25 Best Non Touristy Things to Do in NYC

If you find yourself in The Big Apple and you don’t want to get lost in the crowd in this city, take a look at the best non touristy things to do in NYC and avoid the chaos.

New York City is one of the biggest cities in the world, and here, regardless of whether you are with friends, your significant other or by yourself, you will never feel bored and alone. There are many different places that will satisfy every person’s need for entertainment and fun. Unlike small towns, The Big Apple has countless bars, pubs, and restaurants where you can head out and have a drink or two by yourself or enjoy a delicious meal. The best thing is, doing these kind of things by yourself is not weird at all. On the contrary, in NYC it is more than okay to spend quality time enjoying your own company. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you just want to enjoy a drink by yourself, head to one of the 25 best bars to go to alone in NYC.

When we are talking about best touristy and best non touristy things to do in NYC, you should keep in mind that the line between the two is very thin. This city is full countless beautiful and unique places that every person would like to visit regardless whether he is just visiting or he is living here. Despite that, New York City is a huge city, with a population of about 8.5 million citizens. Not every local New Yorker has visited all the touristy things in this city and knows all about them.

When we are talking about good places and things to do, every person wants to go there and try them. It doesn’t matter whether you are just visiting the city that never sleeps or you are living here, you should know what is on the list of 25 off the beaten path things to do in NYC, and you should always keep these things in mind for your next visit in The Big Apple.

While creating our list, we consulted Class Curious and used their database to create our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC. Keep in mind that every person has different interests, so maybe only some tourists would like to visit a place or two on our list while rushing through the city to see every corner of it. However, considering the fact that there are more than 50 million tourists in New York City every year, these are far from the most popular touristy things. Since we couldn’t find the best way to sort our list because, at the end of the day, it all depends on your interests and what you want to see, we decided not to sort it in any particular order.  

Get your pen and paper ready to take some notes on the 25 best non touristy things to do in NYC.

25. Eat At The Beard House

James Beard was one of the best chefs not only in America but in the whole world. Back in 1946, he had his food show, on NBC. James Beard passed away in 1985, and a few prominent chefs couldn’t rest until they established a James Beard Foundation and turned his Greenwich Village home into a culinary center. Back in 1990, the foundation launched that annual Beard Awards that are as significant for restaurants, as the Oscars are or actors. New Yorkers, as well as visitors, could eat in his house a few times per week for about $170. The price includes a multi-course meal and alcohol.

24. Grab Some Chinese Food

For those who want to escape from the crowded city and teleport into another country with just one bite, Queens is the right place to be. If you want to travel to China with just a taste of their delicious traditional cuisine, you need to skip Chinatown and head to Queens where you can find different restaurants that offer all kinds of different specialties from Chinese cuisine. Don’t waste money on unhealthy fast food, try something new and healthy. After one bite, you will fall in love with their cuisine, and you will start eating there on a regular basis.

23. Hang Out In Central Park

You probably already know that every person, regardless of whether he is living in The Big Apple or he is just visiting, knows that Central Park is one of the most beautiful spots not only in NYC but the United States as well. Not to mention that is one of the best non touristy things to do in NYC, as well. If you want to escape from the noise and crowd, this is the right place to go. You can relax while reading a good book and enjoying nature, or you can just take a moment to stop and admire how amazing nature is.

22. Take a Hike

Hiking in NYC is in the 22nd place on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC and yes, is possible and many people who want to enjoy the beauty of this city but don’t want to get lost in the crowd at Times Square are going with this option. There are many locations where you can hike in NYC, but one of the most popular is the 1352-acre Greenbelt Preserve on Staten Island, the Salt Marsh Nature Trail in Brooklyn as well as Fort Tryon Parks and Manhattan Island to Inwood Hill. This is an excellent way to clear your mind from the noise and enjoy the beauty of the city’s nature.

21. Relax In The Community Gardens of The East Village

Every person needs a break every once in a while regardless of if they are living in a small town or a big and crowded city like New York City. If you ever find yourself in NYC and in a situation where you just need to escape from the real world, you can always head out and relax in the community gardens of the East Village that that rank 21st on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC. You can find one of the biggest gardens in NYC at 6th St. and Ave. B.

