The Top 10 Underrated Things to Do in NYC
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From hidden walking paths with skyline views to lesser-known museums, these underrated things to do in NYC offer a refreshing contrast to the crowds and noise of its most famous attractions.
Every year, millions of tourists come from all over the world to see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and Central Park, among the many things to do in New York City.
And while these are nice sights to see, you will not experience the real New York City by seeing just those typical tourist sites.
If you're like me, and you like to dive deep into the culture and daily life of the places you visit, this post is a must-read. Take it from a real New Yorker!
Here are the top 10 most underrated things to do in NYC!
1. Washington Square Park
This is the unofficial center of NYU, so naturally, Washington Square Park is teeming with students, artists, and other interesting people. You'll see a variety of people, but around these parts, most will be very good-looking and well-dressed.
In the summer, enjoy the sun and people-watch. In the winter, Washington Square Park makes for a nice, relaxing stroll, but make sure to bundle up!
2. Explore Flushing, Queens
They say that Chinatown lies just under Soho and the LES, but they're wrong. The real Chinatown is actually in Flushing, Queens.
With over 60,000 native Chinese, and hundreds of thousands of 1st and 2nd generation Chinese, Flushing is the real deal. Not only are there Chinese people here, but you'll also find many Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese people, along with their respective cultural influences.
If you're craving Asian-inspired food, Flushing is the place to be!
3. Go Thrift Shopping
Everyone wants to go shopping on Fifth Avenue when they visit New York City. But if you'd rather save time, money, and escape from the heavy crowds, I suggest you go thrifting instead.
Buffalo Exchange, Beacon's Closet, Crossroads, and What Goes Around Comes Around are some of NYC's great thrift shops.
You'll find everything you want in the thrift shops: streetwear, high fashion, sporty, summer clothes, winter wear, and whatever other apparel you might want. Thank me later!
4. Explore the Lower East Side (LES)
When tourists come to NYC, they tend to head right to SoHo – if they even dare venture out of Midtown. Skip the tourist traps and come see authentic Lower Manhattan in the Lower East Side.
The LES is one of the few parts that's still unfiltered in NYC and is home to some of the best foodie restaurants, delicious bakeries, and awesome, low-key music venues. Check it out!
If you still want more, you can find great deals on LES hotels, and consider booking this Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour or this Good Vibes on the Lower East Side: Art & Food Walk!
5. Walk The High Line
This might not be the best idea during the winter, but during any other time of year, it is a must-do.
The High Line is an elevated platform that used to be train tracks. Today, The High Line has been refurbished into a mile-and-a-half-long park, filled with greenery and awesome views of Chelsea.
This will be an experience you won't forget!
6. Hang Out in Union Square
Union Square is like the cousin of Washington Square Park. But the rebellious cousin, of course.
This area is filled with people doing their own thing; they don't care if you watch, and they don't care who you are. This is the New York City that I know and love. There are street performers everywhere, a farmer's market on the weekends, and nice views all around.
Find the perfect hotel deal near Union Square!
7. Visit the Tenement Museum
Everyone knows about the city's most popular museums, but few venture past them.
New York City was built by and for immigrants, so a visit to the Tenement Museum is only fitting. This museum takes a peek into the lives of around 7,000 immigrants who used to call the building home in the mid-19th century.
See how immigrants made this city what it is today: the greatest city in the world.
8. Discover Greenwich Village
The center of the New York Bohemian lifestyle offers something the rest of the city doesn't: a sense of freedom and control.
With awesome restaurants, amazing scenery, historic buildings like the Jefferson Market Library, and modern/vintage shopping, Greenwich Village has everything you'd like to experience in NYC.
9. Eat Your Way through Smorgasburg
As a food lover, I had to include this Williamsburg, Brooklyn staple: Smorgasburg.
On the weekends, dozens of the city's best foodie stands line up on the East River to sell delicious food, frothy beer, and a great time. While you're eating here, enjoy some of the best views in Manhattan!
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10. Stop by the New York Public Library
The USA's largest public library system was founded in 1895, and since then, it has offered some of the best reading in the world, iconic documents from different eras, and amazing architecture. Let your intellectual side roam free at the New York Public Library!
Take it from your New Yorker friend; follow this list, and you'll be sure to have an authentic (and awesome) experience in New York City!
Over to you! What are your favorite things to do in NYC? Have you done any of these activities before? What else would you recommend to someone visiting NYC?
Excellent list! I’ve been to NYC twice, for me it is the sort of city that you could visit endless times and still find new things to see and do. We’re planning our next trip to NYC this December and I’ll definitely include some of the places you listed. We went to a lot of famous tourist attractions and landmarks the last time my family and I visited NYC and I remember using a website that lists free events in New York which is great because we didn’t have much of a budget. I think FreeEventFinder.com might be useful to people also visiting New York city who are looking for free events in New York.
Awesome! Have a great trip!
Your New York blogs are possibly the most insightful blogs I have read on the internet so thank you.
I’ll be there next week and putting together a pizza tour. Do you recommend any amazing pizza shops that are a must to get a slice at?
Thanks!!
Great list! I love spending time in NYC and this post makes me want to head back and discover so much more of it. The High Line was definitely one of my highlights from NYC.
Alix | http://www.bisousdescaribous.com (http://www.bisousdescaribous.com)
Aw, makes me miss my US home! The summer before we left for the UK, I was a serious regular at Smorgasburg – I think I went every weekend for 10 weeks straight. No joke. I would kill for one of the donuts they have there (I think, called Dough?). So good. Love it.
Maybe my favorite NYC place is Union Square. There is usually something fun going on there – I actually played the didgeridoo in the wee hours of the morning one day there.
This is a fantastic list! I’ve done quite a few of these things and I can only agree! There’s just and endless list of things to do in NYC, you never get bored haha
Ahhhhh these all look like so much fun! Would love to go to NYC!
I read “Flushing” and the theme song from “The Nanny” immediately popped into my head (Fran Drescher is still one of my faves). I totally agree with your inclusion of Washington Park, by the way. That’s one of my favorite places to hang out with I’m in NYC! It’s such a good spot to go and people watch.
-Claire
tallgirlbigworld.com
This is a great list! I’m lucky to have very good friends that live in NYC who can really show me around. But nobody has told me about Flushing yet! I am in LOVE with dumplings. They seem to be the new “it” food, don’t they? Ha! I will have to actually visit Queens next time I am in the city. Luckily I am just a train ride away. :)
Great list! Greenwich is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in NYC! I also love the public library, the rooms are so pretty there and it looks beautiful during Christmas. Now you’re making me want to visit NYC again :)
https://www.mintnotion.com (https://www.mintnotion.com)
this makes me so happy. i love the more unknown side of new york and i fell so in love with it when i finally started to do these kind of things instead of just times square etc! :) this list added some good new spots to check out next time. xo
welltraveledwife.com
Great list guys just shows you how much there is to do in New York! Great city!