GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY
Hi there and welcome to my travel guide to NYC! I am a born and raised New Yorker and know this city like the back of my hand. Even though I moved away from New York a few years ago this city is always in my heart and I will always be a true New Yorker. It is virtually impossible to do everything you want to do in NYC on a quick trip or even a week or two in NYC but I recommend making a list of the top 5 most important things on your list. Check out some of my favorite places and things to do in NYC!
Best time to visit: Autumn/Spring
Neighborhood Guides:
The best way to break down what to do in NYC in my opinion is by neighborhood.
THE UPPER EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE
Central Park
My favorite escape from the hustle and bustle.
The Bow Bridge (Pictured)
Bethesda Fountain and The Mall
Wollman Rink in the winter
The Boat House
The Central Park Zoo
The IMAGINE Memorial
The Reservoir
The Alice and Wonderland Statue
Vanderbilt Gate and the Conservatory Gardens (a hidden gem)
The Gapstow Bridge and view of the Plaza hotel.
The Carousel
Sheep Meadow
The Lake Viewing Area near Bow Bridge ( Beautiful view of the famous San Remo Building)
Belvedere Castle
Museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (pictured)- an absolute must see when in NYC. Do not come to New York and miss this. Check out Temple of Dendur, the American Wing, The Fashion Institute.
The Guggenheim
The Museum of Natural History- Check out The Gem Stone exhibit, the dinosaurs, and the big whale.
The Met Breuer
The Frick Collection
MIDTOWN EAST/WEST/NORTH/SOUTH
MIDTOWN
Tourists and Big Business
Top of the Rock ( Pictured)
42nd Street Times Square- broadway shows, tourists,
Bryant Park
The NY Public LIbrary- Don’t miss the Rose Reading Room.
Radio City Music Hall
The Empire State building.
Midtown shopping- Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffanys and many other designer stores.
The Time Warner Building- A huge indoor shopping mall across from Central Park.
Grand Central Station- Worth a visit to admire the beautiful grand hall ceiling.
Tudor City- and underrated area by the United Nations that has a beautiful view of midtown and the Chrysler building.
FLATIRON DISTRICT TO 14TH STREET AND MEATPACKING
Flatiron District
The Flatiron building- the iconic building of this area is the center of it all.
Eataly- A huge market of Italian food and cooking with restaurants inside.
Madison Square Park- Worth a visit to the original Shake shack.
Some of the best bars and restaurants in NYC!
14th Street and Meatpacking
The Highline- Wakeup early to walk here or else it gets very crowded.
Union Square- Farmer’s Market here is fantastic.
Great Nightclubs and Bars
Cobblestone Streets- Be careful in heels!
THE VILLAGES
The West Village
Beautiful Brownstones and celebrity houses
Cozy restaurants
SOHO, NOHO, and TRIBECA
Home to the Ultra Rich and Celebrities
Great shopping with stores for all prices ranges.
Gorgeous architecture and cobblestone streets.
The Restaurants
The Upscale $$$
Le Cou Cou ( pictured)
Le Bernadin
ABC Kitchen
Balthazar
Gramercy Tavern
Keens Steakhouse
Minetta Tavern
Carbone
Eleven Madison Park
The Palm
Marea
The 21 Club
Daniel
The Spotted Pig
Joel Robuchon
*If these restaurants are out of your price range, some of them have lunch specials which are less expensive. I also love eating lunch at a fancy restaurant. Better lighting for photos, and less crowded.
The Cheap but Amazing $
Grey'‘s, Nathan’s and Papaya King- NYC’s best hotdogs! Go to Coney Island to try the original Nathan’s Famous.
A salted pretzel from a stand.
Any slice of NYC Pizza. The best sit down pizza place in my opinion is John’s pizza. Also $1 pizza is still incredible.
L & B Spumoni Garden’s- A trek out there in Brooklyn but amazing Sicilian slices.
Artichoke Pizza- Expensive for a slice but still on the cheap side of places.
The Halal Guys stand in midtown. (if the line is too long really any Halal in NYC is awesome)
Kat’z Deli- The biggest and best sandwiches.
Coffee Shops/Bakeries
Magnolia Bakery
Dominique Ansel
Sullivan Street Bakery
Clinton Street Baking Co.
Stumptown Coffee
Cha Cha Matcha
Happy Bones
Birch Coffee
La Duree
Sant Ambroes
Le Pain Quotidien
Maison Kaiser
La Columbe
Blue Bottle
Toby’s Estate
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park
DUMBO
The Brooklyn Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge
Willamsburg