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“New York is always a good idea.”
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Hi everyone, happy Monday! I first published this post back in 2015, but seeing as I’ve been living in NYC for over 2 & a half years now, it was finally time to update it and add in some new favourite spots. One thing for sure is that you will NEVER be bored in this city and that is one of the main reasons I love living here. There will always be something to do, somewhere new to try, and always something to come back for. A lot of you who are either visiting or living here email me asking for recommendations and so it’s great to have this post to share with you as it has everything in one place. Here is my most up-to- date list of, in my opinion, the best things to do in NYC…
SIGHT SEEING/ MUST-SEE’S
1. Chelsea Market
2. Top of the Rockerfeller Centre (My Favouirte view)
3. Manhattan Helicopter Ride
4. Central Park
5. The Highline
6. Visit the MET Museum & sit on the steps.
7. Stroll along Madison Avenue.
8. Explore the West Village.
9. Relax in Bryant Park.
10. Walk/Cycle over Brooklyn Bridge.
11. Row Boats in Central Park
12. Empire State Building
13. Grand Central
14. 9/11 Monument & Museum
SHOPPING
1. Club Monaco
2. Reformation
3. Intermix
4. And Other Stories
5. Kate Spade Madisson Avenue
6. Opening Ceremony
7. Rebecca Minkoff
8. SAKS
9. Bergdorf Goodmans
10. Sephora
11. Century 21
12. Bloomingdales
13. Westfield World Trade Center
I’ve done a separate post all about my favourite vintage stores & my go-to homeware stores.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
1. Two Hands
2.Penelope
3. Sarabeth’s
4. Blue Dog Cafe
5. Bubby’s
6. Cafe Cluny
7. The Butcher’s Daughter
8. Jack’s Wife Freda
9. The Egg Shop
10. Juliette (Williamsburg)
11. Pietro Nolita
12. Balthazar
LUNCH/DINNER
1. Fig & Olive (Meatpacking) – My No.1 Favourite!
2. Serafina
3. Dos Caminos
4. Boqueria
5. The Standard Grill
6. Bryant Park Grill
7. Sant Ambroeus
8. The Boathouse at Central Park
9. Delicatessen
10. Buvette
11. ABC Kitchen
12. Aria Wine Bar
13. By Chloe (Vegan)
14. Wild
15. Claudette
16. Freeman’s
17. L’Artusi
18. Spotted Pig
19. NOMO Soho
20. Pulp (To-Go Juices & Salads)
21. The VNYL ( Amazing!)
22. The Smith
23. Vella Wine Bar
24. Zucchero e Pomodori (Three words – Truffle Mashed Potatoe!)
25. Shake Shack (Fast food)
26. La Esquina
27. Banc Cafe (Our weekly Sunday evening – love it there SO much!)
*Most of these places need a reservation, so get it all organized beforehand to avoid disappointment.
DRINKS
1. Employees Only
2. The Penrose
3. The Standard Hotel Rooftop/Le Bain
4. 230 Fifth (My Favourite Rooftop!)
5. Gold Bar
6. Brass Monkey
7. The Jane
8. The VNYL
9. The Troy Liquor Bar
10. The Plaza Hotel (Treat!)
11. Banc Cafe
12. The Mark
Full list of the Best Cocktail Bars HERE.
COFFEE
1. Bluestone Lane Cafe
2. Le Pain Quotidien
3. La Colombe
4. Macaron Cafe
5. Bakeshop by Woop’s
6. Cafe le Cerra
7. Joe Coffee
8. Dean & Deluca
9. Nespresso Boutique Madison Avenue
10. Maison Kaiser
11. Petite Shell
12. Toby’s Estate
SWEET TREATS
These category need a whole post of it’s own, haha! I’ve listed all my favourite spots HERE.
PAMPER
1. Paintbox Nails
2. Dry Bar Hair Salon
3. Bumble & Bumble Hair Salon
4. Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa
5. Bliss Spa
HOTELS
1. The Standard
2. The Gansevoort
3. 1 Hotel Central Park
4. The Ludlow
5. NOMO Soho
6. The Mark
7. Dream Downtown
8. The EDITION
9. The Ace Hotel
10. The Wythe Hotel (Brooklyn)
It’s a list of places which will always be growing but for now these are definitely my go-to spots and best recommendations. Hope you’ll find this helpful & feel free to share it with anyone who you think will love it too. Oh and I’m always finding new places to try, so follow along on Instagram (@retroflame) and snapchat (retroflame1) for more tips!
