By NYC Photo Journeys founder Jessie Festa. Note that some of the links below are product links as well as affiliate links to trusted partners.
You love to explore art and culture when traveling – and NYC is the perfect place to do this.
From seeing a show on Broadway to wandering institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum along Museum Mile in the Upper East Side (a popular location for our private NYC photo tours and professional photoshoots), you’ll never run out of inspiring experiences.
Love live music? Spend time hopping around the indie institutions of the Lower East Side (like Pianos, Arlene’s Grocery, and Rockwood Music Hall), see a world-class performance at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, or check the schedule at popular concert venues like Brooklyn Steel.
In the warmer months, you can see loads of live music for free and cheap through the annual SummerStage event.
Prefer visual art? Of course, you should visit famous institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art, though also spend time at lesser-known spots by doing a gallery crawl in Chelsea (tour option here) or exploring the street art in Bushwick.
You might also enjoy exploring artisan goods at Industry City and Artists & Fleas.
Food is also part of the culture. Consider taking a cooking class (like cooking in the homes of women from around the world through League of Kitchens), eating in a local home through EatWith, or taking a food tour (like one of these tasty experiences).
No matter what you decide to do, make sure to preserve your cherished memories with a private NYC photo tour or professional photoshoot – both of which are customizable! You can see photo examples on Instagram @NYCPhotoTour.
Cultural NYC Tours:
- 📸 Private NYC Photo Journey
- 😍 Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum Guided Tour
- 🎨 Artistic & Alternative Greenwich Village Walking Tour
- 🎉 SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour in New York
- 🥘 New York City Lower East Side Culture and Food Tastings Tour
- 🍕 Brooklyn Food, History & Culture Tour
- ✨ NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color & Character
➡️ Click here for a full list of New York City tours.
Artsy NYC Hotels:
- 🏨 Arlo Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
- 🏨 Crosby Street Hotel (SoHo, Manhattan)
- 🏨 Standard High Line (Chelsea, Manhattan)
- 🏨 The Box House Hotel (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
- 🏨 The Jane Hotel (Meatpacking District, Manhattan)
➡️ Click here for a full list of boutique NYC hotels.
New York City Travel Tips:
- Depending on what tours and activities you add to your itinerary, a New York CityPASS is an amazing value and can save you a lot of money
- Want to see a Broadway show? You can save money by visiting a TKTS Booth for up to 50% off same-day shows
- While Midtown Manhattan is great, make sure to also explore some of the other neighborhoods – like the West Village, Upper East Side, and SoHo – as well as the other boroughs (like Long Island City in Queens and Bushwick in Brooklyn)
- If there is a restaurant you really want to dine at, be sure to make a reservation
- To find unique and pop up things to do in NYC, check park calendars, subscribe to NYC newsletters, and research websites like The Skint, Fever, and Secret NYC
Bonus NYC Travel Resources:
Best Central Park Photo Spots To Capture Gorgeous Pictures
Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC
Stunning Spots For The Perfect NYC Picnic
Uniquely New York Experiences Not To Miss