Top 3 fun things to do with friends in New York City

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”.  - Eleanor Roosevelt

 Ms. Roosevelt is entirely correct. You’ll come across countless faces during your childhood, school days, college and adult life. However, only the true friends with whom you have cherished memories will leave lasting footprints. There are plenty of fun things to do in New York City, so it’s a great place to make those kinds of memories. Regardless of whether your pals are local residents or Big Apple tourists, there’s something for everyone.

During the day, you can do the classic New York City Big Bus Tour or casually stroll through the sprawling city. When the golden hour time arrives, you can hit one of the observation decks in NYC like The Edge Observation Deck or Top of the Rock Observation Deck for a sunset photography session. At night, “the city that never sleeps” really comes alive. You can do anything from visiting rooftop bars in NYC like The Ready Rooftop Bar or Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, to watching live plays on Broadway.

With that said, there are some refreshing new things to do in New York. Unlike the other above-mentioned ideas, these new things are private experiences in NYC – which isn’t at all easy to find. Imagine getting together with your best friends for drinks on a private rooftop, dinner at a luxurious loft, or a photoshoot at a historic New Rochelle house. Not only that, you’ll get the perk of enjoying the best views in New York. Keen to know more? Read below to find out Viewnary’s very own suggestions on fun things to do with a group of friends.

Drinks with a view on a SoHo rooftop

A get-together with your favorite people on a rooftop with the best skyline views in New York?  Sounds pretty good to me. Why go to the crowded public venues when you have exclusive access to a private rooftop rental in NYC? If a genuine and novel experience is what you’re after – these days that’s what it’s all about – then there’s no doubt this is the go-to alternative to a (rooftop) bar. Sure, it may be nice to go to the mainstream places every now and then, but overall those are becoming outdated. In this age of the so-called experience economy, private and personalized experiences are becoming the gold standard.

Those private and personalized aspects are relevant to spaces like rooftops in NYC, too. Have you ever been to one? If not, you’re in luck – there’s a new spot in town. With jaw-dropping New York City skyline views, this spacious rooftop in the heart of SoHo is perfect for your next exciting get-together with friends. The open-air space spans over 3000 square feet and offers panoramic views of Lower Manhattan. That means plenty of space and panorama photos for everyone.

Not only that, you’ll be surrounded by the majestic New York skyscrapers on all sides.  Should the weather not permit the outdoor experience, there’s also a large indoor lounge area that’s adorned with funky artwork and has comfy seating. The layout of this area is open with windows facing south and east, which gives it an airy and luxurious vibe. In fact, you don’t have to restrict yourself to group get-togethers. If you’re short on romantic date ideas in NYC, for example, this is one that will stun your partner. You can even combine a date night under the stars with a rom com movie – the penthouse has a projector and screen on site.

Classy dinner at an exclusive Chelsea loft

A fancy dinner in NYC, especially with a group of friends, can hit the wallet pretty hard. Those appetizers and cocktails, not to mention taxes, all add up in the end. Wouldn’t it be amazing to recreate the sensation of a Gatsby-level dining experience, without actually having to go to a pricey public restaurant? Add to that the fact that it’s just you and whomever you want to invite, without strangers around you. Almost sounds too good to be true. Luckily for you, it really is true.

This 2000 square feet luxurious loft in the heart of Chelsea is the place to be. The property oozes exclusivity and class from the moment you walk in. Not only is the area itself vast, but it features exquisite wooden parquet, exposed brick walls on multiple sides, and contemporary art throughout. A black grand piano provides a striking contrast to the light-colored interior, and is icing on the cake when it comes to adding a touch of splendor. Moreover, on the topic of a delicious dinner with friends, there is room for a dozen or more people at the wood-carved dining tables.

Comfortable chairs and couches are neatly spread across the loft, and you can feel extra relaxed under an on-site Hermès Avalon throw blanket. There’s even a full-size chef’s kitchen available for you – or a private chef that you can arrange with the Host. It’s perfect for catering as well. So, if you and your friends are looking for private dining in NYC, look no further.

Artsy photoshoot at a historic home in New Rochelle

Need some New York photoshoot ideas? Perhaps filming locations in New York? In a time where standout photos on a social media gallery are essentially a form of social currency, creating unique content is a must. Viewnary listings are ideal for that. This historic house, built in the turn of the 19th century by an Italian Countess, is one such example.

The property’s music room, with its original hardwood floors, antique European sconces and tall gold mirror, was used for recitals by famous Spanish cellist and composer, Pablo Casals. As you walk into the entryway, you’re greeted with marble tile floors, a romantic semicircular wooden staircase, and two vintage chandeliers. That itself is material enough for Instagrammable pictures.

Upon exploring further, you’ll also see a nostalgic library with vintage wallpaper, wood-carved built-in bookshelves and a hand-carved wood fireplace. In addition to a spacious dining room, there’s also an impressive solarium with marble stairs and beautiful light fixtures that overlooks the oversized backyard. Next time you’re trying to come up with fun things to do with a group, plan a photoshoot in New York at this one-of-a-kind property.