Take A Spin On The Beast
Hold on to your hats as you blast across New York Bay on the ride of your life. The Beast is a luxury jet boat and a fun thing to do in NYC for adrenaline junkies.
Take in the panoramic sights of midtown and lower Manhattan and bounce along to live music on this watery roller coaster journey. Keep your cameras handy for the Statue of Liberty!
Things To Do In New York City Brooklyn Bridge Walk
As one of New Yorks most iconic works of engineering and design the Brooklyn Bridge has connected lower Manhattan with lower Brooklyn for over a hundred years. We highly recommend you take a walk or a bike ride over the bridge, and stop along the way for some unforgettable views and photos.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous plot a course to leave Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge and return via the Manhattan bridge, which is a bit further up north. If you do so on bike the trip will take no longer than two hours.
While you are in the vicinity you might want to stop and have a pie at Grimaldis, one of the very best places to get delicious NYCs pizza.
Remember There Are Five Boroughs
Are there some Manhattanites who rarely venture across the East River and refer to anything they cannot reach out and grab from the steps of the Bedford Ave. stop as deep Brooklyn? Yes. Are there Brooklynites who believe you will fall off the edge of the Earth if you attempt to cross the East River? Uh huh. But you shouldnt aspire to be like them. No matter how much time you spend in the city, take the time to explore every borough. Go to an all-day dance party at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, eat some of the citys best pizza at Joe & Pats on Staten Island or explore the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Each borough is unique, filled with things to see, do, and eat, and easy to access by subway or ferry.
Don’t Miss: How Much Are The Tolls From Virginia To New York
Holiday Pop Up Lower East Side
Lower East Side bar and lounge The Skinny is now the most extra holiday bar in town. The Naughty or Nice Holiday Pop Up Bar at The Skinny is open to the public through the end of January 2022. The space is decked in floor-to-ceiling over-the-top Christmas decor and boasts interactive games like a Wheel of Misfortune and a calendar full of surprises. Events that might place you on the naughty list include burlesque, Christmas caroling, and karaoke, with live music nightly and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a drag queen Grinch. Holiday bites include a turducken burger, a holiday leftovers sandwich , and a Monte Kris Kringle. On the drinks side, look for a series of “Coping Mechanism” cocktails.
Best Time To Travel To New York
Visiting New York is worthwhile at any time of year, but I personally like the warm months best. Summer in New York can be very hot and humid. So, for many, the best times to visit New York is April and June, and September and October.
Spending Christmas in New York or enjoying the pre-Christmas season in New York City is also a wonderful experience. The ice rinks are open, the city is beautifully decorated, and, if it snows, the dream vacation at wintertime is perfect!
Recommended Reading: Is The New York Pass Worth Buying
Where To Stay In New York City
Theres absolutely no shortage of accommodation in New York City, and the first thing youll need to do when deciding where to stay is to pick a Manhattan neighbourhood to use as a base.
It all depends on your budget and what you want to see when youre in town, and theres plenty of great articles online to help you decide which one suits you.
Most Romantic Things To Do In New York City
Is New York a romantic city? You bet it is.
In fact, wed go as far as saying it probably ranks at number 2 in the world for marriage proposals. After Paris, of course.
The problem with romance or even a proposal in New York City is finding the time to be romantic or propose, theres just so much to do!
We actually saw one marriage proposal in each of Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building and even Times Square in just 3 months living in NYC.
Lets take a look at some of the more romantic things you can do in New York City :
You May Like: Cost To Get Car Registered
Transportation And Getting Around
Get the logistics anxiety out of the way before you head out. These tips are your overview of how to navigate the big city. The only thing else required is a good pair of walking shoes!
6. Three airports serve the New York Metropolitan area, so be sure you are aware of transportation options from each and where it is situated in relation to where youll be staying in advance of arrival.
7. John F. Kennedy International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in all of New York and located in Southern Queens on Long Island. JFK sits 12 to 15 miles from Manhattan and is accessible by subway. If you arrive into JFK during high-traffic times, the subway is the fastest way into the city and the cheapest.
8. LaGuardia Airport is also located in Queens, and is the closest to Manhattan, situated only eight miles to Midtown. La Guardia has been undergoing massive renovations for years so prepare for a mess and construction upon arrival. Despite its proximity to Manhattan, the biggest downfall of flying into LGA is the lack of subway or train access into the city. So your best options from LGA are rideshares, taxis, or a shuttle.
