30+ More Things to Do in New York City | NYC
This was my second trip to New York City. My friend was living up there for a good 9 months, so I got to visit her where she was living in Brooklyn. Over the course of about 3 and a half days, we did all of these things! Definitely read until the very end, because some of my favorites are down there.
I decided to keep this list in order, because it was easier for my brain mentally. It is a whole mixture of being both in Manhattan and in Brooklyn. While we definitely did some super touristy things, I feel like we got a good mixture of local and quieter things as well.
My first trip to New York City was only 24 hours, and that’s where I did mostly tourist attractions. If I hadn’t already done them, I truly would have included them again in this trip, because they were just that fun. To read about those things, click here: 5 Things to Do in New York City in 1 Day.
1. Washington Square Park
Located in Manhattan, this park is lively at all times of the day. We walked through both at evening time before dinner and at night while going out to the bars. Both times there were tons of people just hanging out having picnics or enjoying the sun, playing with their dogs, or even street performers doing their thing. It has a big fountain and a large arch, which is what makes it recognizable.
If you’re staying in Manhattan and want a more local feel for a park, this is definitely the spot for you. It is also located around the NYU area, so there were lots of young people and students spending time here. Click here to check out more information: Washington Square Park.
2. Spring Cafe Aspen
If you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian food in New York, this could be a great place to stop. While I’m not a big vegan eater, I will say the nachos definitely were the star of the show. They are called the “Not Your Every Day Nachos”, and we got them as an appetizer for the table.
As you can guess from the name, this cafe also has a location in Aspen, but the one in New York is located in Manhattan, sort of near Washington Square Park. Since we were going to see a comedy show nearby, and we were meeting up with some of my friends from high school, it was a good centrally located place to eat.
Again, this wasn’t my favorite food I had in the city, but if you love vegan or vegetarian food, I was assured the food is typically very good. Click here for the menu: Spring Cafe Aspen New York Menus.
3. The Comedy Shop
Oh man, this is one of favorite stories and memories to share from my trip to New York. Everyone knows you have to see a comedy show while in New York. If you didn’t know that, well now you do. There is so much talent in New York. Well, we opted to go to The Comedy Shop. It was my first night in the city, and it was a Tuesday night. I’m not sure if that’s what the difference was. Anyway, we had reserved 2 spots to go see a comedy show, and well, we ended up being 2 of 4 people there.
Anyway, we almost left, because we just weren’t sure if it was going to be awkward or uncomfortable having to watch stand-up comedians attempt to do a show with so little people. But we decided to just stay and do it for the plot. I just had a feeling it would be such a good story. We ended up joking around with the other 2 girls in the crowd the whole time and basically just bantering with the comedians on stage the whole time. We all did shots together, and we just had the best time hanging out. All this to say: always stay for the story.
4. Clementine Bakery
Clementine Bakery is my friend’s absolute favorite bakery in Brooklyn. It is a vegan cafe and bakery, and let me just say that thinking about the pastry I had while there makes my mouth water. It was a jelly donut with white icing and jelly in the middle. Don’t get mad at me if it’s actually jam and not jelly, but WOW. Sometimes you can really tell when something is vegan or gluten-free, because it just doesn’t have the same consistency, but not this one. I could eat one of those every day, so it’s probably good I don’t live there.
We also got the breakfast burrito for the main course! In full transparency, I didn’t love it. But wait, that is because the texture of any type of leaves is something I just can’t eat. Trust me, I try all the time, and I literally can’t chew it, I don’t know why. Yes, I know it’s one of my worst traits. The flavors and the ingredients of the burrito were absolutely on point though.
That breakfast burrito is what makes Clementine her favorite place! So if you can eat spinach like a normal person (unlike me), this is a must go place and a must eat item on the menu. Click here for location and their menu: Clementine Bakery.
5. Prospect Park
Head over to Brooklyn for this park that definitely deserves the same hype as Central Park. It isn’t nearly as big as Central Park, but it’s still bigger than any parks we have in Nashville. Something about a green space in a big city just makes me so happy. So many people were out walking their dogs and enjoying the sunshine on this warm spring day.
Prospect Park has ponds, a skating rink, and so many walking paths. If I wasn’t with someone who lived there, I definitely would have needed my map to get around. You could get lost for hours just strolling around and chatting if you wanted. Definitely check it out to get in a little piece of nature while in New York! Click here for more information: Prospect Park.
