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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

*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