10 Things That Should Be on Your NYC Bucket List

NYC Bucket List

1/11
New York City is so big and can be somewhat intimidating that anybody making a bucket list of what to see when visiting the city that never sleeps could easily start and end with, well, the city itself.

But it's so much more than that.

Like other great cities - London, with neighborhoods like Notting Hill or San Francisco with Chinatown or The Haight-Ashbury - New York is an amalgam of people and their cultures.

In New York, you can buy a $700 scarf on Fifth Avenue, turn the corner, and buy four scarves for 20 bucks.

There's something to see, and be seen doing, at all times in New York City. You know all about the Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center, so now that travel has reopened here are 10 things - some of them off-beat - to put on your bucket list when visiting NYC.

Eleven Madison Park

2/11
OK, whether you're in the city for one day or 21 days, you have to treat yourself and significant other to one amazing meal. Eleven Madison Park is a restaurant where they have spent weeks teaching servers exactly how they want the water poured. That's not a joke. And neither is the bill, where the alcohol alone can cost more than some restaurants charge for the food. But oh so worth it.

Broadway

3/11
Broadway is scheduled to reopen later this fall - hey, it takes a few months to put a production together - and highlighting the return will be the second go-round for legendary singer Bruce Springsteen and his one-man show. Springsteen uses his iconic music to talk to the audience about growing up, becoming a superstar and dealing with the ups and downs of that kind of life. Be forewarned - tickets for shows like Springsteen, Hamilton and more will be at a premium price.

Hudson Yards

4/11
It's New York's newest neighborhood, spanning six blocks on the west side, with the centerpiece being 'The Vessel.' An oddly-shaped honeycomb, The Vessel's 12 stories are connected by 154 flights of steps and 80 landings. Like everything in NYC, what was once criticized during construction has turned out to be yet another cool part of the city.

Kellogg's Diner

5/11
The best breakfast in New York City - and the best greasy-spoon diner experience - is not in Manhattan. Cross the bridge to Brooklyn to eat at Kellogg's. Coming up on its 50th anniversary in about 18 months, Kellogg's not only serves a great breakfast but it's the perfect place to eat after a night out. Tip: tell them to add peanut butter to a chocolate shake.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

6/11
Yes, it will be the most emotional, harrowing part of your trip. But it's important to be where the Twin Towers once stood prior to the worst attack on American soil. To balance the trip, head to the Freedom Tower and its One World Observatory that soars to the sky. The tower was built in response to the attack so go ahead and feel free to give the terrorists and terrorist-sympathizers a real New York Salute.

See a Taping of a Show

7/11
Whether it's Kelly and Ryan early in the morning or The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon later in the afternoon, write ahead and try to get free tickets to watch the taping of a show. Tip: Fallon tapes two shows on Thursdays, one of which airs that night and one that airs on Friday nights.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

8/11
Sure, you've likely been IN St. Patrick's.

Ever been UNDER it?

St. Patrick's is the only Basilica in New York City that has catacombs underneath, and it's a fascinating experience to take the tour.

Take a Helicopter Ride

9/11
Wanna know one of the best ways to see New York City? From above. This is the best way to take in all the skyscrapers and incredible views of New York City. Truly, the view of Central Park plunked smack dab in the middle of the concrete jungle is fascinating.

Empire State Building

10/11
You have to.

That is all, you just have to.

And, you know, if you get those romantic feels and want to pop the question, this is the place.

Park Bench

11/11
Get lunch, and then sit down outside in Central Park, Bryant Park, even Union Square and do the one thing that's free - people watch.

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Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

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Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

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Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me