12 New York City Unique Experiences

New York has loads of unique experiences to help you discover the lesser-known side of the city during your trip. So much so that for many, it's the best city to visit. It welcomes you with open arms when you arrive and makes you feel like a true New Yorker.

Let me tell you about the best things to do so that you'll have unforgettable memories of your stay in the Big Apple.

Can you imagine flying through the sky in a helicopter at over 200 kilometres per hour? If you're afraid of heights, this plan may not be on your holiday agenda, but seeing the immensity of this city from a bird's eye view is one of the experiences you should have at least once in your life.

Here are some suggestions:

• Long helicopter flight over New York — from £322
• Helicopter flight over New York: essential tour — from £187
• Helicopter flight over New York: extended tour — from £210
• VIP helicopter flight over New York — from £1,928

Frequently asked questions

• Why should you take a helicopter tour of New York? We all know that the city skyline is a spectacle in itself that can be discovered in different ways, but doing so aboard a helicopter takes the experience to another level. It is a unique moment where the beautiful views of New York are complemented by the adrenaline rush of travelling at such altitude and speed. You'll feel your skin tingle and be overcome with excitement!
• What are helicopter flights like? The flights are short, and most tours last approximately 15 minutes. All routes follow the Hudson River and some follow the East River, offering you great panoramic views of New York, but in no case will the aircraft fly over the skyscrapers.
• What is the best helicopter tour? If you ask me what is the best time to take a helicopter tour in New York, I think it depends on the views you want to see during the flight. For example, if you want to see the city stretching out to the horizon and observe the buildings of the Big Apple in all their splendour, I recommend trying to book a tour around midday. However, if you want to see the Big Apple at sunset and witness the first lights of the night come on, then choose a tour at the end of the day.

This is a highly recommended experience that you should definitely try during your trip to New York. If you want to know more about helicopter flights over Manhattan, take a look at the article helicopter ride over New York, where you will find all the details you need to enjoy this unique activity on your trip.

One of the most fascinating spectacles you can attend in the United States is an NBA game. Whether it's because basketball is your passion or because you want to experience the madness and atmosphere that this sport awakens in New York, it's a unique experience that you have to live at least once in your life.

There are two NBA teams in New York competing for the title from October to April in the National Basketball League:

When to travel to New York to enjoy the NBA?

If you are travelling to the city during the preseason, i.e. before the official season starts, I recommend checking the teams' preseason schedule as they usually play friendly matches in early October.

However, NBA games taking place in New York are only guaranteed between October and April. From there, it all depends on whether the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets manage to qualify for the Playoffs and ultimately for the NBA Finals.

If you are an NBA fan and would like to include a basketball game in your trip to New York, in my article on how to buy tickets to see NBA games in New York, I tell you everything you need to know about this competition, the local teams and how to get your tickets, among other things.

Would you like to have a picnic on a sunny day surrounded by nature? Set aside some time in your busy schedule to enjoy a moment of relaxation in Central Park, New York's largest and most famous park. Any day is a good day to visit, but Sundays do have a special magic, as it's a holiday and many New Yorkers take the opportunity to spend a day outdoors taking photos, playing sports or simply relaxing and having a picnic on the lawns.

The Great Lawn is the largest lawn in Central Park, where people gather to sunbathe, read a book or chat when the weather is nice. Here you can spread out a blanket and enjoy a fantastic picnic in this beautiful corner of Manhattan. It is one of the most enjoyable and recommended experiences to have in New York.

After your picnic, I recommend taking a walk through Central Park to see such iconic places as Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, and the Alice in Wonderland statue. If you want to know more about Central Park, in the post 10 things to see and do in Central Park in New York, I tell you all about this wonderful, internationally famous park.

Things to do in Central Park

Central Park offers numerous activities for all tastes. Here are the most popular ones:

• Horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park.
• Central Park Zoo.
• Tour of Central Park.
• Bicycle taxi tour of Central Park with driver.
• Bicycle hire in Central Park.
• Electric scooter tour of Central Park.
• Tour of New York with a visit to Central Park Zoo.
• Electric bicycle hire in Central Park.
• Horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park, Rockefeller Centre and Times Square.
• Tour of Central Park with film locations.

