Things To Do In New York Indoors For Tourists

By Go City Expert

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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Is the New York Pass Worth The Price For Budget Travelers?

This post originally appeared in Follow Me Away, a travel blog by Victoria and Terrence, a model/photographer duo from Florida. Follow Victoria and Terrence on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. [spacer height="20px"] We can safely say that New York City is somewhere that everyone should visit at least once in their life. That being said, The Big Apple is extremely expensive and all of the tours, museums, and attractions continue to raise their prices. That is where the New York Pass comes in. Is it worth it for budget travelers? Let’s find out! [caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] 3 Day New York Pass[/caption] What is the New York Pass? The New York Pass is a possible solution for budget travelers because you pay one price, and are granted access to over 80+ attractions. Unlike other passes we looked at where you had to choose between THIS or THAT attraction or only had access to a few attractions, the New York Pass allows you to see each and every attraction if you have time. How much does it cost? The price of your New York Pass depends on how many days you choose. For example, the 1-day adult pass costs $109 [as of August 2016]. The more days you add, the cheaper each day becomes. If you choose a 3-day pass the total price is $239 but the individual price per day is now just $80 instead of $109. As a budget traveler, the thought of dropping $100 in a day sounds horrifying. Unfortunately, if you are in New York City and you want to visit iconic sites other than the ever-free Central Park, you are going to have to drop some money. [caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Downtown Manhattan Skyline[/caption] How does the New York Pass help budget travelers see more for less? The New York Pass helps those of us who don’t like to spend by saving us money. By paying a flat fee, you will be granted access to 80+ attractions, many of which you may not get to experience otherwise. For example, we would never do a paid walking tour, a behind the scenes tour, or a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, but the New York Pass allowed us this opportunity. Whether it is your first time to New York or you are a seasoned visitor, the New York Pass grants you access to a variety of different experiences. How to make the most of your New York Pass and save money: If you are still a bit iffy about dropping over $100, hear us out! You can spend $100 and only visit one museum with entrance valued at $30 and obviously you will lose money. OR, you can make the most of your New York Pass and spend the entire day using your pass on any and everything. First, divide the number of days you purchased by the price to find out your price per day. If you bought the three-day pass, you will spend $80 per day. Now, in order for the New York Pass to be worth it, you will have to visit enough attractions so that the price of the attraction on its own is more expensive than $80. With the New York Pass, this is super easy to do! For example, “The Ride” normally costs $74. If you choose this attraction and one more, you have automatically saved money. Most of us visiting the city are going to choose way more than 2 attractions so you can see where the savings come in. [caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="1022"] View From Empire State Building at Night[/caption] Let’s look at a sample 1-day itinerary: The Ride-$74 Madame Tussauds Wax Museum-$37 Inside Broadway Tours-$35 Top Of The Rock-$32 Total Without New York Pass-$172 Total With 1 Day New York Pass-$109 [or cheaper depending on how many days you add] Let’s talk about the savings! With the simple 1-day, 4 attraction itinerary above, you will save a whopping $63! The best part is the vast majority of travelers can fit in a lot more than four attractions in one day, so we are pretty sure your savings will be greater! Who should purchase the New York Pass? We feel like the New York Pass is perfect for those of you looking to make the most out of your trip to the Big Apple. Make sure you have enough time to devote to your pass. If you are visiting family and don’t have much time, a 1-day pass may be perfect for you to pack everything into one day. If you are backpacking in and staying for a week, a 4-day pass may fit the bill for you so you can see as much of the 80 attractions as you can. [caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="1023"] View from Big Bus Hop on Hop off Bus[/caption] Is the New York Pass worth it? After using our 3-day pass, we feel like the New York Pass was TOTALLY worth it! The Pass allowed us to do “touristy” things like visiting the top of the Empire State Building and taking the Circle Line Tour that we would have NEVER done otherwise because the individual price was just too high. With the New York Pass, the more you see, the more you save! So we encourage you to pick one up and go hog wild and see everything possible on your next trip to New York City! No matter what, remember to have fun! Have you used the New York Pass? What did you think? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
Go City Expert
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The Best Attractions in Brooklyn

