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New York City is my hometown, so I'm beyond excited that in a couple of weeks bloggers from all over the world will be arriving for BlogHer '10. And though a lot of time will be taken up with conference events, hopefully many of those attendees will explore some of the fun stuff the Big Apple has to offer.
First off, if you're going to do some sightseeing, get yourself a Metrocard and a CityPASS. The Metrocard is for public buses and subways all over NYC. The CityPASS is a booklet of tickets to six of New York City's most popular museums and attractions and will save you a total of 45% off the regular admission prices.
Now, here are some of my favorite NYC experiences.
Go Hunting with Watson Adventure Tours Scavenger Hunts
My cousin first introduced me to these fun scavenger hunts when she gave me one as a birthday gift a couple of years ago. It was a murder mystery hunt through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and my friends and I had a ball.
In addition to their museum hunts, Watson also organizes scavenger hunts in Chinatown, Central Park and even one in Greenwich Village that features locations from "Sex in the City."
Hunts start at around $25/adult and can go up to $40/adult for museum hunts. Check out the Watson website for schedules and prices.
Find Entertainment at Chelsea Piers
If summer in NYC gets a little hot for you, cool off by going figure skating at Chelsea Piers. Not a skater? Then go swimming, rock climbing, bowling or sailing at this full service sports and entertainment center on 23rd Street and the Hudson River.
Get Lucky at Lucky Cheng's Drag Queen Cabaret
Embrace your inner drag queen at Lucky Cheng's Drag Queen Cabaret downtown. It's wild, it's wacky and it's sure to have you dancing in the aisles. This was my reaction after a memorable evening a couple of years ago:
The costumes were straight out of a Vegas showgirl's closet, some of the commentary by Ms. F**kin' Bitch would make a standup comic blush, and the crowd was packed with birthday girls, bachelorettes and brides-to-be.
It's not for the faint of heart, but it's highly entertaining.
Free Movies at the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Movies are every Monday night and begin after sunset (between 8 and 9pm). If you're in town before BlogHer, the film on August 2nd is the quintessential horror classic, Rosemary's Baby starring Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. It was shot on location in Manhattan and features the Dakota apartment building on 72nd Street and Central Park West.
If you're still in town after BlogHer, the film on August 9th is the more mild mannered Neil Simon romantic comedy, The Goodbye Girl starring Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason.
Bring your own picnic basket of goodies or stop in at the Bryant Park Wichcraft kiosk and order a couple of their delicious sandwiches.
If watching a movie outside is not your thing, take in an Imax movie at the AMC Loew's Lincoln Square multiplex at 68th Street and Broadway. It's cool and comfortable, but get your tickets early or online because the Imax theatre can sell out very quickly.
Take a Galactic Tour at The Hayden Planetarium
This is not your grandmother's planetarium and if you haven't been, set aside couple of hours to check it out. Be sure to experience Journey to the Stars narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, and you'll find yourself miraculously transported through the galaxy.
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
You may not want to buy it, but you can definitely walk it. The Brooklyn Bridge, that is. With some sturdy shoes and a camera, you can get unique views of NYC that many tourists never see.
