The Ultimate Guide to NYC

With endless options in a city that never sleeps, trying to decide where to go and what to do, especially on a short trip, can easily become overwhelming. That’s why we’re sharing our short list, featuring our favorite and/or bucket list recommendations for NYC activities, restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Do:

• First-Timer Musts: Any first-time visitors should see the following:
  • Times Square: Perhaps the most iconic square in NYC, everyone has to see this square at least once.
  • Statue of Liberty: Observe this iconic landmark from afar at Battery Park, or even closer by taking a boat tour, or the closest by taking a ferry right to Ellis Island.
  • Central Park: With hundreds of acres of green space in the city, Central Park is a favorite among tourists and locals. Be sure to go for a stroll while visiting.
• Visit a Museum: NYC is known for its world-class museums. There are so many to choose from, but consider: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (don’t miss Van Gogh’s Starry Night here); The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met); The Frick (temporarily closed as of writing this post, but it will reopen!); The Whitney; The 9/11 Memorial (and/or Museum); or the Museum of Natural History. For a unique option (on our own bucket list as well), consider Hall des Lumières.
• See iconic city views: Catch some stunning cityscape views, and the perfect backdrop for Instagram pics. Here are some options:
  • Options from high up: Summit One Vanderbilt, Rockefeller Center, The Edge, Empire State Building, and the World Trade Center.
  • If you’re scared of heights: see the skyline from a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty or from the Brooklyn Heights promenade.
  • If you want to see a view with a drink in hand (our personal favorite): check out our recs for rooftops with a view under “Drink” below!
• Walk the High Line: Walk along this railway-turned-green space for a unique walk in NYC, and catch some views of NYC’s iconic buildings along the way.
• See some of NYC’s most unique and/or iconic architecture: This includes the Vessel, the Oculus, Little Island, and of course, the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Catch a live Broadway show, concert or a sports game: Home to Broadway, as well as many concert venues and professional sports teams, there’s something for everyone.
• Visit a Market: We love a good market, and NYC has many to try. We recommend checking out Eataly, Chelsea Market, Little Spain, and (if in the area, since it’s a bit further away) Fulton Stall Market in the Seaport.
• Go Shopping: There are of course tons of shopping options in NYC. For the iconic shopping experience, walk down Fifth Avenue. But we also enjoy shopping in the SoHo area and at the Hudson Yards Mall.

Eat:

Let’s be honest, there is so much good food in NYC, from the iconic bagels and pizza slices to fine dining. Below are some of our favorites. (As you can probably see, we love Italian food…)

• Bad Roman (Italian, Columbus Circle)
• Serra by Birreria (Italian, rooftop at Eataly in the Flatiron District)
• Il Buco (Italian, SOHO)
• Lola Taverna (Greek, SOHO)
• L’Artusi (Italian, West Village)
• Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (multiple locations)
• Bubby’s (Brunch, Tribeca)
• Jack’s Wife Freda (Brunch, SOHO)
• Haven Rooftop (Rooftop near Times Square, Theater District)
• Prince Street Pizza (Casual pizza slice, Nolita / steps from SOHO)
• Tompkins Square Bagels (bagels, multiple locations)
• Bucket list restaurants (and reservations can be extremely difficult to get): Don Angie, Carbone, Torisi, Via Carota, & Eleven Madison Park (note the last is wholly plant-based)

Drink:

One thing to know about us: we love a good cocktail, a good glass of wine, a glass of champagne, etc. And when you add a view to it? The best. So here are our recs:

• Rooftops with a View:
  • Nubeluz by José Andrés (Midtown)
  • PHD Terrace (Midtown)
  • Spyglass Rooftop Bar (Midtown)
  • 230 Fifth Rooftop (Midtown)
  • Ophelia Lounge (Midtown)
  • The Crown at 50 Bowery (Chinatown)
  • Panorama Room (Roosevelt Island)
  • Westlight (Brooklyn)
• Other:
  • Sveta (West Village)
  • Bo Peep Cocktail and Highball Store (Midtown; piano bar / good late night option)
  • The Mulberry Bar (Nolita / steps from SOHO; good late night option)
  • Balthazar (SOHO)
  • The Champagne Bar at The Plaza Hotel (Central Park south)
  • Bar Room at Temple Court at The Beekman Hotel (Financial District)

Stay:

There are so many great options in NYC to stay at. Here are our recs and/or bucket list hotels:

• The Bowery Hotel (Bowery)
• Archer Hotel (Midtown)
• Pendry Manhattan West (Midtown / Hudson Yards)
• The Mark New York (Upper East Side)
• Beekman Hotel (Financial District)

Thank you for visiting our site! We may make commission off affiliate links (at no further cost to you), but we would never recommend a place we don’t genuinely want to recommend.

-Kasey