16 NYC MUST SEES for FIRST TIMERS | Advice from a NYC Tour Guide

Using my decade of experience as a LICENSED NYC TOUR GUIDE, I've compiled a list of 16 NYC MUST SEES for FIRST TIMERS. This is advice from a NYC tour guide about what makes a magical and memorable first trip to NYC.
For more NYC or to book a tour, visit www.themegandaily.com
This is the ULTIMATE New York City Travel Guide heaping full of things to do in NYC on your first trip to NYC.
People spend their entire life in NYC and still leave New York City corners unturned, so how can you possibly conquer all the New York things to do during a short visit. Fortunately, you've run into a licensed New York City tour guide with over a DECADE of experience. This list of 16 NYC must-sees was put together after countless conversations with tourists from all over the world about what created the best and most lasting NYC memories.
Throughout this guide, there are several companies listed. NONE of them are sponsored. This is all my own personal opinions, and every experience I've had thus far is an experience I spent my own money on. They are NYC experiences I absolutely loved and felt were worth the price!
If I left something out, please let me know in the comments so everyone can benefit.
Visit my website for downloadable itineraries and audio tours. themegandaily.com/itineraries/
Book a tour here: themegandaily.com/book-now/
Please remember to click SUBSCRIBE and find me on Instagram and TikTok. @ TheMeganDaily
00:00-00:38 Intro
00:38-01:06 Ride the Subway
01:06-02:36 Central Park
02:36-03:37 Shop on Fifth Avenue/SoHo
03:37-05:15 Eat at a "baller restaurant"
05:15-06:42 Eat Street Food
06:42-08:06 Visit an Observation Deck
08:06-09:17 See a Broadway Show
09:17-10:33 Take a Photo on the "Red Steps"
10:33-11:44 Attend a sports game
11:44-12:51 See the Statue of Liberty
12:51-13:37 Pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial
13:38-14:15 Visit a Museum
14:16-15:22 Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
15:22-16:28 Take a boat cruise
16:29-17:26 eat NYC. pizza
17:27-19:03 Take a Tour
19:04-19:33 Conclusion
13:38-

[@TheMeganDaily]

Thank you so much for watching. Feel free to add anything you'd like to this guide by commenting below. My goal is to help everyone have their VERY BEST NYC experience. Please remember to click subscribe and visit themegandaily.com if you'd like to book a tour.:)

[@kamaldad-qs8oy]

U LIKE INDIA VIDEO 🌹 KOLKATA❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sharonsemko3046]

I started following you right before our trip to NYC 2 weeks ago. We did your Central Park walk in reverse after visiting the MET. I’m glad I wrote it out! We had no idea how overwhelming Central Park could be but your map made it fun and easy. Watching your videos is inspiring me to plan our next trip there next year! Thank you!

[@ramencurry6672]

Yeah, Central Park is massive. It’s not some small park like you see in other cities. My personal favorite time in Central Park is in the winter with snow.

[@andreasherup]

This video gives me so much insight before our trip to NYC next week. Thanks Megan

[@61basat]

Wow! Really like the way you take us through the city.

[@timsarles6977]

We just had a few days in NYC, but with your insightful and honest recommendations we were able to hit a few spots that absolutely made our trip. Thank you, Megan!

[@knavehart]

Great Video Megan, speaking as a 20+ year New York CIty resident.

[@karthikg7593]

@TheMeganDaily Your videos were so helpful to plan our first time New York trip.. your explanation on each place and accessing them made it so easy for us.. We had a great trip as if we knew New York for a long time 😀 Thanks to you. And you deserve more views n subscribers❤️ And your short videos are so informative about New York 👌👌

[@Rahatvlogexperince]

Megan very good information you shared . you are doing great job. keep it up

[@johannabeneteau6097]

Great video, Thank you Megan!

[@TripHacksDC]

Tours are absolutely the way to see the city. I have taken several in NYC and they re always worth it!

[@ramencurry6672]

You can learn stuff that many locals don’t know. Many locals have never seen anything in New York except a local pizza shop and the usual essentials for daily living.

[@shavondamartin7561]

How much usually

[@divinehelps24]

❤This video is amazing! So much valuable information. Thanks for sharing.❤

[@JaymLee98]

Megan reminds me of a Disney princess! Loving watching these videos before my trip to NYC

[@IrfanA7861]

Wow, next week I'll be there and will try to visit all of these places, thanks a lot!

[@carlosr6264]

Great video excited for my trip in August.

[@ReneWang-lm6uk]

Thx for sharing. Going to visit NYC in a week.

