Going to the Top of the Rock is a good experience. Has a short film presentation before head up to…read morethe observation decks. I'll speak to the Beam Experience next, but before I do....do note, I give this place 5 stars overall, as it is an iconic NY building worth visiting. There's far more to see at this building, than just the observation deck I speak to in this review. . Now, what I personally found a rip off, is the Beam Experience. It costs $20 a head, in addition to your base observation ticket price. Not worth it at all and here's why: - You sit on the beam and strap in. - It goes straight up (5-6 seconds). - Pauses briefly and turns 180 to face outward (6-7 seconds). - It pauses again as it faces outward (9-10 seconds). - it turns back toward the Top of the Rock building and takes your pic (7-8 seconds). - Beam lowers back to roof top (5 seconds). . As you can see, it is so brief in duration. And there's nothing that makes you feel vulnerable at all. Or you're not any higher, actually lower, than an observation deck you can be in and be higher than folks on the beam experience. The only way the beam experience may be worth it to you....is for your to be highly nostalgic.....and want to sit on a steel beam....up in the air a bit....and technically be like those guys eating lunch on a beam all those years ago....in kinda the same place as those workers did way back when. If you don't know, that classic of the workers on the beam; occurred during the building of the Rockefeller Building. But as I see it, this beam experience isn't worth it at all.

I was extremely disappointed with the FIFA Watch Party at Top of the Rock…read more I had been looking forward to this match for months and expected an unforgettable experience. Instead, it turned into one of the most poorly organized events I've ever attended. The venue was severely overcrowded, and there were far too few TVs for the number of people admitted. Most guests, including us, couldn't even watch the game because there simply wasn't enough viewing space. We spent the event walking around trying to find a place where we could see a screen, but it was impossible. This event was clearly oversold without proper planning or consideration for the guest experience. We paid specifically to watch the FIFA final, but ended up missing most of the match. We left feeling frustrated, disappointed, and honestly scammed. This was not the experience that was advertised or promised. I hope Top of the Rock takes responsibility for what happened and provides refunds to the affected guests, while making sure events like this are organized much better in the future.

If I lived here, I'd be a regular. We had a great time chatting with our bartender Maddy (Mattie?…read moreSorry not sure of spelling) and some of the other patrons. The drinks were good, and the video games were so fun. They had a bunch that really brought me back to my childhood. Ladybug, Tapper...wow it's been a long time. We sat at the bar chatting and knitting in between games, it was a hoot. Ambience is dark and divey but not in a bad way at all. Spending an evening here was one of the highlights of my trip. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in town.

I checked out Barcade in Williamsburg. If you like arcade games, drinks, and going back into your…read morepast. This is definitely a fun place to hangout. Barcade has a few locations around NYC, and I went to this spot. They have soooo many arcade game here. Classics like street fighter and a bunch of other old school games. Each game takes at least 2 tokens, so definitely grab a few if you plan on playing for a while. One tip is if you put tokens into a machine and it isn't working, just go up to the bartender and let them know. They'll help you out. As for drinks, they have a pretty big selection of beers on tap. Cocktails, and other drinks. Small snacks if you get hungry while you're playing too. Since it's a bar you will get carded after a certain time, which makes sense since alcohol is being served There's family day on Sundays from 12-5pm, so families can come in during those hours and enjoy the arcade. Overall, this is a fun spot to grab some drinks, play arcade games, and hangout with friends. Definitely gives you that nostalgia arcade feeling, especially if you grew up playing these games.

This man is literal magic. There is no other explanation. Magic I tell you. Don't miss this show.read more

This was so much fun! This was my first time watching a magic show and it didn't disappoint…read more It's a fun, interactive show. He makes a point about saying that he won't make you look stupid or make fun of you, if you volunteer, and he doesn't. They have some more classical magic tricks and some more numbers oriented. But it's all quite fun. For some of them, we were really scratching our heads and thinking how did they do that!?? I would say don't try to work it out... and you won't lose out on the magic :-) The area they do the show is wide rather than deep, so if you are in the center, you'd have very good seats. I wasn't quite sure about how it would look from the ends. We weren't quite sure how the seats were assigned, but it seems to us they were set in advance. They give you pretty decent popcorn and even brought us a refill cuz we liked it and ate it all! Drinks etc are pricey as you would expect. They tell you that they will only take your order for the full show at the start but we saw them taking orders during a break. Our server was very nice and polite! I highly recommend doing this!

Best venue for a bit of everything. Great DJs most nights. Can get slammed outside waiting to get…read morein, but worth the wait. Solid tunes.

