Things to Do in NYC on New Year's Eve for Tourists

By Casey Makovich

Most people say that there is no place more magical to visit over the holidays than New York City – and we think they’re right! If you’ve never been to 'The Big Apple' for New Year’s Eve, 2018 is the perfect opportunity to experience NYC on New Year's Eve as a tourist. With so many distinct neighborhoods, famous landmarks and the excitement of a new beginning, we’re sure there's something for everyone in your group to enjoy this year. Whether this is your first visit to New York City or you’ve been to here a few times before, experiencing the sights on New Year’s Eve is one trip that you’re sure to remember for many years to come. Make sure you get the most out of your time in NYC with this comprehensive guide to enjoying the holiday festivities with the ones you love most and be sure to have a very Happy New Year!

10 Things to See and Do in NYC on New Year’s Eve for Tourists

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. Check Out the Empire State Building

No trip to New York City would be complete without a visit to the historic and beautiful Empire State Building. This attraction draws about 3.5 million visitors each year and never disappoints! You and your group will be able to experience NYC with breathtaking, 360360-degreenoramic views and feast your eye on the historic city skyline. Getting in: Empire State Building tickets are included on the New York City Explorer Pass®.

2. Meet the Stars at Madame Tussauds New York

Spend a few hours hanging out with your favorite Hollywood actors, singers, and celebrities as you explore Madam Tussauds New York. This interactive wax museum features more than 200 lifelike figures that are waiting for their next selfie opportunity. Before you head out on the town for your holiday celebrations, be sure to stop in and snap a pic with your favorite stars. Admission: Madame Tussauds tickets are included with the New York Pass.

3. Take a Food Tour

New York City is one of the major food capitals of the world and with so many great dining options, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, Food on Foot Tours is here to take the guesswork out of planning your meals! Learn all about the delicious meals being served all over the city –one bite at a time. With so many different culinary styles to choose from in NYC’s great melting pot, we’re sure you won’t go hungry. Getting in: Food on Foor Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

4. Rockefeller Center Tour

Most people have seen the historic and beautiful Rockefeller Center on their TV and movie screens at some point and admired this beloved landmark for all it’s grandeur. Now, you can discover the treasure that is Rockefeller Center for yourself with this incredible guided tour. Learn about John D, Rockefeller’s visions and aspirations for this timeless space and have fun with the iconic holiday decorations too. Perfect for a few great holiday snaps, this is one tour in NYC that you won’t want to miss. Admission: guided Rockefeller Center Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

5. Top of the Rock Observatory

Once you’ve taken in the sights on the ground at the Rockefeller Center, be sure to head on up to the observation deck for another spectacular view of the city. After taking a few snaps of the gorgeous crystal chandelier in the lobby, head on up to the 70th floor to feast your eyes on the true jewels of NYC. Here, you’ll be able to get a look at everything from the famous skyscraper’s that dominate the city’s skyline to beloved landmark’s like Central Park! Admission: Top of the Rock observation deck tickets are included with The New York Pass.

6. Graffiti & Street Art Tour

This cool and interactive walking tour highlights some of the most interesting and iconic pieces of street art and graffiti that are located all throughout the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn. Get a real feel for NYC’s urban culture by taking a look at the artwork of some of the city’s most talented underground and alternative artists. Getting in: Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn tickets are included on The New York Pass.

7. Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand in the center of New York City’s famous Grand Central Terminal at rush hour? Thousands of people pass through the station each day on their way in and out of the city, making for a breathtaking sight at any time of the day. Since 1871, visitors have marveled at the majestic ceiling design in the terminal and now, with this interesting audio tour, you can learn all about the grand history of this NYC landmark. Admission: Grand Central Terminal Audio-Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass.

8. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Have the little ones with you on your NYE adventure? Why not take some time out to ensure they’re enjoying the trip just as much as you are? Take a few hours to explore and play at the Brooklyn’s Children Museum before heading out to your evening activities. With fun interactive exhibits and plenty of opportunities for learning, everyone in the family will have a blast here! Getting in: Brooklyn Children's Museum tickets are separately ticketed and not included on The New York Pass.

