National Museum Of The American Indian
Eye-opening, educational, and providing an alternative cultural activity from the plethora of art museums around the city, the Smithsonian-affiliated National Museum of the American Indian is a fantastic place to learn about the indigenous people from all over North, South, and Central America.
Located on the first two floors of the gorgeous Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House , this insightful museum details how, among others, Native Americans have lived for thousands of years through in-depth exhibitions, as well as film screenings and live performances throughout the year including traditional dance shows.
Its free to enter and open every day of the week, making it one of the best tourist attractions in New York City for those looking for something a little different.
Visit Winnie The Pooh
Yes, you read that correctly, its THE Winnie the Pooh.
Thats right, he no longer resides in the Hundred-Acres-Woods. He and his friends moved stateside to the New York Public Library in the late 80s.
These stuffed animals belonged to the real Christopher Robin back in London.
While writing the stories we love today, his father took inspiration from these childhood toys.
Locals Tip: While youre there, make sure to tour the whole library.
Its gorgeous, plus they have other interesting items on display like the first published copy of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Theres even a handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson.
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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Garden State Discovery Museum
Garden State Discovery Museum
One of South Jerseys greatest tourist attractions for small children, the Garden State Discovery Museum is one of many wonderful places to visit in New Jersey.
With dozens of interactive galleries, exhibitions, and activities for children ages infant through 10 years old, your children will have a blast at Garden State Discovery Museum.
Some favorite attractions include a Dinosaurium, mini-model pro ice skating rink, an interactive news and weather station, digger land, an interactive veterinarian clinic, a mock diner, an auto body shop, and so much more.
Each of these interactive exhibitions included pint-size, realistic props perfect for your little ones.
Additionally, there are many amenities available at Garden State Discovery Museum, including a nursing area, family restrooms, a coat room, a snack area, and a restaurant.
Garden State Discovery Museum is a great place to visit with children during your stay in New Jersey.
Address: 2040 Springdale Rd #100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, United States
Eat Like A New Yorker
What else is a must-do in New York City? Eating like a real New Yorker! New York is not only famous for its international cuisine but also for certain foods. NYC prides itself on having the best bagels, pizza, cheesecake, pastrami, Italian ice and well, basically everything. A fun way to explore New Yorks food scene is by taking a food tour. Pizza tours are the most popular ones.
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Charging Bull And Wall Street
The Charging Bull is another significant monument in the city, located down in the financial district. Its been on the bowling green since 1989 and it was to represent the strength of the American people during the 1987 recession. While youre down there you could have a wander along Wall Street and the financial district to experience the centre of US banking in operation.
How The New York Citypass Works:
They have made it easy for you to purchase the CityPASS online and then you get a QR code either on your phone or printed on paper.
When you go to any of these attractions you will scan your code at a special kiosk or ticket booth. Once you scan, youll received an official ticket and you are good to go.
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Monmouth Park Race Track
Benjamin F. Haith / Shutterstock
Monmouth Park Race Track, centrally located alongside New Jerseys Garden State Parkway, is a super fun way to spend the day watching and betting on horse races.
Whether you prefer the sheer majesty of watching the races or the thrill of betting on the horses, youre sure to have a grand time at the track.
Conveniently, the track is open seven days a week for horse betting and simulcasting.
Additionally, theres a delectable sports bar and kitchen for snacks and libations.
And the tracks Blu Grotto Restaurant offers a fine dining menu for a more upscale experience if thats what youre into.
Moreover, there are tons of family activities, special events, and festivals that go on throughout the year.
Their family-fun days feature pony rides, face painting, a mini-golf course, and even a bounce house.
Finally, the park offers premier seating or picnic seating.
We love the picnic seating you can pack coolers with snacks, lunch, and drinks, making a full day out of your trip to the Monmouth Park Race Track.
Address: 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757, United States
Disconnect From The Tourist Life On A Hudson River Cruise
Cruising the waters of the Hudson will give you a break from long walks as you take in the views of the Manhattan skyline, cross the Brooklyn Bridge below and get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty.
Best of all, there are tours and itineraries to suit all budgets and even cruises on the Hudson for kids. Try it out and even if it’s cold, wrap up warm and get out on deck to take the best photos. Here is an article I wrote about Best Manhattan Cruises with my favourite options, but I’ll tell you right now, a dinner cruise on the Hudson could be the most amazing experience of your trip.
