best things to do in New York City?
Shop. See. Eat. These are the only three things you really need to go in the Empire City. Sure, say hi to grandma and grandpa in the Bronx, but don't miss out on any of these things. So strap on some comfortable shoes cause there's lots to do in this metropolis.
shop
If you've ever been to New York, you know 5th Avenue shopping is unbelievable and you can truly find anything you're looking for. But let's be honest, shopping on 5th can be a hassle. There are definitely places where you can shop without the crowd - like on Broadway between Union Square and Canal Street. Sometimes famous designers in the city will have a sample sale, where they sell their excess merchandise for big discount prices. Flea markets in the outer boroughs, like Bronx and Brooklyn, are also great places to find unique accessories or vintage clothes. If you want to stay in the city, there are some great stores that aren't found in your local mini mall, so make sure you check these out on your trip.
H & M | Uniqlo | Madewell | TopShop | Onassis
J.Crew | Anthropologie | Ricky's NYC
see
The first thing to do when visiting New York City is to get outside and look around! There are so many iconic places to see like Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and the New York Public Library. When it comes to actual activities, make sure you see a show. It doesn't matter if it's off or on Broadway; just make sure it's a theme you like. There is nothing worse than going to a musical you can't stand. And if theater isn't your kind of thing, make sure to hit a museum. Personally, I enjoy the American Museum of Natural History. Here's a list of the best museums in the city.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | Museum of Natural History | The Guggenheim The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
eat
From food trucks to five star restaurants, there is no budget (or belly) too small to stop you from eating a good meal in New York City. Some of the best places are found by looking around, so don't think you need a reservation for every place you go. But if you do want to eat at a well-known chef's restaurant in Manhattan, then reservations are a must. Some of the best things I ever ate in my life were in New York City. So if you're looking for an unforgettable experience, you should check out these places and bring a big appetite.
- The Levain Bakery
- Where: Upper West Side on Amsterdam and West 74th Street
- Why To Go: Plain and simple, the cookies. The Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip is by
- far the best cookie you will have in your life. But don't overlook the Oatmeal Raisin and
- Chocolate Walnut cookies either.
- Burger Joint
- Where: Midtown West on W 56th Street between 6th and 7th in Le Parker Meridien Hotel
- Why To Go: This gem is hidden behind a curtain in a hotel lobby, can't get cooler than that. The burger is pretty good but the best is tied
- between the fries and milkshakes. Definitely get both.
- Piccolo Angolo
- Where: West Village on the corner of Hudson and Jane
- Why To Go: This family owned eatery is a great experience overall. The Italian owner will come out and greet you himself and serve you
- one of the best meals of your life. Make sure you get the meatballs!
- Joyride
- Where: Since this is a food truck, they could be anywhere. They usually post where they will be on their website or twitter page.
- Why To Go: The truck may be small, but it's frozen yogurt and coffee will make your taste buds very happy. Since there are a wide variety
- of toppings to choose from, you can create your own yogurt bliss - and what's better than that?