Top 5 things to do in New York City that you’d never expect

New York City! The great big apple. I do my best to come here at least once a year because there’s always so much to do and eat. You’ll find all over the internet some of the top things to do in New York City, but here are some things that you won’t find on a typical travel site. We’re all about going the Extra Mile, so why not go the Extra Mile and try something different, that’s outside your comfort zone? Here were some of my favorite things to do and eat.

Baked by Melissa

One of the first places I went to was Baked by Melissa. These tiny cupcakes are priced at $2-3 per cupcake. They are literally bite-size!! Two bites max, and they’re gone. But it’s worth every penny. There’s usually a different feature flavour every month, so there’s always something to look forward too when coming back. You can always get a pack of 25 for only $30 and bring it back home. There are 14 locations scattered around the city.

For a full list, check out their website here

Times Square

Okay yes, this is very typical to do. But have you ever just wandered around and look at what’s around you? Located in the heart of New York City, this really is the city that never sleeps! No matter what time of the day you enter Times Square, there will always be people.  Look how beautiful it looks at night. One of my favourite things about this city is you never know who you might see! A few years back I was just on a casual stroll around the city, and I saw that something was filming. I go to see who it is, and it turns out its none other than fashion model Gigi Hadid.  She was kind enough to say hi and pose for a photo!

Central Park

Around the spring/summertime, the weather is super lovely and the perfect time for a long walk. I wanted to experience New York like locals. I went for a run around Central Park, and was finally able to see some of New York’s finest art! Here’s me with the infamous Strawberry Fields.

SoulCycle New York

Before SoulCycle hit Toronto, I decided to try it out in New York City. There are locations all over North America now, but if you wanted to try it out in the city where it originated from this is your chance. I wanted to experience the hype and see what this class was all about. There are a few classes to choose from, I chose the classic Soulcycle class which lasts about 45 minutes. I was lucky enough to score a first-time class pass for $25. What they don’t tell you is you need to rent special cycling shoes. They will usually provide it for free the first time, but after that, it’s an additional $3 for the rental. Bring water as well, because a bottle is $2. Make sure you do get there early though for bike seat adjustments. I almost missed the first few minutes of class because I didn’t know how to adjust my bike properly.

As soon as the class began, I already felt the energy and fast pace cycling. You can decide how fast you want to go, but you want to be able to push yourself. This felt like a big party, with loud music and darkroom you literally felt everyone’s energy around you. Only 10 minutes in and I was already sweating buckets, On top of the fast speed, we had to do knee-ups, push-ups, and even use weights! After this class, I can see why everything is overpriced. You get what you pay for! Totally worth it, if you have the money. Normal single classes are $36. (It used to be $34 a few years back, prices always raise). Check out the list of locations here.

New York during a major event (MET GALA)

My trip to New York City wouldn’t be complete without the MET Gala. My trip would always be around the same time as the MET Gala. The MET Gala is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institue. Every year, there is a specific theme to go with the Gala, and there are tons of celebrities all over town. I was lucky enough to spot Miley Cyrus while I was at a hotel using their wifi. My friends and I were the only ones there, and she was kind enough to take a picture with us. (Totally random!)

New York City is always a great city to visit!  I’d say New York is one of the cities you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.