Things to do in East Rutherford

Empire State Building

10

New York · 13.4 km from East Rutherford

2.6k reviews

• Iconic Landmark – The Empire State Building is one of the most recognized skyscrapers in the world and is ranked #1 top attraction in NYC. Its Art Deco design and cinematic fame make it a true New York icon. • Breathtaking Panoramic Views – Enjoy 360° views that stretch up to 80 miles on a clear day. From the open-air 86th Floor Observatory or the glass-enclosed 102nd Floor Observatory, spot Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and neighboring states. • Immersive Exhibits – Explore the interactive museum on the second and 80th floors, with immersive galleries that bring the building's story to life from Opening Day in 1931 to its role as a pop culture icon. Meet Kong, snap photos with celebrity moments, and admire the building's innovative construction. • Famous Filming Location – From "King Kong" to "Sleepless in Seattle" and countless others, the Empire State Building has been featured in more than 250 films and TV shows. • Art Deco Masterpiece – Marvel at the restored Fifth Avenue Lobby with its iconic gold leaf ceiling mural, bronze finishes, and two-story architectural model. Other notes for the listing. △Sustainability Exhibit: The Empire State Building has a sustainability exhibit on the 2nd floor that showcases the building's commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

New York · 12.9 km from East Rutherford

The Museum of Modern Art

9.5

4.8/5

804 reviews

▴The Museum of Modern Art, abbreviated as MoMA, is a cultural icon of New York. It houses masterpieces such as Monet's Water Lilies, Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Matisse's Dance, and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, as well as modern artworks including sculptures, prints, photography, furniture, and installation art. ▴The Museum of Modern Art houses a cinema that screens art films, and the sculpture garden designed by Philip Johnson serves as an important space for outdoor sculpture displays and relaxation, where the scattered sculptures form a unique dialogue with the surrounding modern architecture.

New York · 12.5 km from East Rutherford

Central Park

9.2

4.8/5

1.8k reviews

Central Park is located in the skyscraper-filled Manhattan urban area, covering an area of 3.4 million square meters. With over 90 km of walking paths, it serves as a tranquil retreat in the bustling city of New York. The park features lakes and forests of various sizes, along with a zoo, sports facilities, and recreational amenities, offering more than a day's worth of exploration. Recommended routes and attractions 1. There are two large lakes in the park, the slightly larger one is Reservoir, and the smaller one isThe lake, two large lawns including the Great Lawn located between the two lakes and the one atThe lakeThe sheep meadow on the south side. 2. The entrance at the southwest corner of the park is famousColumbus Circle; The southeast corner entrance of the park is the Grand Army Plaza. 3. To the north is the zoo, which mainly displays animals from three climate zones, including tropical rainforests and California. 4. The more famous attraction in the central part of the park is the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain by the lake. On the western side of the lake lies Strawberry Fields Forever, a teardrop-shaped hill purchased by John Lennon's widow in memory of her late husband. It has now become a popular destination for many music fans, with frequent flower tributes and large memorial activities held annually on the anniversary of Lennon's death. 5. Near the heart of the park stands Belvedere Castle, the highest point in the park and a great spot for panoramic views. 6. The northern part of the park is mainly composed of lawns and woods, offering a quieter and more pleasant atmosphere compared to the southern area, with fewer visitors.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

American Museum of Natural History

8.9

New York · 11.9 km from East Rutherford

1k reviews

Share in the excitement of discovery with more than 40 galleries exploring the natural world and the universe at one of NYC's top destinations, the American Museum of Natural History. Highlights: • Taking the museum experience to soaring new heights, the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation showcases: The year-round Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium with up to 80 species of freeflying butterflies. The Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium, a gallery devoted to Earth's most diverse and abundant animal group. Floor-to-ceiling displays of the Museum's scientific collections spread out across three levels that help us understand the natural world and global cultures. • Explore the Museum's famous fossil halls, featuring the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, including imposing mounts of Tyrannosaurus rex and Apatosaurus, as well as the 122-foot-long cast of a titanosaur, a recently discovered giant herbivore that lived in the forests of today's Patagonia about 100 to 95 million years ago. • Discover more than 5,000 minerals, including giant amethyst geodes and fluorescent minerals, in the spectacular Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals • Explore marine ecosystems in the immersive Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, featuring models of more than 750 animals, including the iconic 94-foot-long, 21,000-pound model of a blue whale • Don't miss the world-renowned habitat dioramas in the Hall of North American Mammals, Hall of African Mammal Halls, and others, which depict specific locations throughout the world • Learn about the evolutionary story of the human family in the Hall of Human Origins • Explore the 13-billion-year history of the universe in the galleries of the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium

2026 Americas 50 - Best Things to Do

Rockefeller Center

9.2

New York · 13 km from East Rutherford

772 reviews

▴Enjoy the stunning views of New York at Rockefeller Center.New York has a thousand faces, all different. Rockefeller Center, which stands in a prime location in Manhattan, New York, is a living history of the development of New York City. The center integrates city sightseeing, free art exhibitions, specialty dining, shopping and entertainment. ▴Top of The Rock Observation Deck, located on the 69th floor of the main building of the center, has a 360-degree unobstructed panoramic view. The Beam:The Beam invites visitors to recreate “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,” the iconic 1932 photo depicting 11 ironworkers lunching on a steel beam, 69 stories high, during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Follow in their fearless footsteps by buckling up for an exhilarating 12-foot ascent that rotates a breathtaking 180-degrees. Here you'll experience astonishing views of NYC's famous Central Park and beyond.

2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

Top of The Rock

9.1

New York · 12.9 km from East Rutherford

707 reviews

2026 Americas 50 - Best Things to Do

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

9.2

New York · 13.4 km from East Rutherford

342 reviews

• Enjoy open-air terrace views of Manhattan and beyond. • Experience Transcendence from above, taking your perspective to a new level. • Join us for a bite and a drink in our Nordic-themed café. △ Awaken your senses with three levels of immersive space that will challenge, inspire, and thrill. △ Be ready to surrender to new perceptions of what is possible. △ Thrilling perspective of the city in the external glass-bottomed elevator.

2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

Edge Immersive Observation Deck in New York

Edge Immersive Observation Deck in New York

8.5

New York · 12.1 km from East Rutherford

121 reviews

Enter an immersive NYC experience at Edge at Hudson Yards, where new permanent installations fill Edge's spaces with light, color, reflections, and movement creating a multi-sensory indoor journey to breathtaking skyline views. Designed as a seamless indoor + outdoor attraction, Edge invites visitors through kaleidoscopic experiences like Pulse, Infinite City and Crystal Cave before stepping out onto the open-air observation deck. With all-weather access, premium hospitality, and the unforgettable NYC skyline, it's a must-do for visitors and locals alike. Whether you're exploring things to do in NYC during the day or night, Edge delivers a unique experience above the city. Why EDGE NYC is Unforgettable ⭐ Immersive Journey Begin your immersive experience with multi-sensory indoor installations Follow a seamless indoor + outdoor journey into the sky Designed as an experience-first attraction, not just an observation deck A true journey into the sky combining storytelling, design, and views ⭐Views & Iconic Moments Take in panoramic NYC skyline views from 1,100+ feet Capture unforgettable moments above the NYC skyline Step onto a floating platform for a unique perspective One of the best observation deck NYC experiences ⭐All-Weather & Accessibility Fully all-weather experience with indoor and outdoor elements Enjoy an indoor experience NYC before heading outside to the open-air deck Ideal for all-day, rain or shine Comfortable, accessible, and engaging for all visitors ⭐Experience Layers Features multi-sensory installations like Pulse, Crystal Cave, Infinity City, and Reflections Combines interactive experience NYC elements with iconic sightseeing Blends premium hospitality, design, and atmosphere Includes elevated experience touches (lounge, dining, and social moments)

Statue of Liberty

10

New York · 16.7 km from East Rutherford

3.1k reviews

The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, officially named "Liberty Enlightening the World." It was a gift from the people of France to the United States, created to commemorate American independence and completed in 1886. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, its internal steel framework was crafted by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower. She holds a torch aloft in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with "July 4, 1776" in her left, with broken chains at her feet. The seven spikes on her crown symbolize the seven continents and seven seas, while the theme of breaking free from*********and embracing liberty is woven into every detail. Reaching the crown is the signature experience here: ascend via the narrow double-helix staircase inside the statue to overlook New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline from the crown's observation windows. Crown access has limited availability and requires advance reservations. The staircase is steep and narrow with no elevator, so travelers with acrophobia or limited physical stamina should assess their capabilities. Opting for the pedestal observatory still allows close-up views of the statue and panoramic harbor vistas. The original torch replaced in 1984 is now displayed at the Statue of Liberty Museum on the island, which opened in 2019, fully presenting the statue's construction history and symbolic significance. The adjacent Ellis Island Immigration Museum recounts the stories of millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. here to begin new lives, often combined with a visit to Liberty Island. △Statue of LibertyCrown visit: one of the must-do experiences is climbing up to the statue's crown. Travelers can access the crown via a narrow spiral staircase and enjoy the magnificent views of the city skyline. △: Closely connected, the visit is a fascinating experience. This museum tells the story of millions of immigrants who passed through to start new lives in the United States. △Statue of LibertyPedestal access: Travelers can also enter the pedestal to observe the statue and its intricate details up close. The pedestal also houses a museum showcasing the history and significance of the statue.