10 Fun Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC that will Make You Feel like a Local
In a city filled with tourists, finding non-touristy things to in NYC can sometimes be a challenge. There are so many interesting places in NYC to see, but sometimes visitors (and locals too) get stuck in a rut of visiting the same tourist destinations. If you are visiting and want to feel like a local, or if you are local and need some new inspiration, I have compiled a list of some of the coolest places and activities in NYC that I like to fill my downtime with.
Before I moved to New York City, I used to always visit the same places: Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Chinatown- you know the drill. When looking for suggestions of where to visit in NYC, you often will get the same rundown of “must-see” spots.
Then, I moved to New York City and still struggled to find non-touristy things to do at first. I would peruse the internet for suggestions, but would often still wind up in the same tourist traps. Now, after living here for awhile, I have finally found some lesser known actual must see places and activities in New York.
So whether you are looking to spice up your trip itinerary, or live here and are looking for something new to do, please use this guide as a jumping off point for some interesting places to visit!
Go Thrifting in Brooklyn
One of the coolest things about New York City is that the people here are so diverse- which makes thrifting super diverse as well. I like to think of thrifting in NYC as a scavenger hunt for one of a kind finds. It isn’t rare to come across designer items or really nice furniture pieces at reasonable prices.
In addition to catch-all thrift shops, there are a number of specialty ones that focus on vintage, antique, or other fun categories as well. I find that these specialty thrift shops tend to carry some of the coolest finds (that you can definitely brag to your friends about).
If you are looking for a very non-touristy thrifting experience, I would recommend heading over to Brooklyn to thrift. Brooklyn tends to be less busy than Manhattan which makes the shopping less crowded and more enjoyable. For more details on thrifting in Brooklyn, check out this guide here.
Read a Book at McNally Jackson
Cozying up with a book and a tea at McNally Jackson is one of my favorite rainy/cold day activities in New York City. McNally Jackson is an independent bookstore with four locations throughout the city. However, the Seaport location is my favorite because they have a cute little cafe/wine bar located downstairs- yes you read that right, there is a wine bar right in the bookshop!
The cafe has your typical selection of coffees and teas, but if you would prefer a glass of wine they’ve got you covered. There are a number of tables and booths to read or do work at in the cafe, or you can find a comfy chair in one of the nooks upstairs.
If you are in the market for a new book, they have an amazing selection. Otherwise, bring your own book, grab a drink, and enjoy a relaxing day at McNally Jackson!
Visit the Merchant House Museum
I stumbled upon the Merchant House Museum for the first time when wandering around NoHo last spring. This historic home turned museum paints the picture of what it was like to live in New York City during the mid-nineteenth century.
The entire home- from furniture to paint- has been almost perfectly preserved from when the Merchant family lived there almost two hundred years ago. You have the option to do either a self-guided tour or group tour (only offered at specific times of the day).
When I visited, I opted for the self-guided tour and easily spent over an hour sitting in the back garden and wandering through the house reading about the family. If you enjoy learning about American history, you should definitely check out this tucked away historical home.
Peruse the Brooklyn Flea Market
The Brooklyn Flea Market runs from April through December and features dozens of vendors selling furniture, clothing, crafts, jewelry, collectibles, and antiques. They are open every Saturday and Sunday which makes this a fantastic weekend activity. I can easily get lost wandering up and down the stalls of vendors trying on jewelry, parsing through furniture pieces, and looking at the art. The Brooklyn Flea Market is much like going thrifting, but you get to enjoy some fresh air and Vitamin D while at it!
The Brooklyn Flea Market is in walking distance of East River State Park and Time Out Market. I highly recommend heading over to Time Out Market to grab a bite and taking it to the park to eat and enjoy a beautiful view of Manhattan over the East River.
Get a Rooftop Drink at Randolph Beer
There are dozens of great rooftop bars throughout the city, but you may notice that in order to enjoy them you often have to book weeks in advance and they tend to be harsh on your wallet. Well I have great news for you, I am going to let you in on a New York hidden gem that I have been gatekeeping, Randolph Beer.
