Over the years, New York City has had many nicknames. The Big Apple is also known far and wide as the city that never sleeps. It’s also commonly referred to as the Empire State, as well as being given pseudonyms like Gotham and Metropolis. For families, there is no shortage of things to do, from sightseeing to sampling some of the best food around. Here are some of the best ways to spend a family day in New York City.
The city has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx. Each one has its own charm and its unique list of exciting activities. Queens is the largest sector, but Manhattan is arguably the most iconic. Like it’s neighbors, this borough is filled with museums, retail stores and dining experiences for all types of foodies, in addition to other amusements.
Depending on the duration of your stay, there are day-trips or overnight adventures that can give visitors a taste of what the city has to offer. Signing up for a tour is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon learning about one aspect of the city. Try a pizza tasting bus tour to sample a symbolic local custom if you’re into savory snacks. If you have a sweet tooth, try a cupcake and gelato tour. For those feeling a little more daring, there are helicopter tours available to give you a bird’s eye view of the city’s urban landscape.
If you are a fan of theatre, New York has something for everyone to enjoy. If you are willing to wait in line and you aren’t particularly choosy, you can get Broadway and off-Broadway show tickets for discounted same-day performances by waiting at the Times Square TKTS booth. Because availability and show types change quickly and frequently all day long, there is no set time that will guarantee you find the tickets you most desire. That being said, it is recommended that people hit a TKTS booth earlier in the day rather than later.
The museums of New York have been in movies and written about in books. You won’t regret a visit to the impressive Metropolitan museum, which houses over 5,000 years of art history. For a truly show-stopping experience, there’s the famous American Museum of Natural History, the Hayden Planetarium, and the Guggenheim, in addition to the Whitney Museum and the MoMA.