Non-Touristy Things To Do In New York

As any New Yorker will tell you, the city can be an overwhelming place for newcomers. It’s almost impossible to keep track of the new ‘it’ place for outdoor brunch, or which bands are coming to town. Whether you’re a foodie or an art lover, our list of 12 less touristy things to do in NYC will help you get the most out of your trip while avoiding long lines and big crowds.

Tenement Museum

To really familiarize yourself with the city of New York, you need to start with its history. Booming with an influx of European immigrants and factories, Manhattan in the Tammany society was expanding into the metropolitan hub we know today. Along with replicas of real tenement apartments, the Tenement Museum hosts walking tours of historical landmarks on the Lower East Side that bring some of the city’s rich history into the 21st century.

Tenement Museum, 97 Orchard St, New York, NY, USA, +1 212-431-0233

The old New York versus the new New York is an argument you will hear every old school New Yorker make. El Museo del Barrio is a great spot to follow up on this argument, especially after a visit to the Tenement Museum. El Museo del Barrio celebrates the culture behind the wave of NYC’s latest immigrant populations. Located at the edge of Spanish Harlem, El Museo highlights the best of Latino culture including music, art and literature. Although it barely makes it onto Museum Mile, it’s easily accessible from its better-known neighbors such as the Guggenheim or the Met.
El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, USA + 1 212 8317272

Gallery Hopping in Chelsea

Transformed warehouses and industrial spaces give way to a slew of some of the world’s best galleries within a 10 to 15-block radius. Chelsea is the neighborhood to be in for art lovers, and on most weekdays it is home to dozens of gallery receptions that are open and free to the public. For a complete experience, two stops to make are the Jonathan LeVine Gallery and the Gladstone Gallery. The first showcases artists who are inspired by early graffiti and comics while the other features minimal and conceptual art installations.

NYC Skyline at Sundown

New York City’s skyline is renowned for its breathtaking views. One of the best ways to experience it is to watch the sunset from the different boroughs. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier is a great location for viewing Lower Manhattan, while the Queens side provides a different angle towards midtown. For Queens viewers, the best spot to be is at the Pepsi Cola billboard in Long Island City.

Bagel Tour

Although pizza is New York City’s unofficial food giant, the city is also known for some of the finest bagels in the country. Your food options may be overwhelming given the street vendors on every corner but it is best to draw up a plan: start your route in Murray Hill and work your way into Stuytown. A must-try in Stuytown is breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel on Third Avenue. The most efficient way to get around is on food – it will also help work off those carbs.

Ess-a-Bagel, 831 3rd Ave, New York, NY, USA, +1 212-980-1010

Ghosts of New York walking tour

The Big Apple can be a scary place. A creepy way to get to know the city’s rich history (or folklore), Ghosts of New York offers guided tours of some of the city’s dimly lit alleyways and haunted mansions. The tours claim to introduce its patrons to the spirits of some of the city’s former residents, including Edgar Allen Poe, John Lennon, Eleanor Roosevelt and her pet dog, Fala.

Light show in downtown Brooklyn

Every year the New York Festival of Lights hosts a stunning show of fluorescent lights that bounce off some of downtown Brooklyn’s oldest buildings. Weathering the cold and crowds may be discouraging, but bundle up and huddle together because it’s definitely worth the hassle.

Summer movie screenings at Central Park

Imagine watching the opening scene of Do the Right Thing with about two hundred strangers. Showcasing a collection of new and old classics, the free summer movie series at Central Park is a low-key, fun venue to meet other film fans. Along with a bring-your-own-picnic policy, these outdoor film screenings make for unforgettable New York experience.

Rollerblading at Pier 2

With an amazing view of the East River, the Pier 2 Roller Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park features retro-themed rollerblading nights including a live DJ spinning everything from 90s hip-hop to vintage flapper music.

Pier 2 Roller Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 150 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718-300-2401

Sundays with the Harlem Choir

To come down from the hustle and bustle of the city, listening to the Harlem Choir belt out high notes will satisfy the soul and ears. They are not your average church choir; they emphasize having fun during their performance, oftentimes putting a modern twist on classic hymns. Though they have performed for royalty and celebrities, you can catch this inspiring gospel group sing every Sunday at the B.B. King’s Blues Club.
The Harlem Gospel Choir, BB King Blues Club, New York, NY, USA +1 917 697 2337

Open Mic Mondays at the Nuyorican Cafe

Certainly not for the faint of heart, Open Mic Mondays at the Nuyorican Cafe is the equivalent of the Apollo Theater for comedians. Although not as daunting, the intimate poetry cafe is frequented by artists and intellectuals. Whether it’s performing a song or spoken word piece, the challenge of bearing it all in front of strangers on a world stage is a once in a lifetime experience.

Nuyorican Café, 236 E 3rd St, New York, NY, USA, +1 212-505-8183

Challenge the West 4th Basketball Crew

Don’t let the name fool you. ‘The Cage’ is home to one of the city’s most competitive and athletic courts for amateur basketball teams. Onlookers who catch a game while walking towards the West 4th street subway stop will often rattle the fence to rile up the players. If aggressive sportsmanship is not for you, being a spectator is also worth experiencing.

West 4th Street Courts, Avenue of the Americas & W 3rd St, New York, NY, USA

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.