My Favorite NY Spots

Whether you are planning your next trip to NYC or are in need of some ideas to do in the city, here are my go-to/favorite spots in New York. I've associated different moods with different places so hopefully this will help you find your next adventure or quiet time spot, if you ever find yourself here. Most of these places will be around the East Village since that is the area I am most acquainted with.

Coffee and a Book- Outro (816 Broadway)
This cute little place located in the East Village is my favorite spot for some alone time. Not only is everything on their menu absolutely delicious, but every latte or food item is an art piece in itself. There are so many places to sit, in addition to the option of outdoor or indoor seating. This is my favorite place to sit and read. Something about the wooden aesthetic just calms you and allows you to dive deep into your book.

Late Night Fancy Dessert- Spot Dessert Bar (13 St. Marks Pl)
Spot Dessert Bar is so unique. Each dessert is so well put together and will make your Instagram story blow up temporarily. I think what I like the most about this place is that a lot of desserts have the combination of hot and cold things together. The bread/cookie/cake feels warm and comforting, as the ice cream brings a refreshing taste. I highly recommend the "Cookie Camp" or the "Milky Puff."

A Day for the Arts- The MET (1000 5th Ave)
Live all your Gossip Girl fantasies and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There is so much at the Met, and you probably will not get through it in one day. There is such a range at the Met and so much history with every piece. From impressionists to contemporary, to jewelry, to sculptures, to carpets, to  fashion, to instruments. You are bound to find something to your interest and will be amazed at how much art is in this place.

Fun Physical Activity- The Cliffs at DUMBO
Maybe I'm biased since I work at a rock climbing wall, but if you want something different than a normal indoor climbing gym, you should try this place! It's an indoor gym placed outdoors. DUMBO is known as one of the "hotspots" of the city since it's right by the water, you have a great view of Brooklyn Bridge, and DUMBO itself is a historic district. For only $11, you can boulder as much as you want and then explore this beautiful area afterwards.

A Picnic - Brooklyn Bridge Park @ Sunset
This is the perfect spot for a date night picnic or a place for yourself to indulge in the beauty of the city. If you arrive at sunset, you get to see the bright orange sky reflected onto the water and watch the city turn on as the day turns off. It is here that I feel most at peace with the world, and it is my all time favorite place. The city can feel overwhelming and loud but the chaos is replaced with sounds of breezes and waves.

Personal Exploration- Strand Bookstore
There is no better place to be lost in than Strand Bookstore. The place has "18 miles" worth of books. What I find most interesting about Strand is that they have not only a variety of genres but they have "new, used, and rare" books (Strand website). They have a super cool collection upstairs as well as cheap books outside of the store that you can buy for a dollar. I have been there many times over the past year and still have not seen every nook and cranny of the store. Buy some books and gain some knowledge! They also have super cute merch haha.





Movie Classic- Washington Square Park
The arch at Washington Square Park is pretty iconic considering it has been featured in multiple tv shows and movies. You can come to the park, sit near the fountain, probably hear some kind of jazz music, and pretend that you are the main character of a coming-of-age film. Every so often there will be a street fair near by, artists drawing and performing at the park, or large bubbles flying in the sky. On a really pretty day, the park is really lively and easy to enjoy.

Italy, but not really- Ferrara's
It may be hard to choose where to go when you are inside of Little Italy because you may find yourself being stopped and asked to come inside each restaurant as you pass by it. The area is filled with amazing food and dessert. My favorite bakery in Little Italy is Ferrara's. You can be seated inside or order desserts at the counter. They have both mini and large size desserts. They have so many different pastries, gelato, but I always get a mini cannoli and a mini eclair. And maybe sometimes a mini lemon pie. You can't really go wrong at this place. Try everything!

Go-to Tourist Activity - High Line/The Vessel
Whenever I have friends that come to visit the city, I always take them to the High Line. It shows them a little bit of the city and you get to see a little bit of everything. If it's a nice season, there is a lot of greenery, and you will see a lot of cool architecture. I start over by Chelsea Market and walk towards Hudson Yards where you can see the latest hotspot, The Vessel. The Vessel is shaped like a gigantic honeycomb and if you get tickets online, you can enter. If you enjoy heights, it's really fun to go inside and walk up to the top.




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