I have to be honest here and admit the first time I visited New York City as a kid I absolutely hated the place - apart from seeing the Broadway production of Oliver in which actor Ron Moody (Fagin) came down into the audience and sat in my lap.
I still don't particularly care for New York City - the noise, the traffic, the expense, the aloofness of New Yorkers. Big cities just aren't my thing. (I know...so hook up with a guy from NY right? LOL)
Nor do I particularly care for all of the typical NY tourist traps so I made it a point to visit every weird place in NY I possibly could. But I'll show you the typical tourist traps as well in this post if you're interested in those.
The one thing you don't want to have to do in NYC is drive. It's an absolute nightmare.
Luckily they have a wonderful public transportation system there:
Subway: The subway system is the most efficient and cost-effective way to navigate the city, with 27 lines and 472 stations available 24/7.
Buses: Buses are a good alternative for reaching less well-erved areas, offering scenic views during the journey.
Ride-hailing Services: Apps like Uber and Lyft provide economical and convenient options for getting around, especially in crowded areas - which is basically all of NYC in my book.
Walking: For short distances, walking is often the fastest way to get around, especially in Manhattan.
Taxi: For longer distances or in crowded areas, taxis are a reliable option, but be cautious of traffic congestion.
NYC also has a cable car! The Roosevelt Island Tramway takes you across the East River for a small price - including a phenomenal view of the city.
Between public transportation and your own feet you can get anywhere in NYC. And if you're an adrenaline junkie who likes to live on the edge, bring your bike and bicycle NYC. Just be sure to wear a helmet!
When booking accommodations in NYC you want to take into consideration the safety factor of the area and what's of primary importance to you during your stay.
For first-time visitors, Midtown Manhattan is where you’ll want to be. This is the postcard image of The Big Apple, not to mention it’s centrally located and home to many of the city’s top attractions.
I recommend the The Langham, New York for its awesome location, comfortable and luxurious rooms, and hospitable staff.
The Langham offers both rooms and suites in a variety of configurations and views, including suites with a kitchen and/or family room.
Be sure to check their Offers page for 10%-20% off the price of your stay.
They have an in-house restaurant, AI Fiori that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a cocktail bar, Bar Fiori.
Langhorn also has a state-of-the-art fitness center on site.
However, if Midtown isn't the right fit for you, other parts of NYC will be. For example, if you're a budget conscious traveler then you might want to consider Long Island City (Queens) or consider booking at something
like downtown's Cloud One Hotel, right next to the World Trade Center Memorial. 133 Greenwich St.
The hotel has 3 style of rooms to choose from: The Cloud, City Cloud or River Cloud.
Their deli right around the corner offers everything from breakfast to snacks, smoothies to mimosas, salads to shakshuka, sandwiches to pancakes.
Open from 06:00 am - 09:00 pm.
The location of the hotel in Downtown New York is simply unbeatable. In the middle of Manhattan's Financial District, the hotel is not only convenient, but also a stone's throw from the 9/11 Memorial, Lower Manhattan, Midtown, vibrant Wall Street and relaxing Battery Park. And yes, we even have weather-protected parking for your bike in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. For car parking within Manhattan, the hotel recommends ICON Parking or SP Plus Parking services.
Cloud One offers cutting-edge security to international standards so you don't have to worry about safety.
The price range for rooms at The Cloud One Hotel New York-Downtown varies based on the type of room and the time of year. Generally, you can expect to pay between $144 and $390 for a room.
Money $aving Tip: Join their beOne Member, you get a 10% discount and attractive deals and benefits in over 100 Motel One and The Cloud One Hotels. It’s free of charge, and doesn’t involve collecting points.
For budget travelers, staying in an adjacent New Jersey neighborhood is also a great option to save money and find more budget hotels.
For families I'd recommend The Beacon on the Upper West Side: 2130 Broadway. This hotel is 2641 feet from Central Park. While this is an older hotel, the rooms are clean and the staff super friendly and helpful.
The historic Hotel Beacon is in the heart of Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood and offers apartment-style rooms and two-bedroom suites. The rooms come furnished with fully-equipped kitchenettes, complete with stoves, refrigerators, and coffee makers, allowing our guests to enjoy the plethora of family-owned grocery stores and bustling delis that are so emblematic of the Upper West Side. This is a huge money-saving plus when it comes to dining out in NYC.
Each room and suite offers free cable on flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and WiFi access. The kitchenettes have a microwave, refrigerator and coffeemaker. Suites at the hotel have a living room with a sofa bed. The quiet and comfortable lobby offers space for visiting or reading and relaxing. There’s a business center for guest use and the hotel offers laundry service and luggage storage. Breakfast options are available.
Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and costs $65 per day. The subway is 650 feet from the hotel.
The hotel has 24 hour Security.
Money $aving Tips: Check out their Special Offers page. Become a Beacon Insider and unlock up to 30% savings. It's FREE to join.
If it's a luxury hotel you're after then I'd recommend The Mark on the Upper East Side. 25 East 77th Street.
Be forewarned: Rooms here start at over $1600 per night. Nor does the hotel have a swimming pool, spa, fitness center or rooms with a balcony.
There are 3 restaurants within 500 feet of the hotel: Sant Ambroeus, Kappo Masa, and Serafina.
The subway is within feet of the hotel.
I have not stayed here but Jay has and says it's an excellent place.
Me? The rooms look pretty average to me with not a lot of amenities offered for prices starting at over $1600 per night. But whatever trips your trigger...
Oh, he says you get a complimentary fruit basket - he's laughing.
I can buy my own fruit basket for a hell of a lot less than $1600+ per night, thank you.
Private parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and costs $95 per day.
Other considerations:
Best Location – citizenM New York Times Square
Best for Business – Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Best Boutique – Crosby Street Hotel
Best Near Central Park – 1 Hotel Central Park
Note: As of last year, New York City has effectively banned most private Airbnbs. Your best bet now is a hotel, but you can also try VRBO’s apartment listings in Midtown Manhattan
Map credit: Travel Lemming
There are five boroughs in New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. I recommend staying in Manhattan so you can easily get to the main attractions and sites like the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Central Park.
All of the NYC neighborhoods have a distinct and unique personality and style, from luxurious and trendy to family-friendly. Depending on your travel style, preferences, and who you’re traveling with, choose to avoid certain areas to make your trip more enjoyable.
These are the 12 neighborhoods I'd recommend:
BEST HOTELS: citizenM New York Times Square • Bryant Park Hotel • The Peninsula New York • The Langham, New York
WHERE TO EAT: Hutong ($$$), The Grill ($$$), The Smith ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Ophelia, Refinery Rooftop, Lantern’s Keep
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Empire State Building, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Museum of Modern Art
BEST HOTELS: The Pierre • voco The Franklin New York • Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
WHERE TO EAT: Daniel ($$$), Uva ($$$), JG Melon ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: The Penrose, Avoca, Five Mile Stone
TOP ATTRACTIONS: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Guggenheim Museum
BEST HOTELS: Mandarin Oriental • Hotel Beacon• Hotel Lucerne
WHERE TO EAT: Cafe Luxembourg ($$$), Jacob’s Pickles ($$$), Mama’s TOO ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: The Dead Poet, Amsterdam Ale House
TOP ATTRACTIONS: American Museum of Natural History, Zabar’s, Beacon Theatre, Central Park
BEST HOTELS: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown • Conrad Hotel • The Beekman Hotel • Artezen Hotel
WHERE TO EAT: industry Kitchen ($$$), Delmonico’s ($$$), Pearl Diner ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: The Dead Rabbit, Beckett’s Bar and Grill, Fraunces Tavern
TOP ATTRACTIONS: One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty
BEST HOTELS: SoHo Grand Hotel • The Broome • The Dominick Hotel
WHERE TO EAT: Balthazar ($$$), Cafe Altro Paradiso ($$$), Lombardi’s ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Mother’s Ruin, St. Tropez Wine Bar, Spring Lounge
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Tenement Museum, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Film Forum
TOP HOTELS: The Marlton Hotel • Walker Hotel • Washington Square Hotel
WHERE TO EAT: Via Carota ($$$), Little Owl ($$$), Loring Place ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Bar Pisellino, Dante, Marie’s Crisis Cafe
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Washington Square Park, Whitney Museum of American Art, Friends Apartment, Comedy Cellar
BEST HOTELS: Home2 Suites Long Island City • LIC Plaza Hotel • Hyatt Place Long Island City
WHERE TO EAT: Casa Enrique ($$$), Adda Indian Canteen ($$$), John Brown BBQ ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Dutch Kills, Domaine Wine Bar, LIC Bar
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Gantry Plaza State Park, Socrates Sculpture Park, MoMA PS1
BEST HOTELS: The William Vale • Arlo Williamsburg • Wythe Hotel
WHERE TO EAT: Lilia ($$$), Le Crocodile ($$$), Pies ‘n Thighs ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Westlight, The Commodore, Freehold Brooklyn
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Domino Park, Brooklyn Brewery, Nitehawk Cinema
TOP HOTELS: Opera House Hotel • Residence Inn by Marriott • Comfort Inn & Suites
WHERE TO EAT: Dominick’s ($$$), Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen ($$$), Havana Cafe ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Bronx Alehouse, The Bronx Public, Beastro
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Yankee Stadium, Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Arthur Avenue
BEST HOTELS: Henry Norman Hotel • The Box House Hotel • Franklin Guesthouse
WHERE TO EAT: Chez Ma Tante ($$$), Di An Di ($$$), Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Achilles Heel, Spritzenhaus33
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Dobbin St. Vintage, McCarren Park, Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
BEST HOTELS: Residence Inn by Marriott Jersey City • Canopy By Hilton Jersey City Arts District • Hyatt House Jersey City
WHERE TO EAT: Battello ($$$), Raza Pizza ($$$), Taqueria Downtown ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Archer Bar, Pet Shop, Pint
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Liberty State Park, Empty Sky Memorial, Hudson Riverfront
BEST HOTEL: W Hoboken • Courtyard by Marriott Jersey City Newport • Residence Inn by Marriott Jersey City
WHERE TO EAT: Anthony David’s ($$$), Amanda’s ($$$), La Isla Restaurant ($$)
WHERE TO DRINK: Pilsner Haus & Biergarten, Bin14, Tally Ho
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, Pier A Park, Hoboken Historical Museum
You should avoid staying in NYC neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side, East Village, Chelsea, and Meatpacking district because they can get loud and may not be as safe late at night.
