Looking for some cool things to do in New York City? This epic compilation is for you! Whether you’re wondering what to do in NYC this weekend or planning the ultimate New York City vacation, here are our top picks for exploring The Big Apple.
Not all that long ago, we shared a compilation of 50 cool things to do in Paris. It was the result of a ton of research that went into planning our three-year-anniversary to the City of Love. Everyone writes about Paris, so we never expected the post to become our most popular to date!
We’re glad we aren’t the only ones looking for awesome things to do in Paris. But it got us thinking—what other iconic destinations are bursting at the seams with epic things to see and do? Why New York City, of course.
So we’re carrying on our 50 Cool Things segment with a place that holds an extraordinary spot in our hearts: New York City. Over six years ago, we took our first trip as a couple to this iconic city. It was magical, and in many ways, set the tone for our travel-infused relationship. Fast-forward to this past Christmas, and we saw ourselves once again in New York City, this time looking for off-the-beaten-track activities to explore.
We’re not native New Yorkers, but we have picked up a ton of knowledge on cool things to do in New York City—and we’re sharing those things with you all today!
50 Cool Things To Do In New York City
Feel free to add to the list in the comments below, because that’s really what makes these posts so valuable in the end to anyone planning a New York City vacation. We know you local New Yorkers have a ton of great ideas for off-the-beaten-track New York City attractions.
New York City Attractions
Photo by Matthew Dailey via Flickr
1. Central Park
No visit to NYC is complete without a visit to one of the most iconic parks in the world: Central Park. Dating back to 1857, Central Park is an oasis of 843 acres in the center of what is an otherwise concrete jungle. Perhaps our favorite thing about Central Park is that there’s always something to do, whether it’s free yoga and concerts in the summer or ice skating and building snowmen in the winter. Taking advantage of all the things to see and do in Central Park on a gorgeous day is always a go-to for us when planning cool things to do in NYC. Of course, you can also spend a lazy afternoon meandering through the Rambles and picnicking in the grass. The High Line may not be a secret, but it is definitely one of New York City’s gems. An abandoned, above-ground railway stretching from the Meat Packing District to Chelsea, the High Line has been restored to feature botanical gardens, a walking path, and great views out over the river. Just avoid visiting on the weekends as it gets packed with both locals and tourists alike. To learn about this refurbished piece of NYC’s past, try a guided walking tour that wraps in the best of both the High Line and lovely Chelsea. A visit to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial Plaza is undoubtedly an emotional experience and New York City thing to do that should not be missed. The Memorial is free to visit; the museum costs $24 per adult but is free to visit Tuesday evenings from 5pm until close. Check out this 1.5-hour walking tour of Ground Zero and the National September 11 Memorial to learn more about the events and heroism of 9/11. Head to the 86th floor of this towering skyscraper to experience jaw-dropping views of Manhattan. We recommend this early access tour; otherwise, you’ll have to wait long for this top NYC attraction. (Whatever you do, don’t go on Christmas Eve!) That said, the visit is certainly worth doing at least once. The Empire State Building is more than just a great view over NYC; it’s in many ways a symbol of The American Dream. If you want majestic views of New York City that include Central Park and The Empire State Building, consider heading to the Top of the Rock. This observation deck at Rockefeller Center doesn’t see as many visitors as the Empire State Building, and many argue that the views here are even better. Does the Statue of Liberty even need an explanation? Located in New York Harbor, which started as a gift of friendship between France and the United States, is now one of the most recognized and replicated statues in the world. Take the free Staten Island Ferry for gorgeous views of Lady Liberty. It’s one of the New York sights that’s famous for a reason. Take a relaxed stroll or bike ride across the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy the ambiance and spectacular views over Manhattan and Brooklyn. We recommend hanging out on the Brooklyn side of the bridge sometime during your walk—there are numerous great places to grab a bite to eat here. Or get a totally different and unique perspective of the Brooklyn Bridge as you pass under it on a Jet Ski Tour. A visit to the Grand Central Terminal is the perfect activity for a cold or rainy NYC