Ten Touristy Things To Do in NYC That Don’t Completely Suck.
Or: A Daytime Guide for Tourists, and Entertaining Your Visiting Relatives
By: Jeff Chatterton
Whether you’re an NYC native (do those exist anymore?), have lived here for years, or are just planning a visit, there are tons of things to do in New York City. Not all of them are great, some of them are ridiculously overpriced, many of them you can skip altogether. The trouble with NYC is that it’s so packed, so busy, and such a headache to get from place to place, that one “destination” could take up half your day.
If you live here, or have been here several times, you probably won’t be surprised I’m going to skip right over places like The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. They cost too much, take too long, and the payoff is not worth it. I’ve been to the Museum of Natural History a few times and realized this last visit that it’s pretty lame. Dioramas and dinosaur bones are fun for about five minutes and then its just a lot of screaming children.
But there are LOTS of things to do in NYC that are cheap, or even free, and will give you a much better idea of what this city is all about.
1 – The Highline
I love the Highline. Snaking through the meatpacking district, chelsea and midtown west, the former railroad track is now an elevated park and pathway, open year round to the public, free of charge. There are several events throughout the year along the Highline itself as well as in The Lot , and event space under the Highline at 30th street. I like the Highline because its a great place to relax, take a stroll, or get from place to place withough dealing with street traffic.
What You’ll See: Meatpacking, Chelsea, gallery district, Midtown, gays.
2 – Waterfront Parks
Especially if you’re visiting in the warmer months, there are dozens of great parks on the water, with some amazing views of the city. We forget that Manhattan is an island, surrounded by water. Technically Brooklyn is also on an island, as the westernmost part of Long Island. Two great waterfront parks in Brooklyn are by the Brooklyn Bridge and in Williamsburg at the end of North 7th.
What You’ll See: Views of Manhattan, Williamsburg, DUMBO, hipsters, gay hipsters, me.
3 – MoMA PS1
One of the oldest institutions in the US dedicated to Contemporary Art, MoMA PS1 is one of my favorite museums in the city. Its in Long Island City, easily accessible, and much less crowded than its Manhattan counterparts. Check out the summer Warm Up series every Saturday, which features internationally renowned performances and DJ sets in the outdoor space. Past events include Horse Meat Disco, Solange, Simian Mobile Disco, Das Racist and more.
What You’ll See: Long Island City, art school fags, Modern Art.
I know, just trust me on this one. The Staten Island Ferry doesn’t scream “tourist attraction”, but I took some visiting relatives on the ferry ride and they loved it. First, its free. You can jump on the ferry after wandering around Lower Manhattan, grab a beer (yes, they serve beer on the ferry!), and enjoy the ride. Its a great view of the city, a nice chance to see New York from the water, and if you’re on the right side of the boat (the Starboard side) You’ll get a great view of The Statue of Liberty. Once you get to Staten Island, you can… well, you can hop back on the ferry and get back to Manhattan. I’m sure there are lovely things to do in Staten Island, right?
What You’ll See: Tired New Yorkers, Statue of Liberty, Views of Manhattan, Jersey Shore Types.
5 – Coney Island and other Beaches
Coney Island is tacky, terrible, and a big mess. I went swimming there once and a diaper floated past me in the water. But, its easy to get to by subway, and the tackiness does occasionally come full circle back into amazing-ness. Luna Park is a fun distraction, Nathan’s Hot Dogs feels like a requirement, and The Cyclone roller coaster is truly terrifying. I love the NYC beaches because they’re a quick escape from the city. An hour on the subway or so and you’re in a completely different place. Nearby Brighton is a bit better beach and has some nice restaurants. Jacob Riis Park is less accessible but a much better beach, and Sandy Hook is least accessible but has a clothing optional area and is arguably the best above all.
What You’ll See: Everything.
Stay tuned for my next 5 suggestions later this week!