Check out a farmer's market (Union Square, Williamsburg, and other areas have weekend farmer's markets)
Ride a Citibike (you can use your Lyft app to rent one) and bike along the bike paths (Hudson River Park has a long one)
Do brunch! New York loves weekend brunch, although restaurants do get busy
And in the summer...
Check out a rooftop bar
Eat al fresco (open air / on the street) at a restaurant - reservations recommended!
Try to do as many outdoor things as you can during the summer, like hang out at Hudson River Park or Washington Square Park outside
Neighborhoods to See
1
West Village
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
It's nice to walk around the West Village during the day, and it is a neighborhood where lots of people hang out at restaurants and bars at night.
The west village is the setting for many popular TV shows, like Sex and the City and Friends
2
Dumbo
Hidden gem
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Nice bougey neighborhood that has cobblestone streets and is very pretty. Walk through the area to the water, where you can see downtown Manhattan and a carousel by the river
3
South Street Seaport
Hidden gem
Parking lot
Nice area to just walk around. IPIC theatres is a very nice movie theatre with booth seats and food served at the table.
4
Lower East Side
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Lots of boutiques, restaurants, and bars in this neighborhood. Check out Ludlow and Orchard streets for boutiques
5
East Village
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Area frequented by younger New Yorkers. Lots of restaurants - check out St Marks place for a concentrated street full of them
6
Williamsburg
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Not my favorite neighborhood but it’s popular. Lots of boutiques and restaurants
7
Greenpoint
The area closer to the water (west side) has industrial vibes and feels like the old Williamsburg (before all those gentrifiers came in)
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A complex with lots of art and design stores, and designer studios. This is located in an up and coming neighborhood, so it's out of the way. However, you can spend quite a few hours here. I come here every couple of months to see what has changed
2
The High Line
Park
Sights & Landmarks
A touristy thing to do, but I still think it's worth it to walk along the high line and view New York from above ground. One of the best examples of its kind
3
Smorgasburg
$$$$cheap
Food court
They have a couple locations, but this is one of the things people do in the summer - go to Smorgasburg for food trucks. The Williamsburg location has nice river views
4
Hudson Yards
Shopping mall
Retail and entertainment area. Great for a break during sightseeing. Good ending or beginning spot for walking the High Line. The Vessel is still closed until further notice.
5
Tenement Museum
History museum
Museums
Specialty Museums
Book a tour. You can enter and learn about the various tenements of the Lower East Side, and the people that lived there
6
New York Transit Museum
$$$$affordable
Hidden gem
One of my favorite museums in NYC - see old trains and learn the history of NYC's subways
7
Neue Galerie New York
$$$$expensive
Art museum
See a small but incredible collection of Klimt artworks here in a old mansion
8
Chelsea Market
Market
Shopping
Flea & Street Markets
Indoor marketplace with lots of boutiques and food places. It's touristy, but fun to walk through - used to be an Oreo factory
9
Time Out Market New York
$$$$affordable
Restaurant
Food court in Dumbo set in an old factory. Admire the arched windows and exposed beams. Head to the rooftop for views and a place to sit.
10
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Mountain cable car
Tourist information center
Transportation service
Take the tram to Roosevelt Island!
11
Whitney Museum of American Art
Modern art museum
Art museum
Museum
Beautiful contemporary museum next to the river
12
The Stonewall Inn
$$$$affordable
Gay bar
Bar
I've never been inside, but it's a national landmark dedicated to the beginning of the gay rights movement
13
Staple Street Skybridge
Interesting architectural landmark in Tribeca
14
Brooklyn Bridge
Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
Landmark
You can walk across this bridge for a piece of history, plus views
15
Pier 11 / Wall St.
Ferry terminal
Take the ferry to Brooklyn for a cheap and quick way to see NYC via the water. Buy tickets via the app, or in person
Pop Culture Stops
1
Carrie Bradshaw's House
Historical landmark
Sex and the City: Outdoor shots of Carrie's "Upper West Side" apartment
I like their spicy pepperoni pizza. They're more detroit style (NYC style is thinner), but I like thicker crust
4
L'Artusi
$$$$expensive
Italian restaurant
Bar
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city!
5
Little Owl
$$$$expensive
Mediterranean restaurant
Supposedly this place is in the building where the "Friends" outdoor shots are filmed. I never watched Friends so IDK, but they have a decent brunch in a very cute restaurant
6
Suki
$$$$affordable
Hidden gem
Japanese restaurant
Their Yaki Curry is really good - it's a curry bowl with a thick layer of cheese and truffle oil
7
Katz's Delicatessen
$$$$affordable
Deli
This place is on all the New York lists - I'm not familiar with other Jewish delis, but I really liked the sandwich I got here
8
Raku
$$$$affordable
Udon noodle restaurant
Japanese restaurant
The best udon noodles. They make their udon in house - really good texture. Impossible trying to get a seat without a reservation these days, but worth it.
