20 Exciting Things To Do In NYC On Weekend

1. Catch A Show At Broadway Theatre

After five days of hard work and rushing life, catching a show at Broadway Theatre is a relaxing experience. Located in the middle of Manhattan, Broadway is well known for its stellar plays and musicals.

Timeless classics such as The Phantom of the Opera and popular modern-day megahits like Hamilton could be a great choice. No matter what you choose, drama, comedy, or music, Broadway gives a memorable experience to visitors.

However, advance booking of tickets is highly recommended, especially on weekends. Even if you are not a theatre fan, the performances and energy in the best Broadway shows in NYC are going to keep you entertained throughout.

2. Shop At The Grand Baazar NYC

Spending a weekend without shopping is not a great use of leisure time. There is no better place to shop than the Grand Baazar NYC. This colorful market on the Upper West Side is held every weekend.

It is a perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items like vintage clothing, ancient times, artworks and so much more. If you are someone on a trip to New York, here you can pick up very special gifts or souvenirs.

The Grand Baazar NYC features an equally diverse array of food vendors that makes it ideal to enjoy healthy street foods while shopping. Visiting this place is also a great way to contribute to the community as the money collected for the bazaar is partly used for the betterment of schools in the local area.

3. Attend An Outdoor Concert At SummerStage

For an unforgettable weekend experience in New York City, become a part of an outdoor concert at SummerStage. This well-known annual NYC events venue brings alive live musical performances that span various genres, from rock and jazz to hip-hop and classical.

It is nested at the iconic Rumsey Playfield, right in the heart of Central Park. The concerts held here present an opportunity to listen to great music amidst nature. Most of the events are free which makes this place accessible while on a budget as well.

Just pack a blanket, along with a few snacks, and get ready for a musical night under the stars. With a charged atmosphere and varying programs, SummerStage is one of the best places to see the bussing culture in New York City.

4. Go To A Baseball Game

Another great way to spend a weekend in New York City is probably by catching a baseball game. Yankee Stadium, Bronx, and Citi Field in Queens are some of the popular venues for celebrating a match.

This action-packed live sport attracts thousands of crazy fans which makes the atmosphere more vibrant and electrifying. With every hit from the players, the crowd roars for their favorite teams in Major League Baseball.

Considered a part of New York culture, the energy in the stadium will ensure a memorable day out. A nail-biter or a relaxed afternoon enjoying the vibe of a baseball game will add something special to your weekend in NYC.

5. Attend A Workshop Or Exhibition At Metropolitan Museum Of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as The Met, offers a wonderful collection of art. To attend a workshop or an exhibition here is to enhance your weekend in New York City. Attending these exhibits you will see a variety of artifacts that span diverse civilizations and eras.

Rare pieces acclaimed as the greatest historical artifacts might also come into insight during such events. In addition to this, Met provides interactive workshops, where visitors get a direct experience of the art technique, history, and culture.

6. Enjoy Family Time At The Central Park

Filled with multiple events and activities during the weekend, Central Park is one of the perfect tourist places in New York to enjoy quality family time. This massive park offers a huge range of joys for people of all ages.

Playgrounds, scenic walking trails, spacious picnic areas, lakes, and even Central Park Zoo can be found inside. There are outstanding points like the Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge from where a panoramic view of the park can be enjoyed.

Child-friendly events are also a regular thing in Central Park, so it is a great place to bond, have fun, and enjoy fresh air.

7. Take Part In Real Life Squid Games

Real Life Squid Game is an upcoming limited-time event at the Manhattan Mall, New York. This event is going to be one of the fun NYC activities once it goes live on August 21st. It is a great opportunity for fans of the TV series to participate in an adventure filled with excitement.

At Real Life Squid Game, you can feel the tensed and competitive atmosphere portrayed in the series but in a completely safe setting. The participants in different challenging games will test their skills and presence of mind.

With limited tickets and a few days of running time, make sure to book your tickets in advance.  As the event is set to go live, spending time here on the upcoming weekend is going to be a great way to inject adventure into your holiday.

8. Enjoy Car Free Saturdays During Summer Streets

One of the most exciting weekend activities in New York City has to be Car-Free Saturdays as part of Summer Streets. This is a seasonal program that offers a special opportunity to experience the city's streets without the noise.

Running through a few Saturdays in August, Summer Streets transforms miles of NYC's busiest avenues into pedestrian-friendly zones. Throughout the day, you can walk, bike, or skate through iconic neighborhoods.

Free activities, spanning from art installations and fitness classes to performances can also be attended along the way. Popular stops include the Uptown Rest Stop with interactive art displays and the Midtown Rest Stop offering wellness programs.

9. Have A Rooftop Brunch At One Of Many Rooftop Restaurants

Rooftop restaurants in New York City offer an incredible way to enjoy a weekend brunch with breathtaking views. From starting your morning with breakfast to indulging in something a bit more unique for dinner, these restaurants offer everything.

Scattered across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, each rooftop restaurant gives its own unique and special vibe. Here, you can enjoy a meal with family and friends alongside iconic views of the city's skyline.

Fresh air, a lively atmosphere, and delicious food, everything blend in to offer you a time worth remembering. Rooftop brunch during weekends is the ultimate way to explore New York's best restaurants and the best foods they serve.

10. Visit A Historical Landmark

New York City has so many famous historical places. Visiting these places is the best way to sense the history of New York. Every landmark from the Statue of Liberty to the Grand Central Terminal is a significant part of the city.

