Attend New York Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week is back! Its one of the best deals youll find in the city! Running from July 18th- August 21st, yes-longer than a week, youll discover some of the very best dishes in town! The menus and participating restaurants will be revealed on July 6th, so check back at this link to make your reservations!
The Highline In Chelsea
From Hudson Yards, make your way to the Chelsea Highline. This iconic railway turned greenway is one of my all-time favorite places to visit, especially on a nice sunny day!
On either side find murals, greenery, and views of NYC through the Chelsea neighborhood ! The Highline is 1.45 miles and ends at Gansevoort St.
FYI: If the weather is nice, be prepared for lots of other visitors unless you go early in the morning. There are also a lot of cute photo spots on the Highline you can take advantage of.
Insider tip: If youre feeling hungry, you can walk the Highline all the way down to Chelsea Market where you can eat and explore like a local!
Columbus Day And The Columbus Day Parade
On Columbus Day, New Yorkers commemorate the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus. Each year, a grand parade is organized in New York, which runs across Fifth Avenue. 35,000 people including bands, fleets, and Marines take part in this parade, which attracts around a million visitors and another million people in front of the TV in their living rooms.
The parade starts at Fifth Avenue on the corner 44th Street. It heads north up to 72nd Street . Want to get more information? This is our guide about the Columbus Parade in New York.
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Have A Tipple In Williamsburg
Its hipster heaven over in Brooklyns busy Williamsburg district, just ten minutes from Midtown Manhattan via subway. Theres everything from stylish rooftop bars we love the one at the Hoxton hotel for its views of the Manhattan skyline to vintage fashion boutiques, craft breweries and vegan restaurants. Dont miss New Yorks oldest operating whisky distillery, though Kings County does tours and tastings of bourbon and rye from their site in East Williamsburgs Brooklyn Navy Yard, as well as some excellent cocktails.
Go Up To The Top Of The Rock
In our opinion, no trip to New York would be complete without visiting the Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock. This has one of the best views of New York. While I feel that the skyline view itself is better from the Empire State Building, the view of the Empire State Building is breathtaking from the Top of The Rock.
The view from the top of the rock view is the classic New York City view that we all see in the movies. Plus, its cool to visit here because it is home to NBC Studios. In the morning you can stand outside to watch the today show, and if you really want to jump through hoops, you can try to see a Jimmy Fallon taping.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance for the Top of the Rock. It can get really busy during peak seasons.
- Cost: Free with New York Pass or $38 at venue.
- New York Pass also offers free tours of Rockefeller Center Otherwise it is $25 and you must book in advance for both.
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Night Activities Included In Tourist Passes
As we mentioned above in the free things to do section, getting a tourist attraction discount pass can save you considerable money, especially when it comes to night activities.
Be sure to read our post comparing the different tourist discount passes.
All passes include night attractions and activities, though some passes have more than others. In general, tourist passes include at least a few, if not nearly all, of these Top Ten nighttime attractions that stay open daily until at least 9 or 10 pm, if not later.
- Empire State Building
What Should I Wear In New York
Blouses, sweaters, and dresses are all good choices for women, and guys might choose polo-style shirts or button-downs and a sport coat. Youll want lightweight, breathable clothes during the humid summer months, and a warm coat and gloves in the winter. No matter when you visit, an umbrella and some comfortable walking shoes are New York packing essentials.
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Best Of New York City: On A Map
How to Use This Map:Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Where Can I Go To Avoid The Crowds In New York
New York has some of the countrys most famous tourist attractions and they draw some of the biggest crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, skip the citys biggest sites, namely Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Met. If you can, visit during the off-season , and plan to spend time outside Manhattan.
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A Day At The Museum Of A Night At The Museum
Although it was the movie “A Night at the Museum” that brought it to fame, close to Central Park is located for decades one of the museums that most impresses its visitors for the large number of curiosities and objects that can be seen inside: the Museum of Natural History.
Today it is still one of the most important scientific and research centers in the city and its collection houses thousands of fossils, meteorites and minerals that you will not be able to see anywhere else. If you are also visiting New York with children, do not hesitate to make this visit that will leave them speechless.
Watch Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
On July 4th, the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest is back and at the fan favorite- Nathans! This is a great way to spend a little time on the 4th of July, in such an American way! Also, if you havent tried a Nathans hot dog, you are missing out! Head out to their original location in Coney Island for the real deal! This is also televised!
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One World Trade Center Observatory
Over almost a decade of construction between 2006 and 2015, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere took its place on the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site.
One World Trade Center comes from the north skyscraper of the Twin Towers and as of 2019 is the sixth tallest building in the world at 541.3 metres.
The height in feet is 1776, referring to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, and youll rocket up 102 storeys in just 47 seconds.
The Observatory grants a 360° view, which at this end of Manhattan means you can look down on the Upper New York Bay and the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and up to the cluster of Midtown skyscrapers.
Come just before sunset to watch the city lighting up.
This railway viaduct, cutting down the west side of Midtown Manhattan, belongs to the West Side Line but had been effectively abandoned from 1980 until it was turned into an elevated linear park, 1.45 miles long.
