The best places and experiences to celebrate your birthday in New York City!
Every now and then I get requests for posts and one that always comes up is about where to celebrate a birthday (or maybe an anniversary) here in New York, a dilemma that I also go through almost every year myself! Almost everyone wants to go beyond the cliché and look for a cool, fun place, a unique restaurant… Of course, New York offers thousands of options to make any date special, but I’ve tried to put together some of my favorites here!
Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE, follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser or @blognyandabout) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!
Happy Hour on a rooftop
The famous rooftop bars are a great way to see New York from above without having to pay for an observatory ticket. It’s not the same view, but the experience is usually worth it! Rooftop bars are generally free of charge to get in but here and there you might run into a fee or a special event/party that requires tickets. If you are under 21, most likely you won’t be able to enter most rooftops bars in NYC. I know there are many different rooftops to visit around here, but I’ll leave you with a list of my favorites below!
• THE SKYLARK | 200 WEST 39TH STREET
• MAGIC HOUR | 485 7TH AVENUE, 18TH FLOOR
• 230 5TH | 230 FIFTH AVENUE (ESQ DA 27TH COM A 5TH AVE)
• NUBELUZ | 25 W 28TH STREET
• PHD MIDTOWN | 210 W 55TH STREET NO DREAM HOTEL
• MR. PURPLE | 180 ORCHARD STREET
• 1 ROOFTOP BAR HOTEL | 60 FURMAN ST, BROOKLYN
• LE BAIN | 848 WASHINGTON STREET
• WESTLIGHT | 111 N 12TH STREET, 22ND FLOOR, BROOKLYN
• DEAR IRVING ON HUDSON | 310 W. 40TH STREET
• THE ROOF AT PUBLIC HOTEL| 215 CHRYSTIE STREET
• PANORAMA ROOM | 22 NORTH LOOP RD, ROOSEVELT ISLAND
• THE CROWN | 50 BOWERY, NEW YORK, NY 10013
Picnic in Central Park (or other parks)
This is a classic, but always a good choice to celebrate your birthday in a more relaxed way. Central Park is the most famous park in the world and it lives up to that reputation! One of my favorite places to picnic there is on the lawn of Sheep Meadow (it’s closed in the winter) and Cherry Hill, but everywhere will be great and beautiful!
There’s even a company specializing in picnics here in New York that organizes everything for you! It’s PikNYC, I’ve never used their services but they seem great. For more information, click HERE!
Other parks where you can also enjoy a picnic:
- Bryant Park (their lawn in closed in the winter), Domino Park, Madison Square Park, Battery Park City, Hudson River Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park.
Bowling with bar and live music
A very unique and local experience. The iconic Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave) goes beyond a conventional bowling alley, it gives you the option to play and dine as you enjoy the evening like a “local” watching live bands performing.
Be a part of a live TV show audience
This is a really fun experience, especially for those who are fans of TV shows and love to know what happens behind the scenes! There are several shows you can attend, I love the ones like “The View”, they have a comedian as a crowd entertainer!
The easiest and most popular shows to get tickets for are, in my opinion, The View, The Late Show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, etc.
To find out who will be at a particular show, check out this link HERE! Here you can find the guest list with the dates and contacts for each show in one place.
And to get a ticket to one of the shows, go to the 1Iota and register to request free tickets for TV shows, movie premieres, award ceremonies and more!
Dining at themed restaurants
If you like to dine in places with unique or themed decorations, you’ll enjoy celebrating your birthday even more in a place like this! Some fun restaurants for this are Surf Bar, The Cauldron, Panna II, Bettle House and Alice’s Tea Cup. During Halloween and New Year’s Eve, it’s also worth checking out Oscar Wilde e Lillie’s Victorian (although they have some type of fun decor year-round), Papillon, Rolf’s, Watermark, among others.
I also recommend the fun Ellen’s Stardust, where the waiters sing while they serve the tables, avoid dinner time if you don’t want to queue. Its a great and fun place to celebrate your birthday at any time of the year!
Surprise someone by booking 15 seconds at the big screen in Times Square!
Yes, it’s possible! For U$40 – 60 dollars you can choose a video or photo and screen it in Times Square for 15 seconds. It’s a great idea to surprise your loved one with a happy birthday message! It’s very simple, just follow the steps:
Download the TSX App (HERE)
- Upload photo/video
- Customize it your way
- Choose the day and time it will be shown
- Pay the fee
Comedy and jazz bars
It’s also a different and super fun way to celebrate!
Some of the most famous comedy bars are the Comedy Cellar and the Gotham Comedy Club, but there are many, many others.
It’s also fun to attend a live jazz show with some dining or drinks involved, some of my favorite places are: Birdland, Blue Note, Village Vanguard, Dog Cellar, Apotheke and The Flatiron Room. Check out each venue’s website for a schedule of shows, fees and menu.
