Go To The Un Headquarters
Located alongside the East River on 18 acres, is the United Nations Headquarters. Over 1 million people visit the UN annually, and if you are a history or architecture buff the spot is a must-see. Tickets are required for a visit, but you can usually score some with relatively short notice. During the weekdays, there is usually a guided tour, and as part of it, youll get to see the Economic and Social Council Chamber, Security Council Chamber and the Trusteeship Council Chamber.
Youll also find out how the UN deals with world issues as disarmament, peace, human rights and security. Lastly, a lot of New Yorkers havent set foot in UN Headquarters, so youd be one up on them if you visit.
Note: as of 4/22/21, the UN Headquarters is temporarily closed to the public.
Spend A Couple Of Hours At The Guggenheim Museum
Regularly fighting for the top spot on lists of New Yorks most esteemed art museums, the Guggenheim is an architectural marvel and home to one of modern arts finest collections.
From the classic paintings you know and love, including works from Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, Magritte, and others to more thought-provoking installations by living artists today its a world-class museum for all ages!
The building itself, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so even if you dont go in, its still worth strolling past.
An Interactive Museum Tour For Theater Fans
Fable & Lark: Storied Adventures, which specializes in interactive museum tours inspired by great stories, is releasing its first post-pandemic tour, Staged: The Museum Tour for People who Love Theater. Staged looks at the development of theater through the lens of artwork in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, from early Greek statues of actors to depictions of stories that inspired Broadway musicals. Interspersed with activities and questions about theater, the tour takes participants across the museum and across cultures to see the ways artists have worked the theme of theater into their creations for thousands of years. Participants should bring their T game, and maybe even be prepared to do a little acting, because, after all, all the worlds a stage. Sundays at 11am.
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Visit The Met Cloisters
Yes, The Met Museum has multiple branches, and all are unique. The museum on Fifth Avenue is the best known and has the largest and most varied collection of art on display. The Met Cloisters, on the other hand, solely showcases art from The Middle Ages.
No, that doesnt mean there are only paintings of Madonna and child on display. At the Cloisters, youll find entire rooms from medieval abbeys and churches that have been preserved and rebuilt on site, as well as tombs, priceless jewels, and more. The Cloisters are located way up north in Fort Tryon Park, but the journey is worth it!
Visit At Least 2 Of The Citys Best Rooftop Bars
With hundreds of skyscrapers, its no surprise that the Big Apple is home to some fantastic rooftop bars where you can relax after a long day of exploring.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, just around the corner from Madison Square Park, offers sublime views of the Empire State Building Bar 54 is perched 54 floors above the concrete jungle of Times Square, with signature cocktails to boot Gallow Green is a popular Chelsea spot offering laid-back, green-garden vibes the Spyglass Rooftop Bar near Bryant Park is known for its craft cocktails and Empire State Building view and, finally, the St. Cloud Rooftop Bar atop the five-star Knickerbocker Hotel might be pricey, but it exudes luxury and sophistication.
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Tour The Morgan Library & Museum
Okay, I lied. The Morgan might be the most unique museum on this list! . The building that we now know as The Morgan Library & Museum were given to the public by financier J.P. Morgans son in 1924. The bulk of the items on display today were collected by J.P. Morgan himself, and they range from manuscripts to prints to ancient artifacts.
But the collection is only part of the reason to visit this museum the building itself is worth paying admission for! The library looks like something youd find in a medieval castle, complete with hanging wall tapestries and books guarded by metal grates.
Tip: If possible, plan your visit when a walking tour is scheduled there are very few signs that describe the history of the building, so taking a docent-led tour is incredibly helpful.
See The Splendor Of Grand Central Station
From its massive celestial ceiling to its secret ‘whispering gallery’, there is no train station like it in the world.
Grand Central also has an amazing history and architectural details and quirks that you can read about in our guide to Grand Central Terminal.
We also cover this information in our audio tour with GPS, though not free, is just $1.99 to download.
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Catch A Show At The Apollo Theater
Located in Harlem, the Apollo Theater is another top performance venue to visit. The Apollo notably focuses a lot on independent creators and African American culture.
Shows to see at the Apollo Theater include jazz performances and other concerts, comedy shows, and readings on a variety of topics.
A luxurious thing to do indoors in the evening is drinking specialty cocktails at Apotheke in NYCs Chinatown. This pharmacist-inspired speakeasy bar is somewhat of a hidden secret in Manhattan!
Unique drinks on offer include a gin, dragon fruit, and prickly pear cocktail with absinthe mist and a vodka, ginger, lemongrass, cilantro, and pineapple mixed beverage.
