Complete Guide to Things to Do in New York City (NYC) – Homejourney Singapore Edition

New York City (NYC) is one of the world’s most exciting urban destinations – and for many well-travelled Singaporeans and international visitors, it is also a benchmark when comparing global cities for lifestyle, work and property investment. This Homejourney guide brings together the best things to do in New York City, with a special focus on practical tips for travellers from Singapore and Asia, and clear, trusted information you can safely rely on.

As a Singapore-based platform obsessed with safety, transparency and verified information, Homejourney approaches NYC tourism the same way we approach Singapore real estate: detailed, data-backed, and user-first. Expect specific opening hours, estimated prices, realistic walking times, and safety insights – written from the perspective of someone who has done the red-eye from Changi, navigated Manhattan jetlag, and queued for bagels at 7am in Midtown.

Destination Overview: Why Visit New York City (NYC)
Best Time to Visit NYC
Getting There from Singapore & Practical Basics
Top Attractions & Classic NYC Experiences
Key Manhattan Attractions by Neighbourhood
Food & Dining in New York City
Hidden Gems & Local-Style NYC
Transport, Safety & Money-Saving Tips
Where to Stay in NYC: Area & Hotel Guide
Suggested 3-Day & 5-Day NYC Itineraries
Best Day Trips from New York City
From NYC to Singapore: Travel, Lifestyle & Property Links
FAQ: Things to Do in NYC for Singapore & Asian Travellers

Destination Overview: Why New York City Belongs on Your Bucket List

New York City is often compared to Singapore for its role as a global financial hub, but on the ground it feels far more intense, layered and sprawling. Across five boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island – you get world-class museums, Broadway shows, Michelin-starred restaurants and tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries, plus neighbourhoods that change character block by block.[6]

According to NYC’s official tourism board, the city consistently ranks as one of the most visited cities in the USA, with signature landmarks like Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Empire State Building forming the core of most first-time itineraries.[2][5][6]

For Singapore-based travellers, NYC is more than a holiday destination. It is:

A benchmark for urban lifestyle when you think about where to study, work or invest globally.
A reference point when comparing property markets – price per square foot, rental yields and neighbourhood character – with land-scarce cities like Singapore.
A starting point if you are based in North America but keen to explore Asian real estate, particularly stable markets like Singapore via Homejourney’s Property Search and Projects Directory .

Best Time to Visit New York City

Weather by Season (Compared to Singapore)

Unlike Singapore’s consistent tropical climate, NYC weather is highly seasonal and will significantly shape your trip.

Season in NYC	Months	Typical Temperature	What It Feels Like for Singaporeans	Travel Pros
Spring	Apr–May	10–20°C	Cool, light jacket needed	Cherry blossoms, fewer crowds than summer
Summer	Jun–Aug	25–32°C	Hot & humid (similar to SG but less aircon everywhere)	Long days, many free outdoor events
Autumn	Sep–Nov	8–22°C	Comfortable, light layers	Fall foliage, good for walking-heavy sightseeing
Winter	Dec–Mar	-5–7°C	Very cold; thermal wear and winter coats essential	Christmas lights, ice skating, lower hotel prices (Jan–Feb)

Best overall months for first-time visitors from Singapore are May–June and late September–October: comfortable weather, lower humidity than summer, and fewer extreme cold days.

Peak vs Off-Peak Travel

Peak periods: Late June–August (US school holidays), Thanksgiving (late Nov), Christmas & New Year. Expect higher flight and hotel prices, packed attractions like Times Square and Top of the Rock, and longer waits at restaurants.[5][6]
Shoulder/off-peak: Jan–Mar (cold but cheaper), early May, and late October–mid November outside Thanksgiving weekend.

From a budget perspective – and if you are used to Singapore’s advanced aircon everywhere – visiting during mild months reduces the shock of both weather and high-season pricing.

Getting There from Singapore & Practical Basics

Flights from Singapore to NYC

There are direct non-stop flights between Changi Airport (SIN) and New York (JFK or Newark) operated by major carriers on ultra-long-haul routes (usually 18–19 hours), plus one-stop options via hubs like Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Doha or Dubai.

Insider tip from frequent SIN–NYC travellers: if your schedule allows, consider a one-night stopover on the outbound leg (e.g., in Tokyo or Doha). It breaks the jetlag and lets you adjust before hitting hectic Manhattan attractions like Times Square and Broadway shows.

Airports & Transfers

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Main international gateway in Queens. For Manhattan, typical transfer times are 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Located in New Jersey; transfer times to Midtown Manhattan are similar to JFK.