Decide on your budget early and stick to it.
New York City can get expensive very quickly. Decide how much you want to spend early on in your planning process so you can plan your itinerary around your budget for NYC. Check out museum or tour packages to save some money on combination deals.
Prepare for NYC's taxes and fees.
Many people don’t realize that New York City hotels add a resort fee to each night of your stay in addition to city tax. All of these smaller fees and taxes can add up, so be sure to plan for and include these amounts in your budget.
Identify your must see attractions in New York.
Many of the main sights and attractions are located in Midtown, but there can be long lines and you might end up spending more time at each one than you think. Identify your must-see NYC attractions and locations and plan out how you’ll travel between each area.
Book your accommodations and attractions as far in advance as possible. Many restaurants, museums, and other attractions also require timed tickets or reservations. Plan and book any necessary reservations as far in advance as possible.
Choose your accommodations near the subway.
If you plan on traveling to different neighborhoods in NYC, consider staying near a central subway line or station. Many hotels in Midtown are close to subway stations making connections quick and simple for getting around the city. You'll save money on transportation costs as well.
Pick the right time to visit NYC.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit New York City for comfortable temperatures, views of the changing foliage and florals, and fun events across the city. Summer in New York City is a very busy time, especially on weekends, and the heat and humidity can be stifling. Winters can be brutal, with snow and wind making travel difficult and dangerous.
Before you get into planning your attractions, check into New York CityPass.
Save up to 43% at 5 NY attractions.
Empire State Building Observatory - Included
American Museum of Natural History - Included
Choose 3 below:
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Top of the Rock Observation Deck
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9/11 Memorial & Museum
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Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
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Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
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Intrepid Museum
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Guggenheim Museum
If you want to tour the typical NYC attractions then CityPass is worth looking at.
Money $aving Tip: Current Groupon offer on CityPass
Statue of Liberty
Warning: Statue City Cruises is the ONLY ferry service authorized by the National Park Service for ticket sales and transportation to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Numerous third-party vendors sell tickets online or through aggressive vendors at The Battery charging higher prices for boats that do not land on the islands.
To visit the Statue of Liberty, here are the costs associated with your
visit:
Ferry Ticket: Standard ferry tickets for adults cost approximately $19.25 if purchased in advance and $21.25 if purchased on the day of
departure.
Pedestal Access: Accessing the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty costs around $12.
Crown Access: Climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty costs an additional $3.00.
General Admission: General admission tickets to the Statue of Liberty cost approximately $24 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for children aged 4 to 12.
Audio Tours: For an enhanced experience, visitors can purchase audio tours for $7.00.
Make sure to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines and ensure entry to this iconic landmark!
Many visitors to the statue want to climb the 192 steps to the top of the crown. I was an exceptionally healthy, active 12 year old the first time I did that. I thought I was gonna DIE before I got to the top!
DO NOT attempt to climb to the crown if you have any kind of medical issues. There is no elevator. Trust me on this one.
Read this for all of the requirements and restrictions of climbing to the crown.
In 2019 the Statue of Libery Museum opened. Within the Statue of Liberty Museum are three interactive galleries that tell the statue's history in thought-provoking ways.
Immersive Theater
The Immersive Theater is a dramatic 10-minute multimedia experience. As visitors weave through this space, they are surrounded by images that shed light on the sweeping story of the Statue of Liberty and the ideals it represents. Highlights of the presentation include the rich story of the statue’s origins and a virtual fly-through inside the statue.
The stairway to the crown viewing windows
Engagement Gallery
In this gallery, visitors explore what took place as sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and a team of artisans built the statue. Multimedia displays evoke the feeling of being inside the studio allowing visitors to see the elaborate process of the Statue of Liberty's design, fabrication, and construction.
Inspiration Gallery
In this space, visitors reflect upon what they have seen and experienced in the museum. Visitors may document their visit and express their views by adding a self-portrait which will be added to a digital collage called Becoming Liberty. Liberty’s most iconic symbol, the original torch, is housed inside this gallery. Through the glass walls that surround the gallery, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Lady Liberty and the New York City skyline.
This area atop the museum has an accessible rooftop from which visitors may take in sweeping views of the iconic statue and New York Harbor.
The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but a ticket for ferry transportation by Statue City Cruises is required to visit the islands. Fees for ferries, parking, special tours or special permits are not covered by America the Beautiful passes or NPS Fee Free Days. Statue City Cruises is the ONLY NPS-authorized ferry transportation provider to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and is the ONLY ferry permitted to dock and discharge passengers at the islands. Fee schedule here.
The iconic Lady Liberty clutches a torch in her raised hand, which symbolizes enlightenment. But the light she holds up as a beacon today isn't the original.
The last 100-odd years of weathering the elements has taken its toll on the monument. Its color changed from copper to blue-green, and even its signature accessory has been replaced.
The original torch held in Lady Liberty's raised hand was swapped for a newer, more efficient design in 1984. Fortunately, the original torch was not thrown out when the current version took its place two years later.
In 2018, the original torch was removed from the pedestal and relocated to the neighboring Statue of Liberty Museum.
Photo credit: David Brossard
Empire State Building
NYC's #1 tourist attraction. Set in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the two observation decks offer unmatched vistas of New York City and a panorama that stretches across six states.
86th Floor NYC Observatory
Step onto New York’s most famous open-air observatory. Take advantage of 360° views & see all of NYC including the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and so much more.
Top Deck
102nd & 86th Floor observation Decks
Take your New York City experience higher. Our reimagined 102nd floor offers unmatched, floor-to-ceiling views stretching up to 80 miles on a clear day.
Located on the 2nd and 80th floors, exhibits are open to all ticket holders.
World's Most Famous Building
A sweeping 72-screen, 180-degree surround-sound theater reinforces the Empire State Building’s place in pop culture with a montage of 600 clips from commercials, films, TV shows, comics, and games that feature the iconic building.
One hour is usually enough for visiting the Empire State Building. If you buy skip-the-line tickets, it could be less as you won't waste time standing in line.
Money $aving Tips:
For those looking to tour the Empire State Building at a discounted rate, there are several options available:
New York City CityPASS®: This pass includes admission to the Empire State Building and offers up to 42% off at other top NYC attractions. It also provides same-night admission to the 86th-floor observatory.
Combo Packages: Purchasing a combo ticket with other attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Museum of Modern Art, or 9/11 Memorial & Museum can provide additional savings.
Tripster: This service offers automatic savings of up to 18% off without needing a discount code, coupon code, or anything else.