If you want more details you have an article about the best time to take a Hudson River cruise, another one about how much do Hudson River cruises cost and this last one about tips to enjoy a cruise in Manhattan.
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Climb The Top Of The Rock
And while you’re there, how can you not go up to one of the most popular observatories in the city? Don’t miss the New York skyline and the views from the Top of the Rock, at the top of Rockefeller Center, including the night views… Here are the details for you to organise your climb: NYC Top of the Rock Tickets and for you to decide whether it’s better for you to climb the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. However, bear in mind that you ‘ll find plenty of places to eat at Rockefeller Center, so it can be a recommendable visit even if you don’t go up to the observation deck.
Visit The Times Square Church Or St Patricks Cathedral
If you are interested in religion, or you just enjoy the majesty of Gothic architecture then you should take the time to visit one of the well-known churches in Times Square. Times Square Church has regular services which are posted on their website and are free to attend to anyone who wishes to see a sermon, choir, or join a community prayer.
St. Patricks Cathedral is another unique feature of New York City, and it is less than a mile from Times Square, so if you would like to see this architectural masterpiece then you can visit for free! This classical Catholic church also hosts mass and other religious services for its attendees and members. These are wonderful options to visit for free if you want to experience the local religious communities and beautiful structures.
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Glamp On Governors Island
I cant imagine roughing it camping in a tent. Thank god for Glamping!
At Governors Island Collective Retreats you can bond with nature, without leaving the necessary luxuries of civilization behind.
They have three different levels of glamping on the island, and all come with complimentary breakfast plus free meditation and yoga classes.
Oh, and did I mention they have free live music on weekends?
Americanize At A Football Or Baseball Game
If there’s one thing that will make you feel truly at the heart of the United States, it’s enjoying its most popular sports. While in New York you’ll have the chance to see the legendary New York Yankees at a baseball game, which for me was a real experience .
If you don’t travel to New York during the MLB season, you can always take a tour of the stadium or visit the surrounding area. After all, it is a mythical place that sets the cultural, sporting and leisure agenda for New Yorkers. Here is an article to help you discover how to visit Yankee Stadium.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to watch an NFL game, the New York Giants play at MetLife Stadium and watching them live is quite a spectacle.
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See The Morgan Library
Okay, so the Morgan Library was somewhere we only just discovered on our last trip to New York. I honestly cant believe we hadnt been before.
Perched in Midtown, relatively close to the Top Of The Rock, its a great place to see one of the most incredible libraries in all of New York.
Tickets are relatively cheap and you can easily spend an hour wandering around the rooms and learning more all about this grand library. Its stunning.
Visit The Empire State Building
Probably one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, seeing the Empire State Building is pretty hard to miss.
You see, the Empire State Building actually dominates Midtown and is easy to visit.
If you fancy, head to the top of the Empire State Building which has some great views across the city. Just like the Top of the Rock, its a perfect place to see the city from above.
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The Tour Of Contrasts
New York is undoubtedly a city where the contrasts are so rapid that it’s hard to keep up with them. The Contrasts Tour takes you to four very different parts of the city: Queens, Harlem, Bronx and Brooklyn.
You’ll get to see the industrial part of the city, the Jewish quarter, the historic streets of Harlem, iconic buildings and in just one day you’ll have toured the city and really get to know it like a local.
Turnstile Tours Food Tour
This company is one of the few companies to offer a Food Tour of Midtown Manhattan.
With so many people working in the area, lunchtime is crazy with people scrambling for the best food at the lowest prices and the shortest waits.
That’s where street food comes in. It’s quick, cheap and tasty. This 2-hour guided tour takes you to 6 of the best street food vendors.
When: Fridays at 2 pm Price: $54 per person . Book your tour here.
Reviews: This tour is rated as “Excellent” on TripAdvisor with comments about the guides being amazing and the food even better. Comments reveal the customers a high level of satisfaction: “Extremely informative and delicious” “can not say enough of what a great time we had”.
Guides were “extremely personable and welcoming” and “definitely recommended if you’re in Manhattan and looking for something different to do.” There were no negative comments for this tour.
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The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon
We REALLY wanted to see Jimmy, but it is a bit tricky.
If youre planning your visit to NYC well in advance, set an alarm for first day of the month youll be visiting. This is when they open up tickets, and they go fast.
