Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today is a common question by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. But here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.
Celebrity Book Signings
Anyone who writes a book goes on a press tour and they ALL stop in NYC. It’s quite common for them to hit Strand Bookstore and Barnes and Noble, both in Union Square, for talks and autograph sessions promoting their books. Since just about everyone in Hollywood and Politics has written a book (or, at least had someone write it for them), you are guaranteed to see celebrities signing books in NYC.
Broadway Talk Backs
Most Broadway and Off Broadway shows offer a series of talk backs, where you sit after a show and ask questions of the cast and crew. It’s usually a very intimate setting designed to dive further into the show – it is not meant as an autograph session. If you purchase group tickets, you can often even request your own special Talk Back just for your group.
92nd Street Y
The 92nd Street Y often hosts intimate celebrity appearances, which are usually set up as interviews. The one-on-ones, use NYC’s top interviewers (Today Show Hosts, Night Show Hosts, Newspaper Journalists) to interview celebrities and are attended by 1,000 audience members in the cultural center’s Kaufmann Concert Hall. Head to www.92y.org to see which of your favorites might be appearing while you’re in town!
Back to Top of Where to Find Celebrities in NYC
Times Talks A-List Live Interviews
One of the BEST ways to experience celebrities and A-Listers like only a New Yorker can. Times Talks are a diverse series of interviews, in a fairly intimate setting, with world-famous authors, actors, politicians and celebrities (I mean SUPER A-LIST), each facilitated by a New York Times reporter (Master of Ceremonies).
Here’s of an example of what a typical month looks like: Kate Winslet, Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin discussing the new “Steve Jobs” movie, while Jennifer Hudson and Alice Waters share their new Broadway musical, The Color Purple, with conversation and performances and Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford discuss their new film “Truth.” There are always plenty of celebrity chefs, such as Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and more, celebrating the Food and Wine Festival.
More Info: www.timestalks.com
Back to Top of Where to Find Celebrities in NYC
Pace University: Inside the Actors Studio
Who doesn’t love James Lipton give an interview? The master himself attracts the absolute best talent in the world and is a superb interviewer. Inside the Actors Studio is taped in front of a live audience, but the events are closed to the public. However, there is a general public standby line, which forms outside the Schimmel Center Theatre entrance at 3 Spruce street and you can join their mailing list at http://schimmelcenter.org/inside-the-actors-studio to follow the schedule.
Movie & TV Tours
Every once in a while, a celebrity will say hello on or co-host a tour that includes some of their work. It’s not likely, but it is possible. See More: Movie and Television Tours
Back to Top of Where to Find Celebrities in NYC
More Things to do in New York City
Sightsee from the Sky
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building or One World Observatory? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list
- Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for those who want to be first. Newest, most modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
See All: Top New York City Tourist Attractions
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
Take in ALL the Tours, Landmarks and Attractions and SAVE
New York Pass, NYC Explorer Pass, Go Select Card, New York CityPASS Compared
- New York Pass - Includes 70 tours and attractions, Choose 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select Card - Choose from 55+ sights, Smartphone, print or physical card
- New York CityPASS - 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: New York City Pass Comparison Chart
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
Skip the Line and Do NYC VIP Style
Do you know how many attractions and tours let you skip (most) of the lines and be treated like a VIP? Save HOURS on your NYC Vacation.
Things to do in New York with Kids
One of the best parts of NYC is that what is fun for kids is usually just as much fun for adults. If you are joining us in NYC for a family vacation, then please read all about our local kid's favorites, along with special tips just for visitors.
- Things to Do in New York With Kids - best NYC activities, tours, attractions and Insider Tips for kids and families
- Broadway and Off Broadway Shows for Kids - choose a dream show, like Aladdin, Wicked or Lion King, see the latest Kids shows, or save BIG and entertain kids and little ones under 4 with an awesome Off Broadway Show
- Best Family and Kids hotels in NYC - special perks, freebies, larger rooms, kid-focused concierges
See All: Visiting New York with Kids.
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
FREE Things to do in New York City
There are tons of free things to do in New York all day, every day! Tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, sports, movie and more. Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy...you name it!
- NYC Museums Free Days and Times - weekly guide to free museum admissions
- Free New York City Walking Tours - guided or downloadable free NYC walking tours
- More Things to Do in New York City - kids, by month, by season, free, budget
See All: Free Things to Do in NYC - weekly calendar of all free walking tours, free museum admissions, free things to do by season and more
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
Get Out of NYC for a Day
NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day: Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more quite easily. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:
See All: Day Trips Out of New York City
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
New York City Nightlife
How do you make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps?? Some of the best 'only in NYC' nightlife experiences include skyline views, dinner cruises, Museums and attractions open late til 2am, rooftops, night tours, comedy clubs and more. Some of our top NYC Nightlife picks:
- NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour - guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
- Queen of The Ride - NYC's favorite Bus Tour in 2017! Outrageously fun bus tour combining comedy, live street performances, an over-the-top drag host and sightseeing
- Spirit of New York Dinner Cruise - family-friendly with the wait staff singing popular tunes and an after dinner DJ
- Broadway Comedy Club - laugh out loud all night long
See all our Top Picks: New York City Nightlife
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
Save Big on Things to do in New York City
New York City Coupons and Discounts are available for almost everything one can do in NYC: concerts, shows, Broadway, sports, events, tours, attractions, beauty and spa and much more!
Sites we use ALL the time to save are:
- Groupon - save on dining, tours, things to do, attractions, cruises, shows
- Gilt City - upscale deals on dining, exclusive events, Broadway, shopping
- ShowTickets.com - huge sightseeing tourist discounts
See All: Insider Guide to ALL our NYC Coupons
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
Romantic Things to Do in NYC
There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:
See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine's Day in NYC
Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can't wait to show you them all!!!!
- Like A Local Flatiron Food Tour - tastings at Café Lavazzo Coffee, Mario Batali’s Italian food mecca Eataly, a burger at Shake Shack, Obica Mozzarella Bar and more
- Neighborhood Eats Tour: Brownstone Brooklyn - visit a vibrant mix of small, locally owned, artisanal Brooklyn shops, including Italian, Middle Eastern and New American
- New York Craft Cocktail Tour - explore the way real New Yorkers do, bouncing around happy hours all over the city and tasting some of the best cocktails in Manhattan
Back to Top of Fun Things to do in New York City
More Things To Do in New York City
