I have New York on my mind today. You might think this is obvious considering the date [never forget 9/11/01]; but, remembrance aside, I am thinking about all things NYC because I leave for The Big Apple exactly one month from today! Quite a coincidence.
I have never been to New York, nor anywhere on the East Coast for that matter, so I am giddy with excitement to get a taste for the United States’ other half.
The main motive behind my travel is for a cousin’s wedding. It will be a whirlwind of a trip (red eye flight + 4 nights/4.5 days). I’m going with a girlfriend, and we realize it’ll be impossible to do half of what we’d like to do, so that’s why we are creating a NYC bucket list.
If you’ve been to New York, please please please give us your suggestions and recommendations for what we should do during our short vacation.
Musts
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Visit Central Park
Visit Grand Central Terminal
Visit Times Square
Staten Island Ferry or some sort of boat cruise
Maybes
Go to the top of the Empire State Building
Eat a snack at Chobani SoHo
See a Broadway show ($$)
See The Today Show
Tea at The Plaza Hotel
Visit the 911 Memorial
* * *
What should we add to (or remove from) our Musts & Maybes lists?
If you’ve been to NYC, are there any restaurants we must try?
Positive Action
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You MUST go see the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir perform on Sunday. They are AMAZING! The church is huge so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a seat – and it’s free. The first hour or so is just the choir singing. It’s a must do!
As a New Yorker, I highly suggest you venture outside of Manhattan. If you want to take in some amazing views of the skyline, I recommend Long Island City or Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Both places have a ton of great restaurants and waterfront parks with amazing views. If you are going to be in the city on a weekend, I also recommend walking over the Brooklyn Bridge on a Sunday and checking out Smorgasburg, a huge festival that happens in Brooklyn Bridge park every weekend. Have a great trip!
I also HIGHLY recommend going to Smorgasburg! (http://www.smorgasburg.com/) Beautiful views of Manhattan and so much amazingly delicious food! It is on Saturday and Sunday, but in different locations each day :)
Must go to the Top of the Rock, walk the High Line, run along the east river or in Central Park, soak in the views in Brooklyn/DUMBO once you’ve crossed the bridge… gosh, there’s so much I want to say, but I’ll stop there!
I know it’s 9/11, but as someone who lives close to the memorial, I advise against going unless that’s the only thing you want to do all day and you want to battle crowds. If you go across the Brooklyn Bridge, hop a train on the other side to the Brooklyn Brewery for yummy local beer or to Brooklyn Bowl down the block (candlepin bowling, very Brooklyn atmosphere). I also advocate trying all the unique and healthy things NYC has, Hu Kitchen near Union Square is super yummy gluten-free/paleo fare, Candle 79 or Pure Food and Wine for vegetarian/vegan lovin’ — so much good stuff! And, if you’re feeling like doing something physical, there are tons of super-NYC-unique things, like spinning in water at Aqua, doing a trampoline workout at JumpLife or a HIIT class at The Fhitting Room. Have FUNNN!!!
Yes to The Plaza! I know quite a few people that work there. It’s such a beautiful hotel.
I’ve only been to NYC twice, so that’s the extent of my suggestions! :-)
I’m going to say that eat at Chobani SoHo is a must! I know several people who have and they all have raved about it. Plus, you get a really cute bowl to keep!
I grew up right next to NY, so we would always take the train in and do a bunch of day activities. NYC is SUPER crowded, but amazing. I always stop and just take pictures of everything. I don’t know if there is one thing that is my favorite but I would definitely say my favorite thing to do when I go to NYC is go for a run along the East River. It is gorgeous and really nice to run along something that is so pretty right in the middle of the city. I believe the path passes the Brooklyn Bridge at some point, but I am not sure. Also, you can find Broadway shows pretty cheap last minute!
Have fun in NYC next month. I have never been either, but would LOVE to visit someday. I can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Here is my suggested itinerary as a New Yorker. Skip Grand Central (it’s a train station). You can have tea at The Plaza and go for a stroll on Central Park. For 911 Memorial, make sure to reserve your tickets online. You can then walk to the Brooklyn bridge, it is not far away from 9/11 ground zero, and spend time in the promenade.
My favorite spot that you must see is the high line and Chelsea Market (where the Food Network studios are). It’s a very downtown foodie vibe. Message me and I can help you come up with a few things per neighborhood.
How fun! I’d love to go back to New York. I went when I was 16, so I definitely wasn’t the same person I am today! I’d love to go now as a “foodie”.
You missed: the high line. Shopping on broadway.
I would skip grand central too. Also, I recently took a boat tour that was called the “skyline and architecture tour” and it was really awesome (and it came with drinks!).
i LOVE NYC! you will have a blast. :) i think you should add the 9/11 memorial to your must list. it is truly breathtaking.
I would totally go to the PB&Co store! I’ve always wanted to go and heard it was amazing.
You definitely have to check out all of the things in Times Square: Dylan’s Candy Bar (!!), the Lego Store, etc. Everything is just SO much better in NYC.
Also, I’d go to SoHo because I’ve heard it’s the “true NYC” experience. Plus, there’s lots of shopping!
Avra is a GREAT restaurant – definitely on the pricier side, but delicious and super fresh food!
Running in Central Park and on the West Side Highway is a must for any runner!
There are so many amazing things to do in NYC that it is hard to fit it all in to 4 days! All of your ideas are definitely great, but if I could suggest 2 things it would be to visit my absolute favorite restaurant in all of NYC – Cocoron on the Lower East Side (it is a tiny restaurant that seats about 15 people and serves soba noodles – try the Stamina Dip Soba, the silky tofu and the miso coleslaw…you will not be disappointed!) and the most entertaining thing I have ever done in NYC is watch the Central Park Skate Dancers (a DJ plays from 2:45-6:45 on Saturday and Sunday while people dance/rollerskate in Central Park – I just watch and it is amazing!). Have so much fun!
Yay for visiting NYC! I’ve lived here for over six years and love it. I’m not a fan of anything touristy (long lines, tons of crowds, super $$). If you want more of a local taste, this is where I’d suggest – head to the West Village and grab a burger at the Spotted Pig. They don’t take reservations, so put your name down and then stroll the neighborhood for an hour. Afterwards, you can walk to Sweet Revenge for coffee or Molly’s Cupcakes for dessert [I’m not a fan of Magnolia – they’re way overrated]. I’d also second walking the Chelsea High Line. The Standard Biergarden is a fun spot to hang out during the day for a drink or a bite [Meat Packing], or you can venture up to Flatiron and hit up Eataly. Also – as opposed to a Broadway show, you could do the Comedy Cellar. Tickets are ~25 per person with a two drink minimum. I’ve gone several times and always leave crying in happy tears – they are hilarious.
Good luck!
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
SKIP the top of the Empire State Building and go to the top of 30 Rock instead! The view is 34875209570395203977039540938 times better, the crowds are better, and you can see the Empire State Building from it! Score! The 9/11 memorial is amazingly powerful and the crowds weren’t awful when I last visited in April.
Restaurants: The one place that really struck me was Pick-A-Bagel. More of a casual sandwich shop than an bagel place. (I don’t even like bagels, haha!) I had the best chicken wrap of my entire life there. I cannot even begin to describe to you the flavors, the feels… oh my. It was something south western, but I forget the exact name. If you see a south westernish wrap on the menu (black beans, etc.), go for it. I promise you will thank me.