20. Visit a Class

One of the best non touristy things to do in NYC is taking a class to refresh or expand your knowledge on a subject you are interested in. In NYC, there are many classes you can attend with your friend, partner or by yourself. You can take classes in cooking, drawing, sports, arts and much more. Some of the best art classes are A Day In Art, La Pittura Studio, and Abrons Art Center | Henry Street Settlement, but if you want to see more about these and other classes, you can always visit Class Curious.

19. Visit a Jazz Club

Every tourist experiencing their first time in NYC is rushing to see the most touristy things like the Empire State Building, but the New Yorkers who are living here are constantly searching for places they can go and escape from the noise. If you find yourself in this kind of situation, you can always visit a good jazz club like the Birdland, Blue Note or Smalls Jazz Club among others that is definitely one of the best non touristy things to do in NYC. Here, you can enjoy a couple of drinks while listening to some smooth jazz in the background.

18. Find Yourself In A Medieval Wonderland At The Cloisters

When there is noise and crowds everywhere, the best place to be is the Medieval Wonderland at the Cloisters. This lovely, peaceful and quiet place is one of the most beautiful museums in Washington Heights that holds The Met’s Medieval collection. Did you know that this museum was built with different parts of European abbeys that were shipped to New York City? If you need a place to get lost in your thoughts, you can always head to this museum and enjoy its beauty at the same time.

17. Marie’s Crisis

If you are a musical theater lover, Marie’s Crisis is the perfect place for you to be. That’s why we put it on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC. You can stand around the piano and prepare yourself to sing all night with complete strangers who also know every word to Chicago, Hairspray and Oklahoma. If you are a girl, you can completely relax and enjoy because not one guy will hit on you here, unless he needs a partner for “A Whole New World” of course.

16. Hitch a Ride to Rockaway Beach

One of the best ways to fight the heat wave is by visiting Rockaway Beach, that is number 16 on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC. Here, you can not only enjoy the beauty of the city, but also enjoy excellent Cali-style tacos. If you want to clear your mind and spend a beautiful day in peace, we recommend you to stay on the beach between 86th and 106th streets. You can enjoy the cool and calm waves while eating a delicious fish taco at Tacoway Beach. Despite that, you can also take surf lessons to make this day even more enjoyable.

15. The Father’s Heart

If you are not a tourist in NYC, you already know that this city isn’t all Broadway shows and sparkling lights. Like in every city, NYC also has a dark side. There are many homeless, cold and hungry people who are wondering the streets of this big and crowded city. On Saturday mornings there is a breakfast for homeless people. This is organized by The Father’s Heart where people are volunteering in order to help their fellow citizens. If you want to spend your Saturday helping other people, this is the best way you can do it. Now, let’s see what else we have on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC.

14. Approach NYC’s history At The Tenement Museum

One of the best non touristy things to do in NYC is to approach the city’s history from a different angle at the Tenement Museum. This museum is located in a historical brick tenement building on the Lower East Side of the city. It is a perfect place to spend a quality day by yourself or with your friends or even significant other because it is telling a story of NYC through the perspective of its immigrants. You can enjoy the tour while learning many new things.

13. Eat an Ice Cream

Regardless of the season, it is always a good time to eat an ice-cream. While the long Cronut line is for those who are thirsty to publish a good photo on Instagram, local New Yorkers are curbing their need of sugar in a different place. There are many shops like Ice & Vine, OddFellows, Van Leeuwen, and Foxy Brown. You can choose your favorite ice cream, and you can enjoy its flavor in one of the best ice-cream shops.

12. Head To The Whitney Museum

If you ever feel like taking a long walk among the walls decorated with pieces of art, the best place for you to go in NYC is the Whitney Museum. Here, you will see many modern works, and you won’t have to scout through the long lines at the MoMA. Despite that, there is an organized annual Whitney Biennial exhibition that will help you see the stunning pieces of art of lesser-known artists.

