If you were heading to New York City, what would you absolutely not miss? I'm headed up in a couple of weeks. I'll be working during the day, but Wes will be making the rounds (he's going to tag along since he's never been before). Since I'll only have post-work hours and the weekend, I want to make the most of it. There's a lot I'd like to do and it's a little overwhelming, so I'm hoping you people can help me narrow it down. So, locals and city-lovers alike, I'm all ears!
Photo here.
27 comments:
Whenever my husband and I spend a weekend in NYC, we make sure to hit a Broadway show. Maybe you can send Wes to the last-minute ticket booth in Times Square during the day to get a great price?
Have a great time!
Never been before? I'd make it to the Top of the Rock or Empire State Building at night. It's an incredible scene. The skyline is very cool lit up at night.
Gino's (tiny italian place on Lexington, home of the famous Scalamandre wallpaper with leaping zebra wallpaper on a bright red background...it was also used in Royal Tenenbaums in Margot's room), ABC Carpet, and John Derrian
broadway!! footloose, lion king, wicked. there are so many. i second the vote to send wes to the cheap ticket line during the day and score some great last-minute seats. those shows are definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
also you must get cheesecake from the place right under MTV studios and go to the gigantic GAP.
I would definetly catch a show. Do some shopping! Top Shop's flagship store is there and visit H&M too, they don't have those everywhere. If you're itching for a cupcake, hit Magnolia's. Take a nice walk through Central Park, visit the museums, and walk up those streets to see those beautiful brownstones! Hit South Street Sea Port and head over to Wall Street to see the Meryll Lynch bull...take some funny pictures. While you're walking around, see if you can find that cool brownstone that's painted bright pink. Mrs. Limestone could probably tell you where it is:
http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/
I follow http://twitter.com/I_LOVE_NY on Twitter, so it may help you keep up with what is going on while you are there. I also loved Top of the Rock, SOHO, and Times Square (lots of great places to eat right off Times Square too). I also enjoyed eating at Ellen's Stardust Diner with the singing serving staff.
I'm SUPER jealous. I absolutely adore New York. I think Stephen Davis is still living up there too, and I have his number if you want to hit him up while you are there. He'll know where to go and what to do.
A Sunday afternoon gem is to actually leave the downtown area and go up to the Cloisters museum - it's part of the MET and houses a large portion of their mediaeval collection. It's a series of mediaeval buildings from France that were taken apart and re-built in NY by the Rockefellers once upon a time. A little piece of Europe in America and wonderful to sit out in the cloister drinking coffee. If you're an art historian, you will likely recognize a few of the pieces especially the manuscripts.
Definitely see a show. They are spectacular and you can get tickets half price at the booth in the middle of times square.
Go to Goldstar.com and buy marked down tickets for one of the Sunset cruises on the Manhattan Yacht - gorgeous views, complementary wine, relaxing! Graze NYC - eating a little bit as you go - a slice of pizza (http://slice.seriouseats.com/), soup dumplings in Chinatown, hot dog at Gray's Papaya, etc. Soup at John Derian, ABC, Greenwich Village, Housing Works Thrift Shops. Make dinner an event and pick a fabulous restaurant. If you are feeling adventurous rent bikes and bike over the brooklyn bridge - stop for a drink on the other side, or bike through the park (bikeandroll.com). It is a lovely city - enjoy!
I've lived in NYC the past five months and some of my new favorite things are...Fish's Eddy on Broadway (awesome dishes and kitchen stuff), cheap pizza anywhere, people watching in Central Park, stand up comedy shows, Saturday brunch at Harry's Cafe and Steak (comes with unlimited chamgagne! on Stone Street near Wall Street)
Have fun! :)
I already posted some of my favorite restaurants on facebook, but I've thought of some more :) Go to Levain Bakery for cookies (uber-delicious), Great sushi is at Matsu on columbus just north of 83rd st. The spicy tuna and rainbow rolls are fantastic there, as is the cold sake. Sarabeth's at 80th and Amsterdam is CLASSIC brunch food... just... go. :) The Popover Cafe on 87th and Amsterdam is good, too.There is a Magnolia Bakery around 70th on Columbus (if you don't want to go to the original in Greenwich Village), but if you want a real treat, try Alice's Tea Cup on 73rd just west of Columbus. They have a delicious scones and tea for the afternoon. For dessert, try Cafe Lalo on 83rd street, between Amsterdam and Broadway. They have great food in general, but the desserts are phenomenal. A bit pricey but worth the sight seeing. (a scene from You've Got Mail was filmed there) Wow, so many places to tell you! Oh! Good food before a Broadway show-- on 46th St. to the east of Times Square is a great Cuban place called Havana Central. There's a really fun atmosphere, GREAT drinks and good, no nonsense Cuban food. Scott and I split a full rack of Guava glazed pork ribs. With yellow rice and black beans and an Argentinian cabernet sauvignon. de-lish-us. Their empanada sampler appetizer is good, too. Ok, sorry... most of my places are on the Upper West Side because that where I lived and always return!
