If you are a local or a regular visitor to New York, you might want to check out something new and unusual. Lucky for you, there are a bunch of unusual things to do in New York. We have got you covered in this regard. We have enlisted and elaborated about the activities you can indulge in to make the most of your time in New York.
15 Unusual Things To Do In New York
1. The Escape Game
Who doesn’t love an escape game? If you are into solving puzzles, this just might be the best thing you can do when you visit New York. It usually doesn’t cost a lot, so it’s a nice cheap activity. Most escape room games give you an hour to find your way out. If your friends accompany you on this trip, you can enjoy this activity and have some fun on the weekend.
2. The Dream House
In the heart of Tribeca, you can have a unique experience at the Dream House, a light and sound installation that’s home to various musical performances. It was created by La Monte Young, the composer, and Marian Zazeela, a visual artist. A visit to this place will take you on a journey that has all your senses tingling. You won’t regret this experience.
3. The Ghostbuster Firehouse
This is one place you should not visit in NYC during the night. The renowned classic Ghostbusters used this location to shoot some film scenes. Hardcore fans still visit the location to relive the past and to get a glimpse of the place where the gang hung out. However, do note that this is a functional firehouse, so you need to let the pros do their work without disturbing them. If you have kids who have watched and loved Ghostbusters, this should be on your bucket list of things to do in New York.
4. Boroughs of the Dead – A Macabre Walking Tour
If you are in New York, you can take a walking tour with the Boroughs of the Dead, to get a glimpse of New York through a scary lens. If you are a first-timer in NYC, you would particularly enjoy this experience. The tour takes you through the dark and weird history of New York.
5. New York Transit Museum
Visiting museums and art galleries is one of the best things to do in New York. You can also take your children to such places and trigger their curiosity to gain knowledge and appreciate the city’s rich history. The transit museum has 20 vintage subways and cars that date back to early 20th century.
6. Morgan Library and Museum
Morgan Library and Museum is another place worth paying a visit. Unlike the New York Public Library, this is less crowded, and it looks something like a book. It can be a great spot to bring your partner to for a romantic day out. You can enjoy each other’s company and snap photographs. And guess what? You can also enjoy jazz music for free.
7. Lexington Candy Shop
If you’re feeling hungry, you can check out the famous Lexington Candy Shop, founded in 1925. It is a hidden gem situated on the Upper East Side in New York. You can find soda fountains, ice cream floats, and delicious breakfasts.
8. The Seaglass Carousel
If you are looking for something adventurous, check out the Seaglass Carousel. It is surely one of the most unusual, and unique places to visit in New York. When you visit this place, it leaves you awe-struck, with mesmerizing undersea-inspired light effects. It is also a fun activities in nyc for couples. It’s marvel of art and architecture that you simply cannot miss.
Fun fact: The Seaglass Carousel is home to the first aquarium in the NYC.
On some days, you might get lucky and find an exhibition going on inside. Usually, it organizes multiple programs to educate visitors on the history of Native Americans.
9. Old Bank Vault Bar
Built in 1904, this historic bar is known as The Trinity Place Bar today. It attracts many tourists and locals alike, and treats them with a fine dining experience. Visting this bar can turn out to be a crazy adventure that takes you down the memory lane. You can also enjoy the fresh batch of butter, a lawyers’ favorite and available on the 20th floor. It has still got its signature taste.
10. The Crumbling Small Pox Hospital Ruins
You might want to keep your toddlers away from this place. You can find the ruins of this historical memorial hospital. At Roosevelt Island. This gothic hospital was built in 1850s to host the small pox infected patients to avoid the spread. You’d be surprised to learn that they managed about 7000 people a year. For you, visiting this site may be an unusual thing to do in New York. It’s also a free things to do in new york.
11. Botanic Garden
While in New York, you should take some time out to visit the famous Botanic Garden in Brooklyn. It is spread across 250 acres of land. It’s known for flower exhibitions, musical performances, and immersive botanical experiences. If you are creating a list of things to do in New York for your birthday, it can serve as the perfect place for organizing your event. The garden also houses a Rose garden where you can find more than 1,000 varieties of roses.
12. Sleep No More
New York is famous for its theatrical performances. This is the place to be if you want to indulge yourself in an immersive and interactive noir-film- McBeth experience, while in New York. It all started in 2011. The immersive theatre experience led to Sleep No More, where you get a white mask as soon as you walk in. Sometimes, the cast will interact with you as well, making you feel like a member of the cast. They won’t corner you to a wall. The cast is known to be mindful of your comfort level before bringing you into the fold. This can be a fun thing to do in New York.
13. The Oldest Chinese Restaurants In NYC
Hwa Yuan Szechuan is the oldest Chinese restaurant in New York. You can visit this place to taste the cold sesame noodles to get a unique food experience. It’s a great place to visit to satiate your cravings. It may one of the best things to do in New York.
14. Neue Galerie
If you are into arts, and looking for art galleries in New York, visit Neue Galerie. It’s home to some of the best artworks crafted by German and Austrian artists. The art gallery also has a wide collection of contemporary artworks of aspiring artists. The Neue Galerie is located in the historical William Starr Miller House. It can turn out to be one of the most interesting things to do in New York.
15. The Catacombs
No longer will you have to go to Europe for an adventure. Stay in New York and explore the famous catacombs located at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The 200-year old historical Catacombs is the resting place of some of the most influential people in the American history. It can be an adventurous things to do in new york.
Conclusion
New York is a vibrant city that never sleeps. It’s got something for everyone. The Big Apple is home to many hidden treasures, historical places, museums, eateries, and above all a towering skyline that leave tourists awestruck and mesmerized. There are plenty of unusual things to do in New York. But to make the most of your trip, do plan your trip in advance.
Frequently Asked Question’s
Which place attracts the most tourists in the NYC?
Times Square is the most visited place in New York. It attracts over 131 million of tourists from across the world all year round, and 360,000 tourists a day.
What’s the number one tourist attraction in New York?
New York has a number of attractions, and it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one. Most tourists prefer to visit the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or Central Park. Additionally, people also throng to Broadway Theater to catch live shows, and musical performances. The history buffs love to visit museums and art galleries.
Which is the iconic street in NYC?
Most people agree that the most iconic street in New York is Fifth Avenue. Starting from Washington Square Park, it runs all the way to the Harlem River. Another famous street is Broadway Street, which traverses the length of Manhattan. It is home to some of the most iconic theatres in the world.
