19 Best Things to Do in New York City for Design Lovers
Depending on who you ask, the list of the best things to do in New York City could look as different as the patchwork of neighborhoods that make up the concrete jungle. The foodie might have you bar and restaurant hopping, while a musician may point the way towards the best underground shows and historic venues. A sports fan could have you catching game after game at the city’s many arenas and stadiums, while a fashionista may have a whole day planned out around the shops on Fifth Avenue and boutiques in SoHo. It’s this endless variety and unrestricted versatility that makes the city so dynamic, exciting, and truly one of a kind. But for the architecture and design lover, consider this your official guide to the best sights and attractions guaranteed to warm an aesthetes heart. We’ve mapped out spots in all five boroughs, offering suggestions for everything from morning tea to evening night caps. This list spans both free and paid activities as well as some tried-and-true tourist classics and spots off the beaten path. Below, dive into the 19 best things to do in New York City for design lovers.
Photo: Getty Images1/191. Visit the Guggenheim (and other art museums)
Frank Lloyd Wright was famously not a big fan of the Big Apple, but that didn’t stop him from designing one of the greatest museums in the city. If you’ve only got time to visit one art institution, the Guggenheim is a good choice as it provides the opportunity to visit an architectural masterpiece and also see world-class art. Of course, time permitting, we also recommend all of the other heavy hitters in the city, including The Met, the Whitney (designed by Renzo Piano), and the Museum of Modern Art.
Photo: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images2/192. Explore the Chelsea Galleries
Though there are art galleries all over the city, the Chelsea neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan is a major hub. For a relaxing afternoon, spend a few hours wandering through the galleries here. A few of our favorites include Zwirner, Gagosian, and Hauser & Wirth.
Photo: Andrew Toth/Getty Images3/193. Shop at the MoMA Design Store
Yes, you should visit the actual Museum of Modern Art, but make sure to also save time to visit arguably the coolest gift shop in New York. In addition to a location across from the museum, there’s another outpost in the SoHo neighborhood. Inside, you’ll find everything from kitchenware to jewelry, to furniture from both established and up and coming designers.
Photo: Getty Images4/194. Have tea at the Plaza Hotel
There’s so many historic hotels in New York, but few are quite as famous as The Plaza. If you’re not staying at the property, consider booking a reservation for afternoon tea at the Palm Court. After enjoying the stunning interiors, stroll through Central Park for a picturesque afternoon.
Photo: Getty Images5/195. Visit Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Among the art museums that are likely already on your list, don’t forget the Cooper Hewitt Museum. Dedicated exclusively to design, the institution holds more than 210,000 design objects across three centuries in its collection. The museum is located within the Andrew Carnegie Mansion, giving visitors a unique opportunity to tour a Gilded Age home.
Photo: Nicholas Nace/Getty Images6/196. Hang out at Domino Park
Some may argue that the best views of Manhattan are anywhere outside of the island. Though any waterfront park in Queens, Brooklyn, or New Jersey will offer unbeatable vistas of the twinkling skyline (and a good way to familiarize yourself with all of the major skyscrapers), we particularly like Domino Park in Brooklyn. In addition to the thoughtful transformation of the Domino Sugar Factory building, there are a number of amenities along the waterway, including volleyball courts, playgrounds, and splash pad areas for kids.
Photo: Neil Emmerson/Getty Images7/197. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
Design lover or not, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is a heavily recommended attraction. And while it is a bit of tourist trap, if you’re going to do one of the many observation decks in the city, this is the one we’d pick. Located in Midtown, you’ll be able to see all of Manhattan—and bits of the other boroughs—and the striking Art Deco interiors are perfectly preserved time capsules of a bygone era.
Photo: Matteo Colombo/Getty Images8/198. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
In a city as expensive as New York, the free Staten Island Ferry is a welcomed experience. Offering incredible views of Lower Manhattan, the route takes you directly past the Statue of Liberty. It’s easily the cheapest way to get close to the iconic statue. Once you’ve reached Staten Island, visit Snug Harbor. Originally a charitable institution and a self-sustaining community for retired sailors, the park is full of historic buildings that represent the major architecture movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Beaux Arts, Renaissance Revival, Second Empire, and Italianate styles.
