I'm Jen your local New York City guide and the number one question everyone
asks me is what is your all-time favorite thing to do in New York okay
maybe I can't narrow it down just to one thing but I've narrowed it down to my
top 11 things if you only have a few travel days these are my favorite things
to do and see in New York City please don't forget to click the subscribe like
button share it with friends if you enjoyed this video and I have a whole
blog post with more information linked down below okay!
Number eleven Washington Square Park the first park many visitors think of
when visiting New York City is often Central Park
which is amazing don't get me wrong but some parts can be little touristy and it
is so huge it is impossible to see it all. Visit Washington Square Park to see
how locals and students gather to sunbathe enjoy street performers or just
take a photo with the arch. It was featured in my favorite TV show
Mrs. Mazal showing an important historical protest against the roadway
expansion that successfully stopped traffic from going through the park.
Morning light is always my favorite here but visit later in the afternoon to
watch the park come alive with street performers and musicians entertaining
visitors. Even when it's crowded is worth a visit my favorite time of year here is
definitely spring when the magnolia trees are flowering right next to the
arch and everyone is out enjoying the park.
Number ten Times Square: Times Square is a love-hate relationship for any local
or onlooker it is a must-see for a first-time visitor but it depends on the
person and how long you can stand some of the crowds and people asking for
money I highly recommend visiting for at least 20 minutes to marvel at all the
lights and craziness that is Times Square there's no bad lighting in Times
Square except maybe midday when shadows can be
harsh it's great to see during the day or even at night with less crowds when
it's hard to tell it's even dark outside since this area is still all lit up by
billboards.
Number nine flatiron building: since I've worked in two offices in this area and
even lived on 23rd Street I know the Flatiron District well I even made an
entire video about it no matter how many times I walk past this uniquely shaped
Flatiron Building I can't stop taking photos of it or enjoying new angles this
is one of the few places I would recommend you do not shoot early in the
morning but instead go at midday when the Sun is behind the building and
creates a flare of light at the right angle I've shot this many mornings and
even though it can be a little less crowded the light moves quickly and hits
the left side of the building with some jagged harsh shadows of the buildings in
front of it.
Number eight the New York transit museum: the next four seem to have a train or
transportation theme. The New York transit museum is one of the
lesser-known museums but is great for kids and adults who especially love New
York City history and trains learn about the evolution of the subway map or why
they got rid of tokens. My favorite part of this has to be that you can step
right on to historic trains in the basement of this old subway station. If
you ever ride a nostalgic train during the holidays these are the trains that
they put in service during those weeks I love laughing at the dated advertising
and seeing firsthand how the train seats handles an overall design changed so
much from decade to decade. Since the entrance to this museum is just like a
subway entrance a stairway down into an old subway station lighting is not an
issue I would recommend avoiding school hours as we visited there were a number
of kids my favorite time to visit is actually about one to two hours before
they closed when most people are leaving you can feel like you have the whole
place all to yourself.
Number seven enjoying the skyline from the water on the Staten Island Ferry or
the Classic Harbor Line cruises the Staten Island Ferry is completely free
and one of the best views of this Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty
the best time to ride it is sunrise or sunset keep in mind it can get crowded
for sunset I also have an entire guide of how to ride this and where to stand
if you're looking for a less crowded and more relaxed and comfortable option take
a ride on a Classic Harbor Line cruise to get even closer to the Statue of
Liberty I love their classic style vessels and sailboats that offer a no
stress experience complete with drinks that is a highlight to any New York City
trip this is so worth buying a ticket for this is one of my favorite
experiences in New York.
Number six Roosevelt Island Trams: this is yet another unique form of
transportation with gorgeous views of the city skyline it is just one swipe of
your MetroCard to hop aboard one of these trams featured in the 2002
spider-man movie I love doing this in early spring just as the cherry blossoms
are about to bloom, once bloomed the island can get super packed with
visitors but it's still worth the visit most other seasons it is almost
completely empty so flock here if you're looking for a peaceful walk with a view
of Manhattan. The best light is at sunrise when the Sun is setting behind
the skyline prominently featuring the Empire State Building Chrysler Building
and the UN.
Number five Grand Central I've traveled through Grand Central more times than I
can count but every time I look up at the ceiling of backwards constellations
or take a time-lapse video I revel at its beauty.