day. Take time to enjoy the architecture, people watch (500,000 people stream through each day), learn the secrets of Grand Central Station via a scavenger hunt, or grab a bite in one of the cafes. Even if you don’t have much time, hop in to check out the impressive Vanderbilt Hall. It doesn’t get as much press as Central Park, but Washington Square Park is still one of NYC’s most popular places to relax outside. Washington Square Park is located in Greenwich Village and is most recognized for its famous arch. I love libraries in general, so naturally, the New York Public Library is one of my favorite spots in the city. Even if you’re not a book nut, the library is worth visiting for its impressive Beaux-Arts architecture and free exhibits. We prefer to wander on our own, but there are free guided tours of the library. Fellow travel lovers shouldn’t miss the Map Room. It’s home to famous works of art such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lilies, and Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans. For many NYC visitors, that’s enough to get them in the doors. There’s enough to keep you busy for an entire day, so make sure you get your tickets in advance so you can skip the line. If you’re looking for something a bit edgier, don’t miss a visit to MoMA PS1. The Museum of Modern Art’s non-profit contemporary art exhibition site is set up in Long Island City. Get in, then get out. Times Square is worth a stop on your first visit to NYC, but don’t plan on spending too much of your time here. It’s loud, chaotic, bright, and fun—but also as touristy as it gets. Though we’re not sure if most people would count it as an ‘attraction,’ a casual stroll through the West Village is one of our favorite things to do. We love the historic brownstones and the tree-lined streets, along with the top-notch shopping, dining, and cupcakes. If you want a quaint neighborhood to get lost in, then the West Village is a great pick. With over 5,000 years of human history resting inside its walls, the MET is one of New York’s most visited museums. Seeing a show on Broadway has to be one of the best things to do in NYC. We’ve only seen the Lion King, but next time we’re in the city, we plan on purchasing tickets for Wicked. The Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, and Jersey Boys are other shows you can’t go wrong with. If you are buying your tickets in advance, you can typically find pretty good discounts. If Broadway is just too mainstream, consider seeing—and participating in—Fuerzabruta, Expect dancing, water, neon lights, a plastic bubble, and plenty of ‘wow’ moments at this unique interactive theater event. We didn’t visit, so we can’t give a proper review, but this one from the Guardian is definitely intriguing. Dan loves to set out on missions to photograph iconic skylines; if you’re anything like him, don’t miss snapping at least a few photos of the New York City skyline. Some of the best spots are on the water, the observation decks, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Governor’s Island. For more NYC travel photography inspiration, this post shares some of our favorite photo spots. Our last two visits to New York City have been over Christmas, and we’re fully convinced that it is one of the most magical times of the year to visit the city. Between the Christmas markets, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the ice skating, the decorations, the Christmas lights in Brooklyn, Santa Claus at Macy’s, and the department store window displays, there’s just no way you can avoid spreading the holiday cheer. If you are traveling to NYC during the holidays, consider one of these alternative accommodation ideas to save money on expensive hotels. If you’re tired of Broadway (though I don’t know if that’s possible!), don’t miss the unique interactive theater experience of Sleep No More. Sleep No More takes the audience on an individual journey through a performance of Macbeth. Once you enter the elevator to the McKittrick Hotel, a “restored hotel,” which at times resembles more of a lunatic asylum than anything else, you are free to venture through the showing on your own accord. The adult-only theatre is quite dark (in more ways than one), perhaps not for those easily spooked. If you visit New York City during the warm summer months, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy live music in several city parks. Whether it’s drum bands, dancing, or movie showings, you’re bound to find an entertaining way to enjoy a night under the stars. You can come and simply tour the hall, but get tickets for a performance for the ultimate experience. You’ll find orchestras, piano, singers, jazz, and more on the schedule for the three different performance spaces at this iconic New York City landmark. Improve comedy, anyone? Then head to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, where famous Saturday Night