Top Things To Do In New York

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourists posing in front of the Charging Bull in New York City

Top things to do in New York

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

City Unscripted Original

New York Half day in New York with a local

Times Square, neighbourhood diners and thrift store sifting.

$140 per person

4 hours

(34)

Discover the flavors of Greenwich Village

City Unscripted Original

New York Discover the flavors of Greenwich Village

Indulge in the flavors of Greenwich Village, from warm choc' chip cookies to cannolis to Italian-inspired bites and giant pastrami sandwiches

$156.5 per person

3 hours

(35)

Ultra-cool Meatpacking district after dark

City Unscripted Original

New York Ultra-cool Meatpacking district after dark

Dimly lit cocktail bars, gallery openings, flagship designer stores and ultra-cool restaurants.

$146.5 per person

3 hours

(30)

Lower Manhattan: discover Chinatown, SoHo & Little Italy

City Unscripted Original

New York Lower Manhattan: discover Chinatown, SoHo & Little Italy

Discover each neighborhood's delis, street vendors, and unique flavors and see the real Manhattan with a side of history, culture, and community

$162.5 per person

4 hours

(41)

Discover Williamsburg: Brooklyn's cool & creative neighborhood

City Unscripted Original

New York Discover Williamsburg: Brooklyn's cool & creative neighborhood

From street art, thrift stores, and craft breweries, you'll soak up the creativity of this artistic community and see beyond the hype of hipsters

$109 per person

3 hours

(34)

Midtown Manhattan: a different view of the iconic

City Unscripted Original

New York Midtown Manhattan: a different view of the iconic

See iconic landmarks like Grand Central, Times Square and Rockefeller and local hotspots while taking in the towering skyscrapers and buzz of the city

$109 per person

3 hours

(32)

Taste the world in Harlem: a culinary adventure

City Unscripted Original

New York Taste the world in Harlem: a culinary adventure

Savor the rich cultural heritage of Harlem! Your tastebuds will travel the world as you sample Soul Food, Caribbean, African & Latin American cuisines

$159 per person

3 hours

(34)

Pizza & beer: a match made in Brooklyn heaven

City Unscripted Original

New York Pizza & beer: a match made in Brooklyn heaven

Try Brooklyn's iconic pizzerias and innovative local brews with a local. Savor a variety of beer styles and learn about Brooklyn's brewing heritage

$159 per person

3 hours

(33)

See all

Wondering what to do in New York?

In a city that’s simultaneously an artistic capital, an architectural gem, a shopping hub, and a foodie’s nirvana, you could spend weeks exploring and still not scratch the surface. The list of things to do in New York City is as varied as it is thrilling, with hundreds of world-famous attractions and exciting activities awaiting its visitors. Aimless wandering is always rewarded by hidden delights around every corner. This diverse city’s neighborhoods are microcosms in themselves, with each offering a different perspective on the city, from African American soul food joints in colorful Brooklyn to the winding cobblestone lanes of Greenwich Village.

Meet some of our New York local hosts

Kathy

San Francisco

Bay-view seeker and neighborhood explorer with an insider’s eye for San Francisco’s best hills, skyline spots and hidden gems.

John

San Francisco

History enthusiast and North Beach navigator with a passion for uncovering San Francisco’s timeless stories and local gems.

Passionate San Francisco host, with a taste for exploring eateries, uncovering hidden gem bookstores, and nature spots, and sharing the city's rich cultural and musical history.

Barbara

New York

Jason

New York

Food enthusiast and neighborhood explorer with a deep knowledge of New York’s Financial District and a talent for uncovering the city’s hidden gems.

Olga

New York

Vibrant New York host, culinary explorer and art enthusiast, guiding you through the hidden gems of New York with a taste for the best bakeries, coffee spots, and art.

Kamilla

New York

Vibrant New York host, history lover, and food enthusiast with insider tips on New York’s best spots for drinks, dining, and hidden gems.

Maurita

New York

Fun New York local host with expertise in art and immigration history, providing unique insights into the city's cultural fabric and heritage.

Ross

New York

Edward

New York

Denise

New York

Creative art-enthusiast, always up to meeting new people

Mei

New York

Enthusiastic explorer and off-the-beaten-path expert with insider knowledge of hidden gems and lesser-known neighborhoods, perfect for those seeking an authentic and tourist-free experience.

More than the must-sees

From the Met, the MoMA, and the Guggenheim to a food scene that celebrates the world, there are thousands of reasons the Big Apple brings so many travelers to its tightly-packed streets. The incredible places to see and things to do in New York City aren’t just the most iconic attractions in the city; they’re some of the most iconic in the world. But many of the memorable things to do in New York City aren’t the must-sees – they’re the hole-in-the-wall hidden gems loved by locals. A private tour with a native New Yorker is the perfect way to discover the soul of the city for yourself.

Tourists walking the streets of Dumbo at night in New York

New York at night

New York is known as the city that never sleeps for a reason: when the sun sets, the fun is just beginning. NYC at night is a dizzying kaleidoscope of luminous skyscrapers, late-night venues, and legendary art world icons. Things to do in New York City after dark range from the humblest of activities to the highest culture – it all depends on your mood. Whether you trawl the streets for famous food trucks, see performances of ballet or burlesque, or attend a lavish production at Lincoln Center, the long list of things to do in New York City at night might make you miss out on a few hours of sleep.

Tourists enjoying a portion of famous fries at an eatery in New York

A world-famous food city

Maybe you want to hop between authentic pizzerias in Brooklyn, or sample budget bites at Chelsea Market in Manhattan? Or perhaps you want to taste the best of New York-style cuisine – the pizza, bagels, and cheesecake that the city adopted and made better. Eating at the city’s restaurants, markets, cafés, food trucks, and delis are right near the top of the list of things to do in New York City. The food scene is a multi-cultural melting pot representative of all 200-plus nationalities that call the city home, and crossing between continents is as easy as cutting through Central Park.

New York travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in New York and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Ich habe mit Olya Low Manhatton auf eine sehr persönliche und individuelle Art erlebt , die ich sonst nie entdeckt hätte .

9 November 2025

Martina H
We wanted an overview of NYC to get our bearings since we'd never been here before. Ross was prompt, polite, and informative. A great way to start our trip. He got us comfortable on the subway and took us all over, and saw what we were wanting. I highly recommend Ross and this endeavor.

3 September 2025

Karl B
First time in NYC! Jason P was very knowledgeable and good storyteller. It was a great way to meet NYC.

4 May 2025

Julie A
Maurita of City unscripted showed us New York south of 23rd West street. She has been an excellent guide, very knowledgable of the local areas, Wall Street area, China Town, little Italy, Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich, West Village. We truly enjoyed her company and historic knowledge. Highly recommended.

17 November 2023

Daan d