Cold Weather Activities in NYC

By Go City Expert

Manhattan enveloped by snow is a scene from dreams. However, as beautiful as the city is on a cold winter day, it is not always pleasant to walk around outside. Luckily, there are dozens of fun things to do in the city while staying warm, inside.

Visit New York Hall of Science

New York Hall of Science[/caption] 47-01 111th Street, Queens, NY 11368 Inquisitive minds love visiting the New York Hall of Science. NYSCI gives us the opportunity to get up close and personal with the elements of the world around us. Many of the exhibits at the Hall of Science are interactive and can prove to be a load of fun for the whole family.

Take a tour of Radio City Music Hall

Since 1932, Radio City Music Hall has been at the center of the entertainment world hosting events for some of the biggest stars. Visitors are able to get an exclusive tour of the Music Hall and even meet a Rockette! If you prefer sports over showtunes, check out the All Access Tour of Madison Square Garden.

Shopping at Century 21 Department Store

No matter the weather, you can always find a way to fit in some shopping. The shopping options in New York City are limitless but our favorite way to spend our hard-earned dollars is at the Century 21 Department Store, a 4-story beast full of discounted designer goods, clothes, shoes and much more.

Go Bowling

Bowling is one of those tried-and-true winter activities everyone will enjoy. If you're up for an afternoon (or night) of fun, try Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square, a huge bowling alley right in the middle of everything.

Grab a Beer at Heartland Brewery

Heartland Brewery[/caption] Multiple locations Feast on mouth-watering burgers while sipping on a pint of golden suds at one of Heartland Brewery's locations. Nothing warms the heart more than spending quality time over a delicious beverage and a hearty meal.

Indulge at the Chocolate Room

Hot chocolate at The Chocolate Room | Photo via Yelp![/caption] 269 Court St. and 51 5th Ave in Brooklyn, NY This heavenly place has two locations in Brooklyn and offers a variety of hot chocolate and coffee beverages made from ethically sourced Belgian chocolate and Varhona cocoa, alongside decadent chocolate deserts. If you're 21 and above and feeling it, you can get your cup or chocolatey goodness with a shot of booze. With so much to see in the city, you don't want the cold weather slowing you down. Try to make the most of your trip and visit indoor locations like the ones above. Luckily Winter ends on March 20th, and hopefully Spring will bring a more favorable weather. To prepare, check out Top Things to do in NYC this Spring.

Get lost at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Much to nobody's surprise, one of the world's largest museums boasts with an impressive collection of art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is so big that you you can easily get lost here for hours without seeing 10% of the space. It's been said that if you look at every piece of art at the Met for a minute, it would take you 3 years to see the whole museum.

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Things To Do In New York Indoors For Tourists

