Cindi & Brent
You're In New York City!
Staten Island Ferry
This is hands-down the best way to see the Statue of Liberty and its FREE. Pro-tip - everyone will run up top to get a great view. But the best views are from the lowest deck on the City side.
The Museum of Modern Art
For art lovers, this place has some of our favorite art.
9/11 Memorial Pools
9/11 is a shared memory for Brent and Cindi, and factored heavily in to our early history. We encourage everyone to take a moment if they can to stop by the memorial pools.
East River Ferry
One of the best tours of NYC by water is using the MTA's ferry system along the East River. $2.75 each way, you'll need a ticket both ways. Unlike the subways, which are free until you leave the subway, they will make you get off at the end of the line and buy a new ticket to go back in the other direction. Pro-tip: you can drink on these ferrys (there is a bar onboard or you can bring your own) and the top deck is fantastic views for a very affordable price. You can get off at DUMBO, the South Street Seaport and Battery Park City, among others. A super fun way to get from Williamsburg to Manhattan.
The High Line
This is such a great walk! They converted an old, elevated train line in to a park. From here, you may also consider checking out the Chelsea Market. You can hop on an off anywhere along the line, so don't feel like you have to do the whole thing. On the northern section is Hudson Yards with the Vessel, which unfortunately, you cannot walk up anymore but is still amazing to look at.
Russ & Daughters Cafe
Classic kosher deli. Amazing.
2nd Ave Deli
Pricey but classic kosher deli fare
Little Island
Check out this amazing manmade island!
Wall Street
We both really love downtown New York. Just walk around these crazy, tight, narrow streets. Note: this is the financial district of the city, and is a lot more alive and vibrant during the work week. Try weekends if you want to avoid crowds, but visit during the week for the full frenzied energy of it all.
Coney Island
This is more of a day trip, since it takes an hour on the train each way to get there. However, you can walk the boardwalk, ride the roller coaster, walk in the sand and of course, eat a Nathan's hot dog.
Oculus Center
We love the Oculus, built following 9/11. Its visually stunning and totally Insta-worthy, if you are in to that. You can't miss it, it looks like a giant white bird and is worth the trip. It serves as a shopping mall and transit station for both the subway and the PATH to New Jersey. Many, many subway lines comes through here so its a great location to get to and from other parts of the city.
Katz's Delicatessen
A classic.
South Street Seaport
Some great food, shopping, bars, views of Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge
We will be walking the Williamsburg Bridge on the day of our wedding, but the Brooklyn Bridge is iconic and the views are amazing. Pro tip: leave from the Brooklyn side and walk toward Manhattan, the views are better in this direction. Also, it can be CROWDED on the weekends especially, but really anytime there is good weather. Just be prepared.
Top of The Rock
Arguably better views than from the Empire State Building, in part because you can see the Empire State Building! Also, (and we can't attest to this because we don't do a lot of the observation deck things) we are told it is both easier to get in and less crowds.
Le Pavillon
This is a prix-fixe menu at the base the Vanderbilt Building. Brent took me for my birthday last year. It's pricey and reservations are ABSOLUTELY required, but if you are looking for that one-night-out dinner, this one is spectacular and holds very dear memories for Brent and Cindi
KENKA
We absolutely love this yakitori style Japanese restaurant on St Marks. Order from a variety of small plates, enjoy an $8 pitcher of Sapporo! Cheap and delicious street-style Japanese food, crazy old school interior. Very New York meets Tokyo.
House of Yes
If you want to catch a show while you are here - this place is almost always going. Side note - if you want to do some clubbing in the city, we have some great connections that can give you a personal recommendation based on your specific musical inclinations. Just ask!