Randolph Beer is located in Dumbo, Brooklyn and has a rooftop with stunning Manhattan views, especially if you go during sunset. The drinks are super affordable (dare I say…cheap?) and I have always been able to walk right in.
If you are going with friends, I highly recommend grabbing a bucket of seltzers and a table during sunset. The rooftop is open-air so it is only open during the warmer months. You can check the website here for more information on hours.
Walk the High Line
The High Line is a public park built on an old, abandoned freight line. This 1.5 mile long walk features art installations, views of the Hudson River, and the opportunity to learn about a piece of New York City’s history as this rail line was used for a significant amount of New York City’s imports and exports during the Industrial Revolution.
There are several entry/exit points along the trail, so you don’t have to walk the full 1.5 mile span. However, I highly recommend doing the full walk so you don’t miss out on any of the awesome views it affords.
During the spring and fall (temperate weather) this walk can get on the more crowded side because the pathways are fairly narrow so I would recommend going on a weekday if possible.
Ride a Bike in Central Park
Riding a bike in Central Park is a super fun and affordable activity and a great way to see a lot of the park in a short amount of time! You can rent a Citi bike at any location in the city, but there are several rental spots dotted around the perimeter of the park. All you need to do is download the Citi bike or Lyft app and follow the instructions there on how to rent a bike.
For about $10, you can take the bike out in the park for an hour and ride around the many loops throughout Central Park. The largest outer-loop is just over 6 miles along and super doable in an hour. There are so many cute dogs, talented artists and musicians, recreational sports teams, among other interesting sights to see in the park on any given day. Visiting the park and taking a bike ride is a great way to immerse yourself in the city culture and see things that locals do in NY.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is another fantastic spot to see the city skyline and get great photos of the city while enjoying the outdoors. I recommend starting on the Brooklyn side- perhaps after going to the Brooklyn Flea Market and East River State Park (see above) so you are facing the Manhattan skyline as you walk. Though you can’t go wrong with a Brooklyn view either!
The walk is about a mile long and will probably take you 30-45 minutes (depending on how crowded it is). The pathway on the bridge is a dedicated footpath so you don’t have to worry about walking alongside busy NYC traffic. The Manhattan side of the bridge ends at City Hall Park which is only a short walk from one of my favorite gourmet pizza places in New York City, Keste, which you can read more about in my post on the best gluten free NYC dining spots.
See an Off-Broadway Show
Seeing a Broadway show is a staple of many visitors’ experience in New York City, but if you are looking for something more non-touristy to do in NYC, try an off-Broadway or even an off-off-Broadway show instead. What’s the difference between Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway? Just the size of the theater!
Broadway shows have 500+ seats, while off-Broadway has 99-499 seats and off-off-Broadway has less than 99 seats. Given the smaller size of these shows, they tend to be more intimate and the high production value makes for an entertaining show. Plus, these shows are usually more affordable than Broadway.
One of my favorite shows I have ever seen in the city was an off-Broadway tap show. Nothing beats getting dressed up and enjoying the magic of New York City theater without the burden of Broadway prices and the chaotic atmosphere that tourists tend to bring.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is another great way to see views of the city (including the Statue of Liberty) and the best part is its free! You can hop on the boat at the southern end of Manhattan. The boat leaves every 15-20 minutes and the ride from Manhattan to Staten Island is about 25 minutes long. Once you get to Staten Island, you can hop right back on the boat heading the other direction and head back to Manhattan. Round trip, it will take you about an hour.
I find this ride to be super enjoyable. Many visitors don’t realize that this is a free boat ride around the city, so it tends to be a non-touristy thing to do in NYC. You can find a seat anywhere along the boat and enjoy being out on the water. Make sure you take a look at the Statue of Liberty as you ride by as well! Plus, this is the perfect opportunity for pictures with the Manhattan skyline in the background as well.
Looking for More Trip Inspiration?
If you are visiting New York City, the planning doesn’t have to stop here! Check out my other guides to NYC:
I’m obsessed. Strong McNally Jackson supporter.