Watch A Famous Broadway Show
Broadway is the bright beating heart of NYCs performing arts scene. Watching a Broadway show is an experience like no other, fun guaranteed. There is no better place in the world to watch worldwide famous musicals, such as Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, and many more!
Get Free Access To Popular Attractions
OK. Admittedly purchasing a tourist discount pass isn’t free, in fact, these passes can seem expensive.
However, the all-inclusive tourist passes include most of the city’s popular tourist attractions and tours, including hop-on-hop-off bus tours and boat cruises.
The object of these all-inclusive passes is to experience as many things in a day as you have time for. These passes are sold in increments of days, and the longer the pass the less the daily cost is.
So, if you plan efficiently, you will end up getting free access to several tours and attractions.
New York Nightlife Guide
If youre looking for an unforgettable weekend in New York, check out our list of fun things to do in NYC this weekend. Between old school Jazz or modern urban hangouts, New York comes alive at night, so dont miss your chance to join in!
Gotham City Lounge
- Enjoy signature themed drinks like the Green Lantern.
- Home to an amazing range of superhero collectors items.
- Take some instagram-able pictures in front of their life-sized mural.
This slightly off-kilter pool bar is an underrated New York feature! Tucked beneath the tracks of the elevated M train, lies the Gotham City Lounge.
If youre a comic book fan or even just looking for an eclectic NYC spot, youll find chilled vibes and next-level superhero memorabilia at this quirky dive bar. Keep an eye peeled for the bat signal aka a giant Batman mural outside and youll know youre in the right place.
Enjoy an animated night at one of New Yorks most unique bars!
Chelsea Music Hall
- Join in an old school swing dance session.
- The uber-popular Mizon restaurant handles the music halls cuisine.
- It combines old school with a mix of modern sounds to create a unique experience.
In the basement of the unmissable Chelsea Market is its underground music hall. Filled with smooth Jazz, gut-busting comedy nights with groups like The Juice, and fantastic musical performances, the Chelsea Music Hall has something for everyone!
For a truly vibrant experience of New Yorks music scene, head to the incredible Chelsea Music Hall!
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Find The Next Big Thing At The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known informally as the Met, is a New York City institution. As famous for its annual fashion ball as it is for its forward-thinking art exhibitions, The Met has become the barometer of new and next for many a New Yorker. Its gothic building is also home to exquisite fine art that spans over 5,000 years including Rembrandts, Vermeers, cool medieval armour and an ancient Egyptian temple. The storytime events at the Nolan Library are particularly great for kids.
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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Go To The Coney Island Boardwalk
Coney Island is probably best in the summer, late spring, or early Fall. But if you’re there for Nathan’s hot dogs anyway, you might as well stick around regardless of the weather.
In the summer, drink margaritas and people-watch. It’s my favorite thing to do in addition to lounging on the beach, jumping in the water, or catching a ride at Luna Park. Yes, Luna Park is the original park with the sister park I saw while visiting Melbourne, Australia!
You could also check out a live show at the Ford Amphitheater. Jono and I caught Ziggy Marley live in concert this past summer.
We had just missed the Mermaid Parade which takes place in June every year. Check it out if you’re there for itâit’s an incredibly funny, creative, and sexy parade of sea life! Here are some photos I took in years past:
Uncover New Visual Perspectives Of Nyc In A Futuristic Exhibition
Visit an alternative museum to experience art and technology in a new immersive way. ARTECHOUSE is a futuristic museum with exhibitions covering the relation between art and science and the role of the individual observer.
The ongoing exhibition, Machine Hallucination: NYC, aims to unveil how our perception of this ever-changing iconic city can be altered through new forms of visual representation.
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The Guggenheim In New York
This incredible museum will steal your heart, not only for the incredible works it houses, but also for its design and structure, unique in the world. Enter its majestic staircase and feel how you lose track of time in the heart of Manhattan inside the Guggenheim New York, you won’t regret it!
