Congratulations! You made it to the end of the week! Now, it’s time to let loose and have some fun! And since you’re in the greatest city in the world, finding something to do on the weekend in NYC shouldn’t be difficult.

But where do you start? Your head is spinning because you have 48 hours to fill and don’t know where to go to blow off some steam! Never fear because we’ve picked some of the best things to do as soon as you punch out on Friday, roll into Saturday and wrap things up before Monday rolls around!

Friday

Nosh on Tasty Grub

Grab a delicious (and expensive) sandwich at Katz Deli. If you like soul food, head to Harlem and visit Sylvia’s. Go to Chinatown for the city’s most authentic ethnic tastes. Keep it simple with a couple of dogs at Gray’s Papaya. After, take a walk, see a show, or head back to your lodgings to sleep.

Don’t be a Drag

If over-the-top spectacles make you swoon, check out Hedda Presents the Classics at the East Village Cinema. This high-energy green-haired vixen digs into some of the most legendary film productions, such as Sunset Boulevard. Her charming rendition will leave you wanting more.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

If you’re the adventurous type and love a good mystery, go on a scavenger hunt in the Big Apple. Navigate your way through the Lower East Side while solving a series of intriguing puzzles.

Hang with the Muppets

Just because you’re adulting doesn’t mean you can’t hang with the Muppets. Visit the Museum of Moving Image, which now features 47 of the Muppets and their puppet friends. You can also view archival footage and learn how Jim Henson brought his favorite character to life.

Be a Dance Machine

Grab your female main squeeze and head over Stonewall Inn for cheap drinks and music that makes you want to shake your moneymaker with visiting DJs every week.

Go to a Piano Bar

At the Triad, you get two Lees for the price of one. Watch David Maiocco pay tribute to flamboyant pianist Liberace as Chuck Sweeney keeps the memory of Peggy Lee alive and kicking.

Listen to a Concert

If classical music is your forte, then you’ll love the musical scores by John Williams, John Bary and Hans Zimmer at Carnegie Hall. This concert series is presented by New York Pops, and for your listening pleasure, Steven Reineke leads the orchestra with his amazing baton-wielding abilities.

It’s a Strike

Blow off some steam while knocking down pins at Brooklyn Bowl. Here, you can eat, drink and rock and roll until the wee hours of the morning, which is just enough time to decide what you are going to do on Saturday!

Catch a Flick

Late-night movie lovers will love the Nitewhawk Cinema where you can kick back in super comfy chairs and eat, drink and be merry!

Saturday

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has drawn in people who don’t think museums are vacation stops. Admission is donation based for what will be a priceless experience. The building itself is an architectural marvel. No matter what you consider art, this place will end up being one of the five fun things you do in NYC on the weekend.

Gantry Plaza State Park

Queens is one of the city’s underappreciated boroughs. But there are 10 acres along the East River that allows a leisurely walk while discovering old dock operations. You’ll get a lovely view of the United Nations from a park that formerly housed a Pepsi bottling plant.

Times Square

End the day at one of the most popular destinations in the world. Times Square at night cannot be compared to any other hub. Even the local McDonald’s looks like a production. Times Square immerses you in everything that makes the Big Apple visually stunning.

Head to Havana

A little bit of Cuba never hurt anybody! Havana offers delicious tapas, cocktails and a whole lot of atmosphere in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen! Just a word to the wise: this place is tiny and fills up fast!

Hit High Line

Grab your telescope, a blanket and go stargazing at NYC’s most elevated park. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing or hardcore brunching. Made out of converted railroad trestles, High Line also boasts beautiful perennials gardens, which are yours for the viewing.

Buy a Book

If you love the smell of a musty book, we’ve got what you need. New York is home to more than Broadway shows and tourist attractions. Take a stroll to Argosy Book Store in Brooklyn and browse thousands of antiquarian reads, which include autobiographies, fiction, non-fiction and everything in between.

Frolic in a Garden

Escape the busy city streets with a visit your own personal utopia.
Run to Brooklyn Botanic Garden, located on the northeastern edge of Prospect Park, where you can explore the lush gardens, the zoo, Lefferts Historic House, and LeFrak Center down by the lake.

Tour a Gold Vault

Learn about the Financial District’s best-kept secret! The Federal Bank of New York is home to 6,500 tons of gold! Anyone can take a free tour of the gold vault on weekend afternoons.

Visit the New York Earth Room

New York City is a cultural mecca enriched in art, music and design. Created in 1919 by Walter De Maria, the New York Earth Room doesn’t disappoint. The 280,000 of soil can be found in a pristine loft in Soho.

Visit Bryant Park

One of New York’s liveliest spots in the spring and summer, there is always something going on. Yogis can down dog in the park most mornings or simply sip a cappuccino and enjoy the view.

Ride a Ferry

When weather permits, few things are as enjoyable as taking a ride across the Hudson River. Jump on the East River Ferry for a view of Lady Liberty you will never forget. If you want to travel a little further, you can always hop on the Staten Island Ferry and cruise the Hudson for FREE!

Sunday

Brunch

Even if you’ve never visited New York, most people know that runch and New Yorkers go hand in hand. But Ssnce it’s impossible to pinpoint just one place to eat brunch on Sunday mornings, below is a list of a few of our favorites:

  • Dirty French if you love jazz
  • Gueros Brooklyn when you need a taco
  • Veselka when you need hangover help

Shop in Grand Central

Sure, we get it. You’re a local and know Grand Central like the back of your hand. But for those visiting the city for the first time, shopping in Grand Central is a life-changing moment. Hit the shops inside this swoon-worthy hub and keep an eye open for Guastavino-tiled arches in the Whispering Gallery.

Listen to Live Music

New York is home to some of the top concert series around, so grab your picnic basket and get ready to sway to the music. FYI: When Mother Nature is fickle, you can always check out the concert series in one of the local taverns!

Take in Views

Sundays in New York signify two things: brunch and leisurely strolls. After you fuel up, grab your camera and stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and fill your Instagram with dazzling photos of the Big Apple.

Watch a Taping

if you’ve never seen Jimmy Fallon’s late show, now is the time. Head over to NBC Studios and see a live taping in action with this talk show host extraordinaire with A-list celebrities.

Tour a Distillery in Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s best craft distillery offers free tours every Sunday afternoon. Learn about the distilling process and sample potent elixirs that you won’t soon forget. Just remember to eat first! See our pick of brunch spots above for some of our favorite spots in town!

Kayak on the Hudson River

Available during the spring and summer, Pier 86 rents kayaks to those who want a bird’s-eye view of the city. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get there early, or you might find yourself up the river without a paddle.

Tour Alexander Hamilton’s Estate

If you’re still looking for things to do, head to Harlem and check out this historic landmark. It’s hard to believe that this was once the home of Hamilton Grange. Visit this lovely estate where our founding father, Alexander Hamilton, called home.

Take an Airplane Tour

Whether it’s your last day, first day or if even if you are a local, take to the sky and see New York City from the top! Book an airplane tour and soak in more of the city than you could in three days. Soar over Manhattan for unparalleled views that take your breath away. From Lady Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge, you decide where you want to go! On your airplane tour, you are the boss! Soar over the Manhattan skyline at dusk or high up in the clouds at daybreak!

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