35 Unique Things to do in NYC
Since moving to NYC in 2018, I’ve spent the past few years exploring everything the city has to offer. I grew up visiting New York all the time so once I moved, I wanted to discover the most unique things to do in NYC. And let me tell you- this city is packed with interesting things that plenty of visitors miss.
If you are planning a trip to NYC, here are a few things you’ll want to know right away:
- The NYC subway system runs 24-hours a day. Passengers should still wear a mask when riding NYC trains and buses. It costs $2.75 for one ride and you can pay with a Metrocard (it costs $1 to purchase this card) or with a contactless payment method at stations with OMNY readers. You can also purchase a 7-day (for $33) or 30-day (for $127) unlimited Metrocard.
- Over 8 million people live in New York City.
- New York City consists of 5 boroughs- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Each borough includes neighborhoods with their own distinct charm.
- People in NYC have a reputation for being rude. Honestly, I haven’t found this to be true. If anything, people are in a rush and don’t like to waste time. But, it’s more about being efficient and going with the flow of this huge city instead of people trying to be aggressive.
- The best way to get to know this city is to explore on foot, so make sure you pack some good walking shoes!
Alright, are you ready to plan your next NYC getaway? Keep reading for my list of 35 unique things to do in NYC.
You can also check out a few of my other NYC posts:
30+ Fun Things to do in Williamsburg Brooklyn
Self-Guided Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour
Where to Find the Best Doughnuts in NYC
35 Unique Things to do in NYC
#1 Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram
Hop in a tram and soar across the East River. This modern areal tramway takes passengers from 59th St and 2nd Ave to Roosevelt Island. You can enjoy one of the most interesting views in the city for the cost of one MetroCard swipe ($2.75). Once on Roosevelt Island, explore Four Freedoms Park or catch a glimpse of the ruins of a Smallpox Hospital.
#2 Visit NYC’s First Women-Owned and Run Brewery
Talea Beer Co. opened in Williamsburg at the beginning of 2021 and is already setting itself apart. Not only is it the first women-owned brewery in the city but they also serve fruit-forward beers for people who claim to not like beer. You might be swayed to come for the Instagram opportunities (think pink ombre flights) but you’ll want to stay for the easy-drinking sours and laid-back patio vibes.
#3 Watch a Game on the 30-ft Screen in Hudson Yards
Throughout the summer, you’ll be able to watch the Olympics, tennis matches, soccer games, movies and more from a giant screen set up under the shadow of The Vessel. Make free reservations in advance for the “Backyard at Hudson Yards” here.
#4 Play Settlers of Catan or Attend an Opera in Bryant Park
Bryant Park isn’t just a much-needed green space in the heart of Manhattan, it’s also one of the city’s best free entertainment venues. This park hosts more than 1,000 events each year and many of these are at no cost. Browse the event calendar here to plan your next board game, knitting, yoga or opera night.
#5 Putt Putt with a View
Did you know there’s an 18-hole mini-golf course in Tribeca? You can play a round on Pier 25 while taking in the view of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan. It only costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids. It’s first-come-first-serve unless you are planning a party.
#6 Try a Cronut
If you haven’t sampled Dominique Ansel’s incredible croissant-donut pastry creation make sure to visit the shop in SoHo before you leave. Ok, even if you have tried one before, you know you want another one. The flavor changes each month and since opening, a Cronut flavor has never been repeated.
#7 See the Goats in Riverside Park
In 2019, a herd of “goat interns” were brought to Riverside Park to naturally weed-eat a section of the park. Visitors could watch the goats in action and vote for the favorites. The goats are coming back on July 14, 2021, and their arrival will be kicked off with a ceremonial “Running of the Goats.”
#8 Explore NYC’s Newest Park
If you’ve seen pictures of the golf-tee/tulip-inspired structures in the Hudson River you’ve seen Little Island. This park opened in May 2021 and is already a popular spot to watch the sunset, catch a free concert or relax with friends. While you here, admire the view of Manhattan’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy some local eats and drinks from the resident food trucks.
#9 Check Out the Met Rooftop Instillation
When you visit The Met, don’t skip the roof garden. Usually, there’s a site-specific installation on view (you can see Alex Da Corte’s As Long as the Sun Lasts until October 31, 2021). Even if there isn’t anything on display during your trip, you’ll get a unique view of Central Park and Midtown.