Live cast members (including Tina Fey) got their start. There are locations both in the East Village and Chelsea. Check out the schedule online to see which venue is most to your taste. There’s more to New York City than Manhattan alone. NYC is actually made up of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan. We recommend a day to explore the best of Brooklyn, a fascinating neighborhood with absolutely delicious cuisine. The Bronx Zoo and nearby New York Botanical Garden are also popular options. You could even split up each day in a different neighborhood following this guide – the possibilities are virtually endless! New York City has more green space than you might think; there are loads of places to choose from if you’re in the mood for a romantic picnic. Central Park might be the first location to come to mind, but also consider Madison Square Park, Prospect Park (one of our favs) or the Hudson River Park in Chelsea. Of course, only in NYC will you find a full-service picnic company specializing in artisans foods for your outdoor lunch in the grass. Okay, maybe this seems a bit random, but we included a cooking class in our guide to 50 cool Things To Do In Paris, so it seemed appropriate to include one in our guide to cool things to do in New York City as well. Plus, who doesn’t love pizza? This interactive pizza cooking class takes you through all of the steps—and it’s definitely on the top of our to-do list for our next visit to New York. Journey back to an era of prohibition, cool jazz, flirty flapper dresses, and the thrill of reckless lawlessness. Alcohol might be legal these days, but a renowned interest in the back alley speakeasies of NYC is still going strong. Please Don’t Tell is one of our favorite NYC speakeasies, but ask around when you arrive to discover the coolest cocktail bars in New York City. The Chelsea Market gets busy quite early on in the day, but the buzz is enjoyable, and the restaurants are delicious. The Chelsea Market is a particularly useful stop if you find yourself on the nearby High Line or stuck in some miserable weather. If you need some help on where to eat (we chose the Korean-style ramen at Mok Bar), this guided tour will help. Queens has some of the best ethnic food in the entire city; Astoria, in particular, is known for its authentic (and mouthwatering) Greek cuisine. Taverna Kyclades is one of our favorite restaurants. Don’t miss the fresh fish and grilled octopus. It might sound cliche, but New York pizza is one of our favorite things in the world. No one seems able to agree on where you can actually find the best slice in town, although a pizza walking tour of Manhattan will give you more than a few options to choose from. Dani’s House of Pizza in Kew Gardens is one of our favorites for its chilled out atmosphere, friendly staff, and low prices ($2 a slice). NY pizza comes in at number one, but the city’s bagels aren’t far behind. Locals say that NY’s phenomenal bagels have something to do with the water. All we know is that we’re suckers for the sheer variety of flavors and cream cheeses available. Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company is one of our favorite places to grab breakfast, and New Yorkers seem to agree that this is one of the best locations in the city for bagels. You knew we couldn’t mention the pizza and bagels without giving tribute to the hot dogs, right? Grab a steaming dog from a vendor, head to the iconic Gray’s Papayas, or make your way to Coney Island for one of Nathan’s Famous. Wherever you choose, you won’t be disappointed with this NYC classic. This premium cocktail bar in Brooklyn is frequently dubbed New York’s best bar—a sweeping statement for a city known for its nightlife and high-end cocktail lounges. We didn’t get to visit ourselves, so we can’t join in on the review, but you’ll definitely find us at a happy hour here sometime in the future. While you’re n Brooklyn, hop over to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Particularly satisfying on a hot summer day, the Ice Cream Factory boasts a great location on the Brooklyn waterfront. Its convenient location next to the Brooklyn Bridge means you’ll likely have to wait in a long line before you can savor your scoop, but at least the view, while you wait, is beautiful. Wining and dining in New York doesn’t have to be as expensive as most people think. We used a few Groupon deals while we were in NYC and got extremely lucky by choosing amazing restaurants and bars we would have visited anyway—but we got to do it for half the price. Just do lots of research before you buy any deal to make sure it’s worth the discounted price. Harlem’s receiving a lot of attention for its hot culinary scene—and for a good reason. Frederick Douglass Blvd. is where you’ll find Restaurant Row. We’ve dined at Harlem Tavern, and loved both the menu and the ambiance. We think Harlem’s Restaurant Row is one