5 Things to do in New York City
Hailing a cab in NYC!
Visiting the Big Apple is something everyone should do at least once in their life. New York City brings so many worlds together to create a unique city. While planning for your visit, consider what type of vacation do you want to have. Do you want to make the most of each moment and see as many places as possible or do you want to have a more leisurely stay? Either way, I have suggestions on what to do during your visit.
Things to Do
See a Broadway play! I can’t recommend this enough. It is truly such a treat to see such talented people perform. You can book tickets well in advance. On the site, you can filter by the days you’ll be visiting which allows you to narrow down your selection. Be flexible, some of the shows we originally booked, ended early and we had to select other plays to see. It all worked out, but I was surprised how the calendar fluctuated. We had the opportunity to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Music Man and Mr. Saturday Night. All were fabulous and exceeded my expectations (and I can’t stop listening to the Moulin Rouge! The Musical playlist on Spotify)!
Take in the sights of the city during an architecture tour. You’ll spend time on a beautiful boat, while learning from the very best about the different structures in nearby boroughs. If architecture isn’t your thing, there are several boat tours to check out. Note that you will get to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty during the AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture Tour.
Make time to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. This museum definitely takes you back to 2001 and you can recount the events leading up to the attack and what occurred in the aftermath. The museum is an incredible tribute to those who lost their lives and to those impacted by the tragedy. I would block out at least 3 hours to explore the memorial and museum and recommend going in the morning. Note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Take a walk in Central Park. The stunning park is truly remarkable and I am so grateful that this area of land has been preserved to allow for a recreational area for urban dwellers. Did you know that the park was established in 1858?!? You can take a walk, go for a carriage ride, roller skate and more in the park.
Visit the beautiful Grand Central Terminal train station. There are over 60 stores and 35 restaurants located at the station. You can also depart NYC by train and venture out to several other destinations.
A Few Pieces of Advice
Pack a pair of comfortable tennis shoes. You’ll be amazed how much walking you can get in by exploring the city. I chose shoes that would coordinate with several outfits and could handle LOTS of steps.
Pack a belt bag or crossbody that is comfortable to carry and easy to access your personal items while you’re out and about. This Nara Belt Bag worked out so well during my visit to NYC.
Plan your daily itineraries with things to do in similar areas of the city. Things are more spread out than you’d think. You’ll save time and transportation costs while making the most of your stay. Talk about a few wins!
Make reservations! Visiting New York City was a great reminder that you need to plan ahead when visiting. You’ll be able to eat where you want and enjoy those meals you’ve been looking forward to when you planned ahead. Most reservations can be made through apps, such an OpenTable. Reservation apps allow for easy cancelations and modifications.
If you plan on visiting multiple attractions in NYC that require tickets, check out the City Pass and the pass will save you money. I did not get the pass, but it seems to be beneficial if you are going to the locations on the list.
Immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy every minute of your sight-seeing vacation! What is something you recommend others seeing while in New York?