But what about all the other amazing places? For this post, we\u2019ll focus on some current exhibitions, lesser-known spots, and a few favorites that are getting an upgrade. I\u2019ll also include a suggestion for where to stay near these sights (spoiler \u2014 it\u2019s in the Financial District<\/a>) because unless you\u2019re lucky enough to live here, you\u2019ll need a cozy home base for your adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready? Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently opened in October 2022, Wonderland Dreams<\/a> is an immersive exhibit by artist Alexa Meade. Billed as the world’s largest painting, everything inside is paint-daubed and fanciful, like a mashup of Monet’s water lilies and Lisa Frank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I mean this in the most wonderful way. I’ve been to so many selfie-focused exhibits where everything feels a bit plastic. Wonderland Dreams is anything but. It really is art \u2014 detailed and beautifully themed for \u201cAlice\u2019s Adventures in Wonderland,\u201d the splashes of paint making you feel like you’re walking through a canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore more than 20 whimsical rooms, from the tiny houses on Little Street to a glow-in-the-dark alley. Kids and the Instagram crowd will be especially enthralled (though we’re neither and we had a blast). Don a painted hat or coat and make yourself part of the scene. Join a tea party or step through a keyhole into a secret garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upstairs, there\u2019s a wine bar if you want to extend your visit. Although your arrival ticket is timed, you can stay as long as you like. I recommend going early to make the most of your visit.\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n I first heard of Culturespaces, the organization behind Hall des Lumi\u00e8res, for their work in France where they\u2019re based. This is the group that gave us the Atelier des Lumi\u00e8res<\/a>, the famous sound and light art installation in Paris (Visiting Paris? Don’t forget to check out our Paris tours<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just opened in September 2022, Hall des Lumi\u00e8res is their first venture into North America. Fitting with their mission, the installation is located in a historic landmark, the former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank at 49 Chambers Street. That makes it Manhattan\u2019s first permanent center for immersive digital art experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The inaugural exhibition is \u201cGustav Klimt: Gold in Motion.\u201d You know who Gustav Klimt is, don\u2019t you? No worries \u2014 neither did I. Apparently, he was a late 19th-century and early 20th-century symbolist painter from Australia. His work is vivid and filled with a mosaic of symbols, especially impressive splayed out on 30-foot-tall walls, ceilings, and floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll see more than just Klimt\u2019s art. You can read about the Beaux-Arts building housing the exhibit and admire its architecture. Downstairs, the former vault is covered in mirrors reflecting shapes, colors, lights, and more that change with the music. Bean bags on the floor let you recline and enjoy the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also work by an Austrian painter and a mind-blowing contemporary piece involving dance where larger than life dancers interact with the lights and sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exhibits run for 10-12 months, so this one will close some time in 2023 and bring another. To see what\u2019s playing now and grab tickets, visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Immersive digital art experiences are definitely having a moment right now. While there are only two on this list, there are at least a dozen more in NYC alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the great things about Artechouse NYC is its central location. If you plan to visit Chelsea Market<\/a>, you\u2019re in luck. The technology-driven art center is located in the 100-year-old boiler room below Chelsea Market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just opened January 2023, the current exhibit is MAGENTAVERSE, a celebration of Pantone\u2019s 2023 color of the year, \u201cViva Magenta.\u201d It incorporates footage from outer space and natural elements in waves of purple-red projected on the floors and soaring walls of the Immersion Gallery. It\u2019s blended with music that changes with the moving art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the 22-minute show, you can learn about past colors of the year through a touch-screen exhibit, play virtual instruments, or grab a magenta-inspired drink at the bar. Each timed entry is good for one hour, but that\u2019s plenty of time to see everything. They\u2019re open every day, so it\u2019s easy to fit into your NYC visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check the website<\/a> to see times and what\u2019s playing now. Exhibits come and go. Before MAGENTAVERSE, they just had a wild holiday installation called Spectacular Factory<\/a>. You never know what\u2019s coming next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeling a little spooky? You don\u2019t have to wait till Halloween. The Lower Manhattan Ghost Tour<\/a> is one of the newest walking tours in NYC, and it\u2019s the perfect way to wind down your day as dusk rolls in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We created it because there’s so much history here in Lower Manhattan. Some of it is well-known and celebrated, like President Washington\u2019s inaugural address at Federal Hall, but much of it is strange, even chilling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Lower Manhattan Ghost Tour<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n The tour covers landmarks like Battery Park, Trinity Church, the New York Stock Exchange<\/a>, and much more. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 your guide will keep you safe as you wander among the graveyards and ghosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s a great way to see much of Lower Manhattan in a leisurely two-mile stroll. Your local guide can not only tell you all about this area of New York but also provide recommendations for more to see and do in the city if you have the time. There\u2019s nothing like getting insider tips from a New Yorker \u2014 they know the best spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tour is a bit eerie but not designed to be scary, so I think it\u2019s still fun for families. However, it does cover murder, mayhem, ghosts, and more in the light of real New York history, so it may not be a fit for all kids, depending on their temperament and preferences. If you like spooky stories, supernatural happenings, and unexplained mysteries, you\u2019ll love this ghost tour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If phrases like \u201cunlimited ice\u201d and \u201cNYC\u2019s tallest indoor slide\u201d aren\u2019t enough to convince you that you need to visit the Museum of Ice Cream<\/a>, maybe a sprinkle pool or stretchy booza ice cream will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New York City is packed with museums, and while each one has its own distinct vibe, perhaps none is quite as unique as the Museum of Ice Cream. It boasts three floors featuring 12 interactive experiences, all dedicated to America\u2019s favorite treat. You can learn about the history of ice cream, which is actually pretty fascinating, or how it\u2019s eaten around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interspersed with the photo ops, art, and facts are ice cream samples. The samples are individually sized, but you\u2019re totally allowed to go back for seconds, thirds, fourths, or as much as you want (really!) before heading to the next room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I went for their earliest time slot and was worried 10 a.m. would be too early to gorge myself on ice cream, but I found it wasn\u2019t too much (assuming you don\u2019t go for seconds), and they do a good job of pacing the sweets with the activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is definitely a great activity for families. The staff are super enthusiastic and welcoming, and kids are awed by the idea of a world that revolves around ice cream. Truth be told, the adults are, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insider tip:<\/strong> Have a kid too timid for the slide \u2014or maybe you’re not feeling up for it? No worries. There’s an elevator down that’s covered inside with a colorful cityscape of ice cream. Spend your time hunting for the (not-so-hidden) cherries and you’ll be at the ground floor before you know it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moynihan Train Hall opened in 2021, and the Moynihan Food Hall<\/a> followed a year later, making it one of the newer food halls on the NYC foodie scene. Maybe you\u2019ve been to Chelsea Market and toured Essex Market<\/a>. But have you stopped into this tasty train hall yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located midway between Hudson Yards and the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, Moynihan Food Hall features 22 vendors with two more coming soon. (Pastrami Queen, famous for their kosher sandwiches, knish, potato salad, and sweets, is opening this June.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Come hungry. You\u2019ve got ramen, sushi, Southern cuisine, coffee, a brewery, multiple bakeries, burgers, and plenty more besides. A stylish bar anchors the space at the center, and there\u2019s plenty of seating, even at lunchtime on the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a dizzying array of choices. I tried Sauce Pizzeria first, opting for a slice of vodka. They\u2019re known for their unusual flavors. The crust was cracker-thin, and the sauce was on point. Next, I visited Chopt, which I\u2019d noticed elsewhere around New York but hadn\u2019t tried yet. Their cobb salad is delicious, and honestly, sometimes you just need a salad when you\u2019re out traveling because it\u2019s the only thing green you\u2019ll see all day, you know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our last two stops were my favorite. NAYA distills modern Lebanese food into a quick-service, build-your-own bowl, roll, and salad experience. The entree I got was delicious and richly spiced, a delicate balance of meat, sauces, cheese, and veggies. With its generous portion, it was by far the best value of any food I bought in NYC that weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To round out our culinary experience, I stopped by Cha Cha Matcha, an adorably bright yet calming tea shop. Here, I splurged. They have coffee and tea in a rainbow of Instagrammable colors for under $10, but their smoothies are on the higher end. And so worth it. The peanut butter and cold brew smoothie, sweetened with dates and banana and given an antioxidant boost from the cacao and chaga, was the best thing I had all day. We still talk about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rockefeller Center isn\u2019t exactly a hidden gem in NYC. At over 870 feet tall, it stands out in a crowd. But there\u2019s a lot that\u2019s new and coming for this popular Manhattan attraction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conveniently close to Times Square<\/a>, it\u2019s right in the middle of all the touristy places you\u2019ll be anyway, and the view from the top is one of the best in New York. At almost 850 feet above street level, the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of Top of the Rock offer 360-degree panoramas of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s incredible to be able to admire Manhattan from above and capture priceless photos without any glass between your lens and the cityscape. Each level is a little different, and it\u2019s fun to point out the various landmarks, like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and even the Statue of Liberty, visible from your bird\u2019s-eye vantage point. Visiting the Statue of Liberty? Consider joining our guided tours of the Statue of Liberty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a brand new exhibit called New Frontiers that just opened February of 2023. Located on the mezzanine level of the 67th and 69th floors, it covers the history and vision of Rockefeller Center as well as new and emerging art and technology. It\u2019s even