Most people have a bucket list—things we would like to do or see before we die. One of them should be conquering New York City and hitting up its innumerable sites and attractions. But where to start in a place that packs more famous icons into one compact area than any other in the world? You might have done some of these, but all, if you live here, are fantastic New York experiences that should not be overlooked, no matter how long you’ve lived here. So here are 10 New York things to cross off your bucket list at some point in your lifetime.
Soar Above Manhattan in a Helicopter and Below By Boat
Manhattan Helicopters, 6 East River Piers (between South Street Seaport and Staten Island Ferry) New York City; 888-376-8935, Local Phone, 646-395-3639.
New York Water Taxi, 89 South Street, Pier 17, New York City, NY; 212-742-1969
New Yorkers and tourists should be at fault for not taking a view of New York City from Manhattan Helicopters. You’ll never get closer to seeing attractions in one 15-minute ride. From the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island, from the Freedom Tower to the Brooklyn Bridge, departure takes place at Pier 6 East River. Get killer views of places like the Governors Island, 9/11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge, and so on that you’ll never see otherwise. No matter how long you’ve lived here, we can guarantee you’ll be seeing New York in a whole new way. The cost is around $150 per passenger for a fifteen minute ride, and goes up to less than $300 for a thirty-minute ride.
Since we know that can get pricey, another great way to see NYC is by taking the Hop on Hop Off Water Taxi. You can see some of the same attractions that Manhattan Helicopters covers from a different angle, and one you’ve probably never seen walking around the city. Hop On is only around $30 per person. Now that’s a steal.
Helicopter Flight Services via FacebookSee the Temple of Dendue at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1000 Fifth Ave; Manhattan, 212-535-7710
The Met is a must-see cultural institution that’s embraced by New Yorkers and tourists. With over two million works of art representing a whopping 5,000 years of history that’s spread over two million square feet of gallery space, you can get lost in all of the Met’s rooms and will find it impossible to see every attraction on one visit. From the Arms and Armory Hall (the largest collection of 16th and 17th century European armor in the U.S.) to a replica of a Ming Dynasty courtyard, from the Astor Chinese Garden Court (a pastoral garden for reflection with an air of tranquility) to a tour of the Greek Terracotta Vases, the Met is a beautiful but overwhelming museum that will please your eyes and will give you a sense of awe as you pass through different periods, a recognition of how far we’ve gone and what we have created over so many centuries.
But no matter what, you can’t miss the Temple of Dendur not only for the Egyptian collection (from ancient carvings to hieroglyphics) but also for its airy space, a temple that features large skylights, a pool of water meant to represent the Nile, and the room framed by floor-to-ceiling glass that has a breathtaking view of Central Park. When you see movies shot at the Met, this is the go-to room. Scenes from When Harry Met Sally, Changing Lanes, and Maid in Manhattan, among others, were shot at the temple.
tosh chiang via FlickrWander Through the Stacks at NYC’s Largest and Most Famous Bookstore
The Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway, at the corner of East 12th Street, Manhattan; 212-473-1452
The Strand, Manhattan’s legendary independent bookstore, has remained open since 1927 despite the decline and demise of bookstores around the U.S. The bookstore—which advertises itself as “18 miles of new, used, and out-of-print books”—is beloved by avid book lovers who are looking for that rare treasure, as well as contemporary first editions that pop up on the store’s many shelves that are often cheaper in cost to a new book or the latest bestseller. But if you are looking for, say, a first-edition of Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon, be sure to check out the rare book room, one of the largest rare book rooms in the country. A dedicated space for art books, a huge selection of kid’s books, plus author readings make this a standout. The Strand is so famous that it’s a popular spot for shooting movies and TV if scenes need a backdrop of a bookstore. Movies like “Remember Me,” starring Robert Pattison and TV shows like “Master of None” starring Aziz Ansari were shot at the Strand. If you’re going to hit up an NYC bookstore on your bucket list, make it this one.