Greenwich Village One Of The Nicer Places In New York To Sightsee
- A former haven for artists and an area known for its Bohemian vibe
- See the Washington Square Arch and other interesting pieces of architecture
- Vibrant performing arts scene
- Diverse and inclusive neighbourhood
Why its awesome: Greenwich Village is a bustling neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan. In contrast to the rest of the city, you wont find soaring skyscrapers here instead, youll find leafy residential areas, tree-lined streets, pretty parks, and several olde-worlde buildings. Known as the citys Bohemian heart in times gone by, the area gave birth to several counterculture movements and was also home to the citys gay movement.
In earlier times the area was home to New Yorks first prison. It also boasts the citys longest-running off-Broadway theatre. Each year, Greenwich Village hosts the biggest Halloween Parade in the world. There are many interesting landmarks throughout the area and plenty of establishments where you can eat, drink, shop, and have fun.
What to do there: Walk around Greenwich Village and youll likely notice that, unlike many other parts of the city, streets have names rather than numbers. See major landmarks, such as the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, Isaacs-Hendricks House , the eye-catching Greek revival homes, the Cherry Lane Theatre, the Hotel Albert, the Tenth Street Studio Building, and the old Jefferson Market Courthouse.
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See The New Whitney Museum Of American Art
Wikimedia Commons
Set in one of the most exciting new buildings in Manhattan in decades, the Whitney’s Renzo Piano-designed building opened in 2015 to many accolades. The museum’s collect spans six floors and 50,000 square feet of indoor gallery space, all dedicated to American artists across centuries. In addition to the expansive galleries, outdoor space showcases more art as well as offering views of the Hudson River, lower Manhattan, and the surrounding Meatpacking District.
Know Where To Stay In New York
New York is famously known for its five boroughs , each with a unique atmosphere and fantastic attractions. While New York does have a top-notch subway system, its a good idea to remain central and find NYC accommodation close to the things youre planning to do!
Most of central Manhattan is laid out well with Fifth Avenue as its equator and the main streets labelled for easy exploration. Midtown Manhattan is one of the best NYC areas to stay in because its nearby to so many NYC haunts and landmarks, as well a sprinkle of iconic New York skyscrapers.
The best place to stay for easy access to bars and eateries is Williamsburg in Brooklyn. This hipster paradise is a New York staple and home to a myriad of coffee shops, bistros and bars. With everything from pub grub to NYCs finest cuisine, Williamsburg is the go-to stop for foodies.
We could go on about all the fantastic areas to stay in, but well finish it off with the unassuming Meatpacking District, the perfect place for anyone interested in high-end wine bars and fashion. With household names lining its cobblestone streets and Chelsea Market nearby, as well as the amazing High Line, this fantastic New York area hits the sweet spot.
Our Favorite Hostel American Dream Hostel
- Delicious breakfast served between 7 am and 11 am every morning.
- Has a wonderful chilled atmosphere.
Best Airbnb in New York Fully Furnished studio overlooking Magnolia Bakery
Our Favorite Budget Hotel Hotel Mimosa
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Admire The Spectacular View On Manhattan Over The Hudson
The observation deck of the One World Observatory offers dramatic city views that turn magical at sundown. The visit to this observation deck offers a unique 360-degree view of the city. One World Observatory is also the tallest of the three most famous observation decks, which includes the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building.
If you plan to visit multiple attractions in the city, compare New York City passes to find the most convenient solution.
The One World Observatory offers the most impressive technological features for its visitors, with a mix of virtual reality, video guides, and theater shows. Thanks to its location in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial, the One World Observatory also offers fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the harbor.
Because the One World Observatory is the newest, crowds can get a bit larger at this location, but the timed tickets ensure that you will probably never experience an unreasonable crowd size
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.
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Top 10+ Things To Do In Nyc For First Time Visitors
Its no secret why New York is called The City That Never Sleeps. With countless stores, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more, there is no shortage of things to do in New York City. Whether youre visiting with friends, a significant other, your family members, or kids, youre sure to find plenty of fun things to do.