During weekends, you could walk in Central Park, stop by the historic Belvedere Castle, or take a tour of Ellis Island. Each exploration provides a window into the city's interesting past.

For a much better understanding, guided tours are also available at many sites. These trips let you focus on the past of the city while seeing the beauty in the place as it exists now. A tour of these historical landmarks is a perfect way to spend an educational weekend in NYC.

11. Catch An Interactive Exhibit At The Color Factory

Attending an exhibit in Color Factory is another great way to spend your weekend in New York City. This interactive exhibit comes with a lot of bright colors and creative displays.

Each room you step in features unique hands-on activities that let you get creative and play with color in very interesting ways. From immersive installations to photo-worthy moments, Color Factory adds something unique to the experience for all ages.

With bright and cheerful vibes, this exhibit is great for families, friends, or solo travelers. As your visit to Color Factory comes to an end, you will return with a memorable experience that is going to highlight your weekend.

12. Explore Chinatown

Situated right in the middle of New York City, Chinatown represents a strikingly different cultural experience. This busy area features a mix of traditional Chinese shops, local markets, and a variety of restaurants.

Steaming dumplings and savory dim sum are the most popular foods found in Chinatown that you should not fail to try. Place of interest like the Mahayana Buddhist Temple is also housed in Chinatown. Exploring this temple is a great way to get a glimpse into the religious history.

Items like herbs and handmade goods can be bought to bring back home as gifts or souvenirs. Strolling through Chinatown is like diving into culture, history, and taste. All these are a major part of the vibrant New York City that can be explored on a weekend from a single place.

13. Catch A Late Night Comedy Show

Late Night Comedy Shows in New York City are perfect for a fun evening. Planning a visit to one of many entertainment houses in New York City on the weekend can help lighten up your mood after a hectic week.

Held every evening, the comedy show features popular comedians. They put in every single bit of their talent to entertain the visitors no matter what they are going through. The large crowd of visitors laughing in joy enhances the overall experience.

14. Attend A Weekend Festival

New York City as we all know is one of the most vibrant cities in the United States. This city never fails to entertain visitors as well as locals during the weekends. Many popular historic sites, parks, and event venues are always planning something for people around during the weekends.

Popular festivals and events include the Museum Mile Festival and River to River Festival in June, Harlem Week in August, Labor Day and Armory Show in September, New Yorker Festival in October, New York Comedy Festival and Holiday Train Show in November, and many more.

15. Visit The New York Botanical Garden

For a peaceful NYC weekend getaways, a visit to the New York Botanical Garden is a must. Located in the Bronx, it is a beautiful garden where you can wander around. The garden is more than 250 acres wide, where plants, flowers, and trees from all over the world can be found.

You may take walks through theme gardens, such as the Rose Garden or the Rock Garden, with both having very unique landscapes. Seasonal exhibits, classes, and family activities are also offered to make it appropriate for all age ranges. Don't miss the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory for exotic plants, which will let you get closer to nature.

16. Go On A Boat Cruise With Classic Harbor Line

A weekend spent taking a ride on one of the boat cruises of Classic Harbor Line is a fun experience. Such cruises offer an amazing view of a water-lined city and a few famous landmarks.

Providing a unique view of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline, cruises can be accessed from different points. The boats are both comfortable and spacious.

Floating in one of the NYC weekend cruise, you will be taken to some of the great vantage points to view the sights and snap some photographs. Whether you are a New Yorker or a visitor, a cruise with Classic Harbor Line is a refreshing and pleasant experience.

17. Watch A Movie Outdoor

Watching a movie outdoors, if done right, would be a great weekend activity in New York City. During warmer months in general, parks and rooftops tend to offer outdoor movie screenings with open and relaxed seating under the stars.

Places such as Bryant Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park host free movie nights where you could lie on your blanket or enjoy the movie from inside your car. A mixture of classic films, recent blockbusters, or indie movies, are often scheduled on movie nights.

You can get fresh air, take some snacks, and just relax with some of your friends or family.

18. Explore Banksy’s Work At The Banksy Museum

The Banksy Museum is one of a kind museum, that showcases the world's largest collection of the legendary street artist Banksy. This museum holds many of his artworks, that includes graffiti, murals, sculptures, prints, and more.

A great place to spend a weekend, Bansky Museum lets visitors relate closely with his works. Thoughtfully presented exhibitions are the ones that make the visit more interesting.

The museum is focused on promoting and inspiring uprising artists offering a fresh perspective on modern street art.

19. Spend A Day At Highland Park Disc Golf Course

A newly opened place in NYC, Highland Park Disc Golf Course is a great place to spend a competitive day with friends and family. This is where you will get to spend a weekend outdoors in a peaceful and scenic environment.

Each basket or target is designed to have varying levels of difficulty to suit both experienced and new players. While walking through the beautiful green spaces in between baskets, you can breathe in some fresh are and enjoy the surroundings.

Playing a game or two at the Highland Disc Golf Course is a great place to bond with family and friends during the weekend. It is also a perfect place to get done with your daily fitness goals in a fun way.

20. Soak Up The Sun At The Beach

The last on the list is a beach day that offers another perfect way to spend a weekend in New York City. Driving a little out of town you will find popular beaches like Coney Island, Rockaway Beach, and Brighton Beach.

All these beaches provide quite a way to get off the bustling city life. You can sit back and enjoy the day on the sand, spend your time swimming in the ocean, or share a seaside picnic with friends or family.

Beaches outside of NYC also feature cool amenities such as beach volleyball or a bike ride along the boardwalk. While enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline don't miss out on the stunning sunset views to make it a memorable weekend.