[@Thomas1980]

Fantastic sharing😊 Super nice video! BIG LIKE😍👍👍👍 I'm traveling to New York in October. I am really looking forward to it!

[@brucietheshark]

Great video! I'd recommend doing the The High Line as well!

[@projetoaquariodeparede4014]

Very helpful video. Thanks

[@Hannah.Williams]

So valuable!!!!!!!

[@peterwilson3733]

Wow best review av seen thank you 🙏 apsalutly amazing

[@sharonsemko3046]

Thanks!

[@theinvestigator4078]

@The Megan Daily you are so good at what you do! I seen you on Sifat's channel and I subscribed. I think you are going to be famous.

[@elltom88]

Great video!

[@bobosofyan5801]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheHost345]

Thanks for the tip abt central park. I plan to go there this fall 😊

[@chloesky1782]

omg that Brooklyn pizza 😋.....thanks for the great tips

[@krishkumarlavudya7958]

Hy Megan..nice to seee your videos it's soo goodddd.....

[@jacksonamaral329]

Great. Wanna visit this city soon.

[@user-oz2di4ho2b]

beautiful places

[@paulamalcomson7533]

love picnic or walking

[@jimrobinett2254]

SO MUCH FUN WATCHING IDE LOVE TO VISIT NEW YORK AND FREEDOM TOWEL

[@damianwalsh879]

Going New York in August Megan love ❤️ your video , I’m from london England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 my first time

[@Mrbeahz1]

At 17:17, I love the "My Little Pizza" rating book! And at 13:00, you look marvelous!

[@stormeagle2865]

Funny you mention Julia’s pizza! I’m coming in February and that’s my first stop after walking the Manhattan bridge. Coming to do some street photography and see a concert (it’s my like 7th trip to NY tho) 😊😊 My first trip was with my high school band. We played in Carnegie Hall! Something not a whole lot of people can say!

[@richt.4900]

Baring in mind at how much there is to see, people won’t be short of things to do however, I think you just about nailed it girl👌🏻, getting the quality right is key. I’m bringing my favourite wife over at the end of September from this side of the pond here in England. Cheers m’dears 🍻👏🏻🍺 Happy 4th of July guys 🙃🤗🙂.

[@riverrun1616]

We will be there is August ❤

[@kabirahmed1128]

Thanks

[@jennyjaffa66]

Loved the video & Love your dress- so versatile. Can you tell us where it's from?

[@francinejaninesarmiento1797]

Watching your vlog made me feel like I was right there with you! Just wanted to ask if you've come across the new V4 of the Bento Bag from Nomad Lane. It's generating quite a buzz among travel enthusiasts, and I thought it might catch your attention for your next adventures.

[@deborahrobertelli8714]

Tony Dinapolis and carmines 2 of my favorite Italian places to eat with a family style menu!!

[@freedomthroughspirit]

A "sports game" had me laughing. Not all sports are called games (tennis match for example at the US Open in Flushing Meadows comes to mind). "Sporting event" sounds broader and better. But great video, love your energy and your information. Thank you and cheers. 🤩💜☺ And I love that you mentioned the Tenement Museum.

[@e.sgriffinster4123]

Love you video. I have visited The Empire State building twice and absolutely love the old charm . I've also visited The One World Centre which was amazing with its 360' views. I did a helicopter ride yrs again and can definitely say I enjoyed One World better

[@averyhebert335]

Thanks. I love all of your videos and content. Headed there in 39 days. Yes my husband and I are counting down! Come on guys smash that subscribe button!!!

[@Sonoman023]

New subscriber from Chile…. I would like to take a tour with u…I will visit NYC this next winter with my family… By the way..,great video…really enjoyed it….

[@user-cw7cd3yv4r]

I just found this and wanted to view it since I'm in NYC a lot, and wondered if I am missing something. I must say that I go to the 9/11 memorial, but I have never been in the museum. That day was so horrific and embedded in my psyche that I don't think I could emotionally handle the museum. Maybe someday I'll be able to settle myself from the horror and do so. Thanks for your video.

[@gilbertoparas9388]

I'm firstime, idol.

[@gheller2261]

Grimaldis instead of Julianas. Then walk the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and stroll into brownstone Brooklyn.

[@adriansirias87]

Hiii, glad i found your videos, im visiting NY for the first in late May 2023, i couldnt get the pizza place name in Brooklyn, hope someone can reply with it, great video!!!

[@TheMeganDaily]

Julianna's. :-)

[@bayou__]

Keren ❤❤❤❤ New York city

[@krishkumarlavudya7958]

Which company tour guide better.....magi 😊

[@pamelabaccay7525]

Hi! which airport in NY is the nearest to NYC attractions?

