The Curated TravelTasteJournal List: New York City

A practical NYC guide for visitors, organized by budget, landmarks, movies and TV, food, tickets, maps and money-saving options.

New York City offers thousands of experiences, but you do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. This TravelTasteJournal guide brings together free attractions, affordable activities, major landmarks, movie and television locations, iconic foods, attraction passes, discounts and practical five-day itineraries.

Prices, operating hours, admission policies, tour routes, promotional codes and availability can change. Always check the official attraction or tour website immediately before booking.

1. TOP 10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Official Information

• Central Park

• The High Line

• NYC Ferry and Staten Island Ferry Information

• Brooklyn Bridge Park / NYC Parks

• 9/11 Memorial

• Little Island

• Times Square Alliance

• Washington Square Park

• Grand Central Terminal

• The Battery Conservancy

TravelTasteJournal Free Pick

For a mostly free Lower Manhattan day, combine:

Staten Island Ferry → The Battery → 9/11 Memorial → Wall Street → Brooklyn Bridge → DUMBO

The Staten Island Ferry is particularly good value because there is no fare, and the ride takes approximately 25 minutes each way.

2. TOP 10 CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Generally around $5–$25 per person, depending on the activity.

Useful Links

• MTA

• MoMA Visitor Information

• National Museum of the American Indian

• New York Public Library

• Federal Hall National Memorial

• TodayTix NYC Rush & Lottery

Budget Entertainment Tip

TodayTix Rush and Lottery programs can provide opportunities to see Broadway shows without paying regular ticket prices. Rush tickets are generally released for same-day performances, while lotteries offer the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets. Individual shows have their own rules and release times, so check the current details before entering.

3. TOP 10 MEDIUM-PRICED THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Approximately $25–$70 per person, although prices vary by date and ticket type.

Official Ticket Centers

• Top of the Rock Tickets

• Edge Tickets

• Empire State Building Tickets

• One World Observatory

• 9/11 Museum

• American Museum of Natural History

• Intrepid Museum

• Circle Line

• Statue Cruises

• MoMA

TravelTasteJournal Tip

If you plan to visit three or more paid attractions, compare individual ticket prices with an attraction pass before purchasing everything separately.

The New York C3 allows visitors to choose three attractions and has been advertised with savings of up to 39%. Check the current price and attraction choices before purchasing.

Compare the New York C3 Pass

4. TOP 10 NYC LANDMARKS TO VISIT AND SEE

These are some of the places I would put on a first-time NYC visitor's bucket list.

1. Statue of Liberty

Best for history, photography and first-time visitors.

Official Statue Cruises

2. Empire State Building

Best for classic New York skyline views.

Empire State Building Tickets

3. Brooklyn Bridge

A free landmark and one of the city's best photography locations.

NYC Parks — Brooklyn Bridge Park

4. Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock

One of the best observation-deck experiences because the Empire State Building becomes part of your skyline photograph.

Top of the Rock Tickets

5. Times Square

Free to visit and especially impressive after dark.

Times Square Alliance

6. Central Park

A must-see for first-time visitors, photographers, walkers and movie fans.

Central Park Conservancy

7. Grand Central Terminal

Visit the historic Main Concourse and admire the famous celestial ceiling.

Grand Central Terminal

8. 9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center

The memorial is free. The 9/11 Museum requires paid admission.

9/11 Memorial

9. One World Trade Center and One World Observatory

A major Lower Manhattan landmark and observation experience.

One World Observatory

10. The Vessel and Hudson Yards

Combine Hudson Yards with The Edge, the High Line and Chelsea Market for an efficient sightseeing day.

Hudson Yards

5. TOP 10 MOVIE AND TV FILMING EXPERIENCES IN NYC

New York City has been used as the setting for countless movies and television shows. Instead of only visiting studios, movie fans can visit recognizable locations throughout the city.

Best Organized Movie Tour

On Location Tours specializes in New York City movie and television-location tours.

On Location Tours

The FRIENDS Experience

The FRIENDS Experience offers fans the opportunity to step into sets and locations inspired by the television series.

Official FRIENDS Experience Tickets

When Harry Met Sally

Katz's Delicatessen is one of the recognizable locations associated with the famous restaurant scene. Washington Square Park was also used in the film.