of the coolest things to do in New York City and definitely wouldn’t miss it. A museum, a restaurant, and a NYC historical landmark, Fraunces Tavern is a total dining experience. The location served as the headquarters for George Washington during the American Revolution, and a visit through the tavern’s museum will illuminate the rich history of the building. Even if you’re not a history nut, the drinks and food here are consistently delicious. Experience Italian cuisine without ever having to leave New York. This gourmet Italian supermarket and restaurant are always crowded, so only visit Eataly if you don’t mind elbowing for space. That said, the food is delicious and the atmosphere rather fun. Maybe cupcakes are out of style now. But we’ve always loved cupcakes, so much so that rather than having a wedding cake, we had a five-tier tower of cupcakes. So yes, we did eat cupcakes in NYC—a luxury we don’t get on our round-the-world travels all that often. Magnolia Bakery is considered by many to be the best. Still, there is also Billy’s Bakery, Prohibition Bakery (guess what kind of cupcakes they feature?), and Georgetown Cupcakes (an export from DC). Meander through 100 flea vendors and 30 food vendors at the famous Brooklyn Flea. The market takes place outdoors from April through November and is ranked ‘one of the best flea markets in the world’ by Travel + Escape. Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or just looking for a way to pass the morning, Brooklyn Flea is a great way to go. You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the oldest toy store in the United States. The toy shop is entertaining for all ages, whether you’re reminiscing about your childhood, hanging with Zoltar, dancing on the giant piano, or wondering why a $50,000 child-size Ferrari would ever be a good idea… Book lovers absolutely cannot miss this independent NYC bookstore located on 828 Broadway. The legendary bookstore dating back to 1927 sells 18 miles of new, used, and out-of-print books. There’s no better place to get lost in New York City. Whether you’re searching for knock-off Kate Spades or you want to stock up on your Chinese green tea, Chinatown is the place for you. We recommend avoiding the pushy vendors who offer to take you to their warehouse—no matter how enticing it might be—and instead opt to experience bits and pieces of Chinese culture. While you’re there, don’t miss Prosperity Dumpling—some of the best dumplings we’ve had outside of Taiwan. One of New York City’s top shopping experiences, a visit to Orchid Street combines Vietnamese cuisine with upscale vintage fashion. You won’t necessarily find the crazy bargains you might have heard about, but it’s still an experience no shopaholic will want to miss—and a veritable cool thing to do in NYC. Nolita stands for North of Little Italy. Though it might not feel very Italian today, the quaint and quiet neighborhood is easily one of our top picks for shopping. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is nearby, meaning that you can combine your boutique shopping with a visit to the gorgeous church. This trendy lower Manhattan neighborhood wasn’t always so stylish. But today it is one of the best places for boutique shopping and gallery hopping. Located in Greenwich Village, Bleeker St. is a great place to go for food and specialty stores, as well as chic clothing and trendy cafes. The street is said to have changed a lot in the past couple of decades, but it looks like it’s remaining on track to be one of the top shopping streets in the world. It’s consistently ranked one of the best shopping streets in the world for a reason. If you’re after upscale boutiques, designer name brands, and legendary department stores, this is the place for you. After all, it can never hurt to pop into Tiffany’s, even if you don’t have the budget for what’s on display. We only visit the NYC department stores during the holidays to see the window displays, but if you enjoy shopping in department stores, you can’t miss visiting some of the best in the world. Barney’s, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Century 21 are some of the most popular ones. This detailed guide will make sure you don’t miss the other hot spots. If you’re searching for antiques, collectibles, jewelry, or anything and everything vintage, this is the flea market for you. Located near the Port Authority Bus Station, this outdoor market is open year-round. (But know that if you visit during the winter months, fewer vendors will be around.) The oldest—and largest—flea market in New York City, you’ll find a vast variety of ‘stuff’ and vendors, ranging from straight-up junk to hand-crafted antiques. The market is both indoors and outdoors, so make sure you don’t miss any of it! If managing NYC’s shopping scene on your own sounds like a nightmare, then hire an expert to guide you through it. On an NYC Shopping Tour, you’ll get the scoop on insider locations you otherwise might not know about, as well as exclusive discounts for visiting the shops on tour. Alright seasoned New Yorkers, let us know! What is our list of cool things to do in New York City missing? This post contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase using the link, we receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we trust. Thanks for your support in keeping A Cruising Couple a free resource! 2. The High Line
3. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum
4. The Empire State Building
5. Top of the Rock
6. The Statue of Liberty
7. The Brooklyn Bridge
8. Grand Central Terminal
9. Washington Square Park
10. New York Public Library
11. MoMA Museum of Modern Art
12. Times Square
13. West Village
Bonus NYC Attraction: Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City Entertainment
Photo by Antonello via Flickr
14. Broadway
15. Fuerzabruta
16. Photograph The Skyline
17. Experience The Holidays
18. Sleep No More
19. Free Summer Concerts
20. Carnegie Hall
21. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
22. Explore The Boroughs
23. Have A Picnic
24. Pizza Making Class
Where To Eat In NYC
2ND FLOOR ON CLINTON
25. Visit A Speakeasy
26. Grab A Bite At The Chelsea Market
27. Eat Greek Food In Astoria
28. Eat Pizza…Everywhere
29. Eat Bagels
30. Eat Hot Dogs
31. Enjoy Happy Hour at Clover Club NY
32. Indulge At The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
33. Use NYC Groupon Deals
34. Harlem’s Restaurant Row
35. Fraunces Tavern
36. Eataly
37. Enjoy the Cupcakes
Where To Shop In New York City
Photo by Joey Lax-Salinas via Flickr38. Brooklyn Flea
39. FAO Schwarz
40. The Strand
41. Chinatown
42. Historic Orchid Street Shopping District
43. Nolita
44. SoHo
45. Bleeker Street
46. 5th Avenue
47. Department Stores
48. Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
49. Green Flea
50. NYC Garment Center Shopping Tour
Excellent list, Casey! I would like to add some things though. :-) The Metropolitan Museum of Art is, in my opinion, one of the three best art museums in the world, so I think that definitely belongs on the list as well. The Staten Island Ferry is a fantastic free (!) thing to do and offers the best views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. And the Roosevelt Island Tram is probably one of the least-known attractions, but is a really fun thing to do.
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Thanks so much for the additions! How could we forget the Met? We’ve never taken the Roosevelt Island Tram, but will definitely have to do so next time we’re in the city!
Great list! It’s been a great help. My husband and I are going to New York late October for 5 days and this will be our first trip there, we plan to buy a New York pass to save on some attractions costs, we are planning to stay in midtown, do you have any advice on where to begin our tour of New York? so that we don’t keep going over the same areas, as we have little time to get round so much,any advice would be greatly appreciated
Wonderful compilation! I am planning to go to the US next summer, hope I will keep these stuff in my mind. I am curious that one can write things in every topic you have mentioned.
Great! It definitely took a lot of research, which is why you’ll notice there are so many links throughout the post :) We’ve done most of the things on this list, but not all of them yet ;-)
Wow, very comprehensive! I went to New York in summer of 2003 when I was a teenager with my family, but we hardly saw anything because we were there exactly when the Northeast blackout hit! I’ll definitely be bookmarking this post for when I eventually make it back there with my husband.
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Wow! The blackout must have been an experience to remember! Hope you get the chance to visit again soon :-)
Woah! NYC is so cool! I visited for a few days when I was 18, it made quite an impression on this European teenager! I saw most of the attractions you listed. Now I should go back for some shopping, entertainment, wining and dining!
Sarah recently posted…What’s in… Iran?
There really is something for everyone and every age in the big city! We were there a few years ago and had just as much fun this time around doing totally different stuff.
Wow, awesome place, m surely going to visit his place once. Thanks for sharing.
Peter recently posted…The Heavily Anticipated Annual King of the Wing Contest set for June 6th, 2015 at Magens Bay, St. Thomas
No problem Peter! Happy travels :-)
What a list! I’ve been so curious about Sleep No More. It would be fun to systematically do everything on this page, from top to bottom!
Lillie recently posted…A Handsome Man Emerges from the Travel Suitcase
Sleep No More is high on our list for our next visit :-)
Great list, Casey! My folks are going there in a few weeks so I’ll definitely pass it along.
