Every girl goes to New York at least once in her life. Maybe not now, but someday. After all, you have to admire that amazing skyline with your own eyes and experience the energy of the city yourself. Girlscene’s Emma lived in New York for a while and shared 34 things to do in the city that never sleeps. But she has many more – and after the success of previous articles, we know you’ll love these tips. You should definitely do these things when you are in New York.
1. This is not really an activity, but it is definitely something I would do at the start of your trip. Buy a Time Out, this is a magazine with all kinds of tips for things to do in New York that week. It states, among other things, in which concerts there are, where there are markets, which new restaurants are being opened, where the good parties are, which films are playing and which events are taking place.
2. Shop at Sephora on 5th Avenue. As a beauty lover you will of course visit Sephora – is there a bigger beauty mecca? – and the shop on 5th Avenue is worth a visit for everyone.
3. The Apple Store on 5th Avenue is world famous, so it’s definitely nice to pop in. Apple lovers are amazed!
4. Who doesn’t love pizza? At Vinnie’s Pizzeria in Williamsburg, Brooklyn you can find the most original pizzas. You can order pizza on pizza, but there is also a mac ‘n cheese pizza slice and a nacho pizza slice. Very crazy and original pizzas, and also very tasty!
5. If you don’t think a night out is complete without getting your feet off the floor, you’ll be disappointed in New York. When New Yorkers go out for a night out, they usually stick to a drink. They hardly dance! If you’re looking for a club that does dance, go to Output. This is a club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that plays electronic music – which is also unique in New York, they usually play hip hop when going out.
6. Walk into a large Chinese supermarket in Chinatown to buy delicious dim sum.
7. South Street Seaport is a historic part of New York in the Financial District. Here you can enjoy a drink and shopping. The area was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, which forced a number of businesses to close, but they are now working hard to bring it back to life. There is a food market and a silent disco.
8. New York is a bagel town. You are going to eat a bagel anyway, so why not go for a more unusual variant? Order a Cragel (croissant + bagel) at the Bagel Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So you have an egg, bacon & cheese crackel, but the best I’ve eaten was the cinnamon crackel with walnut raisin cream cheese. Very tasty. By the way, if you’re looking for a ‘regular’ bagel, I recommend Bagelsmith, this bakery is also located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
9. Did you know that there is a piece of the Berlin Wall in New York? Part of the actual wall can be found on 53rd Street, between 5th Avenue & Madison Avenue.
10. Take a photo with the famous Love Sign on 56th Street, near 6th Avenue.
11. Read a book in the grass on Sheep Meadow in Central Park. This is a large lawn with a great view of the skyscrapers that surround the park.
12. Visit the Tenement Museum to learn more about New York. A must if you are completely in love with the city!
13. Shopping at Herald Square, where the largest Victoria’s Secret store is located.
14. Go to Sleep No More, a kind of theater performance. I have not been there myself, but I have been told that it is a unique experience. The less you know about Sleep No More, the better. Let yourself be surprised!
15. Can You Ever Shop Enough? I do not think so. The Fulton Mall in Brooklyn is also a good spot to ransack your bank account.
16. Take the Gossip Girl tour. I put it together for you, you can find the tour here.
17. Attend a basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The tickets are not cheap, but you will have a New York experience richer.
18. Go to a concert at The Bowery Ballroom.
19. Do you like beer? Pay a visit to the Brooklyn Brewery. Tasting beer and meeting nice people, what more could you want!
20. Go to a Gospel Church! It’s a whole show with super good singers. In Harlem there are many Gospel churches. I myself went to the First Corinthian Baptist Church, here they are open to new people. I have felt so welcome! I would not have wanted to miss this experience, highly recommended.
21. When you feel like having a laugh, catch a comedy show from the Upright Citizens Brigade. This is where many hilarious stars have learned the tricks of the trade. Who knows, you might even see someone perform who later becomes famous!
22. New York is full of cinemas. But the most fun and unique cinema is the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn. What makes it so special? You can order food and drinks during the film, your order will then be served as unobtrusively as possible at your table. There are also no annoying commercials, but hilarious fragments as a prelude!
23. Sunday brunch is a thing in New York. On Sundays, New Yorkers go to a hip joint for brunch and a cocktail. You really have to experience this. Lavo is a must (also a favorite spot of Vanessa Hudgens and other celebs), after brunch the feet will go off the floor! Lavo is unfortunately not very cheap.
24. Go to the Bronx Zoo. On Sundays you can decide for yourself what you pay as entrance!
25. Buy keepsake jewelry or gifts at The Market NYC on Bleecker Street. It is an indoor market where private jewelers can rent a stall. I must have been there for two hours, because there was so much fun!
26. People-watching in Union Square. All sorts of things happen on this square: music is played, there is dancing, there are many passers-by and there were also a striking number of crazy people (example: a man with a flowery wig in a dress standing on a garbage can).
27. Take a look at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
28. Take an outfit photo in front of one of the hundred thousand beautiful walls.
29. Art lover? Gallery hopping is very popular, you can admire super beautiful unique art in one of the many cute galleries.
30. Take a seat after the last stop of the Green 6 line (Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall). When turning, the metro passes an abandoned and hidden metro station.
31. Go to the Whisper Wall. This is at the bottom of Grand Central Station near the Oyster Bar. In front of the entrance you are in a kind of hall: stand diagonally opposite each other and whisper something to each other in the vaults/walls. Thanks to the acoustics, you can still understand each other, even whispering, from a great distance.
32. When you’re tired of the city and in need of nature, head to Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
33. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is also a must. You have, among other things, a beautiful rose field that is also extremely popular as a location for wedding photos. It is almost certain that you will spot a bride!
Tip: If you are planning to go to New York in the future, give this article a heart. This way you save the article and you can easily find it again. How do you do this? Log in to your Girlscene profile and scroll down until you see the ‘love it’ button. Click on the heart, et voila!
Have you ever been to New York?
–
