Grab Tickets To The Princess Diana Exhibit Coming To Nyc This Winter
Get ready to experience an exclusive and stunning visual journey through the life of the Princess of Wales at this unique Princess Diana Exhibition coming to NYC. From Photographs by the world famous Royal Photographers, Anwar Hussein and his two sons Zak and Samir, to art installations by the world renowned multimedia artist, Pauline Loctin, this exclusive exhibit will give you an inside look into royal life. Get tickets now.
Walk The High Line And See The Vessel
A fun alternative to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is the High Line, which stretches 1.5 miles from the Meatpacking District through Chelsea. This elevated park and garden trail is an excellent way to explore New York City, and its one of my favorite hangout spots in Manhattan.
7. Walk the High Line and see The Vessel
The walkway sits on former train tracks and travels past several top attractions in NYC, including the Whitney Museum and Chelsea Market. Along the way youll come across The Vessel, an avant-garde beehive structure overlooking Hudson Yards. Ive never seen anything like it, so I recommend checking it out.
A walking tour of the High Line and its public art and gardens is included in the New York Pass, and its a nice thing to do in NYC with family or friends.
Watch A Movie In Bryant Park
Rounding out this list of free things to do in NYC is a summertime favorite. Lay down a blanket and bring some popcorn and candy and settle in for an open-air movie in Bryant Park during the summer. Films include classics like Big, Goodfellas, and The Birdcage, and the program even holds fan votes so people can pick their favorite flicks. Get there early as it gets crowded: the lawn opens at 5 p.m. for blankets and picnicking and the movie starts at sunset.
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Gaze At The Grand Central Terminals Celestial Ceiling
Unlike some of the transportation hubs, Grand Central Terminal isnt a cesspool of filth but one of the most stunning train stations in the world.
Here, you can people watch, grab some banana pudding from Magnolias or coconut creme donuts from Doughnut Plant, and photograph or gaze at the majestic Celestial ceiling. For couples, be sure to stop Whispering Galleries and stand at opposite corners of the concourse and whisper sweet nothings across the hallway.
Also, this beaux-arts style subway station is a famous filming location featured in dozens of movies, such as Friends With Benefits, One Fine Day, I Am Legend, and Men in Black.
During Christmas, come here again as it transforms into a lively holiday market that sells a wide array of handmade goods, such as collectible toys, games, accessories, bath and body items, and more.
The Grand Central Terminals celestial ceiling. Patrick Stargardt/Flickr
Check Out A Free Comedy Show
Laughter is the best medicine, and the only thing better than a comedy show guaranteed to make you laugh is a free comedy show guaranteed to make you laugh. Head to the Knitting Factory Brooklyn in Williamsburg every Sunday night for a free comedy show that will be sure to end your week on a high note.
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Plan A Day In Coney Island
Coney Island is the go-to hangout spot for New York Citys lazy afternoon by the beach. Youll find tourists cozily soaking in the sun and sipping on cheeky Pina Coladas, as children keep themselves busy building sandcastles. In the holiday months, however, things are different. The island gets isolated and rather quiet, although making it a great option to wander off from the citys heaving crowds!
No matter what time of year, you can bank on the island to keep you entertained with one of the best Christmas things to do in NYC.
We also recommend grabbing some beers at Coney Island Brewing Company, indulging in holiday shopping, and experiencing the Christmas Nights of Lights in December 2021.
Tip: If youre looking for a comfortable weekend home this holiday, also check out the best rates on CuddlyNest.
/11 Memorial & Museum
The Foundation Hall, situated next to the One World Trade Center, contains the remains of the surviving wall of the original structure of the World Trade Centre, where visitors can still see inscriptions, memorials, and missing posters from the aftermath in 2001.
Every year after that, from dusk to dawn, on the night of September 11, Tribute in Light, a commemorative public art installation will be presented. During the show, the twin beams from the roof of the Battery Parking Garage south of the 9/11 Memorial will reach up to four miles into the sky, honoring those killed in the tragedy and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of New York.
The Memorial plaza will be open to the public from 3:00 PM on that day to midnight for Tribute in Light, which can also be viewed from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan.
Tribute in Light, 911 Memorial. Kim Carpenter/Flickr
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New York City Helicopter Tour
Source: getyourguide.com
No matter how high the observation deck, you may come away feeling like theres a patch of Manhattan that you wanted to see from above but could not.
There might not be a cityscape more suited to a helicopter tour than New York, so its little wonder that theres an abundance of options with GetYourGuide.com.
