Is The New York City Pass Worthwhile
Good question. It depends on the duration of your trip.
The pass is $132 per person and allows access to six attractions over the span of 9 days. If you think you have adequate time for at least 6 of the attractions listed below, the pass might be worth your while.
Another option to consider is the New York City C3 Pass. The C3 pass is $84 per person and allows access to three attractions over the span of 9 days.
Attractions covered by the City Pass:
- Empire State Building
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Guggenheim Museum
- Hornblower Sightseeing Cruises
Based on my math, I suggest getting the New York City C3 Pass if you plan to visit at least three of the following places:
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock
- The Statue of Liberty
- The Museum of Modern Art
Where to stay in New York City
Lodging in New York City will not be cheap. Anyway you slice it, sleeping in the city that never sleeps is expensive. In fact, lodging will probably be the biggest hit to your budget.
With that said, for first time visitors, my recommendation is to stay in Greenwich Village or SoHo.
- My favorite mid-range hotel in New York City is the Soho Grand Hotel. SoHo has a calmer feel than other parts of New York City.
Getting around New York City
Walking is a great way to get around
- You will be doing a lot of walking during your first visit to New York City. The subway is efficient but sometimes its better to walk between places to absorb more of the city.
Uber and Lyft
The Metro
Taxis
Take A Leisurely Walkthrough Van Cortlandt Park
Looking to escape the chaos of the city with a short jaunt into the simple beauty of nature?
If so then consider taking a scenic hike through the Bronxs very own, Van Cortlandt Park.
Because believe it or not:
This massive green space is 1,1146 acres in size, making it the third-largest park in the city.
It is also home to more than twenty miles of hiking trails, including the picturesque Cass Gallagher Nature Trail, the John Kieran Trail, the John Muir Trail, the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, and the Putnam Trail.
A diverse array of fantastically fun hikes that will take your through the parks Forever Wild Preserve, Northeast/Northwest Forests, Croton Woods, Wetlands, and Meadows.
Feel free to grab a map and enjoy this amazing, expansive natural landscape while doing fun things like barbecuing in the Shandler Recreation Area, walking your dog in the Canine Court, visiting the Van Cortlandt House Museum , and exploring the Van Cortlandt Nature Center.
Additionally:
The park is also home to four different playgrounds, as well as a variety of different sports fields where visitors can cycle, play basketball, and enjoy a friendly game of baseball.
Address: 3545 Jerome Ave, Bronx, New York, 10467
Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
How to Get There: Take the 1 train to 242nd Street station and walk to the park from there.
Price: FREE!
Visit Lady Liberty And Ellis Island
For some, this is a must-do for visitors to NYC. You will need to plan to spend 4-5 hours to see both islands, but it really is worth it.
The views on the boat cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are wonderful.
We offer tips for planning your visit to both attractions and include our own self-guided tours of both islands.
Alternatively, you can also get tickets for pedestal access with some Statue of Liberty tours.
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Manhattan Sky Tour By Helicopter
See the city from a birds eye view during this helicopter ride in Manhattan.
Hit the sky in a luxurious six-passenger Bell 407 aircraft.
Youll see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Wall Street from above.
Helicopter tours of NYC range from 15 to 30 minutes in length and depart from Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Pier 6 on the East River.
Naturally, photography is allowed so you can take incredible pictures from a unique angle.
Visit The Great Jack Olantern Blaze
If you love carving pumpkins and all things Halloween, youll love the spectacular Great Jack OLantern Blaze. The event takes place in the Hudson Valley a quick train ride away, featuring over 7,000 illuminated pumpkins all hand-carved with various designs to create glowing sculptures. The illuminated pumpkins are turned into things such as dinosaurs, trains, carousels, snakes, skeletons, and just about anything you can think of. Read more here.
P.S. The Great Jack OLantern Blaze will also be taking place on Long Island! Learn more here.
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Go In Search Of Movie Sets
It is clear that the city hides in its streets and squares thousands of scenes from mythical movies and series. If you want to know exactly where is the apartment where Monica and Rachel had Chandler and Joey as neighbors in Friends or want to discover the mythical fire station of the Ghostbusters, this article on 10 TV & movie locations in New York City will help you. Whether you join one of the guided tours or go to the locations on your own, be sure to look them up!