Where to buy takeaway food?

• Street stalls: There are several food stalls scattered throughout Central Park where you can buy hot dogs, sandwiches, waffles, ice cream, and drinks.
• Whole Foods Market: Located at 10 Columbus Circle, this supermarket has a varied buffet of salads, sandwiches, burgers, ready meals, organic products, and juices.
• The Plaza Food Hall: This is a food market in the basement of the Plaza Hotel (1 W 59th St.) with a bakery, pastry shop, and bar/restaurant where you can buy various picnic foods. You can order takeaway to go to Central Park.

How many times have you dreamed of shopping in New York? This city is a shopping mecca and offers all kinds of possibilities for all tastes: from department stores and outlets to luxury and designer boutiques, not to mention the famous flea markets and neighbourhood shops where you can find a special souvenir.

Walking through its streets, you will always see a shop that catches your eye and invites you to come in and browse its products. Furthermore, although the price difference with Europe is not excessive, it can be significant, which will probably encourage you to give in to temptation and spend. Either way, shopping in New York is an experience not to be missed.

Strolling down Fifth Avenue

How about a stroll down the famous Fifth Avenue? It is one of the city's most important thoroughfares and home to some of the Big Apple's most exclusive shops, such as Saks Fifth Avenue (611 5th Ave), the Apple Store (767 5th Ave), the legendary Tiffany's jewellery store (610 5th Ave), Nike (650 5th Ave), the NBA Store (545 5th Ave) and Armani (717 5th Avenue), among many others.

Tour of New York's shopping centres

If you like shopping centres, you must visit The Shops at Hudson Yards (20 Hudson Yards) in the new trendy neighbourhood west of Manhattan, Westfield World Trade Center Mall (185 Greenwich St.) in Lower Manhattan just below the impressive The Oculus, or Macy's, the most popular shopping centre in the United States, in Midtown Manhattan (151 W 34th St.).

Flea markets and unique shops

One of the best things to do in New York is to browse its flea markets. These are not your typical flea markets where items are piled up haphazardly, but rather carefully presented to attract your attention and tempt you to take home a unique souvenir.

Such is the case with the Brooklyn Flea Market (at Manhattan Bridge Archway – 80 Pearl St. Winter Brooklyn Flea at 25 Kent Ave. 8th fl.) in Williamsburg, Artists and Fleas inside Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking District next to High Line Park (88 Tenth Avenue), Grand Bazaar on the Upper West Side (100 W 77th St.) or Canal Street Market in Chinatown (265 Canal St),

On the other hand, the city is full of tourist souvenir shops where you can buy gifts for your family or friends, but if you're looking for something different, in this post I'll tell you about 10 things to buy in New York in unique and original places.

During a trip to New York, you will most likely have a very busy schedule with visits to museums, monuments, markets, and many other places.

However, if you are a sporty person who likes to spend time outdoors, my advice is to take advantage of your getaway to New York to enjoy a unique experience while doing something different that was not in your plan. For example, you could go out and do some sport while admiring the city skyline from the water without spending a single penny.

How? Head to Pier 96 on the Hudson River, near the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum! From the end of May to October, you can go kayaking and enjoy the Manhattan skyline from aboard one of these boats. The company offering this free activity is Manhattan Community Boathouse.

How to participate?

It's very easy. No reservations are required. Just go to the pier where the company operates and sign a waiver stating that you know how to swim. After storing your belongings in a locker, you'll just have to wait to be assigned a kayak and paddle before you can dive into the water. If this is your first time doing this sport, as it was for me, don't worry because there are instructors at each pier who will teach you how to get in and paddle. They will also provide you with a life jacket for added safety.

Although the kayaking trips on the Hudson River last 20 minutes, you will enjoy them immensely because they are so much fun. The area where you can paddle is marked by buoys and you are not allowed to leave it. It's one of the experiences in New York that you can't miss!