Local Residents: New Yorkers residing in the five boroughs can purchase up to six tickets at a local-only price, which is about 25% off the regular price of the pass.
Central Park
Central Park is an urban park between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City, and the first landscaped park in the United States. It is the sixth-largest park in the city, containing 843 acres), and the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated 42 million visitors annually.
The park's main attractions include the Ramble and Lake, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Sheep Meadow, Wollman Rink, Central Park Carousel, Central Park Zoo, Central Park Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and the Delacorte Theater. The biologically diverse ecosystem has several hundred species of flora and fauna. Recreational activities include carriage-horse and bicycle tours, bicycling, sports facilities, and concerts and events such as Shakespeare in the Park. Central Park is traversed by a system of roads and walkways and is served by public transportation. Central Park is one of the most filmed locations in the world, and its design has inspired that of other parks.
Central Park admission is FREE. Visitors can enjoy the park year-round without any fees, However, some activities or attractions within the park, such as the Central Park Zoo or carriage rides may require a fee.
While visiting Central Park you might want to check out the Central Park Boathouse. With a history dating back to Victorian times, this architectural gem is a rare New York tourist haunt worth visiting.
First opened in the 1870s for well-heeled Victorians looking a post-gondola lunch, the Loeb Boathouse was completely redesigned as part of Robert Moses’ overhaul of the park in the 1950s. It fully reopened to diners in 2024, with its handsome limestone and red-brick walls and copper roof intact.
While it’s undeniably touristy, it’s a far superior option to a horse-driven buggy ride around Central Park. And even though the sun-drenched terrace would be packed in summer if they were serving cat food, the menu here is admirably solid. The Parkerhouse rolls are warm, accompanied by whipped butter with plenty of flaky salt and the shrimp in the shrimp cocktail, while pricey, are suitably large. For dessert, the pavlova is lovely.
The most fun way to see Central Park is to take a carriage ride. (There are plenty of other ways to tour Central Park as well - walking, biking, running, pedicab and fitness/yoga tours.)
Private carriage tours: Central Park Tour From $120
Central Park & City ride: From $240.
Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt
Make touring Central Park even more fun with this Amazin Race Scavenger Hunt!
Experience Central Park like never before with a fun and interactive scavenger hunt designed for teams! Using your smartphone as your guide, embark on a self-paced adventure that takes you through both famous landmarks and hidden treasures of the park.
This activity is perfect for your own group—no guides, no crowds, just your team connecting through fun and exploration.
Choose between 2 routes:
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Lower Central Park: Begin at Columbus Circle and visit iconic spots like the Central Park Zoo, Wollman Rink, The Mall, Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare Garden, and more.
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Mid Central Park: Start at the Dakota and journey to Strawberry Fields, the American Museum of Natural History, Delacorte Theater, The Reservoir, The Met, and more.
Visit: www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com
Money $aving Tip: Use code: CENTRALPARK to save 20%. Teams of 2-5 play for just $39.20.
Groupon: Bike or Daypass Rental from Must See Central Park (Up to 50% Off)
The little tykes will like the 57 horse carousel in Central Park.
A single ride cost $4.
15 rides for $52 - save 15%.
25 rides $82 - save 18%.
Kids can also rent a model sailboat and sail them at Conservatory Water. There are 21 playgrounds located throughout Central Park, each with its own unique theme, design, and play features. There's also a
Marionette Theater.
Performances for kids at the Swedish Cottage featuring favorites such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel, Gulliver's Travels and more. Many attractions in Central Park were created especially with kids in mind.
There's always something going on at Central Park. It's one of my favorite parts of New York.
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY
There are more than 265 acres for you to explore at the Bronx Zoo and over 11,000 animals.
Before heading to the zoo you might want to consider downloading this app to help you find your way around the zoo. It will give you real time info and an interactive map. It works only within the zoo itself though! bronxzoo.com/today
Besides its regular exhibits, you also have the option of booking a private encounter with a zookeeper and wild animals via an
in person encounter or a Zoom virtual experience.
Open Monday through Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Money $aving Tips:
The Bronx Zoo offers free admission on Wednesdays. However, this free admission is limited to Limited Admission tickets, which do not include access to certain premium attractions. To visit, you must reserve tickets in advance, and the Wednesday Ticket Store opens on Mondays at 5:00 PM for reservations. It's important to note that advance timed tickets are required, and entry is contactless, so show your tickets on your phone or bring a printed copy.
Limited Admission is FREE all day on Wednesdays at the Bronx
Zoo. ADVANCE TIMED TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. The Wednesday Ticket Store opens on Mondays at 5:00pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. DO NOT come to the zoo without a reserved ticket.
Don't miss the bug carousel! The first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects.
Photo credit: Jesse Garrison
If you've ever had the urge to ride a giant firefly, the Bronx has you covered. Located right next to the butterfly exhibit at the Bronx Zoo is a wholly different kind of entomological exhibit: the kind that doubles as an amusement ride.
In lieu of horses and other mammalian and mythological beasts, the Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel features 64 different types of insects that you can mount — including fireflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. There are also two stationary chariots: a monarch butterfly and a dung beetle. Each figure is hand-carved from basswood and painted to look just like its real-life critter counterpart.
The carousel's music was even composed with real insect sounds from the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Metropolitan Museum of Art ("The Met" to New Yorkers)
1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Travel around the world and across 5,000 years of history through 490,000+ works of art.
The Met offers a variety of FREE tours of the museum. Interactive map here.
General Admission Tickets
$30 for adults; $22 for seniors; $17 for students.
Free for Members, Patrons, and children 12 and under.
$22 for visitors with a disability; free for a caregiver of a visitor with a disability (in person only).
All tickets include exhibitions and same-day entry to both Met locations for the date on your ticket.
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West, New York, NY
This is a fascinating museum to visit. You'll definitely want a map and the museum offers 4 different types of FREE maps.
From dinosaurs to outer space & everything in between, this huge museum showcases natural wonders.
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Adult Admission - $37
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Child Admission - (Ages 3-12) $22
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Student Admission (with valid ID) $30
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Senior Admission (Ages 60+) $30
Money $aving Tip: Book tickets through TripAdvisor
Book before 2/28 Terms apply
Times Square
Manhattan, NY
At one time or another I'm fairly sure most of us have watched the ball drop in Times Square during the New Years countdown.
A busy pedestrian hub area covered in billboards and advertisements, Times Square is one of the most famous places in NYC — many travelers dream of coming to New York to see the bright lights of 42nd Street.
Take some time to explore the area at night when it’s all lit up, or sign up for a walking tour of the Theater District during the day.
Time your visit to Times Square for 11:57 PM to witness the Midnight Moment, a unique 3-minute nightly spectacular where all the screens showcase rotating art installations from around the world.
Most people spend around 30 minutes at Times Square to wander around and take a few photos before exploring the shops, restaurants, and surrounding NYC attractions.
Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
For some of the best views of NYC, head to Top of the Rock. This observatory on top of the Rockefeller Center provides beautiful views of the city, including iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building.
The three floors of indoor and outdoor viewing areas is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in New York for views of the Manhattan skyline.
Enjoy a refreshment on the open-air terrace at Top of the Rock.
Spend about 1 hour at Top of the Rock to admire the views; add an extra 30 minutes if you want to do The Beam experience and recreate the famous photo from 1932 of 11 people having lunch on a crane.
Grand Central Terminal
89 E 42nd St,, New York, NY
Admiring the ceiling of Grand Central Terminal is one of the top free things to do NYC. This National Historic Landmark is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms, and its architecture and interior design are truly impressive.
Don’t miss the iconic 125-foot-long constellation mural painted across the main concourse ceiling of Grand Central Terminal.
If you just want to see the main hall of Grand Central Terminal, plan for about 30 minutes, but set aside a couple of hours if you want to explore more or join a guided tour.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square
Washington Square Park is one of those places that you grab a good book, find a bench or spread out a blanket on the grass and read while people watching.
Washington Square Park is always alive! At the crossroads of Greenwich Village and an unofficial campus for NYU, the park is always full of students hanging out, skateboards, dogs, chess players, street performers, vendors, local workers taking a break, and many, many more people.
As a public space located near many subway and bus stops and major institutions, it's a gathering spot for all.
