Although there is a lot to see and do in New York City, it can be stressful to battle the crowds. Here is some expert advice for how to get the city's top attractions all to yourself.
There are a few very distinct images that come to mind when you think of New York City: Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the panorama from the top of the Empire State Building.
Even while they are all unquestionably iconic locations, they are frequently overcrowded, pricey, and lacking in authenticity.
Brooklyn native and lifelong resident of New York City, I've never climbed to the top of the Empire State Building, but that isn't because I don't enjoy a beautiful skyline vista. In actuality, I share everyone's obsession with taking a fantastic Instagram snapshot of my hometown; I simply know where to go for a better shot.
I know there is a tonne of great sites, neighborhoods, and activities that most visitors to the Big Apple just miss because I grew up in this crazy city and passed the test to become a tour guide (yes, New York City requires all guides to have a Sightseeing Guide license, and, yes, the test is difficult).
But rest assured—I'm here to assist. Here are some of New York City's busiest and most touristy locations, along with suggestions on what to do instead.
Take the Staten Island Ferry rather than purchasing tickets to the Statue of Liberty.
One of New York's most famous and inspiring vistas is without a doubt Lady Liberty. But given the long waits to board ferries, the expensive tickets that may pile up for a family, and the throngs of people waiting for you when you arrive on the island, no one would blame you if you wondered whether it was worthwhile. And when you do arrive, the perspective from which you view this symbol of American freedom might be somewhat depressing.
Rather than driving to the island, take the Staten Island Ferry, which is completely free and offers some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline. Even on holidays, it runs regularly from the Whitehall Terminal. Additionally, the Empire Outlets, which are close to the ferry terminal, are a great place to do a little shopping once you get to Staten Island.
Going to the top of the Empire State Building is not necessary.
Journey to Long Island City
When visiting New York City (or residing here, for that matter), obtaining a decent view of the skyline is unquestionably a must, but the view from the top of the Empire State Building is not the greatest you can get. The Empire State Building itself will not be in your skyline shots, although you will be at a great elevation on the 86th Floor Observatory.
Instead, cross the bridge to Queens to avoid the lineups and expensive fares. You may take panoramic pictures of the skyline in Long Island City from Gantry Plaza State Park and including the Empire State Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco, as well as the recognizable Pepsi-Cola sign (which was landmarked a few years ago). Enjoy the 12-acre riverside retreat with playgrounds, picnic tables, and rebuilt gantries while you're there. These structures were previously used to load and unload rail car floats and barges.
Gantry Plaza State Park is located at 4-09 47th Road in Long Island City, Queens.
Take a bite on Arthur Avenue rather than in Little Italy.
There are more real restaurants than the tiny slice that Little Italy has become, but New York City features some of the best Italian cuisines outside of Italy. Although there is little doubt that the area was first primarily populated by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is now only a few blocks at most. Sure, you can fight off the throngs of hungry tourists at Ferrara for an espresso (though, admittedly, their pastries are good), or you can travel a little further north for some truly traditional foods.
The Bronx neighborhood that bills itself as the "genuine Little Italy" is Arthur Avenue. After Italian families relocated from lower Manhattan, the area saw a boom and is still known for serving some of the greatest Italian cuisines in the city. Try some of the fresh, hand-pulled mozzarellas from Casa Della Mozzarella, a local staple, and pick up a sandwich from Mike's Deli in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, which has been operating since 1940. Get a cannoli or a lobster tail from one of the many bakeries after that.
To locate: Belmont, Bronx, Arthur Avenue close to E. 186th Street
Check out some of the lesser-known and utterly underappreciated museums rather than battling the crowds at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Let's start at the Metropolitan Museum of Art because it's fantastic. It was established in 1870 and has grown to be of the most significant cultural institutions in the world. However, it also becomes very crowded, particularly on weekends. There are also numerous lesser-known museums in the city that are just as interesting, although their countless rooms and artifacts make it easy to get lost there for hours (in a good way).
Instead of simply visiting the MET, visit the museum's own The Met Cloisters, a medieval-style structure with a view of the Hudson River and around 2,000 pieces of art from medieval Europe (sitting in the museum's grounds will make you feel as though you are in Tuscany). The Lower East Side of the city is home to the Tenement Museum, a historical treasure that provides immersive, guided tours of two tenement houses while documenting an essential aspect of the immigrant experience. Next, visit the Neue Galerie to see Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (also known as The Woman in Gold from the Helen Mirren movie fame), which is located just a few blocks north of the MET on the city's Museum Mile. The Neue Galerie is a museum dedicated to early twentieth-century German and Austrian art and is housed in a landmarked building from 1914.
To locate: The Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St., Manhattan; The Met Cloisters, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park; Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave., Manhattan.
Rather than battling the crowds in Central Park...
I get that a cemetery doesn't sound like a fun location to spend a sunny afternoon. But hear me out (or after the sun goes down for that matter). But one of the most overlooked locations in the city is Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. In addition to having several well-known people interred there, such as the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, the publisher and founder of the New York Tribune, Horace Greeley, and the composer Leonard Bernstein, the National Historic Landmark was also established in 1838 as one of the nation's first rural cemeteries. It is also breathtakingly lovely.
