So you’ve traveled to New York City. Now what?

I get countless of emails from friends and readers asking me what they should do when they come to NYC. From where to stay to where to eat. This could quite possibly be the most difficult question to answer because they are all so different from what they like to do to how much they can afford to do it, and with so much to do in NYC, I always feel like I am leaving something super great out.

My best advice is to go through my site and check out the tours, the good eats, and adventures sections. This will give you listings for a few places we’ve visited, including several in NYC.

NYC Tourist Attractions: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

There are of course tons of the stuff that everyone knows about: the Empire State Building, Top of The Rock, and all the fabulous tours that are offered in the city to see the sites. If you are only here for a couple of days, I would say take a quick tour, but don’t waste your time on long lines to major attractions, especially if you have little kids with you. If you are going to take part in the attractions, then make sure to set out to do so early and beat the crowds.

If you want to get a nice glimpse of the Statue of Liberty take the free Staten Island Ferry (no lines) or the free ferry to Governor’s Island (some lines but an even closer view and runs only through the Summer).

Free Concerts

You could go out and buy some theater tickets. As a matter of fact, if you can get your hands on some tickets to your favorite show then you are in luck and you shouldn’t miss it. But if theater isn’t your thing, or you just can’t get to it this time around, you can still take in some of the art and culture so enjoyed in NYC. These events are not only fun, but also free and can be enjoyed with friends or family at the many park concerts found throughout the city in the Summer. If you are up early enough and are in the the Rockefeller area between May and August, enjoy the NBC Studios free out-door concerts…and maybe even get a chance to be on t.v.  Another early rise, but worth the effort depending on who’s performing are the free Summer Stage concerts in Central Park, televised on Good Morning America.  My son and I saw an awesome Green Day concert there last year and we still talk about how much fun it all was. Central Park has other ongoing events free to the public, which bring to the forefront the many reasons we love this city. Be sure to check out Central Park’s official listing of events and performances.

Also check out Lincoln Center’s Lincoln Center Outdoors series with ongoing free events from now till August, including Family Day. Don’t miss River To River Festival which not only includes free concerts, but many other events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

If you’re going to do a bus tour, and don’t mind missing out on admission to attractions, take a night tour. The sights of NYC at night are my favorite and really show off all the magic we are so known for.

If you want to see the Broadway stage actors and even maybe get a few photos and autographs, most theaters allow for audience members to wait for actors who come out from the stage door from 45 minutes to an hour after shows. To guarantee that you will see the actors find out when the show ends if you are not attending and be there. Be courteous to those already waiting as they most likely paid to see the show beforehand.

Favorite Eateries

The absolute must-try eateries in NYC really depends on when you ask me and this is because the restaurant scene in NYC is ever-changing. Many new places pop up constantly that manage to entice my appetite and taste buds on any given day. I’ve written about some of them, in my Good Eats section, but not even close to the many that there are. Places in the Times Square/Rockefeller Center area that we have enjoyed are The Palm, Rock Center Cafe, and Anthos, just to name of few.

For fun places to have drinks with friends in the Times Square area, head over to The View located on the rooftop of The Marriott Marquis. This rotating lounge allows you to take in all the views while drinking and enjoying some downtime with friends. Another Times Square favorite of mine for drinks, views, and some great food even, is Two Times Square, located in another Marriott brand, the Renaissance Times Square. You can find more eateries and activities perfect for a date or time spent with friends in my Date Night categories, which also lists a few of our favorite riverside eateries.

Union Square, much further downtown, has a few of our favorite eateries as well such as places like Republic, Ipuddo (beware-long wait), the Belmont Lounge, and Lilies.

Bryant Park Grill: Go for drinks, and dessert, sit outside, overlook the park at night…it is DIVINE.

Also in Times Square, NY’s best cheesecake comes from Brooklyn’s own Junior’s. Good food, huge servings. Check out the links to: some awesome hot dog spots check out my list of Best Hot Dog Spots in NYC ; three of our favorite kid-friendly brunch spots places to brunch; must-try pizza spots that your kids will also love, and best places to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Other favorite eateries and bars:

Great New York Noodletown, China Town
Apotheke, China Town (cool bar, special drinks)
Ace Hotel bar
Baoguette (great bahn mi sandwiches)
En Japanese Brasserie (great lunch)
Corner Bistro, West Village (great burgers)
Waffle and Dinges (food truck)
Pop Bar (gelato on a stick)
Calexico (Mexican food cart in SOHO) -
Torrisi Italian Specialties -
Big Gay Ice Cream Truck
Veniero’s
McSorley’s
Tatallucci e Vino (amazing bakery in East Village)

Museums: Freebies and Discounts

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN-Free the first Tues of every month.

Museum Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Monday CMOM is closed

Target Free First Fridays:
On the first Friday of every month admission is free from 5pm to 8pm, sponsored by Target.

Admission:
Children and Adults: $10
Seniors: $7
Children under 12 months: Free

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART-Free Fri Nights from 4pm-8pm.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.

Adults $20
Senior (65 and over with ID) $16
Students (full-time with current ID) $12
Children (16 and under) Free

Admission is free for all visitors during Target Free Friday Nights, held every Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets for Target Free Friday Nights are not available in advance. Your Target Free Friday Night ticket permits you to all other Museum galleries, exhibitions, and films.

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM-Pay what you wish Sat.

Museum Hours
Sunday–Wednesday: 10 am–5:45 pm
Friday: 10 am–5:45 pm
Saturday: 10 am–7:45 pm
Pay What You Wish: Saturdays from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Closed: Thursdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Admission
Adults $18
Students and Seniors (65 years +) with valid ID $15
Children under 12 Free

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART-Admission fee is recommended, not mandatory.

Hours
Monday: Closed (Except Holiday Mondays*)
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.**
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.**
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.**
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)

Admission
Fee includes same-day admission to the Main Building and The Cloisters Museum & Gardens. There is no extra charge for entrance to special exhibitions.

Recommended
Adults $20
Seniors (65 and older) $15
Students $10*
Children under 12 (accompanied by an adult)-Free

SONY WONDER TECHNOLOGY LAB: FREE

Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays.*
The last entrance is 30 minutes before closing.

Admission is always free, but tickets must be reserved ahead of time in person or by calling (212) 833-8100. Note: July and August are their busiest month so reserve ahead of time.

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY-Suggested price
Suggested admission to the museum, including the Rose Center, is $15 for adults, $8.50 for children (2-12), $11 for seniors (60+) and students.

Open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. The Rose Center remains open on Fridays until 8:45 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.Hours subject to change.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ARTS-Pay as You Wish Thursday 4-6pm
General Hours
Monday and Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday through Sunday 12pm-5pm
Thursday 12pm-6pm
Admission $10/person (1 to 65 years)

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Tags: Date Night, food, free activities, Museums, nyc, travel
Posted in Latest Adventure, Vacations | 5 Comments »