6. Walk around Brooklyn
Look, I know this is technically not a “place” or super specific “thing to do”, but it’s something you just have to do. I don’t make the rules. The brownstone buildings, the people watching, and just the overall feel of Brooklyn is something you don’t get just by going to one stop there. Definitely take the time to just walk around and stop in wherever you feel like. It could be a park, a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant, or even just taking photos at the unique architecture of the city.
I know I chose to go to New York City, but I’m not much of a huge city kind of person. The sheer amount of people and the concrete jungle aspect of it just isn’t what I would normally choose. I think that’s why I felt so much more at ease and at home in Brooklyn. It has so much culture, and it definitely had a much slower pace than the chaos of Manhattan. That is just my personal preference. I say to walk around Brooklyn, because the contrast between the two areas is just really interesting to take in.
7. La Superior
Absolutely, 100% yes. If I could tell you to eat at any place in New York, it would be here. It is a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant located in Williamsburg, and man, it did not disappoint. They are a long-standing joint tucked away that still takes cash only. So either make sure you come prepared with plenty of cash or you can use the ATM right out front.
Their menu is full of all kinds of tacos, and the flavors and combinations felt very unique to me. We shared the chips and guacamole, and I got 2 different tacos as well as one of the street-style quesadillas. I was so full, but I just kept eating because it tasted so good! The meat was juicy and the sauces just added the perfect extra flavors. We also all got some margaritas, and with only two, they were definitely strong.
Something we don’t get in Nashville is the chance to sit outside right along the street, so I think we opted to eat in the covered porches anywhere we went. To check out the menu and see more info, click here: La Superior.
8. Waterfront Views/Pictures (Grand Ferry Park/Lookout Spot OR Bushwick Inlet/Marsha P. Johnson State Park)
Did you even go to New York if you don’t admire the skyline every chance you get? After we ate at La Superior, we stopped at the shoreline area to watch the rest of the sunset and get pictures. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint our exact location but it was one of those mentioned above. It was a quick stop, and it gives perfect views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
I highly recommend even just stopping down here if you’re in Brooklyn, so you can walk along the water. To check out more about these locations, try any of the following links: Grand Ferry Park | Bushwick Inlet Park | Marsha P. Johnson State Park.
9. The Red Lion for Live Music
A friend of a friend was actually singing with a band at The Red Lion, so that’s how we ended up here. It is actually down the road from The Comedy Shop where we were at the night before. I thought this was such a good spot for live music. The whole crowd was super engaged, singing along and dancing to the band. They were a cover band, so they played all the classics and crowd favorites.
The bar was long, and there were plenty of tables to sit at also, if standing or dancing isn’t your thing. They have a full bar and a food menu, but we only got drinks. They also have a little covered outdoor area along the street so you can escape the music if you feel like it. To check out the menus and to see the live music calendar, click here: The Red Lion.
10. Wicked Willy’s Karaoke
While we were sitting outside after having too much fun in The Red Lion, we saw a sign that said “KARAOKE!” so obviously we had to there next. I didn’t even know the name of it until I looked it up afterwards. It was Wicked Willy’s and well, we ended up getting the karaoke started. All we had to do was sign up for a song, and boom, we were next. Turns out they have karaoke Wednesday and Sunday nights, so we just happened to be there at the best possible time.
Their karaoke stage has your lyrics and even a smoke machine, which just added to the vibe of pretending we were superstars. They have a bar and tables all inside, and when you walk in, you go downstairs, almost underground. Apparently, they also do bottomless brunches! To check out the various specials they run or to see the menus, click here: Wicked Willy’s.
11. Carnegie Diner & Cafe
Since I only had 24 hours in Manhattan the last time I visited, I knew I wanted to see Central Park. I also am a huge brunch and mimosa fan, so I knew I wanted to go to brunch at least once. I looked all around near the park, and the menu and location of Carnegie Diner & Cafe was perfect. Seriously, their menu was huge. It pretty much has something for everyone.
It is obviously very much a tourist restaurant, but sometimes that’s just what you want you want to do as a tourist! I got a big breakfast plate with an omelette, hash browns, toast, and fruit. It definitely felt like a good ‘ole southern breakfast, a piece of home. The portions were definitely huge, so make sure you go hungry! They also never let my mimosa reach the bottom of the glass, which is always appreciated.
It is definitely a tightly packed restaurant, and most tables are super close together. If you love desserts, you should definitely get something from their large selection at the front when you walk in. Like I mentioned, this was the Central Park location! To check out the super delicious and super long menu, click here: Carnegie Diner & Cafe.