Inside the park, NY Dosa is a famous food truck that serves vegan Indian food. Nearby, MacDougal Street is full of small, fun restaurants, like Caffe Reggio for cappuccinos, Saigon Shack for pho and banh mi or Ben's Pizzeria for a classic slice. On the north end of the park, 8th Street is home to a bit more upscale sit-down restaurants like Loring Place for farm-to-table fare, Mace for extravagant cocktails and Rasa for excellent Malaysian food.
The park is FREE and is open 24/7.
The Intrepid Museum
Pier 86, W 46th St.
Kids will love the Intrepid Museum. If you have little (or not-so-little) ones that are enamored with sea-, air- and spacecraft, spend a few hours at the Intrepid Museum. Housed in a 1943 aircraft carrier on the Hudson, this Hell's Kitchen attraction will delight transportation enthusiasts young and old.
On the pier, delve into the Growler, a nuclear missile submarine, to discover how the crew dined, slept and navigated the sea. Or, for an extra $13, visitors ages 5 and older can take a 20-minute tour of the Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet. Don't want to spend the extra money? Make a beeline to the flight deck for its impressive collection of military aircraft and the Enterprise, a true-to-size NASA space shuttle prototype. And on the hangar deck, you'll find exhibits, artifacts and the hands-on Exploreum Hall, where your kids (and in some cases your adult male partner) can climb into helicopters and space capsules, pressing important-looking buttons to their heart's content.
Tickets cost $28 for children ages 5 to 12 and $38 for adults. Children age 4 and younger are free. Intrepid tickets can also be included in New York CityPass packages. Hours vary by season, but the museum is typically open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional info is available on the museum's website.
Enjoy a free boat tour on the Staten Island Ferry
4 Whitehall St.
The free ferry is worth it for a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Plus, it's a relatively short ride (about 25 minutes). Once you board, secure a spot on the outer deck so can try and get the best views and pictures.
The ferry leaves every half hour, so plan accordingly (you don't want to wait in line for 28 minutes). Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before departure. Locals will know where they want to sit, and so should you – decide before you board if you want to be inside or outside. The boats also sell concessions, so you don't have to grab a drink or snack before you board. Bathrooms at the terminals are typically cleaner than those on board.
You can take the ferry, deboard and return for another ride toward the city for a worthwhile adventure. There are several restaurants within a short walk of the ferry on the Staten Island side, including Enoteca Maria (known as the "grandma restaurant") and New Asha Sri Lankan Restaurant, for food distinct from what you can find in the city. If you just need a quick break, the River Dock Café at the ferry terminal offers outdoor seating with views, plus diner standards and beverages.
Have a family fun day at Coney Island
1208 Surf Ave.
Known as the "the People's Playground," this famous amusement area in Brooklyn has an illustrious past. In the early 1900s, Coney Island enticed New Yorkers to visit with its bathing pavilions, seaside resorts and amusement park. The Great Depression took its toll on the fun-loving spot, causing many attractions to close. But after years of economic instability, Coney Island has reclaimed its place on the Brooklyn map, with a fresh roster of eateries and entertainment (including a July Fourth hot dog-eating contest and an annual Mermaid Parade) found along the boardwalk. Coney Island now features several separate amusement parks, as well as a museum, which hosts a variety of exhibits and shows.
Typically, amusement park rides and attractions operate from noon until the evening during the week and weekends, though some attractions feature different operating hours. You can purchase a day pass to the amusement area for unlimited rides or individual ride tickets; prices vary by day and by height. For further details, consult Coney Island's official website.
Money $aving Tips:
Luna Park Discounts: Save up to 64% off on Luna Park tickets through Tripster, with no promo codes needed.
Groupon Deals: Explore various discounts on restaurants, shopping, and events in Coney Island through Groupon.
FunEx Tickets: Purchase discounted tickets for Luna Park with FunEx, which offers a hassle-free experience with e-tickets.
Active Coupons: Check out active coupons for Luna Park, including a 40% discount on regular prices.
Frost Fest Savings: Get 50% off the North Pole Experience Package during the Frost Fest event.
Go City Passes: Save on admission and visit more attractions with Go City passes, which can be used at Luna Park.
Broadway
You haven't seen NYC until you've seen a Broadway show.
Before your New York vacation, you can start browsing the discount and special offer codes on BroadwayBox.com. Or, if you have time and patience to spare during your trip, you can even wait in line at a TKTS booth in Times Square, near Lincoln Center or at the South Street Seaport. Here, you could score tickets as much as half-off for select same day and next day shows. I'm also a huge fan of the TodayTix app (if you have a specific show in mind).
If you'd rather buy tickets ahead of time, the Broadway Roulette ticketing marketplace is perfect for flexible families.
With Broadway Roulette, you'll pay between $49 and $59 per ticket and can book seats up to three months in advance — but you can't choose the show you're going to see. You can, however, eliminate up to four shows you definitely don't want to watch, and indicate a preference for a musical. Parents can even play a game of "family-friendly roulette," which guarantees that all the performances are suitable for little ones. Current shows available on Broadway Roulette include Frozen, Aladdin, The Lion King and even "jackpot" hits like Harry Potter.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
9/11 MEMORIAL PLAZA
A tribute to resilience and remembrance, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza stands as a serene sanctuary at the heart of the World Trade Center site. Spanning 8 acres, this thoughtfully designed space honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 1993 bombing. Set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers, the site features two majestic reflecting pools, each nearly an acre in size, complete with the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The soothing sounds of cascading water create a contemplative atmosphere, while the voids symbolize the profound absence felt by those left behind. Surrounding the pools, nearly 400 swamp white oak trees provide a peaceful canopy, inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and remember.
The names of every individual who perished in these tragic events are inscribed in bronze along the edges of the pools, arranged by the relationships between the victims to create a deeply personal tribute. As you wander through this poignant space, you will experience the weight of history intertwined with the enduring spirit of New York City.
9/11 MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Beneath the plaza lies the National 9/11 Memorial Museum, an extraordinary institution dedicated to exploring the historic implications of that fateful day and its aftermath. Embedded within the bedrock where the Twin Towers once stood, the museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, multimedia exhibits, and historical documents that narrate the impact of 9/11. Notable among its powerful displays is the "Last Column," a 36-foot steel beam covered in heartfelt messages and memorabilia from the recovery workers who cleared Ground Zero.
Visitors can engage with compelling multimedia exhibits that highlight the personal stories of victims, survivors, and everyday heroes. Together, the plaza and museum provide an immersive emotional journey, allowing visitors from around the world to honor the courage, resilience, and memory of those affected by the events of 9/11. A visit here is essential for anyone wishing to connect with the history of this site and pay tribute to the legacies of those lost.
180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY
9/11 Memorial Audio Guide
Explore the 9/11 Memorial with this audio guide app that features a 40-minute tour about the events of 9/11, the victims of the attacks, and the design of the Memorial.
Bronx Zoo
Old City Hall Station
254 BroadwayNew York, New York
On October 27, 1904 the first New York subway ride departed from Manhattan's City Hall Station. A crown jewel of New York architecture, it had skylights, vaulted ceilings, colored glass tiling, large brass chandeliers and numerous arches.
Despite its opulence, it was less convenient than other stops and became one of the least-used in the system.
In its final year of operation it was only handling 600 passengers a day. As a result, it was the only station that did not have turnstiles installed by 1923.
On New Year’s Eve of 1945, the station closed for good.
Up until the late 1990s the passengers on the Lexington Avenue Local (today’s 6 train) had to disembark from the train at the Brooklyn Bridge stop. That is no longer the case. The skylights have been reopened, and the station lights turned back on.
While passengers can’t disembark and experience the City Hall station as they once might have, New Yorkers who want to catch a glimpse of the stunning station can stay on the 6 train as it loops around at the southernmost point.
The New York City Transit Museum also hosts periodic tours of the abandoned station; however, you must be a member of the museum to attend. Check the website for details.
The Evolution Store
687 Broadway, New York, New York
Evolution stands out as a truly distinctive shop in Manhattan's SoHo district. Tucked into every corner and crevice of the store are unique natural history collectibles. Framed butterflies and insects line the walls, fossils, and seashells in jars crowd wide tables, tribal art fills glass cases, skulls, and skeletons hang from the ceiling, and medical models and posters fill every spare space. I mean where else could you buy a vial of dead killer bees?
Evolution's staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and they welcome questions about their wares. Their specimens are acquired from the same experts who supply museums and are of high quality. I've never seen a shop like it before anywhere!
Evolution is open from Sunday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There is no admission fee to visit The Evolution Store in Manhattan.
Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins
Roosevelt Island, New York, NY
A crumbling hospital from the 1850s on Roosevelt Island.
