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New York City Guide

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New York City guide

Profile picture for Lizzy S
Nov 9th, 2022
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New York City feels like my second home, having spent several weeks here over the past 5 years for work and visiting friends.

Getting Around

--No cars needed here (and its super expensive to park anywhere).
--The city is very walkable/flat and laid out in a grid pattern (numbers increase as you move up Mahattan. Avenues increase in number as you move east/west from 5th Avenue (Ex- W 46th Street is west of 5th Avenue, E 46th is east of 5th Avenue)
--The subway, Uber/Lyft, and taxis make it super easy and affordable to get around the city if you don't want to walk.
--You can buy a multi-day unlimited subway ticket for $33 if you expect to use it a lot, or $2,75 for an individual ride, including some transfers. You can buy a reloadable metro card at most stations or also use a contactless pay method to save time and money (take 12 paid trips starting on Monday, ride free for the rest of the week).
--Google Maps has a public transit option when getting directions, and will tell you exactly which to take, what station, what direction, etc.
Getting To/From the Airports
JFK (it can take 1-1.5 hours to get to/from the airport depending on traffic)
--by Subway- AirTrain to Jamaica Station-->Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue subway station, take the E for Midtown to WTC, J/Z to lower Manhattan.
--Long Island Railroad - goes to Penn Station. More expensive than subway, but also faster.
-Uber/Lyft/Taxi all go, but expect to pay $50++ and significantly more during rush hour/peak times. Airport shuttles are also an option. The taxi does have a flat fare to the airport from midtown. Can be cheaper if you have a group to take taxi/uber vs. LIRR.
Newark
--Super easy to get to/from Newark from Mahattan by Amtrak (via NYC Penn Station) or PATH & Transfer to Amtrak from Lower Mahattan
--Taxi/Uber/Lyft can be expensive and the tunnels are always backed up and have tolls
LaGuardia
--This is the closest airport to the city and has mutiple options to get to/from the airport on public transit.
--Taxi/Uber/Lyft will be cheaper to the airport compared to other airports because its closer to Mahattan.

General Tips

The weather can very, and when it rains it can rain hard, so bring an umbrella and rain shoes (if traveling in the wetter months). A rain jacket might not protect your pants from getting soaked.
With all of the concrete, it can feel a lot hotter than the temp it says on your phone, so be prepared and bring a water bottle. The wind can also make it a lot colder in the winter, so bring a long jacket that goes to your knees, to prevent the wind going through your pants.
You can find any thing in NYC, and if you forget something, you can easily buy it here.
There are a few main "shopping areas" in the city, but there are also cute boutiques throughout all neighborhoods. 34th & Broadway, Union Square/Soho, and 5th Avenue.
The holidays in NYC are amazing, filling with fairytale window displays and art installations, great holiday shows, and great food
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Sites to See

1

Top of The Rock

Observation deck
Sights & Landmarks
Great views towards the Empire State Building and of Central Park. Go right before dusk so you can see daytime and then the lights of the city after its dark.
Different ticket options based on timed entry, any time, etc.
2

Empire State Building

Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Iconic building with great views, but if you can only pick one, I would go up the Top of the Rock so you can snap photos of the Empire State Building.
3

The High Line

Park
Sights & Landmarks
Converted rail line into a great park with cool art installations along the path. You can enter at multiple spots along the rail line.
4

Chelsea Market

Market
Shopping
Flea & Street Markets
Great market with unique shops and great food options
5

The Museum of Modern Art

Modern art museum
Museums
From the web: Works from van Gogh to Warhol & beyond plus a sculpture garden, 2 cafes & The Modern restaurant.
6

Statue of Liberty

Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Reserve ahead to secure your spot, especially if you want to go to the Crown.
7

Brooklyn Bridge

Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
Landmark
You can walk across this iconic bridge.
Good option-- subway to Brooklyn, eat at Juianna's, walk back over the bridge.
8

The National September 11 Memorial Museum

Historical place museum
Sights & Landmarks
Very well done museum about September 11th.
9

World Trade Center

Observation deck with good views of lower Manhattan
10

Central Park

Park
Sights & Landmarks
Massive park, you can spend the entire day and not see it all.
11

Broadway Theatre

Performing arts theater
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
You can see great shows in the theatre district (near Times Square). You can get discounted same day tickets at TKTS booths in Times Square (under the bleachers)
12

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

very expensive
Performing arts theater
NYC Ballet performs here (Amazing)
13

The Rockettes

Performing arts group
The holiday show is a must see!
14

Grand Central Terminal

Train depot
Amazing architecture, a good food court with unique offerings, and the whispering gallery (fun for kids)
15

Harry Potter New York

Store
Harry Potter store with fun in-store experiences for fans
16

Hudson Yards

Shops, restaurants, and performing arts venue make this a great way to spend an afternoon in NYC

Bakeries & Coffee Shops

1

The Jolly Goat Coffee Bar

affordable
Coffee shop
From the web: Cozy coffee shop serving espresso & tea, plus ice cream & locally sourced baked goods.
2

Dominique Ansel Bakery

affordable
Bakery
French bakery, lines for cronuts are out the door, but its worth it. Multiple locations in lower Manhattan.
3

Bird & Branch

cheap
Coffee shop
Great coffee shop with uniquely flavored drinks.
4

Coffee Project New York | Chelsea

Cafe
Good coffee, multiple locations
5

La Cabra

Coffee shop
Bakery
good coffee and great food options. Multiple locations.
6

Bourke Street Bakery

affordable
Bakery
Cafe
From the web: NYC outpost of a Sydney bakery chain serving Aussie classics like lamb & harissa sausage roll.

