Entertainment in Downtown NYC

Downton Manhattan is a tourist’s dream. Your choice of entertainment is really only limited by your imagination. There is something for everyone on this life-affirming island. Whether you’re after a taste of history, mouth-watering food, or incredible views, you’ll find it in downtown NYC. You’ll need a few days to take it all in, so make sure you book a comfortable hotel. You’ll want to spend your downtime chilling on your comfy hotel bed watching movies or playing online casino games (no need to worry about a casino dress code) and resting your weary feet in between some truly awesome experiences.

Ride the Ferry

So where to begin? Let’s start with daytime entertainment. If the weather is good, take yourself off for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. You’ll get glorious views of Lower Manhattan, and as an added bonus you’ll get to see the Statue of Liberty from the water – for free! So, if you don’t manage an actual visit to Ellis Island to see the Lady up close and personal, at least you’ll be able to say that you got a good look, albeit from a short distance. Having said that, if you’ve got the time and inclination, we do recommend taking that trip to Ellis Island for a proper visit. Be sure to plan your trip and book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Walk the Bridge

Visitors on a budget, fear not! There are plenty of ways to experience Downtown NYC without spending a fortune. The Staten Island ferry is free, so that’s a good start. But walking is also free. And walking across the Brooklyn Bridge will undoubtedly give you the New York feeling you’re looking for. The views are magnificent, and the experience is unforgettable. Follow that up with a visit to Battery Park and discover the parks’ monuments dedicated to soldiers, inventors, explorers, and immigrants.

Explore the Seaport

After you’ve taken your rest, head back out and make your way to the South Street Seaport. Explore the charming, cobbled streets, gawp at the gorgeous buildings, take photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, and then stop for a bite to eat at one of the many yummy eateries that you’ll find dotted about the place. If you’re visiting in winter, look out for the ice-skating rink. Or pop into the local maritime Museum for a short, but sweet history lesson.

Dine Somewhere Historic

When evening rolls around, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained and well-fed. However, if you want to celebrate the occasion, head to Pier A Harbor House. You can choose to eat outside by the water for a casual dining experience (we recommend an early, sunset dinner), or you can take it up a notch and head up to the 2nd floor for a more formal dinner. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy your meal while in a historic, NYC landmark. Harbour House first opened its doors in 1886 and has since been lovingly restored to reflect its historic importance.

View the Night-Time Skyline

NYC is the city that never sleeps, so taking in views of the city at night can be just as spectacular as the city by day. Why not head up to the One World Observatory (Freedom Tower) for an incredible view of the big city in all its bright lights. During the summer season, the Observatory allows visitors to enter up to 8 pm and then stay as late as 9 pm. You certainly won’t regret an evening visit. Just as you won’t regret an evening walking tour. Plenty of tour companies offer night tours, and these can be a great way to escape the heat and bustle that comes with day tours.

The winning combination of ultra-luxurious hotels and pristine sandy beaches makes Miami one of the most popular travel destinations in America. Miami is definitely not a laid-back beach destination where you can drink beers from shacks and quietly listen to Bob Marley. Miami is all about the glitz, glamor, and the nonstop party atmosphere. This beach destination is all about the luxury and opulence. It’s a place that’s riddled with posh nightclubs, rooftop restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

If you are planning to take a break from the party and the Miami beach life, then this post is for you. We reveal 4 offbeat things you can do in Miami to add variety to your travel itinerary.

Take to the Skies: While slowly driving through Ocean Drive is the quintessential Miami thing to do, there is another way to explore this beautiful city. There are quite a few helicopters touring companies in Miami that give you short tours of the city. Thanks to the competition, the prices of the helicopter tours are pretty reasonable. For example, per person cost of booking 30-minute Miami helicopter rides costs around $200. Considering that renting an entire chopper costs thousands of dollars, the per-seat booking makes these helicopter rides pretty accessible. Miami helicopter rides usually cover the beach destinations including, Miami Beach, Fisher Island, Sunny Isles, Virginia Key, North Beach, South Beach and other locations. You can book these helicopter rides online and the tours usually start from the Opa Locka airport in Miami.

Get a Taste of Cuba in Little Havana: While some may say it has become too touristy, Little Havana still offers a great selection of Cuban cuisines and great shopping opportunities to make it to our list. This place is as vibrant as the beachfront party destinations in Miami. However, Little Havana has a different cultural vibe with live Cuban music and specialty shops. At the risk of being overcharged, you can pick up some authentic Cuban cigars from one of the many Cigar shops and factories in the area.

Ride an Airboat to Explore the Alligator Riddled Swamps: Craving for some quiet time? Head over to the swamps and rent an airboat. The Everglades National Park is just an hour’s drive away from midtown Miami. Apart from the beauty of the unspoiled nature, it offers plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Considering these swamps are riddled with alligators, there is a certain thrill factor to these tours.

Walk the Streets of the Art Deco District: While you cannot travel back in time, walking the streets of Miami’s Art Deco district is the next best thing. All the historic 1930s buildings are restored to look as if they were built yesterday. All the buildings have beautiful pastel shades and amazing neon lightings. Our suggestion is to visit the art deco area both at night and day. During daytime, you see the 1930s architecture in full glory as the building are kissed by the Miami sun. This gives you the opportunity to see the subtle architectural details. At night, these buildings come to life with glowing neons and colorful lighting.