Things To Do
Views: Empire State Building
Have your own King Kong or An Affair to Remember moment! We highly recommend going to both the 86th and 102nd floors. Don't like heights? Hang out in the first floor Starbucks Reserve.
Views: One World Observatory
This is Kyle's favorite look out over the city because it has the view of the Statue of Liberty that the Empire State Building does not. Best if you want to see Lower Manhattan's bridges between New Jersey and Brooklyn or the 9/11 site.
Views: The Edge
Have a drink on the Edge's 100th floor outdoor see-through deck and bar! As it is an open-air experience, this viewpoint is not for anyone with even a slight fear of heights. Don't worry, Hudson Yards has great shopping, the Vessel, and is a starting point of the much lower High Line trail.
Views: Top of The Rock & Rockefeller Plaza
An open-air, rooftop view looking over Central Park and Empire State Building. They have recently added a new "Sky Lift." Check online for discounts if you are a Chase card holder. Easy to add to a trip to Rockefeller Plaza where NBC shows such as Jimmy Fallon, SNL, and the Morning Show film. Shopping here includes the NBC store, FAO Schwartz with their exclusive NYC Jelly Cats, the American Girl Store, McNally Jackson Bookstore, Kate Spade, and other designer shopping on 5th Avenue nearby. Sadly, the skating rink will be closed come March.
Views: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
The newest Manhattan observation deck. It has enclosed with clear glass floors above Grand Central Station. Kyle and I haven't been here yet but it does have ever-changing art exhibits in the sky and popular for Instagram and TikTok posts.
Events: Broadway Shows
Most of the Broadway shows, both muscials and non-singing "straight" plays, are in theaters around Times Square. Discounted "day-of " tickets are available from underneath the red staircase at the TKTS booth with supplies varying. Tickets can be purchased in advance at BroadwayDirect (linked), Broadway.com, on a specific show's website, or the TodayTix app. Feel free to ask us about currently running shows and/or best priced tickets. Disclaimer: shows like Hamilton, Wicked, Lion King, and Outsiders need a ticket purchased at least a few months in advance for best prices. These shows don't sell day-of tickets.
Eats: Chelsea Market
Basically an all-year food festival! Underground in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, the Market has a plethora of restaurants and local vendor shops.
Eats: Carbone New York
Viral online for its spicy rigatoni vodka and celebrity clientele, Carbone is a delicious Italian restaurant that we believe lives up to the hype. A reservation is an essential!
Eats: Joe's Pizza
There are many places to get cheap and delicious pizza in New York. Joe's is one of the most wide-spread around the city with the first in Greenwich Village. Minimal seating inside most locations; we typically take our slices to a nearby park. It is here where Peter Parker tries and fails to be a delivery boy in Spider-Man 2!
Eats: 99 Favor Taste
Our go-to Hot Pot and Korean BBQ in Chinatown. A reservation is typically not required unless it is a large party. Bring your appetite as it is all-you-can-eat!
Eats: Zia Maria Little Italy
Our favorite restaurant in Little Italy and where we have Valentine's Day dinner every year! Reservation is recommended if you want to sit inside but their outdoor seating is comfortable year-round.
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met Museum was our first date in New York and part of Kyle's engagement proposal. We love this museum as it has art from every time period in history. Warning: you will not see the entire museum even if you are there all day. Pick out what you want to see or get one of the institution's tour guides! There are discounts for students, seniors, military, and NY residents online; otherwise, purchase tickets in person.
Museum: The Museum of Modern Art
This is New York's premiere modern art museum holding famous works like Van Gogh's Starry Night and Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans. Unlike the Met, you can see the entire museum. If you need to read everything, allocate 4-5 hours; otherwise, you can hustle through in a 2-3 hour visit. Warning: sometimes the art pieces are "downright weird" -Kelsey's stepdad, Mark If you want more traditional art, go to the Met.
Museum: American Museum of Natural History
This is the museum featured in the first "Night at the Museum" film and is most famous for its geodes, giant blue whale, and dinosaur bones. Fun fact: the T-Rex displayed here is the one used in the Jurassic Park logo of "Rexy"!
Experience: Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is historic as it is the first suspension bridge to use steel wire rather than chains. A great place to watch the sunset or go for an early morning run to avoid the crowds. Good views of Lower Manhattan and peaks of the Statue of Liberty. Take the "6" subway line to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall station for walking access.
Experience: The High Line
What used to be an abandoned set of raised train tracks was recently updated to a green walking trail around the west side of Manhattan. A local favorite and featured in Taylor Swift's music.
Shopping: Fifth Avenue
Designer shops galore! Great window shopping and location of THE Saks Fifth Avenue.
Shopping: Soho
Shops in Soho includes Uniqulo, Lululemon, Alo, Nike, Zara, J. Crew, and a smaller Bloomingdale's along with a constant rotation of pop-up shops and sample sales!
Shopping: Macy's on 34th St
The world's largest department store is most famous for being the end of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. The store feels never ending (it takes up an entire city block) and has ample resting space for dads.
Historical Manhattan: Financial District
The oldest area of Manhattan is also the city's financial district (and where we live!). Sights include the Stock Market, Wall Street Bull, the 9/11 memorial, the Oculus, Federal Hall, and the Federal Reserve. Stone Street & Seaport/Pier 34 have incredible restaurants and bars. Be careful of timing here: many places are only open during the work day to correspond with the stock market and the area is quiet in the evening.
Where should I take my morning/evening run?
Kelsey's favorites are: West Side Highway The larger Central Park Loop (warning: NOT flat) Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Loop in Central Park The portions of the east side running trails are under construction so check on any map/running app for openings.