There’s no place like New York City, and as many of us New Yorkers like to say, “It’s New York or nowhere.” It’s a microcosm of the whole world, but also something so singularly its own. You can hear any language or find any food. You can see the world’s next big star play a show in a grimy basement club or see the world’s current biggest star play the world’s most famous arena. New York City has it all, and then some.
But on Sept. 11, 2001, New York City lost a lot: friends, family, colleagues and strangers. What it didn’t lose that day 25 years ago was its spirit. If there’s ever a place with tenacity, it’s New York.
So whether you’ve been dreaming of a trip to “The Big Apple” for years or have been visiting for a long time, our TPG family has shared some of our favorite things to do, see, eat and experience in New York City.
Pay your respect at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
MATTHEW T. CARROLL/GETTY IMAGES
Located on the site of the original World Trade Center buildings, the 9/11 Memorial is a breathtaking set of fountains surrounded by the names of those we lost 25 years ago. The memorial itself is moving and profound, but below ground, the museum helps tell “the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope.”
Note that, in honor of the 25th anniversary, Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York and current chairman of the memorial, will be matching up to $25 million in donations to The Never Forget Fund, which supports operations at the site as well as educational efforts to ensure the memory of 9/11 lives on.
Join TPG in donating to The Never Forget Fund today.
Catch a Broadway show
Using the Stubhub credit to see Broadway shows such as &Juliet. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
A trip to New York isn’t complete without heading uptown to catch the unique vibe that is Times Square before settling into a powerhouse play or musical on Broadway. There are plenty of ways to get tickets, but many of us New Yorkers use TodayTix for last-minute deals (if you’re willing to be flexible on what you see). You could also visit the TKTS booths in Times Square or near Lincoln Center for same-day, discounted tickets to select shows.
Otherwise, book in advance to make sure you get a ticket.
Right now, it’s a great time to see a show because it’s Broadway Week, meaning some 2-for-1 tickets are available for a ton of shows between now and Sept. 20. And if you need a suggestion, Rachel Dratch in Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is truly phenomenal.
Go on a food crawl in Flushing, Queens
SERGIO AMITI/GETTY IMAGES
If you visit New York City and only stay in Manhattan, did you really visit? One way to get out to another borough is by popping over to Flushing, Queens, for some of the best food in the country. Home to a large and vibrant Chinese community, the area is stacked with mouthwatering restaurants, food stalls, hole-in-the-wall joints and everything in between. There are a number of companies that offer organized food tours in the area, or search “Flushing Food Crawl” on Instagram and let people’s photos guide your stomach.
Spend a day museum-hopping
ANDOLU/GETTY IMAGES
New York City is home to some of the best museums in the world, and you’ve probably heard of some of the major institutions like MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) and The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). But that’s not all. In Queens, the Museum of the Moving Image is a favorite with an incredible exhibition on Jim Henson and the Muppets. In Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Museum has a serious permanent collection alongside a series of rotating exhibitions that always impress.
And for a real look at what life was like for many New Yorkers in times past, the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side that “welcomes you into the historically recreated homes of immigrants, migrants and refugees.”
Stop for drinks with a view
MARRIOTT
People visiting New York like to go to the tops of buildings (we’ve got some pretty tall ones). But rather than just go stand in one, why not go drink in one? One great place is Nebeluz by José Andrés at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. There, you’ll want to try the bagel & lox cone and a cocktail of your choice, all while enjoying stunning city views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Need more? Make a reservation at Overystory in FiDi for 64th-floor views and an award-winning cocktail menu.
Just go for a walk
GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES
New York City is so easy to get around, but the way to see it is by lacing up your shoes and setting off on foot. There are a million places we could send you for a dream walk, but I love to wander through the West Village, then up to 14th Street on the west side to reach The High Line, an elevated park that’s magical to explore.
For incredible views of the city skyline, walk through Williamsburg’s Domino Park in Brooklyn, then spend an afternoon shopping on Bedford Avenue. Wherever you go, see if walking can be your first mode of transportation. If not, pop off the subway a stop or two early just to explore.
Make the city your own
But perhaps the best thing about New York City is that there’s no shortage of things to do, places to visit and sights to see. Even as a resident of the city, there’s no chance I could ever see or do everything it has to offer. It’s one of the reasons visitors keep coming back: there’s always something new on the menu.
Twenty-five years after the skyline of New York was altered forever, the city is more vibrant than ever. And one of the best ways to honor those we lost on 9/11 is to visit the place they once called home.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
