By Yona Williams
10 Things to Do in NYC
When planning a trip to
New York City, prepare for a sensory overload involving an unlimited number of cultural activities, historic landmarks and unforgettable memories. The bright lights and big-city flair of New York easily creates an intoxicating rush. With enough attractions to fill months of sightseeing, settling on things to do in NYC is just as exhausting as trying to pinpoint where to begin.
Visit Central Park Zoo
Polar bears, two-toed sloths, monkeys, snakes and endangered snow leopards live in habitat recreations at the zoo, including tropical rainforest scenery, the iciness of Antarctica and the Temperate Zone. Just a short walk from Central Park Zoo, pet and feed the animals at the Tisch Children's Zoo, where daily activities center on sea lions, harbor seals and penguins.
Central Park Zoo
64th Street and Fifth Avenue
Manhattan, NY 10021
(212) 439-6500
centralparkzoo.com
Downtown Shopping
Visit downtown NYC to indulge in popular shopping districts, such as Union Square, Greenwich Village and Times Square. Trendy boutiques line East Village streets, while Soho fills with tourists looking for high-end shops. Shop at Macy's for brand-name merchandise, including clothing, shoes, kitchen appliances, bedding and bath supplies.
Purchase Theater Tickets
Boasting a remarkable reputation in the world of theater, NYC offers a never-ending supply of comedies, musicals, dramas, Broadway and off-Broadway gems, such as "The Lion King," "Wicked" and "Phantom of the Opera." "Jersey Boys" illustrates the Four Seasons' rise to stardom, while the songs of Swedish singing group ABBA make "Mamma Mia!" a household name. With creative props and splatter paint, the Blue Man Group boasts one of the longest-running shows.
Experience the Subway
On an average weekday, the subway system operates 24 hours per day and transports nearly 5 million people throughout the city. Purchase a MetroCard from subway stations or a newsstand, which riders use to gain entry by swiping through a turnstile card reader. The busiest time to ride the subway in NYC is between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Helicopter Tour
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of New York City by hopping aboard a helicopter tour and soar above some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. Observe the magnificence of the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the World Financial Center. With a breathtaking skyline to admire, the historic and cultural appeal of the city comes to life with gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Brooklyn Bridge.
Browse a Museum
New York City offers a treasure trove of fine art and creativity. With 3 million works on display, the Metropolitan Museum (the Met) sits on the eastern edge of Central Park in Museum Mile. Access to one of the largest art galleries in the world provides a closer look at Vincent Van Gogh sketches, international traveling exhibitions, photography, oil paintings, ceremonial masks and artifacts from ancient civilizations. Seekers of infamous works of art often visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to browse Monet's "Water Lilies" and van Gogh's "Starry Night." Entrance to the MoMA is free after 4 p.m. on Fridays.
Metropolitan Museum
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028
(212) 535-7710
metmuseum.org
Museum of Modern Art
11 W. 53rd Street
New York, NY
(212) 708-9400
moma.org
Bryant Park
Behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park offers outdoor and cultural pursuits, including bird tours, tai chi classes, poetry readings and chess tournaments. Notable New York City pianists gather at the park for special events. From July to August, free films encourage locals to sprawl across blankets for picnics.
Bryant Park
Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
(212) 768-4242
bryantpark.org
Botanical Garden Walks
From blossoming cheery trees to the Cranford Rose Garden, take in the scent of azaleas, rhododendrons and year-round evergreens (like yew, juniper, fir and false cypress) in the Rock Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Providing plants within an English cottage garden setting, the Shakespeare Garden fills with New England aster, climbing hydrangea and bloody geraniums--specimens mentioned in the plays and poems of William Shakespeare. Tour the Lily Pool Terrace for tropical water lilies and sacred lotus.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
(718) 623-7200
bbg.org
New York Aquarium
Joining one of the oldest roller coasters in the world (the Cyclone) and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, the New York Aquarium resides in Coney Island--serving as the oldest in the nation. As the only aquarium in New York City, tourists flock to view tropical fish, jellyfish, walruses and sea horses. A 90,000-gallon tank holds various kinds of shark.
New York Aquarium
W. 8th St. and Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 265-3474
nyaquarium.com
Celebrate New Year's
A trip to NYC at the end of December places you in the center of intense excitement--the infamous Ball Drop in Times Square. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on New Year's Eve, more than 1 million people typically gather. This free event requires no tickets or reservations. Prepare yourself for the 1 ton of confetti that spills over Times Square following the event.
Times Square
W. 46th St. & Broadway Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Resources
About the Author:
Yona Williams is co-owner of Priceless Writers, LLC, and a freelance writer with a BA in English (Colgate University) and MA in Journalism (Newhouse - Syracuse University). Williams has been professionally providing online and offline content for nearly 10 years, including Golden-Gate-Park.com and the Green Connoisseur.
Photo Credits:
new-york city image by Pierre-Emmanue Bayart from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
