Sunset Cruise: View the beauty of the NYC skyline
New York City has one of the most scenic and impressive skylines in the world and some of the best places to view the scenery is on the Hudson or the Atlantic. Several different charter companies run guided tours of New York City’s waterways, allowing you to see the city in a light you may have never seen before. These tours can include beautiful glimpses of the sunset (a perfect romantic excursion) or fabulous views of the vistas and landmarks of the city (great for tourists and visitors).
Photography Tour: Capture the majesty of NYC
New York City is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. Whether you are looking to take pictures of the awe-inspiring architecture, capture the profundity of the people or just experiment with the contrast of the city’s lights against the darkness of night, there are a range of nighttime photography tours and events to participate in. Some of these events are instructional workshops designed to teach photographers how to take stunning photos, while others are photo tours that take participants to amazing locations to shoot such as Time Square or Central Park.
Mini-Golf: Putt and drink
When you hear the words 'mini-golf', you probably think back to summers spent trying to get a brightly colored ball into a hole on the other side of a turning windmill. New York City's urban mini-golf venues look more like museums and offer upscale bars and food like charcuterie boards and ceviche instead of snack bar hotdogs, chips, and candy bars.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Enjoy natural winter beauty
Marvel at the beauty of Lightscape, a trail of illuminated art installations at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This treasured winter event features over a million lights in a blaze of color and music. As you walk along the trail, you can enjoy cool weather treats like warm cider, hot chocolate, and mulled wine, plus sweet treats.
Queens Zoo
Explore the wild wonders of the Queens Zoo, where paths meander through 13 acres feature North American wildlife in their natural habitats. Visitors can see American bison, mountain lions, California sea lions, American bald eagles, and Roosevelt elk. Don't miss the aviary; once the iconic Winston Churchill Pavilion at the 1964-65 World's Fair, it’s now a breathtaking spiral walkway where vibrant birds flutter freely. The ornate Gates of Life by Albino Manca and Clarke and Rapuano adorn the zoo's entrance, celebrating the beauty of nature.
Queens County Farm Museum
Discover a pastoral oasis in the middle of Queens at Queens County Farm Museum, where 47 acres of farmland is home to history, agriculture, and community. This living museum was founded in 1697 to preserve Queens' rich agricultural heritage and offers a taste of rural life for urban dwellers. The sprawling grounds are dotted with historic farm buildings, lush orchards, and gardens teeming with seasonal crops. Meet the barnyard sheep, chickens, and goats, or hop on a hayride to claim your prize Halloween pumpkin. The farm offers workshops and seasonal events for visitors of all ages. Be a volunteer farmer and tend the fields alongside farmers; you’ll get some exercise and fresh air, and learn what it takes to grow your own food. Queens Farm is open to the public seven days a week with free admission.
Queens Botanical Garden
Queens Botanical Garden evolved from the 5-acre “Gardens on Parade” exhibit showcased at the 1939–1940 World’s Fair. Local residents saved and expanded the original exhibit, which was later moved to its current location on Main Street in Flushing. Original plantings were incorporated from the 1939 site such as two blue atlas cedars that frame the iconic tree gate sculpture at the Garden’s Main Street entrance. Queens Botanical Garden is a 39-acre oasis in one of New York City’s most bustling and diverse neighborhoods and is unlike any other botanical garden in the world.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
Step back in time as you walk through this preserved mansion. This is the only grand 19th-century country house still in existence on Pelham Bay. Originally built in the 1830s, this elegant Greek Revival features stunning architecture, fascinating exhibits, and lush manicured gardens. Now, you can take a tour of the mansion and carriage house, and view the collection of furnishings and art. Stroll the grounds and formal gardens and imagine country estate life on Pelham Bay.
Get your hands in the dirt
Grow your own food
What’s more fun and satisfying than buying your food directly from the farmer? You can be the farmer, even in the middle of NYC. Classes show you how to grow food in containers, rooftops, and vertical gardens that fit right into the concrete jungle of the city. You’ll learn about the best plants for your urban garden and how to prepare your soil so they’ll thrive.
Book an Urban Gardening Class Now
Forage for your dinner
Discover the hidden flavors in plain sight at local nature parks, yours for the picking. From the garlic-scented greens to savory roots and even gourmet mushrooms, this adventure is sure to tickle your tastebuds and show you the bounty of nature firsthand.
Book a Class With "Wildman" Steve Brill
See the sights: landmarks, tours, and vistas
Sometimes, you just want to spend some time outside, exploring the natural beauty and architectural wonder of NYC. Whether you want to visit Central Park, explore Times Square, or see some of the amazing hundred-year-old buildings, there is no shortage of places to explore.
Visit the High Line: See a unique urban park
High Line is a one-of-a-kind outdoor park built on a raised freight rail from the 20th century.
Awash with wildflowers, plants, and outdoor art installations, the park offers 360-degree views of the Hudson River and surrounding city. High Line is a fabulous place to take a scenic evening walk, with a trail that runs from the Hudson Yards to the northern perimeter of Chelsea. The park is situated on the west side of Manhattan and is wheelchair accessible through several entrances.
Tour Wall Street: Take a picture with the bull
Wall Street is an impressive space to explore in its own right. Not only can you visit some of the impressive architectural wonders, like the NYSE, the Woolworth Building or Trinity Church, you can also see some of the famous art that adorns the streets, like the Bull of Wall Street and the Fearless Girl. Given its central place in American financial history, you can also take educational tours, including insider tours detailing the financial industry and historical tours, like one explaining the history of financial crises that have impacted Wall Street. There are even tours that look at the pop culture presence of Wall Street such as an unofficial Successiontour.
Explore Times Square: experience the lights after dark
Known across the world for its enormous outdoor screens, Times Square’s mesmerizing digital displays are even more impressive at night, when every screen syncs up for Art at Midnight. Outside of its Cyberpunk-esque appeal, the square is filled with evening arts events, from pop-up art shows and ice sculpture galleries to classic Broadway shows. Visitors will also find no shortage of options when it comes to shopping and dining, with dozens of Michelin-star restaurants like Le Bernardin and Café Mars. Each year, Times Square turns festive before hosting the New Year’s Eve countdown, an event made all the more magical for in-person attendees.
Top of The Rock: See the city like never before
Night or day, Top of The Rock is one of the best places to get an unobstructed view of NYC’s skyline. Situated in Rockefeller Plaza, Top of The Rock offers three levels of outdoor and indoor observation decks that dazzle with 360-degree views. From 70 floors up, visitors can spot national treasures like the Empire State Building along with the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, and the New York Public Library.
Chelsea Piers: Get your workout on
Chelsea Piers is a sports and entertainment center spanning the Hudson River Park's Piers 59 through 61. The 28-acre village is Manhattan’s top destination for all things sports, with activities ranging from golf and soccer to ice skating, and gymnastics. As a waterfront complex, Chelsea Piers also offers extraordinary views of the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River. In addition, this center is a great place to book a variety of tours, including helicopter and boat tours.
The Edge Observation Deck: Look over the city
For a riveting experience, ascend to the top of Edge Observation Deck, the highest open-air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Suspended on a glass floor, the deck gives visitors the sense of flying as they enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of NYC. Angled glass allows viewers to lean out over the city for an added thrill, while rock climbing equipment makes it possible to climb the skyscraper right over the city. Part of 30 Hudson Yards, Edge Observation Deck also offers a variety of other activities, including joint tickets to museums like The Museum of Modern Art.
Central Park: Experience the outdoors at night
Created in 1858, Central Park is one of the best-known city parks around the globe and is the site of numerous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. This beautiful, grassy park is situated in the heart of Manhattan and is the perfect place to people-watch, stroll, or picnic in the dark. Central park offers a diverse landscape including a lake and over 18,000 trees which house more than 300 bird species. In addition to 800+ acres of nature, the park also contains a variety of other attractions, from art installations to the remains of a pre-civil war African-American village. Visitors can explore the park for free year-round with varied accessibility.
Brooklyn Bridge: Walk the iconic bridge after dark
Built in the 19th century, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge in history to make use of steel as cable wiring and is one of New York’s finest industrial landmarks. At the time, this gothic suspension bridge was the longest ever built, measuring a mile that can be walked in roughly 30 minutes for an inspiring view. As one of the surest symbols of NYC strength, the bridge has been an important subject in the works of painters as well as poets like Walt Whitman, Marianne Moore, and Hart Crane. In addition to admiring the city from the bridge, visitors can explore 85 acres of riverwalk and splendid gardens in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park also offers a variety of paid activities, including indoor roller skating, kayaking, pickleball, basketball, and soccer.