Few diseases have had a greater impact on the history of human civilization than smallpox. Before the vaccine was discovered in 1796, more than 400,000 people a year died from smallpox in Europe alone. According to the World Health Organization, smallpox killed one in ten children in Sweden and France and one in seven in Russia.
By the end of the 1800s, efforts were made in Western Europe and the United States to eradicate the disease by universal vaccination. But before that time, many cities built hospitals specifically for treating smallpox sufferers.
In New York City, the southern tip of Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) provided ferry access but kept the infected patients far away from the population.
From 1856 until 1875, the hospital treated about 7,000 patients a year. In 1875, the building was converted into a nurses' dormitory, and the city smallpox hospital was moved to North Brothers Island, in part because Blackwell's Island had become more densely populated. By the 1950s, Renwick Hospital had become useless and was abandoned by the city, quickly falling into disrepair.
However, in 1975, the Landmarks Preservation Commission took interest in the dilapidated structure and declared it, in its ruin, a city landmark. They reinforced the walls to prevent it from completely falling apart but have not renovated it or opened it for tours. Only some of the outer walls and the foundation remain today. It is behind a fence on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island.
Directions: Take the F to Roosevelt Island. Walk south along West Road to E Road. The hospital will be on your right. You can also take the tram from Manhattan, or the ferry from Astoria, Long Island City, or Wall Street.
The Elevated Acre
Most Manhattanites don't even know it's there - a secluded one acre rooftop oasis at 55 Water Street. This pleasant, quiet meadow can be found in the jostling streets of the busy Financial District in Lower Manhattan. Or more specifically, above it!
The Elevated Acre is precisely that: a one-acre meadow flanked by delightfully designed gardens and plantings elevated above the city streets. Its entrance is fairly anonymous, an escalator at 55 Water Street, set back from the sidewalk. Currently surrounded by construction, passersby will often overlook it. But if you venture up the escalators you will find the marvelous Elevated Acre.
The secretive urban oasis features a lawn, an amphitheater, a summer beer garden, winding paths of Brazilian hardwood, spectacular views of the East River, Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Bridge, and above all, pleasant solitude. This elevated one-acre park is one of Manhattan’s most relaxing secrets and it's open to the public. There is no admission fee.
Lexington Candy Shop
1226 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York
The oldest family-run luncheonette in New York, last renovated in 1948, still serves food and drinks the old-fashioned way.
For those looking for a taste of old New York, the first port of call should be the Lexington Candy Shop. Located on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 83rd Street, the Candy Shop is the oldest family-owned luncheonette in the city.
Walking into the Lexington Candy Shop, which opened its doors in 1925, is to step into a bygone era. Last renovated in 1948, the luncheonette still uses its original coffee urns and makes milkshakes and traditional New York egg creams with a 1940 Hamilton Beach mixer. Photos of celebrities and other memorabilia adorn the walls, including a picture of Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway, who filmed a scene for the spy movie Three Days of the Condor here.
Today, the Candy Shop is run by John Philis, the grandson of the original owner. It's a true neighborhood spot, both friendly and charming, serving much the same menu as it did when FDR was president: tuna melts, egg creams, malted milkshakes, and sodas using real syrup. While much of New York constantly changes—torn down and rarely preserved—the Lexington Candy Shop remains one of the city's most tasty treasures.
Explorers Club Headquarters
46 E. 70th Street, New York, New York
Behind impressive heavy doors and ornate turn-of-the-century stained glass windows lies the Explorers Club headquarters on East 70th Street.
Founded in 1904 by seven leading polar explorers of the era, the Explorers Club fosters the scientific exploration of land, sea, air and space.
By New Yorkers it's known as the Lowell Thomas building, named after Explorers Club member that made Lawrence of Arabia famous. Thomas was also a writer and broadcaster.
The building holds a century's worth of exploration treasure. On the ground floor you'll find the member's lounge and polar artifacts. Among other items, the second floor houses the giant globe used by Thor Heyerdahl, famous for his Kon-Tiki expedition.
A polar bear named Percy greets you on the second floor. In the library you'll see the Rescue of Greely, painted within hours of their rescue in 1884, The library houses a tiny fraction of the 13,000 books that make up the research and archives collection.
All lectures and events are held in the Clark room. The walls proudly display a few of the retired expedition flags from historic explorations. A sled from the 1909 North Pole expedition and an extremely rare set of double elephant tusks from the Congo can also be found here.
The uppermost floor is home to the research archives, holding the club’s impressive collection of 13,000 books, 1,000 museum objects, 5,000 maps and 500 films.
The Gallery on the top floor is the room everyone wants to see. In the early days of the Explorers Club when travel was difficult and field photography was relatively new, hunting and taxidermy were thought to be the best way to preserve animals for education and research. Here you will see taxidermied animals from many decades past. Objects from the far corners of the world, including a narwhal tusk, wooly mammoth tusk (ask about the famous 1951 Explorers Club dinner), the famous yeti scalp and a blue whale penis.
Join New York Adventure Club for a behind-the-scenes tour inside the members-only private club.
The Mysterious Bookstore
58 Warren St., New York, New York
The world’s oldest and biggest bookstore stocking only mystery, crime fiction, espionage, and thrillers.
Inside, every square inch of walls leading up to what must be 20-foot ceilings are packed with any book in which someone violently dies. There is an entire section for Sherlock Holmes books, including the many spinoffs written by dozens of authors. There are copies of long-defunct detective magazines like Black Mask. There is an entire section for what Penzler calls bibliomysteries—mystery books involving mysterious books. Murdered librarians, valuable manuscripts, that kind of thing.
You get into Otto Penzler’s New York office through a door in the Mysterious Bookshop. The door is roped off with a big X made of yellow police tape reading CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS. Down a flight of stairs, his office is a low-ceilinged basement cube with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on all four sides, stocked with anthologies and first editions as well as a random sampling of mass-market hardcovers and paperbacks. If the office was a store by itself, it would be the second-best mystery bookstore in the world.
The 'Ghostbusters' Firehouse
14 North Moore Street, New York, New York
Besides Ghostbusters, the building's memorable facade has also been featured in other movies and TV shows. It appeared in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot and it was used for the external shots of the firehouse where Kramer worked in an episode of Seinfeld.
The building was gutted and underwent a major renovation from 2016 to 2018 to update the living quarters, locker rooms, kitchen, and roof. The floor of the century-old building was actually in danger of collapsing from the weight of the fire vehicles stored inside. Following the restoration, the building looks relatively the same, although the red garage door is now noticeably different, with multiple panes of glass.
If the firefighters of Hook & Ladder 8, who were among the very first responders to the World Trade Center on September 11, are available to give you a tour of the inside, you can take a look at the collection of melted clocks and phones they've accumulated
from the various fires they've put out. Just remember that Hook & Ladder Company 8 is a fully functional firehouse, so be respectful of their space and time.
Please Don't Tell
113 St. Marks Place, New York, New York
Even in the internet age, finding much about Please Don’t Tell (PDT), a speakeasy on St. Mark’s Place, can be a bit difficult. Its website is one page with only a phone number to make reservations. Despite sharing space with Crif Dogs, a late night fried hot dog joint, its menu is unknown until entering (although there are still fried hot dogs that you can order from the adjacent restaurant). More importantly, just to get in, one must know the number to dial in the nondescript telephone booth.
Of course, Yelp can provide all the answers, but that goes against the whole idea of the place. Find a friend (or a friend of a friend) who has been there and knows what to expect. That’s part of the experience.
The Seaglass Carousel
State Street & Water Street (between the Battery Park Underpass and State St) New York, New York
The SeaGlass Carousel in New York City's Battery Park is housed inside a glass-paneled nautilus shell that sits atop the site of the original New York Aquarium. It took 10 years and several million dollars to bring the SeaGlass Carousel to life.
The SeaGlass Carousel features 30 fiberglass fish spotlighting 12 different species, while the mechanics are unique in that there’s no traditional center pole. By putting individual motors for each fish below the floor, the riders have unobstructed views while the fish both spin independently and swirl around each other as though swimming through the ocean. A changing LED light makes riders feel as though they''re underwater.
To add to the overall experience, each fiberglass fish contains its own speakers that play aquatic sounds and music specifically composed for the ride.
Each of the fish in the carousel is modeled after an actual species ranging from tall angelfish to the much smaller clown triggerfish. No matter which you choose, it will resemble one underwater lifeform or another that can actually be found out in the ocean.