11. Drink Wine

In the Met and the Museum of Modern Art you can see many tourists, but if you are a New Yorker, only then you will know how to enjoy a great night of wine sipping and glorious visuals. You can visit the Allouche Gallery in Chelsea. This gallery has one of the best art pieces from artists like Lori Earley, Ron English, and Nick Georgiou.

10. Island Hop

New York City has many little islands in its territory, and even some of the boroughs count as islands. In the Bronx, you can visit City Island that was first settled back in 1685 as part of the Pelham Islands. However, for those who want to visit an easily-reached place, take the F subway train to Roosevelt Island, and you can enjoy the beauty of the gorgeous skyline the Queensboro Bridge offers from the middle of the East River.

9. Go Ethnic

In this city, you can find many cultural enclaves like Little Italy and Chinatown. In New York City, you can head to the outer boroughs that are a little bit more authentic and colorful, but also smelly which can be a good sign. Head out to Arthur Avenue in The Bronx or Astoria in Queens and enjoy a delicious meal by yourself, with your friends or with your significant other.

8. Shop Elsewhere

If you are rich, you need to head out to fifth avenue, but, if you aren’t, well you need to find an alternative place for shopping. One of the best fashion deals, you can find downtown is Century 21. Here, you can find brands at insanely discounted prices. If you love shopping, but you cannot afford it to shop on fifth avenue, you need to check this place because many top designers are often having pop-up sales in unmarked spaces.

7. Visit The Chelsea Flea Market

Local New Yorkers visit the Chelsea flea market often. They are going a few times monthly for sure, and after you visit it one time, you will come back here in a few days again that’s for sure. This is a parking garage located on 25th Street, and it is full of artwork, clothes, jewelry, books, vintage wares, rugs and so much more. The best thing is, you can barter prices and find some expensive things for a low price.

6. Upright Citizens Brigade

If you think everything is just so expensive in New York City, you are wrong. You can visit the Upright Citizens Brigade and attend a stand-up or sketch comedy show for $5 to $10. Some of the best comedians started here, and they are always open for a surprise visit. If you want to attend one of the shows, make sure to reserve a ticket online first and get there about 45 minutes earlier. Bring a positive attitude and enjoy the cheap drinks.

5. Take a rest at Hudson River Park

While every tourist in New York City is rushing to walk among the well-known paths of Central Park, the ever local New Yorker is enjoying the beauty of this city from the Hudson River Park. Once you get in this city, you won’t be able to stop staring at its beauty. This is a perfect place to escape from the crowd and the noise and just relax while admiring the beauty of this place.

4. Visit The Paris Cinema

If you love watching movies, the Paris Cinema, number 4 on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC is the right place for you. This old cinema first opened their doors to guests back in 1948, and it is located opposite the Plaza Hotel. In this cinema, you will get the chance to see foreign films from back in the day that will make you feel like you are traveling back in time. After you finish watching a good movie, make sure to visit the Plaza and enjoy a cheeky drink.

3. Explore The Bronx Zoo

Many people don’t love going to the zoo to see animals behind bars, but when they see the Bronx Zoo, they will instantly fall in love with it. It is located within the Bronx Park, and it is the largest urban zoo in the United States and a great place to spend a quality time with your family during the weekend.

2. Take a Walk On The High Line

There are times when you just need to escape from the real world and reconnect with nature. The best place to do this and flee from the crowd and the noise of this city are the linear park High Line that used to be a railroad once. You can enjoy the greenery of the park in one of the many coffee shops while drinking a cup of coffee or a good wine. Now, let’s see the number one on our list of best non touristy things to do in NYC.

1. Take a Walk On The Brooklyn Bridge

Even though many tourists are rushing to see the most touristy attractions in the New York City, they are neglecting the ones that are right under their feet. Local New Yorkers are taking the time to enjoy every piece of this city including the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. If you want to take a look at this city from a different perspective, take a 30-minute walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the beauty of it.

This was our list of the best non touristy things to do in NYC. We hope we managed to show you what are the best non touristy things you can do and maybe help you decide in what direction to head.