10 Best Things For Tourists To Do In NYC That Aren't Touristy

For those ambitious visitors who just want to have a cool out-of-the-box experience.

1. North River Lobster Company

Cassie P. / Via yelp.com, Kara M. / Via yelp.com

North River Lobster Co. is a hop-on hop-off as-you-please boat cruise that sails up and down the Hudson River. The incredible views of the city are like none other, and considering the fact that it's only $10, its a no-brainer. What's truly great about this boat is that it's pretty much all al-la-carte.

Although you pay 10 dollars for access to the entire 3-level cruise ship, you have complete control from there what you want to buy, food & drank.

Buy your tickets in advance here to make sure you reserve your trip, or just head to the pier and buy them on spot!

2. Dim Sum

Elena L. / Via yelp.com

China Town itself is, indeed, a bustling area for tourism, but where you end up eating is going to make or break your experience. I don't think you can go wrong with many spots you run into, especially since restaurants carrying Dim Sum pop up 2, maybe 3 times on any street or ally way.

You're also going to want to enter with an empty stomach, believe me. It's especially easy to down bowls upon bowls of dumplings as the employees run around constantly with fresher and newer balls of delicious dough. Plus, look how cute their little squishy faces are!

You can check out NY Eater's list of 15 Plump Chinese Dumplings in NYC.

For a less-obvious visit, bookmark your next group outing at places like Golden Unicorn, Joe's Shanghai, and Dim Sum VIP.

3. The Evolution Store

David H. / Via yelp.com, Leonard L. / Via yelp.com

So this one is pretty self explanatory and way cool. What we have here is a shop full of fossils, minerals, skulls&skeletons, taxidermy, butterflies&beetles and home decor, because, why not?

This is a fun spot to bring your friends or visit on whim because it's never really too crowded but also unlike any other place in NY. Not only are almost all the items in the shop 100% real, but almost everything is for sale. Want a raccoon penile bone? How about flavored edible crickets? If the spook and creep ain't your thing, grab a cute card with a witty joke that'll be sure to tickle your tibia.

Find this hidden gem, that sells tons of gems, on Broadway in Greenwich Village.

4. Washington Square Park

Ariel Shafir, 6sqft / Via 6sqft.com

Put yourself in the midst of an energetic and artsy campus just like that of a typical NYU student. There's so much to see in this small park including, local performers, puppeteers, ballsy fountain goers, and if you're lucky, film makers shooting the next big CW teen-drama.

Obviously people watching is one of NYC's biggest highlights, so nothing better to do than grabbing a cup of joe from a (dare I say Uncommon) local coffee shop, laying out a towel on the grass, and enjoying a personal all access pass to NY's endless marathon of street walkers.

5. Wall Art

Hanksy / Via ny.racked.com, Nick Walker / Via artstreetny.blogspot.com, IG: a_shafir / Via instagram.com

For the trend-seekers who are always thinking of their next instagram caption ( often before they even take the picture), you won't have to travel far for your next post.

Artists big and small alike take to the streets of NY to literally make their mark. But make sure you snatch a pic before they're gone, they come and go with the seasons and may be repainted for another masterpiece to come.

For up to date walls, click here.

6. Sports Games

IG: Yankees, IG: a_shafir

BASEBALL, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL! Almost any season you can find a sports team in season, so make sure you plan ahead and buy your tickets before the prices get so high, you'll think you're buying the stadium.

Typically you can get baseball and soccer tickets for cheap, and I recommend doing so. Odd's are you'll be buying a Yankee hat at some point during your trip--might as well put it to use!

7. Speakeasies

IG: Gustavo Silveira / Via gustavo.heldt.silveira, Maria V. / Via yelp.com, Kelsey W. / Via yelp.com

Clubs are fun and all, but what's better than a bar that's "almost need-to-know". Don't get me wrong, you can certainly find your classic NYC rooftop with a large crowd at places like Mr. Purple and Le Bain, but if you have some nights to spare, I recommend you do some digging for a few hidden gems.

Cult spots include The Garrett hidden above a Five Guys, the classy Raines Law Room where you pull a doorbell string for waitstaff, and The Back Room, where not only are you hushed through an alleyway in silence, but served your alcoholic beverages in teacups - how quaint indeed.

8. Kayaking + Boating

6sqft / Via 6sqft.com

Not many people know about this, in fact, I was just made aware of it about ten minutes ago. There's free kayaking on Pier 26 until October 8th on the Hudson so grab your swim trunks and head to the river while you can.

And if the 'ship has sailed' by the time you're reading this, you're not out of luck yet. You'll still be able to rent a boat in Central Park until November (weather permitting). Oh and by the way, the Central Park Boathouse just got a nice new facelift.

9. Comedy Shows

IG: thecomicstriplive / Via instagram.com, Dangerfield's / Via dangerfields.com

Almost all celebrity comedians started their careers touring small divey clubs like Comedy Cellar, The Comic Strip and Dangerfield's.

Most clubs are cheap to get into, and only require a 2-drink minimum-- which you'll probably want anyway considering audience members are sitting ducks for jokes. Obviously it's all in good fun so don't take it too seriously!

If you're especially lucky, you might wind up with a surprise celeb visit!

10. Brunch

Nora V. / Via yelp.com, Steven B. / Via yelp.com, Audrey Weiss

Although this is something that usually starts at the beginning of the day, I thought this would be a good note to end with.

There are literally hundreds of spots to do brunch in NYC, so here are a few easy and unique wins for a great day, recommended by my roommate Audrey (NY born and raised, going on year 5 in NYC):

* Cornelia Street Cafe: "It's really cute and quaint and off beatin path. You just know when you go there it's going to be all locals."

* Bubby's: "It's in the heart of the meatpacking near the Highline but you feels like you're in a tiny little town with unlimited coffee. It's so good."

* The Edge Harlem: "When you go there it's strictly locals. It's in Harlem and everyone is amazing. They're so nice there."

* La Bonbonniere: "It's cash only. It's a diner feel. It's like straight out of the 50's or something. You leave smelling like Grease."