Things to do with friends in New York City, NY

What are fun things to do with friends in New York City?

We checked 56 real places in New York City, NY from OpenStreetMap, including 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+) and 8 sights. Squad Plan's three day plans below draw on these places, and your group can vote on the one you like best.

Last updated 2026-10-14

We found 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+), 8 sights, 8 parks and outdoor spots, 8 game spots, 8 sports venues and 8 places to shop in New York City, from OpenStreetMap map data.

Three ready-made day plans

Costs are rough estimates per person in US dollars. Check hours and prices before you go.

Plan A

Mmuseumm to Barrow's Pub

Slow pace, good food, plenty of time to talk. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

10:00Visit Mmuseumm
4 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Gansevoort Peninsula
Manhattan, New York, New York
Free
12:30Lunch at Salinas
136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at Pier 25 Mini Golf
225 West Street, New York, NY 10013
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at Body by Simone
606 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse The Shops of Soho
435 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at La Nacional
West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Barrow's Pub
463 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
$12–30 (estimate)

Plan B

Gagosian to Harry's Side Bar

A fuller day of sights and new places. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

10:00Visit Gagosian
555 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10199
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Chelsea Waterside Park
Manhattan, New York, New York
Free
12:30Lunch at La Nacional
West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at Chelsea Recreation Center
430 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Hudson Yards
Hudson Boulevard East, New York, NY 10199
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Watch a movie at IFC Center
323 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Munchiez
126 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Harry's Side Bar
1 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004
$12–30 (estimate)

Plan C

One World Observatory to Frying Pan

High energy from start to finish. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

10:00Visit One World Observatory
285 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10048
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Clement Clarke Moore Park
Manhattan, New York, New York
Free
12:30Lunch at Ramen Danbo
48 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at No Evil Eye
327 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at Kayaking Area
Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10036
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse Canal Street Market
265 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Joey Pepperoni’s Pizza
381 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Frying Pan
Hudson River Park Esplanade, New York, NY 10199
$12–30 (estimate)

Family friendly things to do in New York City

Real places in New York City for a day out with kids.

Visit Playground of the Americas
Free to visit, with room to run around. Bring snacks and water.
FreeManhattan, New York, New York
Eat at Salinas
A sit-down meal for the whole family. Call ahead for a big group.
$12–20 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Go to Pier 25 Mini Golf
Mini golf, bowling and arcades are easy for kids. Check the hours before you go.
$15–30 (estimate)225 West Street, New York, NY 10013
Go to Roxy Cinema New York
Movies, games or bowling for a rainy or hot afternoon. Check showtimes and hours first.
$15–30 (estimate)2 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013
Snack stop at Porto Rico Importing Co.
A quick stop for drinks and a snack between activities.
$8–18 (estimate)201 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012

Make a family plan for New York City

Date night ideas in New York City

Real places in New York City for two people, with a rough cost per person.

Coffee at La Colombe Coffee Roasters
Short, cheap, and easy to make longer if it goes well.
$8–18 (estimate)154 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012
Walk through The High Line Plinth
Free, and easy to talk while you walk side by side.
FreeNew York, NY 10199
Look around Museum of Illusions
Something to look at together, so there is always something to talk about.
Free to $25 (estimate)77 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Play a round at Lucky Strike Social
Something to do together, so you are not just making small talk across a table.
$15–30 (estimate)624-660 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Dinner at Salinas
Pick a table where you can talk, and share a few dishes if you both like that.
$20–40 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Drinks at The Village Underground (21+)
One drink, then decide together if the night keeps going.
$12–30 (estimate)130 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012

Make a date plan for New York City

Things to do with a large group in New York City

Real places in New York City for a group of 10 or more people.

Play at IPIC Theaters
Ask about group rates and book ahead before you go.
$15–30 (estimate)11 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038
Racket sports at Reserve Padel Hudson Yards
Rotate players so everyone gets a turn on court. Book courts ahead for a big group.
$10–25 (estimate)360 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Park time at Fishbridge Park Garden
Bring a ball, a frisbee or lawn games. Free, and easy to split into smaller groups.
FreeManhattan, New York, New York
Dinner at Salinas
Book ahead for a big table, and ask if they can seat your group together.
$20–40 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Drinks at Jimmy at The James (21+)
Only for groups where everyone is 21+. Ask about a reserved table for a big party.
$12–30 (estimate)15 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10013

Make a group plan for New York City

Weekend in New York City with friends

A two-day plan of real places in New York City, from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.

Saturday morning: National Academy of Design
Start the day with a museum, gallery or other sight. Check opening days before you go.
Free to $25 (estimate)519 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Saturday lunch: Salinas
Sit down together for lunch. Book ahead if the group is big.
$12–20 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Saturday afternoon: Urban Park
Free, and easy to split up and meet again. Good for a walk between stops.
FreeManhattan, New York, New York
Saturday night: The Comedy Shop (21+)
A drink or two to end the day. Everyone needs to be 21 or older.
$12–30 (estimate)167 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012
Sunday morning: coffee at Cafe Clementine
A slow start for the last day. Quick, cheap, and easy to fit a group in.
$8–18 (estimate)227 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Sunday afternoon: Regal Battery Park
Bowling, an arcade or a movie. Something to do together before heading home.
$15–30 (estimate)102 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282

Make a weekend plan for New York City

Birthday ideas for adults in New York City

Real places in New York City for a birthday the whole group will show up for.