To single out one, the New York City Deluxe Helicopter Tour affords the ultimate views of the Hudson River, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, the New York Harbour and USS Intrepid.
Taking off from the heliport at Pier 6, this flight lasts 15-30 minutes but will give you memories to last a lifetime.
Pop By Miracles Annual Holiday Bars With A New Location In Brooklyn
Miracle on 9th Street is opening once again for the holiday season! The popular holiday-themed cocktail pop-up bar reopens for its eighth season, with their staple kitschy holiday décor and festive, well-crafted cocktails. The pop-up originally began at Mace in 2014, but has since grown globally with over 120 locations worldwide! The Cabinet in Manhattan will transform into Miracle on 9th Street & Sippin Santa, Miracles tiki-themed partner at the Boilermaker will both return on! A new Brooklyn location called Miracle on Union will even pop-up this year at Thief bar in Williamsburg on November 23. Find out more here.
Also published on Medium.
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Save Money In New York
Before I start jumping into my personal must-dos in NYC, I want to mention another must-do: SAVING! New York is expensive, nobody would disagree. Did you know you can save up to 50% on admission with a New York Pass? How much you can save depends on what you want to see during your trip. However, if your plan is to cover all the above-mentioned 10 must-dos in New York City, know that it would be wise to buy a Sightseeing Flex Pass.
See it for yourself:
If you want to visit the Empire State Building or take a guided tour to the Statue of Liberty the pass recommendation may change slightly. Your best option is to try out our New York Pass Savings Calculator. Whenever in doubt, just shoot us an email and we can help you figure out the best pass for you.
Madison Square Garden Tour
When you take a tour of Radio City Music Hall, they offer a discount to tour Madison Square Gardens with your ticket. If you have the New York Pass its included. Chances are, you wont be able to catch a game or see a rockin performance at Madison Square Gardens, but we think tours are the next best thing!
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Sightsee At Little Island
You must reserve a free admission timed ticket to access this modernized public pier park, but rest assured that this is a trip that is worth it. This is a renovated version of the pier that used to be used as the main proponent in the shipping and handling of goods coming into the city by boat.
This newly reimagined space now has lush green surroundings with flowers, amphitheaters for events, and even hosts art festivals. You can visit this Little Island for free and have access to most of the events being hosted by the island such as art festivals and outdoor performances at the amphitheater. This is an exciting way to experience a natural outdoor art renovation that is becoming a popular New York City standout.
Overlook The City From Empire State Building
Your journey to New York wont be complete without seeing the stunning skyline from the citys most iconic Art Deco building: the Empire State Building.
Located at 20 West 34th St, New York, the Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM, with the last elevator to the observatory leaving at 1:15 AM.
If you want to avoid long lines and crowds, plan to go very early or very late. Tickets are required for access to both the 86th floor and the 102nd-floor observation deck. You can buy them in the building or online.
Visitors can choose from several different ticket options, from only access to the 86th floor to a premium option that includes a 90-minute private tour. The price starts at $36 for adults, $30 for children and $34 for seniors.
86th Floor vs. 102nd Floor
There are two observatories in the building: the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. The 86th-floor outdoor observatory is often crowded, but it doesnt take too long to get to the edge, where the views are excellent but slightly limited, as you are looking through a wire-mesh fence.
If you want a freer view of the city, you can plop down $33+ per person to go to the 102nd-floor observatory, though the scenery is not so much different from the 86th floor. But you are no longer looking through a fence but ceiling-to-floor windows.
Night & Daytime Views From The Empire State Building
The stunning view of NYC from the Empire State Building.
NYC daytime view from Empire State Building.
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Take A Free Walking Tour
There is so much history to discover in the city, and a walking tour is one of the best ways to see it up close and personal. SANDEMANs NEW Europe offers free 2.5-hour tours of downtown Manhattan, covering some of the most historic sites in the city, including the Charging Bull, Wall Street, and the 9/11 Memorial. While the tours are technically free, they do encourage tips for the guides.
A Quick & Cheap: Staten Island Ferry
If youve got limited time and youre on a budget, the best way to see the Statue of Liberty is by hopping on the Staten Island Ferry. This is free and will bring you quite close to the iconic statue.
Ferries leave every 30 minutes from the South Ferry terminal in Manhattan, and all you have to do is show up! Since its free theres no need to buy tickets.
As the ferry is about to board everyone heads to the exit in one massive crowd.
