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5 Fun Things to Do in New York City

woman at the Dia:Beacon museum in the garden - Behind the Scenes NYC

Check out 5 super fun things to do in New York City this weekend! We’re sure you’ll have an amazing time exploring the City!

woman at the Dia:Beacon museum in the garden - Behind the Scenes NYC

New York City is an incredible place to explore and experience. So, today we will share with you a couple of fun things to do in NYC with friends or family!

It’s a melting pot of culture, people, and activities.

With so much to do in NYC, deciding what activities to prioritize during your visit can be challenging.

To help you narrow down your options, here are five fun things you should do in New York City that will give you an authentic taste of the city.


#1 Go On a Food Tour

One of the best ways to experience NYC is through its food.

Countless restaurants, bars, and cafes throughout the five boroughs serve up delicious dishes from around the world.

So, if you’re looking for an immersive culinary experience, take a food tour with one of the many expert guides available in the city.

A food tour will take you to some of the most popular eateries in town while providing interesting insights into their history and culture.

Some tours even feature celebrity chefs or allow participants to learn how to make some classic dishes themselves.

#2 Take a Free Walking Tour

New York City has no shortage of attractions and sights worth seeing, but it can be difficult and expensive to cover them all alone.

Fortunately, plenty of free walking tours throughout NYC provide comprehensive explorations of different boroughs or neighborhoods. These guided tours typically last between two and three hours.

They are led by knowledgeable locals who can provide great insight into popular attractions and hidden gems off-the-beaten-path locations.

#3 Join a Cooking Class

Cooking classes are among the best team building activities in NYC and are offered all over the city.

They usually teach attendees how to cook staple dishes like pizza or bagels from scratch.

These classes help you learn new cooking skills and allow you to interact with other locals and learn more about their culture through food.

Not only will this allow you to pick up new cooking techniques, it could also come in handy if you ever want to impress your guests with homemade meals.

#4 Visit a Museum

A trip to NYC would only be complete with visiting some world-famous museums, and there are some amazing under-the-radar museums to explore.

On the other hand, you can’t miss the well-known one like: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest in the United States and contains more than two million works worldwide.

If modern art is more your style, check out the Museum of Modern Art, which showcases some of the best contemporary pieces from today’s most renowned artists.

For a real educational experience, take a tour at the American Museum of Natural History or head to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum for an interactive look into aviation history.

Or, organize a day-trip upstate to some of the most amazing Contemporary Museums like Dia: Beacon.

#5 Visit Central Park

Central Park is one of the most iconic spots in Manhattan. Even though it’s probably the most well-known attraction in NYC, we never get tired of exploring and talking about it!

There are plenty of things to do here.

Whether strolling around scenic pathways or exploring beautiful gardens filled with lush greenery, Central Park has something for everyone.

If you plan, Central Park often hosts various events throughout the year, such as concerts or family-friendly activities like movie screenings on summer nights, which also make for great photos.


New York City is full of exciting activities that appeal equally well, whether traveling solo, with family, or with colleagues.

The choices are endless! You can easily fill up your itinerary with fun things while visiting New York City without breaking your budget.

Make sure that whichever activity catches your eye fits within your interests so that it truly helps enhance your visit here.

With all these options, there’s no excuse not to have an unforgettable adventure when visiting America’s favorite city.


Photo Credit: Exclusive of ©BehindTheScenesNYC

Kid Friendly Things To Do In New York City

Luna Park Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

Yes, New York is an amazing place to go with kids! So, we put together several kid friendly things to do in New York City to help you out!

Summer Jane's Carousel Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

There are so many kid friendly things to do in New York City that it can be hard to figure out what to do at first.

If you’re going to the city with kids, it can be even harder.

You might think of New York as the perfect getaway for adults. But, it’s actually set up for kids to have the best time of their lives, and there are many things for kids to do in NYC.

No matter how much time you have in New York, you’re sure to run out of time (and maybe space on your laptop for storing photos if you don’t do a hard drive cleanup before you go!) if you don’t plan ahead and know what you want to do and see.

Here are some of the best things for kids to do in New York City to get your family trip started.


Luna Park

Luna Park Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

Even though you have to take a 45-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan to get to Luna Park, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC.

Coney Island is known for its fun rides and great street food. While you’re there, don’t forget to try a Nathan’s hot dog or Feltman’s!

There are rides and games for kids and adults of all ages at Luna Park. You can easily spend a whole day there if you don’t plan ahead.

 

Ellis Island

Ellis Island NYC Tours Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

To get to Ellis Island, you have to take a ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan. It is possible to take a ferry to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty is located.

All immigrants who came to New York did so through Ellis Island, which is now a fascinating museum that tells the stories of the 12 million people who went through the center from 1900 to 1954.

This should be at the top of your list of things to do in New York City with your kids that will both teach them and keep them busy.

Do take a look at an exclusive experience called “Behind The Scenes Tour Of The Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital“! You’ll have access to out of bound spots not offered to the general public that visits Ellis Island! Note: This is recommended to older kids.

 

The Statue of Liberty

Statue of LIberty Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

Seeing the Statue of Liberty should be at the top of any New York City visitor’s to-do list. It’s not too difficult to get to because, like Ellis Island, you can take a ferry from Battery Park to get there.