House of Yes isn't just a venue--it's a state of mind, a glitter-drenched fever dream of queer joy,…read moreradical self-expression, and performance art that swings from the ceiling (literally). If you walk in expecting a traditional night out, prepare to be lovingly and fabulously corrected. From the moment I entered with a friend, it was clear this place plays by its own, very sparkly rules. The first room was more of a whimsical prelude than a line-up zone: drinks flowing, people mingling like old friends at a costume party, and a gloriously casual pile of pillows where you could recline like a disco-era Roman god. And yes--there was a tarot reader, naturally, because no true evening of hedonistic joy is complete without a stranger telling you your moon energy needs grounding. Once the main room opened, things escalated--in the best way possible. Performers appeared everywhere: on stage, above our heads, behind the crowd--acrobats, dancers, aerialists, all oozing talent, glitter, and just enough danger to keep you watching with your mouth open and your drink clutched tightly. It wasn't just a dance floor--it was a full-blown immersive experience. The music kept the energy up all night: infectious, thumping, and curated to make even the shyest feet consider their moment of main-character glory. The crowd? Pure magic. Full of respectful, expressive, and joyful people, the kind of fellow partygoers you dream about meeting in New York. Everyone was there to dance, to celebrate, to vibe--not to posture or preen. What makes House of Yes so special is that it's not just a nightclub--it's a celebration of freedom in all its forms. Of identity, of movement, of art, of joy. It's campy, chaotic, oddly intimate, and--somehow--profound. In short: if you're craving a space that feels like Studio 54 met a circus in a utopian queer commune, House of Yes is your new church. Bring an open mind, comfortable shoes, and a healthy appreciation for sequins.

Love coming here for concerts! One of the most well run, efficient and easy concerts to go in and…read moreout of at any time of year, and any artist. I came for Slushii in 2019 and Galantis in 2026 and it's still exactly the same as it always has been! Clean, fun, and everyone in attendance (for the most part) is very respectful and kind. Attracts a great set of concertgoers! I've ordered drinks here before and love the Beatbox cocktails. Strong and delicious - a must when enjoying the music and hanging with friends. Can't wait to come back!

Attended the moe. & Umphrey's McGee co-headline show on June 12, 2026. Umphrey's McGee played ~30…read moreminutes before being stopped for lightning and never returned. After a nearly two-hour delay, moe. came on at 8:20pm and played until the 10pm curfew. So one headliner delivered a third of their advertised set and the other started 20 mins later. The venue's response was to hide behind their rain-or-shine policy and refuse any refund or goodwill gesture whatsoever, not even a credit. Rain or shine is supposed to mean the show goes on despite weather, not that the venue can deliver a fraction of what was advertised and keep your full ticket price. Pier 17 has a beautiful setting but their customer service when things go wrong is nonexistent. Won't be back.

We came in tonight for the advance screening of a new Apple TV+ series The Mosquito Coast…read more Unexpectedly, we liked the film and definitely worth following the next coming episodes. I signed up right away to the drive-in site for future events notification. We are familiar in the area so getting to the drive-in is not a hassle at all. There are friendly staff members who guided the movie goers for effective parking and pleasurable viewing. The movie theater location is in the New York Hall of Science parking lot and the screen is fronting a good view of Terrace on the Park. The adaptable comfort zone is clean, convenient and follows Covid protocol. Luckily, we received a complimentary snack box courtesy of Apple TV+. The film is a free event too. Let's support the cause of this drive -in theater. It gives pleasure two ways.

I can't believe we get to do this for free. It's been such a long time since we've all been in a…read moremovie theater, and even longer since we've been in a drive in since we've never been to one. LOL. To have one right in our borough, in our very crowded city, is such a treat. And it was all free. The second time we went we even got free treats left on our windshield. The staff was amazing. They led us through the maze of metal barricades and cones to the viewing area, made sure we were parked appropriately on the lawn, good enough to view the screen perfectly straight on, and helped us to turn all of our lights off. When we weren't able to tune them all off while still listening to the movie audio on our radio, they came around and lent us a portable radio. That way we could turn the car completely off and listen to the movie audio from their borrowed radio. There was also a food stand, but we had dinner beforehand and brought our own snacks, so we didn't order from them. All in all, a pretty awesome experience for the whole family. Thanks to all the staff and organizations that made it possible!

My daughter and I really loved our experience here. It was so amazing to be up 1,250 feet above…read moreManhattan. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island looked so small from up there. Buying tickets was easy and they are a little pricey but so worth it. We rode up the elevator getting higher and higher. Once the elevators doors open, you are greeted with a 360 degree view of Manhattan and surrounding burroughs. It was so incredible to be able to see so much from this observation deck being the tallest building in NYC. They also offer dining and drinks at the top. We were not aware of these options when we went but I would love to return to dine. If you have no fear of heights, then I highly recommend enjoying this NYC attraction.