As far as sightseeing--remember that a LOT of the museums in NYC (the Met, Natural History, etc) are "suggested donation" meaning you don't have to pay $20. You can pay 1. I love the Williamsburg Bridge and the SoHo, Greenwich Village and Flatiron districts. Just for walking around. And the Meatpacking District is a great place for celebrity watching. you should try to get to the Young Designer's Market on Saturday or Sunday, too. It's at 268 Mulberry street (www.themarketnyc.com) and they have really well priced, awesome clothes, bags, and jewelry. I'll stop taking up all your comment space now. I miss the City and want to move back (somedays!!)
sorry, last thing, I promise! You should also try to go to an improve show. The PIT (People's Improve Theatre) and UCB (United citizen's Brigade) are both really great troupes and have some fun shows.
Have a great time!
oh my, i haven't been in years. I would love a trip though.
See a Broadway show just to say you have. I'm from Chicago and didn't find Broadway offerings any better than Chicago's to be honest. If you go to only one museum, make it the Fricke--absolutely wonderful. One doesn't know whether to look at the art or the house.
Century 21 Department Store right near the World Trade Center Site. It's like TJMaxx meets Loehmann's meets Saks. Its huge and the prices are unreal. Both you and Wes would like it.
Fish's Eddy is my favorite small store, they have great dishes and the cutest artsy tote bags with the NYC skyline on them. You need to go to ABC Carpet and Home too!
Make sure to have dinner in the basement of Macy's. It is really charming!
Look forward to hearing about your trip and hopefully seeing you guys soon.
Laura
I also agree with another comment about the Frick. It is amazing!!
New Yeah Shanghai Deluxe - one of the best restaurants in Chinatown.
Hi Jennifer, We are really happy with the countertops and get lots of compliments from friends who see it in person. I wanted marble but it was too expensive and I think too fancy for our modest farmhouse. So wood seemed the most appropriate for our kitchen. We used an environmentally friendly food-grade stain and finish and it's held up really well - except around the sink where it gets more water. We are in the habit of wiping it down when it gets wet so it's fine but just something to consider. I know someone who just left the wood alone and uses an oil that they reapply every so often but they say that they have to wipe down the water around the sink too. Sorry this is so long -the counters are a great buy - for a great look! ; ) Trina
Lunch at Swifty's on Saturday is a must...then ABC Carpet and Home!
Hehe, everyone is mentioning ABC and Fish Eddy's...good thing I took you to those places last time you were here! :) Though u can never have too much ABC.
Just FYI, if you want to see Wicked, you can't get tickets from the TKTS counter...they're still in too high demand. So book them now!
Also, the pink brownstone is in Park Slope (neighborhood of Brooklyn) in case you want to see it.
Can't wait to see you!!
xoxo,
Brit
Umm fun things to do in NYC...well you can let me know when you guys are coming and we can all go out to eat!!! Totally fun!
for my design fix: ABC Carpet & Home
for my chocolate fix: Max Brenner
for my super cheesy tourist photographs: South Street Seaport with its view of the Brooklyn bridge
for my art fix: MoMA
for cool holiday gifts for my loved ones: MoMA's gift shop
Skip the Broadway shows. They are hit or miss unless someone you know vouches for one in particular. Definitely do Central Park (take photos), 1 of the museums, and shopping in Soho. There are so many amazing places to eat: Spiga on the Upper West Side, Freeman's Alley in the Lower East Side (decor is amazing), and The Spotted Pig (a must for the gnudi, hamburger and famous locals). Some high end restaurants that will give you that New York feel - Balthazar, Morimoto, Gramercy Tavern, Tabla. Make a reservation for any of those. And if you're in Chelsea, love Le Granne Cafe for its Croque Madame. Yum. And definitely, definitely get a manicure/pedicure from any of the corner nail salons! A must! I just moved from New York City where I lived for 6 years. Miss it tremendously!
Central park and the museums are always good..
but you cannot miss the eclairs at Beard Papas..the shake shack..(magical little burger place under trees in the middle of the city)
or Sura Thai Kitchen for cheap and delicious Thai food (super cheap at happy hour)
Oh and go have a grays papaya hotdog but skip their fruity drinks..they taste like poop.
Have a great time.
P.S. I agree don't watch just any show unless someone vouches for them
Wicked and in the Heights are great.
Brownstone Brooklyn. Period. Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, etc. The best shopping, design and architecture going.
(Brooklyn Heights was the first NEIGHBORHOOD in the country to get landmark preservation status. One stop out from Manhattan - Clark Street - on the 2 and then walk to the other neighborhoods. Smith St. has some of the best food in the city.)
Hi. I don't think I've ever left a comment before but I love your blog. I've lived in New York for the last 5 years and thought I'd share a few of my favorite things.
1- If you have a really pretty/clear day I highly suggest taking the A train one stop over to Brooklyn. DUMBO has a great flea market on the weekends and Brooklyn Heights is quaint and lovely for a stroll. Then, you must walk back to the city on the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a fantastic view of the city and it's one of my favorite things to do.
2- A nice little dinner in the West Village. A few fun places are Tartine(bring your own wine) and Mary's Fish Camp. Then top off the night with a prohibition era style cocktail lounge- Little Branch is a good spot. Or have a pint of fresh German Beer at Lederhosen.
3- The Young Designer market on Mulberry just south of Houston. You can find great jewelry and other things for cheap from up and coming designers.
Yes Brooklyn. You must go to the brooklyn flea! Depending on the day they are in DUMBO or Ft Greene. So much more interesting and fun than an overpriced bway show :)
http://brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/
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