Photo: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images9/199. Test the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Station
Grand Central Station is an undeniably beautiful building and worthy of a visit during your stay in the city. But while walking the stone halls, make sure to test out the Whispering Gallery located on the lower level of the terminal near the Oyster Bar & Restaurant. Stand facing the tile wall on one corner of the arch and have a partner do the same across the hall, then speak normally. Thanks to the station’s perfect arches, you’ll be able to hear each other without any effort despite the busyness of the transit hub.
Photo: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images10/1910. Take a neighborhood walking tour
There are countless walking tours of nearly every neighborhood in New York. The city has self-guided tours of Crown Height North, Times Square, and Grand Concourse, though there are plenty of private companies and locals who offer their own trips and itineraries. Pick one or a few and dive into the history and stories of just one patch that makes up the quilt of the city.
Photo: Jack Berman/Getty Images11/1911. Catch a Broadway show
Another highly recommended activity, a Broadway show is a worthy way to spend an evening or afternoon in New York. No matter what show you pick, you’ll experience the best of the best when it comes to things like costume, set, lighting, and sound design. Of course, the acting and singing will be unmatched, and who could forget the breathtaking theater?
Photo: Getty Images12/1912. Walk the High Line
Winding throughout the West Side of Manhattan, the High Line is a repurposed rail trail turned into a walking path. Offering lovely views and incredible landscape design, it’s a great way to spend a morning, afternoon, or evening.
Photo: Barry Winiker/Getty Images13/1913. Visit the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
There’s so much more to New York City than just Manhattan. Consider taking a trip north to the Bronx, where—among plenty of worthwhile activities—you’ll find the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum. The last remaining 19th-century estate in Pelham Bay Park, the Greek Revival interiors won’t soon be forgotten.
Photo: Andria Patino/Getty Images14/1914. Tour the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Despite its nickname as the concrete jungle, there is plenty of greenery to discover throughout the city’s five boroughs. Though Central Park may be the most famous nature escape, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens contain the stuff of a landscape design enthusiast’s dream. For even more green space, head over to Prospect Park, which was designed by the same landscape architect as Central Park.
Photo: Barry Winiker/Getty Images15/1915. Visit the New York City Transit Museum
Perhaps the most famous transit system in the United States, the New York subway is an undoubtedly iconic thread winding throughout the city. Nonetheless, riding the actual trains can be overwhelming and make it hard to fully take in the monumentality of the experience. The New York City Transit Museum offers a solution for this. Here, you’ll be able to board vintage train cars, buses, and trolleys, as well as discover the history of New York transit through both permanent and rotating exhibitions.
Photo: Getty Images16/1916. Spend time at the TWA Hotel
If you’re flying through JFK Airport, make sure to carve out time for the TWA Hotel in Queens. Located inside Eero Saarinen’s TWA flight center, entering the midcentury building is like stepping back in time to the ’60s. In addition to the incredible architecture and mod furniture, there are numerous interactive displays throughout the property, including a twister room, fashion exhibit, and vintage cars.
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Photo: Björn Wallander17/1917. Get a drink at Nubeluz
In a city chock-full of stellar rooftop bars, Nubeluz seems to float higher than the rest. Located at the top of the The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, the breathtaking hotspot offers 270-degree views of the skyline. Of course, decked out in sleek jewel tones and inspired by old-school elegance, the interiors offer plenty to admire as well.
Photo: Courtesy of Happy Medium18/1918. Make your own souvenir at Happy Medium
Described as an arts club for casual artists, you can’t miss Happy Medium during your trip to New York. On the first floor, you’ll find a pottery studio that teaches wheel throwing and hand building, as well as a painting area. Once a month, this space is used for a “build a chair workshop,” that, as the name implies, takes beginners through designing and building their own chairs. The second floor holds the Art Cafe, where guests can order art experiences instead of food. At night, this becomes a figure drawing salon.
Photo: Lizzie Soufleris19/1919. Browse at Coming Soon
From the corn stool to Gaetano Pesce, there are so many interior objects that have made their introduction to the masses thanks to the thoughtful curation of Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria. As the founders of Coming Soon, the women have a keen eye for unique pieces that will soon be all over your Instagram feed. Though a small shop, design lovers will find endless inspiration browsing the hand-selected shelves.
