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Cool, Weird, and Unusual Things to Do in New York

Posted in City Guides on July 14, 2022

There is no place in the world that can give you so much excitement and opportunities as Big Apple. It is a city that never sleeps, and there are plenty of unusual things to do in New York at night or in the daytime. One thing is for sure – after moving across the country to this amazing city, you will not be bored.

Relocation to a big city such as NYC can be intimidating and frightening, but if you are well informed about what you should never do when visiting New York or what to see while you are there, this experience will be much easier, and you will have no adjustment insomnia whatsoever will be much faster.

There Are Plenty of Cool Things to Do in NYC

What’s the coolest thing in New York? Well, the fact this is the most desirable place on Earth to visit means there is much cool stuff to do and see in NYC. Just walking the streets of this metropolis is an experience in itself. So if you wonder, “how can I have fun in NYC without spending money?” the answer is by simply walking around and soaking up the amazing street architecture filled with plenty of history.

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Meet the New York City From Above

Even though there are plenty of things to consider once you relocate to NYC, there is nothing better than getting to know this metropolis from above by helicopter. A touristic view of all five NY boroughs from a helicopter is probably one of the best ways to see how big and magnificent this metropolis is. Here is a video of NY from above.

Some of the World’s Best Museums Are Located in NY

Once you book your cross-country movers and, for example, move out of LA to NY, among the places you will have to see are famous NY museums. On top of our list is the MET or Metropolitan Museum of Art, with more than two million works of art, from ancient Egypt to modern pieces. But aside from MET, there are other cool and unique museums you must see:

  • Museum of Natural History
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
  • Ice cream museum

From Central Park to Central Perk

Central Park is the biggest city park in the state, and it is a place you will probably end up enjoying a nice book, a picnic with friends, and maybe attending a wedding or two. This amazing park is spread across 843 acres between the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan, and it is a unique place to see. And if you wonder is Central Park free, the answer is yes. So pack your kitchen items and make a nice picnic in this amazing urban park.

Also, you can enjoy a unique Friends experience – take a selfie on the famous orange couch or have a dance in the fountain like your favorite characters from the show. You can even order a coffee from Central Perk. So make sure to put this on your moving to-do list as one of the things to do after relocation. Take a look at this video and explore Central Park with us.

Broadway Show Is Must

If you are relocating from the West Coast to East Coast, you will not lack glamour or entertainment. One of the best theatres in the world is located in NYC. A Broadway show is simply something you must attend if you wish to call yourself a New Yorker. So make sure you pack shoes for an elegant dress because you will need both on Broadway.

Join a Scavenger Hunt and Then Visit Ghostbuster Firehouse

Probably the best and one of the most unusual things to do in New York City is Scavenger Hunt. You can sign up for one with friends and explore the city this way. Not only that you will see some of the most iconic places and buildings of NY, but you will get to know the city much better while having fun.

And if you wish to know what are things you can only do in NYC, visiting the famous Ghostbuster Firehouse, probably one of the most iconic movie sets you can see, is one of them. Located in the heart of Tribeca in downtown Manhattan island, it is also a real 20th-century firehouse building, the headquarters of “Hook and Ladder Company 8,” one of the first responders on 9/11.

Anyway, here is what one scavenger hunt on the streets of NY looks like.

Explore Brooklyn and NY Island on the Bike

There is no better way to see all the wonders of skyscrapers across the East River than on a bike tour. Cycling across the most iconic bridge in the world that connects Manhattan Island and Brooklyn is an excellent way to get to know Big Apple from a different perspective. And if you are tired from all that cycling, you should pay a visit to Peter Luger’s Steakhouse – one of the best steaks you will probably eat in the world. And if you wish to know more about how to bike in Big Apple, take a look at this video.

While You Are There, Visit Upside Down From Stranger Things

What unique things are in New York? Well, Brooklyn has some of the stranger things you can see. A gate to the Upside Down from the famous Netflix show is open in Brooklyn. Immerse yourself in another dimension and meet some of your favorite characters. And after you have done with this thrilling experience, you can finish your night at the party in Brooklyn Mirage.