Restaurants

There are so many great restaurants serving up a variety of cuisines in NYC (a blessing and a curse), but here are some great go-tos options
1

Juliana's

affordable
Must go
Pizza restaurant
Amazing pizza that shares the same pizza oven as the famous Grimaldi's next door.
The white pizza is amazing!
2

John's of Bleecker St.

affordable
Pizza restaurant
Pizza Takeout
Great NYC style pizza, especially the white pizza. There are a few locations
3

The Crooked Knife

affordable
Gastropub
Great for brunch and drinks, multiple locations throughout the city
4

Buvette New York

affordable
French restaurant
From the web: Popular, quaint bistro offering a French small-plates menu at breakfast, lunch & dinner (till 2 AM).
5

Dudley's

affordable
Australian restaurant
From the web: Chic all-day cafe & bar serving locally sourced American bites with an Australian twist.
6

The Wren

affordable
Bar
Great pub food and drinks
7

The Winslow

affordable
Bar
From the web: British-style pub & eatery providing elevated bar bites along with gin cocktails & U.K. brews.
8

Bea

affordable
American restaurant
The green pasta is tasty!
9

Nizza

affordable
Italian restaurant
From the web: Comfortable restaurant highlighting classic Italian cuisine, including pizza, pasta & soup.
10

Briciola

affordable
Italian restaurant
From the web: Tiny option serving up Italian wines paired with small bites in a brick-walled space.
11

Trattoria Trecolori

affordable
Italian restaurant
Wine bar
From the web: Bustling Italian spot serving classic red-sauce dishes in a warm setting with a bar & exposed brick.
12

Flip Sigi

cheap
Filipino restaurant
Filipino tacos
13

Loeb Boathouse

expensive
American restaurant
Great brunch with great views of the lake in Central Park
14

Olio e Più

affordable
Italian restaurant
Restaurant
Great Naples style pizza
15

Stone St

Notable street
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Pedestrian only street lined with restaurants, bars, and lots of outdoor seating
16

Sa'Moto

affordable
Japanese restaurant
17

Marufuku Ramen

affordable
Ramen restaurant
18

Catch NYC

expensive
Restaurant
Great seafood menu, trendy vibe, great for groups

Bars/Clubs

There are a lot of great bars in NYC, these are a few of my favorites because of the great views. There are also some pubs (that serve great food) in the restaurant section above
1

230 Fifth

affordable
Lounge
Great views (Main reason to go) of the Empire State Building, igloos w/ tables so you can enjoy the views year round, and great hot drinks.
2

JIMMY

expensive
Bar
Rooftop bar with great views, great drinks, and DJs/pool parties in the summer
3

The Standard, High Line

Hotel
From the web: Funky hotel offering sleek quarters with scenic views, plus eclectic dining & 2 rooftop bars.
4

The Dead Rabbit NYC

affordable
Irish pub
From the web: This 2-story spot combines a lunch taproom with a parlor serving small plates & vintage cocktails.

Hotels

There are hotels for all budgets and ages throughout the city, including multiple offerings by all major chains. Location is the biggest factor, so I would recommend one in midtown or south (For first time visitors, not including Times Square which I would avoid).
Soho, Greenwich, West Village are also great options to be close to nightlife and hip/trendy neighborhoods.
Upper West and East side are more residential and a bit further out, so only stay there if most of your activities are near Central Park or Midtown North.
Here are a few hotels that have unique views or features-
1

TWA Hotel

Hotel
Function room facility
For aeronautic fans, the TWA hotel at JFK has a cool rooftop pool with views of the runways.
2

Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel

Hotel
Meeting planning service
Wedding venue
great rooftop pool with views of the city
3

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Hotel
Event venue
The views from the rooftop pool back towards the Manhattan skyline might be worth staying in Brooklyn
4

Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea

Hotel
Great location and good for families as they have rooms with bunk beds

Neighborhoods

1

Chelsea

trendy neighborhood with great restaurants, central location, and easy access to sites like the High Line, Empire State Building, and Chelsea Market.
Also the neighborhood for flowers, and side streets (mid-20s streets) are lined with flower shops
2

Union Square

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Great park (with pop up holiday markets in December, tons of shopping, and great restaurants.
3

Midtown Manhattan

Good central neighborhood to stay in. Easy access to shopping at 34th Street, 5th Avenue, museums, and Times Square
4

Lower East Side

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
great nightlife for younger crowds, music-lovers
5

Little Italy

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
super cute neighborhood with Italian restaurants and vibe
6

SoHo

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Upscale neighborhood with designer stores and restaurants.
7

Upper East Side

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Upscale but more residential/family feeling that other neighborhoods
8

Brooklyn Heights

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
upscale neighborhood with famous brownstones. Cute boutiques and restaurants.
9

Williamsburg

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Younger vibe, great nightlife in this trendy neighborhood of Brooklyn
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