Searching for indoor things to do in New York? Then, you’re in the right place. Whether you are looking for indoor attractions, such as museums, or something more exciting, the Big Apple has numerous options. Explore the city’s artistic side in its world-class museums, shop and dine in local markets, or try unique experiences; join us as we list the best indoor activities in New York.
? Bonus: We’ve even created a free downloadable 4-Day New York Itinerary for First-Timers PDF to make your planning super easy. [Get it here??]
- ?️ Spend Time Inside New York's Museums
- ?️ Experience the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Exhibit
- ? Dine & Shop At Chelsea Market
- ? Catch A Show On Broadway
- ? Tour The Radio City Music Hall
- ? Surround Yourself By Books At The New York Public Library
- ? Take A Selfie With Celebrities At Madame Tussauds New York
- ?️ Test Your Spy Skills At SPYSCAPE
?️ Spend Time Inside New York’s Museums
? Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
There is no better indoor attraction than a museum, and New York is home to many of them. Start your expedition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). If the name sounds familiar, then you are not mistaken. This art museum is renowned for hosting the annual MET Gala, a fundraising gala where A-list celebrities show up wearing outfits inspired by the year’s exhibition theme. In addition to organizing the fashion’s biggest night, the MET presents over 5,000 years of art through more than 490,000 artworks. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art.
How To Get There?
- From the West Side of Manhattan: Take the 1 train to 86th Street before riding the M86 crosstown bus across Central Park to Fifth Avenue.
- From the East Side of Manhattan: Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walk three blocks west for about ten minutes to Fifth Avenue.
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?️ 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Have a solemn and educational experience at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. This somber destination is a must-visit for anyone interested in NYC’s history or the 9/11 attacks. Located at the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum bears the traces of 2,977 people who lost their lives to terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. It also honors the 6 people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Spanning across 16 acres, the 9/11 Memorial features twin reflecting pools, each nearly an acre in size. On the other hand, the 9/11 Museum creates an unforgettable encounter with the story of the attacks, the aftermath, and the people who experienced those horrific events.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take A, C, 1, 2, or 3 to Chambers Street.
- By Bus: M55 Southbound: Get off at Broadway and Thames Street.
? American Museum of Natural History
- Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram
Dive into the natural world at the American Museum of Natural History. Established in 1869, this museum features over 40 galleries that delve into the natural world and the universe. Choose from six ticketed exhibitions, each offering a unique experience and outlook. Step back in time when dinosaurs walked the Earth at the Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs. Or, explore nature’s hidden realms and discover how all life on Earth is connected at Invisible Worlds. You can even meet hundreds of butterflies at the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium. Other exhibitions include Encounters in the Milky Way, Life at the Limits, and Worlds Beyond Earth.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the B (weekdays only) or C train to the 81st Street Station.
- By Bus: Take the M79 Crosstown bus, whose stop is next to the American Museum of Natural History on West 81st Street.
?️ Museum of Modern Art
- Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Art lovers can’t miss visiting the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Launched in 1929, the MoMA was the first museum to focus exclusively on modern art. It was established to provide the public with access to modern and contemporary art and to educate them about this artistic movement. The art museum features over 200,000 works of architecture, design, painting, drawing, photography, prints, film, sculpture, and electronic media. Its collection features artworks from the 1880s to today, including masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, and Francis Bacon. The highlights include The Starry Night, Three Musicians, The Dance I, The Dream, and The Song of Love.
How To Get There?
- Take the E or M line to the 5th Avenue/53rd Street Station.
- Walk for five minutes to the MoMA.
?️ Experience the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Exhibit
- Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM- 12 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
New York’s iconic SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is renowned for its breathtaking views. Standing tall at 427 m, this skyscraper is the fourth-tallest building in the city after One World Trade Center. However, there is more to this building than just views. Its NYC Immersive Art Experience is one such example. This art installation by Kenzo Digital is located within the SUMMIT observation deck at the top. It awakens your senses through its distinct areas, including the multidimensional “Air,” the mirrored “Transcendence,” the interactive “Affinity,” and the transparent “Levitation” boxes. Check out this marvelous art installation that will challenge, inspire, and thrill.
How To Get There?
- Take the 4, 5, 6, 7, or S train to the Grand Central-42nd Street station.
- Follow the signs for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
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? Dine & Shop At Chelsea Market
- Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Experience NYC’s vibrant side at Chelsea Market. A beloved local destination, this indoor market has everything you can expect, from restaurants to shops. Food has always been a primary focus here, with the market offering more than your average food hall. Expect a unique culinary adventure full of aromas, flavors, and tastes. The food scene in Chelsea Market is diverse, offering a range of options from Taiwanese noodles to ramen, pizza, tacos, samosas, and bagels. Shopping is another must-do here, where you can buy fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and imported Italian dry goods.
