There are so many reasons to love New York, the food, the sights, the chaos ( I like chaos haha). I originally put this New York Travel Guide together for my mom & sister’s visit since neither of them had been to the big apple since my sister was 2 (she’s 29 now). It’s a mix of ‘tourist’ & ‘local’ spots with an emphasis on the food because, do you even know who I am?! It’s broken up into areas of the city to make it easy to segment by day. This itinerary isn’t even half of the amazing stuff that lives here and hopefully I’ll be putting together MANY more New York Travel Guide for you guys as I explore.
Day 1:
Union Square/Flatiron
Breads Bakery – Grab a coffee and some babka
Union Sq Green Market – Walk around, get some samples
Eataly – There are tons of places in here to grab some wine and cheese or head up to the rooftop for happy hour!
Joes Pizza – Get a normal cheese slice!
Go into Whisk (cute little kitchen store)
City Bakery for Hot Chocolate
The Smith (dirty Jane cocktail, mac and cheese)
Day 2:
Brooklyn
Tompkins square bagels – (this is not in Brooklyn but it’s near the train to get you there) French Toast Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese is my jam
Brooklyn Brewery – They do free tours every hour, you just have to get a ticket when you walk in.
The William Vale Rooftop & Mister Dips get the fries and a cone!
1hotel Brooklyn, head to the rooftop bar. My advice? Try to get here as the sun is setting, the views of the Brooklyn bridge and freedom tower are INSANE.
Radegast Biergarten -Such a fun place to hang. They have live music on the weekends and legit German sausages!
Pretzel with Beer Cheese and Mustard Veal Sausage
Thursday Kitchen – (also not in Brooklyn but on your way back) Anything you order here will be phenomenal. They DON’T take reservations so get there a few minutes before they open.
Popcorn Ice Cream Dessert
Day 3:
Chelsea (West Side)
Banter – An Australian spot for Brekky
Chelsea Market – So many fun things in here! This is also where Food Network films A TON of their stuff.
Walk the High line – This used to be a rail road and now it’s a walk-through garden situation. It has cool views and sometimes there’s food up there.
Standard Biergarten – Such a fun place to hang. Beer, German Pretzels, Sausages, Ping Pong, how could you go wrong?!
Momoya GET THE CRISPY RICE. It’s the best I’ve had anywhere.
Milk Bar for Cereal Milk soft serve and Birthday Cake Truffles. Just do it.
Day 4:
Downtown
World Trade Center – You can do a few things here. You can obviously visit the memorial, but if that’s not on your mind today, make sure to at least visit the Oculous, it’s the big white crazy looking building that doubles as a mall.
Grand Central Terminal – So obv go see the big time board (idk what it’s actually called). There’s also a huge food market and food court in here but the BEST is the whispering walls. They’re right by the food court. You go to opposite, across walls of the arches and whisper into them to the other person! It’s so cool.
Central Park South/Midtown
Central Park – I recommend starting near Columbus circle. That’s where it feels most like what you’re expecting. Then you can walk through that way and go in whatever direction you please!
The Plaza Hotel – This is a beautiful hotel to just see, and obviously known for Eloise at The Plaza (there’s a gift shop). But they also have a really cool food court!
Levain Bakery – Get the original Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie, you will not regret it.
Times Square – Walk through, take it in, watch the creepy characters take pictures with people and then demand money.
JIMMY FALLON! So, I highly recommend trying to get tickets to see Jimmy Fallon. They put them out 1 month prior for the next month. Not sure if that made sense but look here.
Chinatown
Dinner at Shanghai 21 – This is what you’re going to order: Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings, Szechuan Dumplings and Scallion Pancakes.
Szechuan Dumplings Crab & Pork Soup Dumplings
Day 5:
SoHo/ Lower East Side
Brekky at Russ & Daughters – Get the Latkes and a Smoked Salmon Bagel
Everything Bagel with Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes
Dominique Ansel – Try to get your hands on the infamous cronut or frozen s’more
There are tons of shops down here, walk around!
Prince Street Pizza – Wait in the line. Do it.
Glossier Flagship Store – This store is so cool! Especially if you love their products.
If you’re in the market for more food…
Vanessa’s Dumpling House – Get the Duck ‘Pancake’ and Dumplings. This bustling little spot is making everything on the spot including the bread! And it’s so cheap!
Pork Dumplings Duck Pancake
Might be my new fav spot on this New York Travel Guide
Doughnut Plant – Such fun flavors in here!
Kam Hing Coffee Shop – They have these light fluffy sponge cakes…and they’re 80 CENTS.
Diggin’ the New York Travel Guide but going to Europe? Check out my Italy Guide
If you go to any of the spots on this New York Travel Guide use #PFTravels on IG so I can see!
