The Big Apple. The City that Never Sleeps. No matter what you call it, it’s hard to argue that New York City is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. With so many iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Yankee Stadium, living in New York City means there’s no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re moving into a Brooklyn apartment or a new house in Staten Island, it can be hard to figure out where to start. That’s why we asked some locals for unique things to do in NYC to get you acclimated to your new city.
1. Sip wine at an urban rooftop vineyard
Who can complain about a glass of red wine and a picturesque view of Brooklyn? If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, check out Rooftop Reds for an excellent wine experience overlooking the city.
“Rooftop Reds is the world’s only commercially viable rooftop vineyard, and it’s located in NYC at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,” says New York resident Shannon Hara of Traveling Teacher Girl. “Their rooftop offers beautiful views of the Brooklyn skyline, and they host fun events such as Pizza and Wine Movie Nights. They offer wine, beer, cider, and non-alcoholic drink options. We recommend trying one of their wine flights for $20, which includes three wine tastings.”
2. Visit Brooklyn’s most famous flea market
New York has one of the most extraordinary and vibrant food scenes in the world. While you can always check out a fancy restaurant, visiting Smorgasburg is a unique thing to do in New York City for anyone looking for an authentic taste of the Big Apple.
“People visiting NYC between April and November can’t pass on the opportunity to visit Brooklyn’s most popular food flea market: Smorgasburg,” according to the New York City Informer. “With over 100 food vendors, this outdoor market is a haven for foodies interested in international cuisine. It’s a far better idea to visit Smorgasburg on the weekend than the more touristy (and crowded) Chelsea Market.”
3. Feel like a celebrity for a day at the Style Studio
New York City is synonymous with glitz and glamor, and many celebrities call the city home. How would you like to look and feel like a superstar? According to Monica Hahn of Inside the Style Studio, you can do just that.
“My recommendation for a unique activity in NYC is to visit the Style Studio in Long Island City for a day of pampering, fun, and excitement,” says Monica. “You’ll be treated to a fabulous makeover first, then wear one of our stunning studio wardrobe pieces and be red carpet glamorous. Enjoy a fully guided photoshoot experience with an NYC fashion portrait photographer as she guides you into model-like poses and captures you in images that make you look and feel like you belong on the cover of a magazine.”
Monica recommends ending the day with dinner out, “because you will look gorgeous and feel like a superstar.”
4. Grab a frozen treat at the Museum of Ice Cream
Who doesn’t love ice cream? If you’re an ice cream lover looking for a unique thing to do in NYC, you need to visit the Museum of Ice Cream.
“There is nothing sweeter than this one-of-a-kind ice cream extravaganza in Soho, where 13 interactive and multi-sensory installations will dazzle both adults and kids,” says Christine Curatolo of NJMOM, a local resource in the New Jersey/New York area. “Go for a swim in a pool filled with 100 million sprinkles, slide down a three-story indoor ice cream portal, and take a trip through the rainbow tunnel. Plus, you won’t want to leave without stopping at the cafe to sample one or all of the scrumptious, unusual ice cream flavors (we’re partial to the PB&B made with peanut butter and chocolate-covered pretzel pieces).”
5. Capture the Big Apple on a Photo Safari
There’s no better way to capture a city like New York than through the lens of a camera. Make your friends jealous of your new home city with professional-level pictures of the City That Never Sleeps.
“NYC Photo Safari hosts short one-off photography workshops for any level of photography enthusiasts from iPhone users to advanced amateur photographers,” says Alex, who works with the company. “These “safaris” are led by local professional photographers who help participants explore New York City through a camera lens. Participants can learn hands-on how to get the most out of their cameras to compose the best photo in any location. Whether a local or a tourist, it’s a wonderful way to experience the city and leave with both photography skills and your very own photos composed to perfection.”
6. Visit the New York Transit Museum
Everyone in New York visits the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History – they are the most visited museum in the city. But if you’re looking for an experience that’s a tad more unique – check out the New York Transit Museum.
