So next month I'll be flying up to NYC to see my family but also, to do some fun things in the city. I absolutely LOVE New York City. All of the hustle and bustle just gives me this feeling of motivation and an energy that makes me feel like I can take on anything that comes my way. I've been traveling up the NYC almost once every year since my family live in Queens and Staten Island. Almost every time, my parents and I (or now just my mom and I) will stay in Manhattan because there's honestly no better feeling that walking out into your hotel into the heart of the city.
There is always something to do in NYC so I figured what better way to share with people than my own tips on what to do in the big apple!
Most importantly, I wanted to make this post because I feel like some of the things I love doing in NYC aren't as well known and I would love to share them with you! I was going to add in my list, cute cafes and delicious restaurants to eat at in NYC, but then I realized that would make this way too long so that'll most likely be my next post.
So without further a do, here ya go!
1. The Brooklyn Flea Market. One of my favs. This is open every Saturday and Sunday and it is the best flea market ever. Not only do they have cool antique/vintage things, but they also have interesting food stands.
Saturdays it's open in Willimsburg (11am-6pm) and Sunday it's open in DUMBO under the Manhattan bridge (10am-5pm).
Click here to go to their website.
This is a picture I took there in a cool vintage mirror. Say hello to my legs, I guess?
2. Ellis Island. Okay, this is something that I feel is SO underrated. If you're into spooky things, highly intuitive, and love history... check this out. If you aren't familiar, Ellis Island is where 12 million immigrants came through to America (prob your relatives) and were held here before actually setting foot on American soil. My grandpa came through here and immigrated as a boy and actually has his name on a huge plaque outside. It was an immigration inspection station that is now turned into a museum. (Parts of it burned in a fire, spooky, much?) There's kind of an eerie feeling about this place which makes me love it more. Some people, before making it through, died from sickness and.. this is going to sound crazy, but my dad swears on his mother's life that he saw a ghost here with us when I was a kid. I still remember the look on his face. No lie. Anyways, yeah. Check this out. While doing this you can also see the Statue of Liberty. You take a ferry to get to the islands and get combo tickets for both. I would buy tickets ahead of time because the lines can get long.
Also, if you want to REALLY get creepy, they have this special tour in Ellis island's abandoned hospital, called a "Hard Hat Tour". It's a 90 minute guided tour that takes you through the hospital side of Ellis Island that has not been restored (which you can't see otherwise and hence the hard hats, I guess in case some part of the building falls on you?) through the autopsy room, infectious and disease wards, the kitchen, and the mortuary. Can you say creepy?? I have never done this but this is something I've always wanted to do. I believe tickets are about $50, so it's a bit pricey.
Side note: Apparently 3,500 people died on Ellis Island from sickness and disease, trying to make it through to America. If that's creepy enough for you, lol.
3. Washington Square Park/Greenwich Village. Described as a gathering spot for avant-garde artists. This is the place to be if you are a lover of the arts. If you've ever seen the Washington Arch next to a huge water fountain, this is where that is. It's located in Greenwich Village, also known as "The Village". Maybe bring a blanket and lay on the grass, like a lot of people do and even bring a sketchbook or novel. This is the most "artsy" side of NYC, so if you're artsy, you have to check it out. I used to love coming to The Village as a kid because it just gives off this feeling of creativity everywhere, which I've always loved. Most likely you'll see someone performing something. Honestly, it's a great spot to people watch, lol. Walk around The Village and you'll find music stores with vinyls, tattoo parlors, beautiful brownstones, jazz clubs, and off-broadway theaters.
Stop by Cafe Wha to soak up the historic great happenings of past famous musicians. Great musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan have made their way here before and now it's for young, new artists. The Duplex is another great spot, it's an awesome piano bar. At Blecker Records Street, sort through your favorite records and check out the guest list on the wall of all the famous people who have been inside there before. Johnny Depp being one! I mean, what other city can you find things like this?
There are also iconic spots in Greenwich Village like where they shot Friends (Bedford and Grove street) and Sex and the City (Carrie Bradshaw's apartment on Perry street). Obviously ya gotta take pictures.
Also, if you're really into that type of environment, look into events that they have in the park! Looking into it now, they have yoga and tai chi!
Bring your own mat, but their yoga is FREE and starts from 6/6/19 to 9/19/19 every Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30am-9:30am.