interactive thanks to some cool kinetic sculptures, a virtual drone, and more. I don\u2019t want to give too much away, but it\u2019s a must for your next visit to Top of the Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Top of the Rock is open daily from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. with the last entry at 10:10 p.m. I recommend going just before sunset so you can catch the lingering daylight and the lights that come on during blue hour. You can get tickets, including an Express Pass that lets you skip the line, saving tons of time, on the Rockefeller Center website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The observation deck is open as it undergoes renovations, started this year, to prepare for an even better guest experience. It\u2019s slated to finish in 2024. Here\u2019s a peek at some of the new features coming:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hudson Yards opened in 2019, so it\u2019s not the newest attraction on this list. Yet plenty of people still haven\u2019t made it over there, and if you haven\u2019t yet, you need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It includes The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, an upscale mall featuring some of the city\u2019s best shopping and dining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Hudson Yards Tour With Optional Edge Upgrade<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also the towering Vessel sculpture, made of interconnected stairs designed to give visitors varying viewpoints of New York. While the stairs on the Vessel are still closed, you can walk through and view it from inside on the street-level floor, and it\u2019s still beautiful to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much higher than the views that the Vessel could have offered, however, is Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in this hemisphere. It\u2019s suspended in mid-air 100 stories above the ground, offering 360-degree views and the chance to sip champagne in the sky, reminiscent of the Champagne sips at the Eiffel Tower summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you visit Hudson Yards on your own, it\u2019s hard to get a sense of all that went into what it is today. Go with a local on a Hudson Yards guided tour<\/a> and you\u2019ll not only explore this chic corner of NYC \u2014 you\u2019ll also get to walk the High Line and learn about the art, history, and stories there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about this destination in our guide to Hudson Yards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Wonderland Dreams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wonderland](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Wonderland-Dreams-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Wonderland](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Wonderland-Dreams-1-1024x589.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Wonderland](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Wonderland-Dreams-2-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Hall des Lumi\u00e8res<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hall](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Hall-des-Lumieres-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Hall](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Hall-des-Lumieres-1-1024x684.jpg\")
3. Artechouse NYC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/MAGENTAVERSE-exhibit-at-ARTECHOUSE-in-NYC-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/NYC-traveler-visiting-temporary-exhibit-MAGENTAVERSE-on-display-at-ARTECHOUSE-near-Chelsea-Market-in-Manhattan-NYC-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Lower Manhattan Ghost Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sunset](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Lower-Manhattan-Ghost-Tour-1024x678.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Lower](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Trinity-Churchyard-for-Halloween-1-500x500.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t![\"Lower](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Trinity-Churchyard-tombstones-1-250x250.jpg\")
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t![\"Lower](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Lower-Manhattan-Ghost-Tour-1-1024x613.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Museum of Ice Cream<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Museum](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Museum-of-Ice-Cream-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Museum](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Museum-of-Ice-Cream-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n6. Moynihan Food Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Moynihan](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Moynihan-Food-Hall-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Moynihan](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Moynihan-Food-Hall-1-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Naya](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Naya-at-Moynihan-Food-Hall-1024x774.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n7. Top of the Rock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/01\/Top-of-the-Rock-1024x923-2.webp\")
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Top-of-the-Rock-1-1024x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe new experience coming to Top of the Rock<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
8. Hudson Yards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hudson](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Hudson-Yards-Edge-NYC-1024x593.jpg\")
![\"Hudson](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Hudson-Yards-NYC-500x440.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t![\"Hudson](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Hudson-Yards-NYC-1-250x250.jpg\")
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t![\"Vessel](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Vessel-Interior-1024x682.jpg\")
![\"Edge](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/Edge-Glass-Floor-from-below-1024x576.jpg\")
9. RiseNY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n