Holiday

Unique tips for New York

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:003031#31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:00-6Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 01am31am-31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:006Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200006007amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#07-01-2023#!31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:003031#/31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:00-6Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:30 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam7#

The good news is that a ticket to New York doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive as I mentioned earlier, but what are you going to do once you're there? Of course, there are certain highlights you want to catch, but I can imagine that if you've been there before, you might want something different than Times Square or the Empire State Building.

And that's why I've put together a fun list for you. The tips for New York that are just unique, but still allow you to experience everything New York has to offer. Maybe even more.

1. Take a bagel tour
In the Netherlands, I never really eat bagels, but during my last trip to New York, I wanted one every day. And of course, they have the absolute best in The Big Apple, but you need to know where to go. Fun: take a bagel tour with NYC Bagel Tours. It's an incredibly fun walk — you can choose different neighborhoods and distances — with a great guide, you eat enough, and it's very affordable.

2. Spot the street art
You can also do these walks yourself, and they are definitely worth it. For example, there is a lot of street art to spot in Williamsburg, including from Kobra. But a bit further in Brooklyn, in Bushwick, there's even more to see (also with a guided tour, by the way, if that's your preference). From the High Line, you can spot quite a bit, just like in the Lower East Side: the Club of 27 (also from Kobra) for example.

3. Take a gospel tour
Absolutely amazing: visiting a gospel service in Harlem. Believe me: this is something like you've never experienced or seen before. There is an incredible atmosphere and it's bursting with energy. You do need to get up a bit early, as they start on Sunday mornings. The most famous is probably the First Corinthian Baptist Church, which takes place every Sunday at ten in the morning. Doubting? Check their site first for the livestream, then you'll be right on time.

4. Visit Coney Island
With the D, F, N, and Q lines, you can get to Coney Island from Manhattan or Brooklyn without transferring. As a Taylor Swift fan, you definitely want to do this (she named a song after it), but even if not, it's really worth the trip. There's a completely different atmosphere than in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, it's by the water, and you see a lot of amusement rides. It's bizarre to realize that this is still New York; that city is so incredibly large.

5. Go to the New York Botanical Garden
These botanical gardens are one of the largest in the United States and are located in the Bronx. If you're completely fed up with the crowds, this is the place to take a day trip. It's truly beautiful: about a million different plant species can be seen. And if you go between the end of February and early April, you'll also catch the orchid show.