MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN NEW YORK CITY

New York is famously known as the city that never sleeps, and if you’re visiting for the first time (or even on a return trip), you absolutely must immerse yourself in all that it has to offer. However, there is so much happening in the city that that it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin. Even for us locals, navigating the endless array of experiences and the constant influx of new happenings each week can be a challenge

That being said, there are some “classics” that you simply cannot miss while visiting NYC. Therefore, be sure to allocate at least a week for your trip, allowing ample time to explore comfortably and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the Big Apple.  And if you need some help planning the must-dos in New York, follow along for my recommendations.

LIVE MUSIC SHOWS

You cannot come to NYC without experiencing a live music show – in fact, you will encounter these even on the streets, the subway stations and the main squares. However, for an authentic live music experience, consider attending a jazz performance, piano concert, live band show or an opera.

Some of my favorite places in NYC are the Django for live jazz; this is a very classy vintage place at the Roxy hotel. Once inside, you will feel like you were teleported to Paris, with a very romantic ambiance. The food and drinks are also great and the performance is outstanding.

Café wha is another must-do; this place hosts a house band that plays so many classics. Café Wha is underground and feels dingy, but the atmosphere is intimate due to the seating arrangements. Eventually, everyone is singing along with the band and dancing around the tables. It is such a great time and a true New York experience.

To go there, make sure you book your tickets in advance. There are 2 shows: at 9pm and 11pm. You can opt for 2 tickets to spend the full night there, otherwise you’ll be escorted out once the next performance starts.

There are so many alternatives to the above options if you like jazz, piano or live music bars. Some of my favorites include Arthur’s Tavern, Blue Note jazz, Smalls jazz club, Tomi jazz bar, Duplex piano bar, The Nines (perfect for dates). Try to book one of these and enjoy the show!

Cafe wha, Arthur’s tavern, The Django

Now if you are particularly interested in the classical scene and appreciate operas or ballet shows, NYC offers an abundance of options. Some renowned venues hosting these events include The Lincoln Center (comprising the Metropolitan Opera House, the David Geffen Hall, David H. Koch Theater), Joyce Theatre, Beacon Theatre, Carnegie hall, Radio City among many others. Prior to your trip, I recommend researching the scheduled shows happening in these venues and plan to attend at least one of them.

I recently watched Verdi’s requiem at the Metropolitan Opera, and I must say that both the Orchestra and Chorus were absolutely EXTRAORDINARY. I also usually attend New York City Ballet shows at the David H. Koch Theatre. My favorite! I highly recommend experiencing it; be sure to carve out time for such an unforgettable activity.

g

Shows at the Lincoln center – The Met Opera & David H. Koch Theater

BROADWAY SHOWS

Have you been to New York if you did not watch one of its iconic Broadway shows?! Even if you are not a big fan of musicals, you can’t miss this activity while you are here. Broadway shows are the staple of the New York culture. In them, you will feel like you were transported to another world. The décor, sound system, lightening and of course, the acting and singing are really a perfection.

I have been to so many shows but my TOP recommendation would be The Moulin Rouge. It is by far my favorite show. The romantic story between Christian and Satine is something to watch. The soundtrack along with the other songs throughout the show are very easy to sing along. Not to mention the dancing, stage aesthetics, colors and lights that are very vivid – you will be amazed.

The Moulin Rouge Broadway show

Of course, if you are into Disney movies, The Lion King and Aladdin are also some of the BEST musicals you can watch. They are seriously magical – these have impressive productions, staging, soundtracks and messages. You will evade the real world for a few hours and wish you lived in Disney. No wonder they’ve been some of the best-selling musicals in New York. 

In addition, if you are a big fan of Harry Potter, you can watch the Harry Potter musical, or watch Daniel Radcliffe act in the Merrily We Roll Along, a show that is very funny and relatable to our everyday life. The book of Mormon is another show that is very famous in New York, characterized by its dark humor around race and religion.

There are still plenty of other options. If none of the above appeal to you, I recommend scanning todaytix.com and choosing the one you are most excited about. You can also buy your ticket on that website, which I highly recommend. In fact, todaytix.com usually has last minute tickets that are cheaper in price, a great deal since some of these shows could be pricey at times. You can also try to go to the venue a few hours before the show and hope to snatch a last-minute deal. It is a risk but sometimes it works!

