Artsy Things To Do In Nyc

World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial And Museum

40 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY New York City Travel Guide

On September 11th, 2001, almost 3,000 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in NYC and elsewhere. Dont miss this somber memorial, which lists the names of everyone killed . Afterward, take in the view from the new Freedom Tower . On the elevator up, you can see pictures of the historical development of the city and how its changed over the years. To get a deeper understanding of 9/11 and the events that unfolded, visit the museum. Its home to moving exhibits that illuminate the scope and significance of the tragedy.

180 Greenwich Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, +1 212 266 5211, 911memorial.org. Memorial open daily from 10am-5pm. Museum open Thursday-Monday from 10am-5pm. The memorial is free to visit museum entry is $26 USD. Free entry Mondays from 3:30pm-5pm .

Check Out A Speak Easy

Stay in NYC long enough and you may start to believe that prohibition is still alive and strong. Why? Because there are speakeasies all around the city which is part of the charm.

There is a myriad of different choices from La Esquina in Soho to Blind Barber in Alphabet City. Check out our list of this years top speak easies.

Unusual Things To Do In New York City: Manhattan

Were gonna start this wicked awesome post off right by exploring some of the most unusual things to do in Manhattan, the most famous of New Yorks five boroughs.

Because even though Manhattan is home to some of New York Citys most iconic attractions , there are a wealth of super quirky, totally unusual things to do here.

Places youd only really know about if youve lived in New York City for twenty plus years, like me.

Luckily for you though, Im about to share all of my insider secrets about some of the most unusual things to do in New York City, at least if youre planning on exploring Manhattan.

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Where To Stay In New York

A city like New York has no shortages of places to stay. However, accommodation is expensive, and location is everything.

I used to live in Manhattan and I loved it, though it could be chaotic at times. The southern bits are definitely quieter and give more of a feeling of neighborhoods where it is pleasant to walk around, and I would recommend staying there.

These are the best places to stay:

  • Archer Hotel is a great mid-range option in Manhattan. Rooms arent massive, but they are comfortable.
  • The Pierre, A Taj Hotel is right by Fifth Avenue. If you have the budget to splurge, youll enjoy the spacious rooms.
  • HI NYC Hostel is a great option for travelers on a budget.

Heres an even more detailed list of where to stay in Manhattan for under $200 a night.

Another option could be staying in Brooklyn after all, the public transportation system in New York works really well. These are the best places to stay in Brooklyn:

  • Wythe Hotelis located in what used to be a factory so in a charming building. Rooms there are large with stylish decorations.
  • Pod Brooklyn offers small but incredibly well organized and comfortable pods.
  • 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has very modern spacious rooms with unbeatable views.

Visit The Empire State Building

Probably one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, seeing the Empire State Building is pretty hard to miss.

You see, the Empire State Building actually dominates Midtown and is easy to visit.

If you fancy, head to the top of the Empire State Building which has some great views across the city. Just like the Top of the Rock, its a perfect place to see the city from above.

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Feast On Some Of Grandmas Cooking From Around The World At Enoteca Maria

Love unique and quirky NYC restaurants?

This Staten Island Italian eatery hosts a regular series called Nonnas of the World, where culinary-inclined grandmothers from different cultures share some of their top recipes with the restaurants clientele.

Though the restaurant specializes in Italian fare, the nonnas have cooked up roti, seafood curries, and all kinds of dishes to the delight of patrons.

Cant enjoy the nonnas cooking in person?

Enoteca Maria now offers some of their most famous sauces to go!

No7 Cool Thing To Do In New York Hipster For A Day

An area dating back to the 17th Century, Williamsburg is today the center of the New York hipster community. Entrepreneurs, artists and creatives are moving to Williamsburg and turning the area into a thriving, flowery and colourful part of the city.

Expect funky cafes, pop-up food markets, alternative New York designer shops and a melting pot of cultures as the previous residents of the area blend in with the new wave of gentrification.

Spend the day at the flea market and then wander around the main streets for second hand finds, great coffee, brunch, sex shops, record stores, parks , delicious cookies and cupcakes, Brooklyn Brewery tours , and all-round hipster cool New York life.

You may want to catch an independent movie at Nitehawk Cinema top top the day off.

Wandering the streets is the best way to enjoy Williamsburg. If you also want to taste it, the food walking tours of the area are fantastic as they will take you to the small stores that are famous for having contestants from Master Chef and other programs alike. If you want to know what the next foodie craze may be, this is probably the place to see it first.

STAY CONNECTED

Remember to grab a SIM card so you are connected and reachable throughout your time in New York City.

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Save Big On Things To Do In New York In December

There are New York City Coupons and Discounts available for almost everything one can do in NYC, except for a few exclusive events, shows and restaurants. This time of year, there are huge savings on shows, tours, attractions and other fun things to do in December.