Miriam Risager recently posted…The mystery behind the Khmer Apsara Dance
Thanks Miriam! Hope they enjoy their trip! :-)
I am far from a seasoned New Yorker, which is why I’d carry this list with me if I were heading to NYC.
Penny Sadler recently posted…Golf Meets Gourmet in Pebble Beach, California
We were the same way before our trip, there is so much to do it’s hard to know where to start! :-)
Can you believe we’ve never been to New York? We know. We’re working on it. Can’t wait to cram as much as your recommendations into our visit as we possibly can.
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It’s an amazing city. Hope you get the chance to check it out for yourself!
Such good groupon and living social deals in NYC, and this way you won’t have to restaurant shop. I could go to NYC just to eat bagels, pizza, deli sandwichs, and cupcakes!
Hannah @Getting Stamped recently posted…Month 21 Recap of our RTW Trip
Uhhhh the pizza…. mmmmm don’t even get me started :-p Sooo good!
Also, another great place to eat bagels is here:
Copiague Bagel & Deli
1026 Montauk Highway Copiague, New York 11726-4902
(631) 842-7400
The opportunities in New York are ENDLESS! This list just further proves that point. I’ve been 3 times and still need to go back and finish half of this list! Thanks for sharing!
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There really is no excuse for being bored in NYC :-p
Don’t forget about Yankee Stadium! Loved it!
I’m goint to NY tomorrow fo the first time and I’m so excited. This is a very helpful post!
So Awesome! Hope you had a great trip!!
Bookmarked! I plan to go to NYC and your post will be my references. (Yeah it’s still two years to go.)
A mate and I were there in February. It’s beautiful place. Loved it! From Canada with love :)
I just wanted to drop by and say a huge thanks to you both for not only the great post, but the inspiration it gave me to create my own similar one for Barcelona!
I’m SO pleased that I’ve been able to help a couple of people already with our post to get the best out of the holidays, as you’ve clearly done for people with this post.
Keep more of these great posts coming :)
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You have Nathan’s Famous listed as being in Staten Island, not Coney Island. Just a typo, I’m sure.
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Yes, thank you!! Definitely a typo but thanks for pointing that out :)
Awesome list, definitely glad I came across this article. Always looking for new and fun ideas for things to do around the NYC area.
Another thing we could discuss is the popularity of escape room games. Escape Entertainment is a new operation in midtown and has a bunch of beautifully designed and challenging escape rooms that is a guaranteed good time. http://escape-entertainment.com.
Interesting – we’ve never heard of escape entertainment.
I was reading your list on Paris and came across NYC. I’ve lived here for the past 12 years and was a hotel concierge for 2 recent years so wanted to offer some other gems and helpful advice to the list:
– Express Passes for any and all NYC tourist spots. It’s worth the extra $$ to not wait in those ridiculously long lines
– Don’t bother with the boat to the Statue of Liberty unless the crown is open or you have interest in visiting the immigration museum on Ellis Island. Not worth the time spent otherwise. Do a helicopter tour or a shorter boat ride for a close up view of the statue
– Get lost in Chinatown. It’s not hard and it’s really fun. Been here over a decade and that neighborhood is still foreign to me. It really does not feel like America down there.
– Coney Island. If you like rides, go. It’s tacky but it’s ALWAYS a fun time. Go at night when everything is all lit up. In the summer they have fireworks.
– The MET has a donation entrance fee. Don’t let the $25 suggested rate fool you. Pay whatever you want and you get into ALL the exhibits. Also, get the audio tour if going a lone. Totally worth it.
