Taking a bite out of the Big Apple

We've been to NYC several times and we love it! I am always on the lookout for new & unique things to do in the city. Below are a few of the things that I've done, and a few things that I still want to do.

If you've got ideas to add to the list, let me know!

Cool things to do:

Spa with a view of the Manhattan skyline. In 2024 I discovered this amazing spa on Governor's Island. Just a short 10-minute ferry ride from Manhattan and a 5-minute walk away... this spa was super cool and exceeded our expectations!

We opted to just do the day pass ($150/each) that gave us 5 ours of access (treatments are available at an extra charge). We really enjoyed the outdoor pool with a view of the city, multiple saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas. I think I would add this to any must do NYC list!

The coolest magic show ever. I stumbled upon Speakeasy Magick a few years ago and we were amazed by the illusionists! They've since moved to a new location and we are hoping to check it out again soon! Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. We used this guide to plan and we really enjoyed the walk. The view was great... awesome pictures!

Christmas Market at Bryant Park. This is a must do during the holidays. It's crowded, but a great way to get into the holiday spirit. When we went in 2023 we got tickets for a curling lane (with a heated dome) and it was a neat experience!

Coney Island. I've always wanted to go to Coney Island... and in 2024 we made it a reality. We this guide to plan our trip. We walked the boardwalk, visited Luna Park and rode the Cyclone. And we had to have hot dogs at the original Nathan's! It's not a world-class amusement park, but it was fun and a good way to spend an afternoon outdoors.

Live Events. In my opinion, this goes without saying.

We typically plan our trips around some event that we want to see (concert, broadway show, sporting events). There are so many options, I think it would be crazy to visit the city and not get in a show (or two!).

Some of our favorites have been: Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Music Man, Billy Joel at MSG, The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, Yankees Games.

Summit One Vanderbilt. We took the kids to SummitOV in December 2025 and they declared it the best part of the trip. It's a unique experience that you have to do to understand.

My tips - get tickets on the first timeslot in the morning and buy the photo package!

Central Park Peticab Tour. We took this tour with the kids and loved it!

Got some great stories and great pictures in Central Park.

Christmas in NYC! My favorite yet. You can see our full itinerary here.