Katz's Delicatessen

The Devil Wears Prada

Possible self-guided stops include 1221 Avenue of the Americas, Bubby's TriBeCa, the American Museum of Natural History exterior and other Midtown locations.

Home Alone 2

The Plaza Hotel and Central Park are among the recognizable New York locations associated with the film.

The Plaza Hotel

6. TOP 10 FOODS TO TRY IN NYC

New York is one of the world's great food cities. You should not leave without trying several of these classics.

MUST-TRY: KATZ'S PASTRAMI

Katz's Delicatessen is one of the classic NYC food stops.

The price of its famous pastrami sandwich should be checked on the current menu before visiting.

Katz's Delicatessen Official Website

EAT NYC LIKE A LOCAL

Instead of spending $100 or more on a single restaurant meal, consider a guided food tour that combines several tastings with neighborhood sightseeing.

Foods of NY Tours

Current tours include several three-hour neighborhood food experiences.

Foods of NY Tours

Recommended Tours

Greenwich Village Food Tour

Approximately $89 adult / $59 child.

Chinatown Food Tour

Approximately $89.

Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour

Approximately $89.

Best of Brooklyn Food Tour

Approximately $149.

Food tours provide multiple tastings, allowing visitors to sample several foods while exploring a neighborhood.

OTHER FOOD TOUR OPTIONS

Sidewalk Food Tours of New York

Sidewalk Food Tours

Secret Food Tours New York

Secret Food Tours New York

Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours

A Harlem-focused option combining food with local culture.

7. NYC TOURIST DISCOUNT AND COUPON CENTERS

This is a section worth bookmarking before your trip.

1. CityPASS

The New York CityPASS includes major attractions and has advertised savings of up to 42%, depending on the current package.

Best for visitors staying several days who plan to visit multiple major attractions.

New York CityPASS

2. New York C3

Choose three attractions.

The guide's current reference price is $114 for adults, with advertised savings of up to 39%. Always confirm the current price before purchasing.

New York C3

Best for a shorter NYC trip.

3. New York C-All

The C-All option provides access to ten attractions and has been listed at approximately $254 adult, with advertised savings of up to 40%.

New York C-All

Best for visitors planning an intensive sightseeing trip.

4. New York Pass

The New York Pass provides access to more than 100 attractions and experiences, including observation decks, museums, cruises and tours. It advertises savings of up to 50%.

Official New York Pass

Best for visitors who plan to see a large number of attractions.

5. Go City Explorer Pass

The Explorer Pass allows visitors to select attractions based on the available pass options.

Promotional offers change, so check the current offer and terms at checkout.

Go City New York Explorer Pass

6. TodayTix

Useful for Broadway, Off-Broadway, theatre and entertainment.

TodayTix NYC Rush and Lottery

Best money-saving strategy: check for Rush tickets and enter available lotteries.

7. TKTS

Useful for same-day discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets.

Official TKTS / TDF

Best for visitors who are flexible about which show they see.

8. CURRENT DEALS AND PROMOTIONAL CODES

Promotional codes can expire or change without notice. Always test the code at checkout.

Important: Treat promotional codes as temporary offers. Verify that the code is still active and applies to your selected date, attraction and ticket type before purchasing.

9. TRAVELTASTEJOURNAL BEST OF NYC PICKS

If someone said:

"I'm going to NYC for the first time. Give me the experiences I absolutely should not miss."

I would narrow the enormous list down to these:

Best Free Experience

Staten Island Ferry

Best Photography Location

Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise or sunset

Best Skyline View

Top of the Rock

Best Classic NYC Experience

Empire State Building

Best Landmark

Statue of Liberty

Best Relaxing Experience

Central Park

Best Movie Experience

The FRIENDS Experience

Best Film-Lover Activity

On Location Tours

Best Cheap Food

NYC pizza slice

Best Iconic Food

Katz's pastrami sandwich

Best Food Neighborhood

Chinatown

Best Dessert

New York cheesecake

Best Walk

High Line → Chelsea Market → Hudson Yards

Best Entertainment Bargain

TodayTix Rush and Lottery

Best Attraction Pass for a Short Trip

C3

Best Attraction Pass for Serious Sightseeing

New York Pass or Go City

10. FIVE PERFECT DIY NYC DAYS

DAY 1 — CLASSIC NYC

Times Square → Rockefeller Center → Top of the Rock → St. Patrick's Cathedral → Grand Central Terminal → Empire State Building