Weird Stuff You Can See in New York City

If you are relocating for the first time and your city of choice is Big Apple, one thing is for sure – there will be no depression after moving. And yes, probably the cost of living in NYC will be higher, and you will have to figure out some creative storage ideas for your apartment. This will all be compensated with all the unusual cultural things to do in New York. And even if you are relocating alone to Big Apple, you will never feel lonely.

Discover the Mmuseumm – the Smallest Museum on the Manhattan Island

The Mmuseumm is located near Brooklyn Bridge and Little Italy, and it happens to be free. Exhibition of unusual stuff arranged in an old freight elevator, including items such as shoes thrown at George W. Bush in Baghdad. But this installation is constantly changing, so it never loses appeal.

Tannen’s Magic Shop – Oldest of Its Kind on the Manhattan Island and Further

If you need some magic after cross-country moving to Big Apple, then there is no better place to start than the oldest magic shop in the city. Some of the world’s most famous magicians often attend this place, and once you are there, you may even get a free presentation. And if you are looking to see behind the illusion and become a magician yourself, this is a place to start.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Probably the most gothic and spooky tourist destination is Green-Wood Cemetery, located in Brooklyn. An old-fashioned cemetery field with lovely gothic architecture more resembles a park than a cemetery. Here you can see monuments to some famous singers such as James Brown. So if you are looking for a dark and weird place to see in NYC, this would be it. Just make sure you pack something silver if you plan to see this cemetery at night.

Here Are Some of the Most Unusual Things to Do in New York

Long-distance moving, especially to a metropolis such as Big Apple, can be an overwhelming experience, and if you don’t hire long-distance movers for cross-country moving services, it will be even more difficult. You need to organize your move on time and have everything arranged so once you relocate, you can fully embrace this eclectic metropolis. And one of the important aspects that need to end up on your relocation list is unusual things to do in Big Apple.

191 Subway Station Graffiti Tunnel

If you are claustrophobic and don’t like dark underground places, then this graffiti tunnel is not for you. However, you can give it a try because it is completely safe and lit. It has amazing art on the walls, and it is one of the places modern photographers like to visit.

Explore the Bank Vault and Have an Amazing Dinner

Maybe it is not on the list of best restaurants in NY, but it is one of the most unusual places to eat dinner. A Trinity Place is a restaurant built inside a Wall Street bank vault. Once one of the largest and strongest vaults of its kind in NY, this vault now serves as an elegant mahogany bar.

Pay a Visit to A Museum of American Gangsters

And while we are on the subject, why not visit the Museum of American Gangsters afterward. Go to the East Village and experience real-time travel to a Prohibition period when figures like Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky ruled these streets. Luckily nowadays, East Village is nothing like it was decades ago, and it can easily be named on the “best places to live in NYC” list.

Embrace the Outdoors and Explore the North Central Park

Are you wondering, “How can I live in New York for free?” Well, you can’t. However, while you can not live free in any metropolis in the world, you may help yourself by avoiding expensive places. Luckily, Big Apple is so large and filled with plenty of outdoor sites where you can enjoy quality time. One of the unusual things people who are living in the Big Apple like to visit is North Central Park.

Most people only get to see the southern parts of Central Park, but when you go further north, you get to see amazing places such as Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon. And if you go even further, you will end up in North Woods, where nature is almost untouched by tourists. Here you can find beautiful waterfalls and Belvedere Castle, a gothic castle located at the park’s highest point. Make sure to pack your books for relocating because here, you will most likely find a perfect spot to enjoy some quality reading.

Big Apple Is Waiting for You to Start Your Preparations Today

If moving cross-country to the Big Apple is something you dream about, then you are in the right place. No matter where you are relocating from, once you are in NYC, you will be a citizen of the world. But you need to start with your preparations early and book your movers on time. With the help of professionals with years of experience, you will not have to worry about trivial things such as packing your fragile items or furniture.

Instead, you will be able to focus on other important stuff, such as what you need to rent an apartment or how to get a job before you move. And once you relocate, you will be able to enjoy some of the most amazing streets in the world, filled with art, stunning architecture, and diverse and welcoming people. And did we mention that bars and restaurants are on every corner, so finding friends to hang out with will be easy?

Daisy Wilson

Daisy was born in Salt Lake City and in her free time, she writes about moving and watches Charmed.

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