Do a photo shoot
This is one of my favorite options! The photo shoot combines both the experience of walking around New York and registering the trip and your birthday in a special way! Whether you’re traveling alone, with family or friends, a photo shoot is always an excellent investment. I’m a little suspicious, but I love photos and I love documenting my trips, because they are special moments that I want to remember forever and as a photographer here in New York I have the pleasure of doing the same for countless people every year. Sen me a DM to book your photo shoot with me or my team HERE!
Dine in a restaurant with a beautiful view or by the rivers
In addition to the rooftops listed above, a great way to feel like you’re in NY is to eat in a restaurant with beautiful views.
Some of my favorite restaurants by the rivers in New York are: Cecconi’s, Celestine, Malibu Farm, Pier i Cafe, The Fulton (pictured below), Frying Pan (in summer), American Brass and The River Cafe.
Restaurants with some of the most beautiful views in New York City: In addition to all the rooftops listed above, I recommend including Robert, the Peak, MO Lounge, Nubeluz, RH Rooftop Restaurant (on the top floor of the Restoration Hardware store), Queensyard, Estiatorio Milos (Hudson Yards), Overstory, The Central Park Boathouse, Electric Lemon and some of the high-end restaurants in The Shops at Columbus Circle. Most of them have a more sophisticated ($$) atmosphere, but they’re nice for a special occasion, right?
Dining in “trendy” restaurants
You know that restaurant that looks like it’s straight out of an episode of Gossip Girl or Sex and The City? They’re not very “budget friendly” options, but we’re talking about a special occasion, so here they are!
Some of my favorite restaurants to celebrate a birthday in New York with a trendier, hipper, livelier and younger atmosphere are:
Catch, Beauty & Essex (photo below – this is a classic speakeasy by the way), Cathédrale, Buddakan, TAO, among others. Check out their websites and social networks to see which one suits your style.
Have brunch or dinner on a New York river cruise
Another option for those who want to celebrate while enjoying the sights of New York City is to book a dinner or lunch cruise! If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’re probably already aware that this is one of the tours I most recommend for those who want to celebrate special occasions…
Some boats offer brunch/lunch and dinner, but I highly recommend dinner if you’re celebrating your anniversary as a couple… The view and the lights of New York make it even more romantic! Both have music (LIVE band or DJ). I recommend booking in advance, as demand is usually very high.
The tour isn’t very cheap, but it’s the option I’d choose if I could! The Bateaux and Spirit they’re very good, I’ve been to both! And of course you save 10% with coupon NYABOUT10OFF.
The Classic Harbor Line also offers rides and isn’t as big or crowded! Learn about the options HERE!
Take a helicopter tour
If your budget allows it, take a helicopter ride! It’s sure to be an unforgettable ride! There are several companies that offer these tours (which usually last about 20 minutes), some open-door, others not.
If you want to book your tour from Manhattan (some companies fly from New Jersey), with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a 10% discount with the coupon NYABOUT10OFF click HERE! This is not an open-door tour.
Another leading company that offers this service with an open-door option here is FLYNYON and you can find out more about the tour on their official website HERE! Every now and then they have a special sale.
See the city from the top at City Climb experience
If you’re the adventurous type and want to celebrate in a totally unusual way, the experience City Climb at the Edge observatory is for you (you have to be very brave). It’s a climb 387 meters above the ground where you can see the city from a completely different angle (and height)! The experience costs around U$200 – but you can also buy it with a 10% discount and free cancellation through the blog with the coupon NYABOUT10OFF by clicking on the link HERE!
Have fun at the most popular NYC arcades and “indoor playgrounds”
Dave and Busters: Arcades with lots of games for the whole family! You play on the machines and collect tickets that you can exchange for toys and other things at the end. There’s also a lively restaurant serving classic American food. Find out more information by clicking HERE!
Barcade: the largest arcade operator in the United States! Unlike Dave and Busters, Barcade is more geared towards adults. There you can enjoy various games while drinking craft beer and having access to a full bar. For more information click HERE!
Area 53: A “indoor playground” with adult-only opening hours with lots of different activities, from rock climbing to paintball, laser tag and zip lining! Great option to go with your friends! Read more HERE.
Singing at a NYC karaoke
People say that one of the best places to enjoy karaoke around here is the Baby Grand in Union Square. You can either book a room just for you and your friends or sing in the main room for $2 a song! For more information visit CLICK HERE! Of course, there are plenty of other cool karaoke options, and I recommend a visit to Koreatown (on 32nd Street between Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue), where you’ll also find plenty of good Korean food restaurants, great for going out with friends.