Insider Tip: If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, you will need to be on the right-hand side of the ferry when you are leaving Manhattan.
Enter the ferry through the left doors which are less crowded and immediately head up to the third floor, then cross over to the right side and snag a spot on the railing. This will help you get ahead of the crowds. As you approach Staten Island, go down to the first floor so you can be at the front of the crowd when getting off the boat.
The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes, and when you dock at Staten Island you will need to get off the vessel, walk around the corner and get back on the same ferry .
Have more time? If you have time to kill, weve heard there are great Sri Lankan restaurants in Staten Island not far from the ferry terminal. Lakruwana and New Asha look good!
Cost: FREE
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Top 10+ Things To Do In Nyc For First Time Visitors
Its no secret why New York is called The City That Never Sleeps. With countless stores, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more, there is no shortage of things to do in New York City. Whether youre visiting with friends, a significant other, your family members, or kids, youre sure to find plenty of fun things to do.
To get you started, here is our list of some of the top things to do in NYC that you really shouldn’t miss during your trip. All of the following are must-see attractions in New York, broken down into a few general categories.
Watch The Sound And Light Show At The Empire State Building
Filled with luminous colors and a shimmery Christmas tree, the Empire State Building is the perfect place to be if you are looking for fun-filled things to do in New York during Christmas! It showcases a series of intricate holiday window displays, and larger-than-life light and music show to keep you entertained to the tee!
You can tune in for Christmas carols and dazzling fairy lights, along with music shows around some of the most legendary American singers!
Make sure to also keep an eye out for a line-up of special exhibitions at the Empire State Building.
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Head To Bank Of America Winter Village At Bryant Park
Winter Village at Bryant Park is a hot favorite for every New Yorker looking for colorful a Christmas tree and vibrant holiday markets. It houses a gigantic ice skating rink thats free of cost if you carry your own pair of skates. It also features an arsenal of pop-up shops and bakeries every holiday season.
However, what Bryant Park is most famous for, is its vibrant dining and drinking scenes along with its festive menu that will spoil you for choice!
See Alexander Hamiltons Harlem Estate
Step back in time at Hamilton Grange, a national memorial featuring the preserved historic home of Alexander Hamilton. It was completed in 1802, and Hamilton lived there for two years before he was fatally wounded in a duel with his rival, Vice President Aaron Burr. While it is free to tour the room where it happens, we suggest getting there early because they limit the number of people who are allowed to walk on the upstairs period-furnished floor at one time.
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Go To Grand Central Station & The Chrysler Building Two Places You Cant Miss In Nyc
For a free way to experience the hustle and bustle of NYC, check out Grand Central Station. This iconic train terminal is over 100 years old and was built in the Beaux-Arts style, which you can see reflected in the Main Concourses celestial-painted ceiling.
Around 100,000 people visit Grand Central per day, some of which are travelers and others that are visiting for the novelty of it. Besides serving as a hub for the citys subway and railway systems, the terminal houses dozens of shops, and restaurants, most notably Grand Central Market. Its also worth visiting Vanderbilt Hall, a lavish 1,100ft² event space.
9. Go to Grand Central Station & the Chrysler Building, two places you cant miss in NYC
Just a short walk from the terminal is the Chrysler Building, one of the most famous places in New York. Towering nearly 1,050 feet high, its one of the citys tallest skyscrapers and an excellent example of the Art Deco style.
You can admire the buildings architecture from several viewpoints, although my favorite is the Tudor City Bridge. If you can, you should visit during Manhattanhenge , when the sun aligns with the city streets grid pattern, creating an iconic photo opportunity.
Relax In The Sand At The Citys Public Beaches
You dont need to go all the way to the Hamptons to find a good beach near the city. Head to Coney Island to combine the beach with a trip to the amusement park or head further down to Brighton Beach where you can also find some great Russian restaurants. Hop on the ferry for the cost of a MetroCard ticket and head to Rockaway Beach where you can combine a day of sand and surf with good food .
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Visit The Brooklyn Museum
This museum offers free admission days to all visitors, usually on the first Saturday of most every month, aside from January and September. The museum has recently expanded their free admissions by now offering this deal on Thursday nights as well. This museum is open for free admission on these days from 6pm to 11pm.
If you want to spend your night admiring paintings and sculptures from multiple different cultures, such as Egyptian and other African art, then this is your perfect option. A hub for cultural art located in Brooklyn, this is a great stop to add if you are planning to museum hop and want to get a taste of the multiple different art mediums associated with these unique cultures.