Rockefeller Center: Take in a show
For a magnificent ground view of Art Deco skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, there’s no better place than the Rockefeller Center, a historic shopping center in the center of Midtown. Visitors can snap photos of the unobstructed skyline from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck or enjoy performance events at Houses Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios. A haven for shoppers, Rockefeller Center includes a wide range of stores at all price points along with plenty of delicious eats in Koreatown. The shopping center also offers a variety of activities, including a pool club and an annual winter skating rink.
Roosevelt Island: Walk the boardwalks
The small island protruding from the East River in Manhattan is full of fun evening activities that range from free to paid. In addition to a variety of parks, Roosevelt Island is home to historical landmarks such as the Renwick Ruin (site of a historic smallpox hospital), the Octagon Tower (once an insane asylum), and a beautiful 19th-century lighthouse that offers sweeping views of the city. Other fun activities available on the island include outdoor movie nights, arts festivals, and fireworks. Since boating to the island isn’t an option for everyone, Roosevelt Island provides convenient tramway transportation across the river.
Underground Bunkers: Explore the Past
Tucked away at the farthest edges of Queens, a quiet strip of land reaches out into the Atlantic Ocean alongside the vibrant vibes of Coney Island and Brighton Beach. Fort Tilden is a fascinating slice of history that was bustling with activity during World War I. Now, it’s your private beach, part of the 26,000-acre Gateway National Recreation Area, surrounded by the echoes of a bygone era. Feel the thrill of exploration as you wander through its abandoned nooks and crannies, now reclaimed by nature with sandy dunes and lush greenery. It's like stepping into a forgotten adventure, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Unisphere
The 140-foot-tall Unisphere is one of Queen’s most recognizable landmarks. The futuristic-looking structure was created for the 1964 World’s Fair to showcase technology, computers, and the dawn of the Space Age. Its stainless steel depiction of continents and global paths is meant to represent global unity, and three orbiting rings represent the first man in space, the first American to orbit Earth, and the first communications satellite. More recently, maybe you caught its cameo appearance in Men in Black. Cool off in the mist of the fog garden on a hot summer day, or check out the lighted orb glowing in the night.
Sporting Events
Catch a game in one of the many professional sports arenas all around New York (and a few in New Jersey). Home to dozens of professional and amateur-level sports franchises. Whether you want to see a baseball game, a soccer match, or even a lacrosse or rugby match, you’ll be able to find tickets and make an evening out of it.
Baseball: Spend a beautiful evening enjoying a Yankees or Mets Game
New York City is home to two of the most storied and beloved baseball teams in the nation (though the people of Boston and a few other cities might dispute the ‘loved’ part). Between them, they play over 150 games a year in NYC and tickets can be fairly reasonable as a result. Enjoy a beautiful summer evening in the city and get dinner and drinks before (or after) the game to complete a perfect night out on the town.
The New York Red Bulls: Watch the beautiful game
MLS is quickly raising its profile in the US and the New York Red Bulls are among the sports founding franchises. If you are feeling a bit of withdrawal as you wait for the 2026 World Cup, you can get your fix by watching some of the players who will represent the US when we host many of the games next time around. These games are an affordable way to watch the world’s game and to experience New York sports at its finest. If you are more of a Man City fan, New York is also home to their feeder team, NYCFC.
Baseball: Cheer on the Brooklyn Cyclones
Remember when baseball was affordable and played just for the fun of it? For the cost of change in your pocket, you can cheer for this single-A minor-league farm team for the New York Mets play at Maimonides Park. Enjoy a beautiful summer evening in the city and grab a hot dog and beer to complete a perfect night out.
Arts and Culture
NYC is full of free outdoor art that you don’t even have to go to a museum to see. Explore the city and discover the sculptures, murals, and photographs that adorn it around every corner.
The Welling Court Mural Project
In the neighborhood of Welling Court, a remarkable fusion of art and community has been unfolding since 2009. Stretching out like spokes from a center point, Welling Court's residential streets are a canvas for over 150 local and international artists which showcases a diverse array of contemporary street art. From iconic figures like Lady Pink and Tristan Easton to emerging talents, the project has become a must-see destination for art enthusiasts seeking vibrant urban expression. The Welling Court Mural Project bills itself as “one of the best collections of contemporary street culture on earth” for good reason.
