Unique Experiences in Manhattan’s Flatiron District
In what Alicia Keys coined as the concrete jungle, New York City’s peppy ambiance beckons those chasing after everything from the elite social scene to Broadway show tunes to hipster coffee shops. The Flatiron District is no different, with its eclectic mix of high-rises, prized bars, and a public park that became home to the first Shake Shack location. Most visitors hop off the subway to tick an item off their bucket list, snapping a photo in front of the triangular Flatiron Building, with its pointed edge resembling a large cruise ship barreling through the ocean.
Before being quick to hop back on the subway, consider diving into a bit more of the neighborhood’s offerings, dialing back from the busy shopping scene, and gaining a bit more of a unique experience.
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Unique Things to Do in the Flatiron District
The FRIENDS™ Experience New York
Could I BE any more excited to tell you about my time at The FRIENDS™ Experience New York? If you didn’t catch the reference, my Chandler-esque commentary is right on par with what I felt as we waited for our time slot to open up for our self-guided tour through identical sets and rooms full of props that were actually used on the show, such as Chandler’s bunny suit. For a low price of $40-52, depending on the day and time of their visit, fans of the series can grab a photo on the iconic orange couch situated in front of the theme song’s famed fountain, tour Rachel and Monica’s kitchen, play foosball in Joey and Chandler’s apartment, sip on coffee in a replica Central Perk, and much more.
After entering and undergoing a brief intro video, doors will open to reveal the fountain-front couch, where you and your traveling companions will have a photo taken of you. Throughout your self-guided tour, you’ll come across a handful of photo stations depicting iconic moments from the show, such as the hysterical scene with Ross yelling “Pivot!!!” to maneuver a couch up a much too narrow stairway. All professionally-taken photos will be sent digitally to your party at the end, free of charge. However, you’ll want your phone camera available for the countless photo opportunities you’ll come across on your tour, such as standing in Monica’s polished kitchen, sitting in Joey’s favorite chair, or taking a selfie with a mannequin Monica wearing a turkey on her head.
I soaked in every inch of the rooms while I was there, pretending I was a character of the show who had just stepped off the New York streets into the actual apartments. I could easily picture myself seamlessly fitting into one of the storylines, possibly as one of Rachel’s old friends or one of Joey’s flings. Unattainable dreams aside, our tour through The FRIENDS™ Experience New York felt pretty close to the real thing, just minus a run-in with one of the cast members. This unique experience in Manhattan’s Flatiron District cannot be passed up if you are a fan of the nostalgic show.
Check availability and book your tickets for this experience below!
Harry Potter New York
Having opened in June of 2021, Harry Potter New York is a three-story immersive retail location transporting you to wizardry as soon as you step into the building. Upon first entering the store, your eyes will dance between the various interactive elements, from the Character Wand Table to the red London phone booth to the Slytherin section just a stairwell away. While I recommend taking your time browsing the shop, taking in each corner and whimsical decoration, you might first want to consider walking past these tempting sights to the butterbeer shop at the opposite end.
It had been almost a year prior that I had first tried butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. As I walked up to the counter, butterbeer bottles cascading over my head, my tastebuds were more than ready to encounter the fizzy and creamy masterpiece that was concocted as a result of the franchise. After sipping on the top layer of whipped cream and savoring the rest of your cup’s contents, take a leisurely stroll through the store, investing in a wand or other Harry Potter memorabilia if you haven’t already done so at the Universal Orlando Resort.
Prior to your trip, you’ll want to book at least one of the store’s immersive virtual reality experiences. Together with my brother and sister-in-law, we geared up with the VR tech and entered a dark room, ready to encounter the “Chaos at Hogwarts” experience. As our VR gear powered on, we couldn’t hold our giggles in as we looked at each other only to find that we were transformed into unrecognizable wizards, although we had previously chosen our avatar’s outer appearance out of the four options we were given.
In this specific scenario, we used our wands as we journeyed to Hogwarts Castle, coming across fascinating creatures and magical scenarios on our way. Although our “journey” took place within a small room, the technology made it feel as if we really were levitating on floating staircases and skipping over rocks. This mind-bending experience was definitely a highlight of the day, standing out as one of the most unique experiences in the Flatiron District by far.
Harry Potter New York offers a secondary VR experience titled “Wizards Take Flight,” in which individuals can fly a broom during a wand battle against Death Eaters. We didn’t have enough time in the day for two experiences, nor were we sure we could tolerate the motion sickness if it were to have that effect on us. Next time I find myself in the Flatiron District, I’d definitely like to experience a VR broom ride above Hogwarts!
See below for ticket availability for one of the Harry Potter experiences!
These two unique experiences in the Flatiron District will surely shake up the usual New York City itinerary of casual sightseeing and upscale shopping. I always enjoy a trip back to this electric city full of quirky activities comparable to those discussed in this post. I can only imagine what my next trip has in store for me!