“While New York City is home to several iconic attractions, there are also many unique activities to explore,” says travel bloggers Mark and Kristen Morgan of Where Are Those Morgans. “We recommend visiting the New York Transit Museum because this museum offers everything you could ever want to know about mass transportation in NYC. The museum is in a decommissioned subway and features twenty vintage subway cars, a working signal tower, historical artifacts, and much more. A visit to the New York Transit Museum will give you a glimpse into what it took to create a successful system of transportation that continues to run and support the people in the city 24 hours a day.”
7. Explore Hell’s Kitchen
Though it shares a name with a famous cooking show, Hell’s Kitchen also refers to a neighborhood in New York City. While there is some debate over how the area got this name, there is no denying that some of the best food establishments in New York City reside there.
“One of my favorite things I’ve done is a desert crawl around Hell’s Kitchen in NYC,” says resident Lisa Andrews of This Travel Tribe. “We signed up for a tour with Sweet Tooth Tours and had a fabulous time! We enjoyed cookies, pie, baklava, cupcakes, and cream puffs. Plan to have leftovers! Not only were the treats delicious, but we also could learn about the area’s history and get a bit of exercise.”
8. Lounge in luxury on Governors Island
No matter where you live in New York City, it can be nice to get away every once in a while. A brief stay on Governors Island allows you to do just that without blowing your budget on travel expenses.
“If you are tired of staying in traditional hotels in Airbnbs in NYC, then why not check out one of the glamping options on Governors Island?” says travel blogger Sean Lau of LivingOutLau. “Situated at the heart of the New York City Harbor, the Collective at Governors Islands offers luxurious glamping options on a 172-acre island. This piece of oasis is filled with green spaces, perfect for those that would like to escape the chaos of NYC. But just across the harbor are some of the most spectacular skyscrapers of NYC, so guests can wine and dine while admiring stunning skyline views. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most unique things to do in NYC.”
9. Grab some fresh seafood at Grand Banks Oyster Bar
One of the benefits of living in a coastal city like New York is that there are plenty of places to get quality seafood. According to Kalyn Johnson, the Grand Banks Oyster Bar at Pier 25 is a must-visit spot.
“Grand Banks is actually a moored historic wooden schooner called the Sherman Zwicker,” she says. “It’s a seasonal oyster bar, perfect for evening cocktails or day drinking. The inspiration for Grand Banks was the floating “oyster barges” that lined Manhattan’s waterfront in the 18th and 19th centuries. Grand Banks features sustainably harvested oysters, nautically inspired cocktails, and awe-inspiring views of downtown Manhattan and the Hudson River.”
10. Enjoy high tea at The Plaza Hotel
High tea usually consists of a meal with bread and butter and, of course, tea. While it’s traditionally a staple in English culture, it’s not so common on this side of the pond, which makes high tea at The Plaza a truly unique experience.
“One of the most exciting activities is having high tea at The Plaza Hotel,” says NYC photographer Susan Shek. “Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel is a decadent experience where you immerse yourself in delicious baked goods and sandwiches and sip fine teas while people-watching in the Palm Court. Think Bridgerton or English ballroom vibes. Couples and families always enjoy this luxury experience and maybe even a nice pre-wedding party or after-wedding brunch. Whether you are a local or from out of town, it’s an experience you can’t miss.”
11. Soak in some street art at the Graffiti Hall of Fame
Though it may be polarizing to some, graffiti is an integral art form in New York City. Nothing encapsulates this like the Graffiti Hall of Fame in Harlem.
“106 and Park is not just the name of the beloved hip-hop music video countdown show from the aughts; it’s also where the greatest graffiti artists show off their work, says local blogger Shiloh Frederick. “Since 1980, graffiti artists have been making their mark on the schoolyard walls of what is now the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex at the corner of East 106th Street and Park Avenue. Despite what you may think about graffiti, the work on display here isn’t spray-painted scribbles. This Hall of Fame is full of colorful and sophisticated pieces created by people who are masters of their craft.”
