Things to do in New York & all the secret spots
Ahh, the big city of lights, that never sleeps! I just got back from my trip to New York and I'm ready to share some of the best places to visit in the Big Apple.
1. TIMES SQUARE in NEW YORK
Ha ha. I know that this is an obvious one, but is an absolute must-go, when you're visiting New York. Flashing lights, huge billboards, artists, street dancers, crowds of millions of people passing by... This always alive, Mid Manhattan spot, it's worlds legend and probably the busiest, buzzing place in the city! It has one of the best restaurants in town, fun places like M&M's store and Hershey's factory, also home to the best Broadway shows. Make sure you take a picture with a famous Naked Cowboy.
2. BIKE AROUND THE CENTRAL PARK
Take a whole day, rent a bike and visit Central park. Now, for renting a bike, stay away from those shops on 7th and 8th Av., because they will want to rip you off and charge up to 15$/h, which is ridiculous! There's this place that I found between 57th and 58th street, by the Fluffy's coffee shop. And I paid 15$ for the whole day! Got a really nice bike, with a free lock, basket and the city map. I really took time and did a big loop all around, great way for sightseeing/workout sessions!The park itself it's beyond interesting, filled with exotic gardens, lakes cute brunching spots, baseball courts, artists and photographers with film cameras. Tons of street dancers, magicians and comedians having their shows all over the place! It's a very good way to get a little break from the city.
3. WALK ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
The famous bridge, for sure deserves your walk across. The whole thing takes about 40 minutes, up to you then, how many times you stop and take pictures! Has a nice downtown view, view to Manhattan bridge and you can also see, distantly, the Statue of Liberty. Walking across the bridge also give you the opportunity to explore Brooklyn! It's a very interesting, funky area, lots of young artists and cute coffee shops! The locals told me it's pretty much a global capital of creativity and culture! Stop for a delicious burger at famous Shake Shacks (classic burger and curly fries for only 8$), and grab some lemonade of ice cream on your way back!
4. STATUE OF LIBERTY
Where I come from we call it "the New York Lady". It was a gift from France, after one of the french revolution wars, as a thank you gift and it represents welcoming of all the immigrants, coming to NYC, as a "Give me your tired and poor", like she'd take care of them. Something like people coming here, "tired and poor" and they can make good money and succeed in the big city.I didn't end up going to the island and climbing up the stairs, but many people told me it's totally worth it! You take a ferry from downtown (I think it's like 18$) and then spend a day on the little Ellis island, see the statue, get some lunch etc... It's a really cool, whole-day trip!
5. The high line
The High Line is a famous public walk, built on old historic rail line, located above the streets of New York. Specifically, the West side of Manhattan. It's a 2.3 km long walk, full of gardens, restaurants and art! Great and cheap way to see the city from above!Feeling a bit artsy and rebellious? Check out HERE the most secret spots to go in NYC!
NYC it's full with secret bars, crowded local breweries, underground clubs, illegal warehouse raves, famous sublimate NYC venues, hip brunch spots and secret occasional parties you can't find at all! Unless you know how to look! Local stuff, we get it. But there's way more to "typical locals guide to every big city", then it actually is! New York's famous attractions are globally known, but sometimes digging a little deeper can make a big twist to your day here. The secret ingredient is, that no one talks about it! (obviously!) At least not online. And I'm pretty sure that I am, just by writing this post, breaking some big 'locals' rules, but that's what rules are for, right?First time traveling to New York? CHECK OUT THIS 5 THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK
< THE SECRET LOFT OF NYC
You down for underground parties and free NYC pizza? This is your place. Located on 255 McKibbin St, Brooklyn. But check the FB page for the new events ... (facebook.com/secretloft)
< The other half brewery IN BROOKLYN
The Other Half craft beer brewery is just one of the many small local breweries in Brooklyn. I actually visited this place and honestly, if my friends wouldn't take me there, I'd never guess that's an actual place from the outside. So amongst these famous couple spots, this one is coming from me! That's the thing, especially Brooklyn and Downtown are big on secret places like that, that you'd never guess. For example, we walked by an 'abandoned looking building', full of graffiti and such, turned out it was a climbing gym!
< SUBLIMATE NEW YORK CITY SECRET VENUES
I heard that secret monthly parties at Sublimate are a must! Different location every time, cheap drinks and good music calls out for the good night out, right?! Sign up for the mailing list, R.S.V.P. for location details/purchase tickets for Sublimate NYC over here: sublimate.org
< THE EAST VILLAGE’S C-SQUAT IN NYC
Starting with not-so-secret party house, open on Fridays and Saturdays, located on 155 Ave C, Alphabet City, NY. This house is supposed to be one of the longest standing squat houses in the city! With a cool-punk looking basement, inside halfpipe, for skater kids, hosting many famous artists and rock bands!
< ORIGINAL PEACE OF BERLIN WALL IN NYC
Located in Midtown, there's an actual peace of old Berlin wall, that someone brought over the ocean after the wall fell in 1989! How cool is that? Still there, for you to visit at / 520 Madison Avenue.
Have any more places that you'd want to share? Please let me know in the comments! I'd love to check them out the next time I visit New York.