Memorial Day Weekend NYC
Boat Cruise, Festivals, Fleet Week
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) Weekend New York City offers a ton of choices for enjoying NYC and paying tribute to those who fight in our US Armed Forces. From Fleet Week, Free Museums, Yankees and Mets Baseball, military discounts to Art Fairs and Parades, you’ll find plenty of things to do on Memorial Day and weekend events.
NYC Insider Guide (and me, Melissa, personally) are grateful to all of you and your families who sacrifice to protect and serve our country.
Yankees vs. Rockies & Angels
What could possibly be more American than a baseball game????
More Info: New York Yankees Tickets and New York Mets Tickets
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Fleet Week New York City
Moved 2026:
Fleet Week NYC 2026 is making history! To honor America’s 250th birthday, Fleet Week will coincide with Sail4th 250 — a once-in-a-lifetime maritime celebration. 
July 3–8, 2026
New York & New Jersey Harbor
Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships have come to NYC nearly every year since 1984. Fleet Week is the City’s celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity to see the latest capabilities of today’s Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Team.
More Info: Fleet Week NYC
NYC Military Tours & Attractions
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Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day, 11am
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade steps off at 11:00AM on 3rd Ave & 78th St, proceeds down 3rd Ave to Marine Ave, up to 4th Ave and over to John Paul Jones Park for their memorial service that includes Bag Pipes, Flag Raising, Wreath Laying by Veteran Service Organizations, a 21-gun Salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery and the playing of Taps.
Affordable Times Square Hotels
Some of our top value picks in Times Square include:
- citizenM New York Times Square – super-efficient and modern rooms (photo)
- Sanctuary Hotel – great rooftop with private cabanas and awesome views
- The Duffy Times Square – 22 queen rooms housed in two charming townhouses
See More: Cheap Hotels in Times Square
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Save HUGE $$$$ in NYC
- New York City Coupons Guide
- Save on NYC Hotels
- Half Price NYC Tickets
- Ticketmaster Deals
- NYC Museums FREE Days
- Free NYC Printable Maps
- NYC Restaurants and Food Discounts
- New York Attractions Discount Passes
- Free New York City Walking Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- Visiting New York on a Budget
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Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families
American Museum of Natural History
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families is being offered all summer at more than 40 New York City Museums and gardens. The program, sponsored by Blue Star, allows all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their families access to 1,600 art exhibits, science centers, and amazing museums all over the nation.
More Info: Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families Summer and Year Round NYC Military Discounts.
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Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit – FREE
Memorial Day Weekend – Walk around Greenwich Village browsing tons of artwork displayed by original artists. Paintings, sculpture, eco-friendly art and lots of other unique pieces to see or purchase, at far less than gallery prices.
More Info: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
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Which is the BEST New York City Attractions Pass?
Get savings coupons and find the best New York Discount Pass for your NYC vacation. Unbiased reviews of the New York City Sightseeing Passes. Which is the BEST – NYC Sightseeing Pass, Explorer Pass or New York Pass?
Save with a New York City Attractions Pass
Want to find the BEST NYC Attractions Pass for your trip? Compare All NYC Passes – Download our FREE side by side Comparison Chart.
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Celebrities on Broadway
Broadway Show Tickets * StubHub * Ticketmaster Deals
- Chess – Aaron Tveit and Lea Michele (through May 3, 2026)
- The Fear of 13 – Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson (through July 12)
- Dog Day Afternoon – Jon Bernthal & Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Mar 10 – July 12, 2026)
- Every Brilliant Thing – Daniel Radcliffe (Feb 21-May 24)
- Proof – Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle (March 31+)
- Come and Gone – Taraji P. Henson and Cedric "The Entertainer" (March 30-July 12)
- Giant – John Lithgow (March 11-June 28)
- Death of a Salesman – Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf (March 6 +)
- Just in Time – Matthew Morrison
See More: List of Broadway Shows and How to See Celebrities in NYC
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Annual Intrepid Museum Summer Movie Series
June – August (more dates being announced)
Sea, air & space themed movies all summer long! Join the Intrepid Museum for its annual Summer Movie Series and enjoy a FREE feature film under the stars on the flight deck!
More Info: Intrepid Museum Summer Movie Series
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TODAY and GMA Summer Concert Series
Both the Today Show Summer Concert Series and Good Morning America Summer Concert Series usually kick off the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.