12. Central Park
Like I said, I never got to see Central Park the first time I visited, but it is obviously one of the most iconic places to go in New York City. I didn’t realize just how massive the park is until we walked around forever and still only made it halfway through the park!! After eating, we entered from the south side of the park, and just strolled along until we saw things to look at.
We looked at the different statues and walkways, saw the Bethesda Fountain and watched live music in “The Arcade”, and saw the famous Loeb Boathouse you see in the movies. We continued on around the lake through the many paths you could lost in, and went past the back of The Met to get to the massive reservoir. And wow, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is way more massive than you can imagine. That’s as far as we wanted to go, but we could have gotten lost all afternoon!
Like I said earlier, I love a green space in a city. It offers a slower pace and calm environment that absolutely whisks you away from the go, go, go of the city. To check out a couple websites with a complete list of what to see and do there, click here: Central Park | Central Park Conservancy
13. The Met
Okay, okay, we did not actually go in The Met, but if you’re a Gossip Girl fan, those steps are definitely iconic. From what I gather, there are just SO many exhibits inside that if you’re an art person, you could spend a whole day in there and still not see everything. I knew I wanted to at least get eyes on the building, and it was such a quick stop after walking through Central Park.
To check out the exhibits and visitor information, click here: The Met.
14. Guggenheim Museum
Another iconic museum is The Guggenheim. Like The Met, it contains all types of art, as well as tours and classes. But, The Guggenheim is most famously known for its shape and the architecture of the building that is still unique to this day. Compared to the massive skyscrapers and tall buildings that have taken over the city, this building definitely stands out. Also similar to The Met, it sits right outside of Central Park.
If you’re looking to see these museums, I highly recommend just doing that whole area all at once. To see information about visiting and getting tickets, click here: The Guggenheim.
15. Radio City Music Hall
You probably know Radio City Music Hall for its famous performances of The Radio City Rockettes. If you’re visiting around Christmas, I would say this is a must-go performance. But, they also have all kinds of music and comedy performances year round. Chances are you will find some type of performance when you’re visiting!
If you’re not interested in going to any performances while in NYC, you can also take a guided tour! They do 60-minute tours where you get to go backstage and learn more about this legendary venue. If you’re wanting to know more about it, but don’t necessarily have time to see a show, this is a great option for you.
To get tickets or just browse who will be there during your trip, click here: Radio City Music Hall.
16. Times Square
Okay, wow. I knew that Times Square was going to be crazy, because pretty much everyone who visits goes at least once, but I was completely overwhelmed here. I’m not the biggest fan of huge crowds, so keep that in mind, but this was still a lot for me. Now I would never say to not go, because I am a big fan of always seeing a place once. Home to the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration, it will always be a tourist destination.
Keep in mind, we went during the day, but I would love to have seen the huge billboards lit up at night. Even during the day, they still were glowing, and we could see the famous New Year’s Eve ball. This is definitely a quick stop if you’re like me. Walk through, take a couple pictures, and keep on moving.
You may not need it, but here’s the website if you want to see more or find out more information: Times Square NYC.
17. See the City from High Up
You simply have to get up near the clouds when visiting the city. Because NYC is full of towering skyscrapers, I would assume there are plenty of options. We were lucky enough to be able to visit a friend at work so we got to sit in their cafe and just stare out across Manhattan.
Another great option is what I did on my first trip, which is go to Summit One Vanderbilt. There you get to walk along glass and mirrored floors, get 360 views of the city, and even go outside way up high. If you’re afraid of heights, this may feel a little scary, but there is nothing like it!
18. The Ready Rooftop Bar Happy Hour $1 Tacos
Located at The Moxy, The Ready Rooftop Bar just feels fun and airy and exciting as soon as you walk in. They’ve got music playing, disco balls, plants, and floor to ceiling windows. I first saw this on TikTok forever ago, and thankfully, they are still having these killer deals.
During their happy hour, they do $1 tacos (yes, really), and $9 margaritas – what a steal. I felt like I was spending so much money left and right in the city, so this was a refreshing change. We literally got 10 tacos between the 3 of us, and we couldn’t even finish them all.
We didn’t make a reservation before we went, but I definitely recommend making one if you can! That way you can guarantee you will get a seat. Thankfully, there was still plenty of room when we went, so we just sat at the bar. To check out pictures of the fun and funky rooftop and to see the menu and specials, click here: The Ready Rooftop Bar.