9
Yun Nan Flavour Garden
$$$$cheap
Hidden gem
The best hidden gem noodle restaurant. Out of the way, but their bridge crossing noodles are top notch
10
The Dolar Shop Hot Pot Manhattan
$$$$cheap
Hot pot restaurant
Best hotpot in Manhattan
11
Buvette Gastrotheque
$$$$expensive
French restaurant
Iconic brunch spot in the west village. Go on a weekday in the morning for shorter lines
12
Cho Dang Gol
$$$$affordable
Korean restaurant
Tofu restaurant
Great Korean food but there’s always a wait :( Order delivery if you want to try this spot out
13
Jongro BBQ
$$$$affordable
Korean barbecue restaurant
Solid Korean bbq spot
14
Chalong NYC
$$$$affordable
Thai restaurant
My (2nd) favorite thai restaurant. Really delicious
15
Bangkok Supper Club
Thai restaurant
Delicious Thai food - probably my new favorite Thai atm. Reservations are impossible but definitely try to walk in upon opening
16
Che Li Manhattan 浙里
$$$$affordable
Chinese restaurant
One of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC right now
17
WEST10WEST
Restaurant
Intimate wine bar with great small plates
18
Jua
$$$$very expensive
Korean restaurant
Great Korean tasting menu
19
Sen Saigon
$$$$cheap
Vietnamese restaurant
Vegan restaurant
Delicious vegan Viet food
20
Terre
Italian restaurant
Get the 1st pasta on their menu - some of the best pasta in NYC
21
b'artusi
$$$$affordable
Italian restaurant
Wine bar
Sister restaurant to L'artusi - Italian small plates and wine bar (the lasagna is v good)
22
L’industrie Pizzeria West Village
Pizza restaurant
Pizzeria with delicious slices. Wait is long at peak hours - go during off-peak (e.g. mid-afternoon on a weekday). Olive oil cake is great.
23
Genesis House
Korean restaurant
Cafe
Restaurant with beautiful views of the river, and a cool sitting area
24
Wenwen
Taiwanese restaurant
Pretty good spot for Taiwanese dishes, although I thought everything was just a tad too salty
25
Uzuki
Japanese restaurant
Gluten-free restaurant
Soba noodle shop
Cool spot for Japanese soba. The interior is very industrial
26
All'Antico Vinaio
$$$$affordable
Italian restaurant
Chain spot, but delicious Italian sandwiches
27
Breakfast by Salt's Cure
Pancake restaurant
Their pancakes are good - thin, syrupy pancakes. Long wait, so go on a weekday if possible.
28
Milu
$$$$cheap
Chinese restaurant
Fast casual restaurant great for lunch. The duck is good - although sometimes I find they gave really dry pieces of duck. Their soft serve is good too.
Coffee & Snacks
1
Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen
$$$$affordable
Coffee shop
This is my go-to coffee shop where they have a nice outdoor area
2
Harbs SoHo
$$$$affordable
Cafe
If you're shopping in Soho, this is a great place for a snack (cake) and tea
3
Grace Street Coffee & Desserts
$$$$affordable
Dessert restaurant
Super popular place for Asian desserts in Koreatown
4
Coffee Project New York | East Village
$$$$affordable
Coffee shop
A mainstay of New York's craft coffee culture. They have a couple locations
5
Cha-An
$$$$affordable
Tea house
I've been coming here since 2014 - a low-key Japanese dessert shop on the 2nd floor in the St Marks area
6
Patisserie Fouet
$$$$cheap
Pastry shop
Known for their soufflé dessert. The food items are just okay. Sesame latte is interesting.
7
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
$$$$affordable
Coffee shop
Espresso bar
Chain coffee spot with solid coffee - try their draft lattes
8
Molly's Cupcakes
$$$$cheap
Cupcake shop
Bakery
Some of the best cupcakes in NYC. Get the filled ones
9
Lysée
Dessert shop
(pronounced 'lee-say') Korean-French fusion desserts. Get a reservation for the full experience
10
St. George Coffee
Cafe
Oatmilk only cafe with yummy sandwiches
11
Café Kitsuné West Village
Coffee shop
Cafe
Wine bar
Vibey place for a coffee - not the best coffee I've had, but the space is nice and they have outdoor seats
12
Win Son Bakery
$$$$affordable
Bakery
Very popular bakery for Taiwanese snacks
13
Devoción
$$$$affordable
Coffee shop
Cafe
Beautiful skylit Williamsburg cafe
14
Kettl Tea
Tea house
Bakery
Zen cafe with matcha tastings. The Hojicha is very good
15
Gelateria Gentile - West Village
$$$$affordable
Ice cream shop
Chain spot - good gelato
16
ELOREA
Perfume store
Perfumery with a cafe in the back. Interesting coffee flavors
17
Canal Street Market
$$$$cheap
Market
Food court on Canal Street - Joe's Steam Roll is pretty good for a snack
18
Levain Bakery – Original Location, 74th St, NYC
$$$$affordable
Bakery
Famous cookies. Try the original chocolate chip
19
Spot Dessert Bar
$$$$affordable
Dessert restaurant
The original Asian dessert bar in St Marks. Try the lava cake, or the toast
20
Grand Salon at Baccarat Hotel
$$$$very expensive
Lounge
It's been a while since I've gone, but they had my favorite high tea in NYC
Music Venues
1
Elsewhere
Live music venue
Live music bar
Smaller music venue than the Brooklyn Mirage - try to check out their daytime rooftop shows which are very laid back
2
Public Records
Arts organization
Cafe
Outdoor: very vibey outdoor space with plants and music
Indoor: small and intimate club venue
3
Mister Sunday
Dance pavillion
Laid back venue with food trucks and outdoor dancing. Kinda out of the way, but it's a nice place to hang out
4
Superior Ingredients
Lounge
Where the old Output used to be. Indoor outdoor music space
5
SILO
Dance club
Bar
Newer music venue in Brooklyn with low key vibes
6
BASEMENT NY
$$$$cheap
Night club
If you like Berlin techno, this is where to go
7
The Stranger
Night club
Newer club in Manhattan with interesting performances in a large space
8
House of Yes
Event venue
Bar
Never been here, but well-recommended LGBTQ+ spot with acrobatic performances
9
Brooklyn Storehouse
Event venue
Used to be the "Brooklyn Navy Yard" - warehouse-like music venue that is now booking artists who used to be at the Brooklyn Mirage
10
The Brooklyn Mirage
Event venue
Live music venue
Cool spot but the vibes have been ruined by the bros. Go if you really want to see a big name act.