The cost to ride the Seaglass Carousel in New York is $6.00 for a single ride. If you purchase group tickets,
it costs $55 for 10 tickets.
Track 61
101-121 East 49 Street, New York, New York
This abandoned subway station beneath the Waldorf-Astoria hotel is allegedly used to secretly transport presidents.
Unlike other "abandoned" train stations in the New York City area, the infamous Track 61 is supposedly still in use as a secret escape train for presidents visiting the city.
Built along with the rest of Grand Central Terminal, Track 61 was never properly abandoned, as it was actually constructed to be a powerhouse and storage area for unused New York Central Railroad cars, not a passenger station: Contrary to popular belief, Track 61 is not part of the NYC Subway but rather part of the New York Central Railroad, now Metro-North.
The station is not much to look at, what with all the untended grime and dirt, but there is still an antique train car permanently parked in the hidden powerhouse. However, the dingy industrial stretch of track has managed to gain a fair amount of fame as the private transport stop for US presidents.
The earliest reported use of the track was during the tenure of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who supposedly had his car transported to the station. The car was then lifted right into the Waldorf's garage. Roosevelt is also rumored to have entered and exited via the station in order to hide his worsening case of polio. Track 61 likely hid the comings and goings of a number of Presidents over the years and was confirmed to be prepped for a quick getaway route for George W. Bush while he took meetings at the Waldorf.
Everyone from military generals to celebrities have been said to use Track 61 for any number of clandestine movements, but given the amount of secrecy involved, all are hard to confirm. However, the unmarked brass door at the Waldorf's street level which leads to the station is proof that someone important is still using the track.
Update as of January 2020: The train has been moved to the Danbury Railway Museum in Connecticut.
New York's Hidden Tropical Forest
The Ford Foundation Building 320 East 43rd Street, New York, New York
New York provides all manner of welcome escapes from the urban jungle. But much less well known is an actual tropical jungle hidden away on East 43rd Street. What makes it so remarkable is that it is to be found inside an office building.
Twelve stories high and constructed of glass and steel, the building is an oversize tropical greenhouse. In the bizarre garden lush giant trees dwarf shrubs, magnolias, and garden terraces which slope down to verdant water pools. Stretching up to the roof on two sides, the open-plan offices of the Ford Foundation enable workers to look out across the tropical forest into each other's offices. The two giant glass walls and ceiling act as a large-scale greenhouse, creating the tropical conditions for the plant life to thrive year round. Even real rainfall is collected on the roof and is added to the steam condensation from inside to water the plants and fill the water pools.
One of the most remarkable buildings in the city, this unexpected tropical oasis just a wall away from the bustle of 43rd street is open to the public all year long.
To gain admission to New York's hidden tropical garden, specifically the Shaffer Conservatory, you can visit the following details:
Money $aving Tip: The conservatory also offers free admission on select days, so check their website for upcoming promotions.
Trinity Place Bank Vault Bar
115 Broadway, New York, New York
Down in the heart of the New York financial district there is a bar hidden inside an old bank vault from 1904.
The basement vault at the Trinity Place bar and restaurant was originally commissioned by the New York Realty bank.
The vault was so large and heavy it had to be sailed down the Hudson river and then transported on purpose built railway tracks from Battery Park to its home at 115 Broadway. The vault was unusual in that it had two entrances at either end, with each door weighing in at 35 tons.
Restored from its dusty condition in 2006, the vault is now home to a swish bar befitting its distinguished surroundings. At each end of the bar, the original five inch steel walls have been left exposed so cocktail sipping visitors can have a sense of how secure the old vault was. At the far end of the bar is a restaurant
converted from the old meeting room of the bank's executive board complete with its original chandelier.
The High Line in Manhattan
Washington St & Gansevoort St., New York, New York
For the latter years of the 20th century, abandoned, decrepit and overgrown, this elevated railway on Manhattan's West Side was the domain of pigeons, squirrels, and curious urban explorers.
The renovations of the High Line, begun in 2006, have turned the old railway into a magnificent public park. Benches, bushes, and the occasional section of track line the walkway, which still weaves its way through buildings in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. The park offers tremendous sunset views and now holds the impressive distinction of being New York City's most expensive park per acre.
The massive success of the High Line has developers and city officials looking for other possible candidates. Among the two most talked about are the Low Line, a trolley terminal under the Essex Street station, abandoned since 1948, and converting the Queens Railway, an abandoned railway in central Queens, currently unused and overgrown.
The High Line Park in New York is FREE to enter and explore, with no admission fee for adults or children.
Museum of Sex
233 5th Ave, New York, New York
Only in New York!
It's amazing that it took so long for New York to catch up to the rest of the world. Sex museums were popular in Europe in the 1960s, and a museum dedicated entirely to sex first premiered in America in (where else?) San Francisco in the 1970s. However the sex museum in San Francisco was short lived, leaving all of America without a sex museum for nearly three decades. Finally, in 2002, the Museum of Sex in New York City stepped up with a singular mission: fill that void.
Founded by Daniel Gluck with the aim of turning a scholarly eye to a subject often considered vulgar or taboo, the museum features over 15,000 artifacts, including art, photographs, movies, clothing and inventions--all relating to sex, of course. The museum is only open to those over 18, and the gift shop was voted the "best place to buy a last-minute gift," in 2008 by the New York press.
When Gluck tried to get non-profit status for his museum, he was rejected by the NYC Board of Regents, who said his idea made a mockery of the concept of museums. Since Gluck refused to accept sponsorship from the porn industry, ticket prices are steep. Exhibits have included, "US Patent Office Sex Inventions," and "Sex Lives of Animals," among many others.
The admission price to the Museum of Sex in New York typically ranges from $28 to $35 per person. Prices may vary based on whether tickets are purchased online or at the door, and special exhibitions may affect the final price. It's recommended to buy tickets online for potential savings and guaranteed entry time.
Museum of Interesting Things
60 East 8th Street 12P, New York, New York
Heading 4
Where can a person see a butter churn, an 1,800-year-old metal fire starter, and a 1901 cylinder phonograph all in one place? Anywhere, because the Museum of Interesting Things is built to travel.
Headquartered in Manhattan's East Village, the museum is the brainchild of Denny Daniel, a freelance filmmaker and photograph restorer who wanted to use his vast collection of fascinating antique devices to inspire curiosity and innovation.
The idea is to remind people of today that something like the iPhone did not come from nowhere, but evolved over time from history's innovations. This point is probably driven home when visitors bring out their smartphones to take pictures of his wind-up wooden box telephone. More recently, the exhibit has grown to include several “green power” items, including a crystal radio, which was powered by nothing more than radio waves.
The traveling show can also be viewed at its headquarters in New York if pre-arranged by phone. Call to schedule a visit (212) 274-8757.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard Street B, New York, New York
In 1978 Philip Seid opened The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, a New York institution whose stature has only grown over the subsequent decades. To this day, all of the 30-plus rotating flavors are made in-house and best enjoyed mounded high in an oversized waffle cone.
When you walk in, expect to see an array of electric-hued ice creams in flavors like pandan, red bean, ube, don tot (Chinese egg custard), and black sesame. The almond cookie scoops come with cookie crumbles from Famous Fung Wong Bakery, while the “zen butter” incorporates toasted sesame seeds into a peanut butter base. Of course, you can also find “exotic” Western flavors here, like chocolate, vanilla, and pumpkin pie.
Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store
372 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
The one-stop shop for all of your superhero (or evil arch-nemesis) needs.
The store stocks all manner of eccentric equipment and merchandise for a crime-fighting customer base. From canned cyclones to Mylar force fields and, of course, capes and spandex, this store has everything a hero needs. Villains may also find this fast becoming their favorite one-stop shopping location, as the store also stocks tools that cater to a less savory crowd, including mind-readers, particle guns and bottled black holes.
The shop is more than meets the eye, however, as behind a false bookcase there is a secret lair that plays host to an afterschool student writing center co-founded by best-selling writer Dave Eggers.
All profits from the store, which is run by volunteers, benefit the students at the writing center. Some of the published works of the students are available in the store's "manuals" section.
Tom's Diner (The 'Seinfeld' Diner)
2880 Broadway, New York, New York
Seinfeld fans who want to re-create their favorite scenes in Monk’s coffee shop need only travel to Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It won’t look familiar on the inside, but the blue and red neon wrapping the corner will let them know they're in the right place.
