By Carly Bayroff
Now that where to eat and drink is taken care of, part two of this guide to a summer in NYC is focused on how you should spend your time in the Big Apple. Combining touristy spots you have to visit once to truly experience the city, with a handful of hidden spots to make you look like a born and raised New Yorker, this list covers all the bases.
What to do/Where to go: Touristy Must See’s
1. See a Broadway show – Broadway in NY is unlike any other experience. With all of its lights and billboards, the theater district in Midtown Manhattan is vibrant and fun. NY is known for it’s Broadway shows so why not see one when you’re visiting. Tickets and shows playing are constantly changing but you can’t go wrong with most productions and if you can score tickets to Hamilton – bonus points.
2. Go to an outdoor concert – Include a warm-weather gig in your plans for your New York summer. With plenty of options to choose from including indie bands, DJs, and hip-hop artists and festivals. There are so many to choose from but no matter where you go prepare for a big crowd and a lot of fun. Check out two of the most popular festivals, SummerStage and Governers Ball. SummerStage takes place from June-October in Central Park while Governers Ball happens 2-4 June on Randalls Island.
3. Visit Central Park – Escape from the busy streets on a nice day by sitting in the sun or lounging in the shade at one of the most well-known parks in the world. Relax in Central Park while taking in nature and the city skyline. Pass the time by listening your favorite songs, playing games and picnicking. You can either bring your own picnic lunch or grab food from any of the nearby restaurants for you and your friends.
4. Take the Ferry – The Staten Island Ferry is a 30-minute boat ride to Staten Island and back to NY that’s free and runs 24 hours a day. Take a joy ride to cool down from the heat, see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and of course amazing panoramic views of the city. Although there isn’t much to do when you get to Staten Island, just hop back on the ferry for some great photo opps without spending a penny.
5. Take in views from the Top of the Rock – The observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center offers amazing, unparalleled views of New York. Top of the Rock is a little pricey but is a great alternative to the top of the Empire State Building.
What to do/Where to go: Hidden Gems
1. Walk the High Line – This public park is the perfect way for you to experience the city without the chaos. What used to be one of New York’s busiest train routes got closed in the 80s and has been restored. The abandoned line allows visitors to take a scenic walk of the West Side of Manhattan along the path that is almost 1.5 miles long with art displays and gardens scattered along it.
2. Go to a speakeasy – You could argue that this should have made it onto the drink list in part one of this guide, but these small cocktail bars with hidden and unmarked doors are more about the experience than the drinks. The trend that forced New Yorkers to take their parties underground during the 20s gave us some of the best secret places in NYC. Pay a visit to PDT (Please Don’t Tell), which is located behind a telephone booth in the East Village hot dog restaurant Crif Dogs or Raines Law Room, which is semi-secret and requires you to ring a bell to get in.
3. Rooftop Cinema Club – With two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn, the rooftop cinema club is the ultimate film experience. For $19-$25, this unique event allows people to watch an array of films on a rooftop big screen while taking in breathtaking views of the city. Bring your own drinks and snacks and sit in comfy chairs for a night of fun under the stars.