Things to do in East Side

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Union Square featuring a square or plaza and a city
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal

East Side Attractions

Discover what makes East Side tick with some of the very best tours & day trips. Browse through our top {1229 fun activities in East Side fun activities in East Side}, and book with ease knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.


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East Side must see attractions

1. Grand Central Terminal

Stand aside from the 750,000 daily visitors rushing to and from their trains and admire the architectural beauty of the majestic Grand Central Terminal. It’s also home to shops and dining options, making it an entertaining one-stop destination.
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Grand Central Terminal

2. United Nations Headquarters

For some people it is synonymous with power, for others the United Nations Headquarters is simply a beautiful place to walk around. Next to the East River and just across the water from Brooklyn, this is an area filled with sights.
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United Nations Headquarters which includes a city

3. Gramercy Park

Don’t be put off by the fence surrounding Gramercy Park, the only private park in Manhattan. In a city increasingly overrun with retail chains and glassy modern buildings, this park and the sleepy neighborhood that shares its name represent a slower pace of life and a slice of 19th-century grace, even seen from afar.
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Gramercy Park featuring street scenes

4. Chrysler Building

Visit the stunning 77-floor Chrysler Building, one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks. Take the chance to appreciate not only the impressive art deco architecture, but the history of the great tower and what it stood for when it was built almost a century ago.
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Chrysler Building featuring a city and heritage elements

5. Union Square Park

One of New York’s great public spaces, Union Square was a meeting point for impassioned activists who campaigned for civil and women’s rights and protested the Vietnam War. Today it’s alive with activity of a more commercial kind.
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Union Square showing a city, street scenes and markets

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What to do in East Side

Free Things to Do in East Side

Leave your wallet in the hotel. It's a cinch to have a blast in East Side without handing over a cent.

Tramway Plaza - Appreciate the innovation and design of this fantastic example of modern architecture.

Beekman Tower - Swing by this historic site and discover a few things about the cultural heritage of the area.

Seagram Building - Look up your guidebook and discover why this place deserves a spot on your to-do list.

Saint Peter's Church - Inject a bit of spirituality into your getaway with a stop at this sacred site.

Sutton Place Park - If you like digging around the garden, this attraction will appeal to your green thumb.

Things to Do in East Side with Kids

There's fun for all the family wherever you wander in East Side. Here are a few family friendly experiences to enjoy together that are bound to make your escape memorable:


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in East Side? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 


Discover the most popular places to visit in East Side

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in East Side

United Nations Headquarters which includes a city

Turtle Bay

While you're in Turtle Bay, take in top sights like Chrysler Building and jump on the metro at Lexington Av.-53 St. Station to see more of the city.

Turtle Bay
Gramercy which includes street scenes

Gramercy

Quiet elegance is key in this residential neighborhood on Manhattan’s east side, with leafy streets, historic architecture and notable arts venues and restaurants.

Gramercy
Nice loop down to the river

Kips Bay

Kips Bay is known for its great bars, and you can make a stop by Holographic Studios and Asser Levy Recreation Center while in the area.

Kips Bay
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Sutton Place

If you're spending some time in Sutton Place, Sutton Place Park and Bridgemarket are top sights worth seeing.

Sutton Place
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Yorkville

While you're in Yorkville, take in top sights like Gracie Mansion or The Promise Theatre, and hop on the metro to see more the city at East 86th Street Station or 96 St. Station (2nd Av.).

Yorkville
Tudor City Greens

Tudor City

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Tudor City and surrounding area, you can visit Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center.

Tudor City

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Popular day trips from East Side

Frequently asked questions

What to do in East Side on a sunny day?
What to do in East Side on a rainy day?
Are there cheap things to do in East Side?
What can you do in East Side for free?
You'll hardly have time to grab your wallet out of your backpack with so many terrific free attractions:

  • Gramercy Park
  • Bloomingdale's
  • Beekman Tower
  • Central Synagogue

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