Stuff Your Face On A Food Tour
As a melting pot of culture and cuisine, New York City and, more specifically, Manhattans very own Little Italy, Chinatown and Greenwich is home to a huge variety of food tours.
Obsessed with Pizza? Follow a slice-savvy guide through Little Italy. Love bagels and beer? Then check out the Lower East Side. Or prefer something a little more fancy? Then wander around Hells Kitchen, sampling award-winning tacos, tapas, and everything in between.
The options are endless, all you have to do is pick one.
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Best Indoor Activities In Nyc
- Sports Bars
- Lower East Side
This Skee-Ball-themed bar in Williamsburg is a haven for kitschy, nostalgia-driven boozing. The beer offerings skew cheap and cheerful, with a small selection of standard taps supplemented by 40 canned brews kept in ice-filled coolers behind the bar. Three-buck Genesee Cream Ale replaces PBR as the cheapo suds of choice, and a $2 hot-dog serves as the snack of champions. Divey decor reflects the owners’ commitment to the gamethe bar is constructed from old Skee-Ball machine parts, and a TV up front plays a live feed of the action on the three ramps in the back.
- Golf
- Civic Center
There are other venues to perfect your swing away from the elements in New York, but this West Side complex doesn’t require membership: Casual golfers can whack a few balls when the mood takes them from one of the 52 stalls over four floors. Come during off-peak hours to get a better bang for your buck . The simulators allow you to compete in over 55 virtual championship courses while supping on pizza and beer from Chelsea Brewery Company downstairs.
- Lounges
- Greenpoint
The owners of Williamsburg’s Barcade have cornered the leisure-time market with this eight-lane bowling alley that looks straight out of early 1980s Milwaukee. Locals toss frames, then retreat to the lounge decorated with bowling trophies and ancient beer signs to drown their seven-ten-split sorrows. A dozen killer microbrews on tap are poured by the pint or pitcher.
- Music venues
- West Village
My Top 5 Things To Do In Chelsea Nyc
- Chelsea Gallery District: The number of Chelseas outdoor art galleries has increased since the 90s, after rents spiked in SoHo and more people chose to move to Chelsea. Today there are nearly 200 art galleries which makes it quite the attraction.
- High Line Park: The High Line is the most unique park New York has to offer. Its an elevated park located near the Hudson River. Why is it elevated? Because it used to be a freight rail line, which ceased services in 1980.
- Edge Hudson Yards: enjoy breath-taking views
- The Frying Pan Restaurant: From here, you can enjoy not only excellent food, but also beautiful views of both Manhattans skyline and New Jersey. We particularly recommend a visit during sunset!
- Gallow Green Rooftop Garden: The whole bar is overgrown with foliage and certainly does its name justice: It looks like a garden! Not to be forgotten are the delicious drinks that are served there.
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Shakespeare In The Park
Visiting New York City in the summer? Then you might want to catch the totally free theatre event, Shakespeare in the Park! It will be their 60th anniversary this year in 2022! Also located in Central Park at The Delacorte Theater.
Additionally, they have other shows going on around the city. Check their schedule here!
Address: 81 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Lose Yourself In Nyc Book Shops
Bibliophiles will love NYC, regardless of the elements. Whether youre looking to get your hands on a New York Times bestseller or a signed copy of an out-of-print work, there are plenty of locations to find exactly what youre looking for. You can take a quick trip to the New York Public library to browse titles and marvel at the impressive architecture, or you can drop into Left Bank Books for rare finds or Strand Bookstore for popular and new releases.
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Admire The Skyline From The Staten Island Ferry
Riding the Staten Island Ferry is a lesser-known way to view the New York City skyline. The ferry is free to board and leaves from lower Manhattan. Once aboard, you can sit back and admire the world-renowned skyline. Of course, youll also see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Taking the ferry isnt just a daytime activity seeing the illuminated city from the ferry is also one of the best things to do at night in NYC!
If youre looking for unique outdoor activities in NYC, you arent limited to visiting parks and similar attractions. An exciting thing to do that many people dont know about is going to the New York Public Library Outdoor Reading Room.
You can choose a book inside the library and then head outside to the relaxing reading room to enjoy your book and the fresh air.
Attend A Workshop At The Japan Society
Sitting in an eye-catching building on East 47th Street not too far from the United Nations building, the Japan Society offers an intriguing insight into Japanese art, design, culture, history, and film.
Featuring a large collection of artworks by famed Japanese artists, including painting and calligraphy as well as film screenings that include indie flicks you wont find at your local cinema, its a wonderful destination overlooked by most run-of-the-mill tourists .
