No5 Go On An Adventure At The Escape Game
Escape rooms have popped up all over the city but none are as immersive or have better gameplay than The Escape Game. Start out by picking one of their five adventures. You can stop an art thief in The Heist, travel to the wild west in Gold Rush, pass your class before summer break in Playground, go on a secret mission in Special Ops: Mysterious Market, or escape from jail in Prison Break.
This is one of the best things to do in Midtown Manhattan and youll completely forget youre in the city! The Escape Games adventures are built from the ground up by a team of craftsmen, engineers, and game designers so youll be completely carried away by the story and environments.
Hang With Farm Animals At The Queens County Farm Museum
Find cows, sheep, pigs, and more at the Queens County Farm Museum, which dates back to 1697 and is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. Spread out on 47 acres, the museum is free to enter , and it allows people to learn all about what the area was like before a bustling city sprung up around it.
A Nearly Flawless Diamond
Be among the first members of the public to see Okavango Blue, a rare and nearly flawless 20-carat blue diamond. The centerpiece of a new display of diamonds from Botswana, it’s now on view in the revamped Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History. You can learn more about the region and the science behind diamonds. Or you can just go be dazzled.
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Winter Markets Are Still Open In February Visit The Winter Market In Bryant Park
Starting in October , it is time once again for the best winter market in New York City to open its doors. The Winter Village in Bryant Park is not only the largest winter market in the city but also by far the nicest on account of its adjacent ice rink and places to shop and eat. This along with its amazing location among all the skyscrapers makes for an amazing winter experience.
A Locals Pocket Guide To New York City
Alex is a writer with deep family roots in NYC. Having grown up just outside the city, he became familiar with all of the food and culture the city has to offer, including the outer boroughs. His favorite pizza slice is the square from L& B Spumoni Gardens.
get oriented. There are a lot of visible landmarks in New York that will help you explore by foot without a map.
begins with brunch followed by a trip to one of New Yorks amazing museums. Saturday nights in New York are more bustling than usual, so make sure youre rested before heading out for evening festivities.
Central Park truly is a thing of beauty. Walk around in the middle, and youd be stunned to find out youre still in one of the busiest cities in the world.
get lost. Start walking. No map. Let all the things in between shine through. Youll find your way back when youre ready.
you cant beat the view from the top of the Empire State Building, but the Manhattan Bridge offers a pretty spectacular view from the other side.
New York City is much more than Manhattan and Williamsburg. Head north to discover the Bronx, or even east into Queens, which is one of the most diverse areas in the world.
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The Paley Center Reopens
The Paley Center for Media is an NYC cultural icon, covering TV, radio, and emerging platforms. Closed since the onset of the pandemic, it has just cut the ribbon on reopening, decked out for the season with holiday tradition PaleyLand. Four floors of exhibits run from photo ops with Santa to a stunning seven-foot menorah, picking up sneak preview screenings, star appearances, video games, demos with a LEGOMasters contestant, and the winter wonderland that is The Paley Express. PaleyLand is open from noon-6pm WednesdayFriday and 11am6pm Saturdays and Sundays until January 6th.
Have Fun In Central Park
No visit to New York is complete without popping over to Central Park, the iconic green hub sitting pretty in the middle of Manhattan. The grounds are a great place for a picnic or horse-drawn carriage ride, and the wild inhabitants of Central Park Zoo are a favorite with families.
Feeling energetic? Then jump in the saddle for a guided bike tour around the park and nearby sights.
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Take A Long Walk Through Central Park
Theres nowhere like Central Park. New Yorks not-so-secret gem is perfect for a long walk. Put on your most comfortable walking shoes and see how much of Central Park that you can find. For those looking for a bit of wild within Central park, head uptown to the Ravine to discover this pretty waterfall and flowing stream that will make you wonder if youre still in New York City. Another highlight is the quiet and beautiful Conservatory Garden with its French, English, and Italian styled gardens. Youll also pass the Onassis Reservoir, a favorite among New York runners.
Stop by the Gothic revival Belvedere Castle for views from the top. If youre lucky and youre visiting New York during the summers, Summerstage is one of New Yorks best free concert festivals with free concerts from acclaimed artists held in Central Park. In winter, you can enjoy ice skating in the park.
As you head downtown, it gets more crowded, but its hard to resist the appeal of the stunning views of the Great Lawn for an impromptu picnic . Of course, the romanticism of the Loeb Boathouse is not lost on many visiting New York for the first time. I always love finding the Alice in Wonderland statue although music lovers may want to stop off at the John Lennon Memorial. Also, dont miss the very real Egyptian Obelisk in the middle of Central Park close to the Met.
