A new roundup of 35 things to do in New York City has been published, drawing together a broad set of city experiences at a single point in time for anyone planning a visit. The piece gathers activities and attractions across the city and sets them in one place, offering a consolidated view of options that remain open to the public. The Telegraph published the curated selection online, positioning it as a snapshot of what visitors can do in the city right now. While the list itself serves as a guide to experiences, the practical side of reaching, entering and moving between those places still depends on transport links, opening hours and ticketing policies set by each venue. This update comes as New York maintains 24-hour public transport and a complex network of airport, rail and ferry connections that shape how people access the city’s cultural and leisure sites.
What the new roundup covers and what it does not
The roundup identifies 35 activities and attractions in New York City and presents them as a curated list rather than a comprehensive directory. It points readers to a spread of city experiences at the time of publication, reflecting what is open to the public and commonly associated with a New York visit. As with any list of fixed length, it cannot include every museum, viewpoint, performance venue, park or neighbourhood walk available across the five boroughs. It serves as a selection, not a full catalogue.
The format signals a focus on activities that a visitor can undertake without specialist equipment or closed-group arrangements. It does not replace official venue information on entry policies, safety rules or temporary closures. It also does not provide a universal timetable, because opening times and access conditions vary by operator and may shift with public holidays, maintenance work or special events. Travellers who use the list still need to check live details with the venue or transport provider before they go.
Accessing New York: airports and first connections
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens, and Newark Liberty International (EWR) in neighbouring New Jersey. From JFK, the AirTrain links terminals with Jamaica Station for Long Island Rail Road services and several subway lines, and with Howard Beach for the A train to Brooklyn and Manhattan. From Newark, the AirTrain connects to Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor, where travellers can take NJ Transit or Amtrak trains to New York Penn Station. LaGuardia links to the subway and Long Island Rail Road through bus services, including the Q70 Select Bus to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue and Woodside.
These airport links set the first leg for anyone heading to activities listed in the roundup. Travel times to central Manhattan vary with the time of day and the route chosen. Road traffic can slow buses and taxis at peak times or during weather incidents. Rail and subway routes run to established schedules but may include planned engineering work, particularly at night or on weekends. Information screens and official operator channels carry those updates.
Getting around the city: rail, bus and ferry options
New York’s subway runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the subway and city buses across the five boroughs. Travellers can pay fares using OMNY, the contactless system that accepts bank cards and mobile wallets at subway turnstiles and on buses. The MTA applies weekly fare capping across OMNY taps, which can reduce costs for frequent use without a prepaid pass. Regional rail options include the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad; PATH trains connect parts of Manhattan with Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark.
Ferries operate on several East River and harbour routes, including the Staten Island Ferry, which runs between Lower Manhattan and St George on Staten Island without a fare. These services matter when planning multiple activities in one day, because water routes can save time between waterfront locations. However, capacity limits, weather and maritime safety rules can affect services. Operators publish timetables and service notices, which may change on public holidays or during major waterfront events.
Opening hours, booking policies and on-the-day constraints
Opening hours in New York vary by venue. Many museums close one day per week for maintenance and set late hours on select evenings. Some ticketed attractions use timed entry to manage crowding during busy periods. Outdoor viewpoints, public parks and bridges operate under different rules that reflect safety, lighting and city regulations. Any list of activities is therefore a starting point; entry and timing depend on the operator’s own schedule and policies.
On the day, weather can alter access to rooftop spaces, observation decks and outdoor tours. In winter, ice or high winds may close exposed areas. In summer, heat advisories can affect performance schedules and park activities. Street events, parades and film shoots can trigger temporary street closures that change walking routes or traffic patterns around venues. City agencies give notice of those changes through official channels.
Borough spread, distances and interchange points
New York City covers five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Travel between boroughs relies on a mix of subway lines, buses, bridges, tunnels and ferries. Key interchange hubs include Times Square–42 Street, Grand Central, Fulton Center, Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center, and Jamaica. Reaching several activities in one day often requires transfers between lines or modes. Journey times across borough boundaries can exceed an hour, even when distances appear short on a map.
For visitors planning to combine several items from the roundup, the order of activities can depend on transit.
When and where
The Telegraph published “The 35 best things to do in New York” online on Thursday, 15 January 2026: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/new-york/articles/best-things-to-do-new-york/