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The 20 Best Things To Do In Chelsea Nyc
Chelsea is a very cosmopolitan district with a large gay-friendly community. You may hear some people referring to it as a gayborhood. Thats because you will find a handful of gay bars, restaurants and clubs in the area. People are very open-minded and easy going which leads to a noticeable relaxed atmosphere. Walking through the area, you will see tons of art galleries, a number of bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as cute little and unique stores.
At night youll notice the liveliness and energy of this neighborhood. A large crowd of Hip Hop and R& B fans are drawn here nightly thanks to some of the greatest clubs, including Jay-Zs 40/40.
Try Indoor Ice Skating
If you hit the city in winter, you can skate at some of the public parks, such as Bryant Park, as it turns into a skating rink starting at the end of October each year and through December until January. However, you can experience this activity all-year-round, without having to wait for the holiday season to come. Below are a few indoor ice-skating rinks around town.
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Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
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City Ice Pavilion
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World Ice Arena
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Aviator Sports and Events Center Ice Skating Rink
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Abe Stark Rink
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Staten Island Skating Pavilion
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Race Against The Clock In An Escape Room
A perfect activity for a rainy day, or a great bonding experiences for friends or couples , escape rooms challenge you and your team to solve puzzles as quickly as possible.
Visit The Escape Game and have fun with your friends. With a range of rooms scattered across the borough, offering themed experiences like Prison Break, Gold Rush, Special Ops, Heist, and more, theres plenty of variety to choose from.
See A Show At Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is a famous New York City entertainment venue. It hosts a variety of shows, including concerts, comedy shows, and the iconic Radio City Rockettes performances.
If you have time during your trip, seeing a show at the venue is one of the best indoor activities in NYC, especially for arts and culture lovers. You can also take a tour of Radio City Music Hall during the day.
Are you looking to pamper yourself a little? If so, going to AIRE Ancient Baths is a must! The luxury spa features pools, hot tubs, and an extensive treatment list with massages, facials, scrubs, and more.
This spot is especially recommended for tourists who have already visited all the areas landmarks, making a trip to AIRE Ancient Baths one of the best non-touristy things to do in NYC.
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National Museum Of The American Indian
This Smithsonian ex-pat, just off the historic Bowling Green and Battery Park, is found next to frenetic commuters and travellers heading to the Statue of Liberty, but it often gets missed. It is situated in the spectacular former US Customs House, the national Museum of the American Indian is one of the countrys delicate collections of Native American art. The focus is not on history, but on culture.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Times Square
This is a fun attraction for kids that adults really enjoy as well. This quirky museum offers great opportunities to explore all the weird and wonderful things they’ve collected, plus some fun exhibits. For example, you’ll see everything from shrunken heads and albino animals to an extensive, small-scale model of New York City. Getting In: Admission to Ripley’s Times Square is available on the New York City Explorer Pass.
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Check Out The Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience
A recent Manhattan activity thats taken the art world by storm , not only does the VanGogh experience offer a snapshot of the Dutch painters life and art, but a chance to as the name suggests immerse yourself in art in hi-tech, unprecedented ways.
The 360-degree activity full of two-story projections is being held at Pier 36 NYC, so you can soak in some picturesque views of the Hudson River when youre done!
Join A Harlem Gospel Tour
Harlem has long been famous as the heart of African American culture and history in Manhattan so if gospel music and art are your jam, join an experienced tour guide on a journey through this ever-lively neighborhood!
Youll discover everything from its origins as a Dutch colony to the birth of jazz and soul during the Harlem renaissance.
Depending on which tour you choose, you might learn about famous figures such as Marcus Garvey and Paul Robeson who helped shape African American history here in New York, or stop into some churches or mural-lined alleys along the way.
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How To Get To Chelsea In New York
- Metro: Take lines A C E or L to 8th Ave 14th St, line 1 to 18th or 23rd St. Alternatively, you can hop on line 7 and get off at Hudson Yard.
- If youre already in Midtown, you may as well walk to Chelsea.
- Hop on Hop Off Bus: The closest stop is Stop 6 of the downtown loop of BIG BUS or stop 7 of the downtown loop of Gray Line Sightseeing . Here you find more about Hop on Hop off in NYC.My tip:the tickets for the buses are included in many of the New York City passes which one is the best for you, you can see in my Pass Comparison for New York!
New York Public Library
It is New Yorks most famous library, which in 2011 turned 100. It is situated in a grand Beaux-Arts icon east of Times Square. It is fronted by lions made of marble named Patience and Fortitude, and is simply a jaw-dropper to walk through. Exhibited also, is a copy of the original Declaration of Independence, a Gutenburg Bible including also 431,000 old maps.
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