You know about the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, but there is so much more to see in New York City. We’ve tracked down all the slept-on day trips in the city that never sleeps.
You know about the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, but there is so much more to see in New York City. We’ve tracked down all the slept-on day trips in the city that never sleeps.
Manhattan
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
With a Circle Line cruise, you’ll see the city in a whole new way. Circle Line has six daily cruises, the most of any sightseeing company. It’s the only tour that takes people around the entire island of Manhattan, with two different cruise times available. In-person tour guides, certified by the New York Historical, narrate all cruises, and all the boats feature large outdoor decks and concessions.
The Met Cloisters
The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park house the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of European medieval art. It’s where you’ll find the Unicorn Tapestries, seven woven hangings from the late 1400s and early 1500s that depict a unicorn hunt, and the museum’s collection of arms and armor, paintings and altarpieces. Even the building itself is art: European cloisters, chapels and other architectural details were painstakingly pieced back together to create the museum’s edifice.
Explore Fort Tryon Park before or after your visit for a welcome natural respite. Designed by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted (the landscape architect who designed Central Park), the 67-acre setting has sweeping views of the Hudson River, walking paths and one of the city’s largest gardens.
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Getting to Roosevelt Island can be its own adventure. The Roosevelt Island Tramway takes passengers on a five-minute ride across the East River from a station at 59th Street and Second Avenue. It is the first of only two commuter aerial trams in North America, and the views are incredible.
Irish Hunger Memorial
Designed by sculptor Brian Tolle and landscape architect Gail Wittwer-Laird, the Irish Hunger Memorial is like a piece of Ireland in the middle of lower Manhattan. The memorial, which looks like a gentle, grassy slope, features soil and vegetation from western Ireland. Among the grasses, flowers and moss, you’ll find stones from every Irish county and even the ruins of an authentic 19th-century Irish cottage. From the top of the slope, you can see both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, reminding visitors of the journey that many Irish immigrants had to take to escape the ravages of the Great Hunger, also known as the Irish Potato Famine.
The High Line
To see the value of urban renewal projects, look no further than the High Line. Once an abandoned elevated railway, the 1 1/2-mile walkway and public park is now a thriving garden space with more than 100,000 plants, an outdoor gallery for public art and a gathering spot for residents and visitors.
Fun fact: The tracks ran through the National Biscuit Company building, where the Oreo cookie was invented. That building is now home to Chelsea Market.
The High Line extends from the Meatpacking District up through Chelsea and almost into Hudson Yards. For diversions, you can step into the surrounding Meatpacking District (yes, it was once home to slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants) for retail therapy and nibbles at Chelsea Market, art gallery walks in Chelsea and sightseeing and shopping at Hudson Yards.
Intrepid Museum
The USS Intrepid is a massive aircraft carrier docked in New York City. Since 1982, it’s been the home of the Intrepid Museum. You’ll be able to explore the museum’s vast collection, view original artifacts, see historic footage and discover interactive exhibits. You’ll find the prototype NASA space shuttle orbiter Enterprise, the guided missile submarine Growler, the
record-breaking British Airways Concorde Alpha Delta G-BOAD and so much more. It’s the perfect museum for people who want to immerse themselves in sea, air and space history. AAA members get 25% off general admission.
The Tenement Museum
The Tenement Museum features two historic tenement buildings on the Lower East Side, with restored tenements representing different time periods and immigrant experiences. Learn about what life was like for immigrants of different cultural backgrounds from the 1860s to the 1980s. The museum also features neighborhood walking tours.
Mmuseumm
Housed in a former freight elevator in Tribeca, the tiny Mmuseumm describes itself as “a modern natural history museum dedicated to the curation and exhibition of contemporary artifacts that illustrate and humanize the complexities of the modern world.” In other words, it showcases everyday objects in a way that is designed to make you think. Previous exhibits have included “Objects Removed from People’s Bodies” and “The Cornflake Taxonomy.”
AKC Museum of the Dog
Hosted by the American Kennel Club, this museum highlights artwork dedicated to our canine companions. Here you will find watercolors, bronze sculptures, textile art and interactive exhibits, all focused on our four-legged best friends. Want to bring your dog along? On Fridays in summer and for special events, they can explore the museum too.
Metropolitan Transit Art
Have you ever wondered where the art in New York City’s subway stations comes from? MTA Arts & Design is in charge of commissioning public art for all of the city’s transit systems. These are just some of the most interesting pieces you can find on the subway.
Sky (2018),
Yoko Ono
72nd Street, Manhattan
This series of mosaics illustrates a realistic depiction of a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The scenes are captioned with simple messages of hope and peace.
