If the craft doesn't get any awareness or exposure, then not only am I out of a job but so is every other craftsman. Southern Central Park’s iconic sites—the zoo, Wollman Rink, Bethesda Fountain—naturally draw throngs of tourists, but the tip-top section just south of 110th street offers its own, more peaceful, allure. I’ve been there twice already and definitely will go again sometime! Then meander north and pick your poison: Harlem Tavern, located in a former mechanic’s lot, is the neighborhood’s go-to sports bar and the perfect pick for a sunny afternoon; Lido is a sleek Italian spot, and Mess Hall offers fantastic happy hour deals in a coffee shop-meets-bar setting. They're surrounded by not only product samples but also the tools that made them. Through my tour, I am sharing my personal story as well as teaching my craft to people from all over the world. For the New Yorker, you will be surprised at the destinations we venture into within the middle of Manhattan. Harlem’s steady gentrification in the early 2000s gave rise to Restaurant Row, a buzzy strip of places to eat and drink on Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 110th and 125th streets. New York City. In fact, there are is a myriad of not so typical fun activities in NYC. Heather Cross is a longtime New York resident who has written about the city since 2002. Get outdoors and enjoy a scenic hike through Prospect Park led by the Urban Park Rangers. Harlem is one of the most beautiful and historical neighborhoods in Manhattan. How does it work? Are you a museum nerd? They’re so overlooked I have introduced Harlem boutiques to people living in Harlem. Visitors can only attend the 10am service on Sundays and should plan to wear formal attire. No matter what you are looking for, you will find it here. I feel I have somewhat of a direct influence on their overall perception of New York City, so I like to showcase the hidden old stone blocks that tourists normally would not explore due to lack of access. What makes it just as perfect for locals as it is for tourists? Do it now. With me by your side, you’ll never miss a beat! They say it’s the city that never sleeps. Prices start at $65 for adults, $49 for children ages 5-11. A research branch of the NYPL focused on materials documenting Black life and the history and culture of people of African descent, features changing exhibitions that highlight the collections. It’s a casual way to meet others and learn about their cultures while visiting the small shops that have grown within the community. There are different time slots available for various age groups and adults can play a game of their own beginning at 1:45 p.m. To keep things short: we were successful and had a blast! There are a lot of fun group activities in NYC that are worth checking out. New York has many faces. Latecomers will not be admitted. When I curated the tour, it was important for me to support local businesses and landmarks by ensuring the tours make stops at these places. That said, a visit can be a profound experience. The garden will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2102, 298 Satterlee St, Staten Island, NY 10307, 10 free things to do in NYC on Black Friday, 35 family-friendly places to check out in NYC, A post shared by New York Transit Museum (@nytransitmuseum), The most beautiful interiors in New York City, mapped. Originally called the King Model Homes, these 130-row houses were built between 1891-93 on four blocks in Harlem on West 138th and 139th Streets between 7th and 8th Avenues. You can also change some of your preferences. As you know you can find any type of food in New York, no matter what cuisine you are searching for. Wells, an early civil rights activist who helped advance the freedoms of black women. One of the best companies that have hosted our trivia games is Geeks Who Drink. : From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou. The process of vintage shopping is a unique experience within itself. Required fields are marked *. Sadly they don’t always get the exposure that bigger brands do. So you’re in New York and you’ve already conquered most attractions? Why did you choose to share this experience with travelers? 10 free things to do in NYC on Black Friday Skip the shopping frenzy and explore New York City without spending a dime By Ameena Walker Updated Nov 21, 2018, 9:16am EST FREE, RELATED: 50 Best Things To Do in Harlem With Kids, The Brooklyn Children's Museum's Black Future Festival celebrates the African diaspora past, present, and future. What will Black travelers enjoy most about your experience? What makes it just as perfect for locals as it is for tourists? You'll be asked to wait in a long line at the outdoor "Tourist Entry Point," and there is no guarantee you'll be admitted; it's first-come, first-seated, so arrive by 9:30am at the latest. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in New York City, New York on Tripadvisor: See 1,615,733 traveler reviews and photos of New York City tourist attractions. She is also a travel agent and NYC & Company-certified New York City specialist. Hop on the train or take a taxi to Harlem, a historical and bustling part of New York City, and check out all the things it has to offer. There are so many fun things to do in NYC in the winter that you shouldn’t miss. What makes it just as perfect for locals as it is for tourists? Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. We will walk through the hustle and bustle of New York and then venture underground to some of the most fabulous hidden gems New York has to offer. Book this experience here. We may request cookies to be set on your device. It’s incredibly interactive and there’s no doubt for us that this is one of our top NYC fun things to do. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. After meeting you for coffee, he’ll walk you through the streets of NYC and show you how to take a closer look at the people who walk them (his muses). They made money and lots of it. My Top 20 Fun Things to Do in New York City It doesn’t matter if you are looking for the most fun things to do in NYC with your friends, coworkers, family or kids, we’ve got you covered! Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Besides learning about the history of spies, you get to beat many challenges, mental and physical alike. Should you come here, know that there are no time limits on tickets! Harlem's attractions are rich in history and culture: Walk in the footsteps of music legends at the Apollo Theater, feast on soul food at Sylvia's, or marvel at a gothic cathedral so elaborate you'll think you're in Europe. RELATED: 50 Best Things To Do in Harlem With Kids The Brooklyn Children's Museum's Black Future Festival celebrates the African diaspora past, present, and future. And yet there’s backstory with breadth & depth more alluring the next Hip-Hop star, show at the Apollo or New Years Eve in The Big Apple. Read more…, A novelty experience just opened its doors at Chelsea Market: ARTECHOUSE NYC. If that’s not one of the most fun activities in NYC, what is? Oh, how lucky I am… always at the pulse of the greatest city in the world – what could be better? The historic restaurant was founded in 1955 and quickly rose to fame—pretty much any celebrity or president who has visited Harlem since has eaten here. Registration runs from Wednesday, February 12-Sunday, February 15. You never know until you put it on your body. Some of the greats of the African American diaspora lived, worked and played in the same streets we explore during this experience. After you’re sated, head next door to Bier International, a (cash-only) German-style beer hall with communal tables and giant steins of beer. We walk through the process of making a hat, and while this is happening, certain steps and techniques are executed by the guest. To mark Black History Month, many of NYC's museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions offer programs to honor the history of African Americans. Smaller neighborhood churches like the Mount Neboh Baptist Church and the Greater Refuge Temple also welcome respectful guests. Why did you choose to share this particular experience with travelers? The idea? Through these experiences is where I decided I wanted to share my love for Harlem and that was when I began the brainstorming for I Bike Harlem LLC. While Thanksgiving is touted as a time to be grateful for the good things in life, it's also the calm before the storm known as Black Friday. Visit the Louis Armstrong House on an unassuming block in Queens. 1. If you'd like to hear their joyful voices, or visit the storied church, know that there are some set rules to respect. These three experiences would make a great plan for a fun day in New York. Join her for a two-hour deep disco dive into the fashion scene/brands on Harlem’s iconic 125th Street and beyond. What’s your best tip for booking this experience? Broadway Roulette is a way for you to snag Broadway tickets for $60. This post, originally published in 2012, has since been updated. What makes it just as perfect for locals as it is for tourists? Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Here’s a list of the top fun stuff to For a more unique dining experience, head to underrated Staten Island to eat at Enoteca Maria. It certainly is not as easy as it looks, but an incredible feeling every time! Read more…. Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets. Many are unaware of the origins of the word jazz and its influence during prohibition. RELATED: February GoList: The Best Things To Do With NYC Kids, The Paley Center marks the month with family-friendly screenings of shows like Sister, Sister! I am so in love with Harlem and it was my goal to share this love. One of the most fun activities in New York City is located just across the Hudson River in Paramus. First, you’ll visit the Garment district to explore the materials and their history, then you’ll have a chance to meet the men and women who work diligently together as an intimate community to keep the art alive.