Unusual and Non Touristy Things to Do in NYC

Looking to shake up your holiday traditions and find non-touristy things to do in NYC this Christmas? This is for you.

Dive into an immersive outdoor escape room in NYC this Christmas that combines festive cheer with brain-teasing puzzles. 

Navigate the city's winter wonderland while unraveling holiday-themed mysteries, see NYC’s iconic holiday lights displays, and immerse yourself in holiday cheer.

Looking for non touristy things to do in NYC that involve a little exploration? Try one of these scavenger hunts.

Instead of standing in line for hours waiting to get into crowded places, scavenger hunts like these lead you on a mysterious walk through iconic NYC neighborhoods showing you things you’d never think to notice.

But there’s a twist! To uncover the hidden gems, you (and your team) have to solve riddles and puzzles sent to your phone(s) that unlock the route. It’s fun, budget-friendly and a great way to experience the city on foot!

If you’re looking for non-touristy things to do in NYC that are both relaxing and enriching, trade the hustle and bustle for the hushed elegance of NYC's most stunning libraries.

From the iconic lion-guarded steps of the New York Public Library to the hidden literary treasures of the New York Society Library, these bookish havens are architectural marvels (and you can get some awesome photos here too).

Here's some inspiration:

• 📍New York Public Library
• 📍The Morgan Library
• 📍Jefferson Market Library
• 📍New York Society Library

Who needs stuffy museums when you can wander through an open-air art gallery? 

There are a bunch of places in NYC that I think count as outdoor art galleries–heck, even the park around the corner from your hotel probably has something artsy in it–but my favorite has to be Socrates Sculpture Park. 

If I told you this place used to be a garbage dump, you probably wouldn’t believe me, but hey, it’s the truth. It’s now home to wildflower patches, waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and, you guessed it, sculptures that change with the season. 

Oh, and did I mention that it’s free?

Missing your four-legged friend while visiting NYC? I’ve got just the place for you. 

If your idea of finding unusual things to do in NYC includes visiting niche museums, head to the AKC Museum of The Dog.

Like the name suggests, this place is a tail-wagging tribute to man's best friend where you get to explore an unparalleled collection of canine art and memorabilia that celebrates our furry companions.

Hey, you asked for non touristy things to do in NYC and this…is about as non-touristy as you’re gonna get. 

If you’ve ever wondered if you have what it takes to solve a murder mystery, this is your chance. Team up with your friends, family, spouse or whoever to aid Sherlock Holmes as you try to track down a killer. 

Solve clues, scrutinize suspects, and navigate the urban landscape to crack the case using nothing but your phones and your collective wits. 

PSST: As an added bonus, it also follows a really neat route through Manhattan that takes in all the iconic landmarks without joining hoards of tourists.

Who you gonna call? 

Movie buffs and paranormal investigators unite: stray off the beaten path and track down what is arguably one of the most iconic movie references in the world. 

A quirky detour from the typical sightseeing itinerary, Ghostbusters Headquarters at Hook & Ladder 8 in Tribeca is well worth a visit, even if all you do there is snap a selfie with the famous firehouse facade and relive cinematic history.

If you’re thinking that Prospect Park is about as touristy as it gets, think again.

The Vale of Cashmere is a hidden and somewhat forgotten corner of Prospect Park, and believe it or not, it’s a non-touristy spot that even some locals might not know about. 

It has the aura of a secret garden about it (albeit a slightly eerie one), and apart from being old and awesome, this overgrown oasis is a peaceful retreat from the city's chaos.

If you’re looking for non touristy things to do in NYC but still want to discover more about the city’s history, check these out.

Instead of following a crowd of fellow tourists around and trying to hear a guide over noisy traffic and “that person” who just won’t stop asking questions, self-guided walking tours like these allow you to do all your exploring at your own pace.

Even better than that, you can stop and start the tour whenever you’re ready, and you actually have to participate by looking for clues and answering puzzles in order to unlock the route.

Uncover urban secrets, historical oddities, and stop off at recommended bars and cafes along the way: you decide how this goes!

So many people visit NYC and never find out this gem exists–don’t be one of them!

A visit to The Tenement Museum is pretty much like being offered a return ticket to NYC’s past without the horrific ramifications of 19th-century New York. 

Explore restored apartments and hear stories of immigrant families who shaped the city, and get a fascinating glimpse into the past that makes you appreciate NYC's tapestry of cultures.

Ok, here’s a quirky factoid you probably didn’t know and one that definitely counts as one of the most unusual things to do in NYC if you visit: there’s a piece of NYC that’s made up of English soil.

Bristol Basin in Staten Island got its name and rubble from Bristol, England, where bombed-out buildings were sent as ballast for ships returning to the U.S during WWII after delivering supplies.

One of the best things about NYC is that you can get a tiny slice of pretty much the whole world within this city’s boundaries, whether that’s through a country’s food or exploring its culture.

Experience the Land of the Rising Sun right in Midtown at the Japan Society. From art exhibitions to film screenings and workshops, it's a deep dive into Japanese culture without the 14-hour flight. Going for sushi after is optional but highly recommended!

Since you’re looking for non touristy things to do in NYC then you probably think I’m crazy for advising you to go to Central Park, but hear me out.

Cleopatra’s Needle is around 3,000 years old and the fact that it’s there in Central Park is honestly crazy to me. Just read that again–it’s 3,000 years old! 

Visiting it is a great way to add some history to your stroll, and the locals are so used to it being there that hardly anybody notices it anymore. I still think it’s cool, though.

Finally, a way to explore NYC through your tastebuds! 

Taste your way through NYC's culinary history by trying dishes born right here (or, at least, claimed to have been born here). 

Start by making a deliciously non-touristy thing to do: a gourmet bucket list. If you need some pointers, I’d start your day with Eggs Benedict, savor Penne alla Vodka for lunch, grab a Cronut for a sweet treat, and finish with a slice at Lombardi's Pizza, America's first ever pizzeria.

Speaking of pizza…if you don’t have time to make a full gourmet bucket list but still want unusual things to do in NYC that stop your stomach growling, listen up. 

John’s Pizzeria in Times Square (I know, it’s touristy–don’t scroll away yet) is actually housed in a former church. Back in the mid ‘90s, the Gospel Tabernacle Church wasn’t the kind of place most folks would want to hang out–it had fallen into disrepair and required some serious work to bring it back to former glory.

Luckily, that transformation occurred and now you can order a slice of heaven (AKA classic NY pizza) while basking in divine ambiance.

We’re getting into seriously non-touristy territory now, but if like me you can’t start your day without word puzzles, you’ve gotta pay your respects to this quirky piece of NYC history.

Spell your way to 35th Avenue in Queens, the birthplace of Scrabble and pay homage to Alfred Mosher Butts, who invented the iconic word game right here in a church basement.

You’ve probably noticed by now that NYC is a pretty expensive city to visit, so…what’s it like for the locals? What do they get up to?

Well, aside from all the stuff you do when you’re at home, New Yorkers have a super handy trick at their fingertips: the parks calendar.

Anybody looking for cheap but great entertainment like free concerts, Shakespeare in the park, outdoor movies, or festivals should look up the major parks and check the calendars for events.

Finally, something that’s as iconic about New Yorkers as the city itself–out sense of humor.

If you haven’t heard of it before, the Comedy Cellar is NYC's legendary stand-up venue and a place that showcases the city's famous humor. 

Catch rising stars and surprise drop-ins from comedy legends. It's the perfect way to experience NYC's sharp wit and maybe become the punchline of a joke (avoid the front row if this isn’t for you!).