Revelers (2008),
Jane Dickson
Times Square, 42nd Street, Manhattan
It’s always New Year's Eve in this subway station, which features 70 life-size, detailed mosaics of people celebrating the ball drop and ringing in the new year.
Framing Union Square (1998),
Mary Miss
Union Square, 14th Street, Manhattan
History becomes art in “Framing Union Square,” which uses the motif of red frames to highlight the layers of historic architecture, art and structural elements going back to the station’s beginnings in 1904.
Times Square Mural (2002),
Roy Lichtenstein
Times Square, 42nd Street, Manhattan
The bold style of Roy Lichtenstein comes to life in this giant mural, illustrating the busy spirit of the subway and Times Square.
Room of Tranquility (2002),
Helene Brandt
Yankee Stadium, 161st Street, Bronx
This artwork deconstructs the station, breaking the walls apart to reveal a dense mosaic of the outside world — trees, grass and sky.
My Coney Island Baby (2004),
Robert Wilson
Coney Island, Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn
Silk-screened images on glass brick walls illuminate Coney Island as a playground for the people who live there, past and present.
Children’s Cathedral (1996),
Jimmy James Greene
Utica Avenue, Brooklyn
The colorful drawings of children are elevated to heavenly proportions in “Children’s Cathedral.” Inspired by real drawings by children, Greene records the dreams, memories and perceptions of their world.
Happy World (1999),
Ik-Joong Kang
Main Street, Flushing, Queens
The dozens of tiny boxes in this mural combine to create the little everyday stories of Flushing, the most diverse community in the city.
Not-So-Central Parks
While Central Park may offer everything you want and more, you won't want to miss the character, history and views of these Manhattan green spaces and squares. Discover your new favorite park here!
Inwood Hill Park
At the top of Manhattan, you can travel back in time to old New York. Inwood Hill Park is mostly untouched by development or even landscaping. Here, you’ll find hundreds of acres of old-growth forests and completely natural landscapes.
Bryant Park
There’s always something to do at Bryant Park. This idyllic midtown park, behind the New York Public Library, features a rotation of seasonal events, public concerts, movie screenings and more.
Washington Square Park
The iconic Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is a hot spot for people watching, chess playing and street performances.
The Battery
This sprawling waterside park at the southern tip of Manhattan features an urban farm, perennial gardens, a picturesque bike path and more. Kids will love the eco-inspired Playscape playground and the beautiful SeaGlass Carousel. You can also catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Little Island
Opened in 2021, Little Island at Pier 55 is one of the newest parks in the city. It’s built entirely on artificial land, making it look like a giant bouquet sprouting from the Hudson River. Its amphitheater is a hot spot for concerts and events, and the entire 2-acre park boasts beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.
Septuagesimo Uno
The teeny-tiny Septuagesimo Uno (named for its location on 71st Street) is one of the smallest parks in the city. This pocket park, tucked away in the Upper West Side, offers a mini escape from the hustle and bustle of the city at less than 1,800 square feet.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park
To get jaw-dropping views of New York City’s skyline, you may be tempted to search for the highest skyscraper perch. But to get the best sight of Manhattan, hop over to the other side of the East River. Brooklyn Bridge Park offers visitors sweeping views of the harbor, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and the lower Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Take in expansive views of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a pedestrian walkway dotted with benches and plenty of spaces to sit for a spell. Be sure to visit at night for a visual feast when the city’s skyline sparkles to life.
New York Aquarium
On Coney Island, you can find one of the oldest continually operating aquariums in the United States. The sprawling New York Aquarium features over 500 species, from sharks to sea otters. Visitors can enjoy the immersive shark tunnel, up-close wildlife encounters, sea lion shows and more.
Luna Park
Luna Park is one of the most nostalgic amusement parks around. Coney Island has been a hot spot for theme park attractions and innovations since the 1800s. Today, Luna Park features head-spinning rides, optical illusions and vibrantly colored embellishments. Among the many rides at this grand beachside playground are the 150-foot-tall Sling Shot, the Soarin’ Eagle roller coaster, the long-standing Wonder Wheel and the historic Cyclone wooden roller coaster. Complete the trip with a hot dog from the original Nathan’s Famous stand.
New York Transit Museum
Learn how New Yorkers of the past got around at the New York Transit Museum, which is situated in a decommissioned subway station. Explore its fleet of vintage subway cars, which range from 1907 to 1955. It’s great for photo ops and trips down memory lane.
Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden
You’ll find one of the country’s oldest and largest cultural institutions in a stately circa-1897 building nestled alongside the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Inside the Brooklyn Museum are five floors of art ranging from Egyptian antiquities and Japanese woodprints to European masterpieces and contemporary works by artists Cindy Sherman and Kara Walker among others. Next door is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, home to more than 12,000 species of plants spread across 52 acres. In June, 10,000 roses bloom to life in the Cranford Rose Garden. More summer and fall highlights include the wildflowers in the Native Flora Garden and the changing colors of the oaks near the Cherry Esplanade.
Queens
Museum of the Moving Image
This museum is dedicated to the art, history, technique and technology of the moving image. Featuring a collection that includes 19th century optical toys, old film tech and video games, the exhibits are highly interactive and fun for the whole family.
Queens Botanical Garden
Take some time to stop and smell the flowers at the Queens Botanical Garden. At nearly 40 acres, this serene escape flourishes with a wide array of flowers, plants and trees, with smaller gardens themed around world cultures. Enjoy the cherry trees blossoming in spring and lilies in summer, take in the aromas on the fragrance walk and see what all the buzz is about in the bee garden.
MoMA PS1
For local art discovery, head to MoMA PS1, an abandoned public school turned contemporary art institution. The space features thought-provoking modern works, often addressing current social, cultural and political issues, from an ever-changing roster of artists.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Go on a hike, search for turtle nesting areas, and admire the wildflowers and insects that call the over 9,000 acres of woods, salt marshes and freshwater ponds home at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. With more than 325 species of birds, it’s a place bird-watchers will not want to miss. The refuge trails and parking lot are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Louis Armstrong House Museum
The house in the Corona neighborhood of Queens that Louis Armstrong and his wife, Lucille, purchased in 1943 is now a historic site and museum. The house gives visitors a peek into the couple’s life, while the museum’s collection of personal and donated memorabilia, recordings, scrapbooks, instruments and awards pays tribute to Satchmo’s accomplishments and legacy in the world of jazz.
It’s just one stop you can make on a self-guided exploration of the Queens Jazz Trail. As a place where hundreds of jazz musicians lived and played, including stars like Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne, Queens is an integral part of jazz history.
Bronx
Bronx Zoo
At America’s largest metropolitan zoo, visitors can see Asian elephants, gorillas, tigers, grizzly bears and the denizens of a beautiful butterfly garden, among hundreds of other species. General admission is free; admission to special exhibits is reduced on Wednesdays. Save up to 20% on tickets.
New York Botanical Garden
Spend the day enjoying the lush scenery at the New York Botanical Garden. From an edible garden to the Rockefeller Rose Garden, each area and trail features a spectacular display of flowers and greenery. Two on-site restaurants and a picnic pavilion can help you make a day of it, while guided tours, art exhibits and family-friendly activities are regularly available. Save up to 20% on garden passes.
Wave Hill
The lesser-known Wave Hill public garden and cultural center is just as impressive as some of the more popular gardens. Located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, it overlooks the Hudson River and is easily accessible by car or public transportation. Come and get inspired by the immaculate grounds, art displays and year-round tropical blooms in the conservatory greenhouses.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
and Poe Park
Poe Park is named after famous American author Edgar Allan Poe, who rented the white farmhouse now known as Poe Cottage. Built in 1812, it is where Poe wrote “The Bells,” “Eureka” and “Annabel Lee.” The Poe Park visitor center carries on the legacy of the poet as an art and exhibition space offering cultural and educational programming, as well as visual, literary and performance workshops for the community.
Van Cortlandt Park and Van Cortlandt House Museum
This 1,146-acre park boasts the Van Cortlandt Golf Course, one of the nation’s first public courses (opened in 1895), as well as the nine-hole Mosholu Golf Course, which debuted around 20 years later. Beyond golf, the park has playgrounds and picnic spots and is a city hot spot for watching cricket.
The Van Cortlandt House Museum, built in 1748 for a prominent New York family, is the oldest building in the Bronx. The mansion and surrounding grounds, once a wheat plantation, provide history buffs with a glimpse into 18th-century life, art and the experiences of the people who lived and worked there.
Staten Island
Staten Island Ferry
Before the city’s bridges were built, residents paid 5 cents to travel by boat between boroughs. Today, the Staten Island Ferry endures as the last remaining fleet of that system. It shuttles roughly 22 million commuters and visitors a year between St. George, Staten Island, and Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan, a 5-mile, 25-minute trip. The ferry runs 24 hours a day and is free of charge. The vessel is as romantic as it is practical, offering views of the city’s skyline, New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Governors Island.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center
& Botanical Garden
Snug Harbor may just be the borough’s greatest hidden secret: an immense cultural center where nature, history and art combine to shine a spotlight on Staten Island’s diverse charms. The peaceful 83-acre complex complements an immense botanical garden, which includes the popular Chinese Scholar’s Garden, with attractions such as the Staten Island Museum, the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art and the Staten Island Children’s Museum.
