New York City regularly sees over 60 million visitors a year — that’s more than the entire population of Italy.
If you’re taking a trip to New York City, you’ll not only find yourself among New York natives who use nyc luggage lockers but from people living out their dreams of a New York vacation as well. Visiting NYC is a rite of passage that educates people and makes them more worldly.
There’s a lot to do in NYC, and you can’t see it all on your first time. If you’re looking for reasons to take a vacation, however, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will walk you through five things to do in NYC, and convince you why it’s a fantastic vacation destination.
1. See the Sights
While it’ll surely get you labeled as a tourist to go see the Empire State building and balk at Times Square, these are things you have to do at least once in your lifetime.
The sights of NYC go beyond these tourist traps, however. Take a trip on the subway, so you can experience how New Yorkers get around underground. The NYC subway is a bit of an anomaly — considered one of the greatest subway systems in the world, in a country that’s otherwise completely devoid of high-quality public transportation.
Stretch the definition of “sites’ if you want to have a great time. Treat legendary parts of the city, like Alphabet City, and Greenwich Village like sites of their own. While there’s not much in particular to “see”, you’ll surely have a memorable experience just spending the night there.
2. Food
If you like food, you’ll like New York — it’s as simple as that. From the fanciest restaurants in the world to the most quick-and-easy street food, you’re sure to have your tastebuds satisfied in this something-else-town.
If you’re a pastrami and sandwich lover, consider going to Katz’s delicatessen. This is perhaps the most famous restaurant of its type in the world and will provide you with a high-quality meal.
If you’re looking for something a little more high-end, consider heading over to Peter Luger Steakhouse, regularly regarded as one of the best places in NYC, and possibly even the best steak in the world.
If you want to feel like a genuine New Yorker, however, you might just have to pick up some street food. New York is replete with hot dog stands, halal food carts, and peanut vendors you can buy hot and ready food from. This might not seem appetizing to someone who isn’t part of the culture, but just wait until you bite into a fresh knish in the middle of a below zero-day.
3. Music
One of the best things about NYC is the music. Many world-class musicians live in the city that never sleeps, and you’re not going to see them perform unless you take the pilgrimage there.
Venues like the Highline Ballroom are perfect for finding new and up-and-coming rock/pop acts. You’re likely to find someone there before they get huge.
You also have options for seeing jazz. New York is the jazz capital of the world after all, and jazz — as an improvised form of music — is best experienced live.
Consider heading over to The Blue Note or Smalls to hear some world-class musicians play some world-class music. Usually, you can see them for cheap at jam sessions, where they improvise around jazz standards, stretch their techniques, and play with other musicians they don’t normally play with.
4. The Theatre Scene
If you’re not a fan of theatre, that will quickly change once you go to New York.
Most people only see the shoddy productions their high school puts up, so we could understand why you wouldn’t like it. But when you see theatre in New York, your whole perspective will quickly change.
New York, of course, is host to Broadway, the premier theatre location of America. Like Hollywood, broadway puts out the most high-budget, astonishing, and spectacular performances. However, the nature of theatre means that you have to be in New York to see those shows.
But Broadway isn’t the only game in town. There are a ton of cheap, underground, and freaky shows that go up in basements, warehouses, and apartments all over New York. Consider visiting during the New York International Fringe Festival, when indie theatre productions abound.
You could also find something in between. Many theatres, such as Playwrights Horizons, The Signature Theatre, and Roundabout Theatre, and the Atlantic Theatre Company are dedicated to producing plays by the most significant playwrights of today. These “off-broadway theatres” are similar to movies directed by The Cohen Brothers or Spike Lee — not quite blockbusters, but overflowing with originality.
5. The Great Hotels
While a hotel is certainly a vacation destination, the superior quality of hotels in NYC makes taking a trip to the big apple that much more exciting. In New York, you have the option of staying just outside the city, to get away from it all, staying in a hotel right by grand central, planting yourself in the middle of the action, and everything in between.
Depending on what you want, you can get a hotel with room service, breakfast, restaurants, and a ton of luxuries. Or, you can save some money, and get a no-frills hotel. You’ll want to spend as much time out in the city as possible.
But that’s not all. In America’s biggest most popular, you’re guaranteed to find some things that you just might not find otherwise. For example, did you know that in New York you can find yourself an awesome pet friendly hotel?
Take a Trip to New York City
As you can see, a trip to New York City can go in many different directions. Consider going to see the sights, to try the excellent food, to experience the world of New York late-night music, to see some crazy theatre shows, and to relax in one of the great hotels.
For more articles like this, check out our “travel” section.
