The Best Things To Do in Manhattan

By Maryam Aftab Kola | 01, Aug, 2022
The Best Things To Do in Manhattan

One of the five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan is an ideal destination for a vacation, and we say this because it is truly a mix of cultural and commercial centers with renowned museums, spectacular skyscrapers, world-class art, historic landmarks, and is packed with several fun activities that appeal to different taste buds. It offers a world of experiences that makes visitors want to come again to Manhattan. 

Check out our New York City Travel Guide here!

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Top Attractions in Manhattan
Central Park New York City NYC

The Statue of Liberty and Central Park are quintessential Manhattan attractions that beckon tourists worldwide. The former is a bastion of democracy and freedom, and you can have a closer look at the statue after taking a short trip to Liberty Island. To add more value and fun, you can opt for a tour of Ellis Island; the latter finds its spot in almost every travel itinerary to Manhattan. Central Park is an urban oasis that houses several attractions such as Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, and engaging activities such as hiking, ice-skating, gondola, and many more. This world-famous picturesque park incorporates scenic elements in harmony, adding more beauty to the place. Catching the sunrise or sunset at either of these spots cannot be missed, especially if you are a shutterbug.

Manhattan is famous for its observatories, and their panoramic views and sheer thrill are simply irresistible. To get the city's best views, visit the iconic Empire State Building Observatory to enjoy a 360-degree view of New York City, Top of the World, One World Observatory, the Edge, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

If you have a keen eye for architecture, you must visit the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the oldest kinds of cable-stayed bridges in the United States. 

 

Best Museums in Manhattan
The Met Museum in New York City NYC

Museums are important in getting to know and explore more about the place. A world of awe-inspiring pieces of creativity and art can be explored in Manhattan. In this borough, the Whitney Museum of American Art features stunning over 21000 contemporary artworks by over 3000 artists. 

Located at the World Trade Centre, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is built as a tribute and honor to those killed in the terrorist attacks in 1993 and 2001. It shows the journey of loss to recovery and hope. The Memorial Plaza has the largest manmade waterfalls in the country, and the names of every person who lost their lives in these brutal attacks have been inscribed in bronze near the twin Memorial pools. The Museum showcases a dynamic mix of history, architecture, and archaeology to show the story of the attacks, consequences, and people who experienced it through artifacts, interactive technology, historical records, imagery, and personal experiences.

Art comes alive at the Metropolitan Museum, one of the most visited places in the city, and is a haven for art enthusiasts. It has a global collection of over two million artworks from the past 5000 years. It has various collections in architecture, calligraphy, furniture, glass, instruments, sculptures, paintings, photographs, and textiles, ranging from Assyrian, Egyptian, European, Islamic, Greek, East Asian, Roman, and American art. In addition, it houses a Costume Institute that has 33000 pieces representing fashion from the 15th century to the present. Another museum that should ideally be a part of your travel plan is the Museum of Modern Art features modern and contemporary art - from the paintings and sculptures of the late 1800 to the present film and performance art. Over 1,50,000 paintings, drawings, and prints; around 22,000 films and 4 million film stills; 3,00,000 books in library and archives and famous collections include Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night (1889), Dali's The Persistence of Memory (1931), Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and recent works by Elizabeth Murray, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, and several others - this museum is not be missed! 

 

Best Places for Entertainment in Manhattan
Broadway New York City NYC

Renowned people like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Lauryn Hill, and numerous others have launched their careers at the acclaimed Apollo Theatre in Harlem. It is the soul of American culture, and you can witness world-class artistic shows here. They also have film screenings, education, and community outreach programs. 

Few places hardly need any introduction, and Time Square is among them! The vibrant, liveliest epicenter of the city brims with light and energy every day. The busiest square in Manhattan is located at Broadway and the 7th Avenue intersection. Chocoholics can indulge in sugar rush at M&M's World New York and Hershey's Chocolate World; savor iconic foods from best cheesecakes and cookies to burgers and tacos and more; watch iconic plays at Broadway; enjoy adventure games; attend a stand-up comedy show; buy your favorite comics from Midtown Comics, one of US's most popular shop for graphic novels and merch related to your favorites from the industry; take a stroll at the scenic Bryant Park, it has activities for all age groups throughout the year; skate around the legendary Rockefeller Center rink; explore the array of fascinating collection at Museum of Modern Art. Told you, the beating heart of Manhattan has something for everyone! 

 

Best Places to Shop in Manhattan
Shopping in Manhattan New York City NYC

New York is one of the favorite destinations for most shopaholics. You can enjoy splurging or simply window shopping in the buzz districts such as Madison and Fifth Avenues. This massive shopping district has high-end designers and luxury brands, including Gucci, Versace, Tiffany & Co, Prada, Hermes, and many more available in these notable areas for shopping. 

The Seaport, situated in lower Manhattan, has an exciting collection of shoes and clothes along with McNally Jackson, a bookstore. A couple of eateries are also available around the scenic Seaport.  

Nolita offers unique, trendiest shopping in Manhattan. To buy distinctive shoes, head to John Fluevog and if you love vintage and designer jewelry, look no further than Love, Adorned.

 

Best Places to Eat in Manhattan

Halal meals are best enjoyed at Village Creperie (crepes, sandwiches, and acai bowl are quite popular items from here, The Halal Guys (a must-try food cart that offers delicious chicken, gyros, rice, and pita among other dishes), Junoon (a Michelin Star Fine dining restaurant that adds an unconventional twist on traditional Indian food such as ghost chilli murg tikka, shahi lamb shank, lobster moilee), and Fauzia's Heavenly Delights (mood for some hot and spicy succulent chicken and a wholesome comfort meal, this place is to your rescue). 

 

Mosques in Manhattan

For Muslims, one of the main priorities when traveling is the availability of prayer facilities. Manhattan ensures that our priorities are met and has many mosques in and around the place, including Masjid Manhattan, Islamic Cultural Centre of New York (ICCNY), Madina Masjid, Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan, Masjid Ar-Rahman, Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, and others. 

With a dash of everything, Manhattan calls you to experience travel like never before. Travelers and explorers will be delighted after traveling to one of the world's finest and most loved cities. You have to visit it to know what the hype around New York City is and how truly it makes itself stand out from others.

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