104 Best Things to Do in New York City: A Local’s Guide
Check out my ultimate local's guide to the best things to do in New York City. Including non-touristy things to do, it'll be a trip you won't soon forget.
Launched in 2014, The High Line is one of New York’s newer attractions.
I can still remember all the hype from when it was the newest place to hang with friends or take a date.
My first time strolling along the beautiful gardens with a popsicle in one hand and a cute date in the other felt like it was a scene out of a movie.
Or at least it was until we reached the end of The High Line and he wasn’t sure where to head next.
It’s not the worst offense, especially when you’re new to the city, but wandering around blindly looking for a spot to grab a drink wasn’t an attractive way to end the date!
So the next time you’re looking for things to do near The High Line, just make it easy on yourself and consult my master list below.
1. Visit Chelsea Market
Hitting up Chelsea Market for gelato is one of my favorite things to do after walking The High Line.
If you’re looking for something cold to enjoy, L’Art de Gelato is the place you’ll want to indulge at.
Looking for something less sweet?
Don’t worry, Chelsea Market has plenty of delicious restaurants to enjoy.
They also boast tons of shopping, a cool underground bar called The Tippler, and even an art gallery.
2. Check Out The Vessel
If you haven’t completely vetoed social media yet, chances are you’ve seen at least a few photos of The Vessel.
It’s been a mega-popular tourist destination since opening in 2019.
The Vessel’s 154 interconnected staircases give off major honeycomb vibes and offer incredible views.
It’s free to visit during the first hour of operation, after that you have to pay admission.
3. Hang Out on Little Island
Little Island is the newest development downtown and has both tourists and locals racing to check it out.
Wandering what Little Island is?
Just head to Pier 55 you’ll find an artificial island park chilling in the Hudson.
It’s got stunning gardens, beautiful views of downtown, and even a few food trucks.
Fair warning, if you come and go in the afternoon they require you to have an online reservation.
4. Eat at Hudson Yards
Next to The Vessel, you’ll find a giant complex known as Hudson Yards.
It’s got shopping and tons of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
I really enjoy swinging by here for a coffee from Bluestone Lane to enjoy while I stroll around the neighborhood.
If you want an adult drink, head to Milos Wine Bar for a glass vino.
And for a solid sit-down meal, you’ll want to head to Leña, a cool Spanish spot.
5. Enjoy the View at Gallow Green Rooftop
Fancy a drink on a rooftop with beautiful rustic greenery, splendid music, and an incredible view?
Just head to Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel to make that whim a reality.
They have a great menu and delicious cocktails that are perfect for cooling off after a walk on The High Line.
Plus, they have a yummy dessert menu. Try the chocolate mousse for a real treat!
Seating can be a bit tight, so try to snag a reservation if you want to eat.
Local’s Tip: This is a wonderful date spot, especially around sunset!
6. Chill at the Frying Pan
If you’re not feeling a rooftop hang, consider grabbing drinks on a boat instead.
The Frying Pan is a docked Coast Guard ship that’s one of Manhattan’s best summertime gathering spots.
They have solid cocktails and food, but obviously the big draw is the incredible view.
I love meeting friends here around sunset to pregame before a night out on the town!
Just remember, they’re only open weather permitting from May until October.
Also, if you get seasick, you’ll probably want to skip this place altogether, especially on breezy days.
Local’s Tip: If they’re too busy here, you can try heading further downtown to Grand Banks. It’s a boat bar on the Hudson that’s closer to Tribeca.
7. Visit The High Line Nine
Chelsea is a neighborhood with countless art galleries, so naturally, make time to check out at least a few of them after hanging on The High Line.
The High Line Nine provides artists with a hybrid exhibition and events space for artists to show off their latest works.
It’s basically one central location where you can experience the work of multiple artists on display (and typically for sale).
My favorite part is that the work here rotates pretty frequently, so every time you go it feels like a brand new experience.
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8. Rent a Citibike
Citibike is one of the most convenient bike-sharing programs ever.
I love grabbing a bike to ride to the park or home after a long day at work.
They have stations pretty much every few blocks, so biking always feels like an easy decision.
The neighborhoods around The High Line are beautiful and have tons of old school buildings and beautiful parks to check out.
My favorite area to bike is along the Hudson River Park, it’s an epic view, and it’s less scary than riding with traffic on some of the busier streets.
9. Walk The High Line
I’m guessing that you’ve probably already made plans to take a stroll on The High Line.
If you haven’t, consider this a sign you should.
The High Line is a beautiful almost two-mile stretch of greenery, flowers, walkways, and art.
I love grabbing an iced coffee or ice cream cone to enjoy while I wander around the area.
You can enter at Gansevoort Street at the corner of 23rd street or 30th street.
Fun Fact: They built it on the old Central Railroad tracks!
10. Enjoy the View
While you’re exploring The High Line, head over to 10th Ave. Square and Overlook to check out one of the coolest views.
The square is just past the Chelsea Market Passage, near 17th street.
Here you’ll find amazing views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, plus some wonderful people watching.
