the world's most influential collections of modern an...
9
Museums
The Intrepid Museum is a maritime and aerospace history institution located on the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS I...
10
Temples
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest Neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral in North America, occupying a full city block in Mi...
11
Places of interest
Edge NYC is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, suspended 1,131 feet above street level on the 100th...
12
Museums
The American Museum of Natural History, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is one of the world's largest natur...
13
Zoos
Central Park Zoo is a 6.5-acre facility located within Manhattan's Central Park, operated by the Wildlife Conservation S...
14
Venues
The Gershwin Theatre is the largest auditorium on Broadway, with a seating capacity of 1,933. It serves as the long-term...
15
Historical places
Bethesda Terrace is a grand two-level architectural centerpiece located at the heart of Central Park. The upper terrace...
16
Places of interest
Strawberry Fields is a 2.5-acre landscaped memorial in Central Park dedicated to the life and music of John Lennon. It i...
17
Venues
The Majestic Theatre is a historic Broadway venue located on 44th Street in the Theater District of Manhattan. It is one...
18
Venues
The Minskoff Theatre is a premier Broadway venue located on the third floor of One Astor Plaza in the heart of Times Squ...
19
Venues
The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center is the world's largest repertory opera house, featuring a proscenium open...
20
Venues
The Neil Simon Theatre is a 1,362-seat Broadway venue located in the Theater District of Manhattan. It was originally bu...
21
Venues
The Winter Garden Theatre is a historic Broadway venue located at 1634 Broadway in New York City. Originally built as th...
22
Historical places
Belvedere Castle is a Victorian-style folly situated atop Vista Rock, the second-highest natural point in Central Park....
23
Venues
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is a historic Broadway house located on West 45th Street in the heart of New York City's Theat...
24
Venues
The Broadway Theatre is one of the largest venues in the Theater District, featuring an expansive auditorium with a seat...
25
Museums
The Morgan Library & Museum originated as the private collection of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. The site centers on th...
26
Venues
The Eugene O’Neill Theatre is a historic Broadway venue located at 230 West 49th Street in the Theater District of Manha...
27
Museums
The Museum of Sex, or MoSex, explores the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality through rotat...
28
Museums
The Frick Collection is housed in the former Gilded Age mansion of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, located on Manhattan'...
29
Venues
The Shubert Theatre is a historic Broadway playhouse located on 44th Street that has been in continuous operation since...
30
Places of interest
Bow Bridge is a cast-iron bridge in Central Park spanning the southern end of The Lake. It was designed by architects Ca...
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Manhattan on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Manhattan
September to November, as the summer humidity dissipates and the city experiences clear, temperate weather conducive to extensive walking.
4-5 days to adequately experience major museums and multiple borough neighborhoods.
The New York City Subway is the primary transit method, supplemented by extensive bus lines and walkability within specific neighborhoods.
Midtown Manhattan offers proximity to transit and major landmarks, while the West Village and SoHo provide a quieter atmosphere with historic townhouses.
Expensive; lodging, dining, and activity costs consistently rank among the highest in the country.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 212 curated attractions in and around Manhattan, ranked by traveller ratings.
Central Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Manhattan right now.
The largest category is venues, with 68 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
