New York City. The greatest city in the world. Times Square, Empire State Building, China Town, the Statue of Liberty…if you’re like me, you’ve been to NYC so many times that you’ve been there, done that. So, what do you do now? Not quite a local but not your typical tourist, I’ve spent my fair share of time exploring all that the city has to offer and now I’m sharing 7 of my favorite finds that you won’t find on the average tourist’s lists!
1. Grab a drink at “Maclaren’s Pub”
It’s going to be legen-wait for it-dary when you step inside McGee’s Pub for the first time. McGee’s is an Irish Pub in the heart of Hells Kitchen, and if you didn’t already pick up the context clues, perhaps it’s greatest claim to fame is that it is the inspiration for MacLaren’s Pub in How I Met Your Mother. Any fan will instantly recognize the iconic bar (identical to the show) and can enjoy one of their themed cocktails (offered daily) which are named after iconic drinks or scenes in the show such as “The Pineapple Incident”, “Tantrum” or “Tootsie Roll”. Big fans of the show will want to catch it on Monday night where they do “How I Met Your Mother Mondays” featuring a themed menu as well as character standees and play episodes of the show! It’s a must see for any HIMYM fan but even if you’re not a fan it’s still worth checking out for the cozy atmosphere and comforting Irish pub food.
2. Grab some fresh fruits and veggies at the Union Square Market
A farmer’s market in the middle of NYC? Yes, please! Union Square’s Green Market started in 1976 with just a few farmers and now has blossomed to include hundreds of vendors selling fresh fruits/veggies, plants, cheeses, baked goods, alcohol, and much more. Open year round on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; meandering through the market is a great way to spend a few hours and you’ll find some really great fresh products. It’s a win, win!
3. Sing along with your favorite Broadway stars
Ever wish you could see your favorite Broadway performer in a more intimate setting? Your wish is Feinstein’s command! Feinstein’s/54 Below is a premiere Broadway supper club where you can watch some of Broadway’s top performers while enjoying a nice meal. Feinstein’s has up to 3 shows nightly and often features award winning performers such as Jeremy Jordan, Rachel Bay Jones, and the casts of hit shows like Newsies and Mean Girls. Along with stellar casts, you can catch your fave performers singing Gwen Stefani or High School Musical with their line-up of amazing themed shows. Best of both worlds! It’s a really fun and different way to catch your favorite performers doing their thing! You can check out Feinstein’s calendar and buy tickets here.
4. Climb the Stairway to Nowhere
Also known as The Vessel, the stairway to nowhere is made up of 154 interconnected flights of stairs. A climb to the top offers great city and river views. If climbing stairs isn’t your thing (“oh, so it’s just exercise?” – my co-worker upon seeing pictures) then just steps away you can enjoy browsing through the different stores at the shops at Hudson Yards.
Helpful Hints: Tickets are free and are available on-site beginning at 9:30am. Tickets are assigned on a first come, first serve basis for the next available time slot. Some tickets are also available online in a 14 day window prior to the chosen date.
5. Get lost in a good book at a bookstore used in one of your favorite shows
You know that cute, local bookstore that Joe Goldberg worked at in You? Well did you also know that it’s based off of a REAL bookstore right in the Upper East Side (minus the creepy stalker and basement cage of course)? That’s right! You can feel like you’re stepping into the show when you visit Logos Bookstore. It offers a wide variety of books, an adorable cat, and a small town local bookstore feel that takes you out of the craziness of the big city for a minute. Skip over that huge B&N and give this store a whirl instead!
6. Get that perfect Instagram picture (while eating free ice cream!)
New York is a very instagrammable city in general but in a sea of selfies sometimes you have to think outside of the box to get a unique picture. The Museum of Ice Cream is an interactive experience in the heart of SOHO filled with tons of fun photo opportunities and free ice cream samples! You’ll feel like a kid again as you take a trip down the giant slide and take a swim in the sprinkle pool. Admission is $39 for adults and time slots are available for reservation on their website.
7. Celebrate Halloween all year long
Do you love Halloween and wish you could celebrate it all year long? Is Tim Burton one of your personal idols? Have you ever secretly wished you could hang out with Beetlejuice or Jack Skellington? If you answer yes to any of these then Beetle House is the place for you! As if the Burton themed drinks and entrees aren’t enough, every meal comes with quality entertainment with actors portraying your favorite Burton characters like Beetlejuice, Jack Skellington, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, and many more! It’s my personal favorite spot in the city and makes every day feel like Halloween no matter the time of year.
Helpful Hints: The building is a little small and often crowded (especially at peak times) so reservations are required for dinner. You can make reservations here. However, if you just want one of their awesome, bubbling, smoking drinks at the bar you can come in any time without a reservation (but be sure to bring cash as it’s a cash only bar!).
Whether you've been to NYC one time or one million times there's always something new and unique to discover!
コメント