There’s always something new in New York City. Period. Not only the city changes every season – opening new possibilities and activities, but there’s so much investment here and so many new places to explore. There are new parks, tourist attractions, shops, restaurants, experiences, exhibitions, events, concerts… a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore this place. Coming to the city in 2024? Let me guide you through some of the best new things to do in New York City.
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Gansevoort Peninsula
Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
NYC has a lot of beaches – all of them located far away from Manhattan, in Brooklyn and Queens. But last year, Manhattan got its first public beach, a spot located in Hudson River Park, between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street, near the Whitney Museum of American Art. It was built on solid ground (as opposed to a pier), and it features a southern edge that provides direct access to the Hudson River for non-motorized boats and stunning views of the River, and the lower Manhattan skyline. There is real sand and chairs to relax, and despite the beach vibes, swimming is not permitted.
East Midtown Greenway
Such a new addition to the East Side of Manhattan! The East Midtown Greenway is a 1.8-acre public promenade along the East River waterfront in Sutton Place. It features pedestrian and bike paths, between 53rd and 61st Streets, providing beautiful views of the East River, including the Queensboro Bridge.
Pier 57 Rooftop Park
This new spot is one of New York City’s largest public rooftop parks. It’s a 2-acre area with stunning views of Lower Manhattan – including the charming Little Island and the One World Trade Center. You can access the park from the ground floor’s southern entrance, directly across from Little Island. Best part? It’s free! Such a beautiful spot to have a picnic or contemplating the sunset.
The Beam
Located at the iconic Top of the Rock, this cool new experience, which opened in December, climbs 12 feet above the observatory, rotating to give visitors unbeatable sights of Central Park and beyond. The Beam recreates “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” — the famous 1932 photo of 11 ironworkers eating lunch 850 feet in the air during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Tickets for The Beam can be added to General Admission and Express Pass tickets for $25 while the experience is included in the VIP Pass. Include a digital photo.
Gilder Center
This is a new area at the American Museum of Natural History – featuring spectacular architecture and new exhibition galleries and one-of-a-kind experiences, including an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, floor-to-ceiling collections displays, and more—and connects to the rest of the American Museum of Natural History.
Tea Around Town
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What about a bus tour with a twist? This is Tea Around Town Concept – a great activity for bachelorette parties, friends, teenagers… It’s a 90 minute tour between Midtown and Central Park South with a super cute decor and a glass roof. Enjoy a fun ride while you try tea delicacies like macarons, finger sandwiches and scones. I think the price is reasonable – tickets start at $69 (standard). The Premium ticket includes sparkling wine as well.
PixelStar — Take Over Times Square
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Times Square is such an iconic place in New York City, famous for the billboards and lights. For reference, typically, the minimum amount of money required to advertise for a short amount of time 1-3 days ranges between $5,000-$25,000. But since 2023, you can have your video or photos on a billboard in Times Square starting at $40. All you have to do is download the TSX app and submit a 15 sec video and choosing a date and time. I recommend doing with some advance cause they need to approve your video.
I surprised my parents during their last trip to the city – you can check their reaction on the video above. This is what I call an authentic souvenir!
Vessel – reopening
Opened in 2019, Vessel, located in Hudson Yards, closed in 2021 after suicides took place there. But Hudson Yards has announced that it will open later this year with an addition of a floor-to-ceiling steel mesh to the structure. Make sure to check the official website for updates!
Cloud Gate – The Bean
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New York City algo got its own “The Bean” – a reflective sculpture by Anish Kapoor, the same artist behind the the iconic “Cloud Gate” sculpture in Chicago — aka “the bean”. The NYC version is located in Tribeca, wedged beneath a building known as the “Jenga Tower”.
And that’s all! Planning a trip to NYC? Make sure to check my map/guide – with more than 200 of my best tips compiled. Click here!
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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