Less obvious things to do in New York City for a few days

[Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot]

Due to the war in the Middle East we have had to scramble to rearrange travel plans and will be travelling through NYC. We have decided to spend a few days there.

I have been many times before (I lived nearby in my early 20s for a couple of years) and done all the typical touristy things so am looking for some recommendations of things to do that are a bit less obvious. We don’t particularly want to leave the city.

So, if you had a few days in NYC and didn’t want to go to the ESB and ellen’s stardust diner (although that is v fun!) where would you go?

Have you been to the Tenement Museum?

We enjoyed walking the high line.

https://www.thehighline.org/

The Cloisters are lovely.

https://www.metmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/met-cloisters.

I have, in 2022.
It was very interesting though, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been.

The Bean is fun for a photo op, and is also near to the Ghostbusters fire station.

Both Roosevelts Birthplace and the New York Fire Department are lovely little museums run by very enthusiastic volunteers (the volunteer at the Fire Department had us all dressed up with the full fire gear, holding the hose pipe - I think he was having even more fun than we were!)

I know you said not touristy things, but if you haven't done Summit One, that's a fun thing to visit - all the views similar to ESB and Top of the Rock, but with some interactive things to do too.

Rooftop Cinema Club
Subway walking tour
Flea markets
Spa on Governors Island
Visit to Harlem, Gospel service
DeKalb Food Hall in Brooklyn

Anything on at Madison Square Garden while you’re there? We went to a basketball game and really enjoyed it

Second the Highline and Clositers, trip to Roosevelt Island and just sitting by I think its FDR with a cuppa looking at the skyline.

Farmers Market close to Washington Sq Park is nice for a stroll and picky lunch!

I liked tenement museum. Also big Apple greeters do free walking tours - you can suggest locations and it’s a local that does the tour. So you could pick
a less central neighbourhood. We saw several areas of Brooklyn that we never would have gone to without the tour.

I just plan trips round where I want to eat. Lots on wandering, stopping for a glass of wine, nice meals. Shopping.

Smorgasbord food trucks usually start around April
Brooklyn sail (sunset sail) BYO
Day trip to Philly - go round the old penitentiary/ rocky steps/ Reading food market
Broadway shows, sign up to all the lotteries for low price tickets
See if there are any basketball games on/ music concerts( saw Green Day by utter chance one year!)😁

Last time we went, we enjoyed The Cloisters and the Tenement Museum. We also did a day trip to Philadelphia; the bus was about £1 each way(!) and took 90 minutes.

Sorry your holiday plans have had to change. The Highline is worth a few hours if you’ve not been on it as is crossing the river & walking around the nicer Brooklyn neighbourhoods. TodayTix (download the app & change the location to NY) usually have some decent discounts on Broadway shows).
Last time we were there was Halloween and we took a train to Sleepy Hollow (I’m probably mispelling this but I think Tarrytown is the closest stop). It was an interesting contrast to Manhattan and the scenery along the Hudson as you travel there is pretty. If you’re short of time days wise I wouldn’t go but if you are looking for something different to do..

Exactly what I was going to say

Not been to The Dream House but I wanted to:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dream-house

I saw Depeche Mode there a couple of years ago. Wasn't particularly a fan, just booked because they were on when we went. It was amazing!

Take the cable car to Roosevelt Island
Visit the United Nations HQ
Walk the length of Central Park

We did a tour of the federal reserve which was great. Theres very specific booking timelines / little availability so you'd need to look into this quickly if its of interest

I went to a dance class at Steps on Broadway.

National Museum of the American Indian

Morgan Chase and Cooper Hewitt museums.
The Art of the Score is maybe only in the summer? That’s a film with live score from the NY Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.

We did this a few years ago, and it was great, but I think since covid it's unfortunately only been open to school groups.

Yankees game, I didn’t understand baseball and still don’t but it was fun!

Thrifting, City Hike tour, Brooklyn craft breweries.

If you're there on a Sunday go here for a gospel music soul food brunch

https://sylviasrestaurant.com/

Greenwood cemetery in Brooklyn..amazing views. Jane's Carousel.