Things To Do in NYC Tomorrow (That You Haven’t Done Before)

Let’s start off our list of things to do in NYC tomorrow with something topical. Love or hate the holiday season, it’s here and I am so here for it.

This interactive, self-guided adventure game is themed around Santa’s midlife crisis (relatable, to be honest) and has you searching high and low for clues among NYC’s most dazzling holiday light displays. 

Explore sparkling shop windows, bundle up, sip hot cocoa, and see NYC shine at its brightest while getting your step count up.

There’s so much you don’t know that you don’t know know about NYC, even if you’ve lived here your whole life.

Want to discover Manhattan in a whole new way? Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test on one of these scavenger hunts. 

These interactive adventures will have you uncovering city secrets, quirky landmarks, and hidden clues while exploring NYC’s iconic streets, and there’s recommended cafe and bar stops to keep your brain and body energized as you go!

Take happy hour to new heights—literally. 

NYC’s rooftop bars offer unbeatable vantage points of the Empire State Building, sparkling bridges, and city streets far below–and lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of our favorites. 

From classy lounges to laid-back terraces, there’s a rooftop for every vibe and personality. Just remember to take a snap of the skyline while you’re up there.

Looking for things to do in NYC tomorrow that you’re pretty much guaranteed never to have done before?

Channel your inner detective and tackle a murder mystery set in the heart of Chelsea. 

Unless you’re a member of the NYPD or you’re Sherlock Holmes’ long lost sibling, we’re guessing you haven’t caught a killer before. Well, that’s all about to change!

As you follow clues, crack codes, and connect the dots, you’ll uncover a thrilling tale of NYC secrets and suspense that’ll keep you guessing until the final reveal.

Who needs the Met when you can explore NYC’s quirkiest museums? And that’s no shade on the Met, I’m obsessed with it, but we’ve all been there–and seen the line to get in. 

NYC is full of world-famous museums, but if you’re looking for things to do in NYC tomorrow that are a little different, why not explore its quirky side? 

At the Banksy Museum, street art meets gallery walls, while the Museum of the Moving Image brings film and TV magic to life. If you’ve been there, discover handcrafted treasures at the American Folk Art Museum, or celebrate man’s best friend at the adorable Museum of the Dog. Or just look up your closest local museum and see what treasures are stored there, I’ll bet you’ve got no idea without Google’s help.

Forget being locked in a room, take your escape game skills outdoors! 

These outdoor adventures combine city exploration with brain-teasing puzzles as you solve clues and uncover hidden stories around town. 

Perfect for groups of friends or family, these games are a great way to utilize your brain power, uncover hidden stories and race against time. 

Think you have what it takes to crack the codes and complete the challenge? The city is your playground.

NYC and castles? You’d better believe it. 

Fairytales do exist in New York City and we’ve got the castles to prove it. 

From Belvedere Castle in Central Park to grand historical gems nearby, these architectural marvels will make you feel like royalty without ever leaving the city. Besides, when’s the last time you visited a castle?

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC tomorrow that stop your stomach rumbling, I’d recommend getting dinner with a view. 

NYC’s rooftop restaurants combine mouth-watering meals with jaw-dropping sights of the skyline, you’ve just gotta find one that’s right for you. 

Perfect for date night, a celebration, or just treating yourself to a next-level meal, check out our guide to our favorite NYC rooftop restaurants here.

Hidden deep in Prospect Park, the Vale of Cashmere feels like a forgotten secret garden. 

And that’s because it kinda is. Overgrown pathways, crumbling stone steps, and a quiet, untamed charm make this spot an urban explorer’s dream. 

And it’s great for photography too: if you’re looking for a peaceful escape or the perfect moody photo backdrop, or just somewhere to get away from the city buzz, this little slice of wilderness is where NYC slows down and nature takes over.

I could never pick just one bar to be my favorite in NYC, but this one is definitely up there. 

As the name suggests, The Let Love Inn is the ultimate cozy jazz bar with a super friendly atmosphere. Named after the Nick Cave song, this bar has live music, craft cocktails, and an all-round great vibe to it that only Astoria could offer.

Speaking of Astoria, if you’re in the neighborhood, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to grab some Greek food while you’re here. 

Astoria is NYC’s little slice of Greece (hence the nickname), and visiting is a great chance to feast on tzatziki, gyros, and baklava at the area’s legendary Greek restaurants.

If there’s such a thing as being too iconic, NYC is almost certainly teetering on the edge of it.

With globally-recognizable buildings like the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge on our doorstep, it can be easy to dismiss the rest of NYC’s architecture as lacking. But you’d be wrong. 

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC tomorrow that you haven’t done before, set aside a few hours to explore NYC’s underrated architectural gems. 

Here’s where I recommend:

• Surrogate’s Court
• Museum of Eldridge Street
• Dakota Apartments
• Bayard-Condict Building
• Knickerbocker Hotel

Speaking of underrated, you’ll hear plenty of locals say that NYC has no hidden gems and you know what I say to those people? You’re wrong. 

Walking around NYC’s neighborhoods, you’re likely to discover secret parks, tucked-away bars, and unique spots even lifelong New Yorkers miss. And if you need some inspo, we’ve put together a list of our favorites here.

This might be an unpopular opinion but as much as I love NYC’s skyline from land, in my opinion, it’s best seen from the water. 

Hop on the Staten Island Ferry for unbeatable (and free!) views of Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan, or take the East River Ferry for a fresh perspective on the city and somewhere new to explore.

We’re almost halfway through the Roaring ‘20s round two and while it got off to a shaky start, there’s one thing that we have in common with past New Yorkers: our love of a secret beverage. 

Speakeasies were made famous in this city and even though the Prohibition era is well and truly over, it’s still cool to seek out these secret spots. Here are my recommendations (and, WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD! 

• Please Don’t Tell (PDT) accessed through a phone booth inside a hot dog joint
• Bathtub Gin concealed behind a coffee shop.

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC tomorrow that involve a slice of NYC’s performing arts legacy but Broadway is too expensive or you’ve done it before, check out one of its historic theaters. 

From the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem to the ornate St. George Theatre, these venues are as captivating as the performances themselves (and sometimes even cheaper than the famous venues!).