Spend an afternoon at the spa with a beautiful view of Manhattan (and “for free”)
I never get tired of going to QC Spa, I think it’s amazing and it’s on Governors Island, accessible by ferry from the south of Manhattan Island, which takes about 5-10 minutes. It’s almost like traveling, but without leaving New York. Best of all, on your birthday you can go for free if you’re accompanied by someone paying from Monday to Friday and it can be any day of the month of your birthday. Find out more HERE.
On top of the heated pools overlooking Manhattan, there are relaxation rooms, themed saunas and water experiences such as vichy showers, infrared beds, foot baths, hydrojets and more! It’s certainly a super relaxing experience for your special day. All of this is included in the access pass to the spa, what’s extra are body treatments, massages and food and drink. Food and drink menu are reasonable in my opinion. I’ve been several times and recommend it!
- How to book a day pass for QC SPA: you can book your day pass with a 10% discount using coupon NYABOUT10OFF HERE!
For more information and to book without a discount, click HERE.
There are other nice spas in NY, but this is definitely the one I would recommend to celebrate in style, the view and the experience are great in my opinion.
Play ping pong!
If you’re traveling with friends, a great way to celebrate is by playing ping pong! One of the most famous here in New York is SPIN, which, as well as having a super fun experience, also offers food options. You can find out more HERE!
Visit one of New York’s observatories
This is an experience that everyone should do when they travel here! It’s an incredible experience to see the city from above. On the links below you can buy at a discount and with free cancellation, very useful in case your plans change or the weather isn’t favorable the week of your trip!
- Summit (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Edge (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Empire State Building (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- Top of The Rock (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
- One World Observatory (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to buy with 10% discount)
Another tip is to buy the attraction passes, depending on which one you choose, you’ll have access to 4 of the 5 observatories (The Summit isn’t on the best attraction passes yet – 2024). I recommend either this, this, this or this one.
See a Broadway show
Broadway shows are unique and make every trip more special! And for those who don’t want to go because they think it’s too expensive, there are several ways to try and get a discount, click HERE to find out more!
Learn a new skill, even for just one day!
In new York City you can have very unique experiences such as: a candle-making class (HERE), cooking class (HERE), painting class (HERE), ceramics class (HERE) and even a place to throw an axe (HERE)! There’s no shortage of options to celebrate your birthday in a different way!
Candle making class at Wick And Pour for example was such a fun experience! I love candles and for U$50 (weekday price) you get to spend about an hour making your own candle, choosing from the scent to the name. You can also bring your own drink, so it is a perfect date night with yourself, a friend or a loved one!
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk or dawn
There’s something magical about seeing the city at dawn or dusk, especially on your birthday! Happy birthday! Tell me about it on instagram (@marthasachser) which tip did you follow? I’d love to know!
Make your own lipstick or perfume in New York
There are two stores you can’t miss: the Olfactory, where you can create your own perfume, from the name to the scent!
And the other is Lip Lab, where you create your own lipstick! Book your appointment on their website. You can reorder your formula later if you like it when it’s finished, for example.
Both options are great to remember your time in New York if you like perfume and lipstick, of course! I’ve done both and it was great!
Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!
What’s inside?
- 16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
- Travel to and from the airports
- How to use the NYC subway (metro)
- Budget friendly hotels and hostels
- Weather in NYC
- Month by month event calendar
- Store guide
- The best outlets near NYC
- Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
- NYC FAQ
- NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
- Free attractions you can’t miss
- Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
- Exclusive discounts for my readers
- “Instagrammable” spots
- Most used Apps in NYC
- Google maps exclusive links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
- Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
- What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
- And much much more!
Get the ebook version HERE (it includes free updates for this edition!)
Get a copy on Amazon HERE!
Discounts in NYC:
Attractions, tours and experiences:
You can book all of the above with a 10% off discount and free cancellation by using my coupon code NYABOUT10OFF HERE!
Where to buy your discount passes for New York attractions:
If you wanna save money on tickets and have plans to visit some of the best attractions, I recommend checking out some of the passes below:
CityPASS at the normal price on the official website HERE!
CityPASS with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS with a 10% discount HERE(code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing FLEX Pass at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing Flex PASS with a 10% discount HERE (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City New York Explorer Pass: with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City: The New York Pass with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
How to save money in New York:
Accommodation:
Hotels: Click HERE to check out my post with the best hotels in Queens (super close to Manhattan) and HERE for hotels in NYC in general.
Airport/Hotel Transfer:
Brazilian driver – special discount for my readers: Alex is the blog’s official driver and he offers a special discount on his services when you mention you follow me! You can reach him via text and Whatsapp: (917)6567299 or on instagram HERE
Travel eSims:
I never travel without an international sim card, I ran way too many times into issues with local mobile companies, plus, they are more expensive most of the time. I love that now we can buy digital sim cards, and they are super easy to activate. The two major companies I recommend are:
Airalo: With the code NYANDABOUT10, you receive 10% off HERE!
HolaFly: With the code MARTHASACHSER, you get a discount HERE!