Budget: $$–$$$

DAY 2 — LOWER MANHATTAN

The Battery → Statue of Liberty → 9/11 Memorial → One World Trade Center → Wall Street → Brooklyn Bridge → DUMBO

Budget: $$

DAY 3 — CENTRAL PARK AND MOVIES

Central Park → Bethesda Terrace → Strawberry Fields → The Plaza → Fifth Avenue → Rockefeller Center

Budget: $–$$

DAY 4 — HIGH LINE AND FOOD

High Line → Chelsea Market → Greenwich Village → Washington Square Park → Little Italy → Chinatown

Budget: $–$$

For food lovers, consider replacing part of the self-guided experience with a guided food tour. Foods of NY Tours offers Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Chelsea and High Line experiences.

DAY 5 — MOVIES AND BROADWAY

The FRIENDS Experience → Flatiron → Sex and the City locations → Katz's Delicatessen → Broadway → Times Square at night

Budget: $$–$$$

11. TRAVELTASTEJOURNAL MONEY-SAVING FORMULA

Do not buy an attraction pass simply because it advertises savings.

First, calculate the attractions you actually want to visit.

$0 Day

Central Park + High Line + Times Square + Grand Central Terminal + Brooklyn Bridge

$20–$40 Day

Chinatown food + subway exploration + inexpensive attraction + street food

$50–$100 Day

One observation deck + food + free sightseeing

$100+ Day

Stack several major attractions and consider C3, CityPASS, Go City or New York Pass if the numbers make sense.

The important rule is:

Compare the individual tickets you actually intend to use with the total price of the pass.

A pass is only a bargain if it saves you money on the experiences you genuinely plan to visit.

Read More About NYC Public Bathrooms Here: https://traveltastejournal.com/blog/nyc-public-restrooms-tourist-guide



12. TRAVELTASTEJOURNAL NYC BATHROOM TIP

Finding a bathroom can be surprisingly difficult during a long day of sightseeing in NYC.

Public restrooms may be limited, closed during certain hours, undergoing maintenance or missing basic supplies. Restaurant bathrooms may also be locked and require a key or access code.

Tourists should use bathrooms whenever they find a clean, open facility rather than waiting until it becomes urgent.

Good places to check include:

• Public libraries

• Museums

• Major department stores

• Shopping centers

• Restaurants and cafés

• Larger coffee shops

• Selected transit facilities

• Designated public restrooms

The TravelTasteJournal Two-Bathroom Rule

Before leaving your hotel, identify your first bathroom stop.

During sightseeing, identify your next bathroom before you urgently need one.

When you find a clean, open bathroom, use it.

Before a long subway journey, use the bathroom first.

Before entering a large park, check where the bathrooms are.

For a full day in NYC, bathroom planning can be just as useful as planning your subway route.

13. NYC TRAVEL BOOKING NOTE

Prices, operating hours, admission policies, tour routes, promotional codes and availability can change.

Always use the official attraction or tour website to confirm:

• Current prices

• Opening hours

• Reservation requirements

• Cancellation policies

• Availability

• Current promotional offers

• Any restrictions or special conditions

For free attractions, remember that "free" does not always mean "no reservation required." Some museums, special exhibitions, parks and seasonal experiences may require timed reservations.

CURATED TRAVELTASTEJOURNAL NYC COLLECTION

New York isn't one destination. It is hundreds of experiences in one city.

See the landmarks.

Walk the neighborhoods.

Eat the food.

Find the movie locations.

Take the subway.

Photograph the skyline.

And leave room in your itinerary for something you did not plan.

That is the TravelTasteJournal way to experience NYC.

Ready to Experience Your Best NYC?

Let me help you turn your New York travel ideas into a trip that fits your budget, interests and travel style.

Fill out my short travel planning form and tell me what you're looking for. I’ll use your information to help you plan the right hotels, tours, experiences, attractions and more.

Start planning your NYC adventure here:

Complete My Travel Planning Form

TravelTasteJournal — Curated. Personalized. Memorable.