31 Great Things Do in NYC from a Local! (Updated 2025)

"I find the Statue of Liberty breathtaking up close — a massive neoclassical gift from France, dedicated in 1886 and standing 305 feet tall, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi with a metal framework by Gustave Eiffel — but the real highlight of this visit is Ellis Island, where you can learn about the immigrant experience and even see my family’s name inscribed on the wall; there’s such a great sense of history there that you can’t help but be impressed. You can do a self-guided tour, but if you want deeper knowledge I consider the Take Walks tour invaluable ($69 USD); the island is open daily 9am–5pm, there’s no island admission fee, and the ferry ticket costs $24 USD." - Matthew Kepnes