How To Fall In Love With New York City All Over Again

After years of living in New York City, the magic can start to fade. The day you arrived, you held fast to big dreams and the belief that this is a place where anything is possible. Now, you follow a daily routine that is far from exciting. Once fascinating – the energy, people, and sounds – have become annoyances. Don’t give up on NYC just yet. The enchantment that first brought you here still exists, but as a hardened New Yorker, you just have to dig a little deeper to see it. Here are six things to do that will make you fall in love with New York City all over again.

Show Someone Around.

Offer to host some friends or family members for a weekend visit to NYC. By showing them around, you’ll finally have the chance to eat at that buzzed-about restaurant, see that exhibition at the Guggenheim, and take in a Broadway show. Experiencing these quintessential New York things with your excited guests will totally change your perspective. You’ll see NYC through their wide eyes of wonder and be thankful you get to call the city home.

Go to Grand Central Terminal.

The next time you find yourself in Midtown, take a moment to walk through Grand Central Terminal. This bustling hub is the closest you’ll get to NYC’s illustrious past. With its classic architecture, ticking clocks, and grand staircases, the main concourse seems frozen in time. And the celestial domed ceiling is so dazzling that even the most cynical New Yorkers fall prey to its magic.

Take a Break from NYC.

Yes, there are destinations in this world that are so breathtaking and transformative you never want to leave. But we are talking about scheduling a few days off to relax and recharge. These mini getaways allow you to step back and gain perspective on just about everything from relationships and work to health and personal interests. Toward the end, you’ll find yourself eager to get back to life in NYC with renewed focus on making the most of the opportunities that the city offers.

Spend the Day in Central Park.

Pack a picnic lunch and head to NYC’s most famous park for the day. Some activities you can do on your visit include paddle boating, visiting Belvedere Castle, lounging in Sheep Meadow, and meandering through the Conservatory Garden. You’ll see just why the majestic beauty of this entirely man-made urban park has been a source of pride for residents since it opened to the public in 1858.

Take advantage of the free things to do.

Do you always feel like anything worth doing costs too much money? Well, NYC offers a plethora of fun and exciting things to do that are absolutely free. Tour the Chelsea galleries to see work by famous artists, take in the views at High Line, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and Brooklyn Bridge, or learn about history firsthand at Green-Wood Cemetery and Hamilton Grange. Awaken a new sense of adventure by committing to one of these free activities every week.

Get lost in the city.

Spend an afternoon exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood. Give yourself time to traverse side streets, look at the architecture, grab a bite to eat, and window shop. Some of the best areas for a leisurely walk include West 4^th Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, Prince Street from Bowery to MacDougal St., Irving Place between 14^th Street and Gramercy Park, Brooklyn Heights, and Dumbo. You’ll rekindle that old feeling that any day in NYC is open to surprise and discovery!

How do you fall in love with New York City again and again? Let us know in the comments.

Also, 9 things you need to be okay with to love living in NYC, and 7 emotions you’ll feel during your first year living in New York.

Posted on February 19, 2021