(Not my own picture, but just so you know what it is)
4. The Jimmy Fallon Show. Okay, so I have literally never thought about doing this until this year, but this would be so fun! Unfortunately, the week I'll be in NYC is the same week he takes his annual hiatus.
The tickets for his show are free but you need to make sure you reserve tickets as soon as they go up. They only go up a month at a time. Check his twitter account starting the first day of the month before you are trying to go. For example; if you're going in August, check his twitter July 1st, and he'll write an update for what time/date it'll be up for August starting that first week of July some time. Just turn on your announcements for his twitter that first week of July. You have to make an account on his website too. But even then, apparently tickets aren't guaranteed and you won't know that you have seats until maybe a week or so before?
You can always wait in line early in the morning between 6am-9am for tickets on the same day and you should get them (according to research).
5. See beautiful, picture worthy architecture and landmarks.
- St Patrick's Cathedral - just plain beautiful. Light a candle for a loved one.
- Washington Square Arch - located in Greenwich Village
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge - one of the most popular places for Instagram pics
- New York Public Library - the ceiling in this place... just, wow
Here's a picture. So beautiful.
- Grand Central Terminal - the ceiling inside is also amazing. there's a secret place in here at an intersection of four walk ways, where you can hear someone through the wall, if you're on the opposite end. It's such a cool thing to do. Here's a link to what I mean.
- The Vessel - just opening this past March 2019, it's a new favorite place for Instagram shots. There isn't much to see to me, rather than a cool building. But you can reserve free tickets two weeks before going and walk up it. It's built very differently... so you literally go up and down stairs. But don't worry, there's an elevator to the top as well.
Here's a picture of the Vessel. Kinda crazy looking.
6. See a Broadway play. This isn't something that I've done every time, but if you usually don't go to New York, this should definitely be at the top of your list. Some plays are definitely more expensive than others. This time, my mom and I are actually going to see The Phantom of the Opera (for the first time!) and we got pretty good seats at a decent price. I recently saw Anastasia and Dear Evan Hansen (which got amazing reviews) is currently the top must-see show. If you're going to NYC during Christmas, you HAVE to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Make sure you get tickets from a legit site! We used Telecharge.com.
Click here to get to the website we used for tickets.
This is Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes perform!
7. Tenement Museum. This is not something most know about, but it is so interesting and full of history. Another immigrant museum, take tours of restored tenement apartments and see how immigrants actually lived when first entering America. Some of it is quite shocking, a family of five may be living in one single room while there's another family living in the room next to them. As you walk inside these apartments, your tour guide will tell you specific stories of real families during this time that lived here and you're even able to see some items the families may have used along with furniture dated back then. A historian who worked on the renovation said that "you can feel the lives of the thousands of people who lived here" and it's so true. So moving.
8. Museums, museums, museums! Okay, more museums. I wanted to leave the Tenement Museum out because, I don't know, I just thought it should be separate. I absolutely love museums. These are my favorites:
- The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) - The MET steps are also known as the most iconic place for Gossip Girl fans. You obviously have to take a picture of the steps if you come here. But besides that, this museum is amazing. From ancient Egyptian artifacts and temples to 18th Century resembled rooms to paintings... this has it all. You can't see everything in one day. And this also has flexible pricing, so you can pay whatever amount you're able to.
- MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) - Modern and Contemporary art. Nuff said. This is also free on Fridays.
- The Guggenheim Museum - my least favorite out of the whole list and no where near as big as the others, but it's still cool if you have already seen the others. You view the art as you walk up the museum in a spiral fashion, so that's pretty different.
- The New York Transit Museum - it's $10 to get in. I haven't been, but the only reason I wanted to add this is because, if you want a cool subway picture hack, this is the place to do it. There are a bunch of empty cars (that show what they used to look like through the years) and there aren't many people here so it's easy to get an empty car and take a "cool subway picture". If you ever wondered how people took cool subway pictures in seemingly empty cars, this is how.
Spotted on the MET Steps. Because I just had to. xoxo.
9. Central Park. How can this not be on my list? Pretty sure it's the most famous park in the world. It's seriously freaking huge. Try to check out the Imagine memorial for John Lennon. It's always busy and I can almost guarantee someone will be next to it playing one of his songs. There's also the Balto statue (um, the sled dog who saved all those sick kids by bringing them vaccines in an snow storm in Alaska, duh - my favorite movie as a kid).
