Top 3 Things To Do in NY PART 1: Pre-Pandemic

A disclaimer I should make at the beginning of this post is that I am definitely not a true New Yorker by the definition of people who were born here. For example, I use an umbrella, which I have been told by several life long residents is a “No no.” Who knows how they show up to places looking presentable during a rainstorm? I will confess that I am quite a dorky human who loves all the quintessential cheesy New York moments, so if you are like me, then you will enjoy this post. Below is a short list that I have compiled solely based on my own preferences as a person who grew up in VA, visited NY several times before making the move, and has now been in NY for 3.5 years with 2.5 of those years being prior to the pandemic.

MY TOP THREE THINGS TO DO IN NY PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC (AND HOPEFULLY AFTER AS WELL):

1. Theater. THEATER! The best and my favorite experience in New York. Live performances can’t be beat. There are very few moments that match the magic sitting in a theater with a close friend can cause as you both witness the beauty that actors, stage crew, and orchestra put together each night. One of my favorite parts about theater is that each night is different from the one before. Unlike a film that is permanently stamped in history, a play or musical changes depending on the audience, how the actor feels that night, or how the orchestra plays a certain note. Even with this deep love of theater-going, in New York, where the shows are so big and grand, tickets can get expensive! When I first moved to New York, it was difficult to see certain shows because of the hefty price. However, over time, I was clued in on a few secrets that helped ease the cost a little bit. During the first year I lived here, I saw 23 shows (18 On Broadway, and 5 Off-Broadway), the second year, I saw 17 shows (16 On Broadway, and 1 Off-Broadway), and the third year, due to COVID, I saw 4 (all On Broadway).

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So, that’s a total of 44 shows that I had the opportunity to see. I promise I didn’t break the bank to do it. Below are some of the tricks I used:

• The TKTS Booth (https://www.tdf.org/nyc/7/TKTS-ticket-booths) – I have had less success with this tactic, but it is still very useful. On the day of a show, you can line up at the booth in Times Square to see what tickets are still available for various shows. The prices I have found here are still a little high but not horrible. I have gotten to see Once On This Island and The Rockette‘s Christmas Spectacular by using this method.
• Today Tix (https://www.todaytix.com) – one of the most successful ways I’ve seen a show is through Today Tix. It is an app that has about a month or so worth of tickets available on it and are almost always at least 5-10 dollars less than the cost on the play’s website. I have gone to Company, Come From Away, Puffs, The Band’s Visit, and Avenue Q through Today Tix. It’s a super easy app to use and all you have to do is arrive to the theater at least 10 to 15 minutes before the play to get the tickets from one of their employees who you can easily identify in a red shirt or sweatshirt. Even during quarantine, Today Tix has helped the theater going community by hosting the production of Ratatouille The Musical which was super cute and calming to watch after not stepping in a theater for months.
• The other way that I have seen several plays is through the discounts provided for those who are 30 to 35 and under. Sadly at 30 years old, I have phased out of several of these programs, but once we are back from the pandemic, I encourage any of you youngin’s to try out these options if they are still available. Lincoln Center’s program called Linc Tix (http://www.lct.org/linctix/) allowed 35 years old and under folks to buy tickets for $32. Through this website, I went to see the production of My Fair Lady. The 2nd Stage Theater (https://2st.com/tickets/thirty-under-thirty) has their $30 under 30 program that I used to see a show called Lobby Hero. Finally, this website has a list of even more ways to find discounts that people can use to see shows: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-nyc-theater-discounts-_b_5542415. The return of theater is still up in the air, but hopefully these programs will still be available when it does. They definitely helped make plays and musicals more accessible for me when I was new to the city and very tight on funds.

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2. One of my favorite things to do in any city that I live in, but especially in New York City, is to host friends and family for a weekend and feel like a tourist again. The pandemic has really put a damper on that. Outside of my sister Beth visiting me in October from Pennslyvania for apple picking, I haven’t had any non-NY visitors to my apartment since 2019! I really miss having people come to visit. I love the process of planning their stay with me from the initial conversation a few months before to the excited texts that are sent a week or two prior to their arrival as we buy tickets for plays, schedule museum visits, or figure out the uniquely NY foods we want try. When people come to town, it’s my excuse to get out of typical routines and see the sights from the point of view of someone who doesn’t live with it around them all the time. We may walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, stroll through Times Square, take in the sights from the High Line, or browse the shops at the Chelsea Market. As a resident, I try to avoid the crowds but when someone is new to the city I love seeing their eyes light up as they get to experience New York with me. I have also learned how to be a better host by having people visit me. A big lesson I had to learn is that not all people who come to NY have the same priorities as me when they travel. Not everyone wants to be go-go-go all the time to take in as much as possible in the short few days they spend here. Sometimes, a friend or family member wants to visit to just hang with me and chill at my apartment to experience a “normal” weekend with me. I have learned to accommodate different people’s interests to cater a weekend that feels fun and fulfilling for different types of people. I can’t wait until this can be done again in a safe way.

