By: Stefanie DiMartino

Happy November! While the days might be shorter, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the city! The holidays are fast approaching and there are a lot of new and fun exhibits! I’m sharing my top November picks. These are all the best things to do and see, the best in dining/drinks, and the best entertainment and art/exhibits this month. 

The Top 13 Best Things to do in NYC this November 

And, for more of the best things to do in NYC in autumn/winter, watch my guide below: 

THINGS TO DO/SEE + PARTIES

LOUIS VUITTON: 200 TRUNKS, 200 VISIONARIES: THE EXHIBITION

Now – December 31, 2022 | Monday-Sunday, 10am-8pm | FREE!

Barney’s New York Building, 660 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065

“200 TRUNKS, 200 VISIONARIES: THE EXHIBITION has traveled to New York City for the fourth and final stop on its international tour. The LOUIS 200 project invited a mosaic of talents and friends spanning arts and culture, the sciences, sports, global causes, and more to personalize a metaphorical blank canvas measuring approximately the same dimensions as the original trunk that Louis conceived in the 1850s.

At the end of the immersive circuit, visitors can discover The Workshop, a versatile space that will host cultural, educational, and artistic activities on an ongoing basis. Additionally, Louis Vuitton has opened FREDS x LOUIS in conjunction with the exhibition, reviving Barneys’ iconic restaurant Freds for a limited time.” – Louis Vuitton

GUSTAV KLIMT: GOLD IN MOTION

Now on display | Sun-Wed, 10am-7pm, Thurs-Sat, 10am-10pm | $30+

Hall Des Lumières, 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

This exhibit is a “multi-sensory celebration of Klimt’s most iconic work. Our unique, cutting-edge mapping technology, elegant soundtrack and historic location transport you to a world of gold and color.” – Hall Des Lumières

THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Thursday, November 24, 2022 | 9am-12pm 

The best views are on 6th Avenue from West 59th to West 38th Streets!

What is more iconic than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC? You can watch it live in person, on NBC, or stream it on Peacock. 

“Get ready to celebrate the start of the holiday season with giant balloons, elaborate floats & loads of epic entertainment.” – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

MONET’S GARDEN

Now – January 8, 2023 | Mon-Wed, 10am-6pm; Thurs, 10am-8pm; Fri & Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-7pm | $35+

30 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Brand new to NYC this month is Monet’s Garden, The Immersive Experience. 

“Awaken your senses and experience the world of Claude Monet at the brand-new immersive exhibition, Monet’s Garden.  Go on a 360-degree journey through the history and work of one of the greatest and most influential painters of all time.  Using state-of-the-art multimedia and multi-sensory technology, you can dive into the Father of Impressionism’s paintings and get a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind.  Explore his studio and learn about his life, struggles, and inspirations before stepping into the scenery of Monet’s Garden where you’ll be invited to walk across the bridge and enter the paintings through interactive projections, and finally float among the waterlilies in a completely immersive installation of Monet’s most famous work.” – Monet’s Garden

TITANIC. THE EXHIBITION

Beginning November 16 | Daily, except Mondays | $31+

526 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

“Titanic. The Exhibition NYC is far more than a display of historic items: it is a unique narrative experience, a tale of the people aboard history’s most legendary ship on its maiden and final journey. Travel back to 1912 through photographs, handwritten letters, wayward keepsakes, and other personal belongings telling countless stories about fates and heroic deeds on board. As you listen to survivor testimonies on your audio guide, you will have a chance to observe recreated interiors of natural size, witnessing the stark contrast between a lavish first-class suite and a humble third-class cabin. Past and present come together in this emotional journey, a trip through time that brings us closer to the myths, stories and glamor of the historic Titanic.” – Fever/Titanic. The Exhibition

WONDERLAND DREAMS

Now – April 2023 | Daily, except Tuesdays | $33+

529 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Wonderland Dreams is a colorful and photo-op worthy exhibit that brings art to life!

“Wonderland Dreams by Alexa Meade brings to life the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in Alexa’s hand painted immersive exhibit.Wonderland Dreams allows for a new way of experiencing a painting — by walking inside of it and becoming part of the art. The art in the exhibit is not confined to static rectangles of canvas hung on the walls, but rather it is the walls, it is the floor, it is every inch of the 26,000 square foot space that has been hand-painted into a multidimensional work of art.” – Wonderland Dreams

FUNKY EXPERIENCES

Saturdays, Sundays, Custom day + time | Starting at $49+

I love New York City so much that I started a tourism company here. We offer a variety of tours around the city, from history, to sightseeing, to shopping, and one of my favorites – our food tour! 

Rated 5-stars on TripAdvisor and the winner of the “best of the best” award in NYC, you definitely do not want to miss out on any of these amazing tours! There are different tour options available to choose from to fit your interests AND your budget! For a truly unique experience, book a custom-designed private tour with our expert NYC guides!