So instead of battling for a small piece of grass in the perpetually congested Central Park, take a stroll across the cemetery's 478 acres of hills, valleys, and ponds. On Sundays and Wednesdays, you can take a trolley tour to learn about the cemetery's past, including how George Washington fought in the Battle of Brooklyn.
Find Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, at 500 25th Street (and Fifth Avenue).
Rather than going to Chinatown...
a sampling of Flushing's cuisine
No one would dare dispute that Chinatown has some excellent Chinese eateries (we're looking at you Wo Hop and Nom Wah Tea Parlor). In addition, Chinatown's rich history makes it a must-see destination. According to the National Park Service, when the United States and China established diplomatic ties in 1868, many Chinese emigrated to California in search of gold as well as to New York, eventually settling along Mott Street, south of Canal Street. The location is still the center of Chinatown today.
However, Flushing, Queens, is another region of New York with a sizable Asian population and an abundance of genuine Chinese eateries. You'll also lose track of the fact that you're still in New York in those food halls. Visit the food court at the New World Mall where 32 different vendors are serving up mouthwatering Chinese specialties that will take you directly to China.
To locate: Flushing, Queens, 136-20 Roosevelt Ave., New World Mall
Consider going to the Public Theater rather than a Broadway production.
The Great White Way is well-known throughout the world for its plays and musicals, some of which feature celebrity performances and have extremely difficult-to-obtain tickets. I'm not going to pretend that New Yorkers don't also flock to Broadway when we want to watch a fantastic show; there are excellent options to get your hands on discounted tickets (like the TKTS booth). But the city also offers other excellent theatre options.
Visit the NoHo-based The Public Theater for a wide selection of plays to suit every preference (here is where Hamilton first appeared). Shakespeare in the Park, a free summer series at the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park that annually attracts notable celebrities, is also produced by The Public Theater. There are several places to purchase tickets for each show, including in front of the theatre in the park and via a virtual lottery on the TodayTix app.
The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.
Consider visiting some of the city's other old cathedrals rather than spending your entire visit at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Unquestionably a magnificent church, St. Patrick's Cathedral has been open since 1879 and is a neighborhood landmark for many. However, the city is home to numerous other noteworthy churches that stand out for their illustrious histories, exquisite aesthetics, and immense size.
The oldest church in Manhattan is St. Paul's Chapel, which is a part of the Parish of Trinity Church Wall Street and was initially constructed in 1766. The first Trinity Church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1776, but the church managed to survive thanks to a bucket brigade that threw water on the structure. Many important persons attended services there throughout the following years, including George Washington, who made his way there from Federal Hall after taking the oath of office to become the country's first president. Following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001, St. Paul's Chapel escaped damage and received the moniker "the small chapel that remained," according to the church.
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine on Morningside Heights is another treasure in the city. According to the Cathedral, it is both one of the largest churches and the largest Cathedral in the world (defined as a church that also serves as a bishop's residence). The Cathedral's construction began in 1892, but it is still ongoing today and, in the words of the Cathedral, "will continue to be constructed over many generations."
St. Paul's Chapel is located in Manhattan at Broadway and Fulton Streets, and the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is situated there at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue.
Instead of visiting a rooftop bar or restaurant to take in the sights... In Brooklyn Bridge Park, barbecue
There are many excellent rooftop bars in New York City that provide beautiful views and delectable cocktails or nibbles. But they all tend to share one thing: they're incredibly pricey and frequently difficult to obtain a table at.
Pick up some food to cook and sit at one of the salvaged wood picnic tables at Pier 5 of Brooklyn Bridge Park to grill on the shared grills rather than fight for a spot at the bar. A nearby Trader Joe's makes it simple to get supplies, and Sahadi's, a longtime neighborhood favorite, is great for snacks (pro tip: grab the hummus; you won't regret it). The Manhattan skyline is well visible, providing a striking backdrop for your supper. And if you're craving dessert (I personally don't trust folks who refuse it), stop by Ample Hills Creamery, which is conveniently situated next to the tables, to get a cone (try the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake with house-made St. Louis-style gooey butter cake pieces). After that, stroll through the park, which hugs the East River and features a beach, several playgrounds, and even a book cart.
To locate: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Bridge Park
Instead of dining at just one place, Visit the fantastic dining halls in the city.
This is not the food court of your mall. All around the city, new food halls have begun appearing, although they don't provide fast food and chain restaurants. Instead, these food halls offer some of the best cuisines in New York City, frequently at affordable (relatively speaking, at least), and in a laid-back atmosphere. Not to add that there usually is something for everyone, as choosing a restaurant may be challenging when everyone has various preferences and dietary requirements.
You can find something for everyone at the Dekalb Market Hall in Downtown Brooklyn, which is home to 30 traders. In addition to pastrami sandwiches, A Taste of Katz's also serves arepas, Italian, sushi, wings, and other foods. The original Katz's location frequently experiences long lineups.
For even more food hall diversity, visit downtown Chelsea Market or Hell's Kitchen's Gotham West Market.
Dekalb Market Hall is located at 445 Albee Square West in Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn; Gotham West Market is at 600 11th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan; and Chelsea Market is at 75 9th Avenue in Manhattan.