Have A Drink At The Trinity Place Bank Vault Bar
Looking for a truly unique dining experience in New York City?
If so, then venture on over to NYCs infamous financial district and stop by Trinity Place, a bar and restaurant that actually sits inside a wicked awesome, vintage bank vault.
In fact:
The vault in and of itself is a bit unusual since it features two, 35-ton doors on either end, that date all the way back to 1904.
First commissioned by New York Realty Bank:
The vault turned out to be so heavy that the creator, Mosler Safe Company, actually had to sail the entire structure down the Hudson River from Upstate New York.
Now:
Time travel a little over one hundred years into the future and youll find that this nifty, ultra-historic vault has been fully restored to its former glory, a la 2006.
Thats why:
The round, five-inch thick, circular doors of this super cool security device now sit at either end of a posh AF restaurant and bar, where you can sip on dignified cocktails like
a Cucumber Cosmo and an Espresso Martini.
Both of which are super delish I might add.
However:
if your tummy is feeling more than a little grumbly, then dig into anything featured on their delicious brunch menu, including thick-cut Brioche French Toast and goat cheese and spinach omelet that is the stuff that foodie dreams are made of.
***Looking for some more unusual things to do in NYC, including some super neat, ultra-quirky places to eat? Then check this amazing list of my 10 favorite themed restaurants in NYC.***
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Have The Best Steak In The Us
Steak lovers should plan to include a visit to Peter Lugers Steakhouse, which is located in Brooklyn. In addition to steak, you can have Luger Burger, Creamed spinach, a variety of salads and desserts. The steakhouse serves some of the best cuts of meat east of the Mississippi River and, possibly, the world. Steaks cost 65$ for one person and $130 for two persons.
Test Your Fear Of Heights At The Edge
Head to Hudson Yards and make your way to the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. From the Edge, youll feel like youre floating above the city and part of the observation deck even features a glass floor where you can look 100 stores below. Want even more? Sign up for a Sky-High Yoga class.
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Watch A Baseball Game At Yankee Stadium
If you are a baseball fan, seeing a game at the world-famous Yankee Stadium is a must and part of the New York experience. See here for information on tickets and seasonal passes.
Before the game, dont forget to stop by one of the street vendors and grab a Yankees hat to keep your competitive spirit well fed. While waiting for the game, you can also check out the museum behind the right field, which aims to hold signed baseballs from every living Yankees player.
The stadium also offers excellent food options, including Bareburger, Mighty Quinns Barbeque, and Tater Kegs, to pair your game.
Have A Drink At The Best Bar In The World
Caffe Dante dates back to 1915. It served as a staple for the community before slowly fading into oblivion before two Australians decided to breathe new life into the historic institution in 2015.
The result was striking, within a few years of opening, Dante was named the best bar in the world in 2019 and appeared on the list again in 2020.
The menu is well curated with small fare and the drinks are perfectly executed. The hardest part about this experience is getting reservations because this is one of the best things to do in New York City.
After visiting Dante for dates in NYC on a handful of occasions, I can confirm that their drinks are some of the best Ive ever had. The dirty martini is particularly memorable.
Dante now has three locations Dante West Village and Caffe Dante are located a few blocks apart, and the newest addition Dante at Seaport.
I havent had luck getting into Caffe Dante without a reservation, so I suggest booking in advance. Try to book Friday evening during the spring and summer because they usually have a pleasant live jazz band.
Happy Hour: Both Dante locations have generous happy hour between 3pm and 5pm. Dante West Village offers martinis for $10 and Caffe Dante offers negronis for $10. The price/quality ratio cant be beat!
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Chill Out On The High Line
Snaking above the industrial West Side neighborhood is a 1.45-mile-long park, the famous High Line, from where you will be overlooking the beautiful Hudson River, massive murals, and Downtown New Yorks skyline.
This spot is most popular during the warm months when the flowers and plants are in full bloom. Sunset is also a very popular time, so, if you can, try for a morning or afternoon walk.
In addition to people watching, there are rotating works of sculpture and art every season, free star gazing nights, and lively cultural events like Latin dance nights.
Chill out on the high line of Manhattan. unknown. Contact us for credits or removal.