[@johnbatriz7870]

Do you give the Torres in Spanish?

[@elainebarn]

Coming over in April. This was helpful, thanks. My daughter is a Friends fan. Can you recommend a reputable company to book tickets for the Friends Experience? Thanks

[@TheMeganDaily]

I'm sorry, I just saw this. In general, I'm always a fan of just booking direct!:-)

[@elainebarn]

@@TheMeganDaily 😂 we did that thanks. Really enjoyed it.👍

[@ThePumpkinEye]

where can i get reasonable prices for sports game events?

[@saggydan]

WAIT - the subway is both the cheapest AND least expensive way to get around the city? No way!!

[@thegeneral123]

I like the ESB best so far as it's special for me. I don't think top of the Rock was open when I visited last in 2004, I know The Edge, 1 World Trade and Summit One didn't even exist then.

[@jamisonhayes3696]

Hi Megan, I'm wondering what are the daily rates for a private guided tour for 2 people.

[@TheMeganDaily]

Visit my website at themegandaily.com :-) All the rates for the various tours are listed there.

[@marianamenezes7943]

what was the app you were mentioning about broadway on a budget?

[@TheMeganDaily]

I think you're thinking of TodayTix.

[@revivalnow2011]

I WILL BE IN NYC IN MARCH. WOULD YOU GUIDE ME TO VISIT ALL THESE PLACES? I AM A FIRST TIMER I WANT TO PAY ON SPOT. I WILL STAY AT MILLENIUM HILTON UN PLAZA

[@ape4amc636]

I can't find anything online about the climb experience on One World Trade Center??

[@TheMeganDaily]

The CLIMB experience is at THE EDGE in Hudson Yards.:-)

[@pittsburghliving412]

I prefer to walk Central Park and people watch at Bryant Park AND the Highline.

[@AwesomeSauceRadio]

This video was awesome sauce. I left my butt off when you said you can tell your friends you saw a rat. Do you do tours for people with handicaps?

[@tufailnaul3347]

you have any guide

[@TheMeganDaily]

I do! Fill out the customized tour form on my website themegandaily.com OR book a tour and make sure to tell us what sort of accommodations you need.

[@AwesomeSauceRadio]

megan, going to do it later.i saw your an actress?could i book you for a project around the week of new york comiccon?i will send you a messate via the link you sent me .thank you so much.stay awesomesauce .blind adam out@@TheMeganDaily

[@gabrielgama2841]

Megan volte urgente a fazer videos de 33 minutos duração

[@gabrielgama2841]

Responde em portugues

[@alanhargreaves1278]

I like to hire a bike in Central Park, best done at the weekend I believe as it's closed to most traffic

[@TheMeganDaily]

Love that! So many people enjoy biking through the Park!

[@ramencurry6672]

I used to ride my bike around Manhattan. It’s a little dangerous but I actually love it.

[@gabrielgama2841]

Answer in portuguese for me

[@myworldmeumundo2633]

Lucky you if you can afford shopping on 5th Ave..$$

[@TheMeganDaily]

I will say that A)you can get GREAT deals the high end stores...but there are also stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and Uniqlo as well where us mere mortals can shop.

[@TripHacksDC]

How come NYC tour guides always say they are licensed? Are there unlicensed guides we need to watch out for?!

[@TheMeganDaily]

Ask this question before hiring a NYC tour guide

[@gheller2261]

Cheapest and least expensive mean the same thing.

[@dx42]

Governors Island

[@ralphaaa80]

Why would anyone go shopping on holiday?

[@gabrielgama2841]

Megan pare de fazer videos curtos...que eu nao assisto.

[@stefankapanski3210]

I was really shocked how crappy the infrastructure in NYC is. Like in a 3rd world city. The metro is a dumpster. Besides the downtown area, a lot of buildings are in a tragic condition. European cities are way better.

[@genevieve730]

What, no side trips to the migrant shelters? Your tour didn’t include this.

[@blueduck5589]

I stopped watching when she said, "The Big Apple." No New Yorker would even think of calling it that.

[@TheMeganDaily]

Well, thank you for taking the time to boost my engagement with a comment! I will tell you, gotta mix it up or else you're be sick of variations of "The city" "NYC" "New York" and "New York City." And... the cool New Yorkers actually will occasionally say The Big Apple.

[@biancajasmine5068]

Eww this was s bad😂😂😂

[@AjitJoshi686]

You are doing a great job. Cheers