Aerial view of Brooklyn. Photo by Curbed NY [spacer height="20px"] Manhattan is no longer the only borough on the radar of New York City visitors. Tourists as well as Manhattanites have been migrating to the hip borough for a few years for a good reason. Brooklyn offers many great attractions, some of New York City's best restaurants, tranquil greenery and the kind of views you can only see when you actually leave Manhattan. When in New York City, do not limit yourself to the tried-and-true island of Manhattan and venture out to its cooler cousin. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Vince Young [spacer height="20px"] The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a true NYC gem. It offers tranquil green paths, beautiful flowers, lakes, a fragrance garden, a place for children to learn about plants and flowers and about the most stunning cherry trees that blossom in the spring. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located at 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Mondays (but open Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Columbus Day, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) Closed Labor Day [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Robert Harding/Getty Images [spacer height="20px"] After you make the mandatory walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, stop by the Brooklyn piers and the adjacent Brooklyn Bridge Park. This park offers the most amazing views of Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. When you stop strolling or lounging in the plush grass, there are many activities to do at the piers, including beach volleyball, soccer, multiple playgrounds, food trucks, ice cream and many more. Finish your day at Brooklyn Bridge Park by visiting Fornino at Pier 6 for a wood-fire pizza, beers and a rooftop patio with stunning views. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Museum Brooklyn Museum. Photo by Mark Lennihan/AP [spacer height="20px"] The third largest museum in New York City, the Brooklyn museum boasts with a great collection of classical and modern art. The museum is located right between Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on the edge of Prospect Park. Fun fact: The sculptures on the outside of the majestic structure were designed by Daniel Chester French, the creator of the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052 Opening hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Sunday: 11am–6pm Coney Island Luna Park at Coney Island [spacer height="20px"] Coney Island is actually a peninsula, located at the South-East end of Brooklyn. The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island serve as a frequent setting in movies and offer some much needed r&r opportunities just a subway ride away. The beach tends to be crowded in the summer, but it's worth a visit, if you're looking for that old New York vibe. Located at Coney Island is also the famous Luna Park. The Luna Park offers awesome thrill rides and roller coasters, kiddie rides and tons of other fun attractions. While you're down there, don't forget to sample a hot dog from Nathan's. [spacer height="20px"] Bushwick Collective Bushwick Collective [spacer height="20px"] It's worth it to venture out off the beaten path into Bushwick. The industrial-looking neighborhood exudes a classic Brooklyn attitude and is full of some of the best street art in New York City. The Bushwick Collective is a non-profit outdoor gallery of graffiti and street art, preserving the cultural integrity of the neighborhood and its vibrant history of self-expression. You can wonder around Bushwick by yourself and then visit the trendy Williamsburg for a bite, or you can take a guided Alternative Street Art tour with Inside Out Tours (included in New York Pass). To see the street art in Bushwick walk around Troutman Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue. [spacer height="20px"] Prospect Park Prospect Park Lake [spacer height="20px"] Central Park's smaller sister is located in the heart of Brooklyn, surrounded by the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and lots of lovely residential neighborhoods. The 585 acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and includes spacious lawns, bushy walkways and refreshing lakes for the perfect afternoon getaway. When inside Prospect Park, you can get lost and feel like you're in the woods, fully escaping the busy nature of the city that surrounds it. In the Summer, Prospect Park hosts the famed food market, Smorgasburg every Sunday. In the Winter, the LeFrak Center in Prospect park serves as an outdoor ice-skating rink.
Go City Expert
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What to do in New York in January

