If a friend or family member asks me what are my favorite things to do in NYC, this is the list I share. We’ve been living here for most of the last 18 years. I think that makes me an expert, no?
Of course, the city the never sleeps is always changing and places close, new ones open and there are the gems that just stick around.
Please enjoy this list, and if I am missing something you think should be on here or something is closed, please let me know.
Look for the ๐ for my don’t miss Things!
In this Guide:
Restaurants
The options for dining in NYC are overwhelming. Even getting a reservation can be a challenge for the most popular spots. Tip: Set alerts on Resy or Open Table to get notified when tables are released.
Casual Dining
- Bad Roman
- Bar Bouloud ๐
- Sant Ambroeus
- The Smith
- Laser Wolf ๐
Classic NYC Faves
Bars
- Peachy’s – Chinatown ๐
- Skylark – Midtown
- Death & Co – East Village
- Bar Blondeau – Williamsburg
- Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel
- Grand Banks – Seasonal boat in the Hudson
Sweets and Treats
- Billy’s Bakery
- Funny Face Bakery ๐
- Levian Bakery
- Lady M Cake Boutique ๐
- Venieroโs
- Glace NY
- Magnolia Bakery
Special Occassion
- The River Cafe – Brooklyn, overlooks Manhattan sunset views
- Peak Hudson Yards, Sunset views
- Per Se
- Eleven Madison Park
- Daniel
- The Modern
- One Dine
- Frenchette
Afternoon Tea
- Baccarat Hotel – $$$ The most expensive tea in NYC, but the food and location is incredible
- Lady Mendlโs – $$ ๐ My favorite tea service. A different tea with each course and excellent food.
- Harney and Sons – $ For just a quick well brewed pot and two scones, this is my favorite spot.
Hotels
New York City offers a wide range of accommodations for all different tastes and budgets. For a special trip, like an elopement or anniversary, I suggest selecting a hotel with a high level of service for at least the night before and day of your wedding. It will be well worth the price, especially if something does wrong. Some will also allow photos on their property, others will not. While you can receive stellar service at many hotels, your wedding isn’t a time to leave that to chance.
Tip: Ask about photos, refrigeration for flowers, suites and other spaces that can be used for a small ceremony or dinner.
If you are looking for a deal, check online sites like Hotels.com or Kayak for offers. Usually the farther away from the action you are, the cheaper. However, the season will also dictate the price. Read this post on when the best times to visit NYC area. There are also lots of AirBnB options as well.
Uptown
- Aman
- Baccarat
- The St. Regis
- The Plaza
- The Whitby
- Mandarin Oriental
- Lotte Palace
- The Park Hyatt
- The Pierre
- The Mark
- The Carlyle
- The Lowell
- Ink 48
- The Life Hotel
- 1 Hotels, Central Park
- Essex House
- The Ritz Carlton Central Park
- Graduate Hotel (Roosevelt Island)
Downtown
- Four Seasons Downtown
- Crosby Street Hotel
- The Ritz Carlton Nomad
- Casa Cipriani
- The Bowery
- Walker Hotel
- The Beekman
- 11 Howard
- Essex House
- Gansevoort Meatpacking
- The Standard
- Public Hotel
- The Kitano
- The Ludlow
- Soho Grand
Brooklyn
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
- The Wythe
- William Vale
- The Hoxton
- The Box House Hotel
- The Arlo Williamsburg
Museums
- MOMA – Don’t sleep on the dining options and go early to avoid this (pictured)
- The MET – Seasonal rooftop garden bar
- American Museum of Natural History – The best for kids of all ages, and a decent cafeteria in the basement
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Fotografiska Museum ๐
Indoor Activities
- Chelsea Market ๐- Multi level dining and shopping destination
- Oculus, Brookfield Place and Eataly – A full high end mall with connected passageways with tons of shops, dining options including Eataly
- Grand Central Station – Shops, food court and there are tours
- Angelika Theater – Venue for indie and foreign films
- The Tin Building -Jean George restaurants next to Pier 17, which also as dining options and a rooftop venue
- Rockefeller Center – Shops and stores in a underground mall, including FAO Schwarz and NBC Studio Tours
Free or Almost Free Things to Do
- Picnic in Central Park
- Ferry Ride to and from Staten Island
- Governorโs Island– ๐ Bike rentals and various events with great views
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Treasures Collection at New York Public Library (pictured)
- Seasonal outdoor concerts like Summer Stage and The Public Theater Shakespeare in Central Park
- New York Philharmonic Outdoor Concerts in Summer
- Little Island
- Greenwood Cemetery
- Bronx Zoo (free Wednesdays)
- The Highline ๐
- Live tapings at NBC
Entertainment
- Broadway Shows (We saw & Juliet and The Who’s Tommy so far this year, highly recommend!)
- Met Opera
- Carnegie Hall
- Rooftop Concerts at Pier 17
- City Winery
- The Django Jazz Club
- Cafe Wha
Must Do Touristy Things
- Top Of the Rock ๐
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Boat Tour
- Times-Square
- One World Observatory (Pictured)
For Kids
- Childrenโs Museum of Manhattan
- FAO Schwarz
- Museum of Ice Cream
- Spyscape
- Central Park Zoo or NY Aquarium in Coney Island
- Bronx Zoo (free on Wednesdays, and budgie feeding pictured left) ๐
- Sea Glass Carousel in Battery Park ๐
- Luna Park at Coney Island
Places to Wander
Parks & Gardens
- Bryant Park
- Central Park
- Madison Square Park
- Washington Square Park
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Battery Park
- Governors Island
- Wave Hill (entry fee)
- For Tyron Park -The Cloisters
- The Highline
Neighborhoods
- South Street Seaport
- Greenpoint and Williamsburg
- DUMBO
- Brooklyn Heights
- West Village
- Greenwich Village
- Coney island