Socrates Sculpture Park
This accessible community arts space is a cultural anchor in Queens, where you can view exhibitions of contemporary public art and take part in classes and activities. Exhibits feature both internationally renowned artists and up-and-coming creators and encourage unfettered ambition in scale and subject matter. The vast majority of artworks exhibited at Socrates are built on-site in the outdoor artist studio space, which gives Park visitors the unique opportunity to witness the often labor-intensive art-making process.
Groundswell Murals
Thanks to Groundswell’s collaborative art-making, 500 murals adorn NYC across all five boroughs. Hundreds of community-based organizations, neighborhood groups and government agencies joined with students and teaching artists to create these public works of art. Groundswell believes that art creates community and community creates change. The murals explore themes of social justice and activism to amplify diverse voices.
Movies in the Park
Grab a blanket and bring your friends to enjoy free movies under the stars. Bryant Park features a lineup of new features and perennial favorites that all ages will love. There’s nothing like a big screen against the city skyline. Mark your Thursday summer evenings for Movies With a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park. There’s no better place to be on a hot summer night than watching a film and enjoying the breeze off of the East River with the dazzling Manhattan skyline before you.
Visit an outdoor market
Outdoor markets come to life with fresh eats, live entertainment, and an explosion of local culture and cuisine. Here are some markets you don’t want to miss.
Bronx Night Market
The Bronx Night Market isn't just any food event. It’s the longest-running series in the borough, and it's transformed the food scene and become a part of the Bronx's identity. A remarkable lineup of 50 local vendors offers a diverse range of cuisines and draws over 4,000 guests each time. You don’t want to miss this bustling hub of community and gastronomic bliss. But it's more than just food; the Night Market celebrates the borough's unique identity in a fusion of flavors, cultures, and people. If you want to experience the true essence of the borough, the Bronx Night Market is the place to be.
Queens Night Market
The Queens Night Market is NYC’s first and most affordable night market. This large, family-friendly open-air night market features over 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens. The foodie festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Uptown Night Market
Uptown Night Market is a foodie mecca in the heart of Harlem. Over 80 vendors serve dishes and libations from all corners of the world, bringing unmatched authenticity and passion to your meal. From mouthwatering Mexican-style hot dogs to tantalizing tacos and everything in between, there's something for everyone at this epic street bash. You don’t need a ticket to catch all the excitement here.
Latin Night Market
Celebrate the cuisine and culture of the Latin diaspora in Uptown. The Latin Night Market shows off South and Central American cuisine from over 50 vendors. Sample Latin and Caribbean food, and catch live performances featuring genres like Salsa, Reggae, Rumba, Jazz, Latin Pop, and Hip Hop. Enjoy activities for the whole family, art shows, raffles and giveaways, and more.
Brooklyn Night Market
Sample cuisines from around the world while you listen to live music at this foodie festival in Industry City. The Brooklyn Night Market is hosted against the backdrop of a stunning sunset and between two iconic city blocks. You’ll get a taste of the best of Brooklyn here, with a fusion of flavors, cultures, and community spirit.
Vegan Market
Find your plant-based mecca in Central Park. From die-hard vegans to curious folks, to “I got dragged here by my partner but it’s actually pretty good, ” everyone will discover something that pleases their palate. This market leads the way in plant-based foods and broader plant-based living. Innovative vegan entrepreneurs deliver not just cruelty-free cuisine and share a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and compassionate choices.
Upscale cocktails: bars and speakeasies
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to spend some time outdoors is to grab a few drinks at one of New York’s many patio bars and clubs. Whether you are in the market for a 38-dollar Sidecar or a slightly more affordable Manhattan (possibly in Manhattan), there are far too many bars to choose from. While we’ve sampled a few of our favorites here, you should consider looking over all of the best bars NYC has to offer.
Pilot
This anchored boat bar shifts and sways with the current while you enjoy your favorite beverage under the Brooklyn Bridge. Situated off Pier 6, you’ll watch jet skiers zoom by, the Staten Island Ferry lumber past, and yes, an occasional garbage barge. The skyscrapers of lower Manhattan tower nearby. Cocktails like Life at Sea and Spirit Animal capture the vibe and wet your whistle. Get some factoids from your attentive wait staff, like how this 1924 vessel is the oldest-known boat in use in the city, or that it was the longest-serving pilot ship in American history.
Parks and preserves
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
You might not expect to find one of the largest bird habitats in the northeast in Queens. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling sanctuary that offers a wild escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Explore winding trails, spot migratory birds, and marvel at the stunning marshlands that provide a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. With over 12,000 acres of salt marshes, freshwater, and brackish ponds, upland fields and woods, and open bay and islands, it provides sanctuary to both migrating species and local birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just looking for a serene retreat, you’ll enjoy strolling the trails or paddling the many waterways.
