I was having coffee with a friend a couple of weeks ago and sharing with her that I’ve had this crazy urge to plan a trip to New York City lately. I’ve only visited New York once in my life (circa 2008) but it continues to have this crazy strange pull on me.
I dream about booking a ticket and escaping to the city on the regular. I wrote about this New York phenomenon in a post “Bigger Than My Body” back in 2012.
A few hours after we had coffee my friend texted me and said, “If you were serious about wanting to go to NYC for a weekend, I’m planning on going in a few weeks and you’re seriously welcome to come.” To which I replied, “I was serious!” Next thing I knew we had flights booked for a long weekend in New York.
We’re super lucky to be staying with her brother in SoHo. I’m so excited to get a “neighborhood feel” for New York instead of staying in a hotel. We met to plan our trip today and decided that instead of trying to do our own research on what we wanted to do…I would ask you guys! So for all of my NYC area readers and those who travel there frequently, I would LOVE your suggestions for how we should spend our long weekend. Anything from restaurants to unique fitness classes to shows to museums…whatever goes!
Please help! 🙂
That is awesome! I have always wanted to go on a spontaneous trip. New York is one of my favorite cities.
Best way to spend an afternoon when the weather is nice – grab a coffee and go sit in Central Park. True NYC experience and the best people watching.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Jivamukti yoga and yoga vida in union square are great! I hope you have a great time (and come back to lead a yoga class someday!)
Thank you!
Quality Meats – great steak restaurant
Champagne at the restaurant upstairs in union square over looking the lobby fun after shopping
Shake Shack for lunch – be prepared for a long line
El Centro – Mexican, 54th & 9th
It all sounds awesome, thanks!
You simply MUST walk the High Line. Old train tracks that have been converted into an amazing urban oasis. Seriously beautiful flora & art along the way. And it’s totally free!
Ditto on the High Line!!!
I third the Highline and would add a walk through Chelsea Market on your list. You can’t go wrong with going to the Met or the American Museum of Natural History or MOMA. Sorry, that’s the Museum of Modern Art. Oh and I have a friend that raves about SoulCycle so I think that’s my fitness recommendation. 🙂 Have so much fun!
ps. re: Eats. I have heard many great things about Eataly. Enjoy!
Thank you!!
So exciting! Yoga vida is a must! Especially Domenics class. Aria wine bar is an awesome place for dinner in the west village as well!
Thanks!
You should really see the 911 Memorial and the museum, definitely worth it!!
Thanks for the suggestion!
I just got back from 2 weeks in NYC! Banana pudding at Magnolia, lunch or dinner at Momofuku Ma Peche or Momofuku Noodle Bar, Shake Shack (cheese fries), definitely pizza somewhere. We ate a lot of different pizza, all good. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and walk along the water in DUMBO. Free ferry to and back Staten Island for a good view of the Statue of Liberty. Definitely go up into the new WTC observatory. The 360 city views are unbelievable! We saw Book of Mormon and it was a riot! A weekend isn’t enough time:)
Thanks!
the Brooklyn Bridge Park & the Highline! also, brooklyn bodyburn
Thanks!
definitely eat at DaNico’s in Little Italy. BEST Italian food!!!!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Jen! I’ve never posted before but love reading your blog! I lived in NYC and LOVED it! I’ll refrain from dumping 2 years of my life in your comments section but here are some highlights:
Food- meatball shop (I don’t even eat meat but they have great veggie balls and incredible combos of sandwiches or grilled veggies or salads to go under the balls!) healthy veggie places: blossom, candle cafe
Dessert: levain bakery (best biggest cookies ever!)
Outdoors: I echo the high line comment and its super close to Chelsea market
Also the Brooklyn bridge is a great walk if you beat the crowds
A run in Central Park is a MUST!
Another favorite and simple life pleasure was to pick up lunch at the Columbus circle whole foods (at least 5 food bars of prepared food) and take it to Central Park across the street to eat a picnic
Enjoy your trip! I’m jealous 😉
thanks for all the suggestions!
You MUST go to Lyons Den Power Yoga in Tribeca! Best place ever! Try to take Bethany’s class but all teachers are phenomenal! Eat at Hu Kitchen!!
Thanks!
OH! And my friend Emma teaches at Soul Cycle! If you look up their schedule, she teaches in a couple different boroughs, so she may be at one near you! She’s killer, such a strong motivated and cool girl.
Thanks!
