Nikky Mendoza's Blog: NYC Early Bird Specials: Reasons to Rise With the Sun

by Alexandra Wilson

Good morning, New York City! -by quiggyt4 via Flickr

There are tons of reasons to stay up late in the city that never sleeps, but few people talk about the reasons why it’s worth getting up at the crack of dawn in NYC. While early morning life may not be as eventful as NYC nightlife, our list below has some excellent reasons to avoid hitting the snooze button. And no, it doesn’t just include “watching the sunrise,” though that is a very cool thing to see.

Sample sales
If you’ve ever coveted a passerby’s look and wondered how she was able to score designer duds at a reasonable price, look no further - sample sales! To get into a sample sale before the crowds, you’ll have to get up early and wait in line for a little while, but since discounts can be up to 90% off a piece’s original price, it’s absolutely worth the few hours of sleep you’ll need to forgo to be first in line.

Waking up early for a sample sale is definitely worth it. [credit]

Getting to know your local barista
I confess – the majority of my mornings before work are crazy busy. I rarely have time to sit down and enjoy a full breakfast, let alone have a full conversation with, well, anyone. When I wake up early, one of the most rewarding ways to spend the extra time is in my local coffee shop getting to know the people who work there. NYC life can be busy, so it’s great to slow down and remember that everyone you meet has a life outside of their work. And who knows? You’ll maybe make a new friend in the process.

Concert rehearsals
Fun fact: many major concert series have dress rehearsals early in the day before the performance. It depends on the band, and the information is rarely public, but if you know one of your favorite musicians is going to have a live performance, visit the venue before the area traditionally gets busy. You might get to hear a few warm-up songs from the TODAY or Good Morning America performers – and since they’re always big names, hearing a live performance for free can be a dream come true.

Freshly baked treats
We’re not just talking about cronuts here (mostly because Dominique Ansel’s bakery has many other goodies that are just as delicious); if you’re willing to be out of your apartment before the sun rises, you’ll be able to purchase a freshly baked breakfast from some of the best bakeries in NYC. Some, like NoHo’s Lafayette Bakery, are a jaw-dropping spectacle with stacks of freshly baked loaves as high as the ceiling. Sure, you might think you already like baked goods, but a slice of bread hot from the oven is a different experience entirely.

Treat yourself to freshly baked bread from Lafayette Bakery. [credit]

Theater rush tickets
If you want to see a show on Broadway but panic when you see Broadway prices, there’s hope! Many shows offer a limited amount of rush tickets for day-of shows. These rush tickets are significantly discounted -- even less than what you would find at the TKTS booth or otherwise -- so your wallet will thank you later. Granted, you have to know what show you’re willing to commit to wait in line for and some theaters require a student ID, but if it’s a show you’d regret not seeing it’s worth the early morning.

Sans-tourist tourist spots
What would Times Square look like if it wasn’t packed with tourists? Wake up early, grab a bagel and check it out. You might find that it’s a place where you want to spend more time.