To get you started, here is our list of some of the top things to do in NYC that you really shouldn’t miss during your trip. All of the following are must-see attractions in New York, broken down into a few general categories.
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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Discover The Secrets Of The City
If you’re not a big fan of guided tours and prefer to tour the city at your own pace and without explanations from a guide, I recommend that you make your own itinerary to make sure you don’t miss anything. If it’s not your first time in the city and you feel like discovering alternative or hidden places that are less visited by tourists, don’t miss my guide about secret places in the city.
How Much Does One Day In Nyc Cost
This one day in New York guide is actually fairly affordable by the citys standards: with the exception of heading to the top of the Empire State Building and seeing a Broadway show, just about every suggestion on here is free to visit.
Of course, that doesnt include NYC food or transportation, both of which can add up.
NYC metro tickets run $2.75 each.
Taxis and Uber are more, of course, but can get surprisingly affordable if youre traveling with a group, so be sure to consider both options depending on where youre going .
For food, we recommend splurging on one sit-down meal during this plan for seeing NYC in a day , and to eat more casually at least once as well.
For your quick and inexpensive meals of the day, consider visiting a Halal cart for a classic NYC experience!
Or, if youre more of the burger-and-fries type, you can never go wrong with grabbing a quick bite at Shake Shack.
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Watch New Yorks Famous Nightclub Acts At Rose Room
Featuring the citys underground circus scene and some of its best nightclubs acts such as Cirque Du Soleil and Broadway, the Rose Room at Triad Triangle is the right place to absorb New Yorks nightlife.
This circus and variety nightclub also serves award-winning cuisines from across the globe and premium cocktails, as you enjoy magic acts, burlesque and more.
Catch A View Of The Skyline
Many choose to go to the top of the Empire State Building for its views of the city. Alternatively, you’ll get the iconic Empire State Building actually in all your photos if you go to the top of the Rockefeller Center instead!
Or hop on a subway to view the entire iconic skyline of New York from one of these two locations:
Roosevelt Island
Historically used to quarantine criminals, the mentally ill, or physically ill, you won’t find many tourists here . Roosevelt Island is a part of Manhattan, once removed.
It’s far enough for an excellent skyline view, but not too far to get there, as it only takes a quick air tram ride across the East River or one stop on the F train toward Queens.
Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park
Another quick ride to Brooklyn on the F or A/C trains will get you to the area known to New Yorkers and Brooklynites as “DUMBO” or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
The city has been putting a lot of work into the area stretching along the river to Brooklyn Bridge Park recently. Pathways and seating have opened up, artistic installations have sprouted, and lots of greenery has been planted along the walkways.
Construction is ongoing, but that doesn’t diminish the views. You will spot the Statue of Liberty from here as well as the downtown Manhattan skyline.
While you’re in the area, you might as well walk across Brooklyn Bridge!
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The 33 New York Attractions That You Must See
While the mention of NYC undoubtedly brings to mind many of its famous buildings and attractions, it can be very difficult picking which ones you want to visit during your trip. Our list below of 33 best attractions in New York is in no particular order and is based on our experiences with each attraction as well as what we think makes for a good trip to the Big Apple!
Further down, you will find the best New York attractions on a map.
Take In Times Square At Night
As the location where the New Years Eve ball drops each year, Times Square is one of the most iconic places in all of New York . Visit it no matter what time of day, but I think the best time is at night.
You won’t know the difference between night and day when you walk around Times Square after dark. When Jono and I emerged from the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street after Aladdin, he was surprised to find it was still “light” out. I chuckled to myself as reality dawned on him. All of the neon signs, glowing billboards and traffic lights made it look like daytime even though it was nearly 11pm!
You’ll find tons of people bustling around this area and there are always characters to spot. For example, we found this guy working out with resistance bands as if he, too, was not aware it was 11 o’clock at night!
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