19. Two Boots Pizza
That night, we wanted to just stay in and watch the Tennessee Vols (our alma mater) play in March Madness. Sadly, we just had to watch them lose, but this was a great time to get some New York pizza. Now, Two Boots is a chain based in New York, but when I saw the logo it looked familiar and they actually have one other location in Nashville (my home), so I thought that was hilarious. I’ve only ever had it once here though, years ago, so I was excited to try it again.
They have locations all around the city, so it was easy and quick to order for delivery. And dang, sometimes you don’t want to have to go through all that transit just to get some food! I feel like they have such a unique menu of pizzas, and they even have a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan pizzas, perfect for any group. To see the various locations around NYC, and to check out the menu, click here: Two Boots Pizza.
20. Dumbo – Manhattan Bridge View
Chances are if you’ve ever looked up Brooklyn, you have seen this picture. Well, on Google Maps, it is simply called “Dumbo – Manhattan Bridge View”. It is located in the Dumbo neighborhood and it gives you, what almost feels like, a close-up view of the Manhattan Bridge. Now, because it is so popular, the street is full of people, so getting that perfect shot may be harder than other people make it out to be.
Like most tourist spots, your best bet would be to go in the early morning if you’re dying to get the perfect shot. And look, I’m not judging, because I love photography, especially in a new city.
21. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Another area that is riverside is Brooklyn Bridge Park. Similar to the ones listed above, Brooklyn Bridge Park is located in Dumbo, while the others are in Williamsburg. Also, as clearly stated in the name, it is right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. As you’ll see a few items down, this area gives you easy access to get to the start of the Brooklyn Bridge to walk across!
Now, we actually were at Bridge Park/Main Street Park. This riverside park has short little trails and a green space while giving you extremely close-up views of both the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. If I went back, though, I would definitely go to Brooklyn Bridge Park, because it’s just larger and more green! Really, you can just do all the little areas along the river to get those sweeping views.
For more info and to decide if you want to visit, click here: Brooklyn Bridge Park.
22. Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk
While walking around Dumbo, I wanted a quick little treat and my friend needed some coffee. We looked up some places at the map and ended up stopping here. I have said above that I’m not vegan, but sometimes the vegan stuff just looks too good and I ended up getting something like a vegan apple crumble muffin. And WOW, it was so good. I was literally savoring every bite.
If you can’t tell by now, I like most meals, and I’m not the biggest critic of food just because I like anything I don’t have to cook, but I always sound extra excited when something really stands out. The cafe is really cute too, and it has plenty of places to sit and enjoy. They also have a full menu of lunch items, so you can get something more filling if you happen to stop!
To see the delicious menu, click here: Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk.
23. John Fluevog Shoes
I have to be honest and say we only went in to this store because of how fun it looked from the outside. We were just drawn in by the colors and the shapes. I don’t know much of anything about shoes, but they had a really cool collection here, and my friend ended up almost buying some! The designs were unique yet trendy, and it was just fun to walk around.
To see the location and get another glimpse at the fun store, click here: Fluevog Shoes Brooklyn.
24. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
As I mentioned above, you’re already right next to the Brooklyn Bridge while you’re exploring Dumbo, so you might as well walk across it! For some reason, it seemed like it would feel a lot longer than it actually did. I mean, it looks massive from the ground. The walk was super easy and quick though! They have easy-to-find entrances on both sides of the bridge, and people are constantly coming and going, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding it.
While you walk, you are above the cars driving below you, and the wood can feel a little rickety at times. That was the only fear I had, but it was short-lived while taking in the views. It also has plenty of little areas for getting out of the way and taking pictures, not to mention the different vendors selling souvenirs along the sides. This was one of my favorite things we did during the trip, so I highly recommend it!!
For more information about the bridge and to see pedestrian info, click here: Brooklyn Bridge.
25. FictioN
After we walked the bridge, we wanted to make our way back to Williamsburg! After walking through some streets that made us a little hesitant, my friend was ready for a snack (I already had the amazing pastry at Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk). So we walked from the subway station to FictioN. This is definitely a local spot, you can just tell. If you’re in the area and are looking for a fresh lunch or to get a cocktail, this is a quick stop.
On their website, they call themselves a French Coffeehouse by day and a Bar & Jazz Lounge by night. It is dark and cozy on the inside, so it is perfect for working and grabbing coffee. I can also see how it can easily transform into almost a speakeasy feel with the dim lights and intimate setting.
To see the jazz calendar or check out the menu, click here: FictioN.
