Things to do in NYC
 

Hi guys, I am travelling to NYC next month for 10 days with my family. I'm from Chicago, and not familiar with the city. Any recommendation for must-visit places/foods/shopping in New York? I am also thinking to book a culinary tour from a website called verlocal. Any thoughts on that? Thank you, I really appreciate you guys help

You, and other adults or older kids (perhaps form 10 or 11 up) should look through a couple of good guide books to determine what YOUR must sees are.

Ten days is a good amount of time and you will be able to see a lot - but since we do;t know you we don;t know what YOUr must sees are.

One note - get tickets to the Statue of Liberty now You are already too late for Crown tickets (which sell out months in advance) but you should still be able to get Pedestal (museum) tickets. Go to statuecruises.com - the only company that ca sell tickets to the ferry to Liberty Island.

I recall someone a while ago having a bad experience with verlocal. I don't remember the details, but be sure to do some research on them...

The 9/11 Museum is quite moving, and a good historical visit for children, I think. You should book tickets for tours on line. My suggestion is to go as early in the day as possible, as the Plaza and Museum fill up with people later in the morning.

We took a Hop on, Hop off bus tour that included a boat trip around Manhattan, both very enjoyable.

We usually get a 3 day hop-on hop-off bus ticket and anything we want to see we just get on a bus. There is commentary on each of the buses that tells you the history and interesting facts of the places you visit. There is an uptown loop, a downtown loop and an evening loop. If you get a ticket for all 3 you will get to see all the places of interest in NY.
The evening loop is a must, everywhere lit up and the bus goes across the Manhattan bridge. What a sight!!
We also like the evening dinner cruises around the island of Manhattan. You can have dinner with dancing and a band or a more informal cruise with a buffet meal and DJ.

Nono.....learn how to use the subway, buses and walk. Riding in one way circles for 3 days will make you crazy...and cost a ridiculous amount of money.

A Guide Named Sue

Check Broadway shows, The Metropolitan Museum, Katz Deli, The Top of the Rock. Really, you need to do some homework

Recommend this food tour:

http://www.foodsofny.com/greenwichvillage.php

Not sure why you would plan a 10 day trip to a place you're not familiar with, but there are a zillion things to do in the city.

If you don't want to buy a guidebook, do some online research and see what is of interest to you.

The last things you want to do is get a three day HOHO pass.

Otherwise, all solid advice above. As you did not specify the ages of children, if they are old and mature enough, then can also read the guides and decide where they want to go as well.

A few not so obvious suggestions:

A ride on the Staten Island Ferry after dark.
A visit to The Cloisters.
If the kids are under 12, the Bronx Zoo

Staten Island Ferry (don't fall for the people outside asking if you have already purchased tix - it's free!)

Met Museum - there's something for everyone

Central Park - exploring it is an incredible way to spend some time.

Take the subway to Brooklyn and walk the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

Central Park Zoo is nice.

Walk everywhere you can.

Visit the NY Public Library (Fifth Ave. and 42d St.) and Bryant Park behind it.

Fountains/museum at 9/11 Memorial. I visited for the first time last summer and am returning next week to visit the museum.

Walk the High Line for sure http://www.thehighline.org/

See a Broadway show.

Burgers at Shake Shack.

Eataly for food and food shopping! (hope you don't have one in Chicago.) Bonus is that you'll be right next to Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building.

MoMA

I just found out about an insane milkshake place called Black Tap. There are Soho and Meatpacking locations (sounds like you have to prepare for long lines)

So many things to see and do. Have a great time!

My favorite B-list activity (after The Met, Top of the Rock and the other A-List sights) is the Federal Reserve tour. While all Feds offer tours, The NY Fed is the only one with a gold vault. Reservations are required. https://www.newyorkfed.org/aboutthefed/visiting.html

About two blocks away, you'll also find the Federal Hall Memorial, site of the first US Capitol and Historic Trinity Church. https://www.nps.gov/feha/index.htm

Definitely walk the High Line. Since I assume you don't know what that it, do a google search for that.....and just for about everything else recommended on this thread!

Cloisters
The Frick Collection
Morgan Library
Eataly
Walk The Brooklyn Bridge
High Line
Central Park Walk
Tenement Museum
Cathedral of St. John The Divine
St. Patrick's Cathedral
...amnd a zillion more!

Here are our last two trips to NYC (with photos of these spots and lots, lots more) covering a total of about 11 days.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/new-york-city-2011/

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/new-york-city-2015/

((H))