Things to do in NYC
This is just a list of places I’ve taken visitors over the years and places that I love to go in the city. Hope you enjoy!
Empire State Building
Tickets are about $20-$40 and the line outside is usually REALLY long. Try and go on a weekday and make sure to only go on a nice, clear day. The view is AMAZING!
Top of the Rock
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/
Tickets are also about $20 and there is not usually a line to do this. I actually really liked going to this one at night. It’s a great view of the city. If you go in the winter you will also see the famous Rockefeller Skating Rink.
Statue of Liberty
http://www.nps.gov/STLI/index.htm
The cost is $12 (I’m not sure if this includes the ferry or not). They just reopened lady liberty’s “crown” which has been closed since 9/11. If you don’t necessarily want to go directly to the island but want a closer view of the statue, you can ride the free Staten Island Ferry across (sit on the right side of the ferry to get a view of the statue). The ferry takes a half hour to cross to Staten Island and then another half hour to cross back to Manhattan. It’s a nice ride if you have some time to hang out.
Central Park
http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer
The park is HUGE and you could spend a WHOLE day in there. There are tons of free events year round including Summerstage concerts during the summer months.
Union Square
http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/
Great place to go hang out! Lots of art for sale and people performing all day long. In the spring/summer this place is packed with people just sitting on the steps and hanging out. There are some nice stores to shop in, there’s a whole foods, cafes, and a movie theatre. There is also a farmer’s market there (I think twice a week). One famous place to go eat/drink is called “The Coffee Shop”. Apparently, it’s where a lot of actors/actresses started out waiting on tables when they first moved to nyc. Upstairs is set up diner style, but at night, there’s a lounge in the basement that I love! There is also a large Barnes and Noble store located in Union Square.
South Street Seaport
http://www.southstreetseaport.com/html/
This a nice place to have a get together after work. It has an outdoor strip mall as well as an indoor mall. It has restaurants and bars also – lots of “wall street” people go hang out here after work. During the summer there are free concerts and events held here.
World Trade Center Site
Well…there isn’t much to see there anymore since the construction has started. They used to have an area with large billboards to show what it will look like when it’s finished as well as a timeline of events on 9/11. There may be a place to see this still, but I’m not sure where it is. However, if you go down there, take a walk along the south side of the site. There is a fire station there that has a nice memorial around the corner (walk to the end of the street past the fire station and look at the bronze memorial on the wall around the corner to the left). Also, while you’re down there, go into Century 21. This is a huge, discounted, brand-name department store that is FAMOUS in New York.
High Line Park
This is a beautiful new park that was built over an old railroad track running along the west side of Manhattan!
BROADWAY SHOWS!!!!
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56
This is OBVIOUSLY something you have to do while you’re in New York. Going to see a Broadway show is a great experience and even better when you do it for cheap. There are TKTS booths in the city (one right in the middle of Times Square, underneath the big staircase) where you can get discounted tickets if you go a few hours before a show begins. They sell tickets for whatever seats are left for that show on that day.
Times Square
As someone who lives in nyc, this is my LEAST favorite thing to do (only because I’ve done it a MILLION times), but, if you’re visiting or new to the city, Times Square is a must. This is something you should do AT NIGHT so that you can have the experience of seeing all the lights! All the stores and restaurants stay open late so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore. 42nd street has two large movie theatres for before/afterwards.
Museums
http://www.museummilefestival.org/
The link above is for something called “museum mile” which is where many museums are located along 5th Avenue. Once a year they have an event where you can enter all these museums for free. There are tons of museums in nyc and many of them have free days or events so keep your eye out for them.
Bronx Zoo/Botanical Gardens
This is a world famous zoo and you should really go out to visit! Every Wednesday is “free day”. Just beware that there are usually lots of kids/school trips on this day of the week. Also, while you’re there, the Botanical Gardens are located just next door. I believe they also have a “free day” but I’m not sure when that is.
Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php
This is a great event that Target sponsors at the Brooklyn Museum on the first Saturday of each month. There is usually a theme for each monthly event with free exhibits, movies, and performances. They always have a “dance party” at the end of each night. This is a great Brooklyn hang out for everyone (including families J ).
Brooklyn Academy of Music
This place has lots of concerts and special events year-round. They also have a movie theatre that plays foreign films as well as regular movies out in the theatres. My favorite thing to do here is to go to the BAMcafe where they have free live performances each Friday and Saturday night. There is a minimum table charge to sit (order the Junior’s Cheesecake or the salad or both!!!). My other favorite event her is called BamAfrica which is held here in the summer every year. They have a large bazaar and lots of food!
Brooklyn Bridge
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/
One of my most favorite things to do is walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk takes around a half hour to cross one way. There’s a great scenic view of the city as well as historical facts about how/when it was built in the middle of the bridge.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/brooklyn-ice-cream-factory/
This is one of my favorite places to get ice cream! It’s located just underneath the Brooklyn Bridge and has an AMAZING view of the city. This is great both during the day and at night. (Also, if you’re looking for food there is a "famous" pizza place there called Grimaldi’s – voted best pizza in nyc! http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm located down the street from the ice cream factory - I personally did not think it was the best pizza I ever had, but it's worth a try)
Brooklyn Bridge Park
This park is brand new and opened up last summer. It has a BEAUTIFUL view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn bridge!
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
http://nymag.com/listings/attraction/brooklyn_heights_promenade/
Also one of my favorite places to go! It’s a great place to go for a walk, read a book, have a date…The view of the city from here is amazing both day and night!
Here’s a website you can go to for information about most of these places and much more:
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