5 Must-see Experiences in New York City
As an avid traveler (I’m nearing my goal of hitting 50 countries & the 50 US States before I turn 30), I have refined a pretty good approach to diving into a new city and experiencing what it has to offer. I love to experience what makes a city unique — what can you see here that you can’t have anywhere else? I just crossed my 1 year anniversary of living in New York and thought I’d share a quick post on what I recommend every visitor to New York experiences. Here it is — please share your thoughts and top NYC experiences in the comments below!
- Experience the uniqueness of New York City by taking a stroll on the Highline.
You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in the world. The Highline used to be an old railroad track elevated above the city. Rather than tearing it down, the city was convinced to turn it into a park. A park on top of the city! Walking down the highline, you’ll see some amazing art, world-famous architecture, and fun props like a giant picture frame with the city streets behind it. Go during sunset for extra Instagram-able lighting. Also while you’re in this area, go see Chelsea Market, the giant fancy flea market with tons of fun shops and restaurants!
2. You can’t leave the city without seeing it from above! Hit up the top of the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center Observatory.
Either of these have great views, and you don’t have to go to both. Manhattan is the textbook definition of “concrete jungle” with its countless skyscrapers and breathtaking scenery. It’s easy to forget you’re on a freaking island! I also recommend The William Vale Rooftop in Brooklyn for views OF Manhattan. Seeing it from a distance is also quite the spectacle. Fun fact: at night you’ll see two giant spires on top of 2 buildings in midtown changing colors. It’s individual people changing the colors of the towers, perhaps impressing dates or friends. A limited number of people have access — if you ask nicely, I might be able to light up the sky with your favorite color ;)
3. Get a feel for the old-time glamour — go inside the New York Public Library
Built in 1897, the NYPL was the recipient of millions of dollars in generous donations. Have a look inside and explore the 3 stories with many old-fashioned feeling rooms. You’ll find the reading room with beautiful lamps on every desk, a map room, and archives of some very old books. Might as well take a stroll in Bryant Park right behind the library while you’re at it. You’ll sometimes find people doing yoga there when the weather is nice, or ice skating during the winter.
4. Take in the NYC culture with a Broadway or a comedy show
This is what NYC is known for — its aspiring artists from actors to comedians to writers. You can find a show for just about anyone — go to https://www.broadway.com/shows/tickets/ to see what’s on. Also, hit up the Broadway Lottery while you’re here to win discounted tickets. If plays aren’t your cup of tea, go to a comedy show — you might end up seeing a famous comic practicing new material on the local crowd. I recommend Comedy Cellar and Gotham Comedy Club.
5. Food! There is so much to eat here — I recommend Vezzo for NYC Pizza or Buddakan for something a little different.
You seriously can’t go wrong with a little bit of research. The 2 places I recommended above are 2 of my favorites, but search Foursquare for any type of cuisine and you’ll find more options than you can cover in a year. Vezzo, Gruppo, and Tappo are owned by the same group and give you the true NYC thin crust pizza with creative topping selections. Buddakan is an example of Asian fusion with an over-the-top atmosphere (giant chandeliers, big statues, crazy décor). Anything you’re craving, NYC has it.
If you’re planning a trip to NYC, cover these 5 things and you’ll be set. I’ve pulled these out of my personal list of 100+ NYC experiences I’ve kept track of over my time here. I may put together some neighborhood lists or themed lists. Let me know what you’d like to read about and I can share my suggestions!
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What are your favorite NYC experiences? Need any specific recommendations? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Write it in the comments or on Twitter.
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