If you’re going to visit one place in your lifetime, make it New York City. There are many things to do in NYC and a plethora of intertwined customs and traditions on the streets.

You could be downing calzones at an Italian pizzeria one moment and admire the Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Chinatown the next. Sure, it’s no Macau or Lhasa – but when’s the last time you could experience multiple cultures in one place?

It’s the entire world concentrated in this tiny parcel of land in the U.S. And you can visit it all without worrying about missing your flight to the next destination. ☺

Now, stuff like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Times Square, and other fun things to do in Midtown New York are already overdone. Though the city feels like a giant tourist trap, there are things to do in NYC that don’t involve standing in line for a few hours.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

If you want a different perspective of New York, the Top of the Rock is a real “looker.” Bad jokes aside, add this to your list of things to do in NYC – especially if you’re with the family.

Most people would head over to the Empire State Building – but the views here are even better. You can get a clear image of both the Empire State and Central Park. Plus, you’ll mostly avoid the terrible crowds.

While coming here in the daytime is spectacular, NYC’s bustling beauty and city lights show themselves in their entire splendour at night.

Consider coming here at sunset to enjoy both views in the space of an hour or so! Bring a coat, by the way – even in the summer, the high altitude can leave you feeling a bit chilly.