Headed To New York City For The T20 World Cup? Here Are The Best Things To Do While There

The 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States from June 1-29. It will be the first ICC World Cup tournament to be hosted in the United States. India is due to play Ireland, the USA and Pakistan at a 34,000-seat temporary stadium on Long Island, Nassau County, New York.

If you’re heading to the Big Apple to support the Men in Blue, here’s what you should check out in “The City that Never Sleeps.”

Yankee Stadium

Baseball is big in New York City so check out Yankee Stadium while you’re in town. As the home ground of the New York Yankees, you should try to catch a game here and savour the passionate atmosphere of baseball fans, which rivals that of cricket games in India. The stadium replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost over a billion dollars to construct, making it one of the world’s most expensive. It has a seating capacity of 50,287 fans. The stadium has hosted soccer games, college football matches, concerts, and other athletic and entertainment events.

Address: 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451

Chinatown

The thriving centre of Lower Manhattan is arguably its Chinatown district. Bordering the Lower East Side, Little Italy, the Civic Center and Tribeca, it has been populated by people of Chinese descent since at least the 1850s. Estimates put its current residential population at 90,000 to 1,00,000 people.

Greengrocers and fishmongers can be found around Mott Street, Mulberry Street, Canal Street and East Broadway. Purchase jewellery and knock-off brands of perfumes, watches and handbags at Canal Street. Savour authentic East Asian cuisine at one of the district’s many restaurants and stalls. Don’t forget to pop over to the Museum of Chinese in America, which hosts exhibitions, educational services and public programs on the history, heritage, culture and experiences of Chinese Americans.

Coney Island

This famous amusement area in Brooklyn attracted New Yorkers in the 1900s for its bathing pavilions, seaside resorts and amusement activities. After a period of economic instability stretching from the Great Depression, the island is back with a bang. With eateries, playgrounds and a plethora of entertainment options to choose from—like its famed Cyclone rollercoaster and Mermaid Parade—you will have a fun time roaming its boardwalk while slurping down ice cream. Keep in mind that the amusement park opens only during particular times of the year. The beach and boardwalk are open all year round.

New York Botanical Garden

We know Central Park will be on your itinerary but the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) should also be a must-visit. The NYBG was established in 1891 and is located on a 100-hectare site. It has over a million living plants. The Thain Family Forest is an old-growth forest and one of the largest existing remnants of the original forest which covered all of New York City before the arrival of European settlers in the 17^th century. The forest has oaks, American beeches, cherry, birch, tulip and white ash trees, and is bisected by the Bronx River. Check out the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium and the LuEsther T. Mertz Library while here.

Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458

Broadway

A trip to the Big Apple is incomplete without a Broadway stop. The larger-than-life performances, bright billboards and lights of the 20.9km road are not to be missed. Most shows follow the same schedule of evening performances on Tuesdays through Saturdays and afternoon matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check the official website to book tickets and peruse show schedules. If ticket prices are out of your league then consider attending an off-Broadway production. These are scattered across the city and run performances at a fraction of the cost. Remember to visit the nearby Times Square, too.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

The events of September 11, 2001 are seared into most millennials’ memories and those who were alive know where they were when two hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum honours the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks, and recognises the courage of those who survived and risked their lives to help others. The place encourages a meditative and contemplative mood. The memorial is inscribed with the names of all those killed. Don’t miss the Callery pear tree, which became known as the “Survivor Tree." It stands as a living reminder of resilience and rebirth.

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

Governors Island

Governors Island is located in New York Harbor and is a short ferry ride away from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building. The 70-hectare island has 52 historic buildings and a beautiful public park. The National Park Service administers a small portion of the north end of the island as the Governors Island National Monument. This includes the former military fortifications of Fort Jay, Castle Williams and South Battery.

Luxury brands have set up shop on the island and visitors can partake in a glamping experience to stay here overnight. Take a nature walk, tour an urban farm, participate in a cyanotype workshop series, visit a bee sanctuary, watch the sun go down, ride a cycle or go climbing: you can do it all on Governors Island.