Look At Artwork By Banksy
Banksy is a British artist whose real identity still remains unknown and subject to speculation. He shows his artwork on publicly visible surfaces such as walls. He has been active since 1990 and deos satirical street art and dark humor with graffiti. In 2014, he was awarded Person of the Year at the 2014 Webby Awards. This exhibition is offered in 15 cities in the US, Asia, and Europe, and it is now being shown in NYC.
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Defy Vertigo From The Top Of The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is the most iconic building in New York, and from its observation deck you can enjoy wonderful views of the Big Apple. You can go up at sunrise, just before sunset, or even at night: whatever you choose, it’s an experience you’re sure to look back on with nostalgia for years to come.
For this, I definitely recommend you to buy your Empire State tickets online in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office, to be able to choose the best time to climb the Empire State and avoid the large crowds of tourists who, of course, have this visit among their priorities when visiting New York.
Wander The Washington Mews
Just north of Washington Square Park is a hidden private street called Washington Mews.
If you need an escape from NYC but dont have the time, or the budget, just stroll down the cobblestone street of million-dollar homes that were once 18th-century horse stables that carry the colorful feel of old-world European charm.
Once popular with the local artists residing in Greenwich Village since 2018, it has been used as the international houses of New York University.
Spend the rest of your day in Washington Square Park, where something is always happening, whether its people playing chess, students picnicking, musicians busking, and more.
There is also an array of cafes, bars, restaurants, and food trucks within a short walking distance many people get their food to go and eat it on the benches surrounding the fountain.
Check out more of Greenwich Village with this walking tour.
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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.
American Museum Of Natural History
As one of New Yorks most beloved and top museums, the American Museum of Natural History is equal parts fun and educational. Attracting millions of visitors every year, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. It’s located on the west side of Central Park, so it’s easy to build into a larger itinerary, too.
It includes more than 40 different permanent exhibition halls, and explores extensive subjects in the planetary, geological, biological, and anthropological sciences. Check out our guide for visiting the American Museum of Natural History.
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Get To Know The Mythical Madison Square Garden
You may not be a fan of the NBA per se, but you’re dying to discover this venue where so many artists and sports teams have made history. There are guided tours of the venue, you can attend concerts and you can, of course, watch the Knicks play at home. Here’s how to buy tickets to Madison Square Garden.
Shop The Strand Bookstore
Beloved by locals and visitors alike, the Strand Bookstore is one of the most iconic bookstores in New York City and one of the best places to spend rainy days in NYC.
Founded in 1927, the Strand is the only remaining bookstore from Book Row which was a coalition of 48 bookstores that lined Fourth Avenue. Every single bookstore, with the exception of the Strand, closed during the Great Depression.
Today this large NYC bookstore is home to 2.5 million books and serves as a safe-haven for insatiable bookworms far and wide.
Visitors are welcome to donate books and peruse the bookstore in search of something new. Definitely spend time exploring the used books, you might score a deal!
The Strand has several locations but I suggest visiting the flagship store in the East Village .
Looking for more independent bookstores to spend a New York City rainy day in? Check out 12+ Charming New York City Bookstores You Cant Help But Love.
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Get Out Of Manhattan And Explore The Rest Of The Boroughs Of New York City
I’m sorry but… New York is so much more than Manhattan, and while it’s tempting to just explore the island’s most iconic landmarks, there’s so much more to New York than that. In fact, the city is made up of five boroughs where New Yorkers live, dine out, shop, dance…. Don’t let yourself be overcome by laziness and explore what Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island have to offer in addition to Manhattan. I’ll tell you here what you can’t miss on your visit to the city: Best New York City Neighborhoods.
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New York City, USA, is known as The Big Apple for its very unique location. At the apex where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the throbbing core which is Manhattan entices all from near and far to come and stake their fortunes. Famously depicted in movies as a financial hub, art mirrors life in this case as New York City is an exciting city where skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building towers over the urban mass. Central Park, made famous by tele-series Friends, is actually a sprawling park where various entertainment activities are held. Broadway Theatre, where so many famous dancers, actors, and entertainment icons first performed, is lit up in Times Square. In the Big City, time never stops and indeed, amongst the hubbub, there is always much to see and do that you wont get to spend much time inside your beautiful hotel. Broadway Theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square. In the day, tour New York City to see its sights and sounds. At night, visit the clubs and bars to feel the energy of the city. Here are the best hip hop clubs in New York City, USA, to check out.
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