Things To Do In NYC.

[ucjrdude902]

I have a trip planned for NYC in early June and was looking for some attractions that are off the beaten path. Besides seeing a show (which I've already got tickets to) what are some other things to do in the city that aren't the common attractions?

[hushpuppy]

As a resident here I am constantly frustrated by the huge number of crowds that seem to be everywhere. No matter how obscure or off-the-beaten-path something is, you're sure to find hoards of people there right alongside you. Having said that, both the High Line and Riverside Park are wonderful ways to get some fresh air and see a side of New York that many people don't see. There are interesting walking tours of the Lower East Side and Chinatown that you can download, and on Sunday you can take a ferry from East 34th Street to the Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg. Good luck and have fun

http://www.thehighline.org/
http://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/riverside-park/virtual-tour
http://www.brooklynflea.com/
http://www.lowereastsideny.com/

[yankeefan7]

Depends on what you consider off the beaten path or not common. I found walking across the "Brooklyn Bridge" with my family a bunch of fun. Great view from a historic bridge. You could try to visit Union Square Park between 14th-17th St, neat Farmer's Market. I thought seeing the NY Public Library (5th and 40th) was very interesting, some great history in building. Think it is one of the biggest libraries in the country. As my name would indicate, I think a tour of Yankee Stadium is pretty cool if you can't see a game and want to see a famous ballpark. Some examples, not sure if this is what you are looking for.

[ucjrdude902]

Thanks for the tips! I didn't even think about walking over the Brooklyn Bridge so I'll def have to add that.

[Pammylicious]

Go to The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in Inwood (tip of Manhattan). It's a medieval castle with tons of fascinating pieces of art from that period. Fort Tryon is a beautiful park designed by the same guy who did Central Park. It overlooks the Hudson high up. I grew up across the street from the park and have recently gone back and it's a lost gem in the city.

[proptart101]

Without knowing what your non-theater preferences are, here's a few things I offer up to visitors from out of town that have usually gone over well. (Assuming you'll be in Manhattan)

Take the Circle Line tour boat. 3 hours around Manhattan. Seems hokey, everyone likes it.

On a nice day take the Roosevelt Island Tram from Manhattan (60th & 2nd Ave) to (surprise) Roosevelt Island. If you like walking and modern sculpture, walk the ten blocks to the Roosevelt Island Bridge and cross over to Queens, another 5 or 6 blocks to your left and you'll find the Socrates Sculpture Park and you can end up at the Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Museum and Garden (Noguchi was a renowned sculpture and set designer for Martha Graham and NYC Ballet). If you really like walking there's a nice little Lighthouse Park on the northern tip of Roosevelt Island, add about 30 minutes to your stroll.

Take the Staten Island Ferry to SI, hang a right outside of the ferry terminal, walk about 4 or 5 blocks and take in a Staten island Yankees minor league baseball game. If you get seats behind 3rd baseline you have a wonderful view of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, etc in the background of the game. Tickets are a lot easier to come by than Brooklyn Cyclones tix.

If baseball's not your thing, at least go to Staten Island to eat at Nonna's (real name: Enoteca Maria). It's a restaurant that features the cooking of 8 different Italian grandmothers. It also happens to be about 2 blocks from the Saint George Theater, where Smash's theater scenes are being filmed. (also walking distance from SI Ferry)
(caveat - I have not been there since they got great write ups in the Times, etc. As I recall they're cash only, I don't know if they take resos at this point)

Take the A train to 181st street, and walk west to Plaza Lafayette. Cross the footbridge and take a left down the path under the overpass. Cross over the railroad tracks and follow the path to the left (south). You'll find the Little Red Lighthouse under the Great Gray Bridge. Google for info about when it's open. Always a nice photo op.

Governor's Island will be open to the public on weekends starting May 26th. http://www.govisland.com/html/home/home.shtml

[Phantom of London]

When in New York, always worth catching a Broadway show!

[ucjrdude902]

I appreciate all the help!

[broadwaybabytn]

The Lincoln Center tours are a lot of fun, and often completely unbooked.

[singtopher]

It may be a total touristy thing to do, but, taking one of those double deck buses is a great way to see the city, and get a lot of history/information about it all.

[alwaysfia]

I've always enjoyed the Lower East Side Tenement museum. It's been a couple years since I've been, but the tour was absolutely wonderful and informative. If history is your thing, I highly recommend it!

http://www.tenement.org/

[ucjrdude902]

What all do you "get" with the Lincoln Center Tours?

[broadwaybabytn]

I think it depends on when you go, and different tour guides have different favorite things, but the last time I took it, we got to see some of a matinee Philharmonic performance, we toured the opera house extensively, and we saw the Beaumont as they were finishing up with A FREE MAN OF COLOR and prepping for rehearsals for WAR HORSE.

[yankeefan7]

ucjrdude902 - don't know your musical taste but Lindsay Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) is playing at BB King's club in early June. Seeing somebody like that in a small club could be amazing. Think tickets are $60.

[ucjrdude902]

I am for sure going to have to look into the Lincoln Center tour.

[broadwaybabytn]

Oh, I hope you have a good experience. My last tour there was with a very nice older gentleman, who really loved showing us around.

[SNAFU]

If you do walk across the Brooklyn Bridge be sure to visit the Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge park and perhaps get an ice cream at Jacque Torres (at least get some chololates there!).

[ucjrdude902]

I appreciate everybody's help. We've gone with tour groups before and this time we are going on our own and trying to branch out from the classic spots.