Welcome to the 2nd dirtiest city in the world (thanks Rome!)
Important! This map is not a tour! And the food is so good you mostly can’t go wrong. But here are a bunch of my personal favorite places to visit around the city. I’ve even highlighted some tourist spots you might be checking out anyways. I hope you enjoy your stay in our filthy oasis.
Here is a list of some of my favorite spots in the city. With thousands of places to eat and an un-ending calendar, new things can pop up all the time. But what’s worth revisiting? Now that list is much shorter.
Favorite Doughnut
The rose doughnut from Doughnut Plant
Baby Grand
CAVA
Sweetgreen’s Harvest Bowl
Favorite Wine Bar
Levain’s chocolate chip walnut
The Highline (walk from north to south)
Dirty Bird 204 W.14th Street New York, NY 10011
Favorite Noodles
Very Fresh Noodles
409 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
There’s no question that New York is a photographer/Instagrammer’s paradise. Anything can be photo-worth with the right angles, backdrop and filter. Here are a few suggestions though, from the very broad to the very specific. My biggest piece of advice when looking for that perfect photo is to not force it, especially if you’re here on vacation or with friends. The quickest way for everyone to become irritated with you is if you keep trying to make that photo standing in front of Tiffany’s happen (or whatever). If you find yourself working plans around a photo spot, begging your companions to “just take a few more” then its time to recalculate. As I mentioned, NYC is a non-stop photo opp. If you’re not happy with what you have, just wait! I’m sure another opportunity will come up organically soon. Don’t forget to put that phone away (and on power saver mode) between shots :)
***PLEASE STAY SAFE & ALERT of things like oncoming traffic, bikers, skateboarders, opening shop doors, generally other people. As usual keep the annoyance of others to a minimum and you should be fine.
There are a small handful of apps that I find useful for my life here in New York and if you’re visiting I’d suggest downloading them as well!
Yelp!
Hungry but don’t know what to eat? Type in ‘Dinner’ and work the heck out of the location feature. Be suspicious of dinner places that are $ and have complete faith in any place with over 500 reviews.
Google Maps
This app is essential. With just a tap you can compare how long it’ll take you to get from point A to point B walking vs. cab vs. subway.
Groundbreaking but bear with me: use the hashtags and especially location tags for navigating cool things to do. I also use it for photo inspo!
MTA
AKA the subway app. If you don’t trust the Google Map app, do like we do and get this app too.
Open Table
If you have more than 2 people or want to go somewhere specific for a meal (read: famous) this app is the best for making reservations!
Today Tix
The best way to get Broadway (and other performance) tickets at a fab discount
Huji
You’ve seen the celebrities use this app, its best for rescuing my night time and indoor photos.
Lyft
A great option for getting cross town or anywhere else that’s awkward or difficult by public transportation.
Seamless
You’re exhausted. You’ve been walking and touring all day. Its 11pm and you’re starving. Seamless yourself some dinner right to your hotel!
New York is confusing. There, I’ve said it! I can’t tell you how much time I spent as a teen trying to memorize all the neighborhoods while dreaming of moving here. Personally, I think the problem is that most neighborhood maps don’t include streets so until I moved here, I thought there was some flexibility on boundaries. Maybe there are for some, especially when you get into sub-neighborhoods (a concept created by real estate developers to sound exclusive btw) however there are hard lines and/or landmarks that define most Manhattan neighborhoods. If you’re interested, you can find a super detailed chart here. Complicating matters are the boroughs that kind of act like counties however we’re all in the same actual county… its a mess. Long Island City is a totally separate place from Long Island (so no, not like Oklahoma and Oklahoma City), Brooklyn is a neighborhood however also its own city somehow like if you live there your postal address is Brooklyn, NY and they have their own city hall? So I’ve made some charts and maps for reference if you’re looking to unscramble this bamboozling location situation. If you’re looking for a professional quick look at each area, check out this nicely done list.
