NYC: A Tourist's Guide
>> Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The (first) photo dump of our NYC trip is up on Writing Chapter Three, if you'd rather gawk at pretty pictures. I wrote this post somewhat selfishly because I'd like to remember the places we enjoyed on our trip.
Sigh. I have major case of post-trip blues . . .
We stuck primarily to the midtown + Flatiron area since it was where we stayed, so this is -- obviously -- a rather limited scope of what you can do in the city. We took the subway one day, but mostly walked everywhere else. I estimated like 6 to 8 miles a day!
That being said, I'd love to know some of your favorite spots for future trips. Or if you've been to any of these places, what you thought about them. Please, tell us!
Here's my NYC guide -- from my perspective as a tourist.
Sigh. I have major case of post-trip blues . . .
We stuck primarily to the midtown + Flatiron area since it was where we stayed, so this is -- obviously -- a rather limited scope of what you can do in the city. We took the subway one day, but mostly walked everywhere else. I estimated like 6 to 8 miles a day!
That being said, I'd love to know some of your favorite spots for future trips. Or if you've been to any of these places, what you thought about them. Please, tell us!
Here's my NYC guide -- from my perspective as a tourist.
LIGHT BITES + ETC.
I love casual eateries, and NYC has plenty to choose from. I think by far my favorite on this list is Hu Kitchen. Thanks, Steff, for taking us there!
I love casual eateries, and NYC has plenty to choose from. I think by far my favorite on this list is Hu Kitchen. Thanks, Steff, for taking us there!
(Flatiron, 655 6th Ave)
:: oh my gawd I ate way too many of the Cookies 'n Cream cupcakes. definitely wins my dessert category.
(78 5th Ave)
:: totally gluten-free, this place has smoothies, juices, breakfast bowls, and awesome baked goods.
(Flatiron, 16 West 23rd Street)
:: great for a basic sandwich or bagel on the go, inexpensive.
(Flatiron, 949 Broadway)
:: yummy warm and cold drinks and grab-n-go salads.
(Gramercy, 297 3rd Ave)
:: We went here on our way out of town. Several different kinds of tofu cream cheese. GIGANTIC bagels. All different varieties. Super-fast service. Wish I found it sooner!
:: We went here on our way out of town. Several different kinds of tofu cream cheese. GIGANTIC bagels. All different varieties. Super-fast service. Wish I found it sooner!
Whole Foods
(Union Square)
:: This isn't a NYC thing, but we don't have one any closer than that to where we live. And this place has kombucha by the growler-ful. We stopped in for some necessities, as well as green smoothies we shared as a family.
(Union Square)
:: This isn't a NYC thing, but we don't have one any closer than that to where we live. And this place has kombucha by the growler-ful. We stopped in for some necessities, as well as green smoothies we shared as a family.
Gimmee Coffee
(228 Mott Street)
:: Gimmee boasts several locations -- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Ithaca, Trumansburg. So, it was sort of neat to visit the big brother to our little college town favorite. Oh, yeah. Their coffee + other drinks are fantastic, too.
(228 Mott Street)
:: Gimmee boasts several locations -- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Ithaca, Trumansburg. So, it was sort of neat to visit the big brother to our little college town favorite. Oh, yeah. Their coffee + other drinks are fantastic, too.
MEAL SPOTS
We were really fortunate to have TWO nights of babysitting during our week-long stay. We took full advantage. The other nights? We got ingredients to bring back to the apartment and cook in. Delicious! I miss the food already!
(Flatiron, 200 5th Ave)
:: can I confess we went to Eataly every day of our trip? yes. you can get lost in there, in the best way possible. it's a market and a collection of awesome Italian restaurants.
(rooftop at Eataly)
:: we went here on one of our "date nights" for some brews, a delicious cheese plate, and fish (Stephen) + grilled portabellas (Ashley) with a pear-cheese fondue!
(Greenwich Village, 67 University Place)
:: best pizza I had in the city. i hear the location in Harlem is the original, but the spot on our way home from Washington Park was pretty fantastic.
(Union Square)
:: this was sort of a random choice for lunch, but it was there, it advertised beers (pretty good house selection), and the food was pretty interesting.
(Murray Hill, 108 Lexington Ave)
:: Stephen's uncle told us we were staying right near "Curry Hill" -- a cluster of great Indian restaurants. it was hard to choose, but this place called our names. can't say enough good things about the vegetarian/vegan food and the service.
SHOPPING
Honestly, we didn't do a lot of shopping. It wasn't what the trip was about. But, staying so close to 5th Avenue definitely had us passing by some fun spots several times a day.
(286 3rd Avenue)
:: Seriously amazing spot. Lots of unique finds. I got this amazing vintage Zara dress/tunic for like $15.
:: Seriously amazing spot. Lots of unique finds. I got this amazing vintage Zara dress/tunic for like $15.
(352 Amsterdam Ave)
:: We stopped in here to buy Ada a blanket (ridiculous, I know) because it was frigid when we trekked to the Upper West Side. Lots of cute, high-end stuff I never see in stores around my home area.
(7 East 14th Street)
:: I feel like this place needs no introduction. I bought several hard shampoo bars. I love them. I just don't love the pushy (but nicey-nice) sales strategy. Maybe it was just that location?
(115 5th Avenue)
:: I shop -- the sale section -- online all the time. But I found an amazing dress for a fall wedding I'm attending on clearance with an extra 20% off. w00t!
:: I shop -- the sale section -- online all the time. But I found an amazing dress for a fall wedding I'm attending on clearance with an extra 20% off. w00t!
(31 West 34th Street)
:: My friend Matt suggested this place. Amazing basics. Great prices, almost like H&M, but much, much better quality. Plus, the store is just fun to walk around with all the lights, mirrors, and music.
:: My friend Matt suggested this place. Amazing basics. Great prices, almost like H&M, but much, much better quality. Plus, the store is just fun to walk around with all the lights, mirrors, and music.
SIGHTS
I don't want to whine, but it was cold + windy during our stay. Like every day. If we didn't have Ada, I think we could have widened our scope -- but we didn't pack for that weather (rookie mistake), so we did a lot of sight-seeing on foot during our runs, which I'll write about another day. Here are a few places we did manage a visit . . .
Dakota Building + Strawberry Fields
:: I went through a John Lennon phase in middle school/high school . Had to make the pilgrimage to his former digs +
Madison Square Park
:: great views of Empire State Building, Flatiron, etc.
Union Square Park
:: Favorite playground for Ada, good shopping nearby
Washington Square Park
:: Gorgeous park, less hectic than the others
Central Park
:: Didn't spend a lot of time there, but obviously worth a go!
FAO Schwarz
:: fun for the kiddos + parents alike.
NY Public Library
:: I'm a dork (and also worked in a library for many years), but it's such a gorgeous building and adjacent to Bryant Park, so I could pretend I have some connection to fashion week.
NY Public Library
:: I'm a dork (and also worked in a library for many years), but it's such a gorgeous building and adjacent to Bryant Park, so I could pretend I have some connection to fashion week.
RUNNING
East River Promenade
Hudson River Greenway
Random family trip tip: Coordinate your packing efforts, at least when it comes to jackets. We all packed the same coat. Are you kidding me? Look at this! I think this is pretty much like wearing the same bright red t-shirt at Disney or something.
I hope you enjoyed by tourist-y guide to NYC. I know I missed a ton of great stuff, but there's no way we could see it all in just six days. What should we put on our "DON'T MISS!" list for next time? I already know I want to see The Book of Mormon . . . I'll have to save my pennies until then.
Have a lovely day!
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