Best Food In New York City
New York City is a mecca for food, and you can find just about anything imaginable in this metropolis. From food truck eats to fine dining, there are excellent options for every budget.
With so many fantastic options in New York City it would be a shame to wind up eating a meal thats just meh So were here to help you navigate the New York City food scene.
Were explaining where to find some of NYCs staple eats, like bagels and pizza, as well as some super fun foodie experiences in the Big Apple.
Good to know: If you are celiac, weve got good news: New York City has tons of options for you. Check out this Gluten-Free guide to NYC.
Ice Cream At Ample Hills Creamery
There is always room for ice cream. This is my life motto and I stick by it, especially when there are as many ice cream options as there are in New York City.
Before our trip, we got messages from several readers with recommendations for NYC, and one place we kept seeing over and over again was Ample Hills Creamery.
There are a few locations around the city one being conveniently located right next to one of the entrances to the High Line. And let me tell you, it was every bit as delicious as people told us. So good, in fact, that we returned the next day and ordered the same exact flavors. A big thanks to Carmela from No Wrong Turns for the awesome recommendation.
Flavor Tip: Sample em all, and order whichever you like best. But if you want a recommendation, our very favorite was Ooey Gooey Butter Cookie. It was DIVINE. Like, Im drooling as I type. And we loved it paired with Oatmeal Lace Cookie. But honestly, I dont think you can go wrong here.
Cost: $4.35 for a single | $5.75 for a double
Have A Picnic At New York Botanical Garden
Despite the neighbouring Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden feels like another world entirely. With over a million plants on 250 acres, this enchanting living museum is home to lush tropical rainforests, cactus-dotted deserts and revolving partnerships with some of the most famous artists in the world. Whether its a picnic under the 200 cherry blossom trees that flower in springtime, the annual Holiday Train Show where NYC landmarks are recreated from natural materials or a turn around the Haupt Conservatory, a day spent here is always a good idea.
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Best Things To Do In New York City: Our Recommendations
Top 10 Experiences
Here are the top 10 experiences if it is your first time in New York City:
- Empire State Building
- Visit an Art Museum
- 9/11 Museum and Memorial
- Stroll along 5th Avenue and see the sites in Midtown Manhattan
- Visit at least one of Manhattans neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, Chelsea, etc.
- Visit another observation deck
National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame
Set right across the street from the Saratoga Race Course, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is a true celebration of the sport of thoroughbred racing. The museum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts that trace the history of racing from the 18th century to the present day highlights include trophies from the United States and abroad, a collection of more than 300 paintings, and old racing-themed board games. Visitors can also try out an interactive horse riding simulator and learn about some of the biggest names in the sport over at the Hall of Fame.
191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, Phone: 518-584-0400
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Tenement Museum A Fascinating Educational Place To Visit In New York
Reading Tom
- Fascinating insights into life as an immigrant
- Once housed around 15,000 people from around the world
- Aims to promote tolerance
- Brings history to life
Why its awesome: The Tenement Museum is spread over two large former housing tenements. The apartments were still used as living quarters up to the year 2011. They were first used as accommodation in 1863 around 15,000 people once lived in the buildings, with occupants from various parts of the globe. Today its a museum. There are restored homes and shops, complete with historic items and archives. The museum shows how immigrants to New York lived and seeks to promote tolerance and understanding. For me, this is one of the great places to go in New York for a real sense of the cities history.
What to do there: Take a tour of the Tenement Museum, looking into restored apartments and shops, to gain greater understanding of immigration in the wider citywide and nationwide perspective. Hear real-life stories about people who once lived in the buildings, learning about the dreams of immigrants, the challenges they faced, and how they helped contribute towards making America what it is today.
See the wide collection of artefacts to really help bring the past to life, with clothes, household items, toiletries, documents, furnishings, and more, and feel a sense of connection and empathy as you look at the large collection of photographs of people from times gone by.
Stroll Around Central Park
More than 800 acres of gardens, forests and meadows isnt exactly what youd expect to find in one of the worlds busiest metropolises. Central Park, though, is integral to New York its woven into the fabric of the city so tightly that you dont even notice where its four crosstown thoroughfares intersect. When you step into the public park at Columbus Circle, you realise why its beloved with Strawberry Fields , an ice-skating rink, a lake, an art gallery, a whole castle and more, theres a lot to bond over. Just be sure to take a map.