Seinfeld was not the diner’s first brush with show business. In 1978, it was seen in an episode of The Bionic Woman, and in 1982 Suzanne Vega wrote about it in the song Tom’s Diner. It has also been featured as part of “Kramer’s Reality Tour,” run by Kenny Kramer, the inspiration for Jerry’s neighbor. And for one last Seinfeld hurrah, in 2014 it was used to film a Super Bowl commercial, featuring Jerry, George, and Jerry’s nemesis… Hello, Newman!
Pier 54: The Titanic's Arrival Destination
Pier 54 West Street and 13th Street, New York, New York,
A dilapidated dock tells the story of Titanic's missed arrival. Titanic's survivors arrived in New York, but not where they had expected to dock.
Titanic's final destination was to be Pier 59 which was owned by the White Star Line. Instead, the Titanic survivors arrived in New York on the Carpathia, a Cunard Line ship. After a brief stop at Pier 59 to drop off the lifeboats from Titanic, the Carpathia traveled a few blocks south to dock at the Cunard pier, Pier 54. Anxious crowds of people, numbering in the thousands, awaited the arrival of the Carpathia and news of loved ones.
Now part of Hudson River Park, a number of plans to restore the pier have been bandied about, but none so far have been successful. Instead, it remains a blank, empty strip of metal and concrete stretching out into the Hudson River, remarkable mostly for its emptiness. The only obvious hint of its historical significance is the rusted arch that used to form the entrance, with the original shipyard lettering barely readable – "Cunard White Star" – left untouched and eroding out of either respect or neglect, probably both.
Since then, fascination with the tragedy of the Titanic has only grown, but interest in Pier 54 and its spectral place in history has fallen by the wayside.
Sunshine Laundromat
860 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, New York
Walking past Sunshine Laundromat, one might assume that unless they had a load of dirty laundry to do there would be no reason to wander inside. You would be mistaken.
As you pass a few classic pinball machines and go through the row of washing machines, you notice a strange stack of washing machines at the very back of the laundromat. Come closer and you realize that through those back washing machine doors, it's not laundry that you see but another world. A world of pinball.
For years the Sunshine Laundromat was simply a local laundromat with an odd sense of humor. Signs outside read “Try our gourmet vegetarian washing machines and vegan dryers.” However when Peter Rose, a 42 year old lifelong New Yorker and pinball enthusiast, teamed up with the building owner's son Michael Medovoy the business began to transform. Sharing a deep love for mechanical devices in general and pinball in particular (both men had managed to cram pinball machines into their respective dorm rooms in college) they began to fill the laundromat with classic pinball machines.
As pinball machines threatened to outnumber washing machines, Peter began working towards his lifelong dream of owning a proper pinball venue and the next phase of Sunshine Laundromat was begun. It began by transforming a 1000 square foot storage room into a working bar with a glassed in atrium. The next step was acquiring a beer and wine license. With their paperwork completed in early 2016 Sunshine became the only laundromat in New York City that can legally serve alcohol. Lastly and most importantly Peter, who maintains a collection of nearly 200 pinball machines (and services pinball machines around the city), chose which of his collection would go into the bar. He chose only the best. A pinball Valhalla was born.
Those who push through those mysterious laundromat doors at the back of Sunshine will find themselves eyed by a fortune-telling chimp and surrounded by over 23 pinball machines, each one a classic. As Peter has said the backroom is "a pinball place that serves beer, as opposed to a bar that has pinball.” Among the collection are some very rare machines including Safe Cracker and "Big Bang Bar" which sells on Ebay for around 20k.
A destination for any lover of pinball, even the bartenders are pinball pros.
Upfront the washing machines and dryers still spin, as the laundromat still fully functions.
C. O. Bigelow Apothecary
414 6th Avenue, New York, New York
The oldest operating apothecary in the US has treated everyone from Thomas Edison to Mark Twain.
Hidden in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, a small establishment prepares and dispenses their own range of cure-alls and remedies just as they have everyday since 1838.
C. O. Bigelow Apothecary is America's oldest operating apothecary. Providing New Yorkers with a wide range of medicines, salves, balms, perfumes, and elixirs for nearly 200 years, the historic pharmacy aims to, in their own words, transport "customers back to a time and place of personalized attention, customized formulas, and healing, therapeutic preparations."
Legend has it that Thomas Edison soothed his burnt fingers with a Bigelow's balm whilst testing an early prototype of his light bulb. The company ledgers for 1905 and 1906 have a S. L. Clemens of 21, Fifth Avenue, regularly charging to his account there. Quite exactly what Mark Twain was buying from Bigelow's isn't recorded, but he was a faithful customer who paid his bills on time. Eleanor Roosevelt was also a regular customer when she lived on East 11th Street between 1933 and 1942.
A visit to Bigelow's remains a refreshing step back in time. As their centuries old slogan goes, "If you can't get it anywhere else, try Bigelow!"
Marilyn Monroe's Subway Grate
Lexington Avenue and 52nd Street, New York, New York
On the southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and 52nd Street is perhaps the most famous subway grate in the world.
It was on this spot, at one in the morning on September 15, 1954, that Marilyn Monroe had her white halter dress blown up over her hips by an uptown 6 train while filming The Seven Year Itch, creating not only one of the most iconic images of American cinema, but of Marilyn herself.
Hearing an approaching subway train, Monroe stepped onto the grate, having her skirt blown high by the train passing underneath, saying "ooh do you feel the breeze from the subway, isn't it delicious." Minds across the country were simultaneously blown.
In reality, the scene was a publicity stunt orchestrated by 20th Century Fox's marketing department. Leaking the time and location of the event to the press, somewhere between 3-5,000 spectators showed up to catch a glimpse of Marilyn's legs.
The Trans-Lux theatre has long since gone, and today the French restaurant Le Relais de Venise is the backdrop to where Marilyn caused such pandemonium in the early hours of September 15. Her iconic white ivory cocktail dress, designed by Oscar winner William Travilla, stayed in his private collection until it was auctioned in 2011 for over $5 million. But the subway grate is still there, unmarked and rarely noticed, unless by someone who happens to get caught by the breeze of a passing train.
Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery
137, East Houston Street, New York, New York
As much of New York’s old Lower East Side disappears with the changing times, there are still traces of the original neighborhood to be explored, and in the case of Yonah Schimmel’s knish bakery, eaten and enjoyed.
In 1890, Yonah Schimmel, a Jewish immigrant from Romania, sold his home baked knishes from a push cart around the Lower East Side. Yonah’s knishes were so popular amongst the Eastern European immigrant tenements of the area, that he moved into a small bakery on Houston Street. In 1910, the business moved across the street, to where it still bakes and serves to this day.
Knishes originated in Eastern Europe and traditionally consist of a filling of mashed potatoes, cabbage and onions, covered with dough
and baked, but never fried, always round and not square. A simple, hearty and tasty snack, knishes were made and served throughout New York as more and more immigrants flooded the Lower East Side during the 19th century.
Yonah Schimmel’s is the oldest knishery in the United States, and is still owned by the family, currently run by Yonah’s great-nephew, Alex Wolfman.
George Glazer Gallery in Manhattan
308 E. 94th Street, New York, New York
The George Glazer Gallery is an antiquarian shop located in New York City. Opened by George Glazer in 1993, the gallery is consistently rated as one of the best antique specialty shops in New York. A former lawyer, Glazer left the legal profession to pursue his passion of collecting antique globes and maps. Now, almost three decades later, his expertise in the field of globes and cartography is recognized by museums worldwide.
The gallery and its eccentric owner have been featured on numerous television programs including episodes of "Martha Stewart Living" and PBS’s antiques show "Find!" Pieces from the gallery have appeared in magazine and newspaper articles nationwide and are often chosen as centerpieces by professional decorators.
The gallery maintains an extensive online portfolio of the items that are for sale. A photo of each piece is accompanied by an extensive history of the item thoroughly researched by the staff. Online are also Glazer’s thoughts on the history of collecting entitled “The Art of Collecting.” It is here that the grand sweep of history as told by the many pieces in the gallery is fully told.
Visiting the store has been described as being akin to wandering in the world’s coolest attic, with a wondrous array of globes and celestials surrounding those lucky enough to discover this quiet little shop.
The Gallery is open by appointment only so call them at (212) 535-5706 or email worldglobe@georgeglazer.com in advance to set up your visit. The gallery is located in the Upper East Side of New York City, just off 2nd Avenue.
Harry Houdini's Grave in Queens
82-30 Cypress Hills Street, Queens, New York
Nestled in the belt of cemeteries that rambles across Queens is the grave of Harry Houdini, the great escape artist and illusionist.
