Top of the Rock at night. It was just magical. I loved how the city just lit up…read more It gets cold up there, so bring a jacket. I loved the cute cafe where you can sit, relax, and drink. Great spot to check off from your bucket list if you want to see New York from a bird's eye view.

We went to the Top of the Rock on Jun 24, 2025 as part of the Road Scholar's "American Mosaic - An…read moreNYC Exploration" program. Entry to the top is through the "Observation Deck" entrance on the north side of the building (on W 50th St). Tickets were provided by our group, apparently one per family. After it got scanned, we went up the stairs to the mezzanine level and into an enclosed area. This area had a wide screen similar in size to the Immersive Theater in the Statue of Liberty Museum. A 5-minute film was shown summarizing 30 Rock's history, glitz and glamor. It culminated with a Christmas segment accompanied by a literal shower of snowflakes on us from the ceiling. "Now that's immersive," I thought. The door at the other end opened. We continued on until we entered the Welcome Gallery. At the far end, a staff member stood before a hall of elevators that would take us to the 67th floor. To our left was a miniature model of Rockefeller Center with light show and music. We were then directed a few at a time by the staff member to a specified elevator. Inside the elevator, an audio/visual material played from the ceiling almost like a fanfare to what was coming next. At the 67th floor, a staff member directed us to head right. I took in the view of the city skyline through the windows. Taking pictures was difficult due to limited field of view behind the walls. The unobstructed balcony view would be found on the 69th and 70th floors. Wife and Son weren't comfortable with heights so they hung out in the Weather Room. I was similarly acrophobic but that didn't stop me from taking the escalator to the 69th. After I got off the escalator, I saw the Beam to my right. Situated entirely on the deck and a maximum elevation of 10 feet from the floor, it didn't look as scary as the people sitting on it made it out to be. My attention quickly turned towards the balcony. From left to right as far as the eye could see, the unobstructed view was overwhelming. Reigning in my acrophobia - which was increasing the longer I remained at the Top - took effort. I proceeded to take pictures of the skyline. The 70th floor above me was accessible by stairs. The view was better. The Beam looked a lot less scary from the 70th floor. As I approached the windows, my breaths got slower and heavier. Taking each picture was laborious because the sunlight made it difficult to see my phone while managing the acrophobia at the same time. Yet I got through it and promptly went down. The experience at the Top of the Rock was much more enjoyable than that at the Empire State Building (ESB) back in Sep 2008. The wait line was much shorter (45 minutes alone just waiting for the elevator to get on top of the ESB). Top of the Rock didn't feel rushed. It offers a lot more space and more time to take it all in. I definitely recommend this place. If I ever return to New York City, I would like to try a different skyscraper (definitely not the ESB) for the next view from the top.

This place is amazing. I don't understand how they don't have a 5 star rating! I have been coming…read morehere for many years and it's always fun. The drinks are great, the food is good, and the staff is pretty nice. What more can you expect from a bar with video games (VIDEO GAMES!)? The ambiance is very college-kid/grad school/first job kind of vibe, although you see folks of all ages. Growing up in the 80s/90s, I played many of these games as a kid, and coming here now as an adult is a very fun experience. Relieving the memories is awesome!

Cool place, with so many old school games. Dropped in for a quick cocktail with a friend. Bartender…read morewas attentive and pleasant, bar was clean. I had the wrong way, minus the pineapple juice ( should have had it) needed the sweetness to balance. I want to go back and play some games Restrooms were clean and very 1990's New York, with graffiti in the stalls

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!

A GREAT time was had at this night club. Don't have many photos to post from it because the phones…read morewere in the purse, but the hosts put on a great event and everything was so well put together and the venue was just as great! Would love to come back even though I live so far.

SARAH, the security guard is a predator!!!!…read more I went to House of Yes last night for Futch, a lesbian dance party. I been a couple times before and met Sarah there. She was always so friendly and flirty with me. Last night I came with my new partner. As soon as we walked in, she was standing nearby and she looked angry seeing us together. The rest of the night, all I could feel were her eyes on me from afar. At one point, she passed by me and secretly caressed my ass. I felt very uncomfortable and asked my partner if we could leave right after. I didn't feel safe asking for a manager to report her as she's already a supervisor security there. This is supposed to be a safe space and I DID NOT FEEL SAFE!!! Apparently from another person there, she gets "around" with girls there and even denied someone entry because they were no longer together. I would think she would be more respectful and keep it professional. I DID NOT CONSENT FOR HER TOUCHING ME LAST NIGHT!!! It's gross to think this is their employer. I will no longer be going back and neither will some of my other friends. It sucks, I really loved that party.

