12 New York City Unique Experiences

New York offers a wealth of unique experiences that let you discover the city’s lesser-known side during your trip. In fact, for many, it’s the best city to visit—one that welcomes you with open arms when you arrive and makes you feel like a true New Yorker.

I’ll share the best things to do so you’ll have unforgettable memories of your stay in the Big Apple.

Can you imagine soaring through the sky in a helicopter at over 200 kilometers per hour? If you’re afraid of heights, this might not be at the top of your vacation list, but seeing the vastness of this city from a bird’s-eye view is an experience you should have at least once in your life.

Here are a few options:

• Extended helicopter flight over New York — starting at $429
• Helicopter flight over New York: essential tour — starting at $259
• Helicopter flight over New York: extended tour — starting at $279
• VIP helicopter flight over New York — starting at $4,690

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should you take a helicopter tour of New York?: We all know that the city’s skyline is a spectacle in itself that can be explored in many ways, but doing so aboard a helicopter takes the experience to a whole new level. It’s a unique moment where the breathtaking views of New York are combined with the adrenaline rush of traveling at such high altitudes and speeds. You’ll feel goosebumps and be overcome with excitement!
• What are the helicopter flights like?: The flights are short, and most tours last about 15 minutes. All routes follow the Hudson River and some follow the East River, offering you stunning panoramic views of New York, but the helicopter will never fly directly over the skyscrapers.
• What’s the best helicopter tour?: If you ask me what the best time is for 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 stretch out to the horizon and observe the Big Apple’s buildings in all their splendor, I recommend booking a tour around noon. On the other hand, if you want to see the Big Apple at sunset and watch the first lights of the night come on, then choose a tour at the end of the day.

This is an absolutely must-do experience during your trip to New York, without a doubt. If you want to learn more about helicopter flights over Manhattan, check out the article “Helicopter Tour of New York,” where you’ll 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 basketball is your passion or you simply want to experience the excitement and electric atmosphere this sport creates in New York, it’s a unique experience you have to live at least once in your life.

There are two NBA teams in New York vying for the title and competing from October through April in the National Basketball Association:

When should you travel to New York to enjoy the NBA?

If you’re visiting the city during the preseason—that is, before the official season begins—I recommend checking the teams’ preseason schedules, as they typically play exhibition games 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 the Brooklyn Nets manage to qualify for the playoffs and ultimately for the NBA Finals.

If you’re an NBA fan and would like to include a basketball game on your trip to New York, in my article on how to buy tickets to NBA games in New York, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the league, 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 relaxing moment in Central Park, New York’s largest and most famous park. Any day is perfect for a visit, but Sundays do have a special magic, as it’s a day off and many New Yorkers take the opportunity to spend the day outdoors on a photo walk, 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’s one of the most pleasant and highly recommended experiences to have in New York.

After the picnic, I recommend taking a walk through Central Park to see iconic spots like Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, or the Alice in Wonderland statue. If you’d like to learn more about Central Park, check out the post “10 Things to See and Do in Central Park in New York” —I’ll tell you all about this wonderful, world-famous park.

Things to Do in Central Park

Central Park offers plenty of activities for every taste. 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 a driver.
• Bike rental in Central Park.
• Electric scooter tour of Central Park.
• Tour of New York with a visit to the Central Park Zoo.
• Electric bike rentals in Central Park.
• Horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square.
• Tour of Central Park featuring movie locations.

Where to buy takeout food?

• Food carts: There are several food carts 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 offers a varied selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers, prepared meals, organic products, and juices.
• The Plaza Food Hall: This is a food market on the basement level of The Plaza Hotel (1 W 59th St.) featuring a bakery, pastry shop, and bar/restaurant where you can buy various picnic foods. You can order takeout to enjoy in Central Park.

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

As you walk through its streets, you’ll always spot a shop that catches your eye and invites you inside to browse its products. Plus, while the price difference compared to Europe isn’t outrageous, it can still be significant—which will likely tempt you to give in and spend. Either way, shopping in New York is an experience you can’t miss.

Strolling Down Fifth Avenue

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

A Tour of New York’s Malls

If you like shopping malls, you must visit The Shops at Hudson Yards (20 Hudson Yards) in the trendy new neighborhood in western Manhattan, Westfield World Trade Center Mall (185 Greenwich St.) in Lower Manhattan right beneath the impressive Oculus, or Macy’s, the most popular shopping mall 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 aren’t your typical flea markets where items are piled haphazardly; instead, they feature a carefully curated display that draws your eye to the stalls, tempting 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 at unique and original spots.

During a trip to New York, you’ll likely have a very busy schedule filled with visits to museums, monuments, or markets, among many other places.

However, if you’re an active person who enjoys spending time outdoors, my advice is to take advantage of your getaway to New York to have a unique experience while doing something different that wasn’t on your itinerary. For example, go out and get some exercise 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 Museum of Air and Space! From late May through October, you can go kayaking and enjoy the Manhattan skyline aboard one of these boats. The company offering this free activity is Manhattan Community Boathouse.

How do you participate?

It’s super easy. No reservations are needed—just head 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, all you have to do is wait for a kayak and paddle to be assigned to you before you can hit the water. If this is your first time trying this activity, as it was for me, don’t worry—there are instructors at every dock who will teach you how to get in and paddle. Plus, they’ll provide you with a life jacket for added safety.

Although the kayaking sessions on the Hudson River last 20 minutes, you’ll enjoy them immensely because it’s so much fun. The area where you can paddle is marked by buoys, and you’re not allowed to go beyond them. It’s one of the must-do experiences in New York!

If you want to explore the river in a very special way, you can also book this zodiac tour of the Hudson, where you’ll be able to snap the best photos and see New York’s impressive landmarks up close.

