The 70 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC Visual Story

By Alli Sewell

Introduction

The 70 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC Visual Story

Here are the 70 best non-touristy things to do in NYC. Explore the hidden gems...

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Non-Touristy Things to Do in Manhattan

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Explore Elizabeth Street Garden

Looking for something a little more idyllic than Central Park? Then the Elizabeth Street Garden...

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Create your own magical cocktails at The Cauldron

Located in the Financial District of Manhattan, The Cauldron is a magic-themed bar where you...

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Experience a hot tub boat tour with Sea the City

Perhaps one of the most unusual things to do in NYC, this tour allows you...

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Pamper yourself at AIRE Ancient Baths

You don't need to go all the way to Greece to experience the ancient baths...

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Experience modern contemporary art at its finest at Mmuseumm

Another of the NYC non-touristy things to do is going to one of the most...

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Indulge in pastrami from Katz's Delicatessen, Manhattan's oldest deli

New York City is filled with delis and bodegas, but nothing quite compares to the...

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Take a circus aerial class at Aerial Arts NYC in Manhattan

Ever wondered how circus stars train for their magical and breathtaking shows? Then you should...

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Have a romantic night out at the Temple Court on 10

Temple Court on 10 is the perfect dining spot for a romantic night out in...

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Travel to 1850s Ireland at McSorley's, Manhattan's oldest pub

Keeping with the same theme as Katz's, McSorley's Old Ale House is a pub that...

littleny/Depositphotos.com

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Learn the art of espionage at Spyscape

Visiting museums is one of the most fun things to do in NYC, but the...

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Experience an audio-visual installation at Artechouse

Among NYC's many art installations, Artechouse offers something a little bit different. Located in the...

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Bask in the beautiful Manhattan skyline with the Roosevelt Island Tramway

If you've ever wondered what an aerial view of the Upper East Side looks like...

neymanjr/Depositphotos.com

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Go for a nightcap inside a bank vault at Trinity Place Restaurant

This hidden bar in the Financial District of Manhattan wasn't just decorated to look like...

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See a medieval monastery at The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park

Manhattan is mainly known for its skyscrapers and beautiful brownstones, so this particular site might...

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Find the hidden bar behind a little bodega in Seaport

The best thing about New York City is that it's filled with secret spots not...

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Get spooked with the ghosts of New York walking tour

Being part of a tour group can get boring sometimes, but that definitely won't be...

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Try the chopped cheese from Hajji's in Harlem

New York City delis are famous for their Reubens and sandwiches made with fresh, high-quality...

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Feast on halal street food with the Halal Guys food truck

For those looking for a halal option when visiting New York City, one of the...

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Kayak on the East River or Hudson River

You don't have to go all the way to Coney Island or Rockaway Beach to...

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Explore the East Village

The East Village is a Manhattan neighborhood known for its bars, pubs, and clubs. You...

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Check out the eclectic Morgan Library and Museum

Visitors to NYC can never run out of museums to explore. Yet, instead of going...

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Taste local cheese at Bedford Cheese Shop

Good quality cheese is often attributed to Italy, France, and the Netherlands, but New York...

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Make your own candles at Wick and Pour

There's nothing better than personalizing your own souvenir, and you can do precisely that at...

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Shop for books at Strand Bookstore

One of the top non-touristy things to do in NYC is spending some time looking...

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Find the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of the most famous NYC landmarks. A fun New York...

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Hang out at Battery Park City

Another of the fun non-touristy things to do in NYC is spending some time at...

nycruss/Depositphotos.com

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Eat sweet treats at the city's best bakeries

If you have a sweet tooth, one of the New York non-touristy things to do...

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Cheer for NYC's sports teams

New Yorkers love their sports teams, and catching a game when you're in the city...

littleny/Depositphotos.com

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Wander along the High Line

If you're looking for an outdoor activity, one of the cool non-touristy things to do...

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Dare to go into the New York Catacombs

One of the off-the-beaten-path activities to try in NYC is going underground into the city's...

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Discover secrets in Central Park

Almost everyone will visit Central Park when in New York City. However, there are some...

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Relax and read at the New York Public Library outdoor reading room

The New York Public Library is another of the well-known landmarks with lesser-known attractions. While...

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Treat yourself to milkshakes at Lexington Candy Shop

Lexington Candy Shop is one of many hidden gems in NYC, especially for those with...

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Get drinks at The Spaniard in the West Village

Another of the excellent bars in Manhattan that isn't frequented much by tourists is The...

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Shop at Chelsea Market

Opened in 1997, Chelsea Market features a vast food hall and shopping mall. You can...

davidtran07/Depositphotos.com

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Cuddle with cats at Meow Parlour cat cafe!

