Sightseeing Articles
Try Your Hand at Spells in Brooklyn’s “Hall of Magic”
Fans of Syfy’s The Magicians will be thrilled to learn that they can now head to The William Vale Hotel in Brooklyn to engage in a fantastical world of mind control, levitation, and spell casting—all inspired by their favorite TV show and book. The best thing about it? This self-guided experience is completely free. Simply reserve tickets online via the “Hall of Magic” website (or if you want to risk it, walk-ins are also allowed to enter, space permitting). If you’ve ever wished that you lived in a magical world, now’s your chance to experience one.
7 Secrets You Didn't Know About the Empire State Building
With the Empire State Building turning 85 years old this year, we thought it appropriate to divulge some of the iconic skyscraper’s secrets. Don’t worry, you won’t have to be sworn to secrecy over these strangely interesting facts—but you might be surprised by them! From the time it took to build the Empire State Building to the nap pods that once took over an entire floor, these seven secrets are inspiring, intriguing, and in some cases, downright bizarre!
5 Indoor Activities for the NYC Winter
Nobody wants to spend the day standing around outside when temperatures start dropping down into the 30s, 20s, and even teens, but on that same note, nobody wants to spend an entire trip to New York City stuck inside their hotel. Fortunately, there’s a perfect cure-all. These 5 indoor activities below provide hours of entertainment and excitement for locals and visitors alike, and they also keep you from getting frostbite.
Warm Up with Winter Fun in NYC
Don’t let the cold and snow throw you: January is a great time to be in New York. The city’s wealth of indoor attractions makes it easy to entertain and educate the whole family, with the added bonus of not having to deal with the crowds of warmer seasons.
Land & Sea NYC Tour: The Best of Both Worlds
Having trouble deciding between a bus tour and a boat tour of New York? High Quality Tours will solve the problem, as their Land & Sea NYC tour has the best of both worlds. Experience up-close views of NYC’s favorite sites, as well as some perspective, with vantages of the stunning skyline from beyond the shore. Genius, right?
Be Amazed by NYC Christmas Lights with High Quality Tours
It would be impossible to check out all of New York City’s best Christmas displays in three quick hours if you were traveling by subway. So what do you do when you want to experience all of the city’s holiday cheer during your visit to the Big Apple, but are pressed for time? Easy, you hop aboard High Quality Tours' Christmas Lights Tour.
Holiday Themed Events in NYC
There's nothing quite New York City during the holiday season. NYC department stores have beautiful window displays, streets are adorned with brilliant lights and garlands, and songs of snow, home and family can be heard everywhere. Here are a just a few key spots where one can fully embrace the holiday spirit this year.
Classic Christmas Decorations in NYC
There’s no better place to spend the holidays than in New York City. We’ve got snow, enormous trees, holiday markets, and holiday decorations galore. If you’re wanting to see the best NYC has to offer this Christmas season, make sure you check out the five classic Christmas decorations we’ve rounded up below. From Rockefeller to Saks Fifth Avenue, these icons are the kind of stuff you write home about.
5 Great Spots to See in the Bronx, as Inspired by A Bronx Tale
New York City has so much to offer, and not just in Manhattan. The city’s northernmost borough, The Bronx, is filled with interesting sites and a rich culture that every visiting tourist should experience at some point in their lives. Plus, the 1993 film classic A Bronx Tale, based on the life of Chazz Palminteri, is finally coming to Broadway this fall, co-directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Saks. From the beloved Yankee Stadium to the breathtaking New York Botanical Garden, don’t miss out on all that the Bronx has to share!
Things to Do Near Trump Tower in NYC
Visitors to midtown Manhattan have noticed some major recent gridlock: protestors have been storming the streets around Trump Tower since Donald Trump became president-elect on November 8th. With both vehicle and foot traffic bottled up in the area, we've got some tips for finding breaks from the crowds. These are our top five things to do near Trump Tower, each providing you with some peace, tranquility, and inspiration in their own individual ways.
9 Epic Anniversaries to Celebrate in NYC This Year
2016 is a big year for New York City, as nine of its most famed attractions are hitting major milestones. Bragging on runs that range from 20 to 130 years, you can get in on the celebrations of icons like the Statue of Liberty and the headquarters of the United Nations. What better time to take in a landmark, show, or building than on its anniversary? Exactly.
5 Things to Do on Your First Trip to Brooklyn
You haven’t really seen all of New York City until you’ve spent some time in Brooklyn. NYC’s most populous borough is also quickly becoming one of its most beloved, and with so much to do within its boundaries, we can’t say that we’re all that surprised. If you’re planning your first trip to BK, check out these five locations while your exploring the turf. Chances are Brooklyn might become your new favorite borough too!
