22 Things to do in NYC
touristy edition
After growing up in Manhattan these are my non negotiable activities that everyone needs to do at least once.
I will do a more local version, but maybe this will give you inspiration for things you haven’t done yet.
Number One: Explore Chinatown, just go inside the grocery stores, do a self guided food crawl or maybe the museum of Chinese in America.
Number Two: Shop the streets of Soho, Soho has the largest cast iron architecutre collection in the entire world. You can also explore niche neighboorhoods like the ragrance district, Little Paris and Little Italy. Also, don’t forget to stop at the Elizabeth Street Garden.
Number Three: Explore Downtown Manhattan, from the stock market to the fearless girl, South Street Seaport, to Fraunces Tavern, which literally served as a bar for the founding fathers.
It’s crazy how in New York you can experience so many different eras of history minutes away from each other.
Number Four: Visiting the 9/11 Memorial, one of the most meaningful places in New York, and the Freedom Tower, one of the best views in New York City.
Number Five: Hang out in the West Village, so many iconic brownstones here like Carrie Bradshaw’s or the one from Friends. There are tons of quaint boutiques, and the vibes are just so good here, it is a classic New York neighborhood. Don’t forget to go to the Stonewall Monument, MacDougal Street, Cafe Reggio— the first place to have cappuccinos in New York, Cafe Wah—which has hosted performance by Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, and more. Of course, Washington Square Park, for better or for worse you find everything here.
Number Six: Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and head to Dumbo, Dumbo has beautiful view of New York, many galleries, and Time Out Market, which has a beautiful rooftop view.
Number Seven: Spend a day in Williamsburg shopping in all the vintage stores, cafe hopping and relaxing in Domino Park — located under the old Domino Sugar factory.
Number Eight: Spend a day in the East Village, there are tons of independent shops that range from bookstores that specialize in animal related books, to a rubber stamp store, to a candy store that sells fried Oreos where the owner lives in the back on a mattress. It is also home to Little Tokyo and Little Ukraine, two enclaves to check out.
Number Nine: Alphabet City, try your luck at Botanical Garden 6BC, and see if the treehouse is open. If not, head to Book Club, its a coffee shop by day bar by night, and bookstore all the time.
Number Ten: Walk along Orchard St, stop at the Tenement Museum to learn about the immigrant past of New York. Orchard St has so many cool boutiques, such as a bookstore where you can trade books for pickles.
Number Eleven: Explore Gramercy Park and the Flatiron District, mainly Madison Square Park, which has the original Shake Shack. The area also has one of my favorite flea markets, The Chelsea Flea.
Number Twelve: Chelsea Market, operated in the old Oreo Factory, lots of cool shops, food spots. Every Thursday, the galleries open up for free wine nights. You can check out @ thirstygallerina on instagram to see a list of all the galleries open every week — she updates the day before.
Number Thirteen: Walk along the Highline, once a railroad, it is now an elevated park. One of those most unique green spaces in New York.
Number Fourteen: Hudson Yards, check out the vessel, explore the edge, and go to Little Spain — a Spanish food hall.
Number Fifteen: Brace Midtown, not my favorite spot in New York, but there are a few highlights. Check out the New York Public Library, Koreatown, Bryant Park, MoMa, RiseNY, and of course see a musical on Broadway.
Number Sixteen: Head Uptown, head to the Natural History Museum and the New York Historical Society — the oldest museum in New York.
Number Seventeen: Walk around Central Park — the best park in the world, even after visiting over forty countries. I will be posting the best walking route for it so soon, along with some of my more hidden spots.
Number Eighteen: Explore the Upper East Side, start at the Museum Mile — The Met, The Guggenheim, The Neue Gallery. Then get Ralphs Coffee, walk around the beautiful neighborhood admiring the architecture and the quiet.
Number Nineteen: Head to Long Island City’s Gantry Park for sweeping views of Manhattan — and beautiful sunsets. If you are feeling adventurous, Astoria is right next door and has some of the best Greek food in New York.
Number Twenty: Take in history in Hamilton and Washington Heights — see Alexander Hamilton’s house, the Hispanic Museum and Library, Sylvan Terrace and the Jumel Mansion (the oldest house in New York).
Number Twenty-One: Take a walking tour of Harlem, I highly recommend Free Tours by Foot. You can also stay for a jazz show or a performance at the Apollo.
Number Twenty-Two: EAT!!! I will make a separate thread about all of my favorite food spots, but you really can’t beat the culinary scene in New York.