Oh, New York! What can I say?! The pulsing streets, the crazy traffic, wonderful people, insanely good food! Each time I visit, I fall in love with this city all over again. 

While the magic is real, so is the intimidation that comes with visiting. With countless options of things to see and do, the choices can be overwhelming. So friends, to make your trip a little easier I’ve compiled my top suggestions to simplify your planning and ensure a magical trip to the Big Apple.

What To See & Do

The Comedy Cellar 

Seriously the best little comedy club! It’s the luck of the draw who you are gonna get that night but everyone from Seinfeld, to up and coming comedians test out their materials at this little club. No one famous has shown up the times I’ve been, but I’ve always laughed til my face hurts.

Broadway

For the first-timer to Broadway, Phantom of the Opera or Wicked are great options. I hear Hamilton is ah-mazing but best of luck with tickets. While you wait for your shot, Phantom lives up to the hype. The story moves FAST so I’d recommend watching the movie or reading the book beforehand if you’re are unfamiliar.

But lets talked about Wicked…..Oh…em…geee…. I tear up just thinking about this wonderful show. The story, music, costumes, and sets are fantastic!  The theater provides an amazing viewing experience and the tickets are a bit cheaper. Take it from someone who worked in concert touring for the 10 years, the production is phenomenal!  The story will have you hooked and you’ll be humming the songs for the rest of your trip. 

Top of the Rock

I haven’t had the chance to experience the Empire State Building since their completed renovation but the top of Rockefeller building is a superb experience all around. Giant panes of glass give you a seamless view of the city and the multiple tiered viewing decks ensure that its never crowded.

The Highline

An old freight rail line turned park? Can we say hipster Heaven? Come and go as you please or enjoy one of their complimentary tours. Beautiful gardens, a market of local artists, and places to visit when you hop on and off. It has everything you need for an absolutely perfect day.

Grand Central Terminal 

One of the most beautiful buildings in all of NYC (one of my fav’s!). The main hall is simply breathtaking when you see it for the first time.  Wander the corridors at your leisure or rent an audio tour to learn more. Also, it’s the perfect spot to visit if you need to wait out a little rain.

Central Park

Of course, there is Central Park, which is so large and has so much going on that I could write a post on this alone. So here are a few handy links if you are looking to learn more.

• For fun things to do around the park visit HERE. 
• I’ve heard that brunch at the Boathouse is absolutely lovely:
• And activities in the park visit HERE.  
  

Go For A Stroll

Alphabet Village and Greenwich Village are the most charming neighborhoods. Far away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, these inviting streets are lined with tasty restaurants, lovely boutiques, and delicious coffee shops. Feel free to turn off your GPS to simply wander and explore.

WHERE TO EAT

Let me preface, food in NYC is some of the best in the world. There are entire websites dedicated to helping you find amazing food. For the first timer it can be quite overwhelming so here are just a few of my favorites to hopefully get you started on the right track.

San Mateo’s Pizza 

Charming is an understatement. Despite the name, this small place has so much more to offer than just pizza. It’s traditional Italian food run by a little Italian family. The food is just as good as when Harry and I were in Italy last fall.

La Pecora Bianca

First, let me say that this place is so lovely that I would move in if they would let me. And the food is absolutely perfect. These Italian dishes will have you booking your next ticket to Rome and returning for your next meal.

La Duree

If you’ve been to Paris then these beautiful establishments are familiar to you. These are the most adorable French restaurants ever. Grab something quickly from their counter or sit down to enjoy macaroons and coffee. Dinner is a little expensive and requires a reservation, but the location in SOHO has an adorable outdoor patio with lots of string lights. (which of course ups the charm and magic…swoon)

When looking for good eats, don’t be afraid to use Yelp or Google. Food in NYC is pretty phenomenal, so it’s really difficult to find a bad place to eat.

OH! You can never go wrong with a cheap slice of pizza, so make sure to grab one of those.

So there you have it, my go-to-guide for NYC.

Whether you choose to hit every site or simply stroll and see where the streets take you, I know you’ll fall in love with the city. Simply soak in every moment and enjoy the magic.