New York is full of hidden gems. This insider guide to New York City written by a native New Yorker will show you best unusual things to do in New York City that are alternative, kooky, fascinating, and just weird. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride as New York has so much to offer that you might not expect. I’ve grouped these activities by borough and location.
…New York State
Your guide to Buffalo by a former resident with the best things to do in Buffalo NY
Although many people underestimate Buffalo, New York, but the Queen City has a lot to offer. I spent a couple of years in Buffalo and I must say that there are a lot of interesting things to do in Buffalo, NY. Buffalo is one of the most architecturally rich cities in the United States.
If you’re visiting Buffalo from Niagara Falls, Be sure to take at least a few days to enjoy the stunning architecture, delicious food, and cool neighborhoods of Buffalo.
I’m not really sure why people often skip Buffalo in their itinerary when visiting Niagara Falls, but I hope that this post focusing on unique things to do in Buffalo helps inspire you to visit this culture rich city. Many people don’t realize that the street design well as the park designs were inspired by Paris.
…14 insider tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty by a New Yorker
One of the most majestic places to visit in New York is the Statue of Liberty. This iconic American sight is the symbol of New York and even as a New Yorker, I had to revisit Lady Liberty on my recent trip. I’ve included some insider tips for avoiding lines when visiting the Statue of Liberty, tips for getting reasonable tickets for the Statue of Liberty (including climbing the crown), and general travel tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
…Sleeping in JFK Airport: Survival tips for your overnight JFK layover
Travel is not always glamorous. On my recent trip back to the US, we had an overnight layover at JFK between disconnected flights. The gap was long enough that I wondered if it was worthwhile, but we decided to try out sleeping at JFK airport. Keep reading for tips for surviving this lovely JFK layover.
…Junior’s Cheesecake: The authentic cheesecake that you must try in NYC
Is there anything as iconic as New York cheesecake? If you’re visiting New York City, I highly recommend visiting Junior’s Cheesecake in Downtown Brooklyn. This Brooklyn diner serving up cheesecake, hearty sandwiches, coffee, and egg creams is famous the world over. I include some tips for visiting Junior’s for the first time–and a bit of history of the New York cheesecake.
…The Insider’s Guide to the US Open by a fan attending for 30+ years
This week is a guest post from a reader who happens to be my dad. Steve is a native New Yorker who has been going to the US Open for the past 35 years. He attends for three days every year. The most that he has ever spent on one day was $3 for a pretzel (other than tickets). Some days have been totally free. He is proud of this accomplishment.
This is an update for the 2019 US Open with corrections and other important developments from last year’s blog. It still contains insider tips to the US Open with advice on how to visit Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on a budget, what to bring to the US Open, what to wear to the US Open, and other travel tips for the US Open 2019. Remember to enjoy the Day.
…Gatsby’s Long Island: Gorgeous Gold Coast mansions that you must see!
When visiting NYC, many tourists overlook visiting nearby Long Island that offers a relaxing day away from the Manhattan crowds but offers many interesting sites and great restaurants. If you are a fan of The Great Gatsby, the book or the film, this is the locale where the fictional lives of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan took place. This guide will show you Gatsby’s Long Island along with tips for making a weekend (or a day) out of visiting
17 best places to shop in New York on a budget by a New Yorker
Shopping in New York is truly a classic activity. As someone who is pretty budget-conscious, but who loves a nice statement piece, I went big when I visited my parents recently. I went to a lot of my favorite places to shop in New York as well as some new places that I hadn’t yet been to.
I’ve tried to only discuss limit this post about the best budget shopping in New York City to places that have quality items for a reasonable price, e.g. designer clothes/shoes for 50-70% off retail and stores that simply carry good quality without charging you insane amounts. I also include secondhand shopping, which is a passion of mine. I also include some money-saving tips!
…Your insider guide to Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights by a native New Yorker
Brooklyn is on the rise and a lot of you have asked about Brooklyn although I’ve decided to focus this post on two of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn for tourists: Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn. I’ve decided to ask my dad, who was born in Brooklyn and remembers the move of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
After 25 years working in downtown Brooklyn, my dad is here to dish about two neighborhoods of Brooklyn that he knows best. Keep reading for insider tips on the best things to do in Downtown Brooklyn and the best food in Downtown Brooklyn.
…Insider Tips for NYC during the Holidays by a New Yorker
The holidays in NYC are the best time to visit New York City. As a New Yorker born and raised, I’ve written tips for the holidays in NYC, the best things to do in New York at Christmas, tips for the Christmas windows in NYC, tips for the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, and how to survive Times Square New Year’s Eve. Keep reading for insider tips for New York during Christmas!
…