Culture

Top 10 Must-Eats, Must-Sees, Must-Dos: NYC Edition

People love New York City. They even filmed a movie, “New York I Love You,” based on that fact. With the most populous city in America, it can be overwhelming to plan what to do. Luckily, some of our staff and Group Leaders can help you out.

Must-Eat

  • If you have a sweet tooth, our Marketing Manager, Melissa G., suggests authentic New York cheesecake at Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn. Junior’s is known as the World’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake, and we urge you to test that claim!
  • Our ETA Coordinator co-op, Kyle M., always makes a stop at The Original Soupman, especially during the cold winter months. This restaurant is known for their delicious soups, but became even more famous after Seinfeld introduced the Soup Nazi character, based loosely off of the Soupman.
  • Hungry for some authentic New York pizza? Tour Director Larry F. recommends stopping by Ray’s Pizza, a hidden gem with locations across the city, and grabbing a mouth-watering slice.

Must-See

  • If you’re in the city and have a free night, Melissa recommends wandering down to the Theatre District to catch a Broadway show at any of the forty theatres. Shows ranging from comedies to dramas to thrillers are performed throughout the week, so it’s easy to find one that will fit everyone’s taste.
  • If you’re visiting Lower Manhattan, Larry says that a stop at the National September 11 Memorial is a must. Twin reflecting pools surrounded by trees provide a relaxing place to pay your respects to the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
  • What advice does Tour Consultant Sam B. offer? Explore the 843 acres of Central Park! The park is filled with countless sights to see, such as statues, bridges, and memorials. This urban oasis gives city dwellers a nice break from the chaotic streets, while also introducing tourists to a different side of New York City.
  • Have some free time? Sam also suggests heading to Times Square since so many restaurants, stores, and other attractions can easily fill up an empty afternoon! The figurines at Madame Tussauds wax museum are so intricate you might mistake them for the real people!

Must-Do

  • Located in New York Harbor, Sarah K., our Digital Analyst, travel to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by ferry. See Lady Liberty up close and personal, and then head to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to learn more about the history of immigration in America. You might even find the name of a distant relative!
  • The Empire State Building Observatory provides the most breath-taking view of the Big Apple, and is highly recommended by Tour Director Larry. The observatories, located on the 86th and 102nd floors, offer amazing views. When the sky is clear, visitors can see all the way to New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Be one of over four million yearly visitors to this magical attraction, and don’t forget to bring your camera!

Ready to explore? Browse tours to New York City here.

EF Staff

We’re a crew of lifelong learners and curious explorers who are passionate about seeing the world, both at home and abroad. Our staff includes everyone from Tour Consultants and product managers to copywriters, photographers, and Traveler Support Specialists. More than anything, though, we’re a group of EF-ers united by our belief in the awe-inspiring, perspective-shifting, life-changing impact of educational travel.

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