While NYC is well known for its majestic skyline and landscaped parks, the city’s indoor treasures can actually rival its outdoor ones. Here’s a roundup of 10 great ways to spend your time indoors when in the Big Apple. Free Entry with The New York Pass® Free entry to many of these popular New York attractions and activities are included on The New York Pass®. Used by over 3.5 million travelers, the New York Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass, which includes admission to 90+ attractions, Fast Track Entry at select attractions, a free guidebook, & much more. Learn more about the New York Pass benefits & how to save up to 70% off attractions. 1. A Broadway Show Take in a high-kicking Broadway show. There’s always a great lineup of popular shows. See the new Cirque du Soleil Paramour, the Lion King, Chicago, Waitress, Cats and much more. You won’t mind being indoors when at a terrific Broadway show. You can easily purchase tickets online. Tip: New York Pass holders can save 10% off Broadway tickets when purchasing through the New York Pass Concierge 2. Museum of Modern Art Explore the Museum of art. It’s one of the world’s largest collections of modern art and showcases the timeline of art history. See masters like Monet, Manet, Pollock and Warhol. Plus, you can dine, drink and watch a movie all under the same roof. Films range from art flicks to indie foreign movies. Visit the bookstore and its gift shop for some cool souvenirs. Dine at Terrace 5 for some yummy dessert and indulge in some gourmet French-inspired fare at the Modern. A day at the Museum of Modern Art is just plain fun and cool. Admission: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) tickets are included with the New York Pass. 3. Chelsea Piers You can golf, rock climb and play ice hockey, all indoors at Chelsea Piers. There’s even batting cages. This 28-acre waterfront complex stands over the Hudson River. It’s the ideal place to have some indoor fun and stay fit. Get your exercise on at Chelsea Piers. Admission: Chelsea Piers activities are not included with the New York Pass. 4. Madame Tussauds Take a stroll through the bright lights of Times Square and head to the famous wax museum Madame Tussauds on 42nd Street. It’s an entertaining afternoon, and you snap some selfies with famous celebs like Obama and Justin Timberlake. It’s both spooky and exciting. Plus, it has the exhibit Ghostbuster’s Experience. It’s a truly virtual ghostbusting reality experience and one of its newer additions. Admission: Madame Tussauds tickets are included with the New York Pass. 5. Bowlmor Lanes Bowlmor is not yesteryear’s bowling alley. It’s got a cool soundtrack, shiny lanes and a full cocktail menu. And with its New York style comfort food, you can enjoy a two-foot-long hotdog-the Coney Mega Dog. There’s also a very large entertainment space with a video arcade, laser tag and a ropes course. Let the good times roll at Bowlmor. Bowlmor is a day of indoor adventure. It’s definitely a very distinct New York place. 6. American Museum of Natural History Dart over to the American Museum of Natural History and explore nature indoors. There’s a massive underwater world in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life where you gaze up at a 94-foot blue whale. Discover the fauna and flora of the Big Apple. Meet the giant dinosaurs of yesterday and watch the solar system come to life in the Hayden Planetarium. It’s a walk on the wild side at the American Museum of Natural History. Admission: American Museum of Natural History tickets are included with the New York Pass. 7. Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal is a great indoor escape. It features classic architecture, many boutiques, a gourmet market and upend cocktails. See the famous astrological ceiling and take a detailed audio tour. You can even hop on a train or subway. If you’re feeling some hunger pangs, pick up some gourmet sandwiches at the Grand Central Market or some fresh seafood at Grand Central Oyster Bar. Enjoy a picnic on the grass at Central Park. It’s right nearby. Admission: Grand Central Terminal Audio-Tour tickets are included with the New York Pass. 8. Le Parker Meridien Indoor Pool The Le Parker Meridien Indoor Pool is the ideal indoor rooftop retreat. Take in sweeping vistas of Central Park through its floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also relax in its 40-foot long pool with its soothing waters. Get poolside room service, eat at the hotel’s famous Burger Joint and get access to the Gravity Fitness Center. There are basketball courts, racquetball courts and cardio machines. It’s more than just swimming indoors at the Le Parker Meridien Indoor Pool. Admission: Le Parker Meridien Indoor Pool is not included with the New York Pass. 9. La Mano Pottery Feel like getting your hands dirty? Head for La Mano Pottery. Take a pottery workshop in this large studio, which has electric kilns, throw wheels and pottery tools. You don’t have to be experienced. The workshops are for beginners too.There’s also a gallery of fine art exhibitions of pottery. Admission: La Mano Pottery is not included with the New York Pass. 10. Modern Pinball Indoors According to CNN, this unique pinball parlor it totally retro. Play pinball on machines that date back to the 1970s while listening to retro tunes. You can get a pass for the day or purchase playing time by the hour. Who knows? Maybe you’re a pinball wizard. It doesn’t even have to be a rainy day to enjoy the city’s indoor treasures. You’ll want to be a part of it even if the sun is out. From indoor activities to outdoor activities, the Big Apple serves it all for tourists. And that’s one of the reasons why millions of folks around the globe take a trip to New York City. There’s just no other place like it on the planet. Admission: Modern Pinball is not included with the New York Pass. Remember To Save on Attraction Admission Paying admission to all of these attractions in New York City can certainly put a dent in your pocket. However, the New York Pass grants you free entry to over 90 attractions in New York so that you can enjoy more and save more during your trip. For more information on the New York Pass, click here.
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Empire State Building: Anniversary

[caption id="attachment_1278" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Empire State Building | Photo by @javan[/caption] Empire State Building Around the world you’ll find monuments that perfectly embody the cities that they belong to. In Paris you have the Eiffel Tower and in Toronto you have the CN Tower that are globally recognized as buildings from these cities. The same is the case when you think of New York, as the Empire State Building automatically comes to mind. Along with structures like the Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building, the ESB is a solidified symbol of the “Empire State”. Anniversary On May 1st in 1931, the Empire State Building was dedicated and it began its long historic legacy. At one point in time it was the tallest building in the world and held that title for 40 years until the completion of the original World Trade Center in 1970. While being constructed, the gorgeous skyscraper designed by William F. Lamb was actually in a race with 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building to become just that. Despite not holding the title anymore, it’s still a staple in the image of the state and is often used as a voice in political and social climate. The iconic lighting atop the ESB was first used after just one year of the building’s completion. Since 1976 those lights have changed colors adding a beautiful element to New York’s skyline. We’ve seen the Empire State Building change the color of its lights to celebrate specific holidays throughout the year and also to represent solitude for different areas of the world if they ever experience hardship. The skyscraper makes for beautiful photos whether you’re standing on the other side of the city or on the inside of the building. Observation Deck One of New York’s treasured observation decks belongs to the Empire State Building. Along with Top of The Rock, the ESB observation deck is one of the most popular elevated areas for people in the city to take pictures and appreciate the skyline. This is a great place to catch views of the entire city from way above the ground. Another great thing about the ESB is that it’s open late, so you can also take night time photos of NYC until they close at 2 am. This is something to keep in mind if you’re building your itinerary. Thinking of visiting the Empire State Building? Entrance to the ESB is free with the New York Pass and allows you to enter within the operating hours: Monday-Sunday: 8am - 2am
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