Planning a trip to New York City in 2025? This video has you covered with 50 amazing things to do in the city that never sleeps! From iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park to hidden gems, food spots, and local favorites, we’ve packed this guide with everything you need to plan an unforgettable NYC adventure. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re looking for fresh ideas, these must-do activities will help you make the most of your time in New York.
Great NYC YouTubers to check out:
Here be Barr – @HereBeBarr
Sarah Funk – @SarahFunky
Magellan and Greyhound – @MagellanandGreyhound
Join the Patreon for behind the scenes videos – https://www.patreon.com/throughmylens
0:00 Intro
0:35 Central Park
0:54 DUMBO
1:18 Times Square
1:40 The Battery
1:57 Statue of Liberty
2:18 Ellis Island
2:35 Governors Island
2:54 Oculus
3:14 High Line
3:33 Rockefeller Center
3:53 NBC Studios
4:10 Coney Island
4:28 The Vessel
4:51 Prospect Park
5:11 Brooklyn Heights & Kayaking
5:31 Staten Island Ferry
5:47 Roosevelt Island
6:04 Visit a Zoo
6:26 Domino Park
6:43 Chelsea Market
7:12 Empire State Building
7:30 Top of the Rock
7:52 Summit One Vanderbilt
8:17 One World Observatory
8:49 The MET
9:10 Museum of Modern Art
9:35 American Museum of Natural History
9:57 Brooklyn Museum
10:17 Guggenheim Museum
10:40 Museum of the American Indian
11:03 Morgan Library & Museum
11:23 National Lighthouse Museum
11:44 NYC Transit Museum
12:03 Museum of Broadway
12:20 Queens Museum
12:52 9/11 Memorial & Museum
13:17 Wall Street
13:38 Brooklyn Bridge
14:00 Flatiron Building
14:21 St Patrick’s Cathedral
14:39 St Paul’s Chapel
15:00 Grand Central Terminal
15:19 Washington Square Park
15:38 New York Public Library
15:59 Fort Wadsworth
16:28 Harry Potter Store
16:44 FAO Schwartz
17:00 5th Avenue
17:14 Evolution Store
17:39 NYC Pizza
18:00 More NYC Videos!
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What would you add to this list? Let us know by commenting below
Good
¡Get off my land New York!
Indonesia
Finally one video that got best and perfect coverage of NYC for anyone interested to cover. From historic to modern, culture to architecture is all well bundled.
Right pace and screenplay too.
The first thing you'll want to do is never go to NYC, ever it's a dump, if you are stupid enough to go after about five minutes you will be looking for the quickest way out believe me.
Good list. Many i didn't know about. Now i have many day trips to NYC. I already plan a trip to Staten Island Train from NJ to NYC , Ferry to the Island and see the Lighthouse museum, A brewery and a Minor league baseball game.
Awesome summary! Thank you.
I love New York, and I need more of that pizza! Any bagel must go places?
I don’t love New York City so at least we already done had a good time with our friends and family and places to go there man there’s so many 50 things to do here when you come into New York City but you know what I kind of love it but you know what I really loved it way more than anywhere else not New Jersey not New York not anywhere else. I just loved it. Thank you so much for showing me this video.
Make sure to plan your visit carefully when you visit NY city. There are so many things and places. For attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum, don’t try to cover everything in just four hours. There can be long queues, and you’ll need to account for ferry travel time between Ellis Island. Exploring the 9/11 Museum typically takes around 90 minutes. If it’s your first time visiting, take time to familiarize yourself with the subway system. Book tickets in advance and check the weather, especially for top tower views. Central Park can almost 4+ hours. Attractions like Times Square, Grand Central Station, and the Financial District can be covered within a limited timeframe.Enjoy and have a goot time there
Great video. Did you find your ancestors? Where were they from?
Two things you do get an incredible view of the Brooklyn Bridge in the photo you take under DUMBO not the Empire State Building. Also the museum of moving image with the permanent Jim Henson exhibit is in Queens not Brooklyn. Just for clarification from a native New Yorker.
Thanks for sharing this video
In any of these places do they ask you for passport or IDs ? since I'm a tourist from another country
Have a happy new year Through My Lens
Can you not make me want to go to NY again? Lol. It's an 11hr flight from HI
Super filmik jak zwykle
Pozdrowionka
Any recommendations for winter? I’m looking for things to do in January, thank you!
I watched a couple of videos on that channel and I don't watch any more. Why? Because a significant amount of time that guy shows himself, or his dad, or somebody else ( cousin, girlfriend, something goes into a mouth, etc ). Another travel related channels, like Via Travelers or Travel Lab, are more Neutral and almost 100% of time is spend on showing really cool places in the US. Period. I do Not care if you delete my comment, or Not, the truth is You Love Yourself Too Much!
Hope you guys are safe I heard about the fires in south california
Wonderful Josh! Thank you for this look at New York! My only trip there was an Off Broadway show and the Staon Island ferry! My mom got sick on the ferry! Also the night was foggy and we couldn't see the Statue of Liberty!
The vessel has been open since October 2024.
NY
love the sights
Epic …
stay connected in 2025
Well, I read a comment about reading speed, I really don't think there is any problem with Josh's narration speed. His voice is just as good as any media related personnel (POPS AS WELL) and he talks in a calm and clear manner. Even myself enjoy hearing him almost everyday and I never had any problem for understanding him while driving. (I am not an native speaker )
Please not consider slowing down. Who could make a better youtube of American trip??? It's you and your loving family!
I was in New York in November 2024. The Vessel had just reopened two weeks prior to my visit. Some of the upper level parts on the inside were still closed off but we still got to go inside.
when did you guys get still stupid?
I'd add The Museum of the Moving Image in Brooklyn with a permanent Jim Henson exhibit.
As a New Yorker, this video gets an A+. Fantastic. You hit most of what I’d include and a lot of things I didn’t even know about. I’d add the NY Aquarium and Yankee Stadium maybe. But well done.
You forgot about the best observation deck, Edge
Great job on the video. Very comprehensive recommendations. The Museum of Illusions and the Met Cloisters are 2 personal recommendations I would add.
Watched it twice and took notes! Thanks! Lots of great information!
Really well done!
I would NOT step foot in woke New York or California
Yankee Stadium should definitely be in your Top 50.
What an awesome review, if that doesn't get me into NYC, nothing will! (The speed was fine.) Thanks for selecting iconic and unusual places in the shopping part, I don't do much of that, but would enjoy several of those places. You covered it all, loved it!
That really was so much to see, and I'm sure that there were things that you didn't make the edit. I grew up in London, but I'm no longer a fan of big cities or crowds. I guess when you travel as much as you do. It doesn't bother you as much. You just move on to the next location.
Just a suggestion: I had to watch this video at .75 speed because you're talking so fast and blending the voiceover into one long uninterrupted paragraph. It is difficult to focus on the information when I have to pause and rewatch segments. Love the channel though!
Wow!! I have cousins in NYC and don't get out to visit as often as I would like. But I have only seen a handful of these awesome museums! You could spend a month going to a different one each day and still not see it all. Amazing- thank you!
Not a fan of NYC but appreciate the variety of places to see if I do go lol
The thing is, though, I have a generic suburban mall ten minutes away where I can buy Five Below, Vans, and Ugg. WHY ON EARTH would I want to deal with New York City to buy mall sneakers?
13:52 – Pops!