Get to the top of the Crown, if you can. In addition to the amazing scenery, you’ll also get to tick that off your bucket list.

However, keep in mind that you need to be 48 inches tall to go up that high, and there are, as you might think, many narrow steps to climb.

The Statue of Liberty Museum is another must-visit since it houses the historic torch from the statue itself, which measures 16 feet in height, among other artifacts.

Oh, and during the summer, an amazing activity is the jetski ride on the Hudson River! It’s definitely a memorable experience!

 

New York Transit Museum

New York Transit Museum Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

Anything different is sure to keep kids very busy. The New York Transit Museum could do very well as a different thing to do in NYC.

It’s in a building that used to be a subway station, so you have to go underground to get there, which is always fun.

Once you get there, you’ll be able to look at old subway trains and even sit in the driver’s seat. You’ll also be able to learn as much as you can about how the huge subway system that so many New Yorkers and tourists use today got started.

It’s a small museum that you can see in about an hour. So, it’s a great place to stop on any day of your trip.

Here to can read more about it and a few other under the radar museums in NYC!

 

The American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a great place to take the kids if you want to figure out what to do in NYC with them.

It is 150 years old and has lots of interesting things to look at that will keep everyone busy for hours.

There are some high-tech things to do, like 3D exhibits, but you can also see some amazing real-world things, like the t-rex skeleton and the famous, huge blue whale model.

Kids ages 5 to 12 can learn how to put dinosaur bones together and do a lot more in the Discovery Room.

 

Jane’s Carousel

Jane's Carousel Kid Friendly Things To Do in New York City Behind the Scenes NYC

No one can refuse a spin on an old-fashioned carousel at the carnival.

Jane’s Carousel in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park (near the Brooklyn Bridge) is always a terrific time, so be sure to include it in your itinerary when visiting New York City.

Everyone knows about this carousel. It’s one of the last remaining classic carousels, having been constructed in 1922.

It’s a great time, it still operates flawlessly, and it’s a historic piece of New York.

And, not far from Dumbo, be sure to check out Domino Park that was renovated not that long ago. There’s an amazing view of Manhattan, a beautiful wall by the river, food vendors, some activities and sports area.


Photo Credits: @BehindTheScenesNYC and Courtesy of New York Transit Museum

Iconic Movie Sets to Visit in NYC

Iconic Movie Sets to Visit in NYC Central Park Behind The Scenes NYC

Today we will share with you some of the iconic movie sets to visit in NYC! If you love NYC or if you’re a cinephile…come take a look!

Iconic Movie Sets to Visit in NYC Central Park Behind The Scenes NYC

New York City is easily one of the most common tourist spots in the United States, with the city seeing 66.6 million visitors which generated $47.4 billion in spending in 2019 alone, as the Office of State Comptroller reported.

It’s also a hot spot for movie filming – it’s believed a whopping 300 movies were filmed in NYC in both 2015 and 2016, for example.

That comes as no surprise, as the city is the perfect backdrop for nearly every genre out there.

While we’re not about to list hundreds of movies, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic movie sets you should visit if you find yourself in The Big Apple.


Ghostbusters (1984) and the New York Library

After getting a call and their first job from the library administrator, the Ghostbusters arrived at the New York Library to take care of a ghost that apparently had an affinity for books during her life.

The library also shows up in Ghostbusters: The Video Game and brings the characters back between the shelves to battle Book Bats and a Book Golem.

In the game, the library had at least 12 bodies beneath the structure and a sub-basement along with a few secret rooms. While these rooms (and the bodies underneath!) don’t actually exist, you can visit the library itself.

CNN mentions that you might even be able to get a free book!

 

King Kong (2005) and Gapstow Bridge in Central Park

Few films did for NYC what the original King Kong did, and the subsequent exposure in pop culture cements the locations.

It even spawned the 2005 game Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, released on Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PS2, and PC, which shows plenty of the iconic places in NYC.

The giant ape also features in some of the Ladbrokes online slot games, including Kong the 8th Wonder of the World and Kong’s Temple.

Both have his image featured heavily, with the first title also seeing him sit atop the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building also shows up in other games, including SimCity. So, of course, it’s quite a well-known location thanks to movies and games.

The Gapstow Bridge is another location that quite a few filmmakers have used.

In King Kong, the bridge is used as a backdrop for a heartwarming scene between Kong and Ann as they skate over the frozen lake before tragedy strikes.

If you want to see the bridge for yourself (frozen lake or not), head over to the southeast corner of Central Park.

 

Night at the Museum (2006) and the American Museum of Natural History

Of course, the movie Night at the Museum was not filmed in the museum itself but was based on the museum and its exhibits.

The external shots, however, were of the museum itself with permission.

If you go, you can see the very same exhibits including the T-Rex (although it probably won’t want to play fetch with a giant bone. Sorry!).

Of course, there are some new exhibits as well, including the Sharks Exhibition where you can learn about these marine terrors and even buy some souvenir fossils to take home.

 

New York City has plenty to offer – from great food to museums dedicated to nearly everything! It’s hard to be bored here.

If you’re a movie buff who wants to see some of the most iconic movie sets from your favorite movies, come on down!

You can check out 25 Most Iconic And Instagrammable Movie Locations In NYC, have fun at a super cool NYC TV & Movie Tour or even enjoy 45 Films Set In New York City from the comfort of your home!


Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

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