Listen, I’m a Texas girl which led to a limited education on winter. Growing up I didn’t know the difference between a jacket and coat, thought fur trimmed hoods were purely for fashion and we generally treated all outwear like an accessory since no one walks anywhere (heated car seats for the win). I moved to Oklahoma and got a taste of a real winter thanks to the harsh prairie winds but it wasn’t until I moved to Boston when I got a proper education on winter wear.
A friend from down south moved to NYC last year and she bought herself a fancy new coat. She was not concerned that it was only hip length, the sleeves weren’t long enough for her and there was no fur on the hood; I however was very concerned. In an effort to mind my own business, I told her my concerns but let it go. Guess who recently complained to me that her winter coat wasn’t cutting it? I didn’t tell her but I’m telling y’all–I told ya so. So if you’re new to the city or deciding what coat to bring for a frosty visit November - March, please enjoy my winter coat check list! (The coat in the photos is this year’s version of the coat I have from Eddie Bauer)
P.S. The coat I’m addressing here is your FROSTIEST coat. By all means own driving coats, padded windbreakers, peacoats, etc. especially if you’re not here in the depths of winter.
Images via EddieBauer.com
and I want everyone who visits to love it too. Unfortunately, lots of things can disrupt that goal. For example the noise, the crowds, the prices, the confusion with the trains, the general fear of the unknown, etc. etc. etc. While working as a cross-country tour guide (yep I did that), I learned the most important thing you can do in any situation but especially when traveling, is manage your expectations. So if you arrive on this beautiful island mentally prepared for any or all of those factors listed above, you’re already a step ahead.
What many visitors don’t realize however, is most of that terrible stuff is all crammed into one neighborhood: Midtown. On a day-to-day basis, I avoid Midtown at all cost. I understand that’s likely where you’re staying and its a good central location to seeing the sights, just please do me a favor and leave that area as often as you can. Take the subway! It’s great! Cabs are good too or any rideshare service. The best thing to do in Midtown is to leave.
So where to if not in the tourism mecca? Generally lower Manhattan is where you’ll find cool stuff, chill coffee shops and yummy restaurants at a wide range of prices. More specifically, anywhere between Canal and 23rd. Brooklyn is easy to get to on the train and I highly recommend Dumbo, Williamsburg, Park Slope and Prospect Park. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty. (Tip: you can BYOB) Central Park is lovely and massive, I like the northern side best. The Upper East Side has some really beautiful homes that are worth the wander.
One misconception about New York is that you need to bend over backwards to find that one burger place your neighbor recommended while you’re here cause they said it was good. By all means, heed the suggestion but also its likely you can get an equally delicious burger on the street you’re standing on right now. There are over 10,000 restaurants in Manhattan alone. The competition here is fierce and we all benefit. Almost every meal I’ve had here was somewhere between good and incredible. A particular strength is regional fare thanks to our amazingly diverse population. If you’d like a little more guidance do as the locals do–use Yelp!
This deserves an entire post but to be brief, just check the weather, layer wisely, choose comfortable pieces and opt for black. You’ll laugh at us–we laugh at us–for how much black everyone wears especially between October and April. Its useful though cause it doesn’t dirty as quickly, goes with everything and doesn’t show as much wear. Unless it is the dead of summer or the dead of winter, you need a jacket of some kind (hoodie, jean jacket, utility jacket, bomber, etc). Comfortable shoes are a must. I recommend half the number of days:pairs of shoes. For example if you’re staying for 7 days, 3 - 4 pairs of shoes. You’ll be walking way more than usual (probably) and your feet will feel it. Swapping shoes can help keep blisters at bay.
Welcome to New York! There’s so much to see and do here and if you don’t have much time it can be overwhelming to decide what is worth it to do. This itinerary is aggressive but totally doable in an afternoon- I’ve personally done it in about 5 hours start to finish including drinks and dinner. What’s great about this is its the highlights that everyone could appreciate no matter what your crew is into. I didn’t even realize until writing this that every stop along the way is free! Aside from the metro card and food of course.
Are you ready? I highly recommend everyone in your party has the following things:
A bottle of water - this is a very active day and you will forget to hydrate.
Very comfortable shoes - A group is only as strong as their least comfortable shoe-wearer.