I love that you will be here! There is so much to see and do I don’t even know where to begin lol….So many cute places down where you will be- go on a cupcake tour down there! Walk around union square – go to Max Brenner (right by the Whole Foods!)…Make sure to get up for Saks and Bloomingdales – flagship stores are amazing and Bloomies has great food options (and cupcakes)…Serendipity is near Bloomingdales too if you have never been there and make sure to grab some bagels (H & H) is my favorite. Oh, and the Smith for brunch. Or dinner. So good! There is one by Central Park if you want to go for a run first and then eat 🙂
Thanks so much!
I second the High Line – great spot to run / walk and enjoy NYC! Not to mention the Battery Park area is great for running alongside the river and capturing a view of the Statue of Liberty.
I took my first trip last past December with my husband where we ate every (WONDERFULLY BAD) thing known to mankind!! and again this past May with our two girls. INCREDIBLE!! Serendipity 3 is big for tourism for their desserts which are pretty darn good! You CAN NOT PASS UP Dominque Ansel’s Bakery though (he who invented the CRONUT!) but MY personal favorite was the DKA! TRUST ME 🙂 >> For more of a local feel and in the Meat Packing (near High Line) Clooney’s Cafe is incredible. Magnolia’s Bakery is right around the corner too – THEN you can WALK along the High Line! LOL … For a healthy fare, Hu’s Kitchen is delicious …
Thanks!
I’ve lived here for 18 years (Gramercy Park).
For classes:
SLT
Barry’s Boot Camp
Physique 57
Thank you!
Soul cycle!!! (they open classes Monday of every week and they fill up quicks, so read up on signing up.) Barry’s Boot Camp is also great.
Make sure to go to the west village. Rosemary’s is so fun and has an upstairs roof garden. Aria wine bar. Chelsea market is great too. And run across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Thanks!
Eat at Nobu & go to a Physique 57 class!
Thank you!
Ah so sad I’ll just miss you here! You’ll have a blast and there’s obviously no shortage of things to do. My favorites: Meatpacking District (Chelsea Market, Gansevoort Market, The Highline), Central Park (obviously) and Madison Square Park area.
Thanks so much!
I’ve only been to NYC twice so not too many recs here. BUT you must make it a point to eat at Hangawi – it’s a unique Korean restaurant with incredible food!
Yum! Thank you
Go to the High Line and walk around, go to Eataly and stuff your face, if you have time go see the Lion King (best broadway show to exist lol), and then go to Donut Plant and gorge on delicious, fresh donuts!
Thanks!
I’ve only been to New York once too… circa 2002 🙂
I’d love to go again! What a good idea 🙂
Hi Jen! I am a long time reader from Kansas City, but have the opportunity to be interning for the Todah Show in New York this summer. I definitely recommend going to yoga in Bryant Park on Thursday evening and paying a visit to Magnolia Bakery in 30 Rockefeller Plaza! Hope you have a great trip!
Skip Magnolia (it’s so touristy and their cupcakes are only mediocre). Go to Buttercup Bakery instead (if you must go to Magnolia, get the banana pudding).
Levain (West 74th Street) has GIANT cookies that are seriously life-changing.
Run along the west side highway – it’s beautiful! and not nearly as crowded as the highline.
Thank you!
If you want to leave Manhattan, Cafe Enrique in Long Island City is amazing and then you can walk along the waterfront and check out the skyline. You can take the NY Waterways ferry from downtown/South Street Seaport area to get to the other side of the East River. This is also a great way to reach areas in Brooklyn (and go to Smorgasburg!)
Thanks!
Yay!
So many recommendations. If you are staying in Soho you should go to LaColombe coffee (I have a list of 50+ coffee places if you want more!).
Prana yoga is good for a yoga class (and not too expensive) but if you want something very “new yorky” Soulcycle or Daybreaker (basically an early morning dance party- nothing else like it). If you really want to see a bird’s eye view of New York I would recommend going to the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center instead of the Empire State Building. Shorter lines, less expensive, and better view (you can actually see the Empire State Building).
On the west side Chelsea Market, right underneath the Highline, is packed with great little food places and is in a really neat area. If you want to just stroll around East/West/Greenwich Village are great for that. I really like the smaller parks as well- I live by Madison Square Park which is really cute and usually has live music, etc at night (as does Bryant Park, Washington Square Park).
You will have a great time!
Thanks so much!
Indeed NY is always a good idea! I love Beyond Sushi and Hu Kitchen!
Thanks! Hu Kitchen sounds awesome!
The Whitney Museum just opened a new location. The inaugural show is great, and you can walk The Highline from there, which starts from the museum.
Thanks!
I went a few years ago and we went to Union Square Market which was so cool!
Have so much fun!