While there is a food hall here which is a mini version of Chelsea market, we didn't get an…read moreopportunity to try out any of the food. What we really came here for was the pumpkin arch and the view of the bridge. This is the perfect spot for a panoramic view and we couldn't miss our opportunity to catch one. This was one of the top 10 (free) things to do if you're visiting NYC for the first time. There was not a line to take a picture under the arch and everyone there was friendly and took pictures for each other. If you have more time, we definitely recommend taking your picture, walking around the pier, and grabbing a bite to eat.

1 Star - Disappointing and Unwelcoming Experience…read more I booked this as a "bucket list" cherry blossom experience, but unfortunately, the service did not match expectations. Upon arrival for our reserved time, a host assisted guests ahead of us and stepped away. Shortly after, another host came to the check-in area but completely overlooked my partner and me, instead assisting a couple behind us in the reserved line. This was noticeable and immediately set a negative tone. After seating them, the host returned and asked if we had been helped. When I said no, another staff member was called over to seat us. While we were eventually accommodated, the initial interaction made us feel dismissed and unwelcome from the start. The experience did not improve. Our food was delayed with little to no communication, and the service remained inattentive throughout. In addition, the seating area was uncomfortably cold, with only a small space heater attempting to warm what felt like a large, open structure. We ultimately decided to leave early. A more senior host did apologize as we were packing up to go, which I appreciate, but by that point the overall experience had already been impacted. Reservation Details: * Time: 7:00-8:30 PM * Arrival: 7:18 PM * Seated: 7:25 PM * Left: 7:55 PM Overall, while the concept is appealing, the execution--particularly in customer service--was disappointing. Based on this visit, I would not return or recommend it.

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!

Visited One World Observatory and it was definitely a highlight of our trip! The views are great,…read moreseeing the entire city laid out in every direction gives alot of appreciation for the city. Totally worth it for the views alone. We also had dinner there and the setting was gorgeous. We both left impressed from the experience. If you're visiting NYC, this is a must-do!

One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, and it stands out as…read moreone of the most impressive observation experiences in New York City. Located at the summit of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the observatory offers sweeping panoramic views that capture the full scale of the New York skyline. The atmosphere begins building even before reaching the top. The elevator ride itself is part of the experience, featuring a visual timeline that shows the transformation of New York City's skyline over several centuries as you ascend the tower. By the time you reach the observation level, the sense of height and perspective is already striking. The observation deck offers unobstructed views in every direction. From the windows, visitors can see landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River, and Midtown Manhattan stretching into the distance. The indoor design keeps the environment comfortable year-round while still delivering dramatic views of the city. The experience also includes interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that help visitors understand the geography, neighborhoods, and history of New York. These elements add context and depth rather than simply presenting the skyline as a visual spectacle. Service throughout the observatory felt organized and professional. Staff guide visitors efficiently through the entry process and help maintain a smooth flow even during busy periods. From a global travel perspective, One World Observatory ranks among the great urban observation decks I have visited in cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Dubai where skyline views become a defining part of the travel experience.

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 haunted house was much better than I expected it to be for a FREE event. I almost turned back…read morearound when I saw that line outside but once we got on it moved pretty fast and they had plenty of entertainers coming through and scaring us while we wait. I had sooo much fun and inside has so many jump scares and themed rooms, beautifully done on the inside and out. 10/10 would go again.

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.

This festival is beautiful and full of culture. Unfortunately, it can get pretty crowded. I still…read morewould recommend!

Planned trip here to see the Chinese Lantern Festival in Philly while in town during opening…read moreweekend. Perfect timing as it aligned with other activities planned - easy to purchase tickets online. Easy to get here by train - Franklin Square PATCO Station leaves you right here by the entrance literally or one can take car service or walk depending where you are coming from. Go through security and scan your ticket based on timed ticket entry and you are in. Tada! Overall it was good with interactive spots in the park. Even though earliest entry starts at 6pm, needed to wait til sunsets when the lights start coming on. The map was helpful though there wasn't really a course that took you from one section to another... it was just all open to find everything. The jellyfish mirror room was really cool but it was very warm. Lanterns were colorful. If you wish to eat in the park, there are food stands to purchase from. Have fun and take pics for memories.