Your wallet - nervous about getting pickpocketed? Don’t bring it all then. Choose 2 cards for paying (in case one malfunctions) and your photo ID and some cash. Zip the rest of it into the lining of your suitcase or lock it in the safe in your hotel room. Ladies, you may be able to just zip what you have for the day in the little pocket of your purse for extra security.
Cash - You simply need at least $30 in cash per person on you at all times. Bodegas, ice cream trucks, bars, etc often have high minimums for card transactions or don’t allow cards at all.
Weather-appropriate items: If its summer I really recommend a hat and sunscreen. If its below 45F I suggest ear warmers and a scarf at the minimum. If there’s any chance of rain at all, please bring a little folding umbrella.
Recommended but not required: portable charger, paper map of NYC that includes subways, hand sanitizer, a wristwatch, sunglasses, aspirin, a few bandaids, a scarf or bandana (they’re very useful), light jacket or sweater
Begin at Times Square
With your wits about you…
TIMES SQUARE - If you’re truly pushed for time, just head to the US Army recruiting office, take the iconic photo and bail. That place is hell on earth.
Next, walk east on 43rd (against the direction of traffic) to 5th Ave. (7 mins)
5TH AVE - Retail! If you have time to see the iconic places like Saks or Tiffany’s you can do that now or return another day (or without your brother)
(Optional addition if you have time: Walk 1 more avenue east and check out GRAND CENTRAL STATION then come back and continue tour)
Turn right and walk south on 5th one block (1 min) and you will arrive at…
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - Isn’t it gorgeous! Go up the steps inside, then up 3 flights I believe that should take you to the great reading room, it’s really lovely. I’d spend about 30 mins here total however they do offer free tours so if you’re interested definitely come back for one cause they’re really good tours and you learn a lot! *Tip: There are bathrooms at the library and at Bryant Park.
Go back out the way you came in and turn left so you are now walking west on 42nd. (1 min)
BRYANT PARK is famous for its ice skating in the winter, former host of fashion week and plenty of movie scenes. This is a great place to have a little break, grab a seat and a coffee from one of the carts or shops and maybe a snack. There are lots of affordable options around!
Take the subway. You can do it!
Your destination is High Street - Brooklyn Bridge. The best 2 options are walking back to Times Square to take a Brooklyn-bound A/C or Taking the F from 42nd - Bryant Park to West 4th and transferring to the A/C there. The second option is slightly quicker however would be more stressful if you are not yet comfortable with the subways. It is a good option if its raining, worth the stress in my opinion if it keeps your shoes/body a bit drier.
Part 2
Brooklyn, City Hall and Chinatown!
BROOKLYN BRIDGE - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the few truly delightful touristy experiences in New York in my opinion. I’d walk across it any day (weather permitting) and its free! Just please be mindful of the bike lane when walking in groups or taking photos! (30 mins at a leisurely pace)
The bridge deposits you at City Hall Park.
CITY HALL - I’ve never been inside the actual building, I just think it’s a nice thing to see.
Continue north east along Center Street with the direction of traffic until you reach Worth St. then turn right. Walk until you reach Chatham Square and turn left. Then take the first left on Doyers St.
NOM WAH TEA PARLOR - The wait here can be pretty long, but its delicious. You can put your name down and check out Chinatown in the meantime, or simply go somewhere else near by. Golden Unicorn is also famous and Deluxe Green Bao is a personal favorite.
If you ate there, take a left out of the resaurant and turn left when Doyer T’s into Pell. Take your first right onto Mott and walk 2 blocks. (5 mins)
CHINATOWN SIGN - Photo opp!
CANAL - Canal Street is famous for its counterfeit business. I would not recommend caving to the cheap knockoffs, however it can be a good place to buy inexpensive souvenirs. *Tip: the Glossier showroom is around the corner
So that’s it! From here you can shop in SoHo, get a drink in the Lower East Side by going further north, or head south to the Financial District and the World Trade Center. Or you can hop on a train at Canal and return to your hotel for a nap, for the night or to catch your Broadway show!