Birthday dinner at Salinas
Book a table for the whole group and let the birthday person order first.
$20–40 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Play at Film Forum
Something to do together beats only sitting and talking. Book ahead for a big group.
$15–30 (estimate)209 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014
Drinks at NºBetween (21+)
Finish the night with a round on the group for the birthday person.
$12–30 (estimate)443 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011
Visit Ground Zero Museum Workshop
A low-key daytime start before dinner, good for a smaller group.
Free to $25 (estimate)West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014
Picnic at Chelsea Park
Bring a cake and some snacks. Free, and nobody has to shout over music.
FreeManhattan, New York, New York

Make a birthday plan for New York City

Things to do with friends under 21 in New York City

Real places in New York City for a group where some friends are under 21.

Play at Pier 25 Mini Golf
Games or fun for the group. Call ahead if the group is big.
$15–30 (estimate)225 West Street, New York, NY 10013
See a movie at Roxy Cinema New York
Check showtimes first, and pick a film the whole group can agree on.
$15–30 (estimate)2 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013
Get active at Chelsea Piers
Play, swim or work out together. Some places need a pass or booking, so call first.
$10–25 (estimate)11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Coffee or a snack at Porto Rico Importing Co.
A cheap place to sit and hang out. Order something small and stay a while.
$8–18 (estimate)201 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012
Eat at Salinas
Order a few dishes to share to keep the bill down. Check the menu online first.
$12–20 (estimate)136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Hang out at Gansevoort Peninsula
Free to visit. Bring a ball or a frisbee if you want to play.
FreeManhattan, New York, New York

Make an under-21 plan for New York City

Places in New York City

Places to eat

Salinas136 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
La NacionalWest 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
Munchiez126 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012
Porto Rico Importing Co.201 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012
Ramen Danbo48 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014
La Colombe Coffee Roasters154 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012
Cafe Clementine227 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Joey Pepperoni’s Pizza381 Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Bars and nightlife (21+)

Barrow's Pub463 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
The Village Underground130 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012
Harry's Side Bar1 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004
Jimmy at The James15 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10013
The Comedy Shop167 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012
Frying PanHudson River Park Esplanade, New York, NY 10199
NºBetween443 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011
Pierre Loti258 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011

Sights

Mmuseumm4 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013
Museum of Illusions77 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Gagosian555 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10199
National Academy of Design519 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Ground Zero Museum WorkshopWest 14th Street, New York, NY 10014
One World Observatory285 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10048
Free Public Stargazing848 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014
Lisson Gallery138 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Parks and outdoor spots

Gansevoort PeninsulaManhattan, New York, New York
Playground of the AmericasManhattan, New York, New York
The High Line PlinthNew York, NY 10199
Chelsea Waterside ParkManhattan, New York, New York
Fishbridge Park GardenManhattan, New York, New York
Clement Clarke Moore ParkManhattan, New York, New York
Urban ParkManhattan, New York, New York
Chelsea ParkManhattan, New York, New York

Game spots

Pier 25 Mini Golf225 West Street, New York, NY 10013
Roxy Cinema New York2 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013
IFC Center323 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
IPIC Theaters11 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038
Lucky Strike Social624-660 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
No Evil Eye327 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013
Regal Battery Park102 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282
Film Forum209 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014

Sports venues

Body by Simone606 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Chelsea Piers11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Chelsea Recreation Center430 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001
The Field House on Pier 62Hudson River Park Esplanade, New York, NY 10199
Kayaking AreaHudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10036
Reserve Padel Hudson Yards360 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
P3 Batting CageHudson River Park Esplanade, New York, NY 10014
Champion's Tae Kwon Do4921 5th Avenue, New York, NY 11220

Places to shop

The Shops of Soho435 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Chelsea Market75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Hudson YardsHudson Boulevard East, New York, NY 10199
Olly Olly Market601 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Fulton Stall Market91 South Street, New York, NY 10038
Canal Street Market265 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013
Westfield World Trade Center185 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10048
Empire OutletsRichmond Terrace, New York, NY 10301

How much does a day out with friends cost in New York City?

Across the three day plans above, a day out with friends in New York City costs about $69 to $210 per person, from the lowest plan to the highest. Each total adds up the typical price of its stops, so treat it as a rough estimate and check prices before you go.

Frequently asked questions

What can a group do in New York City for free?

Free places on our list include Gansevoort Peninsula, Playground of the Americas and The High Line Plinth. Plans also leave time to wander around town at no cost.

Where can friends eat in New York City?

Good places to start are Salinas, La Nacional and Munchiez. The day plans above include food stops from this list.

What is there to see in New York City?

Sights on our list include Mmuseumm, Museum of Illusions and Gagosian. The full list is in the places section below.

What are good things to do with kids in New York City?

Try visit Playground of the Americas, eat at Salinas and go to Pier 25 Mini Golf. Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What are good date night ideas in New York City?

Try coffee at La Colombe Coffee Roasters, walk through The High Line Plinth and look around Museum of Illusions. Start small with coffee or a walk, and save dinner for when it is going well.

What are good things to do with a large group in New York City?

Try play at IPIC Theaters, racket sports at Reserve Padel Hudson Yards and park time at Fishbridge Park Garden. Book ahead for a group this size, and send the link so everyone can vote on the plan.

What can friends do on a weekend in New York City?

Try saturday morning: National Academy of Design, saturday lunch: Salinas and saturday afternoon: Urban Park. Every stop is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What are good birthday ideas for adults in New York City?

Try birthday dinner at Salinas, play at Film Forum and drinks at NºBetween (21+). Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What can friends under 21 do together in New York City?

Try play at Pier 25 Mini Golf, see a movie at Roxy Cinema New York and get active at Chelsea Piers. Every idea here is a real mapped place. Costs are rough estimates.

Can Squad Plan make a custom plan for New York City?

Yes. Pick the city, your group and the vibe, and Squad Plan gives you three plans your friends can vote on. It is free for 5 plans a week.

Make a plan for New York City

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