9. Dave and Buster’s Times Square

Planning on seeing the ball drop in Times Square? Then you should definitely make a pit-stop at Dave and Buster’s first! This huge indoor arcade is fun for the whole family with great food, drinks, games and more.

Remember To Save On Attraction Admission

Lots of the fun things to do in NYC on New Year's Eve for Tourists mentioned in this post are included on The New York Pass. Whether you’re interested in learning more about art and culture, you want to check out the city’s skyline from multiple angles or you’re all about the fun and games –there really is something for everyone in your group to enjoy during the NYE holidays. If you plan on visiting multiple attractions, consider using the New York Pass which grants you free entry to over 90 attractions in New York City. That way you can do more when you sightsee and make the most of your time in New York City. For more information on the New York Pass, click here.

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Attraction of the Week - The Whitney

[caption id="attachment_566" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The Whitney by Timothy Schenck[/caption] Overlooking the Hudson River, there stands one of New York’s true gems in the artistic sense. Having only moved to its new location in 2015, the Whitney Museum is somewhat of the “New kid on the block”. However, the museum has been in existence since the 1930’s and has continued to expand over the years. It’s nestled right next to the Southern entrance of High Line Park in the West Village and beautifully occupies about 200,000 square feet. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney had become a very successful art space creator with her Whitney Studio Club in 1918. She collected art from many artists around the world with the help of her assistant Juliana R. Force and at one point was going to donate pieces to the Met. After those pieces were rejected by the Met, Whitney decided to start her own Museum where she would showcase contemporary American art. The museum would struggle with space as their collection grew over the years as they held a small building located at 945 Madison Avenue. This led to the Whitney adding multiple branch locations to show off pieces that they couldn’t fit inside of the museum. The first additional Whitney branch opened in 1973 at 55 Water Street showcasing similar pieces to the main location but offering a smaller selection size for viewers. Multiple expansions followed including a 1981 exhibition space in Stamford, Connecticut and a lobby exhibition installed in the Philip Morris Park Avenue headquarters. While it’s great to expand and reach new audiences, what the Whitney really wanted to accomplish was getting a space big enough to hold their extensive collection which now features over 21,000 pieces. (Some big names listed in the collection include Larry Poons, Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol). They finally decided enough was enough and left their old building on Madison Avenue which was then ironically leased by the Met (current). The Whitney settled into their new location at 99 Gansevoort street in 2015 and opened their doors on May 1st. The new location not only has far more room for the Whitney’s annual and biennial exhibitions but also has some amazing views of the city. Of course the museum is next door neighbors with High Line Park which offers an elevated view of NYC so not to be outdone, the museum offers several observation decks to their visitors. The Whitney is opened during the following hours: Monday: 10.30am - 6pm Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 10.30am - 6pm Thursday: 10.30am - 10pm Friday: 10.30am - 10pm Saturday: 10.30am - 10pm Sunday: 10.30am - 6pm
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Harlem
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9 things to do in Harlem

