I’ve lived in New York City for almost 5 years now and had some pretty fun experiences. You can trust that I’ve been to all different types of restaurants, bars, neighborhoods, and taken a lot of photos in between. My guide includes places that I personally have experienced and places that are still on my bucket list! Rest assured my recommendations for eats, drinks, and more are worth while.
So here’s my personal New York City guide of some of my favorite places to go, and things to do. I hope you enjoy my restaurant, sightseeing, bar, tourist attraction recommendations for your trip to the big apple!
Things To Do
Scott’s Pizza Tour- My friend is a huge fan and has gone about a million times, so she basically convinced me to go. I went with a few friends and we loved it. Scott’s Pizza Tour also has a bus tour. It’s a great way to taste NYC’s famous pizza and try a bunch of famous places all at once! You won’t regret it.
LIPS– LIPS is a Drag dining experience that’s really fun! I went for dinner with my friends and it was a blast. All around a good time. The food is nothing special, but the drinks are colorful and strong. It’s all about the costumes, performances and entertainment.
Comedy Cellar– Comedy Cellar is a renowned comedy club. It has affordable comedy shows, & often celebrity appearances. One time I went and Kevin Hart spontaneously performed. My preferred spot is “Village Underground”, you’ll see when making a reservation as they have a few locations, but you should definitely book in advance.
Musical on Broadway- When in New York City it’s a must to see a Broadway musical or play. I use TodayTix for last minute tickets at the best prices. My mom and I saw “The King and I” one time when she visited me and we got tickets day of.
Ice Skating in Central Park– This is on my bucket list and a must if ice skating is your thing. A bit pricey but for fun on ice, it’s worth it.
Department Store Windows at Saks, Bergdorf Goodmans, Macy’s- The department stores always put on amazing themed windows during the holidays. Just be ready for the crowds.
Brooklyn Bowl- “genre-defying bowling alley in Williamsburg with high-tech lanes, live tunes, and food”. This fun spot is in Brooklyn but worth a visit. Good for big groups.
SoulCycle– Amazing cult, high-energy club feel, inspiring Spin Class. I take it all the time. If you’re looking to workout during your visit I would suggest giving this studio a try. They have locations all over New York City.
Shopping in SoHo (South of Houston)- There are so many cute shops all over SoHo. Just get lost and wander around you can’t go wrong.
Showfields– “The most interesting store in the world”. Really cool immersive department store. I highly suggest checking it out and then getting designer lattes at Coffee ‘n Clothes cafe on the first floor. The lattes are not designer themselves but the artwork made with the foam is fun designer logos.
Central Park– Obviously Central Park is a must! I would recommend going to the The Champagne Bar at the iconic Plaza Hotel for nothing other than a glass of champagne, then head to Central Park and walk around or try out Ice Skating.
Holiday Markets- Check out the holiday markets in Union Square then head to Max Brenner (make a reservation) for a full chocolate experience. I recommend the Churros and Espresso Martinis there. They also have markets at Bryant Park, & Columbus Circle.
Every year during the holiday season cute villages are set up filled with different vendors selling all sorts of things. It’s fun to grab a hot chocolate and walk around, maybe buy a Christmas ornament or scented candle.
Museums
The Metropolitan Museum– This is one of my favorite museums in the Upper East Side (UES). I suggest going in the evening for a night tour. They have live music Friday and Saturday nights at the Amari Bar. Make reservations if you want to get food and cocktails after or before! Definitely double check the times, but they should have extended hours on Fridays & Saturdays.
Whitney Museum (contemporary art)- A staple museum to visit. Check it out, and then grab food at The Standard Biergarten. After or before you could also walk the High-Line (free), “a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side”.
MoMa (modern art)- Another classic museum that’s a must see!
Sightseeing
Rockefeller– I prefer the Top of The Rock over the Empire State Building at least to go up, because from you Rockefeller you can SEE the Empire State Building and all it’s glory. Buy tickets in advance to skip the line.
Also, make a reservation at Bar SixtyFive (food and/or drinks with a view) which is on the 65th floor. It allows you to really soak up the views from the top. I went there for my birthday this year and it was spectacular. It’s like dining in the clouds. You can opt just for a drink too.
Flatiron Building– It’s an iconic landmark. Usually one of my favorites to see, but I believe it currently has scaffolding.
One World Trade Observatory– I’ve never been up but another worth while visit. It’s the highest point in NYC and next to the 9/11 memorial and museum which is gorgeous, and really touching.
