NYC Beyond the Brochure: Where to Splurge and Where to Skip
There’s no two ways about it: NYC can be confusing and daunting for first-time travelers. There are so many places to go, so many things to do, so much to eat. Which observation deck should you visit? There are SO MANY. It’s virtually impossible to do everything you want to do in one visit, even if your one visit is a month-long trip.
Observation Decks: Choosing Your Skyline View
First off, I highly recommend splurging a little on one observation deck. The city has about six major observation decks now, and each of them is completely different. From the mirrored floors and ceilings of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, to the clear shot of the Statue of Liberty at One World Observatory, to the classic views from the Empire State Building, you need to see at least one. I addressed the five classic decks here in this post, but it was written before One Times Square revealed its Skywalk.
We got a private media viewing of One Times Square Skywalk, and it is completely different from the other observation decks. This deck takes you directly below where the Times Square ball drop takes place every New Year’s Eve, and it’s an iconic experience in itself. You can add a wish to the confetti that gets dropped in the square at midnight, get an up-close look at the Centennial Ball, walk out on a perilous clear floor with a view straight down, and see Times Square from a completely new perspective. I typically try to avoid Times Square when I can, but One Times Square makes the trip worth it.
The Deli Dilemma: Katz’s vs. Neighborhood Alternatives
A classic deli meal is an essential New York experience to me; however, the trip to Katz’s Delicatessen is not essential. If you’re a huge fan of When Harry Met Sally, make the trip over. Try to make it early in the day or late at night to avoid crowds. And when I say crowds, I mean CROWDS. When you enter the deli, you’ll be given a ticket. Guard it with your life. From here, there are multiple lines in front of each number above the counter. Do not just get in the closest one—find the counter that has what you want and pick the shortest line. You will order your food, hand them the ticket, and use that ticket to pay.
It’s a whole process and stresses out a lot of people. You can still have a fantastic deli experience without the mess of the Katz’s crowd. I love Sable’s on the Upper East Side for classic sandwiches. Pastrami Queen has also delivered my beloved deli meats directly to my hotel room. The classic Carnegie Deli just made a triumphant return to Midtown. There are lots of options. My personal favorite order is a beef tongue on marble rye (tip cut), but a pastrami sandwich is a classic NYC choice!
Central Park: What to Do and What to Skip
Go to Central Park. Even if you don’t love being outside a ton, just go. Cities around the world have modeled their urban parks after Central Park for decades. There’s so much to see here, from skating on Wollman Rink in the colder months to exploring Belvedere Castle and seeing animals at the Central Park Zoo. This is one of the most romantic and beloved places in the city, so don’t miss out. Just maybe skip the carriage rides (Mamdani has officially passed the ban on horse-drawn carriages in the park as of June 1, 2028, marking the end of an iconic yet not very ethical practice). Try a pedicab if you’re willing to splurge (they can be quite a rip-off), but I generally prefer to walk and enjoy the peaceful respite from the concrete jungle.
Finding Your Museum: Beyond the Met and MoMA
Go to a museum. I don’t care which one, just go. There are hundreds of museums and historic buildings and monuments in New York City among the five boroughs and even more just beyond them. There is a museum for everyone—from the AKC Museum of the Dog to the National Museum of Mathematics to the Museum of Sex and the Museum of Ice Cream. Art museums and history museums are plentiful, and if you do some research in advance, you can often find free museum days or discounted admission days. Some are also just free altogether, which makes for a great budget trip. You don’t have to go to The Met and MOMA to enjoy a fantastic museum experience. Pick something that you’ll enjoy, not just what everyone says you can’t miss; after all, you’re the one spending part of your day there!
The Great White Way: Catching a World-Class Show
One thing I don’t do often on my trips—see a Broadway show. I should do it more often, but it’s difficult when you’re pressed for time. A Broadway show can easily eat up hours of your day, so find out if the show you want to see has a daytime matinee. Decide if you would rather lose two hours of your afternoon or evening. The shows truly are amazing, but you do actually have to want to see one. My personal favorite is leaving Broadway soon, and that is SIX- The Musical. It’s a fantastic production of female empowerment mixed with some fun droplets of history and a lot of song and dance. I was fortunate enough to get media tickets for the evening, and it made for the perfect girls’ night out!
Keep this in mind—New York is for everyone. There is a perfect NYC trip just for you, and even if it doesn’t look like everyone else’s, that’s okay! These are just suggestions I give based on writing about NYC for so many years and repeatedly visiting since COVID. Pick the attractions, restaurants, and shows that are what you want to enjoy. It’s YOUR trip!
