Cheap (and not so cheap) Tourist Things To Do
The most fun thing (and most free) is just to walk around looking. It's a pretty stimulating city. Lots to see. However, if you actually want to DO something
- Staten Island Ferry Ride/Cheap Way to See the Statue of Liberty You might want to save this near the last when you've had enough of the noise (did I mention that New York is terribly loud?). The Staten Island ferry is a commuter ferry that goes from the Southern Tip of Manhattan to Staten Island (which is actually a city built up on a landfill -- ooh how nice). It goes past Ellis Island (where the Statue of Liberty is. It doesn't stop there, but if you want to stop there, go pay $32 bucks for a "real" tour. The tour will also take you all day -- think hard!) Cost for the Ferry Ride is FREE. That's right (well that and a metro pass to get to the Ferry). How to get there: Take the downtown subway (either the Green,Yellow or Red Line) to "Bowling Green". Walk a little bit until you see the ferry port (you used to be able to get the subway right into the station, but that changed -- the line used to go under the World Trade Center) Very fun. The ride is soothing and fun, and the Statue is no big deal.
- Speaking of which .... not so impressive is it? Actually this one is outside the Tonight show (Ed Sullivan Theatre) on 56th and Broadway. That's my friend Gail next to her. You can find these statues all over mid-town. Saves you a very expense time consuming trip out to Ellis Island (unless, of course, that is your thing)
Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan looks very different from the rest of NYC and has a very different vibe. It's gotten very touristy, but if you're looking for jazz clubs, piano bars etc. This is where you want to go. Beware that the cover charges will freak you out ($25 just to get in and that's not including the drink/food minimums -- all for places that are complete hole-in-the-wall types. However, the music is sublime)
- Some of you may want to check out the World Trade Center Site - Ground Zero. Just take the downtown subway (the number 6 on the Green line, the 1 on the red line, C, E on the blue line) down to Fulton Street (yes, the same stop you use for TKTS downtown) and walk west. You can't miss. There is an interpretative centre (not free). Be prepared to cry.
- All you artsy types must really check out Lincoln Center (61st and B'way). That's where all the major highbrow performing arts stuff takes place: the Met is there (opera), the Ballet dances there and the famous Julliard School is there as well. Julliard gives free tours daily (usually around 2:00, inquire at the desk). Very fascinating. I found out they only take 20 students a year in their drama program -- and that 97% of them find work in their field after. They also have so many pianos that three full time piano tuners are on staff. Also of interest -- those of you who watched and liked the tv show "FAME" -- well, in the opening credits, when the dancers are all dancing and around a water fountain (for the dancers out there -- they're doing the pique turns around the fountain) -- its the fountain at Lincoln Center that they circle. Like a true dork, I had to take a picture of myself doing a Pique turn around the fountain the first time I visited New York. It was fabulous. In the summer time, Lincoln Center offers FREE CONCERTS for their series "Summer in the City". Check out the latest Time Out New York to find out what's being offered and when.
- Central Park. It's one big honking humongous park (however, Edmonton holds the record for biggest continuous urban green space -- our River Valley is famous). Central Park runs from 65 street all the way to 125 Street (Harlem). You can't miss it. Very lovely (during the DAY). I wouldn't trust going there at night. According to Dawn "nature person" MacDonald, there's a lovely bird sanctuary there that you can visit. (I turned down her invitation to look at it -- why would I go to NY to see NATURE?!). There is FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK which attracts all sorts of big name celebrities anxious to prove they are "serious actors" by doing the Shakespeare stuff. The carriage rides aren't cheap, but if you must...
- The newer, more hip park is High Line Park located in Chelsea. It's an above ground reclaimed railway line that they have turned into a park. It goes quite a long way. Get some food from Chelsea market and then head up to the Highline to eat (to date, no food vendors yet -- although that might have changed by now)
- The newest park is a place called Little Island. This is a man made in the Hudson Yards (go west) built during the pandemic, by a billionaire who decided "why not". It's really interesting and it's free. Bring a sunhat if you go on a sunny day (very little shade). It's quite lovely. There's two performance spaces and its very interesting to explore.
- Bryant Park. Is probably my favourite little park. Full of trees and places to sit (lots of food vendors nearby), located next to the main branch of the New York Public Library. It's what Churchill Park (Edmonton reference) should be, but isn't. It's worth a tour there too. The park is one of the few locations with clean public washrooms (by the subway station, there's an attendant) In November and December, they have the BEST Christmas Fair.