MUST-SEE MANHATTAN

Brand new to our tour lineup is the Must-See Manhattan tour with tickets to the Top of the Rock included! That’s right, this experience not only shows you Manhattan’s most iconic sites during a 2-hour walking tour but also includes Top of the Rock tickets. You’ll end with breathtaking views of the city’s skyline on a historic skyscraper! How cool is that?

Visit and learn the unique history of iconic sites such as Times Square, Grand Central, the NY Public Library, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and more! Plus, we’ll take you inside Grand Central for an exclusive tour of its secrets.

BEST OF NEW YORK FOOD

For the best of both worlds, with food and sightseeing, consider joining the Best of New York Food Tour offered on Sunday mornings. The tour includes five dishes at delicious restaurants and a historic walking tour through Brooklyn!

SECRETS OF NEW YORK

Another option is to join the Secrets of New York Tour on Saturday mornings and visit hidden locations in lower Manhattan and learn secrets most New Yorkers don’t even know! Tours book up fast, so get your tickets today!

Planning a vacation to NYC? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, we are here to help! With Funky Tours Concierge, our team of experts can help you plan your dream NYC vacation! You can make your NYC trip and experience more special with custom-designed plans that fit your budget and your unique interests.

DINING/DRINKS

THE HIDEOUT AT GALLOW GREEN

Gallow Green, 542 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001

It’s no secret that Gallow Green is one of my favorite NYC rooftops. 

“The Hideout at Gallow Green is a cozy Alpine escape tucked in a wooded mountaintop on the roof of The McKittrick Hotel, home of Sleep No More and Speakeasy Magick. Natural wood and pine elements bring the great outdoors inside, where blankets and plush sheepskin accents create a warm and welcoming respite from the cold.

Guests can cozy up by the fire, or settle into an intimate nook for a tête-à-tête, while sipping handcrafted cocktails and sharing comfort dishes. Small groups can reserve private yurts and gooey Raclette served tableside. Perfect before or after one of the hotel’s award-winning theatrical experiences.

The new French Alps-inspired menu includes piping hot French Onion Soup, fresh savory Crêpes, traditional Trout Farcies, Grilled Salmon over lentils, Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potatoes and rich mushroom gravy, Goulash topped with crème fraîche, Steak Frites with silky pink peppercorn sauce, and signature Chalet Cheeseburger, made with a blend of DeBragga hanger steak & brisket, organic cheese, homemade bacon jam, fresh pickles, and French fries.” – The McKittrick/Gallow Green

MUSEUM + ART EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM OF BROADWAY

Now open! | Daily, 10am-10pm | $39+

145 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

The Museum of Broadway is finally open! It’s the first permanent museum that is entirely dedicated to Broadway! It is an interactive and experiential museum that celebrates Broadway’s rich history, the behind-the-scenes and its game changers. 

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: KING PLEASURE

Ending soon! Now – January 1, 2023 | Daily, except Tuesdays, 10/11am-7pm | $32+ 

Starrett Lehigh, 601 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

“Jean-Michel Basquiat’s contributions to the history of art and his explorations of multifaceted cultural phenomena––including music, the Black experience, pop culture, Black American sports figures, literature, and other sources––will be showcased through immersive environments providing unique insight into the late artist’s creative life and his singular voice that propelled a social and cultural narrative that continues to this day.

Organized and curated by the family of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this exhibition of over 200 never-before-seen and rarely shown paintings, drawings, multimedia presentations, ephemera, and artifacts tell the story of Jean-Michel from an intimate perspective, intertwining his artistic endeavors with his personal life, influences, and the times in which he lived.” – King Pleasure/Basquiat 

THE TUDORS: ART AND MAJESTY IN RENAISSANCE ENGLAND

Now – January 8, 2023 | $30+ | NY, NJ, CT – pay what you wish

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028

“This exhibition evokes the richly layered interior of a Tudor palace in order to explore the remarkable art of the English Renaissance. At the same time, it reveals the high political stakes of Tudor patronage and the cosmopolitan world of artists and merchants who served the court.” – The Met

BROADWAY + SHOWS

YOU WILL GET SICK

Limited Run, Ending Soon! Now – December 11 | $69+

Laura Pels Theatre, 111 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

You will meet a young man holding onto a secret and the stranger he pays to listen. You will laugh, marvel, and transform from the relationship that grows between them, and from the stunningly human new play—a New York Times Critic’s Pick, (hooray!)—that “tells its tale in the most lively, surreal and surprising ways imaginable,” as the Times goes on to say. ‘It flies by, feeling even shorter yet fuller than its 85 minutes.”

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Ending soon! Now – February 18, 2023 | $55+

Majestic Theatre, 245 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 

Unlike other Broadway shows, there are certain ones that stand the test of time. Or so you think! There is no show more synonymous with Broadway and NYC than The Phantom of the Opera. But sadly, this show is coming to a close on February 18, 2023. First opened in January 1988, The Phantom of the Opera has the distinct status of being Broadway’s longest-running show and musical. 

If you haven’t seen this iconic and legendary show yet, then be sure to grab your tickets now before it’s gone! 

In conclusion, these are the top 13 best things to do in NYC this November. Have fun and stay safe!