It’s easy to get lost in the density and chaos of New York but there are opportunities to step outside of it for a macro view. Chartering a sailboat on the Hudson is a great way to escape and see the city in a different light, especially at night.
Coney Island is the best for everything - the beach, the rides, the beer - but mostly for the Skee Ball. It's incredibly addicting, affordable and satisfying (depending on your aim).
I can’t get enough of the dioramas, but my favorite parts of the AMNH are the Halls of Meteorites and Minerals. There are some beautiful specimens here, and best of all you can actually lay your hands on the 4.5-billion-year-old Cape York Meteorite.