If you, like us, miss out on the tickets, dont worry: you still have a chance to see Americas favorite host. But youll need patience and time.
Heres how to get standby tickets to the Tonight Show:
Got to the south side of Rockefeller on West 49th Street and get in line. We saw people lined up as early as 6:30 a.m., but when we got in line around 8:45 a.m. we still got standby tickets. We were instructed to return at 3:15 p.m. to find out if they would have room for us. Then, the recording would start at 5:00 p.m.
All said and done, getting standby tickets requires a big chunk of your day, and we just didnt have the patience to stick in that area for the chance to maybe be able to get in. But it could work well for some peoples schedules.
Soho Little Italy Chinatown Walking Tour
Of course, you can stay a lot longer if you want to have lunch or dinner here. Little Italy has seemingly endless options for pasta, pizza, and pastries plus a few annual celebrations that really bring the neighborhood to life.
Coming from the Italian flavors of Mulberry Street, youll cross over Canal Street, the heart of Chinatown. Chinatown is like a city within a city. Chinese food, shopping, medicine, decor youll find it all here.
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Get Economical With Sightseeing
If its your first time to New York, or youre planning to hit the tourist trail, wed recommend a New York Pass from NYC & Co. It costs $134 for the most comprehensive option, and you can download the app on your phone and scan your pass at over 100 of the citys top attractions including the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and the 9/11 memorial with all entry fees built into the cost of your pass. Youll also get access to some of the citys best museums, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Met and the Guggenheim.
Nickelodeon Universe American Dream
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This television network-themed indoor amusement park situated amidst the bustling American Dream Mall in New Jersey is jam-packed with fun and activities for all ages.
With thrill rides, family rides, and even rides for tots, and all indoors, theres no wrong time to visit Nickelodeon Universe.
One of the parks coolest features is an indoor lift and mountain for year-round skiing or snowboarding.
Other park attractions include an indoor water park, mirror mazes, blacklight mini-golf, a skating rink, an aquarium, and an official Legoland.
This place has it all in one central location.
Open year-round and rain or shine, New Jerseys Nickelodeon Universe is a fun attraction to visit no matter when youre in the Garden State.
Beyond the parks amusements, Nickelodeon Universe is smack dab in the middle of the states largest shopping mall, American Dream.
So once youve had your share of amusements, plan to spend some time shopping at the hundreds of luxury and inclusive stores, kiosks, restaurants, and snack stands.
Address: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, United States
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New York Public Library
Like so many of the entries on this list the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the main branch of the New York Public Library, is a landmark that youll recognise in an instant.
This is a holdover from the first age of philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century, and belongs to the second largest public library system in the country, and the third largest in the world.
The marble Beaux-Arts facade in Midtown on Fifth Avenue has pairs of Corinthian columns, topped by a frieze and giving way to barrel vaults.
Flanking the steps theres a pair of lions, which are an emblem for the whole library system.
This monument holds world-renowned collections in the humanities, fine arts and social sciences, and schedules free guided tours Monday to Saturday at 11:00 and 14:00. Also visit for a special exhibition for example, in spring 2019 there was a display exploring some of the inspirations for Walt Whitmans work, and a show to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which helped pave the way for the gay liberation movement.
Best Things To Do In New York City
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New York is so big and so diverse a place that you could live here four lifetimes and not experience all the amazing things the city has to offer. Even figuring out where to start your NYC trip is a daunting task. But we want to help you cut down the impossibly long list of ways to spend your day. Whether you’re a local realizing you’ve yet to fully explore the city’s parks and history, or an out-of-towner who doesn’t know the Met from the MoMA, these quintessential stops will help you catch a glimpse of the city’s beating heart.
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How Much Money Does The Citypass Save You
The total cost to enter all of these attraction separately would cost $215.45, but the New York CityPASS is just $132. Thats a 41% savings!
Thinking you only want to go to a few of these sites? There is a New York C3 PASS that allows you to choose 3 of these attractions for $83 a 25% savings!
The other perk of the CityPASS is you wont have to wait in the ticket line at most of the attractions. We got to skip the ticketing line at most places which was pretty convenient.
Book your New York CityPASS and get ready to see some of NYCs top sights!
*Weve denoted some of the attractions that are part of the CityPASS with an asterisk so you can see if it makes sense for you to purchase the pass. Prices are from March 2019.