- The museums are to die for. Plan an entire day for the Metropolitan Museum (5th Ave, 85 Street). I've been there on every trip and I STILL get lost in it. (Misc fact: The Met is 1.5 million square feet -- that's a lot of real estate!). Entrance fees approx. $25. Students get a discount (only with current ID -- they're snarky about it, but do it online where they can't check). Also cool is MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). Renos are finally finished and its lovely. Both have really nice gift shops. Also worth checking out is the Museum of Natural History. The planetarium has just been rebuilt and there's a half hour special show that is way cool. (The Barb is a geek, she likes planetariums.) If you like very modern (all white paintings), check out the Guggenheim -- it spirals (like a parking garage) on the upper east side. By the way, check which days they are NOT open. It's always the day you choose to go.
- Of course there is the Broadway Museum on 45th and 6th. A Broadway lovers dream. The exhibits are constantly changing and it there are great photo ops. A must if you're a fan of broadway. Google for discounts and buy ahead. It's not cheap.
- Have you seen the well to do, up and down 5th Avenue. Yep, the rich are definitely NOT like you and me. The stores on 5th are always locked and you have to be buzzed in. It's fun just to window shop cause there's no way in hell you'll be able to afford anything....Check out the ultra-tacky gold coloured Trump Towers. It's got shopping and the biggest indoor waterfall. Great for photo ops.
- The diner from Seinfeld is located approx 91 and B'way. Take your picture in front of it. It's actually called "Tom's Restaurant", but they crop the "Tom" part out when they're shooting it.
- Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall are both on 6th (approx 48 Street) and within spitting distance of each other. Great photo ops providing you can avoid being trampled on by other tourists. They also have the NBC gift shop at Rockefeller Center where you can pick up mugs, t-shirts, keychains, bags featuring your fave NBC show (warning: highly overpriced). You can also do their "Top of the Rock" tour and see Manhattan from way way up. Another great photo op is Carnegie Hall on Broadway and about 55th. For you dancer types, you can take an "audition" class with the Rockettes while at Radio City (at least you could pre pandemic. Not sure about now)
- Chinatown and Little Italy (way down in lower Manhattan) are also worth a walk through. They look quite different from the rest of Manhattan. Take a subway to just below Canel Street. And you can get ANYTHING in Chinatown (including the latest bootleg movies) for supercheap. That's the best place to find a fake Gucci (a must for every tourist). They also have fantastic restaurants (Little Italy) and bakeries (Chinatown). By the way, these two districts are right next to each other which makes for interesting signage (and photo ops)
Grand Central Station
- Grand Central Station has been fully restored and is one of fave places to visit and take photos. In addition to being THE major transit/subway/train hub, there is shopping and food galore. Including some lovely boutiques on the main floor. Great for photo ops.
New York Courthouse
If you watch Law & Order or any other cop/lawyer show filmed in New York, you will recognize these steps. Take the subway downtown and get off near City Hall. If you go on a weekday (and not during the summer), there's a good chance you will run into a film crew. (actually you will run into film crews everywhere). I'm a total L&O geek so I had to visit this place.
Celebrity Stalking
Celebrity Stalking . If you feel the need to see Celebrities, the best thing is to hang around on opening night (outside the theatre) of any opening broadway show (check your FB groups). Mind you, these are not your typical A-list, movie opening celebrities. These are theatre geek celebrities (ie: Rosie O'Donnell, Bebe Neuwirth, John Lithgow, etc). If a celebrity you like is IN a broadway show, then hang around the stage door afterwards (stage doors are clearly marked -- look for the pedestrian control fences) and wait for an autograph or to pose with you for a photo. Unless they're MEGA celebrities, most will happily sign and pose for you. The in-depth "how to" is here
The Color Factory
The Color Factory is this insane interactive, multi-room, art exhibit all based on what color means. The are a ton of insta ready set ups (in fact they give you a scannable QR code that is linked to your email that will email you all the photos and videos you take on their equipment as you go through). Even the bathrooms are themed. There is lovely candy and ice cream along the way (all color themed) and you end in a giant adult ball pit complete with slide. You can google for discount tickets that you buy ahead. It will tie up about two hours of your afternoon.
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