Thanks!
i agree, new york is always a good idea!!
i like to pair all my weekend workouts with food, so my recommendations for sweat sessions & after-sweat eats:
lyons den yoga & Sun In Bloom (Tribeca)
y7 (hot vinyasa yoga) & Dig Inn on 23rd (Flatiron) (but there’s also a Y7 in soho)
peloton spin & WestVille (Chelsea)
barry’s bootcamp & Hu Kitchen (Chelsea)
more food: Uma Tamakeria for a sushi burrito!! Juice Generation for their kale kolada (my summer obsession)! and definitely try to get to Westville (there are a few locations).
have so much fun!! and re the high line, it’s cool enough, but it can be soooo packed. just a quick tip if you decide to do it early is better.
oh, and i am giving seriousssss consideration to your september retreat! so excited about this announcement!
Thanks so much! I’d love to have you on the retreat!
Hi Jen- I am the Dir of Marketing for Wickles Pickles and have been reading for years. We just went to NYC for the Fancy Food Show and I would recommend Elios for great Italian on the Upper East Side. The Guggenheim Museum. Rooftop Brunch at the McKittrick Hotel. Fig and Olive in the Meatpacking district for afternoon snack/wine. Balthazar for brunch in SOHO (+ shopping). Beauty + Essex for dinner on night. Have fun!
Thanks!
I enjoy Becco for dinner. It’s always consistent and cheaper than most dinners in NYC. The staff is very down to earth and their sommeliers have excellent recommendations at any price point. Make sure you get a reservation now…wherever you decide to go! Get gelato or a cannoli in Little Italy. Pho in China Town. Boats and fountains in Central Park. I love Whole Foods in Union Square. Yeah it’s a chain and they are in Charlotte, but it’s a nice spot to take a break from all the walking, grab a drink, snack or meal on the cheap…with the benefit of using their a/c and loo! The second floor seating area is great for people watching the windows. It looks directly over the square.
Thank you!
I realize there are a million and one things today but if you are itching to see a show I cannot recommend Something Rotten enough! It is the broadway show to end all broadway shows. The singing, tap dancing, costumes, and set are just so phenomenal. I wish I could see it over and over!
Have a great trip!!
Thanks!
SOUL CYCLE!
Levain Bakery (I used to live near this place – still dream about those cookies)
Rockwood Music Hall was my go-to for great live music
Also, get your fill on sushi – it’s all good in NY
Thank you!
I go to NYC at least once a year, you will have a blast! As far as food goes, you must go to Cafe Gitane (not far from you in SOHO), cozy little restaurant with the best avocado toast. Claudettes is really good and I have heard from all my NYC friends that Bobby Flay’s new spot Gato has great ambience and food is amazing. For workouts, I want to go to Sharon and David’s Jivamukti studio .. not sure who the best teachers would be since they don’t teach much anymore? Soul Cycle is the best workout ever and so fun. Lastly, you should go to the 9/11 memorial- breathtaking! Have fun!!!!
Thanks for all the suggestions!
i have the same thing with NYC. there is just something about it. it kicks your ass but loves you all at the same time if you know what i mean. i HATE LGA airport so be warned. CLT sooo much better. Ive been to NYC about 8 times last time was this June. All the food is great. i have to eat GF now so that poses a challenge though i still ate well. so i wont waste your time with my food recommendations since you will get enough of those. the only thing i will say is that sometimes on the walk back to the hotel nothing beats a pint of ice cream from duane reade at 2 AM : )
Try to find some roof top bars they are cool and fun and lots of locals know them since they often aren’t so obvious. I did empire state building at night and if you have the time i really like it. each time i go back i say i will do it again but i never want to wait in line. i went to WTC museum. i will say…go to see the building and the massive pools but for me, the inside was very difficult to see. well done but hard for me. maybe it was a bit to much for “vacation”. If it rains have a plan ! museum or something because it can be hard to get around in the rain. and BROADWAY ! oh how i love broadway. after which you cant go wrong with cheesecake at Roxies. i feel like the city has become so casual in the past few years. you can wear workout clothes anywhere !
also plan to just get lost in the park its the best thing. and really the jewel of nyc. good for you to get a neighborhood feel. the chelsea market/high line area is good for that. you will love it. its a great place for a girls vaca, a family vaca, or a couples vaca. have sooooo much fun.
Thank you so much!
Levain Bakery! There is usually a line, but so worth it for this piece of cookie heaven.
Thanks!
I would recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side to Brooklyn. You could spend an entire day exploring the Brooklyn Bridge park. It’s an oasis in the middle of a bustling city! There are also some awesome pizza places nearby – one is called Juliana’s and I forget the name of the other one
Thank you!
