So…you’re ready to travel to The Big Apple, but what are you going to do when you’re there? How are you going to squeeze in the most New York Citiest of experiences as well as the “of course I did that” things? In our NYC bucket list, we tried to give the perfect balance of local finds and tourist must-sees (you are a tourist after all).
1
Bike Central Park (and Beyond)
If a bus tour makes the city go by too fast for you, and a walking tour too slow, how about the goldilocks of the tour game: a bike tour? For a complete New York experience on two wheels, check out the Complete Manhattan and Central Park Bike Tour. This 5-hour, 3-mile loop tour includes the bike, a helmet, and a tour guide! Ride along with up to 10 cyclists through Central Park, Midtown, Times Square, Little Italy, Chinatown, and more.
2
Go Out on a Ledge
New York has a lot of really tall buildings. And really tall buildings tend to mean really awesome views. Our two favorites are, of course, the classic Empire State Building as well as the newer One World Observatory Sky Portal. Both buildings also offer tons of historical information and really turn your visit into an experience, as well as an incredible photo op.
3
See a Show on (or Off) Broadway
Even in the age of Netflix, there’s still nothing quite like a live show. And no NYC bucket list would be complete without suggesting a trip to Broadway (or whatever kind of live entertainment you’re into). No matter your preferences—theater, musicals, magic, comedy, two mice wrestling on a subway platform—you’re bound to find it at one of the countless, incredible theaters on and off Broadway.
4
Try Delicious Street Food
One of the many things you’ll be doing while you visit is eating…a lot. So we wanted to remind you that hot dog stands are a New York staple, and a great way to do a quick refuel so you’re ready and not at all hangry for your next tour. Not sure where to go? Just turn a corner, and you’ll probably find a stand.
5
Walk the High Line
Looking for more outdoor things to do in NYC? One of New York’s newer attractions, the High Line remains extremely popular for locals and tourists alike. This long, skinny park that was transformed from a railroad track into an elevated trail slices through the Lower West Side. It gives park-goers a unique view of the city that should not be missed.
6
Relax Next to the Brooklyn Bridge
Like the High Line, the park at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge is another relatively new (and free) outdoor thing to do in NYC. The park boasts plenty of sport courts—like bocce ball, volleyball, basketball—as well as featuring a restored, wooden carousel from the 1920s.
7
Cruise Past the Statue of Liberty
As a first-time visitor, it’s basically impossible to see the city and not check out the Statue of Liberty. For an incredible view of Lady Liberty, it’s hard to beat Majestic Harbor Cruises. Their sporty yachts cruise by this and other landmarks in a breezy 60-minute tour.
8
Learn Something New at a Museum
Museums could be a NYC bucket list all on their own. We can’t think of a place with more options, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the New York Historical Society, to the Morbid Anatomy Museum. If you’re interested in something like ice cream, or math, or skyscrapers, or…let’s just say there’s probably a whole museum dedicated to something that’s right up your alley.