Examples include Elf The Musical, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, The Big Apple Circus, Museums, Holiday Lights Tours, New Years Eve Parties and lots more. For updates and details, check the NYC Insider Guide to ALL our local steals and deals.

Back to Topof Best Things To Do in NYC in December

Peruse Through Some Of The Murder Mysteries Youll Find Inside The Mysterious Bookshop

Microsoft Artsy: Creating an immersive art experience

Check out some of the scary good, murder mysteries for sale at the Mysterious Bookshop in NYC.

Bibliophiles of the world, rejoice!

Because NYC is chocker box full of truly bizarre, specialty bookshops of every variety.

And the Mysterious Bookshop is no exception.

Opened in 1979 by Otto Penzler:

This quirky, Tribeca bookshop quite literally has a mystery around every corner.

Thats because:

This shop is the worlds oldest and biggest bookstore, selling exclusively mystery, crime, and espionage-related novels.

Even though you wont find any over the top decor that features rogue corpses dangling off a bookshelf or two, you will find an office door or two that is roped off with some ominous, yellow, police caution tape that reads, Crime Scene, Do Not Cross.

Youll also see every inch of the almost 20-foot tall bookshelves here packed with books about death and destruction, with a section devoted to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, James Patterson, and now-defunct detective magazines like Black Mask.

However:

If youre looking for even more bookish bliss, then saunter on down to the stores low ceilinged basement, where youll discover an assortment of standard, as well anthologies and first edition, of mysterious books of every variety.

Address: 58 Warren Street, New York, New York

Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

How to Get There: Take either the 1, 2, 3 or A/C Train to Chambers Street and walk to the bookshop from there.

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Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square

The Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square, not to be confused with the Riu Plaza New York Times Square on 46th St, is HUGE with more than 650 rooms with mini-fridges and free Wifi. A huge hotel means super competitive rates at a hotel opening at the end of a pandemic in Times Square nevermind their sister hotel down the street also has 600+ rooms to fill! Reservations open August 2021 making this hotel a December 2021 steal!

Back to Topof New York City Events December 2021 Activities Calendar

Things To Do In Nyc: Schmackarys

Zachary Schmackary Schmahl is the original cookie monster. He loves cookies so much that he went all over the country trying all the best cookies and decided that there was something missing. Zachary was not satisfied with just chocolate chip cookies and the like. He realized that there were so many flavors missing so he decided to come to New York and make them himself. In 2011 he started selling his cookies online and a year later opened a shop in New Hell’s Kitchen. Zachary now sells 45 types of cookies called “modern cookie classics” and “seasonal cookie sensations.” The flavors rotate daily, but most of the time you can find his signature flavors such as Maple Bacon, Red Velvet, and Fluffler Nutter. He even meddled with the classic chocolate chip by adding a touch of sea salt. He also makes The Oatmeal Scotchie, an oatmeal, cinnamon, and vanilla cookie filled with crunchy butterscotch chips. The King of New York is a gluten-free dark chocolate cookie with salted pretzel pieces in its heart. There are also cookies with bacon, with cayenne pepper, and practically anything the cookie monster could think of.

362 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036, Phone: 646-801-YUMM

You are reading “23 Fun Things to Do in NYC with Kids of All Ages” Back to Top or More romantic weekend getaways, more places of interest in, wedding venues near me, time zone, what to do

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Experience Van Gogh Art In A New Immersive Way

Have you ever dreamt of living inside a painting?

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is an innovative art exhibition in NYC that displays the universe of Vincent van Gogh in a 360-degree digital composition.

Explore Van Goghs work and his secrets in a unique experience, with virtual reality features and an unconventional light and sound atmosphere.

Ready for a spooky night? Go behind the scenes at the Basilica of St. Patricks Old Cathedral. Get access to the off-limits and hidden areas of the Basilica grounds, and step into the only active catacombs in New York City.

Fun Things To Do In Nyc With Kids Of All Ages

Bustling New York City, NY features activities and sites that are suitable for almost any type of visitor and the family traveler is no different. New York offers a diverse selection of activities to engage the minds and speak to the hearts of children. The selection of museums includes several world-class childrens museums, public parks, playgrounds, free attractions and unique tours. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed.

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Get A Breathtaking View From Atop The Freedom Tower

The Freedom Tower, officially called the One World Observatory, is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

The Observatory on the 100th and 101st floors is open and is quite an amazing experience.

For information on tickets and hours, read our post, One World Observatory which can help you plan your visit, as well as how to get discounted tickets.

