North America, USA

Places to Visit in NYC - Explore New York City

9 April, 2022

The City That Never Sleeps is electric with energy 24 hours a day. There are a bunch of things to do in NYC, and it’s a place everyone must see at least once.

Of course, Times Square is a tourist trap worth getting sucked into at least once…just for the experience, but it’s truly just the beginning. While we’ve all seen NYC on countless movies, TV shows, and travel guides, the best things to do in NYC and cool places to visit are probably not the first spots that come to mind.

Empire State Building

Built between 1930 and 1931, the Empire State Building is 102-stories tall and famous for being the tallest skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.

The builders were in a mad dash to create the world’s tallest skyscraper — the Chrysler Building *almost* beat them to it, but once the Empire State Building was completed at 1,250 feet, it was the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years.

The building sites on the site of the former Waldorf-Astoria hotel (the present Waldorf Astoria New York was built on Park Avenue in 1931).

Greenwich Village

Known for its winding streets, gorgeous hidden alleys, and mom & pop eateries, Greenwich is one of the coolest villages in NYC. Just walking the streets of this borough of Manhattan is a one-of-a-kind experience. If the walls could talk this Bohemian capital would have the greatest story you’ve ever heard.

Greenwich Village is one of the great foodie capitals of the country. Sample a bit of all the best local eats on a Greenwich Village food tour! Some of the best eats in the area include the fish tacos and agua de sandía at Tacombie, and Murray’s Cheese on Bleeker Street.

Brooklyn Bridge

This iconic bridge has offered a safe and scenic passage to millions of commuters and tourists alike. While it offers serious function, the Brooklyn Bridge is also a really cool thing to photograph.

Snap those essential pics on then head over to the famous DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). It’s definitely one of the top things to do in New York City and one of the best things to do in NYC on a budget.

NY Public Library

One of the best things to do in NYC is to soak in the local culture. Exploring the local libraries is a great way to take in local life away from the tourist traps.

Whether you’re looking for couples getaways or weekend trips, this is one of the top things to do in New York City that’ll get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The NY Public Library is seriously grand! The Beaux-Art style building on Fifth Avenue features an elegant main reading room with soaring carved-wood ceilings.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station has been the gateway to the city. More than 750,000 New Yorkers pass through here each and every day, on top of an additional 21.6 million tourists per year. This place is a big deal, and you truly can’t take in the magnitude of it until you’re actually standing there.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to the swanky 20s-style bar, The Campbell, for classic cocktails. You’ll feel like you’re re-living the golden age of train travel.

Little Italy & Chinatown

Two of the most favorite neighborhoods and, as luck would have it, they are right next to each other! Every time you explore NYC, you will find the random little spots around Little Italy and Chinatown that are every bit as memorable as the world-class Broadway shows and swanky Manhattan restaurants.

You can’t talk about Little Italy or Chinatown without mentioning the food. While the best places to eat in New York are scattered all over the city, these two districts are non-stop amazing eats.

Whether you’re looking for dim sum in New York or the best pizza in NYC — you’ll find some of the top picks in these neighborhoods!

The Central Park - The Loeb Boathouse Restaurant

Central Park is amongst the top things to do in NYC, but be sure you plan a bit of extra time to take in the beauty of this restaurant.

Opened in 1954, the landmark restaurant is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a leisurely meal in the heart of Central Park.

You’ll need to make reservations as this place books up, The Loeb Boathouse Central Park has a gorgeous patio that opens up to the lake and you can see boaters leisurely paddling.

Morgan Library

Just a short stroll from Grand Central/Penn Station in the Murray Hill neighborhood, Morgan Library sits.

It’s located in J.P. Morgan Jr.’s former brownstone and it’s quite pleasing to the eyes. You won’t find a ton of tourists here; it’s typically locals that tend to frequent the Morgan to see new exhibitions or watch performances.