If you want to explore the river in a very special way, you can also book this zodiac trip on the Hudson, where you can take the best photos and see New York's impressive monuments up close.

In New York, you'll be surprised at every turn, have fun and even daydream. That's what Broadway musicals are for, allowing you to let your imagination run wild in fantasy worlds that will make you enjoy yourself like a child, whatever your age!

Whatever time of year you visit New York, one of the essential things to do is attend a musical on Broadway, the famous boulevard lined with theatres that runs through the centre of Manhattan, including Times Square. Don't miss the magic of Broadway. It's a unique experience to have in New York that you won't find anywhere else. Its musical numbers are legendary and its majestic staging transports you to a dream world. They will leave you speechless.

With hundreds of performances each year, Broadway is the mecca of New York theatre. Here you can see prestigious shows such as The Lion King, Wicked, Chicago and Aladdin, among many others.

How to get your Broadway tickets

Broadway musicals are one of the most popular shows in New York, so tickets sell out very quickly. If you want to know how to buy tickets for a Broadway musical, I recommend reading the article The 10 Best Broadway Musicals in New York, where I tell you how to get your tickets and which are the best musicals playing this season.

One of the experiences I enjoyed most during one of my trips to New York was attending the Bryant Park Film Festival during the summer. This small oasis in the middle of bustling Midtown Manhattan is one of the gardens most loved by New Yorkers, and when the temperatures rise, it becomes a refuge from the intense heat under the shade of its leafy trees.

If Bryant Park is known for one thing, it is its extensive cultural programme: from writing workshops and film discussions to music concerts and much more.

Why not spend an afternoon going to the cinema in New York during your trip? A great plan for a Monday night during the summer in the city is to go to Bryant Park to enjoy its outdoor film festival. A giant screen is set up in front of the park's famous fountain, where classic films are shown while the audience picnics on the lawn and enjoys the evening lying on the grass.

When does the curtain rise?

The area set up for watching the film opens at 5 p.m. so that the audience can take their seats, although the film starts between 8 and 9 p.m. From experience, I advise you to arrive early to get a good spot on the grass and a cone of popcorn, which they give out for free at the entrance if you arrive early.

While you wait for the film to start, you can relax on the grass, chat, read, plan what you still want to see in New York or have a picnic while enjoying the festive atmosphere in Bryant Park.

Isabel's Traveller Tip

Did you know that the audience chooses the film for one night at this festival? To participate, follow the @vultur Twitter account, which proposes several options and the one with the most votes will be screened.

New York is a bustling city at any time of day, where it is common to see incessant traffic on the streets and people rushing everywhere. No wonder it's also known as "the city that never sleeps"!

That's why it's always a treat to discover little gems that don't usually appear in travel guides on the way to any of the tourist attractions in downtown New York.

Especially when it comes to gardens. It's wonderful to come across small oases in the middle of the asphalt where you can take a break surrounded by water and vegetation. Such is the case with Greenacre Park and Paley Park, both in Midtown Manhattan.

Why visit these parks?

There are many parks in New York, the most popular of which is Central Park, the green lung of Manhattan and the largest urban park in the city, which you will have seen in countless films and series.

However, what sets Greenacre Park and Paley Park apart from other parks are two beautiful waterfalls that adorn the surroundings and whose sound transports you to a peaceful place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city while having a coffee or reading a book at one of the charming tables available to visitors. The trees in both parks create that feeling of intimacy and serenity that I love about this place.

My favourite time to visit is in spring and autumn, when the flora is at its best. For example, in autumn the trees looked beautiful and were decorated with the pumpkins so typical of Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can take some very cool, unusual photographs here.

Where are they?

After a long day of sightseeing, there's nothing better than climbing up to one of the city's wonderful rooftops to contemplate the New York skyline at sunset, watching with a drink in your hand as the sun fades and thousands of lights gradually come on to illuminate the New York night. It's one of the most unforgettable experiences I've had there!