Have a great week,
Erika x
Hannah
12 November
Thank you so much for this, I am going to NYC next year and will definitely refer to this post! xx
Mairead
12 November
Fantastic timing, I’m heading to NY at the beginning of December. Many thanks for sharing!
Prudence
12 November
Ahhh… the sweet treats look so pretty and delicious at the same time! Love all your minimalist looks too!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Shane
16 November
I have to say, I was never really impressed with the Empire State building but I would agree with your recommendation on Top of the Rock – absolutely a must see!
Emily
19 November
Really helpful post, I’ve been to New York a few times and always visited the same attractions! I will definitely be trying out some of the restaurants and sights mentioned in my next visit. Thanks!
Best Cocktail Bars in NYC – World Class Drinks
16 December
[…] Don’t forget to follow along on the @worldclass Instagram account to see more photos throughout the week and if you need some more general NYC recommendations, I’cve done a full city guide HERE. […]
Solweig
10 April
I’m a new follower, not sure if you know theses places but here are some of my favorites :
Coffee or juice to go
Chalait (for matcha tea)
Liquiteria and Juice press (for cold pressed juices)
Stumptown Coffee Roaster at the Ace hotel
The blue bottle
Ninth Street Espresso
Oslo Coffee (in the UES)
Toby’s Estate Coffee at Club Monaco,
The Elk in the village (you can also sit)
Kaffe 1668 in Tribeca (you can also sit)
Brunch
Little Collins for breakfast
Vin et fleurs
Rosemary’s
Gemma at the bowery hotel
Café Maman
Joseph Leonard
DRINKS
The Jimmy rooftop at the James hotel (go before sunset) (it’s my favorite)
Gallow Green at the McKittrick hotel
La piscine (rooftop) at hotel Americano
Nomad hotel for drinks at the bar (they have different rooms)
Bar Sardine
The Press lounge rooftop (for a chill night)
The roof and the Refinery rooftop for afterwork drink
Grand banks (a sailing boat during Summer)
The Jane hotel in the west village (better during fall winter)
DINNER
Saxon + parole with friends or a date (the back room is nicer and quieter)
Fedora
Bobo
Jeffrey’s Grocery
Bolonat
DryBar for a blowout and an amazing/chillaxing experience with a friend
Sophie
23 January
This makes me want to go to NYC.
Ally
23 January
Thanks for this Erika! I love New York and have been lucky enough to visit a fair few times but not been to so many of these places..obviously I’m missing out :) so excited for my next trip so I can work my way down your lists xx
Linda Boylan
23 January
Reading your post makes me want to go to New York again. We done all the touristy things but I’d love to try some or all of these restaurants and bars. Hopefully soon 😀
Liv
23 January
Agree with all your picks!! There is always so much to do in NYC!
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
Aoife
24 January
Love this!! Thanks for this. Could you possibly do a post for things to do in NY at Christmas time? Just booked to go this December (11 months and counting) and looking for some lovely Christmassy things to do! Thanks x
Abigail
24 January
Thanks for recommending all these things to do! I’ve never been to Chelsea Market before.
Abigail Alice 💕
Gabby
25 August
This is very helpful! I am going to NYC in December and I cannot wait!!
-gabby
http://www.orcuttfamilydentistry.com
Julie Delaney
30 August
Many thanks for all the work on this, We are heading to NYC in September from Ireland and never know where to eat etc.
So looking forward to visiting a few of these spots, thanks Erica.
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25 October
[…] of these places out. If you enjoyed the post and found it helpful you might also like my ‘Best Things To Do In NYC‘ […]
Hope Faulkner
14 November
Great post dying to try some of these places 🤗
72 Hours In New York City - The Must Do's
15 February
[…] people visiting for a weekend or even if you are visiting yourself. I have a full post already on The Best Things To Do In NYC but It can be hard to fit everything in as there is SO much to see and do here. So this time, […]
Eimear
16 March
Here at the moment and this is so handy! 🤗
Verlin Dabu
30 June
Really a helpful post,,, thanks for sharing 😍😍😍 God bless stunning erika
The Best Free Things To Do In NYC |
20 January
[…] you enjoyed this post – you will definitely enjoy my other NYC posts which include ‘Best Things To Do In NYC‘, ‘72 Hours in NYC – The Must Do’s‘, ‘The 10 most […]