The city that never sleeps, the big apple, the concrete jungle – we’re talking about NYC. One of the biggest, most incredible cities in the world.
And that’s not being overdramatic. It’s the one place that lets you go for a run, catch a Broadway musical, and eat amazing street meat, all on the same day. The art, the culture, and the photo opportunities are endless, and if you budget wisely, you can visit the city pretty affordably.
When it comes to NYC there’s a bunch of stuff to do. But for many people, they only have a few days for their visit. Whether it’s a layover or a business trip, not everyone has the luxury of spending an entire week exploring the city.
So, if you find yourself on a bit of a time pinch, here are FIVE things you absolutely MUST do in NYC.
ONE: Walk The Brooklyn Bridge (and get a taste of Brooklyn)
If you visit New York and skip the Brooklyn Bridge, you’re making a mistake. If you visit the Brooklyn Bridge and don’t explore a bit of Brooklyn, you’re making an even bigger mistake.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a really cool experience. The architecture is amazing, the views are breathtaking, and it’s if you walk all the way across to Brooklyn, you’ll find yourself in the cutest part of the city.
Right after you cross the bridge, start wandering towards the water and you’ll find adorable shops, a few parks, and a handful of charming restaurants and cafes. It’s a smaller, more vintage vibe and a totally different experience from downtown NYC.
TWO: Go Up The Empire State Building (at night)
The Empire State building was an experience in itself, and I think the best decision I made was visiting at night. There’s something more romantic, more glamorous about riding the elevator and coming out to a perfectly twinkling cityscape. I’m sure its stunning the day as well, but the night views were hard to beat.
With this adventure, do yourself a favour and pay the bit of extra money for a VIP express pass to the observation deck. Not only do you get to skip all the lines, but you’ll honestly feel like a celebrity as you walk past all the people who didn’t purchase one. It made the experience that much more special.
THREE: Visit the MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art was my favourite experience in my few days in New York, and will likely be one of my lifetime favourite experiences. Why? Because Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is on display here, and it made me cry. That’s not a joke.
New York City is filled with amazing museums and I challenge you to find one that doesn’t have something that interests you. For me, it was Van Gogh. So when I was finally able to see his work so up close and personal… There are no words.
Maybe it’s not the MOMA. Maybe it’s a different gallery or museum. But find one that has something for you and visit it. I wish everyone in the world could experience how happy I was to finally meet my favourite piece of art face to face.
FOUR: Walk Central Park (all of it)
Central Park is a lot bigger in person than it seems on a map. I know this because I challenged myself to walk the entire thing. And after I finished, it thought my feet were going to fall off.
That being said, there isn’t one corner of Central Park that I didn’t like. The entire thing is filled with surprises, beauty, and activity. It’s the strangest escape because you’re in the middle of this massive city, but you feel like you’re in the middle of a jungle.
I visited NYC in early April, so the flowers were in perfect bloom and the weather was fantastic. But this is one thing you’re going to want to dress for – that means running shoes and breathable clothes.
FIVE: Do A Helicopter Tour
Okay, this might be a little unreasonable for some, but it was totally on my bucket list, so I did it. FlyNyon is located in New Jersey, so you’re going to have to arrange for transportation if you didn’t drive there yourself. Be prepared for a lot of cabs to not want to drive you there, and it might be costly. That being said – totally worth the trip.
The amazing thing about this tour is the helicopter is doorless. Yes, there are no doors to this helicopter so you’re basically dangling in the open air. Not kidding – you can literally dangle your feet off the side of the helicopter.
I got lucky (or unlucky) and had the seat that required you to stand up mid-flight and move yourself to the floor of the helicopter with your feet dangling over the edge. Scary, maybe. But I ended up with amazing photos that I could never have gotten without this specific tour.
FlyNyon was amazing. Their prices are reasonable, the staff was AMAZING, and I felt cared for and safe the entire time. Shout out to them because they made this experience the best.
This list of to-dos definitely isn’t off the beaten path, but I really do believe they are some of the most memorable things in the city. If you’re looking for more activities, try seeing a Broadway play, hanging out in Times Square, finding the best pizza place, or visiting ground zero.