I'm always looking for something new or fun to do in NYC, to get out on the weekend, entertain visitors or friends, or for a novel date.  Here's a list of resources I use to find fun new activities.  Most of these resources are weekly email subscriptions, but some are sites with searchable indexes.

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<li><a href="http://www.urbandaddy.com/">UrbanDaddy</a> & <a href="http://www.thrillist.com/NY/new">Thrillist</a>.  Mostly spots on NYC nightlife & restaurants.  Occasionally highlight interesting or novel venues or activities.  For example, UD attached on a realistic and super-scary haunted house.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.nonsensenyc.com/">NonsenseNYC</a>:  Weekly email on the interesting and unique events in and around NYC.  Has a bias towards Brooklyn, and arty or performance events.  Some Burner (Burning Man) elements.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.randomeventsny.com/">RandomEvents</a> meetup: Pretty much what it sounds like.  This is the group who set up the balloon-sculpting class I attended.  They'll do everything from ice-climbing to shot-gunning to magic-classes to helicopter-piloting, etc.  I've learned it's usually best to look at their events, then Google them for direct prices without RandomEvents' vig added on top (in theory you can join the meetup to hang out with the group and meet new people ... in practice, it's not people you want to meet).</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theskint.com/">TheSkint</a>: Free & cheap events and happenings around NYC</li>
<li><a href="http://www.timeout.com/newyork">TimeOut NY</a> (TONY): A pretty comprehensive review site. Best for on-demand ad-hoc searches, because you can filter by location.</li> (borough, neighborhood) and event type (dining out, adventure, romance, etc).  Not always the most offbeat things, but for last-minute plans, you'll almost always find something.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.nyadventureclub.com/">NY Adventure Club</a>: Pretty much what it says on the tin.  Similar in concept to RandonEvents, but higher quality, and offers recurring walking tours in addition to offbeat adventures. In my experience, it's possible to join a walking tour at the last minute without any prior commitment, but it's probably better to book the one-off adventures in advance.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sidetour.com/">SideTour</a>:  In theory, an umbrella site covering all happenings in NYC.  In practice, it hasn't got much traction or very unique listings.  But worth checking, and keeping an eye on, as it developers.</li>
<li><a href="http://couples.howaboutwe.com/">HowAboutWe</a> (couples version): HAW is a dating site primarily whose premise is you post a date (thing you want to do), and interested parties can join up and you can go on a date.  There's also a version for couples looking for things to do.  Because it's crowdsourced, the vast majority of date ideas are unimaginative and repetitive.  But there are a few gems, and even ideas that aren't outstanding, but are still interesting things that you just haven't gotten around to doing yet in the City (e.g. visit the Museum of Sex, hand-craft personal puppets at PuppetKitchen, etc).</li>
<li><a href="http://gothamist.com/">Gothamist</a> & <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york">DNAInfo</a>: Mostly local NY rags.  Human interest and things-about-town. Sometimes have an articles on a new venue or events.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.meetup.com/donemeetup/">LearnSomething</a>, <a href="http://lifelabsnewyork.com/">LifeLabs</a>, <a href="http://www.3rdward.com/">3rd Ward</a>:  Classes on interesting things.  Really fun! (Not the cheapest options)</li>
<li><a href="http://rec.iceculinary.com/Home/CookingClasses">ICE Culinary school</a> & <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/service/bowery-culinary-center">Whole Foods</a>: Broad range of cooking classes.  ICE is more course-oriented, while Whole Foods teaches one-off classes in its Bowery culinary center location.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.nycgo.com/">NYCGo</a>: City government official tour guide.</li>
<li><a href="http://omgwhen.com">OMG When?</a> Pretty good aggregator. Discovered it when a friend I met at Club Getaway added me on LinkedIn. He works here. Interface needs work, but has good content, and you can filter by going on "right now" (or in an hour, or whatever).</li>
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