Now that 2018 has arrived, there’s no time like the present to add some new endeavors to your NYC bucket list. Granted, some of the items might be a few miles beyond your comfort zone, but we’re aiming to think outside the box in hopes of living a more well-rounded life this year. Check out 7 things to do in NYC you may not have considered before. Here’s looking at NYC in 2018, and to traipsing all over the Big Apple in the coming year!
1. Attend a NYC parade
Parades can get crowded, and they don’t usually top a local’s bucket list, but everyone should attend at least one. From the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the marches typically happen on Fifth Avenue in Midtown and promise tons of pomp and circumstance. Think only tourists hit the parades? You couldn’t be more wrong. Tons of locals look forward to the revelry every year. My pick: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2. Go to the opera or a dance performance
Add some culture to your life. If you’ve yet to attend a professional stage performance, New York City is a capital for dance, so you’ll have your pick of top-notch ballet companies such as American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet. What’s more, the Metropolitan Opera promises a showstopping season with classics like The Barber of Seville, La Boheme, and Rigoletto. My pick: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at City Center in December.
3. Get everything delivered in NYC for a month
Yes, and I mean everything. From groceries to personal care items, to liquor and clothing, take advantage of the get-anything-delivered aspect of NYC life for an entire month. Amazon, Birchbox, and Seamless will manage your life, and I promise you’ll love it. Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of delivery too, because who wants to schlep or shop in the freezing temperatures? My pick: Fresh Direct, because the food really is ultra-fresh, and prices won’t be higher than your neighborhood grocery store. Plus, delivery is just $5.99.
4. Try an exotic cuisine at a unique NYC restaurant
Find yourself in a rut when it comes to mealtime? There are thousands of NYC restaurants that’ll help you embark on a foodie adventure. Try Ethiopian, Persian, Bangladeshi, or Polish cuisine. Not such a chance taker? Opt for a recommended dish that you wouldn’t normally order. My pick: Bone Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade at Blue Ribbon Brasserie.
5. Visit a new NYC neighborhood
New Yorkers tend to stay in their little corners of the city. Branch out. Get curious. Some of the best places to go in New York are just a subway ride away. Head to one of the boroughs or to a Manhattan neighborhood you haven’t been to. Love life in Brooklyn? Can’t blame you, but a trek to Upper Manhattan is well worth the time and travel, I promise. Get out and use your city in a different way than you have in the past. In other words, feel like a tourist, and then, get back in your groove the following day. My pick: Washington Heights and Inwood.
6. Have a drink in a fancy cocktail lounge
In case you haven’t noticed, cocktails have become an essential aspect of New York City culture, so pay attention. I’m not referring to your neighborhood pub (although I love those spots too), but I’m talking about upscale, specialty lounges and bars that craft tasty (and expensive) drinks. On a budget? Sip and savor because one cocktail won’t break the bank. Luckily, finding a cocktail lounge in NYC is an easy feat. My pick: SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room because you can gaze at the tremendous view from the 65th floor as you imbibe, or the Dead Rabbit for its killer Manhattan.
7. Buy something at a NYC thrift store or a second-hand shop
You might’ve spent $18 on a cocktail, but now you can save some cash by shopping at a flea market or local thrift shops. The city is brimming with bargains no matter your age or taste, so you can surely find a great piece of vintage jewelry or that faux fur vest you’ve been coveting. My pick: Housing Works Thrift Store in various locations, for a great cause too (profits are donated to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS).
What’s on your NYC bucket list?