The Top of the Rock observation deck
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Flatiron Building A Great Place To See In New York If You Love Architecture
- National Historic Landmark
- Featured in many movies, TV shows, and books
- Iconic symbol of New York
- Unusual design
Why its awesome: The 22-level Flatiron Building, located in Manhattan, dates back to the early 1900s. Designed in a wedge shape it takes its name from the fact that it looks like an old-fashioned clothes iron. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building features Beaux-Arts designs with elements from Greek and Renaissance architecture. Home to many offices, the inside spaces also have unusual designs, with angular walls and great views towards the Empire State Building.
The signature building has been used in various TV shows and films over the years, including Godzilla, Spider Man, and Friends. Fun fact: the original elevators in the Flatiron Building were powered by water!
What to do there: Often said to be among the most photographed buildings in the world, one of the main things for tourists to do at the Flatiron Building is to snap plenty of pictures of the buildings unusual form. Enter the grand lobby and admire the interiors. Although visitors arent allowed into other parts of the building the nearby area has plenty to keep you busy after youve taken lots of photos.
Catskill Fly Fishing Center And Museum
Located on a beautiful 35-acre property beside Willowemoc Creek in the Catskill mountain range, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum was established to preserve the history of fly fishing and to share important knowledge with future generations of anglers. The museum portion of the center offers a variety of interesting exhibits detailing the heritage of the sport over the years, while the education center is the perfect place to learn about fly tying, casting, and other aspects of fly fishing. The center is open throughout the year, but hours vary according to the season.
1031 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor, NY 12758, Phone: 845-439-4810
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Things To See In New York: National Baseball Hall Of Fame And Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has been operating in a red brick building on Main Street in Cooperstown, New York since 1939. Designed to honor excellence on and off the baseball field, the museum is a widely renowned and popular tourist destination, as well as home to the worlds leading scholars on the sport, who work out of the museums library and research facility.
The museum focuses on hall of fame inductees, and self-guided tours take visitors through audio, video, interactive, and computerized displays throughout its three floors of baseball artifacts. There are special exhibits on Babe Ruth, African Americans in baseball, baseball scouting, and women in baseball. Specialty behind the scenes or customized tours may be arranged, and the museum has a gift shop.
25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Phone: 607-547-7200
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Best Places To Visit In Upstate New York + Hidden Gems
When it comes to New York State, many only think of New York City: an immense urban metropolis. However, the vast State of New York also expands into flowing hills, roaring rivers, breathtaking mountains, cute towns, and rushing waterfalls. Beneath all its natural beauty also lies important facets of history, tied deeply to the land and its people. Want to experience this for yourself? Here are 31 of the uniquely best places to visit upstate New York.
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Get Creative In The Catskills
The mountainous Catskills region is one of the most picturesque places to visit in New York, hands down. The entire area, from Woodstock to Hunter and beyond, is full of adventurous things to do, from challenging hikes with amazing vistas to horseback riding through the Northern Catskills to the longest zipline in North America, found at New York Zipline Adventures.
Dig into a cheesy bowl of French onion soup or munch on local fromage before browsing for antiques at Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café, a mainstay in the village of Tannersville since 1971. Dont forget to try some of their old-school candies.
With some truly special accommodations throughout the area, ranging from eclectic to group-friendly, there are plenty of properties to match your needs. If youre traveling with a group of friends or family members, Glasco Woodstock is absolutely perfect. It sleeps 16 and has plenty of room in the house and on the grounds, plus its own jacuzzi.
Scribner’s Catskill Lodge is the pick for a romantic overnight. Theres an incredible restaurant onsite called Prospect, serving an excellent ricotta toast drizzled with spicy honey. From Scribners, youre right down the street from Hunter Mountain Brewery, where there’s a selection of craft beer and an amazing lime-mint hard seltzer.
Experience An Immersive Circus
This immersive theatrical experience features circus-themed acts and involves all your five senses as it takes you on an astrological journey. Moonrise depicts the story of Goddess Salome through acrobatics, music, dance, scents, art installations and more.
You can also learn about your moon goddess and try different goddess-based cocktails.
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Day : Top Of The Rock Central Park A Musical
In New York, there are 3 famous observatories where you can enjoy this great city from above:
- Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center
- Empire State
- One World Observatory.