10. The subways and trains are easy to figure out, and mostly intuitive. The Manhattan Transit Authority map doesnt require tons of research beforehand, but its good to know which subway station is nearest to your hotel and map out routes you anticipate using during your trip in advance.
Be Careful About Booking Airbnbs As Many Are Illegal
In most of New York City, its now illegal to advertise or rent an entire apartment for less than 30 days unless the host is present and there are only one or two guests. I would be careful even just renting one room because if the host has rented the other rooms and is not living there it could be illegal too.
Honestly, I wouldnt risk it, I think it is better to spend a little more and get a hotel. You dont want to find out last minute that you cant stay where you were planning on staying or even worse have to move out of your vacation rental. NYC is one case where hotels are a better option than vacation rentals.
View of One World Trade from the water.
Read Also: Wax Museum Parking
How To Save The Most Money In New York City
We used the New York Pass to see all the top New York City Attractions. A three-day pass cost $199 USD. It pretty much gives you access to all of the top things to do in New York, including tours.
It also includes the hop on hop off bus if you want to get a lay of the land and see the city, plus you can catch it from one area to another at no extra cost. However, we found the subway to be faster.
But if you are not used to using city metros, the tourist bus is the best option.
We liked having the New York Pass because we went into places that we otherwise wouldnt have checked out. And they ended up being great experiences.
- The app helps you:
- offers discounts to shows, tours, and dining experiences
- and is updated daily with new ideas and hot deals
We found it to be worth the money for what we did. But make sure you are actually going to do a lot in New York City because you could buy it and not end up using $199 worth of experiences.
If you are only planning on seeing one or two sites, we suggest purchasing tickets one at a time. Or looking into just a one day pass. Buy Your New York Pass Here
Guaranteed Dos And Donts For Visiting Nyc Like A Pro
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Globetrotting Teacher has also partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Globetrotting Teacher and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Please read my Disclosure to learn more.
Living in New York City was always one of my dreams. As a young girl, I was fascinated with Broadway, the bright lights, and the endless number of things to do in NYC.
As a first-timer in NYC, I had no idea what I was doing! On my first full day living in New York, my aunt tried to help me get my bearings. We walked around, and in between getting jostled by the people racing to where ever they were going, I got every single one of the questions on her New York City quiz wrong.
Now, having just celebrated my 20th year living in New York City, theres no denying my status as a New Yorker! Im also a traveler, who knows that local tips cant be beat when youre exploring a new place, so I wanted to pass on some tried and true local tips for your next visit to New York City.
Also Check: Va Toll Calculator
Take Advantage Of Free Seasonal Events
Its New York City so there is always something going on! You will find lots of great outdoor free events in the summer. There are plenty of free events at different times of the year. Some of the other things I look forward to are the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Easter Bonnet Parade, Chinese New Year, and the St. Patricks Day Parade.
Of course, there is also watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Years Eve. I did do that once when it was not too cold and Im not sure I would do it again. Especially if it is cold, I wouldnt recommend doing it. You just have to wait outside for a long time. Dont plan on going to one of the nearby restaurants to watch the ball drop, they will all have outrageous cover charges.
Food To Taste In New York City
There are hundreds of insanely high quality eateries in NYC and no way we can even come close to doing the food scene justice after only 3 months living in the city.
In this foods to try in New York City section, we will list the tourist favorites and give you a handful of highly rated options to try out.
Also Check: Nys Car Registration Cost
Other Options For Your Itinerary
Theres a lot of things to see and do in NYC. You will literally never run out of things to do here. Its impossible. Some other options to add in if youre not into museums or walking around as much:
1. See a TV Show NYC is home to tons of TV shows that film here regularly. TV shows like Saturday Night Live, The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon all offer free tickets to their tapings. Tickets need to be reserved long in advance so youll need to plan ahead.
2. Explore the Bronx Zoo Opened in 1899, the zoo spans almost 300 acres and sees over 2 million visitors each year. Home to over 650 different species, its a great place to visit with kids. Gorillas, birds of prey, bison there is a huge assortment of animals here and youll definitely learn a lot during your visit!
