New York Insidertipps

It's not just the rooftop bars that are worth a visit. In New York there are lots of hidden bars that are reminiscent of the Prohibition of 1920-33, when alcohol consumption was forbidden. Not that people drank less back then - but it was hidden. There are only two speakeasies left from that time: The Backroom and Attaboy - but there are several that are just as hard to find, hidden behind shelves, normal house entrances or bookcases. The list given here is by no means complete - Google knows more - but this is definitely a good place to start.

From Birdland to Village Vangard, from Tomi Jazz to Room 623, New York offers the full range. In narrow cellar vaults, tightly packed or with a glass of wine or cocktail on the expansive sofa - just let yourself be carried away by the music. The following list offers an almost complete collection of jazz venues in Manhattan:

Just like Harlem and jazz, gospel music and Harlem belong together. If you stroll through Harlem on a Sunday morning, you will come across many churchgoers, many of them tourists. Because the church services are often misunderstood as a show, we should not misunderstand it when we are sometimes separated from the congregation. Here is a good list of 9 congregations and their customs the option to sign up for a gospel tour.

A so-called gallery crawl through Chelsea on a Thursday evening or through the Lower East Side is just great. In Chelsea, one gallery follows the other and Thursday is the traditional day for the opening of an exhibition. Usually from 6pm-8pm. The easiest way is to pick one or two galleries that are opening (see link below) and then go with the flow. Wine and small snacks are sometimes available too. And every third Thursday evening of the month, many of the galleries in Chelsea and the Lower East Side (www.lesgallerynights.com) are open, not just those that are opening an exhibition.

Many people know the ticket office in Times Square, which sells discounted tickets. But they aren't really that cheap there, and why not try your luck in the lottery beforehand. There are 2 tickets per show (you can register for multiple shows) to be won every day for $30 to $45. Register the day before, winners are announced at 3pm on the day of the performance. You must then buy by 4pm, otherwise you will lose your prize. AND - for Wicked there is even an on-site raffle at 5.30pm on the day of the performance.

OFF-Broadway plays are theater performances on a smaller scale. There are also OFF-OFF-Broadway theaters, which are very personal performances. These plays are not only financially worthwhile. You are also in the best New York company. Here is a list of OFF-Broadway shows, including musicals, from the New York Theater Guide:

New York is a bicycle city - it really is! There are many bicycle paths and with the "Citi Bike", the official city bike, you can get around easily, quickly and with a view. There seems to be a docking station for the bikes on every street corner. And it's so practical: just park the bike and carry on on foot. When I then want to continue on my bike, all I have to do is look at the app to find the next bike station. With a credit card, you can easily get access to a day pass for $19, for example. More information can be found on the Citi Bike homepage or download the app directly:

In addition to the free ferry to Staten Island, New York City also has the NYC Ferry, which is less well-known among non-New Yorkers. This mainly connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. However, one line also runs along the Hudson River. What could be nicer than floating on the water and having a view of the New York skyline?

New York has a lot to offer in terms of second-hand clothing and original decorative items from small retailers, suitable as souvenirs. A hot spot for such finds are the large flea markets. They usually take place on Sundays, sometimes on Saturdays. Some, like the Brooklyn Flea (https://brooklynflea.com), only open in the summer months. But the Grand Bazaar, on 77th Street, directly south-west of the Natural History Museum, is open all year round. If you visit the museum or Central Park on a Sunday, you should definitely make a detour there. Food is also provided there, because food trucks are a must at a bazaar in New York!

Many museums offer a special program one evening a week or one evening a month. Some have music, drinks and food and some even have free admission. For example, the JP Morgan Library or the Brooklyn Museum. The MET is also open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets can be pre-ordered online. Just check the individual museums' homepages.

Here is my blog post with insider tips for Chelsea. If you don't just want to visit the High Line, The Edge or Chelsea Market, you can get inspiration here.

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which is easily accessible by subway, offers family-friendly basketball games and music events. Compared to Madison Square Garden, the ticket prices are reasonable and the fun is just as great.

Of course, you can also dance the night away in New York. There is no shortage of discos and clubs. At the really popular clubs, you sometimes have to wait a bit. But that shouldn't put partygoers off, because the wait is definitely worth it.

Here you can go back to the overview of all New York walking tours from TreffpunktNewYork. If you don't mind a guided tour in English, I can highly recommend the walks from "free tours by foot".

New York is very special at Christmas time. From the Christmas shows to Christmas shopping to the Christmas decorations, the Big Apple is a real surprise. But be careful: you have to know where to see what or which restaurants are particularly decorated (apart from Rolf's German Restaurant, which is best avoided at Christmas time because it is too crowded. But Rolf's is also open for Christmas the rest of the year.) The following link contains an article about Christmas traditions in New York in general and a link for a Christmas walk on Google Maps plus decorated restaurants

It's not too difficult to find a restroom if you know how. There is now even an official toilet map for public toilets. Simply click on the link. Otherwise, there are of course always toilets in department stores and restaurants. In cafes, you should ask whether there are restrooms before you buy a coffee. In New York, not all cafes have a toilet.