I don’t see many pizza recs so here ya go…
Motorino in the east village for brussels sprout pizza
Lil Frankies also in east village for meatball pizza
Thanks!
You absolutely have to stop by LeVain Bakery in the Upper West Side (right outside Central Park). They have the BEST cookies I’ve ever had (get one of each 🙂 )
Ha! I might have to. Thanks!
Based on the number of comments, you’re going to need a year in the city to see and do everything. Here are my favorites –
Candle Cafe (UES) – vegan, best restaurant in NYC and one of my all-time favorites ever, their tempeh dishes are incredible and the indian plate filled with great flavors
Taim Falafel (SOHO) – best falafel pita! smoothies are also great.
Two Little Red Hens (UES) – you MUST try their scones and cupcakes
Bibble and Sip (Hells Kitchen) – matcha latte, hot cocoa, pastries
My Pie (Midtown) – my personal pick for best pizza, hole in the wall shop
Chelsea Market – food enthusiasts heaven
Thank you!
I WAS JUST THERE two weeks ago for my own little getaway! Must dos: phantom of the opera on broadway, the highline, chelsea market, lunch at a Juice Press, a soul cycle class, and LOTS of time in Central Park!
Thank you!
Parm is an adorable, unique take on old school Italian American food. Their bloody Mary’s are delicious – they use Italian seasoning and pickle juice…sounds weird but so good! Their Italian sandwiches are awesome too. There is one in little Italy but barely any seating at this one. Better off going to their other location.
If you make it to Brooklyn/ Williamsburg La superior has delicious little tacos in a hole in the wall, off the beaten path setting.
Also Crack Pie, from momofuku milk bar…..unbeatable.
Have fun!!
I lived in NYC for 13 years and just moved to CLT in August 2014. I agree with the recommendations for workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp (there’s one in Tribeca and one in NoHo that are near where you’re staying) and SLT (there’s one in SoHo). For Barry’s the classes open at midnight exactly one week prior, and I cannot recommend Courtney Paul and Layla Luciano enough. Their classes are tough to get into since they are on a new Bravo show airing in a few weeks (they’ve always been tough to get into), but the experience is 1,000% worth it. At SLT I recommend Layla Luciano or Jay Centeno (there’s an SLT SoHo).
If you want to try to fit in some healthy food options in the midst of all of the deliciousness, I strongly recommend Ellary’s Greens, Juice Press, Northern Spy and Butcher’s Daughter. They all have downtown locations close to where you are staying. And for indulgences I recommend Laduree on West Broadway (macarons from the famous Paris pastisserie) and Levain (which will be a hike, but so so so so so worth it).
Thank you!!
Longtime reader of your blog and love it! I also love NYC! If you want to yoga- try out NY Loves Yoga. It’s in the upper west side so if its convenient its totally worth it! Small studio and unassuming from the outside, but great vibe and great people… and it happens to be near the dessert bar/restaurant from When Harry Met Sally! Amazing coffee, wine, cocktails and dessert! 😉 Enjoy! You deserve it!
brunch: Clinton st. Baking company – get the biscuits and fresh raspberry jam!
Lunch: Cafe Habana in soho (corn and a Cuban sandwich…trust me) or smorgasburg (an amaaaazing weekly food festival type thing in Brooklyn)
Dinner: the little owl (west village) or pure food and wine (great patio and all amazing raw food!)
And strala yoga! On Broadway just north of Houston.
Oh and a walk or bike across the Brooklyn bridge at sunset is an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline.
Laughing Lotus Yoga! A must!
Catching up on your blog and I live in NYC! I’ve been here for 4 years and LOVE it, though it can get crazy at times and I definitely miss having a car. (My boyfriend has one, though!) If you’re looking to drop in for a WOD, I go to CrossFit NYC and have been a member for 3 years. Centrally located in the city (28th & 6th Ave) plus hundreds of classes to choose from every day of the week 🙂 Though I’m sure your feet will be sore the first day or two from all the walking you’ll do.
I could write for days about all the awesome food here… but near-ish to Soho, check out Rice to Riches for incredible rice pudding and Bahn Mi Saigon for awesome bahn mi sandwiches! Feel free to email me for more recs though I know you have literally hundreds of recommendations already. (Also, if you randomly decide to do blogger/reader meet-up, I would be all over that.)
Hey Jen! Longtime reader here and I’ve been living in Manhattan for the past 5 years!