So I did a touristy thing in NYC for the first time in maybe more than 30 years. Yes - since I was…read morea kid living in NJ. Didn't bother to do it while I was actually living in NYC. Though I live across the water, I never imagined to do this until it was the 25 year anniversary of 9/11. I figured it was time to actually see what the One World Observatory was actually about. Unlike the more informative 9/11 memorial and museum, this is simply an elevator ride up to the Observatory to view the NYC Skyline from inside. Yes - you are not viewing the skyline outdoors (like you did circa 9/11), but surely it's nice. The elevator is pretty cool as you get a time lapse of the city from the 1900s to today. Other than that, the observatory doesn't really have anything else. It's a bit of a money grab since you easily could've had this combined with the 9/11 museum visit. If you want the historical context behind the city, you'll need to grab some audio equipment from the start otherwise you won't get much history. Entering via Oculus is probably better if you're coming from the PATH or the Subway.

This is a free haunted house sponsored by NYPD. It's my second year going…read more We get there early as the lines can get pretty long. Characters walk by for photo ops and entertainment while you wait in line. NYPD staff is so fun and friendly. The house is for ages 12 and older, they allow younger ages at the parent's discretion. It so well done with jump scares in almost every room. It feels like a safe outing. Hours this year are 5pm to 11pm from Friday to Sunday. They let you in in small groups so you don't feel rushed. At the end, they sell Halloween themed souvenirs with NYPD and Fort Totten on them. I bought a Tshirt to support such an awesome event which is FREE to the community. We loved it and appreciated it!

This is great, free haunted house put up by NYPD. This is…read moremy 2nd time going. Even year it's such a good time. Highly recommended! Get there early the lines can get pretty long.

I was continually seeing ads for Luna Luna pop up in my social media feed, so I checked out the…read morewebsite and was in awe of the carnival, larger-than-life vibe it appeared to offer. I gathered some friends, found a 20% off discount code, and we all headed over to The Shed's sprawling, modern space to check it out. Upon entering The Shed, we were basically in a large lounge, which also had a bar and various seating arrangements. My friend and I grabbed a drink at Cedric's, the downstairs bar, and waited for the rest of our group to arrive (please see separate review for Cedric's at the Shed - https://www.yelp.com/biz/cedrics-at-the-shed-new-york-3?hrid=CELSOa2pnnpkj01Q1f57fQ). When we were all settled up, we headed up the escalator into the 2 large showrooms. The story of the exhibit was interesting, in that the amusement park art display from various talents had debuted in Germany in 1987. There had been plans for it to travel the world, but after the curator, André Heller, passed away, many of the pieces had been tucked away in shipping containers to only be discovered recently. Overall, the exhibit was full of colorful and fun pieces, though I wish there had been even more interactive elements. If I had not been there with a large group, I probably could have made it through the two spacious rooms in a half hour. However, we took our time, as there were some circus-type performers that would wander around every so often, and we wanted to witness the show. All in all, we were there for about an hour, which was more than enough. I felt that Luna Luna was definitely lighthearted and amusing, but I would not really call it a must-see.

I like looking at random things and partaking in random activities so this was right up my alley…read more From having gone to a variety of interactive and non interactive art situations this is a little on the pricier side. I bought the tickets at the venue to avoid the random online fees. There was a lot of cool info about the history of Luna Luna, artists, pieces. I was super confused about Drake being involved but then again not surprised...diversify your portfolio LOL. There were a couple of things to walk into and experience, a lot of reading, you can't actually ride any of the rides. The view from the Butterfly Bar on the fourth floor was super cool! I'm a fan of infinity type of rooms so to see the 2 rooms that you could go into and interact in be that type...I enjoyed! Took us about an hour and a half to walk thru it and read things. Kids were there but I don't know if it makes sense to bring younger kids, I would probably pass on doing that.

I've wanted to visit the Chinese Lantern Festival for a few years now, and finally made my first…read moretrip this summer. Getting in was easy enough despite the crowds, with plenty of staff on hand to keep the line moving and tickets scanned quickly. The real draw, of course, is the lantern displays. They're beautifully crafted and surprisingly diverse, ranging from insects and flowers to more Philadelphia-themed exhibits tied to the city's 250th anniversary and major sporting events. There are well over a dozen displays spread throughout Franklin Square, and each one feels distinct enough to keep you moving through the park. Timing matters. While the lanterns are interesting during daylight, they really come alive once darkness sets in. If you're planning a visit, aim for dusk or later to get the full effect. As expected, there were plenty of families in attendance, along with food and drink options throughout the venue. The atmosphere was relaxed and festive without feeling overwhelming. Overall, I came away glad I finally went. The displays are impressive, the event is well organized, and it's easy to see why it has become a popular Philadelphia summer tradition. While I'm not sure it's something I'd need to do every year, it's absolutely worth experiencing at least once.

We had a nice time. We played miniature golf. Walked around then watched a show. The show was…read morereally awesome and fun. Once the show was over we were able to see the lanterns light up in the evening.