Less Touristy Things to Do in New York City
Central Park, New York City
New York City is the most visited city in the United States. Considering heavy tourism in the city that never sleeps, you will likely encounter large crowds if you visit famous destinations like The Metropolitan Museum of Art (colloquially known as The Met), The Empire State Building, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center.
While these impressive places offer an experience unique to New York City, the sheer number of other travelers can make them feel a bit chaotic and overwhelming.
For an authentic experience with much smaller crowds, read below for fun, less touristy things to do in New York City that are easy to explore and less crowded.
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Union Square Greenmarket
Union Square is a lively park and neighborhood situated in upper Manhattan at Broadway and Fourth Avenue. Classic New York City skyscrapers surround the park, and on most days, you find a melting pot of artists, professionals, street performers, and the occasional group of protesters.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, the lovely Union Square Greenmarket is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This local market hosts an array of artisans and farmers. From fresh vegetables and flowers to baked goods and regional alcohols, you’ll find plenty of local goods to take home.
A casual stroll through Union Square Greenmarket is a relaxing way to start a day of exploring and to feel like a New York local. Other notable weekend markets worth a visit around the city include the Grand Bazaar, Chelsea Flea Market, and Fulton Stall Market.
Explore Central Park With a Local
Jen From the City, Central Park
Central Park, one of New York City’s most famous destinations, is an impressive 1.3 square mile public park that extends from upper Manhattan to East Harlem. As a popular tourist destination, there are numerous ways to explore this expansive green space, including horse-drawn carriage rides (no cars allowed here!) and bike tours.
For a more intimate experience, join a small-group walking tour to explore the park and learn about its history and cultural significance.
Bethesda Terrace Arcade, Central Park
Jen From the City is a local tour guide who offers private and small group tours through both bustling and quiet areas of the park. Jen is a fantastic guide with an infectious passion for the city and has a fun, unique perspective on Central Park.
Central Park, New York City
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is between East 50th and 51st Streets and sits across the street from Rockefeller Center. This is the largest Catholic Cathedral in the United States and is an impressive display of Neo-Gothic architecture. Construction of the cathedral began in 1858 & finished in 1879.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is stunning to experience in person. The cathedral works as a fully operational Catholic church that hosts daily and weekend mass services and is also open to tourists.
Self-guided audio tours are available for those seeking a more thorough understanding of the cathedral’s history while admiring the awe-inspiring stained-glass windows and interior architecture.
Museum of the City of New York
One of the most celebrated attributes of New York City is its abundance of museums. The Met, The Guggenheim, The Museum of Modern Art, and The American Museum of Natural History are stately institutions that offer impressive displays of art, history, and artifacts from all over the world.
To learn more about the history of New York City itself, visit The Museum of the City of New York, located on 5th Avenue. Both an art and a history museum, the Museum of the City of New York offers a culturally rich experience to learn about this dynamic city.
As a bonus, it is much less crowded than New York’s more famous museums, so you can take your time to view the exhibits peacefully.
A Great View that Isn’t the Empire State Building
View from Mr. Purple at Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
As impressive as New York City is on foot, there’s nothing like viewing the city from above. Once the tallest building in the world, many tourists (4 million per year, in fact) opt to get a bird’s eye view from the famous Empire State Building. While this is a great way to see New York, entry to the Empire State Building is expensive and can be crowded.
For a great view of the city and a toast to your successful adventure, visit one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
View from Mr. Purple at Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
New York City rooftop bars that offer stunning views of the city include Mr. Purple at Hotel Indigo Lower East Side, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar (a few blocks from the Empire State Building), and Lost in Paradise Rooftop in Long Island City.
What (and Where) to Eat in New York City
Katz’s Delicatessen, New York City
All of this exploring is sure to work up an appetite! To learn about must-try foods in New York City, read here.
Published: December 22, 2024 - Updated April 23, 2026