#10 Get a Burger from the Original Shake Shack
Ok, the original cart isn’t still there, but Shake Shack did start as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in 2001. By 2004, their popularity grew and Shake Shack opened a permanent stand in the park selling burgers, milkshakes and hot dogs. This flagship location is still one of the best places to enjoy a ShackBurger al fresco.
#11 Try Butterbeer at the Harry Potter Store
This massive Harry Potter flagship store opened in the Flatiron District in June 2021. Once inside, step up to the Butterbeer Bar to sample this iconic frothy drink or try it in ice cream form. The store is packed with tons of Harry Potter merch and soon you’ll also be able to join a VR experience. It’s a bit tricky to get in the store right now- you have to join a virtual queue by scanning a QR code outside of the storefront. It’s reached capacity every day since it opened so aim to get in the virtual line early. Check the website for updated information on the virtual queue.
#12 Admire the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park
When this statue was unveiled in August 2020, it became the first in Central Park to depict actual women (let that sink in for a second). It features Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and honors the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. You’ll find the statue at the southern end of the Mall.
#13 Test Your Fear of Heights at the Edge
Head to Hudson Yards and make your way to the “highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.” From the Edge, you’ll feel like you’re floating above the city and part of the observation deck even features a glass floor where you can look 100 stores below. Want even more? Sign up for a Sky-High Yoga class.
#14 Tour NYC’s Oldest Distillery
King’s Country Distillery may have only opened in 2010, but it is the first one to open in the city since Prohibition. You can take a tour of the distillery in the Brooklyn Naval Yard or enjoy a drink in the outdoor garden. In addition to distillery tours, you can sign up for a guided whiskey tasting.
#15 Ride Historic Wooden Escalators
The flagship Macy’s in Herald Square features a unique retail relic- wooden escalators. Head into the giant department store (which is one of the largest in the world) and take a ride back in time. A few floors still feature these wooden escalators that were installed sometime between 1920 and 1930 by the Otis Elevator Company.
#16 Try Key Lime Pie on a Stick
Maybe Red Hook wasn’t on your radar, but it will be now. Visit this Brooklyn neighborhood to sample The Swingle- authentic key lime pie dipped in chocolate and served on a stick. Steve’s has been a staple in the community for more than 20 years. Take your treat to the nearby Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier to enjoy the view of the Statue of Liberty while you eat.
#17 Walk the High Line
This elevated greenway on Manhattan’s West Side sits on a former railroad track. Stroll through the park for a great view of Chelsea and the Hudson River. Along the way, you can admire art installations or grab something to eat (Melt Bakery, La Newyorkina and L’Arte del Gelato are all available to help you cool off).
#18 Take the Ferry
The NYC Ferry is one of the cheapest options for a sightseeing cruise (the Staten Island Ferry is free to ride). NYC Ferries only cost $2.75 and travel along the East River. You can check out the routes here. A selection of beverages, inclduing hard seltzers and local beers, are also available for purchase on the ferries.
#19 Relax on Governors Island
Governors Island is a car-free escape just a few miles from the tip of Manhattan. You can take a ferry from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn to reach the island. This is a different ferry than the NYC Ferry mentioned above and you can purchase Governors Island Ferry tickets here. Once you’re on the island, relax in a hammock, rent a CitiBike for a breezy ride or visit one of the many eateries.
#20 Spend a Day at Coney Island
Whether you want to try a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog, ride the 94 year old Cyclone roller coaster or just soak up the sun on the beach, there’s tons to do in this quirky Brooklyn neighborhood. The Annual Mermaid Parade is a big draw and the 2021 event is set to take place in September.
#21 Tour Alexander Hamilton’s Historic Home
Fans of the musical will know that this Founding Father had a home uptown. For now, visitors can explore the grounds and admire the estate from the outside. Once additional health and safety protocols are lifted, you’ll be able to tour the interior rooms again. Keep an eye on the website for updates.
#22 Go Kayaking for Free
On select summer days, you can kayak for free from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. Make a free reservation online (these go really quickly!) and paddle around for 20-minutes while taking in an impressive view of the NYC Harbor.
