Are you looking for something unique and different to do on your honeymoon in New York City? Perhaps you’ve already been to the Empire State Building, caught a Broadway play, and gawked in Times Square. However, if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path things to do, we’ve got you covered! Here are ten suggestions locals recommend as the best non-touristy things to do in NYC.
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10 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC
1. Check out a secret speakeasy in New York City.
While we might not live in Prohibition times anymore, there are still many speakeasies across NYC. If you’re looking for a great one to check out, try Please Don’t Tell, which has a secret entrance.
2. Head to authentic Little Italy down in the Bronx.
Instead of going to the NoLita neighborhood for some good Italian-American culture, go to Arthur Avenue for an authentic experience. Walk in the footsteps of icons such as Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy delicious pizza, pasta, and calzones while you’re there.
3. Learn the stories of all the benches in Central Park.
Central Park is one of the largest parks in NYC, and there are many stories behind Central Park’s benches. Many are dedicated to lovers or family members and worth checking out.
4. Visit an abandoned subway station in NYC.
NYC is home to many non-functioning stations and is full of rich history! You can explore and walk through many of them for a slice of the past.
5. Make your own cocktail at The Cauldron.
The Cauldron is a magic-themed bar that lets you create your very own “potion.” Take a cocktail-making class that is as immersive as it sounds! Or, if you’re not in the mood to make your own, head to a bar in the Upper East Side to get your fix.
6. Visit Sunset Park to get a view of the Manhattan skyline.
For a great view of the skyline, head to Sunset Park. It is just outside the city and will give you a fantastic view of the Manhattan cityscape. Head to the highest point to get a picture of New Jersey and NYC.
7. Check out the 25-foot waterfall flows in Midtown.
In Greenacre Park, there lies a 25-foot waterfall. While this little slice of nature might seem unusual for Manhattan, it gets about 700 visitors each day.
8. Browse books at the Strand.
With over 100 miles of books, Strand Book Store is three stories of bound wonders. Their collection includes bestsellers, foreign titles, and even first-edition books that will fill any personal library.
9. Take a New York City ghost tour.
NYC has a reputation for history and spooky stories! There are several guided tours around alleyways and haunted mansions. The stories are full of famous figures and spooky tales. The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour is always a highlight!
10. Ride on The Aerial Tram in NYC.
With a swipe of your MetroCard, you can ride across the East River, which connects the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. The views of the river and the skyline are worth the ride alone!
Save our 10 best nontouristy things to do in NYC.
Of course, while you’re in New York City, you can certainly hit tourist hotspots. However, be sure to include more unique items in your NYC itinerary. There’s always a bit of the bizarre and undiscovered in such a big city. So, take time to discover The Big Apple in a new way on your honeymoon.
Photos: Bianca Ackermann, Pablo Montes, Adam Jaime, Tom Hermans
NataschaThis are great tips for non touristy things to do in NYC. I love speakeasies – you always meet people to chat there. Doing a cocktail class is also a nice idea. Now with the travel ban lifted for Europeans, New York is on the list again.
Ambica GulatiI think all of us want to explore NYC. And you have given us more new places to add to our long bucket list. So, I love the idea of those spooky tours. And the bookstore for sure is on my list, as is an abandoned subway station.
Pamela MukherjeeNYC is on my list and hopefully, by next year I’m visiting the place. The city guide is most important to take a tour for the first time and also I am planning for the cruise trip around Statue of Liberty. All the tips are perfect that I can opt for as a solo traveller too.
RakshaSuch amazing list of things to do in NYC. I love to usually do the non touristy things in a place as it is when you can experience the local culture. I have been to NYC only once and I do hope to visit it again and I will remember these. I did not know there is a waterfall that flows in the city.
Linda (LD Holland)What a great list of non touristy things to do in NYC. We love to find off the beaten path spots and feel a bit more like a local when we travel. Little Italy would definitely be a stop for us. But it would also be fun to learn the stories of the benches in Central Park. And so cool to read that there is a waterfall in Midtown! Some great tips for our next NYC trip.
PoojaNYC for me was always Empire State Building and Central Park. I didn’t know there are stories behind the benches. I love Little Italy. The 25 foot waterfall flows in Midtown and the ghost tour sounds thrilling.
AgnesSuch a perfect idea, not only for the honeymoon. I love secret speakeasy from locals. I would love to visit some non-functioning stations with a slice of the past of the city. I also like the idea of learning some stories from the benches in Central Park. It’s a pity, as during my visit I missed also the 25-foot waterfall. For my next visit, I add also to my itinerary one of the New York City guided ghost tours.
Trisha VelarminoAmong this fabulous list, I’d go for making my own concoction at The Cauldron and taking in the gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline. I agree that when you look at the place in a different angle, you’ll often discover certain unique things to do in it. NYC has it all indeed!
Parnashree DeviIt’s always fun to do non-touristy things to do in a popular tourist place. It’s a fantastic guide. I would love to capture the sunset with the skyline of New York. And, of course, a lazy walk around is never a bad idea.