How to surprise a lone traveller on his birthday in NYC?
February 12, 2023 1:31 AM Subscribe
My husband will be on his first trip to New York for work on his birthday. I would like to surprise him with a special gift/activity but have no idea what my options are.
My husband will be travelling to New York City from Europe for a work thing in the end of March. It's his first time there (I also know very litte about the city). He is not a native speaker but speaks excellent English.
I want to surprise him for his 45th birthday, i.e. somekind of activity that he can do there alone. It could be sending him on a sightseeing tour or just a special, interesting location (or possibly sending something to his hotel, i.e. a cake or something, though I prefer sending him somewhere.)
He is interested in:
- History
- Nature
- Politics
- Food
He is not very interested in arts and entertainment.
I can get his assistant to block a few hours for this activity in his calendar, preferably in the evening. I might also consider making him stay an entire extra day if I come up with a good plan.
Things to keep in mind:
- He will probably be exhausted from a lot of work and jet lag, so it shouldn't be anything to strenuous.
- It should be something that is fun to do alone.
- He doesn't have accomodation yet but will probably be located in Manhattan.
- Budget should not exceed 200$.
So far the only ideas I have are a food walking tour (recommendations?) or somekind of spa/massage though I actually think he wouldn't enjoy the latter alone so I kind of ruled that out already.
Any ideas for special, not-too-long walking tours (no basic sightseeing, more along the lines of historical insights, food, culture...)? Or a special location/activity that I could send him to?
I don't even really know where to start....
My husband will be travelling to New York City from Europe for a work thing in the end of March. It's his first time there (I also know very litte about the city). He is not a native speaker but speaks excellent English.
I want to surprise him for his 45th birthday, i.e. somekind of activity that he can do there alone. It could be sending him on a sightseeing tour or just a special, interesting location (or possibly sending something to his hotel, i.e. a cake or something, though I prefer sending him somewhere.)
He is interested in:
- History
- Nature
- Politics
- Food
He is not very interested in arts and entertainment.
I can get his assistant to block a few hours for this activity in his calendar, preferably in the evening. I might also consider making him stay an entire extra day if I come up with a good plan.
Things to keep in mind:
- He will probably be exhausted from a lot of work and jet lag, so it shouldn't be anything to strenuous.
- It should be something that is fun to do alone.
- He doesn't have accomodation yet but will probably be located in Manhattan.
- Budget should not exceed 200$.
So far the only ideas I have are a food walking tour (recommendations?) or somekind of spa/massage though I actually think he wouldn't enjoy the latter alone so I kind of ruled that out already.
Any ideas for special, not-too-long walking tours (no basic sightseeing, more along the lines of historical insights, food, culture...)? Or a special location/activity that I could send him to?
I don't even really know where to start....
The best food tours in NYC (and anywhere in the world frankly, we’ve been to many of their cities) are operated by Culinary Backstreets .We did the elmhurst/corona one before the pandemic and loved it, if your husband isn’t overly familiar with the foods of Latin America it would be terrific. Those neighborhoods have large populations from Mexico and South America and are teeming with deliciousness. They also have one more focused on the Asian food in New York’s modern Chinatown in Flushing that I haven’t done but should also be great depending on your husbands interests.
As a note on transportation- Corona and Flushing can easily be an hours ride on the subway from many parts of Manhattan, but I find riding the 7 train to be one of the most New York Cityiest feeling things, it’s elevated/outside and so you get views of the neighborhoods you pass through to get out of to pretty nearly the end of the line.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 5:22 AM on February 12, 2023
As a note on transportation- Corona and Flushing can easily be an hours ride on the subway from many parts of Manhattan, but I find riding the 7 train to be one of the most New York Cityiest feeling things, it’s elevated/outside and so you get views of the neighborhoods you pass through to get out of to pretty nearly the end of the line.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 5:22 AM on February 12, 2023
QC Spa on Governor’s Island is a quick ferry ride from the southern tip of Manhattan and has only-in-NYC views of the Manhattan skyline from their outdoor heated pools. They’re open pretty late. It’s probably one of the more unique options if you want to go with your spa idea.
posted by A Blue Moon at 6:01 AM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by A Blue Moon at 6:01 AM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is an odd idea, I freely admit, but might he enjoy observing a federal court proceeding or NY city council meeting? NYC is home to the Southern District Court of the US, which often has some of the most interesting cases, though it operates only during business hours. The city council has committee meetings mostly in the evenings. Both are open to the public and unique ways to nerd out on politics and governance.
posted by minervous at 6:14 AM on February 12, 2023
posted by minervous at 6:14 AM on February 12, 2023
Another vote for Hamilton! It was the absolute first thing that popped into my mind. If he likes history and politics, he'll love the story it tells. I saw it alone the first time (without having heard the music) and still had a blast. Plus it's such a New York experience to see a Broadway show, even more so the most popular show in the zietgiest right now. And for a single seat you might be able to come in at/under budget. This is assuming he hasn't seen it already, but if not - HAMILTON!
posted by carlypennylane at 9:31 AM on February 12, 2023
posted by carlypennylane at 9:31 AM on February 12, 2023
I highly recommend Scott's Pizza Tours. It'll be fun even if solo because there will be lots of other folks, most from out of town.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:51 AM on February 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:51 AM on February 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
For something free and out of the ordinary, he might want to consider attending Night Court in downtown Manhattan. It's a 5pm - 1am shift of the courts and can be fascinating for tourists.