Taking cues from the Coulée verte René-Dumont in Paris the High Line opened in 2009 and threads through Chelsea, with occasional views across the Hudson River at the south, and to the towers of the slick new Hudson Yards development in the north.
The gardens were designed by Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf, and have a continuous pebble-dash concrete walkway flanked by beds growing the hardy plant species that sprouted in the gravel on the disused line, like coneflowers, blazing stars and a variety of grasses and trees.
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.
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Visit The 9/11 Memorial And Museum
The Memorial and Museum dedicated to the September 11 terrorist attacks is located on the site where the Twin Towers would be today, also known as Ground Zero. Instead, you’ll find fountains engraved with the names of the victims and a memorial museum telling the story of the attacks and how New York slowly rebuilt itself in the days that followed.
Although visiting the 9/11 Museum exhibit is an emotionally overwhelming experience, I recommend it as it will give you an alternative context to your trip and you will see New York through different eyes after the visit.
Bryant Park Film Festival And Bryant Park Picnic Performances
One of the best things to do in fall in New York is visiting the free Bryant Park Film Festival and picnic performances in Bryant Park. In the heart of Manhattan, people gather in the summer months with blankets and chairs theyve brought themselves to relax at the outdoor movie theater and concerts by the New York Philharmonics.
You can get a seat from 5pm, the films start around 8pm as darkness falls, and the Philharmonic concerts 7pm. You can find out more about the events and the free concerts here with us and on the Bryant Park website.
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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!
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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South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton StNew York, NY 10038 748-8600
This museum was one of the places that took a big hit during Hurricane Sandy. But it reopened and is still a great place to learn all about boats, ships and our maritime history, like details about the five historic ships anchored here.
It also has family-friendly activities like learning how to use a letterpress. When youre done with that, take a tour of the Harbor in an excursion vessel.
Go To A Broadway Show
One of the major Bucket List experiences in New York City is to see a Broadway Show. If you have a show in mind, be sure to make reservations in advance.
If youre on a budget, dont write off Broadway shows. You can actually find tickets for cheap on TodayTix or by following these tips.
Cost: Tickets typically range from $35 to $55 when you get them discounted, but can be upwards of $100 if you pay full price.
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B Classic: Tour The Statue Of Liberty
If you want to get up close and personal with Lady Liberty, you might want to do the tour. You can combine this with Ellis Island too if you wish.
If you choose this option, you definitely want to get the New York CityPASS, as it is one of the included experiences. Avoid the touts, and head to the Statue Cruises terminal .
Cost: $18.50 per adult or free with the NYC CityPASS
Metropolitan Museum Of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1870, and is one of the most famous museums in the United States. The permanent collection of The Met contains more than two million works of art, spanning a period of 5,000 years.
Although the museum has three sites, the centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue. Highlights of the collection include American decorative arts, arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical instruments, photographs, and much more.
Exhibitions bring some of the world’s most famous works to the public. If you are serious about your visit to the Met, consider a VIP: Empty Met Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and see this incredible museum with just 25 people before it opens to the general public in the morning.
The Met Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, is another extremely popular New York museum. This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, housed in an outstanding structure, built around medieval cloisters, chapels, and halls, focuses on the medieval art and architecture of Europe.
Address: 1000 5th Avenue, New York, New York
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Catch An Event At Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is popular with locals and visitors alike. The arena is in the middle of Manhattan and hosts cultural events like sporting competitions and concerts.
Catching an event at Madison Square is the sort of Manhattan attraction that depends entirely on your visiting dates. Unless to plan your visit to coincide with an event that interests you, youll have to rely on luck and have a bit of flexibility and open-mindedness. Still, that is all part of the adventure.
Check the arena schedule online to see what events you could attend while visiting New York. Watching a show, concert, or game at the arena is a bucket-list experience in Manhattan.
Take The Opportunity To Visit Other Cities Such As Washington Or Philadelphia
New York itself is a world apart, but the United States has so much to see that it would be a shame to forget to take a trip to other nearby cities like Washington or Philadelphia from New York. If you take a guided tour to the cradle of this country’s history, you can learn much more about its culture and idiosyncrasies. Especially Washington seemed to me an incredible place, very monumental and with many corners, monuments and landmarks to discover.
In addition, its order, cleanliness and majesty, contrasts with the chaos of the Big Apple, so you will complete your trip by adding this counterpoint that will not leave you indifferent. Best of all, there are several options to, in addition to visiting Washington, discover its surroundings, especially if you make a two-day trip to Washington, so I have compiled the most interesting ones here: Washington Day Trips from New York.
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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.
New York’s Sylvan Beach Offers A Historic Amusement Park And Plenty Of Places To Golf
Located in Sylvan Beach in Oneida County, New York, the Historic Sylvan Beach Amusement Park is filled with classic rides like bumper cars as well as more modern roller coasters. Those who visit can play a variety of arcade and carnival games, too.
While in Sylvan Beach, visitors can also go fishing and kayaking or visit one of the area’s many golf courses.
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