The Rink at Rockefeller Center Turns 80
The world renowned Rink at Rockefeller Center is celebrating its 80th birthday! The Rink reopened for 2016 on Tuesday, October 11. The unofficial start of New York winter fun was hosted by Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen, along with famed ballet choreographer Edward Villella (pictured below). There was also a performance of the ballet legend’s “The Three Smokers,” along with rising child star skaters from Ice Theatre of New York and Figure Skating in Harlem.
How to Do NYC on a Budget
Traveling can get expensive quickly, especially if you’re headed to New York City. We’ve rounded up some of the best tips for taking on NYC with staying on a budget. From useful information on transportation and lodging to great resources for finding free activities and sample sales, we hope these tips will come in handy next time you visit Manhattan.
5 Reasons to Tour NYC by Bus This Fall
While New York City is a popular destination year round, there’s no better time than the fall to visit the Big Apple. In addition to ushering in the foliage and crisp air, autumn breathes new life into the city after a long hot summer. People are out and about and events calendars are jam-packed at many top attractions. And there’s no better way to see it all than by bus! Here are 5 reasons you should take a CitySightseeing 72-hour All Around Town Tour before the autumn season ends.
What to Do on a High School Senior Class Trip to NYC
New York City is the perfect destination to take a graduating class of high school seniors. It’s full of glitz and glam, as well as educational opportunities and shopping havens galore. Rounded up below are our top seven “must-dos” when it comes to visiting high school seniors.
Brooklyn Chocolate Tour
Sure to be a hit this fall season and beyond, TripAdvisor's top-rated NYC tour company A Slice of Brooklyn has launched its Brooklyn Chocolate Tour, which visits artisanal chocolate sites Jacques Torres Chocolate in DUMBO, The Chocolate Room in Cobble Hill, Raaka in Red Hook, and Li-Lac Chocolates in Industry City, Sunset Park.
The Best Fall Day Trips from NYC
Looking to make a quick excursion out of New York City this fall? If you’re limited on time, these seven day-trips out of the city are the perfect thing. From foliage cruises up the Hudson River Valley to apple orchards that are just right for the picking, there’s so much to be seen and explored just outside of New York City’s borders.
7 Great Bike Rides in NYC
Considering that 56% of NYC households don’t own cars, you can bet that there are quite a few bikers on the streets of Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. Sometimes taking a quick ride around the city (or out of it!) can be the perfect activity for clearing the mind and feeling invigorated. We know that's the case with these seven bike routes throughout New York City—if you’re looking for a spot to ride, check 'em out!
NYC's Best Farmers' Markets
When it comes to shopping for fresh produce in New York City, the locally sourced farmers' markets are without a doubt the way to go. Held all over the city, these greenmarket alternatives to grocery stores offer fresh fruits, veggies, dairy products, fresh seafood, and meats galore! They also provide a refreshing shopping experience compared to the cramped quarters of those aforementioned grocery stores. If you want to know where your food came from and what’s actually in it, then you ought to check out these seven farmers' markets in New York City.
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The Best Places to Spot Fall Foliage in NYC
Being nicknamed the "Concrete Jungle," you wouldn't expect to find beautiful scenes of autumn foliage in New York City... but you'd be surprised! A few hidden gems remain in the actual city, and even more red, orange, and yellow-adorned views can be accessed all around its borders. The summer may be too hot, and the winter too cold, but the fall in NYC is just right. Toss in some magical foliage with all its colorful leaf shows, and you've got yourself a paradise right in the heart of New York City.
NYC Fall Bucket List
If there was ever a season to visit New York City, it has to the be the fall. Between the gorgeous scenery (Central Park foliage, anyone?) and the lovely weather forecasts, the ideal time to plan a trip to the city has never been more obvious. As for what to do once you're here, we've got you covered. These seven exciting activities top our fall bucket list, and we have a feeling that they'll top yours too.
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The 9/11 Memorial & Museum Stands Triumphant
After a decade-plus of grieving, healing, and resilience, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum marks a monumental change to the city—one that invokes forward thinking and hope, transforming the spaces left in the New York City skyline.
NYC's Best Observation Decks
New York City has a lot of cool things going for it, from its ever-expanding restaurant list and pop-up shop culture to its rich history and impressive repertoire of museums. Want to take it all in at once? Then you’ve got to head to one of these seven stellar observation decks. The city can look daunting when you’re in the heart of it with skyscrapers towering over you, but the moment you get a leg-up you’ll realize how breathtaking this city really is. Go on, see for yourself.
The Biggest Wheel in the World Coming to NYC
New York City is one-upping the London Eye, with the development of The New York Wheel, a 60-story Ferris wheel with crowning views of New York Harbor. Sited on Staten Island’s St. George waterfront, The New York Wheel will offer unparalleled perspectives on the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano Bridge, with a target opening date of April, 2018.