11
Knockdown Center
Art center
Event venue
Music venue next to Basement. They have some smaller acts come through. They have a nice outdoor area for chilling
Bars
I rarely, if ever, visit bars. Here are a few that have come up during my time in NYC, but take everything with a huge chunk of salt
1
Little Branch
$$$$expensive
Cocktail bar
Bar
Speakeasy with Jazz performances on weekdays
2
Panorama Room
Cocktail bar
Lounge
Beautiful rooftop lounge with indoor outdoor space
3
Watermark
$$$$affordable
Restaurant
Waterfront space with outdoor seats
4
Grand Banks
$$$$expensive
Oyster bar restaurant
Oyster bar on a boat, on the river
5
ART SoHo (Arlo Roof Top)
Bar
Lounge
Relaxed rooftop bar
Shopping
1
Goods For The Study
Stationery store
The best stationery store in New York, with several locations
2
Bleecker St
Notable street
Lots of stores and boutiques on this street
3
SoHo
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
All the designers. Make sure to go to the side streets (I.e. not Broadway) to get the full experience and find some hidden gems!
4
Lower East Side
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Lots of boutique and vintage shopping here. Check out Ludlow and the streets around there
5
Pamela Barsky Boutique and Studio
Store
Interesting tote designs
6
P&T Knitwear Bookstore, Coffee, & Podcast Studio
Book store
Coffee shop
Great bookstore with cool interior
7
L’Appartement Sézane
Women's clothing store
Bag shop
Like the Reformation of France
8
McNally Jackson Books SoHo
Book store
Mainstay bookstore in NYC - local vibes
9
Mogutable
Home goods store
Gift shop
Cute home goods boutique
10
Tula House
Garden center
Home goods store
Plant nursery
Beautiful plant shop in Greenpoint
11
PARTEA NYC - Union Square
$$$$cheap
Restaurant
Claw machines, boba, and Taiwanese snacks. Great popcorn chicken. Kind of shopping, kind of eating.
Parks
1
Rockefeller Park
Park
Nature & Parks
Very peaceful place for a afternoon / sunset hang. Large park where you can picnic
2
Hudson River Park
State park
Park
This park runs all the way along the west side of New York - great place to take a walk next to the river, or ride a citibike
3
Washington Square Park
Park
Sights & Landmarks
I like this park a lot because it's always filled with people, even at 3AM. The side streets in the park are shady at night so stick to the main streets
4
Central Park
Park
Sights & Landmarks
New York’s iconic park in the middle of the city! The more north you go, the fewer people you'll see. Sheep's Meadow is where everyone goes to picnic, and phone reception may be weak.
5
Domino Park
Park
Nature & Parks
Waterfront park in Williamsburg. Used to have a Domino sugar factory.
Day Trips Worth Doing
1
Storm King Art Center
Art center
Museums
One of a kind sculpture park
2
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Historical landmark
Nature & Parks
The most impressive estate I’ve seen in America. Definitely do a tour
3
Dia Beacon
Art museum
Shopping
Famous museum with tons of modern art
Upstate towns: if you have a car, can visit nearby towns of Cold Spring, Beacon, Tarrytown and do a hike for the day
Spas
1
King Spa & Sauna | Korean Spa Sauna Body Scrub in Palisades Park, NJ
Spa
Spas & Wellness
Korean spa with saunas and communal baths
2
Joanna Vargas Skin Care
Day spa
Facial spa
Facials
3
M&M studio nyc
Nail salon
Eyelash salon
Hair extension technician
The best nail salon
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