I've actually travelled through many train stations in the United States
during my cross-country trip but this is still my favorite! It is truly one of the
most beautiful train stations or rather terminals in the United States and
perhaps the world you can take photos and videos inside Grand Central but if
you want to use a tripod you do need to get a permit at least one week in
advance the light is great throughout the day and especially nice during the
late afternoon to avoid crowds do not go at rush hour when people are hurrying to
work or the train to go home.
Number four top of the rock: one of the best observation decks in New York City
for views of the Empire State Building and Central Park is top of the road
that photo everyone takes here with the Empire State Building in the foreground
and the Freedom Tower behind it is a classic this shot is so overused as
stock photography I think it must be the official view people think of when they
think of the entire city for something so hyped and such a familiar view it is
still so worth the visit I love going high up in a tall observatory deck in
any city while traveling and this is my absolute favorite one in New York City
since you can't quite see sunrise at the top of the rock due to their hours the
best time to go for the best light is sunset! 67 stories up we are at the top
of the rock right now at these gorgeous views at sunset definitely reminder you
should come here a couple hours earlier because the lines will start to form and
you will have a specific time that you are called to even if you get there
maybe an hour before that time I definitely recommend two hours it can
get busy but it is possible to get some beautiful shots of the skyline at sunset
if golden light is not a priority and you would prefer shots with less crowds
go early or late on a weekday.
Number three Central Park boats I admit it I am NOT the best at rowing these
boats but there is something so special about taking a ride on the lake in one
of these boats it's great for a romantic outing or even a friend date this is one
of my favorite things to do in New York City especially in the summer as it is
only available from April through November weather permitting. The best
lighting is usually in the late afternoon but to avoid lines go early
the boat rentals our first-come first-serve so definitely get in line at
9:30 a.m. before it opens at 10:00 a.m.
number 2: city hall city hall subway station was
the first subway station in New York City which opened in 1904 and was
abandoned in 1945 but remains an almost pristine condition today.
It was once considered the crown jewel of the New York City Transit System
with its vaulted ceilings and whimsical skylights the semi-secret station has
been featured in several films like the first fantastic beasts and where to find
them. There are two main ways to see this station for free through the windows of
the six train or you can purchase a membership and a tour through the New
York transit museum I love City Hall for its mysterious
abandoned beauty and how giddy it made me feel to stand in the first subway
station in New York City. My 20 minutes in the station on the hard to reserve
tour felt absolutely magical and flew by I went by myself since my friends didn't
want to pay about a hundred dollars to go which is understandable and I set up
my tripod and frolicked in my red dress for this video and had so much fun
seeing this station in all its glory you cannot fully avoid crowds as these tours
often sell out but if you are on a tour you can usually find windows of time
when certain areas are less crowded to take a photo of yourself without others
in the background like I did if you do not have time and budget to purchase the
membership and tour you can see the station for free by staying on a
downtown 6 train as it takes a u-turn to travel back uptown for the best lighting
go during daylight hours when the sunlight peeks through
the skylights. The only time the lights are turned on in the station are during
tour days so you can also look up the tour schedule online and stay on the
train on a tour day to see it more lit up. Number one the Brooklyn Bridge the
Brooklyn Bridge is in New York City icon built in 1869 it has seen so much even
the crossing of 21 elephants the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best photo
locations and just a feel-good activity to walk across it and take in the
skyline views. Similarly one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco
was walking across the Golden Gate Bridge bridges often have the best view
of a city and walking across them forces you to slow down and appreciate new
angles of a city skyline I love the Brooklyn Bridge not only for its
historic significance and it's symmetrical beauty but also for how I
feel when I walk across it as sunrise when it's almost empty and you fall in
love with New York all over again I have a full video on the best ways to walk
across it, which direction is best the history and how to avoid the mistakes
most visitors make. The best way to walk across the bridge is starting on the
Brooklyn side walking to the Manhattan side at sunrise when there is
significantly less people and there is golden early morning light sunset is
another great time for beautiful shots and silhouettes of the bridge but can
sometimes be shoulder to shoulder crowded especially on a weekend
thank you so much for watching please click the subscribe like button and
share with friends if you enjoyed this video and keep watching I have a ton
more videos have a blog post with all the details link down below as always say
yes to new adventures and I'll see you next time bye! :)