We're guessing you've had an influx of visitors over the past month or so.
Now that it's the holiday season, everyone wants to come here, drink for SantaCon, and stand outside Macy's playing on that magic piano.
Well, we wanted to share with you some spots you could bring them. There's a way you can bring your tourist palls out on the town and not want to jump off The Empire State Building afterwards.
What we're saying is, you don't need to go see the Rockefeller Tree (and definitely don't spend the $50 to skate on the rink). You don't have to waste your time on all the soulless tourist activities that'll steal your mind and your money.
Spend your time with your out-of-town friend doing awesome stuff this season. Read on to find out what you should do.
1. Museum of Feelings (230 Vesey Street)
okmagazine Singer @IAmBeckyG got invigorated and felt other emotions brought to life as visual art at The Museum of Feelings, curated by @Glade and open at the Brookfield Place shopping center in New York City through Dec. 15 💠 #MuseumOfFeelings #ad
Enough with all the emotionless hoo haa. We're talking about Santa Land. We're talking about Bryant Park's Winter Village.
These are great in their own rites, but they don't acknowledge emotions. They're much more interested in getting your money away from you than they are in finding out how you're feeling. The Museum of Feelings does, obviously care about how you're feeling, and it's something revolutionary.
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It's the first-ever museum that reacts to emotions and turns them into art. The Museum's exterior scrapes social media and other real-time data, and changes color to reflect the mood of the city. You can take a selfie that changes with your feelings. There's a kaleidoscope controlled by emotion.
Each installation invites emotional interaction.
You, a New Yorker, definitely don't want to miss it. So you should certainly bring your out-of-towner friend here with you. Oh, did we mention it's free?
2. The Roosevelt Island Tram (591 Main Street)
bitchcakes Gorgeous view of the #fullmoon tonight while riding home over the #QueensboroBridge. #rooseveltislandtram #Queens
During the years between 1976 and 1984, riding on the Roosevelt Island Tram was the only elevated tramway in the country.
After 1984, Mississippi built one, but we all know ours is cooler. Sure, you could (and probably should) walk your visitor over the Brooklyn Bridge, and that as a stunning view of the city, but there really isn't anything like the paused-in-midair view from the tram.
You wouldn't be able to get as incredible of a view of the city as you can from the tram any other way besides riding a helicopter, and this ride only costs $2.75. We guarantee your visitor will be amazed.
3. Theatre 80 St. Mark's (80 Saint Marks Place)
thekarynrose We had our 2 year anniversary show at #theatre80 . I absolutely LOVED this space! #theaterdays #theatre80stmarks #mysongthewayisingit #tbt
We're in the cultural capital of the world, aren't we? So don't stay in your apartment and watch Netflix (or, do, we know this happens).
If you can afford Broadway, by all means splurge on Broadway, but just because you don't have hundreds to blow doesn't mean you can't take your friend to an incredible play.
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Theatre 80 St. Mark's is a jewel where plenty of famous performers launched their careers; people like Joan Rivers, and Frank Sinatra. It carries a generational cultural function, and it's also a pretty fun evening out.
So what should you see? Well, they've got their "Naked Angels" reading series, they're staging "Full House The Musical," "Campaign Comedy Countdown," and more. You can see their full list of shows, plus buy tickets here.
4. The Strand (828 Broadway)
archaicsoul Bargains are always to be found outside The Strand. Expand Your Mind. Read a book. #nyc #nyny #newyorker #newyorkcity #thestrand #thestrandnyc #thestrandbookstore #read #book #books #readabook #fucktechnology #turnthepage #broadway #12thstreet #bookstore #iseethingsyoudont #newyorkstateofmind #newyorkshitty
The Strand is another NYC cultural institution that you should probably make sure your friend doesn't miss.
They've got 18 miles of books; used books, new books, rare books, out of print books, pretty much every type of book you could imagine.
They've also got some pretty hot events with some pretty famous people. Grace Coddington, the creative director of Vogue, will be reading on December 7th. You'll be able to meet the team behind Broadway's Spring Awakening on December 9th.
Sean Corcoran will present his groundbreaking new collection on December 10th.
Our point is, don't miss out on The Strand. There's some pretty cool stuff going on there.
,5. Rock n' Shop (17 Meadow Street - Brooklyn)
rocknshopnyc Another very Rock n Shop day, all ages shows forever!@AppLetstag #allagesshow #angryyoungandpoor #punkshow #livemusic #music #band #hardcore #live #concert #localmusic #indie #brunswickga #punk #nyc #market
Rock n' Shop. It's new. It's innovative. It's open on weekends, and it'll allow your out-of-town visitor the freshest possibly NYC experience, all while you're able to get stuff done.
We mean, there are $3 drafts between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There's free live music, free comedy at 12 p.m. on Sundays, and lots and lots of food and drinks.
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There are free pancakes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in addition to plenty of delicious vendors. So you can get your holiday shopping accomplished, eat well, and laugh at the free comedy show. Then, once that ends, jam out to the free music.
If you want your friend to have the most authentic NYC experience, bring them to this type of entertainment meets food festival meets artisan vendors. It really doesn't get more NYC than this.
6. The Lowline Lab (140 Essex Street)
ibc_shell What is #thelowline? @bloombergbusinessweek uncovers the #incredible #transformation of this former market building in #NewYork's #LowerEastSide: http://bloom.bg/1XhxYwK 📷: John Taggart/Bloomberg #thelowlinelab #urbanoasis #LES #lowline #NYC #TransformationTuesday
The High Line is cool and everything, but don't you think it's a little played out? We mean, we still love it, but its splendor is starting to fade. Also, it's about to be winter, and that means hanging out in outdoor parks is about to be not that fun.
This is why the Lowline is so innovative. It's a long-term open laboratory and technical exhibit, built to showcase what will become of the world's first underground garden.
We told you NYC was full of rockstars, right? The geniuses at the Lowline have re-appropriated sunlight through a complicated system (we went to see it, too) to shine underground.
So bring your chill out-of-town pal and show him or her how this super cool garden grows and sustains plants underground. P.S., it's open on the weekends for free.
7. The Staten Island Ferry (4 South Street)
the_drinklady That New York State of Mind #nyc #freedomtower #manhattan #ilovenewyork #statenislandferry
We're guessing your visiting pal will want to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, right? Everyone always does.
Well, trust us. Don't splurge on one of those ferry boats that takes you out to Ellis Island. The Staten Island Ferry is free, and so much more pleasant.
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Plus, it brings you really up close and personal to that famous statue.
Rather than paying $14 a cocktail on your already exorbitantly expensive tour bout, you'll get to buy $4 beers, and snag a stunning glimpse of that skyline. Dress warm though, we're warning you.
Check out 8 Events You Simply Gotta Cross Off Your Manhattan Bucket List This December.
[Feature Image Courtesy Guest of a Guest]