Common transfer options:

AirTrain + subway (cheapest): Takes 60–90 minutes to Midtown, requires luggage handling on public transport.
Yellow cabs / ride-hailing: More comfortable but can be expensive, especially during peak traffic or bad weather.
Shared shuttle: Mid-range option, convenient if you are staying in major hotel areas like Times Square.

Currency & Payment

NYC uses the US Dollar (USD). Most places accept major credit cards, and contactless payment is increasingly common on the subway and in shops.[6]

From a Singapore perspective:

Use multi-currency cards or bank cards with lower FX fees – similar to how you would manage overseas purchases when browsing properties on Homejourney in different currencies.
Carry some cash (USD 100–200) for tips, small vendors and subway ticket machines that occasionally have card issues.

Homejourney supports multiple currencies for property browsing, including USD, helping NYC-based or US-dollar investors understand Singapore property prices in familiar terms via Property Search and Projects Directory .

Top Attractions & Classic NYC Experiences

These are the must-do things in NYC for first-time visitors, especially if you are coming from Singapore and want to cover the essentials efficiently.

1. Central Park

Central Park is often called the city’s “backyard” and is one of the top-rated attractions in New York.[2][5] It stretches from 59th to 110th Street in Manhattan and offers walking paths, lakes, open lawns and famous spots like Bethesda Fountain and Belvedere Castle.[2]

Opening hours: Generally 6am–1am daily.[2]
Cost: Free to enter; bike rentals or rowboats have additional charges.
Insider tip (from a Singapore-based visitor perspective): Go early in the morning to experience local joggers, dog-walkers and office workers cutting through the park – it feels like walking through a real-life movie set.

2. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most recognised symbols of freedom and one of the top things to do in New York City.[2][3] Ferries depart from Battery Park to Liberty Island, often combined with a visit to nearby Ellis Island, which houses a powerful immigration museum.[2][3]

Plan 4–5 hours for both islands, including security checks and ferry rides.
Book crown access well in advance if you want to climb inside the statue – tickets can sell out months ahead.[3]
Singapore comparison: Think of this like heading to Sentosa, but with more security, longer queues and a heavier historical focus.

3. Times Square

Times Square, with its neon billboards and constant activity, is one of the most visited spots in NYC and consistently ranks as a top attraction.[2][5][7] Many visitors from Singapore compare it to Orchard Road on New Year’s Eve – but every night.

Best time to visit: 9–11pm for peak lights and crowds; early morning (7–8am) if you want photos without too many people.
Safety note: Very crowded, so keep valuables secure. Travellers used to Singapore’s low-crime environment should be more vigilant here.

4. Observation Decks: NYC from Above

Several skyscrapers offer stunning views of the skyline, and many guides rank them among the top things to do in NYC.[1][2][3]

Empire State Building: Classic Art Deco icon with indoor and outdoor observation decks.[1][3]
Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center): Known for exceptional views of Central Park and the Empire State Building in a single frame.[1][2][3]
One World Observatory: Located atop One World Trade Center, with high-speed lifts that display a virtual time-lapse of NYC’s skyline as you ascend.[1][3]
Edge: A dramatic outdoor sky deck with glass floor sections and panoramic views of Manhattan, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.[3][4]
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: Combines observation deck views with immersive art-and-mirror installations.[1][4]

Practical tip: Pick 1–2 decks only to avoid “view fatigue”. For first-timers, Top of the Rock (for Central Park views) and One World Observatory (for Lower Manhattan and 9/11 area) are a strong combination.[2][3]

5. World-Class Museums

NYC’s museums can easily fill an entire week. Key highlights frequently recommended by travel experts include:[1][2][5]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met): One of the world’s largest and most important art museums.[2][5]
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Renowned for modern and contemporary art, including works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol.[1][2]
American Museum of Natural History: Dinosaur fossils, space exhibits and interactive science; great for families.[1][2]
Guggenheim Museum: Known both for its Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and its rotating art exhibitions.[1][5]
9/11 Memorial & Museum: A solemn but powerful space documenting the events of 11 September 2001.[1][5]

Insider tip: If you are used to relatively compact Singapore museums, block at least half a day for The Met or the Natural History Museum. Focus on 2–3 sections instead of trying to see everything.

Key Manhattan Attractions by Neighbourhood

Manhattan is often the first borough visitors explore. To make planning easier, here is a neighbourhood-based view of things to do in NYC, especially useful if you prefer walking-intensive, MRT-style exploration like in Singapore.