In New York, you’ll be surprised at every turn, have fun, and even daydream. That’s what Broadway musicals are for—they let you let your imagination run wild in fantasy worlds that will make you feel like a kid again, no matter your age!

No matter what time of year you visit New York, one of the must-do activities is seeing a musical on Broadway, the famous avenue lined with theaters that runs through the heart of Manhattan, including Times Square. You can’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 productions transport you to a dreamlike world. They’ll leave you speechless.

With hundreds of performances each year, Broadway is the mecca of New York theater. Here you can see highly acclaimed shows like The Lion King, Wicked, Chicago, or Aladdin, among many others.

How to get your Broadway tickets?

Broadway musicals are among the most sought-after 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 explain how to get your tickets and highlight the best musicals currently 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 little oasis in the middle of bustling Midtown Manhattan is one of the gardens most beloved by New Yorkers, and when temperatures rise, it becomes a refuge from the intense heat under the shade of its leafy trees.

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

Why not spend an afternoon at the movies in New York during your trip? A great plan for a Monday night in the city during the summer is to head 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 screened while the audience picnics on the grass and enjoys the evening lying on the lawn.

When does the show start?

The viewing area opens at 5 p.m. so the audience can start finding a spot, although the movie starts between 8 and 9 p.m. From experience , I recommend arriving early to get a good spot on the grass and a free bag of popcorn—they give them out at the entrance if you arrive early.

While you wait for the movie to start, you can relax lying on the grass, chat, read, plan what else you 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 gets to choose the movie for one night at this festival? To participate, follow the @vultur Twitter account, which suggests several options, and the one with the most votes will be screened.

New York is a bustling city at any time of day, where you’ll constantly see nonstop traffic on the streets and people rushing everywhere. No wonder it’s also known as “the city that never sleeps”!

That’s why discovering little treasures that don’t usually appear in travel guides on the way to any of the tourist attractions in downtown New York is always a delight.

Especially when it comes to gardens. It’s wonderful to stumble upon little oases in the middle of the concrete jungle where you can take a break surrounded by water and greenery. Such is the case with Greenacre Park and Paley Park, both in Midtown Manhattan.

Why visit these parks?

New York has countless parks, the most popular of which is Central Park—Manhattan’s green lung and the city’s largest urban park, which you’ve likely seen in countless movies and TV shows.

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

My favorite time to visit is in spring and fall, when the flora is at its peak. For example, in the fall the trees looked beautiful and were decorated with the pumpkins so typical of Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can take some really cool, out-of-the-ordinary photos here.

Where are they?

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

The key is to head to the bar, sit down at a table, and order your favorite drink to enjoy the panoramic views from any of New York’s rooftops. If you get the chance, try visiting several rooftops in completely different parts 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’re planning to visit several, it’s best to go during Happy Hour to save some money that you can spend on other things during your trip. Finally, remember that to access a rooftop, you’ll need to bring your passport or ID, since if you’re under 21, you won’t be allowed in. In my article on the 10 best rooftops 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 is celebrated—the most important holiday in this culture. The date depends on the lunar calendar, though it usually takes place in February and is celebrated in grand style.

In New York, it’s celebrated in a special way, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness it once. It’s well worth it because each year a different animal is welcomed, and thousands of people participate in a parade featuring floats, dances, music, and dragons. It’s a display of color, joy, dancing, and excitement that you can really feel in the air.

It’s an event for all ages that draws a huge crowd, including both New Yorkers and tourists. If you’re going to watch the parade, I recommend finding a street intersection where you can get a good view and soak up the amazing 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 beloved in the world for its variety of ingredients, flavors, and textures. If you consider yourself a true foodie, you’ll have a blast in this New York neighborhood because you’ll find numerous restaurants and bars where you can try some of Manhattan’s best Asian specialties.

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 afterward and want to take a stroll through Chinatown, in my article “10 Things to See and Do in New York’s Chinatown, ” I’ll tell you all about what you can visit in this picturesque New York neighborhood.

Many couples head to New York in February to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a unique way . There are plenty of 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 in love pledge eternal love to each other—whether by getting engaged, getting married, or renewing their vows—with New York as their witness. Can you imagine surprising your partner by being one of them?

To be among the lucky ones on February 14, you must register online in advance. A drawing will determine who will experience a very unique Valentine’s Day. What a special story to tell your grandchildren! Right?

Other Valentine’s Day Plans

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

• Tribute to Love in Times Square: Every year, an interactive sculpture with a love-themed design is installed so people can take some romantic photos of their trip to New York with a touch of passion in the background.
• Ice Skating at Wollman Rink: Located in Central Park, the experience of skating on this rink is unmatched, with the park’s beautiful winter scenery on one side and views of the iconic skyscrapers in the background. It looks like something out of a movie!

Although it’s not one of the most popular tourist attractions among those visiting New York, the Roosevelt Island Tram offers beautiful views of Manhattan and is well worth a visit.

Not only because it’s not the typical tourist-packed spot—which is a relief during the ride at times—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 the spring, the East River waterfront is a magnificent spot to enjoy the cherry blossoms with the New York skyline in the background. Here you’ll have the chance to take some beautiful photos of your trip!

Plus, there are several waterfront lookouts and small parks where kids can play outdoors for a while if you’re traveling to New York with your family. You can even visit a cat sanctuary during your walk.

How do you take the Roosevelt Cable Car?

It’s a very affordable outing because you only need a Metrocard to ride—the same card you use to get around the Big Apple by bus or subway. If you want to learn more about this activity, I recommend checking out my article on how to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York and everything you can see on Roosevelt Island.