14 Things To Do as a First-Timer to New York

The DL: NYC for first-timers As a first-timer, to New York, the list of things to do can be overwhelming and just know that you most likely won’t be able to check everything off your list. People live there for years and just scratch the surface. Here is a list to help strategize and prioritize what you want to do and see on your first trip.

1. Stroll Through One of the Many Parks:

Central Park
Bryant Park
Battery Park
Washington Square Park
Riverside Park
Hudson River Park
Union Square Park
Gramercy Park
Madison Square Park
The Highline

2. Take a View of the Skyline:

Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
Cruise/Sailing Tour
Helicopter Tour
Brooklyn Bridge
Roosevelt Tram
One World Observatory
Hotel/Rooftop Bars
Tip: Go to top of the rock or empire state building during the day and the other at night

3. Check out some of the Manhattan Neighborhoods:

Fidi
Tribeca
Nolita/ Little Italy
Chinatown
West Village/Greenwich
Soho/Noho
Chelsea
Upper West
Lower East
Upper East

4. Visit the Iconic Spots

NY Library
Time Square/Theater District – just because you have to but don’t stay long this is not NEW YORK!
Grand Central
Brooklyn Bridge
Rockefeller Center
Statue of Liberty
9/11 Memorial
Chelsea Market/Highline
Wall Street/The Bull
Columbus Circle
Empire State Building
Central Park
Flatiron
Union square
St. Patrick’s Cathedral

5. Take a Tour

Madison Square Garden
Radio City Music Hall
Carnegie Hall
Hop on Hop off Bus tour
Hudson Yards Vessel
Circle Line Cruise Tour
Food Tour
Neighborhood Tour
Bike Tours

6. See a Show

Looking for a discounted ticket option? Check TKTS day of (tip – seaport district usually the least amount of wait time) and you can get discounted ticket options.
Don’t rule out a show that says “off-broadway” that just refers to the theater and the amount of seating it has, and nothing to do with legitimacy.
If broadway isn’t your thing, check out one of the many other shows: comedy, improv, local musicians, magician, concert at madison square garden, pier 17 rooftop show, gramercy theater etc.

7. Visit One of the Many Museums

The MET
The MET Cloisters
The MOMA
Natural History Museum
Guggenheim
The Whitney
The Frick
The Tenement
Color Factory
The Museum of Illusions

8. Eat Amazing Food

Any type of food you can ever imagine you can probably find in New York City.
Take into account that many of the restaurants require reservations and its very common that you will be sitting in close quarters most of where you dine.
Make sure to check out my list on the best food halls and markets in the city.

9. Shop till you Literally Drop

5^thave
Hudson Yards Mall
Soho
Macys Herald Square
The Oculus
Century 21 – a great option if you are looking for some deals
Boutique stores in the villages
South Seaport District

10. Get Tickets to a Taping

Use the IOTA app to reserve a ticket to one of the regular tapings:
Kelly and Ryan
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Kimmel
Good Morning America

There are many seasonal events so make sure to check the app before you come to NYC. I have done many of the tapings, and they are really fun and best part, free.

11. Check out the Bar Scene/Rooftops

A good way to check out the city skyline and get a local feel of what neighborhood you are in is with a drink in hand. Here are some options for rooftops and many are open year-round:
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, Standard – Le Bain, Mr. Purple, 230 Fifth Rooftop, Refinery, RH Rooftop, Westlight – Brooklyn, Gallow Green, Catch Rooftop
The bar scene is nothing less of short when it comes to options, here are just a few of my favorites:
Beauty and Essex, Bathtub Gin, Pizza Beach, Kind Regards, Fairfax, The Garret, Wilfie & Neil, The Dead Rabbit, The Little Branch, Village Tavern, Blind Tiger, Bowery Electric, The Spaniard, Patent Pending

12. Enjoy the Seasonal Activities

Spring- Flower Festivals, Shakespeare in the Park, Patio and Waterfront Dining
Summer- Rooftop Eating and Dining, July 4th Festivities, Summer Concert Series
Fall – Halloween Parade, Fall Neighborhood Decor, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Winter – Christmas Decor, Rockettes, Lighting of the Tree, Ice Skating, New Years Eve