Restaurant For Dinner In Lower Manhattan
Dinner is a tough one to call with so many options. There are loads of waterfront outdoor seating restaurants near Pier 15 perfect for Summer.
With that said, we have one recommendation if youre looking for great pub food in a historic building.
Dinner Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern is one of the oldest buildings still standing in NYC today. Most of the structure was reconstructed in 1907 but some elements remain from the 1719 original.
It is known as the site where George Washington rounded up his officers in 1783 to thank them for their service fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
Classic pub grub and a huge selection of craft beers are the perfect way to end an action packed day of sightseeing in Lower Manhattan.
Check out their website to see current menus and craft beers Fraunces Tavern.
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Slow Down With An Nyc Spa Day Visit
This concrete jungle is about as fast-paced as any place on the planet, so its important to take an opportunity to catch your breath once in a while.
Whether youre traveling solo or as part of a couple, a number of massage options await, with the option to add steam rooms, reflexology, or even chocolate facial treatments!
This Week’s Behind The Experience Video
The tallest building in the hemisphere. The largest screen. A ride that goes straight up at 23 miles per hour. Behind The Experience learns the secrets of One World Observatory, as well as tips like the best time for a visit. The video joins our recent visits to New York icons the Museum of the City of New York, Madame Tussauds, SPYSCAPE, and Benjamin Steakhouse. CHECK THEM OUTits fun!
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Enjoy Chinatowns Many Atmospheric Tangle Of Alleyways
Chinatown is a classic neighborhood to explore in New York. From the supermarkets filled with Asian products to the parks filled with seniors practicing tai chi, Chinatown is filled with charm. I especially find Doyer Street particularly atmospheric to walk down as so much history has happened along this bit of pavement and how many Chinatown institutions still remain here.
Free Views Of New York And The Statue Of Liberty On The Staten Island Ferry
Looking for epic views of New York City? I actually have a whole post of the best free viewpoints in New York City, however the most classic one has to be the view of Manhattan when taking the Staten Island Ferry. Youll use up a bit of time while doing this as you will need to wait for the boat to turn around before heading back to Manhattan, but there is a surprising amount to do on Staten Island. I especially like Historic Richmond Town, which is free to walk around although you need to pay admission to get into the buildings.
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Attend A Sporting Event
NYC is home to multiple major sports teams. In fact, the Big Apple is home to 2 teams for each sport.
From April till October, you can enjoy the Yankees and the Mets .
From August through December , the New York Giants and the Jets play just across the Hudson River in New Jersey.
The Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks lace up their shoes from October through April .
NYC has 3 area hockey teams, the Rangers, the Devils, and the Islanders take the ice during the same time as the basketball teams.
NYC is also home to the NYC Marathon, the U.S. Open Tennis Championship and many other smaller events.
Little Italy And Chinatown
One of the many wonderful things about New York is its diversity, and that is what youll experience when you visit Little Italy and Chinatown. The best part? These two completely different neighborhoods are right next door to each other. Thats the beauty of New York: You get to enjoy two equally fascinating but totally different neighborhoods within mere blocks of one another.
Lots of people visit both these neighborhoods in the same trip. We do for our neighborhood tour, adding in SoHo as well. Since theyre so close, you can get a taste of each in under an hour.
3 neighborhoods, 2 hours, 1 incredible tour
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No3 Cool Thing To Do In New York Shop At An Alternative Market
Wandering around Chelsea Market is one of the most fun things to do in New York City.
This a refurbished warehouse is filled with alternative New York designer shops, clothes stores and lots of bars and restaurants. Come in the evening for a drink following a good dose of retail therapy.
If youd like to travel around the area with a local to find out all the insider and unknown things, check this food tour of Chelsea Market and the Meatpacking district which does not just cover the history of the area but also samples its food. After the tour ends, you can stay and explore the local Artists and Fleas shop .
More information about the market here.
Enjoy Street Art Within New Yorks Many World
Most museums in New York have a free night and if youre lucky, suggested admission although this is becoming less common. A small number of museums, including the FIT museum, are free every day. Id recommend deciding which museums you want to visit and look into free nights. MoMa, for instance, is free on Friday nights and the Guggenheim is open on Saturday nights for free. Id recommend checking out the Frick Museum for beautiful portraits, the Whitney for masterpieces, the New York Historical Society if youre a history geek, and the Guggenheim for modern art.