I love bringing a book or iced coffee to enjoy while chilling here. They have some of the most beautiful flowers in bloom here during the summer.
11. Sneak Into a Speakeasy
Everyone loves a good speakeasy.
There’s something so fun and exciting about finding a cool bar in a hidden location, especially while in NYC.
These are some speakeasies to sneak into the next time you’re hanging around The High Line:
12. Take a Dinner Cruise
One of the best ways to see Manhattan is from the water.
I still remember an epic orientation cruise that the school I went to arranged for us for our first week in the city.
It all felt so epic boarding a boat on the Hudson at sunset, then cruising around the island, and past Lady Liberty all lit up in harbor as we made our way back to the docks.
They hadn’t planned it, but we even saw a massive fireworks display someone was putting out near the statue. It was the ultimate way to end my first week in the city.
Check out one of these popular boat tours for the ultimate tour of NYC!
13. Hang Out at The Standard
Back in the day, when The Standard first opened, everyone wanted to party there.
They’re well known for the sky-high Boom Boom Room, and Le Bain nightclub (complete with a rooftop and jacuzzi).
These days, their club may be a bit more mainstream, but it’s still a fun spot to grab a quick drink with a view.
If you want to stay near The High Line, this is the hotel to book. Its rooms are super sexy, with floor-to-ceiling windows (even in the bathrooms).
The Standard also has a wonderful beer garden, plus hosts epic Bingo nights that you’ll want to score reservations early for.
Local’s Tip: Fair warning, people on The High Line will see you if you’re misbehaving too close to the window.
14. Get Lost at Sleep No More
Sleep No More is an immersive theatre experience based on the tale of Macbeth taking place on multiple floors of the McKittrick Hotel.
You enter the hotel and after walking through a dark maze lit by candlelight, you’ll receive a mask and a playing card.
I love arriving early to grab a drink at Manderley Bar prior to the event.
Trust me, you’ll want to be well hydrated because this show involves a bit of a chase.
When it’s your turn, you’ll mask up and ride the elevator to your designated floor.
After that, it’s a total free-for-all. You chase the characters around the hotel as the story unfolds—ladies, wear safe shoes to run in!
With sexy film noir vibes, this is the ultimate date night activity near The High Line.
Local’s Tip: If it’s a date, know you’ll likely be split up for most of the evening as you both chase the characters.
That’s okay though, because it’ll give you plenty to talk about at the bar after the show.
Bonus points if you find each other during the show and sneak in a forbidden make-out sesh in one of the dark corners.
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15. Chill at a Cafe
Chelsea has tons of delightful cafes to sit and read or relax in.
When you’re ready for a bit of caffeine just head to one of these spots near The High Line:
16. Grab a Bench at Grasslands Grove
One of my favorite things to do anytime in the sun is to sit out in a local park to work on my tan.
Grasslands Grove near 30th street is the perfect area of The High Line to grab a bench and relax in the sun.
Local’s Tip: Bring a book or even a picnic to take full advantage of the sunny weather!
17. Indulge in a Glass of Wine
I love unwinding with a glass of wine after a long day running around the city.
The area has plenty of cozy wine bars to choose from, these are some of my go-to’s:
18. Grab a Delicious Meal
Downtown NYC is a brilliant spot to grab a bite to eat.
When you’re ready to dig into a delicious meal, you’ve got tons of options near you including:
19. Hang Out at Chelsea Piers
Chelsea Piers is the ultimate destination for fun activities in the city.
They’ve got an indoor ice skating rink, driving range, batting cages, and gymnasium with adult gymnastics classes available.
My favorite thing that they offer is rock climbing. It’s one of the best and most fun workouts you’ll encounter in the city.
20. Relax in Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is one of my favorite downtown parks to meet up with friends.
They have many fun activities like bike riding, free kayaking, mini-golf, and of course plenty of lawn for picnicking.
The park also has a splendid view of One World Trade, The Statue of Liberty, and Little Island.
If you feel like grabbing a drink, head to either The Frying Pan or Grand Banks.
21. Visit The Whitney
For a bit of world-class art, head to The Whitney.
Besides offering some superb views of downtown from its outdoor decks, they also have 25,000 works of American art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
They also have a delicious restaurant and two cafes, making it easy for mealtime.
My favorite part is that they are around the corner from the entrance to The High Line.
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22. Go Bar Hopping
When in doubt, sometimes the best thing to do is a bit of bar hopping.
These are some of my go-to spots in the area:
23. Step Onto The Edge
The Edge is NYC’s newest observation deck, and the only one offering a champagne bar along with an incredible view.
If you really want to be daring, sign up to climb up the outside of The Edge with City Climb.
It’s not for the faint of heart!
Either way, this is one view you won’t want to miss.
Last Thoughts
The High Line is a wonderful place to visit while in NYC, especially when the weather is delightful.
There’s so much to do and see that you can easily pass an entire day wandering around the area.
Let me know in the comments below what you’re most looking forward to checking out near The High Line!
Get your tickets early to some of these popular spots!
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