12 things every first timer must do when visiting nyc !

The Large Apple. One more name for New York City is The City That Never Sleeps. Gotham's. Whether you like to call this metropolis New York or the Big Apple, first-time visitors should not miss this fantastic city. There are so many things to see, so much to hear and smell; it is just incredible how much has to be done; choosing the beginning place might be difficult. I have so developed my 12 must-do activities for everyone visiting NYC for the first time below.

1. Experience the panoramic view of New York City from the top of the Empire State Building – The Empire State Building is one of the famous buildings that represent New York City; thus, visiting the 86th and 102nd Floor Observation deck of the Empire State building should be on your checklist when in NYC. Look down over Manhattan City and the major city of New York to observe attractions such as Central Park and the Hudson River. Especially if you are going in the evening you’ll get a great view of the illumination at night and during the day you can try to spot some famous buildings.

2. Visit Central Park – By the way, Central Park is a perfect place to take a walk and look at the approximately 868 acres of this piece of heaven in the middle of the bustling city. Take a rowing boat ride across the lake, take pictures with Bethesda Fountain in the background, view artists creating their pieces whether it be paintings or live music, find a spot on the great lawn to have a picnic, and simply appreciate this beautiful wildlife sanctuary smack dab in the middle of the concrete jungle.

3. See the City Awaken - New York is famous for its nighttime ambiance as well, so it is recommended to catch a Broadway show. It’s the ultimate in theatrical entertainment – you want a spanking new musical such as ‘Hamilton’ or a tried and tested favorite like ‘The Lion King’. It is recommended to buy a seat at the orchestra or attempt to purchase one of the cheap tickets in the lottery. Going to a theatre in the evening will make people pipe show tunes even after the performance is over.

4. Take a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – This is one of the favorite tourist attractions for the first-timers visiting New York City. Take the ferry to Liberty Island to take an extended look at the legendary Statue of Liberty. Be sure to also take the time to visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration where you can take a tour through the Great Hall, and go through files dating back to the 1800’s! These two monuments provide an insight into American history.

5. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum - Pay your tributes to the victims at the NEW and sobering 9/11 Memorial and Museum located in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Here you have a memorial where one can just stroll and be a guest, and there are even pools of water that symbolize the footprints of the Twin Towers, there are also other things that include artifacts and informative displays and installations about the attacks and their consequences. Overall it is a serious and inspiring place that is worth visiting, as it is one of the main landmarks of Los Angeles.

6. Try Iconic NYC Foods – many of the names of these foods themselves are delicious – such as fluffy pancakes from Clinton Street Baking Company, a huge pastrami sandwich from Katz Deli, and creamy cheesecake from Junior’s Restaurant. It is advisable to taste all the kinds of New York foods that are different from the usual foods that you find in other parts of the country such as pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, and bagels. You could hear your stomach growling saying thank you after eating this delicious dish.

7. Go by Subway – New York City subway stations especially the lines and the color codes are quite complex to understand when you are a first-time visitor. But let me tell you the joy of traveling like a real New Yorker is an absolute must on any first-timer’s NYC list! Learn more about the fundamental line or go and ask someone about buying a metro card and planning your way. The humming underground tunnels will transport you smoothly to almost any place in all five boroughs.

8. Go out for drinks in a chic rooftop bar – when the evening sets in the city lights come on and the party starts. Visit a trendy rooftop bar for great views and oversized glasses holding creative alcoholic cocktails. Cool modernity places such as The Skylark provides the perfect setting of the New York Times Square at night while comfortable and cozy places such as The Peninsula give excellent beer drinks beside the Empire State Building. Enjoy your drink and embrace the NYC mood!

9. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge – This bridge is uniquely designed and is located in New York making it a perfect setup for exercising while enjoying the view of the city. Stroll, cycle, or run through the hiking track constructed from wood that starts from the Manhattan borough to the Brooklyn borough while taking pictures of some famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the tall buildings in Manhattan. This place should be on any first-time traveler’s list as crossing this place of interest off your list is always fun, especially with the classic poses for memorable pictures.

10. Take a Tour to the Behind the Scenes – If you have ever fancied the idea of having a sneak preview as to how such live television programs as the Today Show or Saturday Night Live are produced, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Most common TV programs in New York City are recorded in studios, and you can get standby tickets for free. You can try to get a seat when shows such as The Daily Show, the Tonight Show, or the Wendy Williams Show are being recorded. It is also important to note that you may get to see your favorite celebrities in action within the area!

11. One may shop till you drop on Fifth Avenue Since this is a shopping center, simply walking around and looking at the display windows is almost like a luxurious activity. This stretch of luxury retail real estate has flagship stores from designers such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.Shoppers can step into places such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman for shopping and to admire the latest trends in fashion. But do not fail to take time for shopping for you to see places such as Rockefeller Center or the New York Public Library.

12. These two ethnic neighborhoods can be considered among the most vibrant in New York: Little Italy and Chinatown are located close to each other in Lower Manhattan. Stroll through the olive oil stores, cannoli bakeries, red-checkered tablecloth eateries, and then move on to the decorated dragon gates of Chinatown. Here you will observe people looking like they are steaming in their clothes, baskets of dumplings, exotic vegetable sellers, and people selling imitation handbags at every junction. It is more of a multicultural city feeling which is what New Yorkers live in!

And that’s a wrap – my 12 must-dos list of first-time New York City hits to assist with making your journey more manageable as a first-time visitor. Sightseeing at landmarks, tasting real gastronomy, traveling by subway, attending the theater, shopping, or just a casual walk through gorgeous districts narrates why NYC will forever experience the affection of visitors. Every borough guarantees a different experience so start ticking off these places to visit and soak in the exciting vibe that NY is famous for! Soon, you will start planning your next visit to New York City!

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