COMEDY SHOWS

Alright, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good laugh? And in NYC, you’re practically guaranteed one at a comedy show. Some of the world’s top comedians light up the stages here – you might even get lucky and catch a surprise appearance from a celebrity like Pete Davidson!!

So make sure to experience one of these shows and get ready to potentially get picked-up on by the comedian.

For the greatest shows, book tickets at the Comedy cellar; they have several locations and timings throughout the day. However, since tickets can get sold out quickly, if you find yourself without one, you can try to walk into a random comedy show along the Macdougal street (I wouldn’t say these are as good as Comedy cellar, but it’s better than nothing!). The shows usually have 4-5 comedians, performing for a total of 90 mins. You will get to enjoy some drinks and bites; and of course, share a few laughs and chuckles until your stomach aches.

MUSEUMS

If you are a fan of museums, you will definitely feel overwhelmed in NYC with all the options the city provides. New York has an incredible diversity of world-class museums – spanning from art, photography, culture, history and science. No matter what interests you, there’s a museum to wander through. Personally, I like to go to museums almost every other week, but since you don’t have the luxury of time on your trip, here are some of the ones not to miss. Check which appeals to your taste and be sure to set aside some time for it during your visit:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) – One of the largest museums in America, located in Central Park, the MET has a diverse collection providing a holistic experience of art through the ages and cultures. This is also where The Met Gala happens every year, housing a themed and curated fashion exhibition every May following the fundraising event.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – This is another large museum in New York. In addition, to paintings and photography, the museum has a collection of film and video. It also offers very cool temporary exhibits such as AI generated visuals.

Neue Galerie – A small museum mostly known for its focus on Modern German and Austrian art. The art is very curated, and the gallery also has a café, café Sabarsky, that reflects the Viennese cafés that used to be important centers of intellectual and artistic life at that point in time.

American Museum of Natural History – One of my favorite museums and the largest natural history museum in the world. It contains a huge number of plants, animals, fossils, and other artifacts. It also has several interactive exhibits. I find this museum an ideal place to go with families since it is a very rich learning experience for kids.

Fotografiska – If you are into photography, this museum is for you. Fotografiska celebrates photography by bringing displays spanning various genres and showcasing the greatest photographers. The museum is also known for its dynamic programming from live music to intimate discussions and dinners,

I could keep listing museums in New York endlessly; there are just so many of them. Other options worth considering include: The Whitney, Solomon R. Guggenheim, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Museum of the City of New York and the Museum at FIT among many other.

Choose the one that appeals to your interest and indulge in the richness these spaces provide.

Roaming around museum exhibits

ART GALLERIES

Similarly to museums, New York is one of the biggest hubs for art galleries. And aside from the city’s biggest art museums such as MoMA and the MET, New York has thousands of galleries, hosting the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums and forms.

Art galleries are so fun to go to because they are usually free and constitute a good activity to do solo or with friends. On Thursday evening, most of them offer wine as well – so you’ll be able to wander around the art, sip your glass, meet people (or maybe the artists!) and enjoy the programming provided.

Most art galleries in New York are found on the Upper East Side, the Lower East Side, Soho, Brooklyn and Chelsea; with Chelsea taking the top spot for largest district with art spaces and flagship galleries. Mostly found on the 10th and 11th Avenues from 18th to 28th Streets, tons of art installations are condensed in Chelsea, showcasing modern art. You should just walk around and hop in and out of different galleries.

And to better help guide you, some of my favorite Chelsea galleries are:

• Gagosian Gallery
• David Zwirner
• Vito Schnabel
• C24 Gallery
• Taglialatella Gallery
• Lehmann Maupin Gallery

To plan for your art tour, I would recommend looking up Thirsty Gallerina Instagram account. This page provides updates on the latest art galleries being exhibited in town, on a weekly basis. It is my go-to place to stay informed on the current art happenings around me. Use it and I am sure that you will be able to find something cool and close to where you are staying.

Chelsea’s art galleries

VINTAGE SHOPPING

Can you go anywhere, and specially New York without getting your dose of shopping? If you are looking for nice unique pieces of clothing, New York is your spot.

In this city, you will definitely find all the luxury and fast fashion stores that exist everywhere in the world, mostly around 5th avenue and Soho. However, what you absolutely should experience here is vintage & thrift shopping, which essentially involves purchasing second-hand items.

To clarify the difference, vintage shopping consists of buying gorgeous pieces existing from decades ago. These are usually expensive and luxurious as stores seek out and curate the collections to their customers, carefully collecting pieces. Thrift shopping involves purchasing used clothing, often obtained through donations or individuals giving away their clothes, which typically makes them more affordable. However, you can still discover some fantastic items while thrifting.

There are plenty of these shops in the city, especially around the Upper East Side, Chelsea and Brooklyn. Walking around, you will most probably find boutique shops on the streets, each with their unique style. However, to guide you with your shopping sprint, here are some of my go-to stores:

• What Goes Around Comes Around
• Unearth vintage
• Amarcord vintage fashion
• James Veloria
• INA
• Beacon’s closet
• Thirteen crossby
• 2nd street
• L Train Vintage
• Upper East Vintage
• Unfashional
• Seven Wonders collective
• Superette Vintage
• The vintage twin
• Cure thrift shop

You will uncover countless hidden gems in these stores, and as you wander around, you will stumble upon numerous other shops. If you enjoy this type of shopping, be sure to allocate some time for it, because you will be amazed by the variety of items you can discover. I’m excited for you—enjoy the shopping experience!

Vintage shops – Beacon’s closet

SPEAKEASIES

New York is the city of restaurants and bars, but it’s also famous for its speakeasy culture, which is a must-experience while you’re here. Speakeasies are bars that are hidden usually behind shops, restaurants or even subway stations. They emerged earlier in history when alcoholic beverages were illegal and people wanted to hide to sell or consume them.

If you’re curious like me and would like to see the side of NYC that is not exposed to most people, make sure to go to one of its speakeasies. From distinctive dark décor and live music to delicious cocktails and cuisine, these hidden gems provide experiences you won’t find anywhere else. So put on your best outfit and head out into the night!

There are a ton of speakeasies in New York, but here are some of my personal favorites – in most cases, try to book in advance to secure a spot, as waiting in line can be quite lengthy:

Studio 151 – One of my favorite spots in NYC, this speakeasy has such a vintage décor and special vibe. They serve delicious sushi and great drinks. The place has a vinyl record playing DJ that plays 80s songs and turns the place into a super fun dancing spot.

Do not disturb – This place has several rooms including a dinning area and a bar. It is so cute and the music is great, their burger is also AMAZING!

Bathtub Gin – This speakeasy is one of the most popular in Manhattan. It is famous for its bathtub décor and variety of gin-based drinks. The place also has live jazz on some of its nights.

Employees only – One of the speakeasies that is always fully-booked, so you can already know it is a great spot. The food and drinks are amazing here, try to book in advance!

Keys & Heels – Hidden behind a shoe repair store, this place is super cozy and intimate. However, I find it to be a bit small, so make sure you reserve a table before heading there.

Peachy’s – Right underneath the Chinese tuxedo restaurant, this place has a very funky retro décor and a very interesting cocktails list. Start your night with a delicious dinner at the award winning Chinese tuxedo and continue your night at Peachy’s for great music and a nice buzz!

Saint Tuesday – Almost impossible to get a resy here, but if you are lucky, you’ll experience one of the most fun speakeasies, with live Jazz every evening. It is also a very cute date spot, so if you are here with your partner, opt for this option.

Similar to everything else in New York, there are PLENTY of speakeasy options in addition to the ones I listed above. You can do a quick search and find what is near your accommodation. Regardless of where it is and its vibe, a speakeasy is a must experience when you visit NYC.

Speakeasies in New York

Believe it or not, this list only scratches the surface of what New York has to offer. This city is brimming with endless activities and experiences, which is why I love it so much.

I hope this guide will help you in planning an incredible time in NYC. Most importantly, stay open to all the possibilities you will encounter here. Have a fantastic time, and don’t forget to share your favorite NY activities in the comments below!