26. Vintage Shopping in Williamsburg
You can’t go to New York without doing some vintage shopping!! Williamsburg has tons of shops all around the area you can check out. An easy route to take is along Grand Street. They have Grand Street Local, 9 to 5 Vintage, and Antoinette, to name a few.
If you’re an avid vintage shopper, though, you can search “vintage clothing stores” on Google Maps and you’ll be flooded with results all around Williamsburg. Each store definitely has its own style and vibe to it. There just might be a shop for everyone. This is an easy area to walk around and just pop in where you want.
27. The Mini Mall
For more shopping, head to The Mini Mall. It has lots of different stores inside, including clothing stores, a bookstore, and even a tattoo parlor. The clothing stores offer both new and vintage items, and they were definitely leaning more towards the trendier side of styles. I almost got the best jean shirt, but decided against it last minute because I didn’t have enough room in my bag!
My favorite store was the bookstore, though, because they had a wide variety of books, postcards, stickers, etc. I could have wandered around it for way longer! If you like to browse or even want some unique clothing finds, this is a fun stop – and it looks cute too.
28. Clinton Hall & Rooftop Beer Garden
This is a great happy hour spot in Williamsburg located off Metropolitan Ave. While the rooftop beer garden is only open in certain times of the year, the ground floor bar is still worth visiting for their cheap drinks and easy shareable snacks. The happy hour menu is from 3-7pm, Monday through Friday, so you have plenty of time to get there and enjoy! We got the $7 margarita and the $8 huge bowl of fries. Like, seriously, I was shocked at how big the portion was.
They also have a full bar and $6 drafts for happy hour, so you can get whatever you want! It is located right off of the lobby of a hotel, so you can easily enter through there, and then they also have a little courtyard with games if you want to be outside. It was lively and fun when we went, and I definitely would check out the long list of shareable plates on their food menu. To check out the menus, specials, and events, click here: Clinton Hall Williamsburg.
29. Tipsy Scoop
I love this concept, and I love this place. Ice cream + alcohol = sign me up. Tipsy Scoop has 2 different NYC locations – the one in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), and the Manhattan location. Obviously, we went right after Clinton Hall, and Tipsy Scoop was right down the street. There was only a short wait, but we just couldn’t decide because we wanted so many things!! I opted for an ice cream cocktail and my friend got some sorbet scoops, both obviously infused with alcohol.
You can also get a flight of the different ice creams, and trust me, their ice cream cocktails can get much more extravagant than the ones we ordered. I also got an extra mini bottle of champagne to go with mine. Also, I don’t think I expected to really feel it, but we both did!! This is a great spot to come to get that treat you need after dinner but make it even more fun.
To get a glimpse of the aesthetically pleasing creations and to see the locations, click here: Tipsy Scoop.
30. Public Records Brooklyn
This place confused the heck out of me before I went. My friends had made reservations after hearing good things, and so they had never been either. Both their website and their Instagram is super vague, but I think that’s the point. Well, I won’t say a ton about it to keep the mystery alive, but essentially for dinner, it is a vegan restaurant with a bar. By late night, there are music venues, a DJ, and different lounges, essentially.
Again, I don’t have much to comment about the food, because I’m not the biggest vegan eater, but I had a carrot dish that was just divine. Their cocktails were also definitely on point. If you’re looking to dance or see the live music, make sure that you get a ticket. We were potentially going to stay, but we didn’t get tickets, so we decided to head on to the next place. I think a big appeal to going here, though, is for the music and dancing, so definitely plan accordingly to get the full experience!
To see the very limited information or to make reservations, click here: Public Records.
31. Friends and Lovers
Like I said, we were looking to go dancing and we were ready. We took a short Uber to a place that said it had dancing, and it sure did. This place is meant to be a safe space for anyone who wants to enjoy a night out, so always be kind. There was a $10 cover at the door that we were able to pay with Venmo, and they had a full bar at the front for drinks.
Farther in, there was a good-sized dance floor and a DJ playing all the bops. We danced for far too long, but everyone was having such a good time we couldn’t leave! Unfortunately, I don’t have my disposable camera pictures back, but we took too many pictures that night, and I have no idea what they look like!
To see pictures or more information about what to expect, click here: Friends and Lovers Brooklyn.
For More:
To read more about the things I did on my first NYC trip that was only 24 hours, click here: 5 Things to Do in New York City in 1 Day
For more about fun stops on a New England road trip, click here: New England Weekend Road Trip | Boston, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
To check out different guides to my favorite city and my hometown, click here: Best of Nashville.
