New York City. The Big Apple. One of the most popular destinations in the United States, and for good reason. New York City has it all. You could spend years in the city and still not do everything it has to offer. There are seriously so many things to do in New York City.
I’ve been to NYC now at least a dozen times. Some for pleasure, and some for work. Each time I’ve gone, I’ve found something more special about it. Whether it’s a new area I’ve wandered in, or a delicious restaurant I got to eat at.
I think it’s important whether you are a first timer or not, to remember that New York City is massive. With that, it can be overwhelming to say the least. Picking areas to wander around and take them in is how I’ve been able to manage it. Don’t be afraid to walk around and run into your new favorite cafe (I did that 3 times my last trip there). Giving yourself time to explore allows you to find your own gems to tell other people about.
Don’t have a ton of time? Check out my 24-hour guide to New York City.
Walk the High Line
They created the High Line along an old railroad that is elevated to walk above the west side of the city. It’s a nice stroll avoiding the massive amounts of people, with some pretty stunning views as well. It actually ends up passing my next thing to do.
Climb up the Vessel
Yes, this is a complete tourist trap. 100%. But it really is a cool thing to go up and see, and if you love photography, it’s also a beautiful sculpture to capture. And… it’s free! That’s not normal in NYC. All you need to do is book your free ticket / time slot here.
Grab a slice of pizza
NYC is known for its pizza. Well, for its food in general honestly. But the pizza is out of this world. There are some famous places that have been around for decades that you should experience. A few being Joe’s Pizza (has slices) and John’s of Bleecker Street (whole pizza’s only).
Watch sunset overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge
I’m really not an expert in this subject, but I think it’s potentially where NYC is located in the world – but the sunsets are just stunning. And maybe it’s just the backdrop that makes it that much better. Whatever it is, I don’t really care about the reason. Every time I’ve watched sunset overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan, I’ve just been floored. Make that a priority during your trip here. You can start at Umpire Fulton Ferry Park, then walk all around from there. If it’s nice out, grab a sandwich and a blanket and have a picnic outside!
Take a cooking class
New York City has become one of those places in the US known for its food. Every single restaurant needs to be competitive in order to succeed there, which equals delicious, top notch meals. Chefs are known to go there and make restaurants famous. So, there is no better place in America to take a cooking class.
I took one at the Brooklyn Kitchen and had an absolute blast. The teachers there are a wealth of knowledge, the food was great, and the experience of meeting locals was very fun. I highly recommend taking a class there!
Embrace the coffee shop culture
Are you like me and just love a good coffee shop? Well, you’ve come to the right place. NYC has good coffee shops literally everywhere. Basically, the Australians saw a gap in the city and owned that shit. They are crushing the coffee shop life. It’s hard to choose which ones were my favorite, so here are some I would recommend you adding to your list.
- Grounded organic coffee and tea house – Greenwich
- Bluestone Lane – Greenwich
- Blank Slate – Flatiron District
- Piccolo Cafe – Midtown
- Birch Coffee – Flatiron District
Take a walk in the several parks
Being in the city, wandering the smelly streets, I personally need to hang out in trees for a bit. The city has a wide range of different parks to walk around and people watch in. Some have little shops set up, others have sculptures, and all of them have street performers. It’s a perfect way to rest your legs and sit for a bit, while still enjoying the city life. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Central Park
- Bryant Park
- Washington Square Park
- Pumphouse Park
Wander around Greenwich Village
If I could tell you one area to not have a plan and wander around, it would be Greenwich Village. This is like the Back Bay of Boston. If you’ve never been to Boston, then it’s basically like the wealthier, quieter part of NYC. It has beautiful brownstone buildings, restaurants and all that the rest of the city has to offer, but it’s less hectic. And… the TV show ‘friends’ building is located in that area!
Hit up the main tourist destinations
A lot of people try to stay away from these things because “it’s not cool to be a tourist”. While I definitely tend to try and find local things to do, I almost always explore the tourist spots if it’s my first time visiting. Guys, it’s touristy for a reason. It’s either an important landmark, or has an enormous amount of history, or the most beautiful view you’ve ever seen.
- National Sept 11 Memorial & Museum
- Empire State Building
- Grand Central Station
- Times Square
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
- See the Statue of Liberty
Take in the views from up above
NYC from above looks absolutely stunning. While I’ve only seen it once from the top of a hotel, I see pictures all the time. It is definitely a goal of mine to get up on a helicopter one day. But here are some ideas of where to go to get some unreal views from above the city.
- Empire State Building
- Rockefeller Centre
- Epic Rooftop bars
- Take a helicopter ride