If you’re jonesing for some pizza, try Rubirosa in Nolita. Shake Shack is underwhelming in terms of burgers- I’d suggest JG Melon!
Not disagree with the commenter above me, but I had a terrible experience at Crossfit NYC. It’s just too many people and not enough quality coaching. I go to Cf Metropolis on the upper east side/east Harlem, but if you’re not into traveling all the way up there, try CF South Brooklyn! Great coaching and great community!
I live in Soho!
Workouts:
Karyn for SoulCycle (Noho studio — her class fills up in the first minute of sign-ups, though, so be prepared!)
Kim, Morgan, or Sade at Physique 57 on Spring Street
Breakfast:
Juice Press or Juice Generation for juices, smoothies, and acai bowls
Coffee / dessert:
Momofuku Milk Bar (cereal milk soft serve)
Dominique Ansel (cronuts + cookie shots!)
La Colombe (amazing cappuccinos)
Jack’s (West Village, delicious (copyrighted!) coffee)
Maman (LOVELY French-inspired coffee shop)
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck (parks in Soho)
Lunch:
sweetgreen (quick, easy salads)
Saigon (authentic banh mi)
Dinner:
The Eddy (new place in East Village with great drinks and inventive food)
L’Artusi (West Village)
Piora (monkey bread to start!)
il Buco Alimentari & Vineria (favorite Italian in the city)
Activities:
Whitney Museum + High Line + Gansevoort Market or Santina
…I’ll leave it there. Have fun!!
I just had my third year anniversary living in NYC. Here are some of my favorite spots:
Aria Wine Bar: tiny west village spot with the best italian dishes and a great selection of wines. I love to go with friends and order a bunch of plates to share!
Ippudo NY: The best place for ramen IMO. The first time I ate here was seriously life changing. Get the pork buns to start, they will rock your world!
Le Vain Cookies: Worth the trek to the UWS just like everyone says. I always buy these for birthdays, anniversaries etc. and they’re so big two people can be satisfied off one cookie!
Pure Yoga: I go to the UES location, but the UWS studio is even bigger. They have a huge variety of classes and different levels—something for everyone. It’s right near LeVain so you should take a class and then reward yourself with a big warm gooey cookie!
Eataly: I wouldn’t recommend eating here because it can be a tourist trap, but definitely worth a walk through to check out.
The High Line: A must see like everyone said! I recommend grabing a coffee and going early in the morning to avoid the crows. Later in the day it gets so packed it’s like you’re stuck on the freeway in bumper to bumper traffic.
The Top of the Standard: The top floor of the Standard Hotel in the meatpacking district has 360* views of the city. It turns into a club at night, but before 9pm you can call to reserve a table. Drinks and bottles of wine are very expensive, but worth it just to see the sunset over the city and the Statue of Liberty!
Union Square Greenmarket: Huge farmers market every Saturday
Hu Kitchen: Right near the union square green market. All food is paleo and extremely delicious! I’ll grab breakfast here then head over the to greenmarket to buy produce for the week.
Pala Pizza: My favorite brick oven pizza place in the entire city! I spent a semester of college in Florence and this pizza rivals the true italian ones. Bonus: i’m gluten free and they have gluten free crusts that are just as good as the regular ones.
Grand Banks Oyster Bar: If it’s a nice day check out this super preppy oyster bar on the deck of a boat docked in the Hudson. You get great views, just beware the long line!
The Mermaid Inn: I’ve been to all three locations in the city, and all three are small but have the most quaint New England feel. They have fresh seafood and a great selection of oysters, but I’m a fan of coming for their happy hour (5-7, weekends too) for their $1 oysters!
Dominique Ansel Bakery: I once waited in line at 6am on a Sunday morning just to taste the famous cronut. It was worth every minute in line and the horrible stomach pain that came afterwards since i’m gluten intolerant! It’s right in SOHO so I would definitely recommend trying to snag a cronut before you head home.
Ample Hills Creamery: If you go to Brooklyn go the their original shop, but if you don’t make it out of Manhattan they just opened a small outpost in Gotham West Market. All of their ice cream is homemade and they have the CRAZIEST most awesome flavors ever. I dream about this stuff in the summer on a hot day. My favorites are salted crack caramel and butter pecan brittle.
Clinton St Baking Co.: Tiny and not many tables—people line up outside before the restaurant even opens just to put their name on the list once the doors open! I ate here when my dad visited and he got the pancakes which are insanely good—he was convinced they’re made with donut batter because they’re so dense and cake-like. They also have a chalkboard wall that lists which local farms all of their ingredients come from. Get the rosemary sausage on the side—it’s heavenly!