Visit The Harry Potter New York Store

One of the more recent additions to this list of the most unusual things to do in NYC, the Harry Potter New York store just opened on June 3rd and is a bohemoth, 2-story retail outlet that is located right near the flatiron building in lower Manhattan.

So, if youre a Harry Potter fan of even the smallest measure, be sure to stop by and puruse through their amazing collection of Harry Potter-related merchandise, including everything from wands to pens to notebooks to t-shirts and full-on Harry Potter-inpsired robes.

There are also some uber-cute photo ops on the first floor, including a spot where can snap a selfie with Hagrids giant shoes and a place where you can take a photo with an iconic, vintage, red phone booth from London.

Afterward, head downstairs and explore the cavernous basement, which is filled with even more Harry Pottter-related awesomeness, like an adorable tunnel of books where you can try and snap a wicked awesome selfie. Theres also a unique, virtual reality experience for you to try if you have a little extra cash to burn.

Finally, before you leave, be sure to visit the on-site cafe and order a giant mug of butter beer for me. Its delicious and tastes just like the most glorious, cream sodathat you ever did taste.

Because trust me, this really is one of the best hidden gems in NYC for the entire family.

Address: 935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010

Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

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Explore Quirky New York History At The City Reliquary

There are many unique things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn one of which is visiting the City Reliquary.

First of all, their permanent collection is intriguing, showcasing items like L-train paint fragments, a very old shovel, horse bones, and a decaying birthday cake.

Moreover, they celebrate local culture through rotating exhibits on themes like milk history and farmer struggles, pizza and donut heritage, and candy manufactured in NYC.

This is definitely one of the more fun and unusual things to do in New York State.

Try Some Of The Prettiest Toast In Nyc At Davelle

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If you should ever find yourself aimlessly wandering through the charming streets of the Lower East Side, then be sure to stop by this tiny, hole in the wall, Japanese cafe.

Not only are the staff SUPER nice, but the curry is absolutely delicious. However, Davelle really makes it on this list of the most unusual things to do in NYC because they serve up some of the most insanely beautiful toast that I ever did see.

So, if youre a diehard Instagram maven who is looking for druel-worthy, Japanese-style toast, then Davelle is the eatery of your dreams.

After all, Its modeled after a tradtional Japanese tea and coffee shop known as a kissaten and is known for serving up unique, speciality toasts that are equal parts delicious and stunning.

Therefore, stop by any time between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm daily and try innovative toasts like Ogura , honey lemon , berry and cream cheese, ham and egg, cheese curry, Mentai Mayo , and black sesame and cream cheese .

Pro Tip: This place is SMALL AF and one of the more popular hidden gems in NYC. So, if you want to get a seat, be sure to get here early. Like, right when they open. Otherwise, grab your order to go and eat in a local park.

Address: 102 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm.

Price: Speciality toasts are between $10 and $12 each.

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Visit The Statue Of Liberty And Ellis Island

Lady Liberty may already be on your must-see list.

Its important to know about ticket options, prices, and schedules in advance so you can plan for the perfect visit and maximizing your time.

See our post on visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which can help you choose a ticket type and pick a good time to go.

Nerdy Things To Do In Nyc

New York City is the perfect place to embrace your inner nerd.Whether you’re a graphic novel nerd, tv and movie nerd, a science techie, or a gamer geek, you’ll find your place in one of our favorite nerdiest things to do in the NYC.A number of these nerdy things to do are included as part of the New York City Explorer Pass.Choose as you go from dozens of fun New York attractions and save up to 50% off combined admission vs paying at the gate.See all available passes, attractions & prices Learn more.

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Enjoy A Brief Moment Of Solitude At The New York Chinese Scholars Garden

The quiet beauty of the Chinese Scholars Garden in Staten Island, New York City.

One of just two classic, outdoor, Chinese-style gardens in the United States:

The New York Chinese Scholars Garden is a wonderfully tranquil place that is perfect for a bit of quiet, self-reflection.

Built for the Snug Harbor Cultural Center:

This recreation of a traditional, Ming Dynasty Garden was originally constructed by 40 Chinese artisans who used nothing but traditional building techniques to design this complex in Suzhou City, China.

Once the masterpiece was complete:

The entire garden was then shipped all the way to the good old US of A, where it sits today, thrilling guests with its enchanting rock formations, bamboo forests, beautiful lilac trees, rhododendrons, and soothing waterfalls.

Chinese-style pavilions and bridges also abound here and allow guests to traverse exquisite, koi-filled ponds.

Thats why:

If you happen to be in Staten Island, then take some time to enjoy the gardens vast beauty, which is only accentuated by a dizzying array of Chinese paintings, mosaics, and calligraphy pieces.

Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York, 10301

Hours: Open October 1 through April 15 on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. And open April 15 through September 30 Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

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