New York City, a.k.a. the city that never sleeps, offers a wide range of fun and exciting activities, adventures, and places to eat that you can easily cross off your bucket list for summer 2016. Check out these top 15 spots, among them are museums, parks, lookouts, and more, to help kick off your exciting summer!
1. La Marina.
With an unparalleled waterfront location, La Marina is the prime spot for you to enjoy brunch with your girlfriends or a sunset dinner with your loved one. You can sit back, relax, take in the gorgeous view of the Hudson River all while enjoying an unforgettable meal. The restaurant offers a unique experience that, according to the Wall Street Journal, is "a little St. Tropez right here on the Hudson."
2. Washington Square Park.
This 9.75 acre park is located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. It is dominated by the Washing Square Arch, a perfect place for you to sit and enjoy the summer weather with some friends.
3. The Plaza Hotel.
Opposite Central Park, this century-old luxury hotel features countless dining options. When you enter the gorgeous lobby, the last thing you would expect is the bustling Plaza Food Hall down below. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has an array of different types of food. Whether you're in the mood for lobster, subs, pasta, or dessert, the Plaza Food Hall's got you covered!
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Located on the Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. The collections contain over 32 million specimens of plants, humans, animals, fossils, and more. If you're looking for a day away from the sun and inside the air conditioning, this museum will entertain and teach you all at the same time!
5.The Empire State Building Observation Deck.
If you want a memorable view of NYC, the Empire State Building's Observation Deck is the perfect place to go. But, don't get ahead of yourself! Before you take it all in, the observatory requires different stops along the way up to the top. Different exhibits provide you with information about the historic building and get you more than excited for the breathtaking view you're about to see! The main deck on the 86th floor is the highest open-air observatory in New York, wrapping around the entire building and providing a 360 view of NYC and beyond!
6. The High Line.
This 1.45 mile long park was built on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. It was redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway, running through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea.
7. Little Italy.
This neighborhood in lower Manhattan is bound on the west by TriBeCa and SoHo, on the south by Chinatown, and on the east by Bowery, and on the north by Nolita. It consists of authentic Italian stores and restaurants, Taking a trip here will leave you feeling as if you visited Italy for a day, and the food will keep you coming back for more!
8. The Met.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is located right on fifth avenue. With over 5,000 years of art from every corner of the world, it offers you rich and compelling history that you won't find anywhere else. It's prime location also provides you with more to do once you leave. Channel your inner Gossip Girl, grab some lunch, and sit on the steps of the Met! Or, walk down Fifth Avenue and take in all of the New York City action, shops, and buzz.
9. Two Hands Restaurant and Bar.
Located in TriBeCa, this restaurant has created a healthy menu of dishes that will both surprise and delight. The flavors are fresh, simple, and bright, matching the interior design of the comfy-cozy cafe. The coastal interiors and caring interiors will have you feeling relaxed and at ease for an enjoyable lunch or dinner with friends.
10. Madame Tussauds.
This wax museum located in the heart of Times Square will have you feeling as if you're truly among some of the greatest and most famous in all of history! With wax figures from all different walks of life-- sports, music, pop culture, world leaders, film, TV and more -- you'll be entertained for the entire afternoon! You follow a path throughout the entire museum, each room with a different story to tell.
11. Battery Park.
This public park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, facing the New York Harbor. With restaurants, boats, events, and not to mention history, you'll be able to spend a full day and night within the park, all while taking in the gorgeous views.
12. The Bronx Zoo.
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States is located right in the Bronx! It is world renowned for its large and diverse animal collection and its award winning exhibitions. It's the perfect place to visit when the summer heat isn't too strong and you're looking for a day to enjoy the outside.
13. 9/11 Memorial Museum.
The Museum’s power rests in its location. The 110,000 square feet of exhibition space are within "the archaeological heart of the World Trade Center site." A variety of fascinating exhibits reveal the makeup of New York City’s impressive bedrock, as well as what became of the WTC on September 11. Above all, it's a tribute to the victims, to the survivors, and to their loved ones.
14. Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
This observatory on top of Rockefeller Center allows you to see the city in an entire different light. Located in Midtown Manhattan, it has three different floors where you can view the city that never sleeps. The 67th and 69th floors have terraces for protected viewing, while the 70th floor has unobstructed, open-air, 360 degree views.
15. Baseball!
New York City is home to not one, but two American professional baseball teams -- the New York Yankees and the New York Mets! Games are happening all throughout the summer months, so grab your friends, buy some cheap tickets, and enjoy the game!
