New York City ranks as no. 3 on Time Out’s list of 50 best cities!
New Yorkers will never tire of hearing how great our city is, that’s why we’re pleased to inform you that NYC has been ranked as the third best city in the entire world for 2025.
Time Out recently surveyed more than 18,500 city-dwellers from around the globe who shared their insights on everything including food, nightlife, culture, affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. Then, our global network of city experts voted on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. The result? Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025.
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New York City took third place behind Cape Town, South Africa (no. 1) and Bangkok, Thailand (no. 2) this year, beating out 47 other cities around the world, including other American cities. And it’s no surprise why: 78% of New Yorkers ranked their city as “exciting” on the survey, which no other city could beat.
As New Yorkers who cover things to do in the city extensively, we know that’s indicative of all we have going on here. NYC is the capital of hustle and bustle. It is always changing, but that ephemerality is the city’s superpower that keeps New Yorkers on their toes and lures them out to play.
The top benefits of living here, according to New Yorkers, are its cultural and restaurants scenes, both of which 92% of respondents described as “Good” or “Amazing.”
From incredible public art displays to major museum exhibitions, there’s always something to head out to. Better yet, it’s pretty affordable to see art, 81% of New Yorkers say in the survey. And the talent and passion within our food scene spills out onto our plates and into our cups, so much so that dining out is a hobby, if not a job, for many of us. We boast some of the best restaurants and bars in the world and best yet, 81% of survey takers called our food scene “diverse” and 72% called it “delicious.” Limited edition foodie pop-ups from international and Michelin-starred chefs add to the excitement.
Add to that our city’s walkability, its nightlife and our neighborhood vibes, and NYC is at the top. These pieces all contribute to why we love it here. In fact, about 84% of survey takers said New York City makes them happy and 83% said they find joy in everyday experiences here.
We’re here to help you feel that NYC-centric joy and take advantage of all it has to offer, so be sure to check out our list of 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists.