17 Things to Do in NYC This Weekend (When You Have No Plans)

If it’s been a hot minute since you left your apartment to do anything that wasn’t going to work, grocery shopping or running errands, this is your sign to loosen up a little. 

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC this weekend that shake up the daily routine, combine exploring with solving riddles on these interactive scavenger hunts through New York City’s iconic neighborhoods. 

From cryptic clues to hidden gems, this adventure offers a fresh way to explore the city’s quirks and history. Perfect for locals and tourists alike, it’s an immersive experience that’s as educational as it is fun.

Haven’t you heard? Holiday spirit is in low supply this year and Santa’s hit a midlife crisis! 

This immersive lights trail doubles up as a festive fairytale that you (and your team) become  main characters in. Stroll through sparkling streets and dazzling window displays while solving puzzles to uncover Santa’s Christmas spirit…or send him further on his downward spiral.

It’s holiday magic with a side of adventure!

The weather forecast says it’ll be dry this weekend, but just in case they’re wrong…here are some of the best things to do in NYC this weekend that will keep you warm and dry.

• 📍The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met): Iconic NYC museum with a vast collection of global art; features the Medieval Christmas Tree at the Met Cloisters during winter.
  
  
• 📍The American Museum of Natural History: Renowned for exhibits on dinosaurs, space, and oceans; hosts the annual Origami Holiday Tree with handcrafted ornaments.
  
  
• 📍The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Showcases modern and contemporary art from artists like Picasso and Warhol; offers cutting-edge rotating exhibits.
  
• 📍The Whitney Museum of American Art: Focuses on contemporary American art with stunning Hudson River views; features special winter exhibitions.

Well, you weren’t expecting weekend plans that involved visiting a bar hidden within a furniture store, where you?

This new speakeasy-style bar offers the best of both worlds: morning people, you can grab tea, coffee, wine, beer and pastries during the daytime. Night owls, from 4 to 5pm, you can enjoy aperitivo hour snacks, or make the most of the evening hours and sip on cocktails until midnight Thursdays through Saturdays. 

PSST: It really is inside a furniture store so, yeah, you can buy any of the interiors you like the look of too.

Looking for things to do in NYC this weekend that you almost certainly have never done before? Check this out. 

Channel your inner detective on a thrilling murder mystery adventure through Chelsea. Solve riddles, uncover clues, and crack the case as you navigate the city streets. 

It’s part escape room, part walking tour, and 100% fun (and you can pause the game any time you want to take a quick bar break).

Winter is very nearly upon us and you know what that means: it’s ice skating season again!

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to do in NYC this weekend, why not glide into your free time at NYC’s iconic rinks? 

• 📍The Rink at Rockefeller Center: Open daily from 9 am to 11 pm. Admission prices range from $21 to $73, depending on the time and date. Skate rentals are available for $12.
  
  
• 📍Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park: Enjoy free admission ice skating in Midtown Manhattan, with skate rentals available for $18. The rink operates daily from 8 am to 10 pm.
  
  
• 📍Wollman Rink NYC in Central Park: Open daily with varying hours: Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 am to 2:30 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 9 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 10 pm; and Sundays from 10 am to 9 pm. Admission ranges from $12 to $23, plus a $10 skate rental fee.
  
• 📍The Rink at Brookfield Place: Located in Lower Manhattan, this rink has incredible Hudson River views. Open daily; hours and admission prices vary.

Looking out of your apartment window might not bring you much creativity, but this place sure does. 

Release your inner artist at this awesome Chinatown café where you can sip coffee while creating your own masterpiece.

From guided art classes to free-form creativity, pottery classes and paint-a-pot workshops, this place is the perfect place to unwind and try something new or hone your creative skills.

We can’t be the only ones who are super excited that it’s soup season again.

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend in NYC that involve stopping your belly growling, we’ve got you!

Dive into comfort food heaven with Cocoron’s legendary bowls of soba noodle soup. Perfectly spiced and packed with flavor, it’s a warm hug in a bowl to keep the winter chill at bay.

In the mood for something a little sweeter? You’ve gotta come here.

Becoming an NYC icon is no easy feat but Peter Pan’s have done it. Since 1953, this place has served up what are (in my opinion) the best donuts in NYC. 

From classic glazed to unique seasonal flavors, these fluffy delights are worth the hype—and the line.

Speaking of icons, this has to be one of the best. 

Running from November 16, 2024, to January 20, 2025, the NYBG Holiday Train Show is a family favorite and absolute winter must-see. 

Marvel as model trains navigate nearly 200 miniature replicas of New York City landmarks, all meticulously crafted from natural materials like leaves, twigs, and bark, and enjoy participating in a beloved tradition that captures the city's architectural beauty in a festive setting.

Think you’ve been everywhere and seen everything NYC has to offer? We’d beg to differ. 

From tucked-away gardens and quirky museums to unexpected art installations and historic spots, the city is filled with surprises waiting to be uncovered. 

And if you’re out of ideas, this guide takes you beyond the tourist hotspots and into the unique, lesser-known corners that even lifelong New Yorkers have never noticed before. 

Don’t forget your camera—you’ll want to capture these Instagram-worthy finds!

Speaking of Instagram-worthy, is your front door looking a bit empty? Not for long! 

Get festive and crafty this weekend at Brooklyn Craft Company and create a custom holiday wreath that’s perfect for decking your halls—or impressing your in-laws.

Rediscover the magic of New York City with a self-guided walking tour that lets you explore on your own terms. 

Dive into the city's rich history, uncover quirky facts, and spot hidden details you’ve never noticed before, all at your own pace, with whoever you want, whenever you want.

Shakespeare meets improv (and alcohol) in this hilarious and unconventional take on the Bard’s classics. 

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC this weekend that involves immersing yourself in a side-splitting twist on a classic story, check out Drunk Shakespeare. 

This one-of-a-kind performance mixes timeless literature with quick-witted improv, as one of the actors takes a few shots before the show starts. The result? Hilarity ensues as the cast delivers Shakespeare like you’ve never seen—or laughed at—before.

Okay, real talk: One person’s Roman Empire is another person’s Temple of Khufu, IYKYK. 

If you’ve no idea what we just said, let’s take it back a few steps–or actually, several thousand years. 

Travel to the golden age of the pharaohs without leaving the 21st century (or NYC) in this VR experience. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Ancient Egypt as virtual reality brings grand temples, intricate hieroglyphs, and majestic pyramids to life.

Since you're looking for things to do in NYC this weekend, why not kickstart your December bucket list? 

Let’s be real for a sec here, there’s always too much happening around the holiday season that you never fully get around to doing all the stuff you want to do. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

If you haven’t gotten around to deciding what you’d want to do yet, this guide is packed with festive must-dos, from twinkling holiday markets and iconic ice skating spots to magical light displays and cozy winter activities to inspire you.

Step into the mysterious and provocative world of Banksy at this one-of-a-kind exhibition. 

Featuring a curated collection of the elusive street artist’s most iconic works, this exhibit brings his groundbreaking art from the streets to the gallery. 

Perfect for art lovers and mystery seekers alike, it’s a rare opportunity to explore the thought-provoking pieces that have made Banksy a global sensation. Art with an edge? Absolutely.