When I moved to New York City in November of 2020, not much was open due to the pandemic. I told myself as soon as the mandates were lifted, I’d began exploring the city and that has led me to discover some truly amazing places. Although it’s been a little over a year now and there are so many great spots I haven’t had the chance to visit (yet), I’ve rounded up my favorites so far. From specialty stores to specific restaurant dishes and everything in between, here’s my guide to exploring NYC.
PS: I’m always looking to discover new places so if you have any recommendations, leave a comment below.
Beauty + Wellness
Space NK
Best place to get a facial: Skin Laundry.
Juice bar: Magic Mix Juicery.
Makeup store: Bite Beauty Lab.
Nail salon: Vanity Projects.
Salon: Warren Tricomi at The Plaza Hotel.
Skincare products: Space NK and Aesop.
Spa: Bliss.
Outdoor Activities
Hudson River Park
Area for photographing murals: Lower East Side.
Best place to go for a jog: Hudson River Park.
Farmers’ Market: Union Square.
Ice Skating: Bryant Park or Wollman Rink.
Outdoor theater: Seaport Cinema at The Greens.
Park: Central Park.
Spot for a picnic: Central Park or Union Square.
Urban Garden: The High Line.
Best Places To Visit…
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
During the holidays: There are so many amazing places but these are my favorites!
During the springtime: Union Square to see the Cherry Blossoms. (Here are some more recommendations.)
On a hot summer day: Get a day pass to a rooftop pool.
To view the fall foliage: Central Park. (Late October and early November.)
When it’s snowing: Central Park or Washington Square Park.
Entertainment
Strand Bookstore
Art gallery: Mark Miller Gallery.
Bookstore: Strand Bookstore, Rizzoli or Assouline.
Movie theater: Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas.
Museum: MoMA.
Place with a view: Bow Bridge in Central Park.
Record store: Turntable Lab.
Dinner + Drinks
Afternoon tea at The Plaza
Afternoon tea: The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel.
Alfresco dining: Nowadays.
Bakery: Dominique Ansel.
Bar food: Clinton Hall.
Brunch spot: Angelina Paris or Sarabeth’s.
Coffeehouse: Little Canel.
Dessert spot: Magnolia Bakery.
Date night spot: Beauty & Essex.
Fast casual: Jack’s Wife Freda.
Fine dining: Tavern on the Green.
Food court: Eataly Flatiron.
Food trucks: Smorgasburg NY.
Grocery store: Brooklyn Fare.
Late night dining: Ray’s Candy Store.
Rooftop bar: The Roof at Public.
Rooftop dining: The Greens at Pier 17.
Speakeasy: Employee’s Only.
Unique bar: The Bowery Hotel or Apotheke Mixology.
Upscale bar: Beauty & Essex.
Vegan restaurant: Modern Love.
Go-To Foods and Dishes
Fluffy’s NYC
Bagels: Murray’s Bagels.
Breakfast: Soufflé pancakes from Fluffy’s NYC.
Burger: Original World Famous Burger from Marty V’s.
Cake: The Explosion Cake from Flour Shop.
Chinese: Sesame Vegetarian Chicken from Buddha Bodai.
Chocolates: La Maison du Chocolat.
Cookies: Two Chip Cookies by Levain Bakery.
Donuts and pastries: Dominique Ansel Bakery or Laduree Paris.
Ice cream: La Newyorkina, Milk and Cream Cereal Bar, or Kith Treats.
Italian: Tris Signature Dish for Two from Gnoccheria.
Japanese: Spicy Miso Ramen from Franchia Vegan Cafe.
Mac & Cheese: Classic Mac Murray’s Mac & Cheese.
Mexican: Cauliflower Tostada from Cosme.
Pasta: Penne in Vodka Sauce from Don Giovanni’s.
Pizza: Joe’s Pizza.
Sushi: Spicy Tuna Rolls from Sushi Seki.
Thai: Drunken Noodles from Purple Thai.
Shopping
Only NY
Antiques: Furnish Green.
Candy store: Sugarfina or Sockerbit.
Craft/DIY store: Blick Art Materials.
Crystal store: Ruby’s House of Crystals.
Department store: Bloomingdales.
Designer store: Gucci.
Eccentric store: Patricia Field Art-Fashion Gallery.
Flea market: Chelsea Flea.
Gift shop: The Modern Chemist.
High end boutique: Dover Street Market.
Homeopathic: Elm Drug + Elm Wellness.
Home decor: ABC Carpet and Home.
Independent artists: Artists & Fleas.
Jewelry store: The M Jewelers.
Plant shop: The Sill.
Shoe store: Golden Goose.
Shopping mall: Hudson Yards.
Street style: Supreme or Only NY.
Vintage store: What Goes Around Comes Around.
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