There is a secret high class Japanese restaurant, Nakaji, nearby in Chinatown, a Japanese restaurant just opened in a tunnel next to Joe's Shanghai with an omakase menu about $165. It's really hidden away and a cool restaurant. You feel like you stepped into a restaurant in Tokyo.
posted by ichimunki at 10:28 AM on February 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
There is a secret high class Japanese restaurant, Nakaji, nearby in Chinatown, a Japanese restaurant just opened in a tunnel next to Joe's Shanghai with an omakase menu about $165. It's really hidden away and a cool restaurant. You feel like you stepped into a restaurant in Tokyo.
posted by ichimunki at 10:28 AM on February 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
For something free and out of the ordinary, he might want to consider attending Night Court in downtown Manhattan. It's a 5pm - 1am shift of the courts and can be fascinating for tourists.
Rather less fascinating for the people caught up in NYC's racist and brutal criminal justice system, though. Not really recommended as entertainment.
posted by praemunire at 11:50 AM on February 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Rather less fascinating for the people caught up in NYC's racist and brutal criminal justice system, though. Not really recommended as entertainment.
posted by praemunire at 11:50 AM on February 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I know you said he doesn't like arts and entertainment, but after a long day of work, why not go to a jazz bar and chill out with a cocktail?
Or just straight up cocktail bars: several of the top 50 are in NYC.
posted by airmail at 12:15 PM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Or just straight up cocktail bars: several of the top 50 are in NYC.
posted by airmail at 12:15 PM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Night court usually results in more lenient sentences. I'd like to think the public attending the court forces more generous sentences. Small claims courts also run from 6pm to 12am are also interesting. OP mentioned her husband being interested in politics and this is the prime way to see the US justice system in action.
posted by ichimunki at 12:41 PM on February 12, 2023
posted by ichimunki at 12:41 PM on February 12, 2023
One thing that could be really sweet is to prearrange for someone he encounters (like a hotel worker, delivery person, etc) to tell him a certain phrase that's memorable to both of you. It makes a nice, free, little surprise in a workday.
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:12 PM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:12 PM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I grew up in Brooklyn but was pleasantly surprised by the Hop On Hop Off tour that I had to go on when a visiting friend insisted. I loved seeing the city from that perspective, plus learned lots of stuff. It's history, it's relaxing, and if he is limited on time it's a good way to see a lot and then decide which neighborhoods he wants to explore by foot.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:07 PM on February 12, 2023
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:07 PM on February 12, 2023
For a few hours in the evening, I would just walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn. Then eat at either Grimaldi's or the River Cafe, depending on price range and interest, then take the NYC ferry back to lower Manhattan and subway/taxi to the hotel. If he likes history, it's a short walk from the ferry to Hamilton's grave at Trinity Church Wall Street, which is also interesting historically.
posted by luckdragon at 5:54 PM on February 12, 2023
posted by luckdragon at 5:54 PM on February 12, 2023
A bit tough for a weekday evening. Some potential inspiration:
Baths, though that may be too similar to spa experience to enjoy alone
Tenement Museum
Catacombs by Candlelight at the Basilica of St Patrick's Old Cathedral
New York Historical Society
Intrepid Museum
Cathedral of St. John the Divine tour
Riverside Church Tower Tour
The Met Cloisters tour
New York Transit Museum
New York Botanical Garden (The Bronx)
Woodlawn Cemetery (though it is a birthday)
NYC parks tours
Tours and walks
New York Adventure Club
Audio/sound walks - check Gesso, Echoes, Nearstory, Acoustigram, etc. For example, Ellen Reid's in Central Park, Cairns by Gelsey Bell in Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn), The Visitation starting at Jackie Robinson Park (Harlem)
posted by eyeball at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2023
Baths, though that may be too similar to spa experience to enjoy alone
Tenement Museum
Catacombs by Candlelight at the Basilica of St Patrick's Old Cathedral
New York Historical Society
Intrepid Museum
Cathedral of St. John the Divine tour
Riverside Church Tower Tour
The Met Cloisters tour
New York Transit Museum
New York Botanical Garden (The Bronx)
Woodlawn Cemetery (though it is a birthday)
NYC parks tours
Tours and walks
New York Adventure Club
Audio/sound walks - check Gesso, Echoes, Nearstory, Acoustigram, etc. For example, Ellen Reid's in Central Park, Cairns by Gelsey Bell in Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn), The Visitation starting at Jackie Robinson Park (Harlem)
posted by eyeball at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2023
Response by poster: Thanks so much for all the helpful answers!
posted by Ellabella at 1:41 AM on February 16, 2023
posted by Ellabella at 1:41 AM on February 16, 2023
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posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:10 AM on February 12, 2023 [1 favorite]