#23 See Cherry Blossoms in Central Park
From April to May you can view a stunning display of pink cherry blossoms throughout Central Park. Some of the best viewing areas are between 72nd and 96th streets and around the Reservoir. And if you aren’t in town during the spring season, there’s still tons to do in this iconic park.
#24 Snap a ‘Gram-Worthy Photo of the Vessel
You’ve probably seen this architectural wonder all over Instagram, but you’re going to want to see it in person for yourself, too. This one-of-a-kind landmark in Hudson Yards features more than 150 interconnecting flights of stairs and 2,500 steps. Reserve tickets online in advance. (These are only sold in groups of 2 or more. If you are traveling solo you’ll join a group with an “Experience Ambassador.”)
#25 Visit America’s First Poster Museum
Poster House opened in 2019 and was the first museum in the US dedicated solely to posters. A selection of rotating exhibits gives visitors insight into the cultural and historical impact of posters and their designs. Check the calendar for upcoming tours and other special events.
#26 Walk Across the Manhattan Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge gets all the buzz, but you can also walk or bike across the Manhattan Bridge. This suspension bridge crosses the East River and connects Downtown Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan. From the pedestrian path, you’ll get an incredible view of the New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
#27 Hike in Van Cortlandt Park
At 1,146 acres, Van Cortlandt Park is the third-largest in the city. You can reach this sprawling green space in The Bronx by taking the 1 Train to the 242nd Street Station. Once here, follow one of these hiking trails or see where your wanderings take you.
#28 Learn More at the Museum of the City of New York
There are close to 150 museums in NYC, so how do you pick which ones to visit? Of course the Met and MOMA are incredible, but if you want to learn more about the city don’t miss the Museum of the City of New York. You can tour permanent exhibits that discuss the evolution and history of NYC and special exhibits that focus on topics like rising sea levels, activism, music and more.
#29 See World’s Fair Landmarks in Queens
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in northern Queens hosted both the 1939 and 1964 New York World’s Fairs. If you are a Disney fan, you’ll know the 1964 Worlds Fair was big for the company- It’s a Small World, The Carousel of Progress and a few other shows debuted at this Fair. When you visit Flushing Meadows-Corona Park today, you’ll see the Unisphere (the giant stainless steel globe) and the remains of the New York State Pavilion’s Observation Towers, which were constructed for the 1964 Fair.
#30 Stop by Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthplace
President Theodore Roosevelt was born in NYC in 1858 and grew up in a beautiful townhouse on 28 E. 20th St. The house has been restored and is now part of the National Park Service. Unfortunately, tours have not restarted yet, but you can still stop by and check out the exterior of the house. Keep an eye on the NPS website for updates on future tours.
#31 Wander Through Green-Wood Cemetery
This National Historic Landmark in Brooklyn is known for its 478 acres of beautifully landscaped hills and paths. Since the 1860s it has drawn visitors to explore its serene setting. Today you can stroll along the paths, admire mausoleums, climb to the top of Battle Hill for an impressive skyline view or attend one of the many events hosted in the space.
#32 Bike to the Little Red Lighthouse
This small lighthouse sits under the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park. It was built in 1880 and first used in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It was moved to its current site in Fort Washington Park (which was then called Jeffrey’s Hook) in 1921 and used for the next 10 years. This lighthouse was made famous by the 1942 children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift. Rent a CitiBike and cycle along the Hudson River Greenway to reach the lighthouse.
#33 Admire the Bowery Wall
This large wall in the Lower East Side has been part of the NYC street art scene since the 1980s. Goldman Properties owns the wall and commissions artists every 6-12 months to create a new mural for it. Stop by during your visit to check out the latest piece.
#34 Step Back in History at Federal Hall
This Greek Revival building on Wall Street sits on the site of American history. The original Federal Hall was located in the same spot and here George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States. That building was torn down in 1812 and replaced in 1842. This site was made a National Memorial honoring the significant events that took place at the site. The building is still closed, but you can admire it from the outside. Check for updates on reopening plans here.
#35 See a Library that Once Held Prisoners
The Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village was built in the 1870s as a courthouse. Occasionally, prisoners were held in the basement before being taken to jail. This architectural gem was actually voted one of the most beautiful buildings in the country in 1880. Community members helped preserve the building and by 1967 it had been converted into a library.
I hope you enjoyed this list of 35 unique things to do in NYC. What will you do first? Let me know in the comments!
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