National Lighthouse Museum
Next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal stands the National Lighthouse Museum, a 2,400-square-foot structure dedicated to the beacons that lit America’s shores and the people who operated them. The museum features models of 180 U.S. lighthouses from 29 states, as well as artifacts galore, including foghorns, lights and other signaling technology. The museum also seasonally sells tickets for boat tours to nearby lighthouses.
Staten Island Boardwalk
If you’re looking for a burst of fresh air and a beautiful place to fish, jog, bike or sunbathe, check out the 2.5-mile Staten Island Boardwalk, also known as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach. The boardwalk unites two of the island’s sandiest and most expansive waterfronts — South Beach and Midland Beach — running parallel with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The wooden boardwalk starts at Fort Wadsworth and runs past Ocean Breeze, one of the city’s largest and most popular fishing piers.
The Greenbelt
Step into the Greenbelt, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by an oasis of 2,800 pristine acres right in the heart of Staten Island. The city’s largest collective green space is replete with rolling hills, lakes, wetlands, rugged forests and meadows. The Greenbelt offers 35 miles of hiking trails, rated easy to moderate, where visitors will likely catch a glimpse of its friendly resident deer population. The Greenbelt also contains the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, the first sanctuary founded in New York City.
Alice Austen House
Alice Austen was a trailblazing photographer whose uncompromising passion challenged the mores of 19th-century Staten Island. She took more than 8,000 pictures during her career. At the Alice Austen House, you’ll find her best shots, including her 1890 documentation of immigrant living conditions during quarantine. But it’s her private pictures that are among her most celebrated.
Today, the house where she and her female partner lived, features scores of photos that document queer relationships between Victorian-era women. Alice’s independent streak led to her being one of the first women in Staten Island to own a car. Years later, she achieved another first: In 2017, the National Park Service designated Alice Austen House as an LGBTQ landmark, the first in the state devoted to a woman.
Beyond NYC
Asbury Park
Get a taste of the Jersey Shore at Asbury Park, a historic town in New Jersey with thriving nightlife. Swim and lounge in the sun on Asbury Park Beach, then head to the Asbury Park Boardwalk to shop, grab a bite to eat at one of the diverse restaurants and check out the artsy murals along the oceanfront. Stop in the Grand Arcade to see what events are going on and shop at its unique stores.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Originally a private estate, the 118-acre museum in Connecticut now houses a 10-acre working farm and Tudor-style museum. There is a gallery featuring exhibitions, an interactive nature center, outdoor trails, a large planetarium, a four-story observatory with a research telescope, a playground and an otter pond. The center also offers seasonal exhibits, festivals, children’s programming and camps.
Bannerman Castle
Pollepel Island, more commonly known as Bannerman Island, appears from a distance like a vision from a fairy tale on the Hudson River north of New York City. Above the trees, Bannerman Castle looms, the hauntingly striking shell of a long-abandoned military surplus warehouse.
Francis Bannerman built the Scottish-style castle in the early 1900s and used it as an arsenal and summer home. But after his death, the land and castle slowly began to crumble. The Bannerman Castle Trust is a not-for-profit organization that has been working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to restore and preserve the island and castle — and beautifies the property with gardens. Boat, kayak and self-guided walking tours are available to the public May through October.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Spanning the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Highland, New York, the Walkway Over the Hudson is an engineering innovation sprawled against scenic natural beauty. Originally a railroad bridge, it is now the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge with views of the Hudson River Valley and surrounding mountains. Walk, jog or bike across, making sure to stop now and then at intentionally placed scenic overlooks that highlight the area’s history.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Steeped in legend and literary history, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a hauntingly beautiful place in Hudson Valley, New York. With its winding paths, ornate mausoleums, historic gravesites and centuries-old trees, it’s no wonder that it was inspiration for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by Washington Irving (who, by the way, is buried here, too). Walk the grounds on your own or opt for a guided tour so you don’t miss any spooky detail.
Long Island Wine Country
With nearly 60 distinct wine producers, Long Island wine country is a rising star in the world of wines. Visitors will love exploring the wineries of the New York island's North and South Forks. You can choose a selection of vineyards and wineries to try on your own or take a specialized tour. Featuring a pedal-powered wagon and encouraging themed costumes, the North Fork Wine Wagon is a fun day trip idea. Long Island Wine Tours has tours that can last up to nine hours, with wine tastings, a buffet and live music. If you’re driving there, make sure to assign a designated driver!
Looking for more ways to have fun in the city and beyond? Get AAA member discounts on tickets to concerts, theater and sports events, theme parks, museums and so much more.
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