You can take a boat ride in Central Park as well, I'm gonna insert a picture that I took a few years ago of all the boats. I haven't actually done this but it would be a really relaxing idea. You don't really need a plan when going into Central Park because walking around is beautiful enough. Also, I'm pretty sure every rom com ever was shot there, walking down "the mall" (the long strip rows of benches where a lot of people get their picture drawn).
Try to stop by the Plaza hotel on 59th street! If you're on the South side that is. It's beautiful and also where Home Alone 2 was shot. You're allowed to roam around the lobby, everyone does.
*Side note: The Central Park Zoo is really not worth it. Just my opinion but I remember going there once as a kid and I think they have like seven animals in total. At least that's what it felt like, lol.
I took this a few years back. So serene. I need to take a boat ride one day.
10. Walk down 5th Avenue. This is the most popular place for luxury shopping. I usually never buy anything, with the exception of one time when I got a Michael Kors watch as a present to myself, but it's really fun to window shop and look inside at all the fancy things. Fifth Ave is really long, so I think most of the stores are more towards Central Park. My mom and I are planning on getting our hair done at the Dry Bar and then walking down 5th Ave to pretend we're fancy. Vibes af.
11. The 9/11 Museum and Memorial/One World Observatory. This is just so important to see while you're here. I'm the type of person that loves to feel things. Whether it's sad or happy. And this memorial... there are no words. It's just complete heartbreak when you enter. You can just feel the sadness engulf you. Which may not make you want to visit it, but it's a feeling that I don't mind. The people who lost their lives that day should always be remembered. I have never done the museum, which I'm doing this time when I go, as well as going up to the Freedom tower (the new World Trade Center), and I've only heard good things about the museum. A must-see. (btw, the memorial itself is free)
While seeing the museum, you might as well pay a bit extra and go up to the One World Observatory (the new World Trade Center building, also called the Freedom Tower). I'll be doing this for the first time as well. The elevator shoots you up to the top, 102 stories in 47 seconds, while showing you a digital NYC through the years starting at the very beginning when New York City was just being built, inside the elevator.
Right now, they're selling tickets for both for $46, which is definitely a deal, seeing how the 9/11 memorial museum alone is $26 and the observatory is $35.
Click here to get combo tickets for the 9/11 museum and one world observatory.
12. Rockefeller Center. I just love Rockefeller Center. This is where they have the ice skating rink open during Christmas season. If you're going to NYC during the holidays, you HAVE to, like seriously have to see Rockefeller Center. Because it is magical. There's a mall inside too with places to eat.
(Also not my picture, but just so you know what it is)
13. The Highline. This is a public park built on top of a historic freight rail line, an empty railroad track that's been converted, and it's elevated above the city. There's a lot of cool public art and interesting food to get here. Not on my very top list of things to do, but still cool.
14. Times Square - Ehhhh, I think it's personally overrated, but I mean, if you've never been to NYC before, you have to check it out. I don't know if this is still a thing, but look out for the "naked cowboy". There's a lot to do in Times Square, I just think it's way too crowded. But, there's Ripley's Believe it or Not (which is always fun), Madame Tussands (Wax Muesuem), and tons of shopping, including like a five story Forever 21 (maybe more stories? I'm not sure). Just don't eat in Times Square. That is not real New York food, please. lol.
15. Bryant Park Winter Village - This is the most wonderful place to go during the Christmas season! They set up a 17,00 square foot ice skating rink in the middle and have 170 pop up shops and food vendors around it. This is a must to do if you're in NYC during the holidays. Ultimate holiday vibes. Cozy up and grab some hot chocolate or roasted chestnuts and look at all the cute trinkets, handmade soaps, Christmas ornaments, and so much more.
Side note: I hear they are opening the winter village before Halloween this year! It's never too early for some holiday spirit.
That's all I have for you guys on this post! Of course there is soo much more to do in New York City that I didn't mention, but these were some of my favorites, or just some cool things I thought needed to be mentioned.
Stay tuned for a blog post of all the cute cafes and delicious (or just plain cool) restaurants to eat at in New York City!
Lots of love,
Sammi
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