The 5 Absolute Best New York City Attractions in 2023

No city in America is as world-famous and beloved as NYC. If you want to spend a vacation in one of the busiest, most vibrant settings in the world, New York City needs to be on your shortlist. If you take the dive, here are the five absolute best New York City attractions that you should know about in 2023: 

1. A Day Cheering on the New York Mets

While it’s technically just outside of New York City, most locals will tell you that everyone includes the Mets’ Citi Field stadium as part of the NYC tradition. This famous underdog baseball team is beloved by many people, and some locals even claim they’re more popular in NYC than the Yankees are. If you want an authentic NYC baseball experience, you’ll want to plan a day around seeing the New York Mets playing their hearts out at Citi Field Stadium. Since you can get cheaper tickets to Mets games, as opposed to Yankees games (which are often outrageous), makes it a budget-friendly way to experience a pro baseball experience in America’s favorite city. 

2. Embracing Culture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

After a fun day of baseball, it’s time to take in some art. Few museum experiences in the United States can compare to the sheer mass and spectacle that the Metropolitan Museum of Art is known for. The endless amount of art collections, antiques, and cultural artifacts on display will wow everyone in your family. Even if you’re traveling with people who are typically not the “museum-going type,” you’ll be sure to have an absolute blast. The iconic sights and sounds that are available to view at the Metro will keep you enthralled for a full day (and some people even make a multiple-day viewing experience out of the attraction). There are many new exhibits and attractions added to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s offerings every year (often multiple times a year), so be sure to stay up-to-date with the museum as you plan your trip. 

3. Visiting the Country’s Favorite Lady: The Statue of Liberty

If you want to inject a sense of patriotism into your vacation plans, few choices can top a visit to the Statue of Liberty. The amount of wonder and inspiration packed into the sight, and the amount of information to learn about in its museum space, will leave you feeling more patriotic than when you came in. The Statue of Liberty has very limited visiting hours and can be hard to book a visit on the day of, however. To be safe, it’s best to plan your visit to America’s favorite lady well ahead of time. Doing so will ensure you get the trip you’re looking for, and that you do not miss out on this one-of-a-kind American experience. 

4. Taking in a Show on Broadway

Few American entertainment staples have as much prestige backing them as Broadway plays and shows. While they can cost you a pretty penny, the sheer spectacle and wonder of Broadway productions are hard to beat. You’ll have a wide variety of shows to choose from, so you can find something that fits everybody’s tastes. Broadway always has some type of family-friendly spectacle available as well, which makes it that much easier to pick a worthwhile show. For those who can’t quite swing the expensive ticket prices of most Broadway shows, there are plenty of off-Broadway and budget shows available. For seniors, military veterans, and children, you can often score a great discount on most shows (off-Broadway or on-Broadway as well). The further ahead you buy your ticket, the cheaper the price you can get in many cases. Embrace your creative side, and you’ll have a day you won’t soon forget on America’s most famous theater street. 

5. Being Wowed at the American Museum of Natural History

A trip to NYC is not quite complete without seeing the giant squid and the whale exhibit (and the many other wonders) at the American Museum of Natural History. No matter what age you are, these exhibits are sure to fill you with a sense of awe. The size, scope, and importance of many of the exhibits are hard to overstate, after all. There are a whopping twenty-six buildings in the absolutely massive museum, so it’s a sight that can keep you enthralled for several days (if you have the stamina). Even if you’re looking for a shorter, more casual experience, you will have a blast exploring the many mysteries and wonders on display at NYC’s pride and joy: the American Museum of Natural History.