Epic things to do in New York, USA

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You can witness the magic of Broadway performances in 41 theaters on the famous boulevard. And we recommend you settle for nothing less than the all-time highest-grossing Broadway show – The Lion King. After the tremendous success of the original animated Oscar-winning musical in 1994, which caused the World’s Ocean-level rise because of all the tears we shed after (spoiler alert) Mufasa’s death, you can experience the live performance based on this story.

There is no better place to see the celebration of artistic talent, than the Hollywood Pantages Theater in the entertainment capital of the world. The musical is directed and choreographed by Julie Taymor and ​​Garth Fagan – Tony Award winners. And what could be a better addition to the beautiful stagecraft than soul-stirring music by Elton John and Hanz Zimmer? With ticket prices starting from $150, you are guaranteed a spectacular show.

If you have a soft spot for Italian food, you should visit Tony’s Di Napoli, which boasts its high ranking as one of the top ten best restaurants in New York. Here, the professional staff invites you to have a meal in the most welcoming ambiance created by warm, ocherish-colored interiors with cute little touches, such as checkered tablecloth and an entire gallery wall art selection. There are two outlet locations – Upper East Side and Times Square. We suggest you have a meal at the one conveniently situated near the Hollywood Pantages Theater before the showtime.

You can start by ordering their mouth watering appetizers – shrimp & artichoke oreganata, calamari fritti, eggplant rollatini, or stuffed mushrooms. For the main course, consider savoring rigatoni with eggplant & mozzarella, veal chops in cognac cream, or linguini marinara. For dessert lovers, there is an authentic Italian specialty on the menu – mini cannoli with sweetened ricotta cream served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. ​​A fruity glass of Napa’s sauvignon blanc or the classic old-world chianti will be an elegant addition to your meal.

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Manhattan’s Central Park Zoo has been functioning since 1861. The Tropic Zone, Temperate Territory, and Polar Circle are three major biomes that you can discover here. You can observe graceful snow leopards, apex predators – grizzly bears, colorful tropical birds, and a large colony of Antarctic penguins. The youngest visitors have an opportunity to encounter goats, ducks, sheep, and many more animals at the Tisch Children’s Zoo.

This tourist attraction is Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). It has various educational programs and does enormous work to protect endangered species. The entry ticket for an adult would be $19.95, $14.95 for kids, and $16.95 for senior visitors. Many projects are devoted to combining entertainment and spreading awareness. This year, you can join the Run for the Wild on behalf of sloths. This is a fundraiser, where everyone can participate in a 5K or 3K race and help support conservation work of WCS. Daily, you can also visit a 3-D theater, and see the sea lion and penguin feedings.

After learning new facts about our planet at Central Park Zoo, head to Serafina Always, located baldly on Park Avenue. The story of this place deserves to be featured in a film. The idea to open an Italian restaurant was conceived under rather tragic circumstances – while two good friends, Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, were lost at sea without any food in a tiny boat. During this tough time, friends could only dream of a slice of the perfect Italian pizza. The men were saved, and in 1995, Serafina Fabulous Pizza was launched on the Upper East Side. Nowadays, it is a successful brand with dozens of establishments in different countries.

When visiting the restaurant, don’t hesitate to order their staple originated in Naples – classic pizza Margherita with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olives. They also have an entire selection of pizzas called Gourmet di Serafina with such intriguing options as bresaola (air-dried salted beef) with mozzarella, fontina, and baby arugula or tartufo nero with black truffle and Italian cheeses. Every month, they feature a special wine and cocktail. This February, you can quench your thirst with full-bodied barbera d’alba and classic old fashioned.

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The Met is famously known for being one of the largest and most visited museums in the USA, with its collection including over two million artworks. 3% of all the items are represented in the galleries. Here, you can observe the fascinating legacy of Egyptian, Asian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic art, inspirational European paintings, visionary modern and contemporary creations, and many more objects of priceless heritage.