If you want to climb one of the citys observatories, visit the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. From here, you have the best views of the city. Youll see Central Park and the Empire State Building, among others.
*Note: it is recommended to visit these observatories late in the afternoon, one hour before dark, to enjoy the day and night views of New York.
Central Park
In the afternoon, enjoy Central Park. If you go during the winter, you can skate on its famous skating rinks.
Throughout the year, there are hundreds of tours: movies, TV series, bike rides, walking, and skating. Definitely a must-see in New York City.
Musical at Broadway
In the afternoon/ evening, enjoy a musical on Broadway. We went to see The Lion King, but there are many other options.
Read our experience in the Lion King musical.
Try An Alternative Christmas Atmosphere At Santas Secrets
Do you wonder what keeps Santa Claus busy when hes out of the public eye? Hes running a secret vintage nightclub at Hudson Yards!
Discover Santas secret in a captivating experience this Christmas season with cocktails and variety shows filled with sensational performances, including ballets and burlesque. Before making it to his secret speakeasy, youll wander through a wonderland and encounter the gingerbread girls, lumberjacks and ice queens.
Youll see not only six immersive installations and multidisciplinary interactive shows, but also a live band with New Yorks Inyang Bassey. This two-hour holiday experience runs from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2.
Ready for a spooky night? Go behind the scenes at the Basilica of St. Patricks Old Cathedral. Get access to the off-limits and hidden areas of the Basilica grounds, and step into the only active catacombs in New York City.
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The Top Of The Rock Observatory
The Top of the Rock Observatory can be found in one of the iconic hubs of The Big Apple, Rockefeller Plaza. This observation center is located at the top of Rockefeller Center, an extensive complex of 19 different buildings located between 48th and 51st Streets in Midtown.
The Rockefeller Center itself is an important sight to see in the city, but those who arrange a trip to the top of the observatory enjoy a panoramic view that includes noteworthy NYC skyscrapers like the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building and more.
For more info, check out our guide to visiting the Top of the Rock Observatory. Don’t have time to see both, but can’t decide which to focus on? Our post comparing the Top of the Rock vs the Empire State Building could be helpful.
Visit Adirondack Experience The Museum On Blue Mountain Lake
Kim Knox Beckius
The 6 million-acre Adirondack Park is the largest protected area in the United States. Historic and wildly scenic, this one-of-a-kind land of high peaks and dense forests has infinite stories, and there’s no better place to become acquainted with them than Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake . This 121-acre complex has 23 buildings, and you can spend an entire day discovering what makes this New York region remarkable.
The museum’s focus is on the people whose lives have been entwined with this vast wilderness. Learn about logging and furniture making, watch artisans at work, see the raincoat Teddy Roosevelt wore the night he rode through the Adirondack darkness to become president of the United States and wander among beautifully crafted boats: The museum has the nation’s largest inland collection of watercraft. In 2017, in celebration of its 60th anniversary, the museum debuted the immersive, 19,000-square-foot Life in the Adirondacks exhibition.
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Day : Contrast Tour Visit The Neighborhood Of Nyc
On the second day, take the contrast tour or the neighborhood tour. It is one of the most recommended excursions, where you visit the different neighborhoods of New York City you can do it on your own or hire it.
The tour lasts approximately 4 or 5 hours with a guide.
If you are traveling in the high season, you must book the tour in advance. Here, you can do it with Civitatis, with a professional guide.
What is the Contrasts Tour?
With the Contrast tour, youll visit the city bridges, the Harlem neighborhood, Brown Stone Houses, The Apollo Theater, The Yankee Stadium, and the Graffiti Zone in the Bronx.
The Apache District, the police station, the South Bronx, the Mansions of Queens, US OPEN Stadium, Flushing Park, the Jewish Quarter, the River Café, etc.
We hired the private Contrasts tour on our second trip to New York, as we were 4 people, and we were quite aware.
The guide was lovely, we took a thousand pictures of ourselves, and then we asked him to drop us off on the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side.
We arrived at around 14 hours and had already booked to eat at River café, it is a bit expensive, and you have to go well dressed, but it is worth it, it also has great views of Manhattan and has excellent service.
Then, to burn off the food, we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge walking. After that, you can follow your journey in the Soho area and do your first shopping.