So you live in New York City, and five bucks will get you ten that you’ve never been to either the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty.
Why is that? What's that... too touristy for you? Well, get over it.
There are countless reasons why NYC is such a popular travel destination, and ignoring stuff that’s “for tourists” is selling yourself and your city short.
Write this list off as “too touristy,” if you must, but keep in mind we composed another list without well known tourist attractions for New Yorkers here (if that’s what you’re looking for).
But take it from us: if you ever leave this city without seeing its most famous sights, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.
So, just get out there and enjoy what Gotham has to offer-- before it's too late.
1. Have a meal at Tavern on the Green
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As the seasons change, so do the dining experiences at Tavern on the Green.
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While most people pick the obvious choice of enjoying a fine meal on the patio on a gorgeous summer evening, gazing upon a snow covered Central Park is also worth the trip.
2. Experience a night at the Met
ericmargiore Lucky to live steps away. #lincolncenter #metopera #uws #myhood #nyc #bigapple #dusk #architecture #architecturelovers #instacool
The Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Square is the absolute epitome of grandiose.
You do not have to enjoy opera to be moved to the very core of your being at its very architectural artistry. A performance there is something everyone should experience.
3. Go to a baseball game
samiham Make me an offer I can't refuse. Behind Yankee dug out. And it's really gotta be a good offer lol #metsyankees
On a July 4th in the 90's, this writer spent Independence Day the best way possible: with the Yankees in the afternoon, and the Mets at night.
There are few things quintessentially more American than the baseball game. New York is awesome enough to have teams in both leagues of baseball, and you should take advantage of that.
4. Skate in Rockefeller Center
kerrynjcook Skating at Rockefeller centre in New York - so cold today but I love it here. #rockcenternyc #nyc
Seriously, this is the kind of thing movie magic comes from.
Put on some blades and go for a twirl already, will ya?
5. Visit Coney Island
Coney Island was once the greatest national attraction in all of the United States, and it’s not hard to see why with just one visit.
It still boasts enough attractions to keep you busy for an entire weekend, easily.
The amusement parks. The Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. The beach. The Aquarium. The Famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The sideshows and games.
Coney Island has what you’ll find fun.
6. Have lunch with Lady Liberty
Most New Yorkers are guilty of never visiting the Statue of Liberty, even though she's right in our backyard.
Seriously, you really need to take a selfie with her. Like yesterday.
7. Drop the puck at center Ice
While it would be an unimaginable thrill to look up from center ice at Madison Square Garden to see throngs of people cheering you on, this one’s probably a long shot.
You’ll have to settle for a Rangers game there instead... which is an amazing in-person experience (just ask anyone who's been to a game, fan or not).
8. Scout a famous movie scene’s location
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Check out Midtown to see where The Avengers fought off an alien invasion.
Follow the route Vito Corleone took through Little Italy to become The Godfather.
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Or have what “she’s having” at Katz’s Deli. Maybe even figure out where the last scene of You've Got Mail was filmed (without Google, eh?).
If you’re up for it, you can even put on a Ghostbuster jumpsuit and chase some ghosts around the NYPL. This city is yours for the taking, remember?
9. Take in a Broadway show
Yeah, they’re expensive, and yeah, they’re located in the bane of New Yorkers’ existence, Times Square, but there’s nothing, like nothing, quite like a Broadway show.
They are world-renowned for a reason, and once they take your breath away, you’ll know why too.
,10. Wait in line for Shakespeare in the Park
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There’s ways around the long wait in line to get into Shakespeare in the Park.
You can get people to wait in line for tickets for you, you can find ways to buy the tickets, and a few other techniques to get into the show.
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But the long wait in line, and the sheer uncertainty of knowing if you’ll even get a ticket then, is all part of the appeal of the experience.
These shows are really special, and the performance itself should be as memorable as what you went through to get in.
11. Sit courtside at the Knicks
Sure, they might suck right now, but it doesn’t change the fact that anyone sitting courtside for a Knicks game is immediately NYC royalty.
That will never change. So get there... at least once next season. Please? Fine... pretty please?
12. Take a tour of Grand Central Station
nicholasbrownimages Grand Central Station #grandcentral #grandcentralstation #architecture #buildings #NYC #nycmidtown #newyork #newyorkcity #newyorkoriginals
Wherever you look in Grand Central Station, there’s something amazing.
From the intricate sculptures peppered throughout the structure, to the constellation-filled ceiling of the Grand Concourse, this architectural wonder really deserves more of your attention.
Take a day and explore it.
13. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
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There’s a 103rd floor that hardly anyone gets to see at the very top of the Empire State Building.
Although it’s mostly used for maintenance, it’s still something that would be very cool to see.
14. Tour NYC's comedy clubs
Gotham Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, The Comedy Cellar, and the most famous of them all, Caroline’s Comedy Club.
New York City is the absolute king of comedy, and exploring the vast riches of the city’s comic resources would do anyone a world of good.
15. Tailgate before an NFL game at the Meadowlands
Seeing a pro football game, whether it’s the Giants or the Jets, is an all day affair.
Doing it right means beers and barbeque in the parking lot, then the game, and then going out to the bars afterward to either celebrate or console yourself.
16. Have drinks with the NYC skyline
You can either go to one of the many skyline bars in NYC or just find a nice rooftop somewhere and have a picnic.
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The skyline of New York City during sunset as you enjoy a glass of wine is the kind of thing that lasts the rest of your life.
17. Hop on a helicopter ride around Manhattan
dashusik_ Helicopter ..Long Weekend 😋 🏣🏢🚁🗽🇺🇸 #LongWeekend #helicopter #ToursNYC #NY #Manhattan #NYC #helicopternyc #LongWeekendFun 👊🏻 #heliNY #newyorkinstagram
Changing your perspective is an important task we all need to perform. Especially if we’re guilty of taking an awesome city like Gotham for granted. We need to remind ourselves just how big our city is, how amazing, and how beautiful.
The thrill of doing so with the added punch of a helicopter ride would move anyone, even a jaded New Yorker.
The point in all of this is to remind all New Yorkers that we need to see our city as tourists do sometimes.
We are all guilty of ignoring the amazing-ness of the Big Apple. People who live in this city are some of the luckiest folks on the face of the planet.
And you know what? From time to time, being reminded of that is a good thing.
Check out 7 Wonderful Ways You Can Take Your Mind Off a Really Bad Day.