The key is to get to the bar, sit down at a table and order your favourite drink to enjoy the panoramic views from any of New York's rooftops. If you have the opportunity, try to visit several rooftops in completely different areas of the city: the views will be more varied and you'll be surprised by the different facets of the Big Apple.

Almost all rooftops have Happy Hour. If you plan to visit several, it's best to do so during happy hour to save money that you can spend on other things during your trip. Finally, remember that to access a rooftop bar, you will need to bring your passport or ID with you, as you will not be allowed in if you are under 21. In my article on the 10 best rooftop bars in New York, I give you some ideas for enjoying a cocktail in the best company.

In many cities around the world with a Chinese community, Chinese New Year, the most important holiday in this culture, is celebrated. The date depends on the lunar calendar, although it usually takes place in February and is celebrated in style.

In New York, it is celebrated in a special way, and I have been lucky enough to witness it on one occasion. It is well worth seeing because each year a different animal is welcomed, and thousands of people take part in a parade of floats, dances, music and dragons. It is a display of colour, joy, dancing and excitement that can be felt in the atmosphere.

It's an event for all ages that attracts large crowds, both New Yorkers and tourists. If you're going to watch the parade, I recommend finding a street corner where you can get a good view and soak up the atmosphere. When it's over, don't hesitate to head to a restaurant or food stall in Chinatown to enjoy authentic Asian cuisine at very reasonable prices.

Where to eat in Chinatown?

Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular in the world due to its variety of ingredients, flavours and textures. If you consider yourself a foodie, you'll have a great time in this New York neighbourhood because you'll find numerous restaurants and bars where you can try some of Manhattan's best Asian specialities.

I recommend places like Xi's Famous Food at 45 Bayard Street, Big Wing Wong at 102 Mott Street or Buddha Bodai at 5 Mott Street (near Columbus Park and with great options for vegetarians).

If you have time afterwards and want to take a stroll through Chinatown, my article 10 Things to See and Do in New York's Chinatown tells you everything you can visit in this picturesque New York neighbourhood.

Many couples head to New York in February to celebrate Valentine's Day in a different way . There are many romantic things to do in the city, but getting married in Times Square is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in the Big Apple.

Under the slogan "Love in Times Square", several couples swear eternal love to each other by getting engaged, married or renewing their vows withNew York as their witness. Can you imagine surprising your partner by being one of them?

To be among the lucky ones on 14 February, you must register online in advance. A draw will determine who will experience a very original Valentine's Day. What a special story to tell your grandchildren, right?

Other plans for Valentine's Day

But this isn't the only way to celebrate Valentine's Day in New York. There are many more! Here are just a few of them:

• Tribute to love in Times Square: Every year, an interactive sculpture with a love theme is installed so that people can take romantic photos of their trip to New York with a passionate backdrop.
• Ice skating at Wollman Rink: Located in Central Park, the feeling of skating on this rink is unmatched, with the beautiful winter landscape of the park on one side and views of the legendary skyscrapers in the background. It's like something out of a film!

Although not one of the most popular tourist attractions among visitors to New York, the Roosevelt Island Tramway offers beautiful views of Manhattan and is well worth a visit.

Not only because it's not the typical tourist trap, which is sometimes appreciated during the trip, but also because of its special charm and because it connects to Roosevelt Island, a very peaceful place to go for a pleasant stroll.

Why do I like Roosevelt Island?

I love taking the cable car to Roosevelt Island because in spring, the banks of the East River are a magnificent place to enjoy the cherry blossoms with the New York skyline in the background. Here you will have the opportunity to take some beautiful photos of your trip!

In addition, there are several viewpoints by the water and small parks where children can play outdoors for a while if you are travelling to New York with your family. You can even visit a cat sanctuary during your walk.

How to take the Roosevelt Tramway?

It's a very inexpensive trip because you only need your Metrocard to travel, the same card you use to get around the Big Apple by bus or underground. If you want to know more about this activity, I recommend you take a look at my article on how to take the Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York and everything you can see on Roosevelt Island.