More Info:
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Fun Things to do in New York in Summer
- 100 FREE things to do in NYC in Summer
- Things to do in NY in June
- Things to do in NY in July
- Things to do in NY in August
- July 4th in New York City
- Volleyball in New York City
- Tennis in New York City
- Biking in New York City
- Insider Guide to Central Park
- Best NYC Hotel Rooftops
- Labor Day Weekend in NYC
- Free Things to Do in New York City
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More Things to do in New York City
Fun Things to do in New York in Winter
- Fun Things to do in New York in Winter
- Ice Skating in New York City
- Things to do in NYC in December
- Things to do in NYC in January
- Things to do in NYC in February
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- Christmas in New York City
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
- Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
- New York City Museums
- NYC Helicopter Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
Newest NYC Experiences – Be The First!
Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel – right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village – all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
- The Empire Hotel – year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
Museums
Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.
Attractions & Sightseeing
NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.
Go HIGH or Go Home
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town
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Sightsee from the Sky
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) All glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building
See All: Top New York City Tourist Attractions
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New York City Night Cruises
See our beautiful Skyline from all angles – in any weather!
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Take in ALL the Tours, Landmarks and Attractions and SAVE
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass – Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass – 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select – Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS – 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: New York City Pass Comparison Chart
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Things to do in New York with Kids
One of the best parts of NYC is that what is fun for kids is usually just as much fun for adults. If you are joining us in NYC for a family vacation, then please read all about our local kid’s favorites, along with special tips just for visitors.
- Things to Do in New York With Kids – best NYC activities, tours, attractions and Insider Tips for kids and families
- Broadway and Off Broadway Shows for Kids – choose a dream show, like Aladdin, Wicked or Lion King, see the latest Kids shows, or save BIG and entertain kids and little ones under 4 with an awesome Off Broadway Show
- Best NYC Hotels for Families – special perks, freebies, bunk beds, larger rooms, suites
See All: Visiting New York with Kids.
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FREE Things to do in New York City
There are tons of free things to do in New York all day, every day! Tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, sports, movie and more. Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy…you name it!
- NYC Museums Free Days and Times – weekly guide to free museum admissions
- Free New York City Walking Tours – guided or downloadable free NYC walking tours
- More Things to Do in New York City – kids, by month, by season, free, budget
See All: Free Things to Do in NYC – weekly calendar of all free walking tours, free museum admissions, free things to do by season and more
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New York City Shopping Guides
- New York City Shopping Guide
- Shopping in NYC Department Stores
- Discount Budget Shopping in NYC
- Resale and Consignment Shops
- Shopping Guides by Neighborhood
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- New York Outlet Malls
- New York City Gift Shopping
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- New York City Shopping Tours
- Add YOUR NYC Shop,Tour, Sample Sale
New York City Nightlife
How do you make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps?? Some of the best ‘only in NYC’ nightlife experiences include skyline views, dinner cruises, Museums and attractions open late til 2am, rooftops, night tours, comedy clubs and more. Some of our top NYC Nightlife picks:
- NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour – guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
- InviteOnly Party @ the Hottest NYC Clubs – VIP access to NYC Clubs with Bottle Service and dancing.
- New York Dinner Cruise – family-friendly and/or romantic cruise with excellent service, spectacular sights and delicious menu offerings.
- Broadway Comedy Club – laugh out loud all night long
- NYC Night Bus Tour – From Times Square to the Brooklyn Bridge, see our city wink and twinkle right at you.
See all our Top Picks: New York City Nightlife
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Save HUGE $$$$ in NYC
- New York City Coupons Guide
- Save on NYC Hotels
- Half Price NYC Tickets
- Ticketmaster Deals
- NYC Museums FREE Days
- Free NYC Printable Maps
- NYC Restaurants and Food Discounts
- New York Attractions Discount Passes
- Free New York City Walking Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- Visiting New York on a Budget
Romantic Things to Do in NYC
There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:
See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine’s Day in NYC
Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can’t wait to show you them all!!!!
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Spot Celebrities in NYC
Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today are common questions by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. But here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.
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Get Out of Town for a Day
NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day. Easily head to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more. Whether you live in NY or are visiting, and no matter how much you love NYC, escaping for a day is a treat for everyone. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:
See All: Day Trips Out of New York City
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CLOSED – Discount NYC Hotels for Military Families
With rooms from $25 per night, one of the best discount NYC Hotels is reserved for Military Personnel and their eligible dependents and spouses. If you fall into one of their categories, such as Military, Police, Fire from the US or any of our allies, these Discount NYC Hotels are a steal and in a great location.
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NYC Printable Guides & Itineraries