Houdini died at the age of 52 on Halloween of 1926, following punches to the stomach by a McGill University student who demanded of Houdini if the legends were true of his steel abdomen, but didn't give Houdini time to prepare for impact. This combined with untreated appendicitis doomed Houdini, and he died in the arms of his wife, Bess.
2,000 people attended his funeral, after which he was interred in a family plot in Machpelah Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery in Glendale, Queens. Yet before he died, he left behind instructions to those close to him that were to be his messages from the beyond if heard in a seance. The tradition of the Halloween seances started with his wife Bess, yet even after her own passing (Bess, despite having a tombstone next to his, was actually not buried with Houdini as she wasn't Jewish and her death date on his tombstone remains blank) the seances continued.
Houdini's grave itself is set amongst other members of the Weiss family, leading up to a monument of a granite bench where a woman stoops in mourning below a bust of Houdini that looms up over the emblem of the Society of American Magicians.
The bust has been stolen or destroyed four times between 1975 and 1993. The original was gladly donated to the Museum of the City of New York by wife Bess, but the replica was smashed by sledge hammer in 1975, replaced and then stolen in 1983, only to be recovered in 2003.
It was most recently replaced in 2011 by a group from the Society of American Magicians calling themselves the Houdini Commandos who made a replica bust (cast from one of the other replicas) and installed it in a guerrilla restoration operation. The bust is believed to be the sole graven image found in the Jewish cemetery.
House of Yes
2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, New York
A band of aerialists and circus performers putting on incredible shows in East Williamsburg.
This is the third incarnation of the House of Yes—the first one was in a Bed-Stuy basement and was mostly a spot for wild underground parties. When a massive fire demolished that space in the mid-2000s, Anya and Kae decided to create a highly professional aerialist training facility and performance venue in the heart of East Williamsburg. In 2013 the lost the lease on the second space, and began a search for an even grander location. After six months of searching, they signed a lease on their current location in Bushwick and they officially opened on New Years 2016. The new location is larger and features a full service restaurant and bar.
They continue to put on high-energy, high-caliber, innovative circus and cabaret performances. They make all their costumes in the Make Fun Labs, build their own sets, and collaborate with Brooklyn bands for live musical accompaniment. Performances showcase aerialists, trapezists, fire-dancers, contortionists, burlesque acts, singers, musicians, and more. House of Yes is also a great after-hours party spot, with DJs spinning far into the wee hours most weekend nights.
Kreischer Mansion
4500 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, New York
Sitting just off the Staten Island's poetically named Arthur Kill Road is the last remaining Kreischer Mansion, a lovely Victorian home that is said to be one of the most haunted places in all of New York, which may actually be true if one is referring to being haunted by memories of murder and death.
When Balthasar Kreischer came to Staten Island in the mid-1800s he brought with him terrifically successful brickworks that led to an economic boom in the area which soon became known as Kreischerville. As part of the wealth, the elder Kreischer was accumulating he had twin mansions built atop Kreischer Hill for two of his sons. Unfortunately, Balthasar died just a year after they were completed, but given what followed it is perhaps for the best. After the elder Kreischer's death, the brick factory his children inherited burnt to the ground. The family tried to rebuild, but the blow was too great and their fortunes soon fell, leading to one of his sons committing violent suicide in the mansion that stands today.
Of the two Kreischer mansions, one was destroyed during the Great Depression, but the other, where one of the Kreischer sons died, managed to survive despite the family's poor fortune. However, the ornate gothic house soon became the target of local superstition and all manner of ghost stories involving strange voices and lights began to surround the moldering manse. Despite its reputation, it was never completely abandoned but no business or resident has managed to stay there for long either.
Adding credence to the creepiness of the house is the very real crime that occurred there in 2005. On the order of a mafia boss, the caretaker of the empty mansion was paid thousands of dollars to carry out a hit at the site, which he did, dismembering the body and burning it in the basement furnace. Strange sounds indeed.
In May 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a design for 48 condominiums in 11 new buildings on the 3.8-acre property.
Holiday Nostalgia Train in Manhattan
New York, New York
During the holidays, a vintage subway train whisks New Yorkers back in time.
While waiting on the F train platform on a Sunday in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you might think you've stepped into the Twilight Zone when eight vintage subway cars barrel up to your station. This is the holiday train, a once-a-year treat courtesy of the MTA's New York Transit Museum, which whisks MTA patrons back in time.
The arrival of the holiday train is quite an event; so much so that some people dress up in period fashion just for the occasion. The immersive atmosphere is enough to make you believe the train could be shuttling you back to 1940, at least for the few minutes you have no cell service underground.
The "Shoppers Special," comprising cars from the 1930s to the 1970s, is bedecked with wreaths and bows for the season. People are charmed by both the similarities and differences between modern subway cars and those of yesteryear. Seats were upholstered with rattan, stops were announced by analog rolling signs, and the heavy doors would squish you if you didn't get out of the way. There was no air conditioning, of course, so ventilation was provided by ceiling fans and open slats above the windows (which would have made the ride much noisier). Even the ads are vintage.
Outside the holiday season, the vintage cars are on view at the Transit Museum.
For a schedule of when to catch the nostalgia train, visit the NY Transit Museum's website.
Long Lines Building
33 Thomas Street, New York, New York
An uber-secure, windowless tower of doom in the center of Manhattan is an NSA spyscraper.
So you finally noticed that terrifying, windowless skyscraper in the middle of Manhattan? It's fine, really. Now, move along.
Unofficially known as the "Long Lines Building," New York's doom-iest tower was designed in 1974 by architect John Carl Warneke. Though its most noteworthy feature is its utter lack of windows, the building is also known for its unusually high ceilings and for being designed to bear an extremely large amount of weight per square-foot.
Not that the latter two details are something the average citizen would ever be privy to witnessing on their own, of course. The name "Long Lines" suggests a lovely hat tip to the building's architectural elements, but in reality the sky fortress was originally created to house AT&T's carrier exchanges for their long distance telephone switches and equipment. Today it continues in that purpose, while also storing a portion of the company's datacenter processing. This ephemeral element of the technological infrastructure has been deemed so important that the building is able to survive nuclear fallout and exist off-grid for up to two weeks without issue.
What's more, it's since come to light that this ominous building is used as a hub for NSA spying—a brick-and-mortar arm of the surveillance state. As reported by The Intercept, the fortified skyscraper was not only made to safeguard critical telecommunications equipment, a sort of fortress for the information age, but it also houses equipment for controversial government data collection and wire tapping, codenamed TITANPOINTE.
One look at the skyscraper's face should tell you that public admittance isn't an option. But that beautiful, terrifying image you have in your head of stories upon stories of telephone cables and digital boxes stacked 18-feet high, glowing within the building's impenetrable walls, might just be better than the real thing, anyway.
77 Water Street
When passing by, the office building at 77 Water Street doesn’t seem out of the ordinary—perhaps even boring compared to the surrounding structures. However, it’s actually one of the more unusual buildings in New York’s Financial District.
From the ground, you can spot several artistic installations, such as a futuristic payphone and a fully functioning old-fashioned candy shop located off to the side of the lobby. But arguably the most interesting aspect of this building isn’t visible from street level. It requires a more elevated view, as the building features what looks like an airplane runway on its roof.
Many daydreaming office workers have likely looked down from their window and wondered about the plane’s history and how it came to rest atop a Wall Street high-rise. Some may be disappointed to learn that the plane is no antique at all, but a replica modeled after a 1916 British Sopwith Camel. And it didn’t land there in dramatic fashion—it was placed on the roof by crane in 1969, a year before the building officially opened for business.
Unfortunately, the rooftop installation has weathered poorly over the decades. The runway has lost much of its grass, and the plane has been covered by a net since the early 2010s. However, it appears that both the runway and plane will be renovated as part of the building’s current restoration.
According to Robert Kaufman, president of the William Kaufman Organization (the New York real estate developer behind the building), the plane was conceived as a way to give people in nearby condos and offices something interesting to look at—a piece of art made for locals rather than tourists. The work was created by Melvyn Kaufman, who was also behind several other whimsical projects across New York City.
The candy store was incorporated into the lobby as part of Kaufman’s effort to humanize the building.
May 2025 Update: The building is undergoing extensive renovations, and most of the art is currently inaccessible. The candy shop remains open.
As you've seen there's plenty to see and do in New York - both standard tourist fare and the more offbeat.