The holidays are long gone, and the only thing that keeps you going is your daily mocha latte and the thought that one day, rumor has it, a season called spring will appear. But fear not! January brings its own delights (and we do mean delights, not just “things to get you through an annoying month.”) From popups to pastries, stick with us for ways to make the month fun, not just merely tolerable. Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 20 Civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. was known for his non-violent approach to advancing civil rights; he was assassinated in 1968. Now in its 34th year, the largest event of its kind brings together artists, activists, and community leaders at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House to celebrate the life of the famed civil rights leader. A combination of talks, music, an art exhibit, and more, the event is free and open to the public. Winter Lantern Festival Until Jan 12 For starters, there’s the Winter Lantern Festival at Snug Harbor in Staten Island. If you still need easing away from the holiday lights and festivals, this is a good one to check out. More than 1,000 lanterns morph into incredible luminescent art and a variety of amazing shapes and figures, from plants to animals and mythical creatures. The exhibit includes eight acres of lights (!) plus interactive exhibits and live shows. The Progressive New York Boat Show January 22-26 Next up, the New York Boat Show at the Javits Center is an annual tradition, with a surprising amount to offer both boat lovers and those who are just along for the ride - figuratively speaking. The show's main draw, of course, is dozens of boats for sale, from kayaks to yachts, but visitors will also find miniature boat building for kids, food and drink, including a Nathan's hot dog cart and a Boar’s Head sandwich station, and even a career day, about jobs in the marine industry. It’s one of the many annual things to do in New York in January that marine and sailing enthusiasts should look out for. Winter Jazzfest Until January 17 Over the course of nine nights, visitors to Winter Jazzfest are treated to jazz performances at a series of venues across the city, including, this year, ones in Brooklyn. One wristband gives visitors entry to any venue—as long as it isn’t full. Visitors will have the opportunity to see more than 100 performers, including drummer/bandleader/artist-in-residence Mark Guiliana, and Brazilian musician Seu Jorge. Lunar New Year Celebration January 25 Celebrate the start of the Year of the Rat, the first in the Chinese zodiac cycle, at the Queens Botanical Garden. The Lunar New Year celebration includes crafts, activities designed for the whole family, and a lucky plant sale. FYI, the plants are lucky, not the sale. Performances are also on the docket, and past events have had such offerings as a taekwondo demonstration and a dance performance. The 39-acre site may not be as well-known as the gardens in the Bronx or Brooklyn, but this is a good opportunity to explore it, even during the winter. Tomatoland Now on Have you ever wondered what New York seems like to a tomato? No, neither have we. And yet, we now have Tomatoland, a 4,000 square foot pop-up designed to educate visitors about the environment and excess consumption. Visitors are treated to such exhibits as Refrigerator World, which highlights our use of exceas packaging; Noodle Swing, where attendees can sit in a swing suspended from a giant fork and try on costumes; and a Ketchup Pool, which offers travel in a bottle-cap car to meet some green-tomato cousins. The exhibit also includes places perfect for photo ops as well as some interactivity. [caption id="attachment_3745" align="alignnone" width="1125"] Image courtesy of Tomato Land[/caption] Frost Fest January 24 If it’s January, it must be time for...bumper cars on ice! Yes, that’s a thing, and a good one. You can spin, twirl, and bump your way across the ice at the Bryant Park ice rink, and, starting January 24, you can also take a spin if you go there for the 10-day Frost Fest, a series of programs including live entertainment, an Igloo experience, and a silent disco. NYC Broadway Week January 21-February 9 If you love theater but not the prices, check out the winter version of Broadway Week; it actually lasts more than a week. This is the time to get two-for-one tickets to some of the most popular Broadway shows around, or ones you might not necessarily attend. You may even be able to snag tickets for shows like Book of Mormon and Chicago. Tickets go fast--so you shouold be, too. Ophelia Ever had the urge to visit a NYC rooftop bar in January? No? Well, now you will. A number of sky-high bars in New York are outfitted for winter weather, including Ophelia, which sits at the top of an art deco tower and will make you feel like you’re inside a snow globe. Grab some cocktail fare, like a truffle potato wedge or a French onion slider, and an actual cocktail. Then gaze at the amazing 360 city views and enjoy the feeling that you’re inside a jewelery box. Looking for other sky-high venues? Check one out here. Looking for more ways to take advantage of the city this month? Check out The New York Pass.
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