Penn Station is in the middle of Manhattan, New York, and is the main railroad in New York City with over a thousand passengers every 1.5 hours. You can get anywhere you need to go taking one of their trains whether you are visiting New York, heading to Canada, traveling to Chicago, or going to Miami.
But while you are at Penn Station, there is no reason to sit around and do nothing when there are so many opportunities for you right outside. From shopping to dining or just seeing the sights, New York is a thrilling place. And they have luggage storage lockers nearby, so you don’t have to drag your bags along.
luggage storage lockers nearby
Learn Some Things
If you have plenty of time, why not visit some of the nearby museums and art galleries? There are quite a few so there is bound to be some that interest you. Whether you are into history, culture, or something else, there is probably a museum for it in New York somewhere. They even have an ice cream museum.
● Museum of Modern Art
Art lovers should not miss the MoMA, which houses one of the largest collections in the world. There are books, sculptures, paintings, film, photos, and more. Some of the most notable include Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 The Starry Night, Paul Cézanne’s 1885 The Bather, and Paul Gauguin’s 1892 The Seed of the Areoi.
● Museum of Ice Cream
Everyone likes ice cream. And if you don’t, this museum has a café and bar where you can get some food and adult beverages. But you will find it difficult not to enjoy yourself with the staff trying to entertain you with offers to slide down the 3-story slide or dance around in the rainbow tunnel. It’s a great place for fun selfies.
● American Museum of Natural History
Right across from Central Park, the MoMA boasts 26 connected buildings with 45 exhibition rooms as well as a library and planetarium. See over 34 million specimens from animal fossils to human artifacts. They have a mammal hall with thousands of mammals as well as a bird, reptile, and amphibian hall.
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Enjoy the Park
Central Park is one of the most well-known parks in the world and one of the largest in the city with 843 acres. The park is more than just a park though. You can visit the zoo, ride a carousel, go skating, and stroll along the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, which holds over a billion gallons of water. Other fun ideas include:
● Get Selfies with the Sculptures
Inside the park, you will find about 30 sculptures. Some of them are busts of poets and authors but others include Alice in Wonderland, Balto, amazing fountains, and a variety of animal and nature statues. The Angels of the Waters fountain was made in 1873 and is a stunning sight to see.
● Visit the Guggenheim
Known as a historic landmark, the Guggenheim is a work of art from the outside of the gorgeous building to the variety of artworks inside. The Guggenheim was one of the first to include modernism in 1939 and it has since been home to many modernists like Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Rudolf Bauer.
● Blockhouse Number One
Also known as The Blockhouse, this small fort is the oldest building in the park, built in 1814. It was part of a group of fortifications for the War of 1812 to protect New Yorkers from a British raid. However, the fort was built on a foundation that dates back to the 1776 Revolutionary War. You’ll find it in the middle of the park.
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Visit the Empire State Building
It would be a shame to miss seeing the most well-known building in the world while you are nearby. The Empire State Building is over 1,250 feet tall and has some of the most impressive views of the city. Get a selfie with King Kong or check out the skyline from the 86th or 102nd floor. Even the art deco lobby is amazing.
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Take a Food Tour
You’re bound to be hungry so why not take a guided tour with a local who knows the best places to eat while you learn about NYC cuisine? The Chelsea Market tour gets you NYC’s best hot dog, artisanal classics, and Neapolitan pizza before you grab some Brooklyn ice cream. Or choose one of the other five tours.
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Shop Until You Drop
Why not spend some of your time getting some retail therapy? You are right near some of the most iconic stores in the world such as Macy’s, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. But you may also want to visit one of the malls nearby for a variety of shops, eateries, and even some entertainment.
● Columbus Circle
For the good stuff, Columbus Circle gives you more than 50 high-end shops. You will find Coach, Sephora, Floga, Swarovski, and L&M as well as a bunch of restaurants and cafés to choose from. They even have a restaurant that earned three Michelin Stars.
● Rockefeller Center
See where the NBC stars hang out in Rockefeller Center. Start at the Top of the Rock for amazing views and work your way down through the stores. Aritzia is a fantastic clothing boutique and Anthropologie has a variety of design, fashion, and art items to peruse. Or get some bling at Louis Martin Jewelers.
● Westfield World Trade Center
For the largest number of options, Westfield World Trade Center is the place. Also known as the Oculus, this fancy spot has more than 100 places to shop like Hugo Boss, Banana Republic, Smythson, Skechers, and several souvenir shops. They also have 34 eateries from Auntie Anne’s to Wetzel’s Pretzels.
After running around the city all day, you will probably be ready to head back to Penn Station to catch your train. Don’t forget to stop at the luggage storage locker and pick up your bags first. And make sure you take a lot of photos to share on social media.
https://www.nycgo.com/transportation/penn-station/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionsNear-g60763-d559113-Penn_Station-New_York_City_New_York.html
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/new-york-city-us-ny-nyc.htm
https://www.loculars.com/blog/the-5-best-things-to-do-within-walking-distance-of-new-york-penn-station/