Wave Hill
You won’t believe you’re still in the city when you venture into this part park, part public garden oasis. From the viewpoint of this 19th-century estate, you can take in the Hudson River below and the Palisades in the distance. Shady trails pass by gazebos and flower beds, and a fragrant herb garden tantalizes your senses. This city-owned escape is so peaceful you’ll think you’ve found your own secret garden.
Van Cortlandt Park
Play a round, learn cricket, go horseback riding, or just wander through the 7.5-mile loop trail. With over a thousand acres to explore, Van Cortlandt Park is the city's third-largest park, and it boasts everything from playing fields to playgrounds. Tibbets Brook creates a haven of water sound as it weaves through dense forests. You'll find the nation's first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx, and the borough's biggest freshwater lake.
Valentino Pier
Where can you find a view of the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, Manhattan’s skyline, Staten Island, and the New York Harbor? This little-known park is a gem along Brooklyn’s waterfront. Though it’s now surrounded by industrial, residential, and historic buildings, Valentino Pier was once the site of an active shipping industry that formed after the Red Hook district was settled by the Dutch in the 1600s. The pier was constructed in 1996 to commemorate the shipping industry that once occupied the waters of the Buttermilk Channel and the Upper New York Harbor. The park is also home to a collection of street art, and there’s a waterfront lawn and a kayak boat launch.
Orchard Beach
Bring your sun hat and your beach towel. Orchard Beach is the Bronx’s only public beach, and at 1.1 miles long, there’s room for everyone. This ambitious public space was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York” when it was created in the 1930’s. Now it features two playgrounds, two picnic areas, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Outdoor Performances
Shakespeare in The Park: Watch a timeless tragedy
Central Park is home to one of the city’s most enduring cultural traditions, Shakespeare in the Park. This outdoor theater troupe, normally performing in Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre, is taking their shows on the road for the 2025 season, holding performances across the 5 boroughs while the theater is renovated. These performances, which can range from traditional stagings of classics like Hamletand Othello to more esoteric and creative interpretations, like 2025’s bilingual, musical imagining of A Comedy of Errors. Experience Shakespeare as it was originally performed in these one of a kind theater going experiences.
Summerstage: Groove to an outdoor concert
Who doesn’t love a free outdoor concert in some of the most iconic parks in the world? This New York City outdoor arts festival spans Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks with more than 80 free performances. It showcases both emerging and well-known artists from around the world, in diverse genres like jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, pop, global and contemporary dance. Local parks are transformed into dynamic and accessible performance spaces. There truly is no better place to experience music than amongst the trees. Watch a legendary artist or discover your new favorite performer.
Free Concerts at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is home to a series of live music, dance and theater events are sure to be a hit. They’ve included headliners like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato; trumpeter Steven Bernstein playing the music of James Bond with Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; the NYC premiere of Ghanaian highlife band Gyedu-Bly Ambolley; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company; South African world pop star Thandiswa Mazwai and many more. There’s even a performance curated especially for kids. Forgot your picnic blanket? No problem. There will be more than 700 picnic blankets for audience members to borrow and chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free Concerts at Hudson Yards
You can catch dozens of free movies, concerts, and shows at Hudson Yards in the summer, enjoying free entertainment next to some of the most exclusive shops and restaurants in the city. The concerts are curated by Bowery Presents and bring in well-known acts like Keke Palmer, David Archuleta, Brynn Cartelli, Chayce Beckham, and Ray Bull. On the 30-foot big screen, watch outdoor screenings of movie blockbusters and live sports. Special events include free classes with fitness influencers, silent reading parties, or entertainment for the whole family with Mozart for Munchkins, storytime with the NY public library, and puppet shows.
Concerts in Central Park
You can a variety of concerts and performances in Central Park in the summer. On Friday mornings Good Morning America concerts brings a star-studded line-up to the park for early birds. The New York Philharmonic provides an evening of classical music under the stars, and the Met brings opera to the park. The Naumburg Orchestra has been bringing free classical music concerts to Central Park since 1905—the oldest concert series of its kind. Events like the Global Citizen Festival, the Harlem Meer Performance Festival, and Great Jazz on the Great Hill provide something for everyone.