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3. New York is without a doubt a very expensive city. If you live here, it is unavoidable that rents are high, food can be overpriced, and taking the subway several times a week can create a big dent in your bank account. But even with all of those high costs in one’s daily life, there are a gazillion ways to have a fun time in New York without spending more than the subway ride to get to it. Below are just a few of the random pop-ups and outdoor events that are free or very low cost for the public that I have enjoyed since moving here:

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• Movies at Bryant Park – I saw Dirty Dancing my first summer here and it was so fun to be surrounded by people as they joined the dancing in the final scene
• Movies at Riverside Park – I saw Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for a friend’s birthday and the view by the water was so fun and peaceful and great way to celebrate the occasion.
• The US Open Trials – I went with Pete in August 2019 and it was cool to watch some of the matches completely free. This is your chance to experience the speed and intensity of professional tennis up close and personal for only the cost of your trip to Queens. Be aware of flying balls.
• Broadway Flea Market – If you want to buy a discounted Broadway item, they are all over the place at this event. You can also just go to browse the booths and potentially see some of your favorite Broadway stars. You also leave feeling good if you do buy something because it benefits Broadway Cares.

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• Taylor Swift’s Lover Popup – It was fun to wait in line with other fans in Chelsea to get a glimpse of some of her new merchandise, gaze at her sparkly gowns from her music videos, and take photos in the different areas they set up with cool back drops. You could buy a shirt or two or just take in the sights and get the free guitar pick that came with the entry.
• San Genarro Festival – Walking down the street during this festival was absolutely fantastic. There were cool performers, delicious smells wafting from the booths, and you could take in the culture of the street.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel event at Greenwood Cemetery – Free food and merch from vendors, a screening of an episode, and interactive activities to take in before and after the screening
• Shakespeare in the Park – Shakespearean plays done by professional actors through The Public Theater – all for free and outside – quite the dreamy experience.

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• Kayaking in the Hudson – This was such a unique way to see the city and was well organized. You get a kayak for 30 minutes which is plenty of time to row throughout the blocked off areas and see lower Manhattan from the water.
• Wanderlust’s Free Yoga in Prospect Park – An hour and a half yoga and dance session with tons of freebies from the booths nearby afterward.
• Blue Apron’s Wine and Cheese Pop-up – When my younger sister Beth and her friend Mariya came up for her bachelorette party, we stumbled upon a free wine and cheese tasting from Blue Apron. All we had to do was present our ids for entry to go to each little table where we got a small glass of wine with a few cubes of cheese that were paired with it. It saved us the cost of a few cocktails and it was such a fun way to kick off the night in a way we weren’t expecting.

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• New York Public Library Events – I am a huge fan of libraries. One of the first things I always do when I move to a new city is to register for a library card. The resources and entertainment they provide are endless especially since they have adapted with the times to lend out e-books and audiobooks. The NYPL takes the beauty of libraries up another level by hosting events that are free or very low cost. There have been monthly After Hours events including ones for Halloween that included a costume contest that Tim Gunn from Project Runway judged. I also went to an event in which Tim Gunn spoke about the books that have shaped his personal life experiences. Coincidentally, I have managed to hit each and every Tim Gunn event. At Christmas there is a big tree and a seasonal display that they pick out from their archives. The architecture is beautiful and I just can’t stop being a nerd for libraries.

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The list could go on and on but I had to mention the beauty of museums in NY. Not only do they contain content that we can all admire, but similar to libraries, they also have times of the week or monthly events that are free or low cost. One of my favorites is the Museum of the Moving Image (which is currently closed due to COVID). When it was open, on Fridays from 4pm to 8pm, it was free which included access to their Jim Henson Exhibit which was incredible. Here’s a website that has a long list of other museums that have those events: https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections/35/free-museum-days-or-pay-what-you-wish.

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****I also want to make note that the free days at the museums and the discounted theater tickets are great for those who want something to do when they are low on money. BUT, if you are able to, it’s great to support the arts and the facilities that provide access to these fantastic exhibits and shows that have been closed for nearly a year by this point.

Originally I was hoping to make one post with three NY activities I loved pre pandemic and three since COVID hit, but this one has already become quite lengthy. So, instead, I will write another blog that includes some ideas of what I have done the past year to keep me occupied during quarantine. I’ll post that as my first one in March.

What are your favorite NY activities that you can’t wait to return to when things are safe to do together again? I’d love to know what to add to my NY Bucket List!