I’m sure none of you have picked up on this so far, but I love New York. Have I beat that horse enough yet? It it sufficiently dead? I sometimes have the tendency to over-share about the things that I love, and New York would fall heavily in that category. I love the energy, the lights, the pulse, and the fact that you can have so many different experiences within one city. I mean, there’s a reason that the greatest TV shows, like ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Friends’, were set in New York. If the city fictionally houses Barney Stinson and Chandler Bing, it’s good enough for anyone to love. We’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite experiences to take some of the guesswork out of your next trip— so put on some T. Swift or Sinatra and enjoy.
1) Spend more time exploring Central Park than you think is necessary — and don’t just hit the highlights. Yes, you want to see Wollman’s Rink, the Boathouse, and the Bethesda Fountain. But you also don’t want to pass over the Balto and Alice in Wonderland Statues, or the Bow Bridge. Huddleston Arch at the North End is one of my favorite, more secluded areas in the whole Park. Central Park might seem overrated, but there’s something about it that makes me want to galavant and frolic. Its beautiful, serene, and a must do on any NYC trip.
2) Wanna see Starry Night at the MOMA? I don’t blame you. The MOMA is way cooler than most museums in my opinion, including the MET and the Louvre. Unfortunately, going to a lot of museums in pricy, and can add up really fast, especially when you want to travel frequently. The MOMA is great because of Free Friday Nights, which they hold every Friday night from 4 pm to 8 pm. Beware though, the line to get in wraps around the building, so get there well before 4 if you don’t want to wait outside in the cold.
3) Make your way over to China Town and warm up with some delicious and cheap soup dumplings.
4) If you’re on the Upper East Side, stop by Dylan’s Candy Bar. It’s three stories tall, and has gummy bears in every flavor you can imagine, including mango, energy drink, and marshmallow.
5) Chelsea Market is one of the coolest markets in New York City. Spend an afternoon eating and drinking your way through the market — go on an empty stomach, and make sure you have plenty of spending money with you. This is also a great place to pick up unique souvenirs that you can actually use.
6) Check out The High Line Park. It used to be an old railroad that the city converted into a long, walkable park. It has fountains, running trailings, lounging chairs, and amazing views.
7) The New York City Library is a must-do. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been inside of, and if you like books as much as I do, this needs to be a high priority. You know the scene in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ when the Beast shows Belle that amazing library? That’s how I felt when I first walked into The New York City Library — it truly is a magical experience.
8) Indulge in some of New York’s variety of street food. We were particularly found of the different kind of Arepa’s (Columbian corn cakes with cheese and toppings) we kept finding.
These are a few of our favorite NYC experiences to add to your next trip, but this city has so much to offer that your fun doesn’t need to stop with our list. Get out there, have some fun, and make some NYC memories of your own!