We love Harlem. It's definitely one of New York's most vibrant neighborhoods. But what makes it so great? We're glad you asked! It’s historically been home to a large percentage of New York’s African-American community, whose heritage and culture are still abundantly celebrated here. It's also home to some of the best music spots in town, plenty of restaurants to feed the soul and a smattering of historical spots that are definitely worth checking out. Wondering where to hit first? Take a look at our top picks for things to do in Harlem. Take a tour of the neighborhood What better way to get acquainted with Harlem than by taking a guided tour? You’ll gain local insight from your guide and learn things you would definitely never have discovered on your own. Harlem Walking Tour’s Cultural Heritage Tour takes in many of Harlem's historic attractions, including legendary jazz clubs, historic mansions and sites from the Revolutionary War. Or, if you’d rather explore on two wheels, Unlimited Biking’s Harlem Highlights Tour will take you on a journey (both figuratively and literally) of Harlem's historical and cultural hotspots, giving you an understanding of how New York’s various economic booms and busts have shaped the neighborhood. And what’s more, both tours can be found on the New York Pass®. Visit a jazz club Although New Orleans has the claim to fame of being the birthplace of jazz, Harlem is certainly where many of the genre’s most famous musicians made a name for themselves. It is also known as the birthplace of bebop – the improvisational musical style known for its chord and key changes. You can see where it all began at Minton’s Playhouse, once a playground for the scene’s biggest acts. Catch a show there whilst enjoying dinner and a drink. Another good option is Bill’s Place, a venue that dates back to Prohibition-era, where you can catch live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and 10PM. If you’re not a jazz aficionado and don’t know where to start when choosing a show (or you are and just want to see another great performance), you can use your New York Pass to attend the Harlem Jazz Series. Every Tuesday afternoon and Friday evening, you’ll be able to watch some of today's most talented jazz musicians. The show is artistically directed by Craig Harris, a trombonist, composer, and longtime Harlem resident who has been part of the Harlem jazz scene since 1976. So you know you’re in for a treat. Apollo Theater Sticking with the theme of jazz, be sure to make a stop at one of the area’s most cherished buildings, the Apollo Theater. This old vaudeville theater is famous for its legendary Amateur Nights, which began in 1934. The likes of James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald launched their careers here and you can still attend on Wednesday evenings to check out new talent Experience a gospel choir Although Harlem’s music scene is synonymous with jazz, it’s also famed for its gospel choirs and highly spirited church services. A visit to one of these joyous services will have even the most ardent atheist tapping their toes. Inside Out Tours offer a Harlem Gospel Tour, which will give you an understanding of the cultural roots of gospel music and its importance in the Christian community in Harlem today. You’ll visit the famous Abyssinian Baptist Church and the tour will end with a performance from a local choir Museo del barrio Harlem’s diverse Latinx community is celebrated at the Museo del Barrio. It hosts a collection of art showcasing predominantly Puerto Rican artists from its founding community. Over the years, the collection has grown to also include over 6,500 works by Caribbean and Latin-American artists. Studio Museum of Harlem The Studio Museum of Harlem was the first black fine-arts museum in the country and is central to the thriving artistic community in Harlem today. Here, you can view works of African Americans, members of the African diaspora and artists from the African continent, plus you can check out a variety of temporary exhibitions. The museum is also the home of an archive of works by James Van Der Zee, the famous Harlem Renaissance photographer. Hamilton Grange We’re going to hazard a guess and say that your trip to New York may include tickets to see Hamilton. We’re right, right? Once you’ve seen the musical, you can head to Hamilton Grange, the preserved home of Alexander Hamilton himself. Here, you can explore an exhibit that covers some of the major events in Alexander Hamilton's life and you can take a guided tour of some of the historically furnished rooms. Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market This colorful market will transport you to the bazaars of West Africa, with an array of stalls selling a variety of African textiles, cosmetics, foods, sculptures and clothing. It’s a good spot to pick up some unique souvenirs and get a feel for the West African community that thrives in Harlem. Try some soul food There’s nowhere better to get your fill of soul food than in Harlem. The best spot has to be Sylvia’s, which has been serving up Southern comfort stables since 1962. Another popular choice is Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken, the no-frills, buffet-style eatery, specializing in old-school skillet-fried chicken. Ready to explore Harlem? Get some of the best tours as part of the The New York Pass®. You’ll also be able to visit attractions all over New York for one low price.
Kirsten McCroskrie
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Attraction of the Week - When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour

Tom's Restaurant aka Monk's Cafe from Seinfeld / Photo by Tony Cenicola/The New York Times People from around the world get to see New York city broadcast on screens at any time that they want. What's more rare is the opportunity to go to the exact same places in the city that your favorite stars have been and get background knowledge of each venue. On Location Tours is offering customers just that with the 'When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour'. The tour will allow visitors to jump into the screen and visit places like the townhouse where the Sheffield's and their Nanny Fran Fine lived, the famous Monk's Cafe from Seinfeld and locations from When Harry Met Sally. Obviously there are some great opportunities for photos on this tour but also some great insight on these historic film and television locations. Beginning in Columbus Circle and making your way through the upper East and West sides, the bus tour will come back down to midtown for its completion. By then you'll have sat in McGee's Pub like the cast of How I Met Your Mother and viewed the Plaza Hotel from Home Alone 2. Visitors can access the 'When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour' on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Overall, the tour lasts approximately 2 hours. Visit the tour website to make a reservation.
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