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If there’s one thing that can be said about New York City, it’s that it’s filled with experiences waiting to be had around every corner of its five boroughs. And this year, there’s an extra reason to go big. Throughout 2025, the city will be celebrating its 400th anniversary with celebratory activities focusing on all aspects of what makes the city tick.
That said, there’s no better time to check off all those must-dos, from the traditional and iconic (ice skating at Rockefeller Center, of course) to the more unique (a 36-square-foot museum or a sauna-and-ice-bath class with strangers) — or maybe it’s just about getting some laughs (whether it’s celebrating Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary or taking an improv class). To narrow down the list even further, we tapped a few New Yorkers around Rockefeller Center to share their picks.
Below, discover 25 local-approved things to do around the city this year.

1. Catch a Broadway show.
Nowhere else can you find 41 theaters filled with the world’s best performances all within a few block radius. Five Acres’ general manager Remii Martinez says, “Honestly, there's nothing like it.” She recently saw Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical Hell’s Kitchen and “was blown away by the talent and composition of the show.” And now through February 9, catch NYC Broadway Week deals with 2-for-1 tickets on classics like Wicked, The Lion King, and Hamilton, as well as new buzzed-about shows Maybe Happy Ending and Oh, Mary!

2. Go on an FAO Schwarz play date.
Alex Mill founder Alexander Drexler cherishes “special” visits with his 6-year-old daughter to the iconic toy store FAO Schwarz. “She loves all the little activities, getting glitter tattoos, and making fun creatures,” he says. “She’ll talk about it for days after!”
3. Join a group sauna-and-cold-plunge session at Othership.
As energizing as the urban hustle can be, it can also be exhausting. “Wellness and community are a way of life and should be prioritized in 2025,” says Fieldtrip chef and founder JJ Johnson, who calls out Othership NYC as a “great place to unwind, connect, and feel good about yourself.” Unlike any other day spa, visitors are guided through a mindfulness session, heating up through sauna meditation and performance and then chilling out with an ice-cold dip, building community along the way.

4. Score VIP access to Rockefeller Center’s hidden rooftop garden.
What’s so spectacular about the 22-acre campus of Rockefeller Center is all its nooks and crannies that are hidden to the public. But with a VIP Rock Pass, you can get a taste of the insider life with exclusive access to one of its hidden rooftop gardens. The pass also comes with a guided tour, expedited entry to Top of the Rock with both The Beam and Skylift add-ons, and a champagne toast in The Weather Room.
5. Marvel at the Mmuseumm Mini Museum.
With more than 170 museums in the city, Tribeca’s 36-square-foot Mmuseumm is “as inspiring as The Met, as provoking as MOMA, but not much larger than a hot dog cart,” Rough Trade co-owner Stephen Godfroy says. Reopening in the spring, the tiny collection is inspired by human connection through modern art. “You don't know yourself, let alone NYC, until you've visited Mmuseumm,” he adds.

6. Camp out in the Saturday Night Live standby line.
Celebrating its landmark 50th season, Saturday Night Live invites fans to join its standby line every show for a chance to sit in Studio 8H during its dress rehearsal and live shows. The three-part process starts Thursday at 10 am ET with a digital reservation — if you score a low number there, then queue up Friday nights on 49th Street from 7 pm to midnight for a standby card. Then if that number is still low, head to The Shop at NBC Studios on Saturday night and cross your fingers to fill an empty seat.
Want more SNL? Don’t miss Live from New York: The SNL Experience, the immersive Studio-8H-inspired experience happening at Rockefeller Center ahead of SNL50: The Anniversary Special.
7. Enjoy blooms and brunch in Brooklyn.
As a new parent Joel Bauer, Pebble Bar’s partner and director of events, and his husband are always looking for fun activities to share with their daughter. “We love going to see the cherry blossoms in bloom at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, which will be a great outdoor activity as the weather starts to turn warm,” he says. Then “brunch at Patti Ann's is a must,” he says of the neighborhood spot for families and sibling restaurant of 5 Acres.
8. Spend an afternoon reading in New York Public Library’s Rose Reading Room.
It’s impossible not to gasp the moment you step into the Rose Reading Room in New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Running the length of nearly two city blocks, its 52-foot high ceilings painted with puffy white clouds and azure skies soar over its long tables, evoking a serious Harry Potter vibe.

9. Trade a coffee break for a chai break.
Inday founder and CEO Basu Ratnam says two of his 2025 goals are to “prioritize sleep habits” and “invest in my most meaningful relationships,” making sure his restaurant provides the right nourishment to foster both. He recommends grabbing a cup of Kolkata Chai Co., which “gives you a little caffeine boost without the crash or keeping you up all night.”
10. Kayak the Hudson River for free.
Head onto the waters — for free! Both Midtown’s Manhattan Community Boathouse on Pier 96 at 55th Street and Tribeca’s Downtown Boathouse on Pier 26 at Moore Street offer kayaking during the warmer months for a nautical view of the city skyline.