Martin Hearn via FlickrWatch a Free Movie Outdoors on Grass Surrounded by Skyscrapers
Bryant Park, Fifth and Sixth Avenues, between 40th and 42nd Streets, Manhattan, NY
HBO BRYANT PARK SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL; 212-512-5700
In the summer, New Yorkers flock to Bryant Park to see free Hollywood classic movies on a giant screen. If you haven’t done this yet, you are missing out. The ten-week run during warm weather is both romantic and charming, with plenty of movie fans spread over the lawn with picnic baskets and discreet alcoholic beverages. The movie starts at precisely 5 PM every Monday night over the summer, but the real attraction is spending a tranquil night outdoors in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York, on real grass surrounded by a nest of trees.
Howard Brier via FlickrSee a Taping of SNL
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Center.
It’s live from New York, people. If you’re here, you have to do this at least once. We have to admit that it’s hard to score tickets—each August, SNL holds a ticket lottery for the upcoming season where fans send an email and all their contact info to get a seat. If you’re selected—and that’s a big “if”—you’ll get tickets to a random show. You can also hedge your bets by getting stand-by tickets by waiting on line at 7am on the morning of a taping. That too is not guaranteed, making SNL the hardest show to get into in New York. Note that you have you two shots: getting tickets for a dress rehearsal at 8pm or a live taping at 11:30pm. Since this is such a hard one, it’s an ideal bucket list activity, which you can give yourself years to complete.
Brennen Schmidt via FlickrEat A Legitimate New York Steak (Or Legitimate New York Vegetarian Sides)
PETER LUGER, 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-87-7400
Peter Luger, a steakhouse in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, has been around since 1887 and is a haven for meat lovers who like dry-aged beef. The legendary restaurant is one of New York’s most famous and beloved steakhouses, a carnivore landmark that has its own Michelin star and which has earned a top spot on Zagat for the last three decades. The decor—wood-paneling, chandeliers, glass-cube windows, beer steins and antique wooden tabletops —is decidedly old-fashioned, right down to the handwritten checks and the cash-only policy. If you want in during prime time on Saturday, you have to book a reservation three to four weeks in advance. That may seem long, but it’s actually not compared to other highly-regarded restaurants in the city that don’t even take reservations or have bookings far in advance. (We mean you, Rao’s, Ellen Madison Park, and Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare!)
Jiun L. via YelpTrack Down Treasures at Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market 39th St. between. Ninth & Tenth Aves, Manhattan, NY
New York’s most popular flea market, Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, is a true destination spot that’s open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year (fewer vendors appear during the winter months). You can find antiques, collectables, jewelry and, of course, anything that’s vintage at this get-lost-in-the-crowd flea market. Located on a moribund section between Ninth and Tenth Avenues and right near the gross Port Authority Bus Station, the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, like its sister Chelsea Flea Market, is a great way to spend a leisurely weekend afternoon when you’re in the mood for something classic and are sick and tired of looking through the Pottery Barn catalog.
IseFire via FlickrEat at This New York Deli
Katz’s Deli, 205 East Houston Street; 212-254 2246
They say you’re not a New Yorker if you’ve never tried a pastrami and corned beef sandwich from Katz’s Deli. This iconic deli is the only place to get a traditional over-stuffed sandwich other than two other places, the Carnegie Deli and 2nd Avenue Deli. But Katz’s is usually the choice when you want old-time charm, from hand-written signs to deli-style booths, and from pictures of celebrities on the wall who have dined at the place, to free mounds of their famous pickles and a cup of matzo ball soup. It’s a great place to end the night since it is open late. And yes, this is where that scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed. You know the one.
brando.n via FlickrSing at Arlene’s Grocery
Arlene’s Grocery, 95 Stanton St; 212-358-1633
Sing karaoke at Arlene’s Grocery. Since 1996, this former bodega has been home to local bands. But on Monday and Friday nights, it will be you on the stage, slightly drunk from the cheap drinks at Arlene’s and taking the stage to sing karaoke. Even if you don’t want to or have guts to sing, go for the atmosphere, and soak in the Lower East Side like a true New Yorker, where you will find Wall Street types or Upper West Side moms dancing to the beat on a sultry night.
Klara Kjellberg via FlickrWhich ones have you done, and which are you still looking to cross off the list?
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