New York City is without a doubt one of the most exciting cities in the world - concrete jungle where dreams are made of. You can do so many interesting things - and some of them are for free!
I love NYC - the energy is contagious, you will feel like you are in a movie. New York City will make you feel like there is nothing you can’t do and that every door is open. I love to come here to recharge myself.
It can get a bit overwhelming at some points, so you need to figure out what to do and where to go even before your trip. Maybe (I really hope) my post will help you decide what to see in the Big Apple. There are literally thousands of things you can do. Let’s get right into it! New York City is such a fun place!
1.See New York City from above - Observation Decks
I believe that everyone who visits New York City needs to see it from above - in that way you can truly enjoy its beauty. Manhattan skyline is like nothing you have ever seen before. I suggest to see it during sunset - but it will be beautiful no matter the period of the day. There are quite a lot of observation decks throughout New York City.
In my opinion the best of them are Top of The Rock, Summit One Vanderbilt and The Edge. You’ll get the most iconic view from Top of The Rock - you’ll see the Empire State Building in the middle. Summit One Vanderbilt is like an attraction of its own - there are many rooms, mirrors, balloons etc. The view is also gorgeous. And The Edge observation desk is quite unique since it has the biggest outdoor terrace and you will see all of the Manhattan from above. Very thrilling. You can purchase the tickets in advance online.
Keep in mind that during sunset hours there are an additional fee to the ticket - everybody wants to see New York City during golden hour. And you cannot blame them - it is magical.
2. Walk the High Line - it is for free!
The High Line is a unique park located in the Hudson Yards which is a pretty cool place. The High Line is a 2.33 km long park and a rail trail which is created on a former New York Central Railroad. This elevated railway that was turned into a public park provides amazing views of the Hudson River and also of the New York City skyline on Manhattan's West Side.
The entree is free - you won’t have to pay anything. The walk is really pretty and quite relaxing. It is without a doubt one of New York’s outdoor gems - over 5 million people visit The High Line annually. And you should be one of them!
3. Visit Rooftop Bars
Drinks with a view? It gets a totally new meaning in New York City because the views are insanely beautiful. Imagine sitting on a rooftop with a drink in your hand and looking at the Empire State Building. Wonderful, isn’t it?
There are many rooftop bars in New York City. One of the most popular ones is 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar NYC - the best part is that you don’t need to make a reservation here. The prices are reasonable and the views are spectacular.
If the weather is not that good, I suggest that you try Skylark or Dear Irving on Hudson bars - both of them have inside sitting areas as well. We did not have a reservation and we got a place to sit at, but it is better if you make a reservation in advance to get a better view. The cocktails here cost around 20 dollars each.
4. Take a Break at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is one of my favourite places in New York City - it has amazing views and the atmosphere is perfect. I love to come here and just relax. The perfect place for lunch and people watching. There are a lot of tables, chairs that you can move to the grass area. If you take a blanket with you - it is also possible to sit on the grass.
There is Whole Foods Market just across the street so you can get some snacks and drinks. And there are also some bars and cafeterias located inside the park. People come here to escape the chaos and to relax from work. Really such a lovely place.
5. Eat a Bagel Like a True New Yorker
Nothing like a delicious bagel for breakfast - New Yorkers love bagels, and so do I. It is the perfect breakfast food, and you can find bagel places on almost every corner. They are very popular in New York City.
We found out that New Yorkers love this place called Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company - the bagels there were out of this world. You can build your own bagel, or you can choose from the menu. The place closest to our hotel was on 286 8th Avenue.
You can order online and pick your breakfast up or you can go there and order on site. I suggest to do the second option, since pick up takes much longer. Click on the link and see what you will get: Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company