One of the best local things to do in NYC for animal lovers is visiting...

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Learn to cook delicious meals at a cooking class

A fun idea for those that like to cook or want to learn is taking...

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Check out the Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island itself isn't very well-known to tourists, despite being well worth visiting. On the...

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Dine on high-end plant-based food at Dirt Candy

New York has many great plant-based eateries, like Dirt Candy on the Lower East Side...

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Non-Touristy Things to Do in Brooklyn

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Unwind under cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Considering how dense New York City is, it's always a treat every time you come...

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Hunt for the best pizza in the city

Another non-tourist thing to do in NYC is to hunt for the best pizza in...

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Have a feast at DeKalb Market Hall in Brooklyn

The food scene in Brooklyn is massive, let alone in the entire city. As a...

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Discover pinball heaven at the Sunshine Laundromat

Some of the best places in NYC are pretty underground, and only those who seek...

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Catch the sunset at Westlight at The William Vale

Rooftop venues are a-plenty in New York City, but this one provides one of the...

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Shop for unique souvenirs at the Brooklyn Flea Market

Visiting flea markets is one of the best non-tourist things to do in NYC, as...

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Take your bike out on the Brooklyn Bridge

One of the best ways to discover a new city is to explore it on...

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Dance the night away at the House of Yes in Brooklyn

New York City is no stranger to weirdly-themed parties that only a few have access...

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Feel the thrill at Beat The Bomb escape room

Beat The Bomb is not your average escape room, and it's perfect for thrill-seekers visiting...

Beat The Bomb

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Stroll through Brooklyn Heights on the Squibb Park Bridge

The Brooklyn Squibb Park Bridge is a hidden gem that not even many locals have...

rSnapshotPhotos/Shutterstock.com

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Go on a Brooklyn and Bushwick Collective street art tour

Brooklyn is a trendy part of NYC that has some great street art murals to...

Hackman/Depositphotos.com

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Spend some time in Prospect Park

Another park that first-time visitors to NYC don't tend to go to is Prospect Park...

littleny/Depositphotos.com

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Enjoy a fun day out at Luna Park on Coney Island

The boroughs of Manhattan and Queens are more well-known for their food, art scene, and...

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Non-Touristy Things to Do in Queens

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Travel back through time at the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport

Airports aren't usually a go-to attraction for tourists, but the TWA Flight Center is not...

Hackman/Depositphotos.com

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Try pizza ice cream from Max and Mina's in Flushing

Out of all the creameries in New York City, Max and Mina's is probably the...

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Have a summer surf sesh at Rockaway Beach in Queens

Most people don't usually associate New York City with surfing, and maybe that's because you...

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Buy fresh, authentic pasta from Cassinelli Pasta

New York City might be known for its pizza, but thanks to the large concentration...

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Have bottomless brunch at The Shady Lady in Queens

Brunch is such a great way to unwind and spend time with your loved ones...

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Check out the Panorama of New York at the Queens Museum

New York City might be a massive metropolis, but this panorama lets you overlook the...

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Non-Touristy Things to Do on Staten Island

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Reach a state of zen at the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden

If you ever find yourself in Staten Island, a must-see place is the New York...

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Treat yourself with vintage desserts at Holtermann's Bakery

The journey to this Staten Island bakery might be long and winding. If you don't...

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Boogie in your skates at RollerJam USA

The ice rink in Central Park is iconic, but it tends to be swarmed with...

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Have a fresh pint at the Flagship Brewing Company

Staten Island might be called "New York's forgotten borough," but the beers from this brewery...

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Catch a show at the historic St. George Theater on Staten Island

Broadway shows are a must-see when you visit the city, but for those looking for...

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Ride the Staten Island Ferry

One of the best ways to see the Manhattan skyline is by riding on the...

nycruss/Depositphotos.com

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Taste grandma's cooking at Enoteca Maria on Staten Island

No matter how good a restaurant is, nothing beats grandma's cooking. Fortunately for foodies in...

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Non-Touristy Things to Do in the Bronx

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Visit the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx

If you're an avid baseball fan, the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is a must-visit...

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Try Puerto Rican moonshine at Port Morris Distillery

Most distilleries often focus on creating wine, beer, whiskey, tequila, and other typical liquors. Port...

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Go to the other Little Italy in the Bronx

Mulberry Street in Manhattan is not the only neighborhood known for its Italian heritage. There...

littleny/Depositphotos.com

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Snack on molé with a side of activism at La Morada in the Bronx

La Morada is a little Mexican food joint tucked below an apartment building on Williams...

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Wander around the New York Botanical Garden

Located in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is a beautiful attraction that many...

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Conclusion

Conclusion

These 70 things to do in NYC that are not touristy are just the tip...

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