How To Get There?
- By Subway: Take the A, C, E, or L train to the 14th Street/8th Avenue Station. Then, walk west to Ninth Avenue and 15th Street.
- By Bus: Take the M11 bus down Ninth Avenue. Get off the bus between 15th and 16th Streets.
? Catch A Show On Broadway
- Address: New York, United States; Google Map
- Show Duration: 90 minutes to 3 hours
- Price: $64.69 onwards
Get ready to be entertained like never before at Broadway. Located in the heart of New York, this 33-mile-long thoroughfare cuts through Manhattan. It is among the most popular attractions in the Big Apple, whose popularity is pushed by the professional, large-scale theatrical performances. Broadway is renowned as the world’s theater district, featuring many historic theaters, opera houses, and performance centers. Even if you are not a Broadway fan, watching a show in New York will be worth your time and money. These shows typically run from 90 minutes to 3 hours and feature long-running hits like The Lion King and Wicked, as well as new musicals such as The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge, and the Chicago Musical.
How To Get There?
- Take the C/E or 1 line to 50th Street.
- Alternative: Take the 1, 2, 3, N, R, or W line to 49th Street.
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? Tour The Radio City Music Hall
- Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, United States; Google Map
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Discover the country’s leading hall, Radio City Music Hall. This entertainment venue and theater is renowned for hosting popular concerts, media events, stage shows, and special attractions. Check its event calendar and attend one if it coincides with your trip to New York. If you are traveling in December, don’t miss the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Even if there is no program scheduled, you can tour the music hall and discover what happens behind the scenes. Explore the building’s Art Deco masterpieces, including the grand, soaring 60-foot-high Grand Foyer and the secret Roxy Suite.
How To Get There?
- Take the B, D, F, or M train to the 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center station.
- Use the W. 50th Street exit to get out closest to the venue.
? Surround Yourself By Books At The New York Public Library
- Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Social Media: Official Website
Books, books, and more books await at the New York Public Library. The second-largest library in the United States, it has 92 locations. In New York alone, this library has branches in the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. If you’re unsure which one to visit, consider the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. It houses over 56 million items, including historical documents, genealogical records, Civil War battle maps, and manuscripts from prominent authors. Whether you want materials for your research or just want to read in a quiet atmosphere, this library is your destination. And the best part? There is no entrance fee for the New York Public Library.
How To Get There?
- Take the B, D, F, M, or 7 line to 42nd Street Bryant Park Station.
- Optional: If you are staying in Midtown Manhattan, simply walk to the library following a navigation app.
? Take A Selfie With Celebrities At Madame Tussauds New York
- Address: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
An indoor attraction doesn’t have to be boring. Take Madame Tussauds New York as an example. Forget about chance encounters; now you can see and get up close with your favorite celebrities (although they will be in wax form). Madame Tussauds New York features life-sized wax figures of A-list celebrities, including Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Elon Musk, The Rock, Mariah Carey, Drew Barrymore, Selena Gomez, Drake, Matthew McConaughey, Sachin Tendulkar, and more. Snap selfies in front of these celebs and share them with your friends.
How To Get There?
- Take the subway to 42nd Street–Times Square, 42nd Street–Port Authority, or 42nd Street–Bryant Park.
- Alternative: Drive a car or take a bus to Times Square.
?️ Test Your Spy Skills At SPYSCAPE
- Address: 928 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Looking for fun indoor things to do in New York? Then, SPYSCAPE is your destination. It offers immersive, spy-themed experiences designed in collaboration with top MI6 spy trainers and psychologists. These challenges test your empathy, agility, strategy, attention, memory, perception, analysis, observation, risk profile, and brain power to reveal your strengths and personality. Ultimately, you will receive a detailed personal profile that reflects your individual choices, scores, skills, and attributes. SPYSCAPE is super fun and a must-visit destination.
How To Get There?
- Take the C or E train to 50th Street.
- Enjoy a short walk to SPYSCAPE.
Also Read:
- 4-Day New York Itinerary For First Timers: Free Download & Insider Tips
- What Are The Best Luxury Hotels in New York?
- Ultimate Things to Do in New York
Tom Wolfe’s sentiment, “One belongs to New York instantly,” perfectly sums up how visitors feel when traveling to the Big Apple. This vibrant city is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, while also catering to those who prefer indoor activities. Our list of indoor things to do in New York primarily covers the most popular options. Discover thousands of guided experiences in the Empire State at TourTeller. Take a moment to find the activity that matches your preferences.