Every year, the museum hosts one of the most prestigious events in the fashion industry, organized by Vogue magazine – The Met Gala – a fundraiser for the benefit of its Costume Institute. There is a new special theme for each ball to celebrate the exhibitions currently presented in the halls. For this reason, the most talented and famous fashion designers create their masterpieces to match the theme for top celebrities to wear. General admissions tickets to The Met will cost you $30 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $17 for students.

In New York, everyone knows that the city is the bagel capital of the United States. The symbol of a bread roll with a hole in the middle has become an essential part of the local cultural code, including yellow cabs, cosmos, hot dog carts, subway signs, and many more. Pick a Bagel cafe chain has been providing New Yorkers and guests of the city with this classic doughy fare since 1988.

They use only the finest ingredients, and everything is baked fresh directly in their cafes. Instead of sitting at the table, try out grab-and-go, and enjoy your bites while exploring the iconic sights of the Big Apple. Savor their hand-rolled bagel with corned beef, pastrami, and Swiss cheese or portobello mushrooms, avocado sprouts, and melted provolone cheese. Their strawberry and chocolate cheesecakes are always a good choice to sweeten your day.

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One of the most successful sitcoms in the history of television, Friends, has influenced the trends of the whole generation and remains a major part of modern pop culture. Even if you haven’t seen it, you must have heard about Central Perk, Unagi, “We were on a break”, and “How you doin”. And if you are a devoted fan of the story of six young people trying to figure out their lives in New York, you can’t miss visiting The FRIENDS™ Experience.

Dive into the world of this iconic group with such simple yet nostalgic things as sitting in Monica and Rachel’s kitchen, experiencing a never-known-before level of comfort of Joey and Chandler’s enormous armchairs, taking a cup of hot coffee, and exploring a huge variety of props, which even include Phoebe’s wedding dress. The standard ticket will cost you $49.50.

After visiting The FRIENDS™ Experience, it will take you only 3 minutes to get to The Bluebell Café. At this eatery, a tasteful combination of elegant and chic crystal chandeliers and exposed terracotta brick walls with multiple beautiful teapots on the shelves create a stylish and pleasant ambiance.

At this welcoming restaurant, you will find a celebration of French-American fare. We recommend you visit the place before 4 pm and savor some filling brunch menu dishes. You will love their avocado toast with salmon, grilled shrimp salad, and buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and powdered sugar. A glass of fruity bellini or mimosa will be a nice bubbly addition to your brunch at The Bluebell Cafe.

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The most epic attraction you can’t ignore in New York City – the Empire State Building – was listed as number one on the American Institute of Architects, which determines America’s favorite architecture. Everything about this giant is record-breaking: at the start of its construction in 1930, it was the first 100+ story skyscraper in the world, completed at a lightning speed of 1 year and 45 days. And after “King Kong” was released in 1933, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of pop culture.

For the most elevated New York experience with an unmatched view, visit the 102nd and 86th floor observation desks. On the 2nd and 80th floors, you can find out everything about the history of the construction and learn about the impact of the Empire State Building on modern culture through a montage of 600 different videos, featuring it. To visit both observation decks, you’ll have to pay $79.00 for a ticket.

STATE Grill and Bar is a celebration of elegance wrapped in Art-Deco design. Opened eight years ago on the ground floor of the Empire State Building, it offers its visitors classic basic American fare with a modern twist by talented L.A. chef, Octavio Becerra.

Our suggestion for an outstanding dinner at this establishment would be, for starters, fresh market salad with greens, shaved vegetables, and vinaigrette. For the main course, you can order NY strip steak with wild mushrooms, pan-seared sea scallops, or salmon a la plancha with Brussels sprouts and ginger. Their cocktail menu reflects an artisan approach to every New York bar’s staples: martinis, negronis, and cosmos. You can also have a glass of local riesling or pinot noir with your meal.

These attractions represent only the tip of the iceberg of epic things you can do in New York. And if your vacation isn’t long, don’t rush and better experience the city at your own pace. And don’t forget to check out our other Food & Travel Guides that might come in handy for your next trips!

What are your top 5 places to visit in New York? Share your suggestions with our community in the comment section below.