12. Taste the Big Apple at the New York City Wine & Food Festival
For any foodies looking for unique things to do in NYC, a trip to the New York City Wine & Food Festival, which takes place every year in October, is an absolute must. Choose from various vendors as you sample local and international cuisines.
“This year, the festival will take place from October 13-16, 2022, at Pier 86 (home of the Intrepid Museum),” says Steven LaClair of New York Things, a local’s guide to New York City. “Enjoy walk-around tastings, culinary demonstrations and masterclasses, cocktails and spirits, family fun, brunches, lunches, intimate dinners, late-night parties, and much more. Proceeds of this event will go to God’s Love We Deliver, New York’s leading provider of life-sustaining meals and nutrition counseling.”
13. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Economy Candy and other dessert spots throughout NYC
Economy Candy is every candy lover’s dream. If you ever wished you could visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, this is the next best thing. With candy as far as the eye can see, a visit to Economy Candy is a unique activity in New York City for anyone with a sweet tooth.
“Sweet lovers of all ages can browse over 2,000 kinds of treats at this legendary family-owned LES candy emporium,” says Brittney Mothner of Kid On The Town, an insider’s guide to New York City. “Try international gummies, retro candy bars, a color-sorted Jelly Belly bar, chocolate-covered graham crackers, bacon chocolate, kale lollipops, and so much more. Also, shop for unique toys, Pez, gifts, and vintage trading cards featuring fan favorites from Garbage Pail Kids to Super Mario to Growing Pains to Stranger Things.”
If you’re more into baked goods and milkshakes, NYC has plenty of options according to Antonia Grant of Families Love Travel.
“It’s no secret New York City is one of the dessert capitals of the world,” she says. “Whether you’re craving a slice of classic cheesecake from Junior’s Bakery or some melt-in-your-mouth hot chocolate from Max Brenner, there are plenty of places to get your fix around the city. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Spot Dessert Bar, famed for its gooey Matcha Lava Cake and delicious s’mores delicacies. Or, maybe you’re more in the mood for a milkshake from Black Tap? For big families who love sharing, the historic Serendipity 3 offers ice cream sundaes and milkshakes galore, some so big you’ll have no choice but to split them. If you want a simpler experience, try one of the many gelato or frozen yogurt shops around the city.”
14. Stop by the Lunar Cocktail Experience for drinks and live entertainment
For a truly unique experience in New York City, check out the Lunar Cocktail Experience at Moonrise. Enjoy a combination of dance, theater, and aerial acrobatics.
“Crafted cocktails, circus-themed acts, and live performances await you at the Lunar Cocktail Experience,” says Jesse Soll of doNYC, an online resource for finding unique things to do in New York City. “It’ll start your weekend over the moon every Friday. Explore your spirituality at this spectacularly Instagrammable event in the immersive space at Moonrise.”
15. Explore New York’s hidden clubs and speakeasies
It should come as no surprise that the City That Never Sleeps has endless options when it comes to nightlife. But beyond conventional clubs and bars, the Big Apple is home to several hidden spots only locals know about. Visit one for a unique night out with friends in New York.“Visiting New York City, but looking beyond the normal tourist attractions? Then you’ll want to explore New York City’s famous underground clubs, secret bars, and speakeasy lounges nestled in the nooks and crannies of the city,” says travel blogger Yesenia Ybarra of The Sisters Who Voyage.
“These unique wonders of New York have grown in popularity over time due to the original vibes and exclusivity that the environment provides. Since not everyone can find a hidden speakeasy club or underground bar, you’ll be extra excited when coming across one. Some popular hidden destinations are Please Don’t Tell, The Back Room, and La Noxe. Whichever you choose will surely be a refreshing event beyond the norms of tourism in New York.”
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