3. See a Yankees/Mets/Rangers/Knicks Game Like sports? NYC has some world-class sports teams. Im not a big sports fan , but games are fun when you have friends to share the experience with. If you have a chance and the desire, dont miss a sporting event, because New Yorkers are serious about their local teams!
4. Take a Food Tour NYC is a foodie city and there are tons of amazing tours that can introduce you to the best food the city has to offer. Here are a few tours worth checking out if you want to eat your way around the Big Apple:
Catch A Broadway Show
Hamilton. The Lion King. Wicked. Phantom of the Opera. And so much much more. From Broadway all the way to Off Off Broadway, New York City has an unmatched theater scene.
Whether you have an urge to see a pop culture phenomenon in a massive theater or an independent production on a tiny stage, there is something for all theater lovers in NYC.
Enjoy the show!
Don’t Miss: Cheapest Way To Go To New York
Its Almost Always A Good Time To Visit
Every season brings different NYC challenges and things to consider, so depending on the season, keep the following in mind:
18. When it rains, it stinks theres really no way around it. Its also near impossible to hail a cab during a downpour, so head underground to the subway or pop into a store if an unexpected rain shower hits.
19. There isnt air conditioning in most subway stations, but the trains themselves are both heated and cooled.
20. As the temperature rises, New York tends to have a smell problem. A peak summer visit will involve its fair share of unpleasant aromas. Chalk it up to being part of the citys charm.
21. Locals head out of the city during most summer holidays, so the 4th of July and Memorial Day are great opportunities to avoid large crowds.
22. Wintertime and the Christmas season are particularly magical in the city. If traveling during winter and a snowstorm hits, the MTA is very responsive, so the city rarely shuts down during snowfall.
Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock
Visit A Broadway Show
New York is known for its many musicals and Broadway shows most of which are performed in the Theatre District around Times Square. Here are our tips on the best Broadway Shows in New York. If you already know which Broadway show you want to see, I recommend ordering the tickets in advance . If youre still flexible, you can buy leftover tickets at TKTS in Times Square, for example.
Don’t Miss: Nyc Wax Museum
What’s New New York: The Vessel
Even if it’s not your first time in the city, this area will be a complete stranger to you: after being a semi-abandoned industrial area for decades, Hudson Yards has emerged in Midtown Manhattan over the past few years to accommodate shopping centers and luxury housing. And much of the limelight in this futuristic new area of Manhattan goes to The Vessel .
Halfway between architectural jewel and tourist attraction or viewpoint, this building stands out for its external appearance but also for the optical games and the views it offers to those who visit it. I encourage you to enter, climb its four flights of stairs and draw your own conclusions.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Tree Lighting Courtesy of Diane Bondareff AP Images for Tishman Speyer.
The towering tree in Rockefeller Center is an international symbol of the holiday spirit. This years tree lighting ceremony has taken place, and the tree will be kept lit daily from 6am to midnight. This years version is a 79-foot, 12-ton Norway Spruce donated by a Maryland family. It will be wrapped in 50,000 multicolored, energy-efficient LED lights and crowned with a Swarovski crystal star. Of course, the tree is just the beginning of things to do in Rockefeller Center. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is one of the worlds most famous patches of ice and this year marks its 85th anniversary. Skating runs 9am to midnight daily. Nearby youll find the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and one of New Yorks most breathtaking views. Three floors of indoor and outdoor decks offer sweeping, unobstructed, open-air perspectives on the city. You can enjoy this famous view day or night, taking in a stylish art deco vibe as you go. Youll also find world-class shopping, great bites, and famous art and architecture.
Recommended Reading: Wax Museum In Times Square
Visit The Museum Of The Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image is a media museum located in Astoria, Queens in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios. It houses a comprehensive collection dedicated to educating the public about the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media.
If this list is not enough, there are other hundreds of activities to do in NYC!
Enjoy the best of NYC!
If you are interested in visiting unusual places outside the city, check out our list of 29 best day trips from New York City.
Dont hesitate to leave a comment below if you have other unusual things to do in NYC. Share the fun!
What To Do In Nyc
Every passing day there’s more to dosafelyin the city. Stay in the loop with:
- The weeks best activities delivered to your email box with our free newsletter
- , which has real-time tips and advice from New York City experts
- The city’s latest openings and happenings on City Guide’s
- Activities geared to parents and families on our sister site nymetroparents.com
Don’t Miss: Open An Llc In Ny