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Ways to enjoy New York and its attractions virtually this spring

11 Mar, 2021
Ways to enjoy New York and its attractions virtually this spring

Whilst it may usually be one of the most popular destinations for tourism and study in the world, visiting New York is not currently an option for most. Hopefully this will change very soon, but in the meantime there are plenty of ways to see what this vibrant and exciting city has to offer.

Below are some suggestions for ways to experience the sights and sounds of the city this spring.

1. See exhibitions at the many world-renowned museums and galleries

While their doors may currently be shut, the likes of the American Museum of natural History are still open for virtual visits via Google Arts & Culture.

Some museums have also created their own virtual tours — institutes like the Guggenheim, the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, and MoMA all have ways to enjoy history, art, and culture online.

2. See the city close up via YouTube and Street View

New York is without a doubt one of the world’s most iconic and well-known cities, and through platforms like YouTube and Street View, you can see and hear some of its best loved sights and sounds up close: Central Park, the High Line, Grand Central Station and even the subway!

3. Enjoy breath-taking views at the Empire State Building or Brooklyn Bridge

The Empire State Building offers one of the most spectacular views of the city. I Love NY 360’s 360-degree virtual tour has a view from the 102nd floor of the building, where you can see the true scale of the city and its surrounds.

Another iconic view of the city comes from the Brooklyn Bridge, and a walk over this can be enjoyed virtually on sites such as Viewing.NYC

4. See cherry blossom in bloom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden


Shutterstock/ Nadya Kubik

The spring time in New York is synonymous with cherry blossom. Parks and gardens at this time of year bloom into color, and this year is no different — you can enjoy the spectacle virtually via a tour of the blossom groves at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

5. Plan a New York film marathon

New York is the backdrop to so many films that you could spend days watching films and tv shows that feature New York and still have hundreds to see! It might take you a day just to plan your film itinerary, and with so many to choose from from the last 50 years, your selection can help you see the changing face of New York over the decades. Just a few of the most notable and famous are: Goodfellas, Ghostbusters, Saturday Night Fever, When Harry Met Sally, King Kong, Wall Street, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Superman.

6. Watch a Broadway show


Shutterstock/Juan Carlos Alonso Lopez

No visit to New York would be complete without a Broadway show, and thankfully, via Broadway HD, you can still enjoy some of the best loved musicals.

7. Enjoy a concert from Carnegie Hall or the Lincoln Center

While going to an actual concert may not be in the cards for tourists or locals just yet, the many talented musicians who perform there have still been making music, which anyone can enjoy via a “live” performance on the Carnegie Hall website.

The Met Opera, based at the Lincoln Center, is also offering a free nightly screening of its archive productions.

8. Discover the history of the Yankees through a stadium tour

It is currently hard to envisage being in the midst of an excited sporting crowd, but the Yankees and its home stadium – some of the best loved things in New York – can still be accessed via virtual tours. Yankee Stadium Virtual Tours guide guests through some of Yankee Stadium’s most iconic areas, including Monument Park and the New York Yankees Museum.