Brooklyn Bridge– my favorite bridge, the most beautiful in my opinion. Definitely worth walking over. Start in Manhattan and walk towards Brooklyn. Then head to Cecconi’s Dumbo for food and skyline views.
If you decide to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge I suggest starting the day at Jeremy’s Ale House. They open at 8 am, because a lot of construction workers head there after working all night for a “day-cap”. Get a beer then make the hike over the Brooklyn Bridge at 9 am no later because then it gets incredible crowded and unpleasant (trust me). Once in Brooklyn you could stop by a cafe (FEED shop and cafe) or One Girl Cookies.
Hotels
Hotel On Rivington– Lower East Side Luxury Hotel. Amazing downtown location, hip area around a lot of restaurants, bars, public transportation. Every year for my birthday my friends stay here. I love the neighborhood, but I’m biased because I live close by in the Lower East Side.
Arlo Hotels– Love the city views, cute boutique hotel with a few locations in Manhattan.
Hotel Indigo– Friends have stayed here as well, it’s very central and super cute. It has a great rooftop bar called Mr. Purple that everyone loves.
1 Hotel– Brooklyn location, with a great rooftop overlooking the Manhattan skyline.
The Williamsburg Hotel– Boutique Hotel in Brooklyn, definitely have a drink at the The Water Tower. It offers amazing sweeping views of the Manhattan Skyline, great music, curated food and cocktail menu. Beautiful artistic space.
I went there with my friend after work for drinks and light bites to catch-up. They had an incredible live music performance. Unfortunately, it was rainy that day so I’ll have to go again for a clear view of the sunset.
The Standard– Boutique hotel in NYC.
*APPs to book affordable spontaneous nights in NYC
One Night– Same night stays, unbeatable, insider tips.
Hotel Tonight– Last minute hotel deals.
Restaurants
Dirt Candy– Vegan restaurant with extremely creative dishes in the Lower East Side. One of my favorite places, the food is so beautifully delivered and you would never guess it’s vegan, because it tastes like crack.
Thursday Kitchen– Super cute hidden place in the East Village. Great Vietnamese fusion plates and cute drinks that come in pouches. I go for the pouches honestly. Get’s super crowded so go early!
Beauty and Essex– I’ve been so many times for my birthday. It’s a bit more posh, but I love the menu and ambiance.
Baar Baar– Indian Fusion and so good.
Little Frankie’s– Amazing Italian, hip spot in the Lower East Side. Obsessed with the grilled eggplant, it’s like no other!
Black Tap– Casual dining. They have amazing creative milkshakes and burgers (even vegetarian options). The milkshakes are truly something else.
Catch– Delicious seafood in the Meatpacking district.
By CHLOE– Casual plant based vegan deliciousness. Great fast casual spot when you’re on the go or looking for a quick fix that’s healthy.
My favorite Italian Restaurants in NYC– Check out my previous blog post about my favorite Italian Restaurants in NYC. There’s so many it deserves it’s own post.
The Polo Bar– One of my favorites, I’m biased because I work for Ralph Lauren, but I honestly think objectively everyone loves it. Definitely an “experience”. It offer’s classic American cuisine.
Unique Bars
Jeremy’s Ale House– You can find this bar in South Street Seaport. If you’re looking for a cool low key dive bar to go to this place is it. “It has an old time bar mystique to it and is decorated nicely with a bunch of bras hanging from the ceiling and they serve beer in huge Styrofoam cups”. My sister and I went here when she visited me for the first time. We had such a fun time!
The Back Room– “One of the only two speakeasies in NYC that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today.” Drinks are served in tea cups and beers wrapped in brown paper bags. Expensive, but an experience. When I first moved to New York City I went here for my birthday.
The Aviary– Phenomenal artistic, imaginative cocktails with a birds eye view of Columbus Circle. I went here on a date once! Perfect spot if you’re trying to impress or feel classy.
Picture Perfect Locations
Times Square- The iconic Times Square photo. Try the intersection of Broadway and 45th Street and you can thank me later.
Central Park- Gapstow Bridge is a popular spot to take photos and easy to get to as well from Central Park South Street.
Brooklyn Bridge- Looking for the place that has the Brooklyn Bridge in the backdrop between symmetrical buildings? Try the intersection of Washington St. and Front St. in Brooklyn.
General Tips
I would suggest walking and using the trains as much as possible as cabs and Ubers can add up and get very expensive. There’s so much to do, eat and see in NYC it’s such a magical place.
I hope you enjoyed my New York City guide. Please let me know your thoughts or if you end up doing anything from my guide!
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