fun things to do in the city
NYC is back! Now that (most) things are open again, here are the best under-the-radar things to do in NYC right now.
museums
There are so many more museums to visit in NYC than the Met or the Whitney. While there is seemingly a museum for almost everything these days, the below are some of my favorites in the city that are actually worth visiting.
lower east side / contemporary art
This contemporary art museum fits in with the grungy, downtown cool of LES. With multiple floors of different exhibits, the New Museum is on the smaller side, but still has enough art to fill an afternoon or evening.
murray hill / fine art and history
Located in a random area in Murray Hill, the Morgan Library is a less well-known but still worth visiting museum in the city. The prior residence and previous library of storied financier J.P. Morgan, the Morgan Library and Museum showcases Morgan’s collection of books as well as some of relics from his personal and professional life. Free museum tickets are available every Friday from 2 - 5 pm, but make sure you reserve a time slot in advance!
long island city / contemporary art
An affiliate of the MoMa, MoMa PS1 is an experimental and contemporary art space in an up-and-coming area of Long Island City. During pre-pandemic times, they host a fun summer concert series called Warm Up that is held every Saturday in their outdoor space. Previous performers have included Cardi B, Solange, Lizzo, and Cashmere Cat.
upper east side / art / $
While you don’t need me to tell you about the Met, it can easily be relegated to the back of your mind. However, with donations-based admission for New York residents (come with your library card or proof of NYC residence – ConEd bill etc.), a location in close proximity to Central Park, and a sprawling rooftop with a breathtaking view of the city, the Met is a great way to spend a relaxing, inexpensive, and cultured afternoon.
art galleries
Did you know that there are approximately 1,500 art galleries in NYC? The majority of art galleries in the city are clustered in pockets of Chelsea, Lower East Side, Upper East Side, and SoHo, so I would choose one neighborhood to start with, and explore from there. (You will easily find other galleries in the area as they are all on the same block or the next streets over.) Below are some of my favorites.
chelsea + upper east side
You may have heard of David Zwirner when they housed the infamous Yayoi Kusama exhibit in 2019, and 2+ hour lines formed around the block of eager hopefuls wishing to capture their 30-second Instagram shot in Kusama’s infinity mirrors’ exhibit. But they have other interesting exhibits as well, in their multi-level space. Appointments are optional and not required.
lower east side
Founded in 2014, this three-story space was one of the first art galleries in LES neighborhood. Since then, they have showcased a variety of artists from around the world and successfully placed works by many of those artists in museum collections around the world.
lower east side
This global gallery has locations around the world. I first found out about them when I stumbled upon their location in the Marais neighborhood in Paris. A multi-level exhibition space with plenty of room to showcase artists, Perrotin is one of the best galleries to visit in the city. Their bookstore located next door to the gallery is also worth checking out.
chelsea
I saw one of the most memorable exhibits ever at Galerie Lelong in 2019. Krzysztof Wodiczko’s A House Divided… explored political polarization through the use of “interrogative design”. Viewers walked through a dimly lit room filled only with two monumental statues of two Abraham Lincolns sitting facing each other. Video projections and voice recordings of Staten Island citizens expressing their political views are overlaid over the two Lincoln’s faces, hands, and feet, giving off the disconcerting effect of the two statues engaging in intense political discourse with each other. While this exhibit is unfortunately no longer on view, the gallery has plenty of other thought-provoking artists and exhibitions on view. They also have another location in Paris.
chelsea + upper east side
The Chelsea location of Hauser & Wirth is one of my favorite galleries in the city. The bookstore and cafe (Roth Bar, a supremely artsy cafe in the back filled with an eclectic mix of colorful string lights, old television sets, and melted candles), add to the gallery experience. With rooms upon rooms upon rooms of art, Hauser & Wirth has an expansive space that will be the perfect spot to spend a wonderful afternoon in.
outdoor
One of my favorite summer activities is enjoying a picnic in a park! Below are some of my favorite outdoor spots in the city.
parks
chelsea
Make sure you reserve your free tickets for a specific timed entry here before you go. The only open entrances are at Gansevoort Street, 23rd Street, or 30th Street, but this is the least crowded time in High Line history, so definitely take advantage of it.
dumbo
This expansive park in Dumbo has unbeatable, sweeping views of the East River. Walk up and down the esplanade to go from one end of Dumbo to the other. A carousel (temporarily closed), ferry stop, OddFellows Ice Cream stand, and more await you at this sprawling, lively park.
upper manhattan
While you don’t need me to tell you about the city’s most popular park, did you know about the Central Park Zoo or the Wollman Ice Rink within the park? While the zoo is small, there are penguins, sea lions, and even a bear and a snow leopard in the middle of the city. There were also a slew of free comedy shows in the park over the summer, so be sure to keep an eye out on Eventbrite when the weather beings to warm up as we head into spring. Also, the Jackie O Reservoir is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the city!
washington square park
greenwich village
This park has it all - the fountain, the arch, the people watching, the street performers, the tourists, the NYU students, the picnics, the couples on dates, the dogs, the kids, and West Village right at your fingertips. Make sure to also visit the NY Dosa man while you’re here. This infamous food truck churns out authentic, affordable, and delicious Indian dosas.
west side highway
A plethora of activities await you at this expansive riverside greenery. An extremely popular running, biking, and walking spot, the park is also good for sunset picnics, people watching, and outdoor gatherings. (This is one of my favorite places to watch the sunset in the city!)
prospect heights
The Central Park of Brooklyn, Prospect Park is neighbored by brick family-filled townhouses. You will find runners, dogs, families, friends, couples, kids, tennis players, and more at this ginormous park. There is a central lake, ice skating rink in the winter, a zoo, tennis courts, and more. Smorgasburg is also held here, but that is temporarily closed due to covid. This is the perfect park to picnic in during the summer.
williamsburg
Located on the former property of a Domino Sugary refinery, this park borders the East River in Williamsburg. While it is a narrow park structured similarly to the Hudson River Park, there is enough grass to lay out a blanket and enjoy the riverside views.
other
This little oasis is only an eight minute ferry ride from Manhattan. While it is mostly known for hosting the annual Governor’s Ball music festival (before it outgrew the island and had to be moved to Randall’s Island instead), Governor’s Island is worth a trip in and of itself. With a relaxing grove of hammocks, an outdoor food court, lavender fields, a scenic bike and walking path, art exhibitions, rooftop oyster bars, and more, Governor’s Island has plenty to offer.
This is the perfect inexpensive date activity overlooking the downtown Manhattan One World Trade Center skyline, as well as the Jersey skyline across the river.
This cobblestone, river-facing neighborhood has old school charm mixed in with modern touches. Take a stroll through this historical area of the city, while exploring places like Pier 17 (a lively open-air venue with concerts and more), Bowne & Co. (an old school small batch printing shop) and the Mcnally Jackson bookstore.