While the history of New York is decedent in culture and aesthetics, tourists flock to New York for all the other things it has to offer. Known as “The Big Apple,” New York City is a bustling metropolis full of iconic landmarks, a vibrant culture, and countless opportunities for adventure. It can be thrilling and overwhelming to navigate the city’s countless attractions, whether you live there or are a first-time visitor.
Whether you are visiting alone or touring with a group of friends, this city has landmarks to visit and fun things to do for everyone. As a tourist, getting around New York can be very difficult, which is why, in this guide, we will share all the fun places to go to in New York City. This can contain tourist attractions in New York City and some cultural landmarks in New York.
13 Fun Places to Go In NYC With Friends
1. Watch A Broadway Show
In New York, you must take advantage of the opportunity to go to one of the Broadway shows. New York is known for the lively and lovely Broadway industry, which has talent coming from all over the world, including the audience. There is a show for everyone, regardless of your taste in comedy, drama, or musicals. Memorable experiences will be made from the shared excitement of a live show and the conversations that follow. New York City has given the world one of the finest Broadway shows, and hence, it is on top of our list of fun places to go in NYC with friends.
2. Picnic in the Central Park
Central Park is one of the most attractive and best family campgrounds in upstate NY. Surrounded by concrete everywhere, Central Park is one of the most refreshing breaks from the otherwise dark and dull architecture of NYC. From being a part of several movies and shows, it is one of the oldest and coolest places to visit while you’re visiting New York on a budget. Just pick some sandwiches and snacks in a picnic basket, wear your cutest clothes, and go have a ball picnicking in Central Park.
3. A Food Tour in Chelsea Market
Visit Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking District for a taste of adventure in food. A culinary lover’s dream come true, this lively marketplace is home to a diverse range of booths, cafes, and restaurants serving delicious fare. Taste international cuisines, peruse artisanal sweets, and stroll through the market. Your taste buds will be delighted, and your group’s foodie quotient will be satisfied after this delicious adventure.
4. The Queen’s Ball, New York City
The Queen’s Ball – a cultural landmark in New York. We all must be aware of the famous Netflix period drama Bridgerton. This ball is an immersive experience for the show’s fans where they can experience a similar ball. If you are in New York City with friends, you can all go there dressed up and waiting for your audience with Queen Charlotte. There is music, food, dance, and performance resembling in the show. It is definitely a fun thing to do with friends.
5. Drink Up at The Cauldron
The Cauldron is a fantasy-themed bar that can be a great place to visit as a tourist in New York. If you are 21 years and over, this can be a fun way to share a few magical cocktails with your friends—or shall I say coven? The Cauldron serves a variation of cocktails, sticking to its witchy-fantasy theme. This is not just grabbing a couple of drinks with friends. It is an experience.
6. Watch A Game at Famous Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a historic landmark of New York City. People from all over the world come to watch a game at Yankee Stadium. Many sports buffs have watched the game in Yankee Stadium, which is on their bucket list. If you are into sports and love baseball, watching a game at Yankee Stadium might be a perfect activity to do.
7. Sight-seeing at Niagara Falls
While Canada is known for Niagara Falls, the other split side of it can be seen from the US-Canada border in New York. Niagara Riverbank is a famous tourist hotspot in New York City. The three enormous waterfalls at the Niagara River within Niagara Falls State Park are among the most breath-taking natural scenes in Niagara Falls. You can find the most luxurious glamping in New York at this location, and it’s a great tourist destination.
8. The Ghostbusters Firehouse
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! If you and your friends are fans of the famous Ghostbusters, then this place is just the place for you. The Hook and Ladder Company Eight is connected to the Ghostbusters Firehouse, a real firehouse located in New York. Ghostbusters, a well-known supernatural comedy film, was filmed in this popular firehouse. Because of the hugely successful film and the key scenes that are set in this firehouse, it is incredibly popular, and fans go there to relive the wonderful memories of the iconic film scenes.
9. Katz Deli
One of the most famous delis in New York City, Katz Deli offers amazing sandwiches that tourists from all over the world come to enjoy. Their ‘mile-high’ sandwich, in particular, is one of the most raved-about sandwiches in town. People stand in queues for hours just to try out one sandwich; you better gear up on your visit to Katz Deli. You might be there for the whole day, if not for hours.
10. The Iconic Comedy Cellar
While getting around New York you’ll come across the Comedy Cellar located in New York’s Greenwich Village. It is well-known for its fantastic live stand-up comedy shows, where well-known comedians perform at NYC’s Comedy Cellar.
11. Skydiving at iFly Westchester
Skydiving is not a sport for the faint-hearted, but it can become extremely fun if you take your friends on such an adventure. Skydiving at iFly Westchester in New York City is an exhilarating and fun experience. Enjoy a fantastic time with friends and family while taking in the excitement and adventure of indoor wind tunnel skydiving. You can skydive in the secure tunnel without any security concerns if you don’t mind the worst weather or mishaps, climb, or jump.
12. The Great Escape Room Experience
This is one of the fun places to go in NYC with friends to put an end to your real-life gaming challenges. The breathtaking escape rooms and their captivating objects await you. Immersion games provide exhilarating thrills and endless entertainment. In five different escape rooms, you have sixty minutes to work out the puzzles and overcome the obstacles. Some enjoyable places to visit with friends are The Playground, Special Ops-Mysterious Market, The Heist, The Prison Break, and The Gold Rush Escape Room.
13. The Hampton Beaches
For some people, the definition of vacation revolves around being at a beach. Whether or not you are one of those people, someone in your friend’s group may be a beach buff. Besides, beaches are never fun alone. Allow yourself to enjoy a day at the most raved-about beaches in New York and have a blast. Beautiful farms, villages, and a seaside community can be found in the Hamptons on East Long Island. Its beaches are the most amazing of all the places in NYC to hang out with friends, have a picnic, or just have fun. Egypt Beach, Georgica Beach, Main Beach, Two Mile Hollow Beach, and Wiborg Beach are east Hamptons, New York’s five renowned beaches.
Conclusion
There you have it, a taste of some fun places to explore with friends in the Big Apple! Whether you’re planning a trip to New York and want some ideas, wondering about exploring New York, or curious about the must-see tourist attractions in New York, this list is a good starting point. But remember, New York is a living, breathing city with endless possibilities. Don’t be afraid to ditch the guidebook sometimes and follow your own curiosity. You might just stumble upon an unexpected adventure that becomes a story you’ll tell for years to come.
Happy exploring!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go in NYC as a group?
New York is a wonderful place to explore. It has many themed parks, bars, restaurants, and museums that offer entertainment for everyone. In the list above, there are famous places and locations to go to as a group to enjoy your trip to New York.
What attractions are close together in NYC?
Statue of Liberty, Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and Niagara Falls are some of the attractions close together in NYC.
Is it easy to make friends in NYC?
It can be difficult to make friends in such a large, busy city, regardless of how long you’ve lived in the Big Apple or how recently you moved there. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options in New York City for networking and making new friends. Classes, clubs, sports leagues, and even apps are just a few of the ways to meet new people and form connections.
Is New York good for partying?
Globally, one of the most sought-after locations for clubbing is New York. New York City’s top clubs include Daphne, Marquee, West Village, The Jane, and China Club NYC, to name a few.