11. Join a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall.
From awards shows and musical performances to its own Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall has been one of the world’s most famous stages since it opened in 1932. Sneak behind the scenes on the hour-long Radio City Music Hall Tour Experience to get a close-up look at its Roxy Suite, Great Stage, and even meet a Rockette.
12. Watch the return of Shakespeare in the Park.
After going dark the entire 2024 season for major renovations, Central Park’s Delacorte Theater makes a bold return this summer for its free Shakespeare in the Park tradition with Public Theater’s production of Twelfth Night, with an all-star cast of Lupita Nygon’o, Sandra Oh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Peter Dinklage.

13. Browse the shelves at McNally Jackson.
For the last two decades, McNally Jackson Books has established itself as a hub for global booklovers, with its Rock Center location being its largest, also often hosting author events and signings. Plus it has a full selection of Goods for the Study stationery.
14. Take in a Coney Island baseball game.
Sure, the city has its famous Yankees-versus-Mets rivalry, but for a real treat, take the F train from Rockefeller Center to Coney Island to cheer on the hometown Brooklyn Cyclones. “Friday nights are the best because there are fireworks after the game with the ocean and amusement park as the perfect backdrop,” Cafe Grumpy co-owner Caroline Bell says, adding that the best way to enjoy the “unique” NYC experience is with a Brooklyn Brewery beer and corn dog from Secret Vegan Kitchen in hand.
15. Paddle a rowboat in Central Park.
The 843-acre Central Park is an embodiment of New York City life every season, but one of the most delightful — and romantic — experiences is going for a row on the eastern side of the lake from the Central Park Boathouse from April through October.

16. See the stars at a US Open tennis match.
As the only one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in the Americas, the US Open brings the world’s top-ranked players to Queens’ USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for a thrilling fortnight around Labor Day. Pro tip: The week before the actual tournament is Fan Week, with a free line-up of activities, including the chance to see top names warming up on its 22 hardcourts.

17. Plan a visit to Top of the Rock.
Whether you’ve always wanted to see the city from 70 floors up — or you’ve been meaning to ride SKYLIFT and The Beam Experience — this is the year to head to Top of the Rock. Just be sure to brush up on our insider tips before you go.
18. Wander through the Westside.
Radio City Rockette Hannah Weinmaster tells The Center Magazine that one of her favorite things to do is grab a coffee in the West Village and let the adventure unfold in front of her while walking around the Westside. “There are so many things to see, including Little Island pop-up performances, [shopping and eating in] Chelsea Market, and amazing views of the Hudson River,” she says. “It's the perfect place to enjoy being outdoors, while still feeling immersed in the culture of NYC.”
19. Cheer runners on at the New York City Marathon.
All five boroughs spring to life the first Sunday of November with the New York Road Runners’ TCS New York City Marathon — the world’s largest with 55,646 finishers last year — and more than two million cheering them on from the Staten Island start to the Central Park finish.

20. Skate under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
We may be biased… but there’s nothing like gliding over the glassy ice at The Rink at Rockefeller Center presented by Chase Freedom and looking up at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree gleaming at the foot of 70-floor 30 Rock, a tradition that’s more than 80 years old!
21. Karaoke in Koreatown.
Sing your heart out, just off Broadway! Koreatown is home to some of the city’s best karaoke bars, like the city’s largest, Karaoke City, with plenty of private rooms to turn into your own stage, or the swanky Maru Karaoke Lounge, which had a background role on Succession.
22. Sip hot cocoa on a winter stroll.
Sweeten up those chilly days with a s’mores hot chocolate from the Glace Truck, a throwback stand from Sasha Zabar, the grandson of the founders of the city’s legendary grocery store Zabar’s. “What’s more iconic than drinking hot chocolate and ice skating at Rockefeller Center?,” he says.

23. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
A rite of passage in New York City, walking the Brooklyn Bridge — with a 1,595-foot-long central span and 5,989-foot total span — between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights is as immersive as it gets. The pedestrian pathway is sandwiched by five lanes of good old-fashioned city traffic and sees an average of 32,000 walkers a day.
24. Take a drop-in improv class at The Second City.
Why catch a comedy show, when you can be in one? Chicago’s famous The Second City (Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, and Tim Meadows are among its famous alumni) debuted a Brooklyn location in 2024, offering 90-minute drop-in classes for a chance to showcase your funny side. Who knows? It could even be your big break…

25. Spend a day at Rockefeller Center.
Come for the sights, stay for the diverse offerings. Art Production Fund’s Casey Fremont and Kathleen Lynch recommend carving out time for an entire itinerary, starting by taking the subway to the 47-50th Rockefeller Center stop and window shopping Under 30 Rock from the station to the street. Then, they say, grab coffee at Ralph’s Coffee Truck and pop into 45 Rock’s lobby to see the Art Production Fund’s latest Art in Focus exhibition; finally, swing by lil sweet treat for an afternoon snack.
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