– Don’t get the $1 pizza. It’s only $1 for a reason. Best pizza I’ve had is a plain pie at a hole in the wall place called Nino’s on Ave A across the street from Tompkins Square Park
– Brooklyn Bagel has the best bagels and a large variety of cream cheeses. There’s 1 in Manhattan on 8th Ave and 2 that I know of in Astoria. Surprisingly there are none actually in Brooklyn
– Don’t go to the Century 21 in the financial district. It’s a zoo. Go to the new one near Lincoln Center
– Favorite shopping spots: Columbus Ave in the W 70’s has several designer and boutique shops and not super busy; West Broadway in Soho has great designer shopping and restaurants but it’s busy; Time Warner Center is great for when I don’t want to be outdoors; Fishes Eddy is a hostess’s dream come true with lots of dinner and serveware at amazing prices (got 4 china tea saucers for $2); and of course Macy’s
– Favorite desserts spots: Cafe Lalo on the UWS has so many great cakes; Ferrara in Little Italy has amazing gelato; Silver Moon Bakery on the UWS has the best chocolate chip cookie; Sugar Sweet Sunshine in the LES has the best cupcakes; Doughnut Factory on 23rd St has delicious donuts; Max Brenner has the best Hot Chocolate; La Maison du Chocolat has fantastic chocolates. I first had them when I went to Paris 5 years ago and was thrilled to see that they had a store here in NYC
Wow – thank you so much for this comment! So many awesome tips in here…now we want to go back to NYC! Brooklyn Bagel is our favorite bagel shop too. We were staying in Astoria last time we went to NY so we went there quite a bit ;-) We didn’t try any of those dessert spots, so that will probably what we do first on our next visit ;-) Cheers!
Its a very long list to do at a single visit.. In short time break I’ll be back with my family to complete these things.. Thanks (y)
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Thanks for the very comprehensive guide! ^_^ I’m really looking forward to visiting New York soon and experience these awesome activities..
So glad you found it useful! :-) We hope you have an unbelievably amazing time in New York and get to try all of these activities! Best of luck on your adventure. Would love to hear how it goes. :-)
The Big Apple is such a wonderful and top travel destination that it is always tough to decide what to do and what not to do while visiting……anyone visiting NYC should take a look at this list and choose the ones that matches his or her list…this is a really very resourceful post……I will share it on Twitter right away…
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Thanks, Mark! We love New York City! We’re so glad you found this post resourceful, and thanks a bunch for the share. :-)
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Don’t forget Coney Island! A one and half hour subway ride from midtown will practically spit you out on the beach! It’s a great way to spend the morning if you arrive by Red Eye before anything opens (save Times Square for evening). Nothing opens on the Boardwalk until 10:00 am but just staring at the ocean is a wonderful way to start your New York experience! Grab a Nathan’s from the original location for lunch as you leave!
A mate and I were there in December and done a few of these things on the list. Great collection. We also used a website called http://www.hopolla.com which doesn’t have a huge database but had some unique things on it.
Is the cost of living in newsyork expensive? I am planning to travel to news york but do not know where to start @ _ @
I’m (hopefully) going to NYC in a few years. This is really going to help me find things to do!
What about Cronuts? Don’t miss those in Greenwich village, and now there’s also Do ( the cookie dough place, round the corner from the new Pomme frite Belgian fry shop with hundreds of different topping combos for the best Belgian frites in Manhattan.
Go to the IKEA in Brooklyn and stop after for an ice cream at Ample Hills.
Mulberry street market in little Italy artists sell their wares. Including beautiful jewelry, clothing. Hand designed shawls and kimonos , special graphic canvas bags, henna body art, jagua and facepainting and more! Located on Mulberry Street in front of the church filmed in The Godfather1&2, the Church of the Sacred Blood is located between Hester and Canal and is host to the Muberry street market . This is just the beginning of the closure of the streets to n little Italy. Have the best Italian food in the city, the best gelato and cannoli. It’s also home of the San Gennaro festival in September. Mulberry street closes after 5 Friday and until Late Sunday night. It becomes an Italian fair! You can also see the great little Italy museum, Eat a few zeppole or the biggest arancini in NYC and have a fresh lemonade or chinotto from the many storefronts. Remember to visit Sal’s for the freshest slice and Its Christmas or Angelos for a wonderful meal. Ferrara’s has the best cannoli but almost every place on Mulberry has a speciality. Rain slows down the magic but you can still eat indoors and Chinatown still is just next door. You can get great clothes and food thru all of both neughborhoods and stop by the beautiful Buddhist temple close to the end of Chinatown , to light incense and take a tour or chant.