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NEW_YORK_THINGS_TO_DO
Never experienced vertigo? Climb up the spiral at the Guggenheim and look down.
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| New York: Things to Do |
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ENTERTAINMENT
New York offers a dizzying array of entertainment options. So much so that the enormous number of choices often overwhelms even the most jaded New Yorker.
After all, walking down Fifth Avenue or St. Marks Place (two streets as different as they can be) entertains New Yorkers far more than most Hollywood movies.
However, if one sees a movie at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 with IMAX or Cinema Classics, New York does not disappoint. Many days, visitors may choose between a pricey Broadway extravaganza or one of the city's many free parades.
Adventurous theatergoers eschew Broadway for off- and off-off-Broadway while those seeking to express themselves gather at the city's many nightclubs. Meanwhile, divas and drag queens prove nightly that cabaret is not a thing of the past.
Sinatra was wise when he sang, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..." The world's best performers know that without success in the Big Apple, they aren't really successful. Thus, big stars perform at Madison Square Garden. From the latest diva at the Metropolitan Opera House to Irving Plaza's hottest band, the best of the best make it all look easy.
All the while, art museums and galleries mount shows, street performers entertain in the parks, Gus the Polar Bear swims the backstroke at the zoo and rollerbladers enjoy the sunshine while basking in the city's spectacle.
Visitors and residents alike choose their entertainment based on budget. Happily, the city bursts with options whether one is a prince or a pauper:
Free things to do
New York has a surplus of free things to do. From concerts by the New York Philharmonic to Shakespeare in Central Park, free culture is everywhere.
Year round, most museums offer a day of free admission during the week. Many other galleries and museums are free all the time. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is technically free, although they do push you for an optional donation. Even without a concert, from Belvedere Castle to Sheep's Meadow, Central Park itself provides numerous amusements for its visitors.
Downtown, with its traditionally youthful edge, offers numerous free choices. Arlene's Grocery and The Sidewalk Cafe are venues overflowing with every kind of band trying to make it in this big, bad city. Some are better than others.
Inexpensive things to do
Art films from all over the world play at the Film Forum. Catch all types of performances at Symphony Space. Bowling at Bowlmor Lanes and spending a day at the Bronx Zoo are longstanding New York City pastimes.
Moderate things to do
S.O.B.'s showcases world music, while Izzy Bar and the Knitting Factory provide a mixed bag of music, spoken word and art. De La Guarda and Blue Man Group are totally funky yet accessible ongoing off-Broadway shows. The historic Clearview's Ziegfeld Theater mesmerizes moviegoers no matter what it shows. Inside and out, the Guggenheim Museum will blow your mind, while ice-skating at Wollman Rink is a great way to see Central Park.
In the summer months, the Lincoln Center Festival showcases innovative perforßmances from around the world at reasonable prices.
See well-known bands up close at the Bowery Ballroom or relax at the Carlyle Hotel. World-class comedians perform at Dangerfield's and Caroline's on Broadway.
In addition the museum, the MoMA (for "Museum of Modern Art") is a performance and cinema mecca.
The Rangers and the Knicks defeat their rivals at Madison Square Garden, and The Metropolitan Opera and The New York City Ballet dazzle at Lincoln Center.
When money is no object, the sky isn't the limit in New York.
The museums tour
Museum Mile extends from the Guggenheim to the Frick Collection This walk covers many of the famous museums on the city's Upper East Side, near Central Park.
Guggenheim Museum—The Guggenheim is located at 5th Ave. and 88th St. Take the number 4, 5 or 6 train to 86th St. Upon exiting the train, walk west on 86th St to Central Park. Turn right, walking north, parallel to the park and the Museum will be on the right.
Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this mammoth spiral structure inspires as much debate as the art it houses. The museum permanently displays works by Chagall, Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, Van Gogh and many others. The Guggenheim also mounts temporary shows.
Upon leaving the Guggenheim, cross 5th Ave and turn left. Walk south, parallel to Central Park for several blocks. As you walk, you will see some of New York's most posh apartment buildings facing the park along 5th Ave.
Metropolitan Museum of Art—Built in 1870, the vast Metropolitan Museum of Art houses numerous collections that rank among the finest in the world. Tours and talks are available. Popular exhibits include the Egyptian Collection and the Temple of Dendur, European Paintings and the Medieval Art Room.
Whitney Museum of American Art—Exit the Met and cross Fifth Ave. Turn left on 82nd St and walk to Madison Ave. Cross Madison Ave and turn right. Walk south on Madison until you reach 75th St. The
Whitney Museum of American Art is located at 75th and Madison. There is a small permanent exhibit, but the focus is on temporary shows.
Frick Collection - Exit the Whitney and cross Madison Avenue. Turn right on 74th St and walk west towards 5th Ave. Turn left on 5th. The Frick Collection is located on at 70th St.
The Frick Collection building impresses as much as its art collection. Once the private mansion of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick, it reminds New Yorkers of the city's opulent past. Its collection includes masterworks by Rembrandt, Vermeer and El Greco.
The East Village
The East Village: Once the city’s last bastion of edgy bohemia, the East Village has become mostly gentrified but still has some funky pockets. But for most visitors:
Veniero's Pasticceria—On 11th St and 1st Ave is Veniero's Pasticceria, established in 1894. An array of sweet treats is offered, from strawberry millefoglie to chocolate covered cannoli.
Cinema Classics - A bit west, on the same side of the street, is Cinema Classics. This small complex contains a cool cafe, an underground video store and a movie theater that screens old and new classics. |
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NY_ROADTRIPS
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Click on a trip below to adopt the trip. You can change the dates, add your preferences, or even rearrange the items in the Trip Plan, then plot the trip and save it as your own.
Road trips around New York
NEW YORK- FAMILY TRIP
Museums, Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty. Uncover NYC’s rush - as a Family!
For details see article on: 
NEW YORK - ART/CULTURE
Known for their Broadway performances, awesome museums and pizzazz, discover the flavor of NYC’s art/culture
NEW YORK- HISTORICAL
Churches, ports, monuments, they all speak about the richness of NYC’s history.
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