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Belt Out Some Karaoke
True love is singing karaoke under pressure and letting the other person sing the Freddie Mercury part.
MINDY KALING
You can tell a lot about a person by what song they pick at karaoke. What will your song say about you?
The city has lots of cool karaoke bars, but my favorite is in K-town. I like the opportunity to dig into some quality Korean BBQ before singing the night away.
The city offers plenty of opportunities for karaoke. Some of my favorite spots include:
Spend your evening following Alice down the rabbit in Then She Fell.
Or pop on a mask and lose yourself in the world of Shakespeares Macbeth at Sleep No More.
My favorite is Sleep No More. Its different every night since you choose which characters to chase.
Either way, youll be spending your evening lost in another world.
No1 Cool Thing To Do In New York Star Gaze In The City
Although no longer a novelty but more of a well-established destination, The High Line always has something to keep one coming back and is an iconic hipster symbol of New York City.
This elevated park built along the old train tracks offers regular music performances, shopping, food, drinks and evenings out in the summer and it is one of the most fun places to go in NYC.
Walk along its entirety for the full experience and make sure to allow for enough time to chill with a book on one of the sun beds along 14th street.
There are cooling water fountains to dip your feet into in the summer months when the city is teaming hot and lots of seasonal activities like Tai Chi, Meditation or Star Gazing. Many of them are free.
The High Line is my favourite part of Manhattan and a reason enough for me to visit the area. The views over the city and across the river are peaceful and a nice reminder that Manhattan is an island.
If you want to learn more about this super original and nice part of the city that feels miles away from the crowded and busy spaces of this ever-busy city, you can join a walking tour.
I recommend the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and The High Line which also takes you around the neighbourhood for an extra dose of hipster.
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Free Things To Do In New York
Traveling on a shoestring budget in New York? Spend time, not money, on terrific experiences.
International Center of Photography – Round up the whole family and set off on an intriguing adventure through history together.
Love Sculpture – This is a non-negotiable stop for culture vultures who want to add an artistic flourish to their trip.
Wollman Rink – Let down your hair and add some extra good times to your trip here.
Floating Pool – Swing by for a refreshing dip and let your inner water lover swim free.
Times Square – Appreciate the creativity and design of this fantastic example of modern architecture.
Brill Building – Drop by this historic attraction and learn a few things about the cultural heritage of the region.
Duffy Square – Get to know some of the local residents and seek out the real personality and soul of this fascinating place.
Wagner Cove – Take things at a slower pace and spend some time out beside the water.
Algonquin Hotel – Widely known among local residents, this site is worth checking out.
Church of Saint Mary the Virgin – Get in touch with your spiritual side or simply get lost in the peaceful ambiance at this place of worship.
Brower Park – Appreciate the contrast between busy city life and nature’s beauty at this beautiful spot.
Bryant Park – Find your green thumb and be wowed by the wide variety of plants on display.
Rub The Charging Bull For Good Luck
Originally conceived in the immediate aftermath of the 1987 New York stock market crash, Italian artist Arturo Di Modica spent 2 years sculpting a 7,100 pound , 11 ft tall and 16 ft long bronze bull as a symbol of can do attitudes of New Yorkers.
The statue was illegally dropped off right outside the New York Stock Exchange Building by Di Modica in between police patrols. He had conducted a reconnaissance the previous night so he knew exactly when to drop the bull!
Charging Bull was removed by the end of that same day but a week later it was given a new home at Bowling Green. The bull was an instant hit with tourists and quickly became a must see attraction in the city.
The Wall Street and Financial District emblem still stands proudly and aggressively on its haunches as though ready to charge at Bowling Green.
Thousands of tourists each day take photographs at the front of the bull with its horns. However, folklore tells us that it is good luck and prosperous not only to touch its head and horns but also its testicles, which are enormous!
These oversized bronze testicles represent pronounced virility and strength. So be sure to crouch down and rub away.
Charging Bull is always open and always free to visit, but we recommend you go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
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Cycle Over Brooklyn Bridge
Pedal across New Yorks most famous bridge and take in views of skyscrapers across the East River on a fun bike tour. Connecting the vibrant borough of Brooklyn with Manhattan Island, the bridge offers an epic way to see the sights.
See if you can spot movie filming locations in Brooklyn Bridge Park and marvel at the engineering of the worlds first steel-wire suspension bridge.