Jeff & Nikki's Wedding
NYC Tips
For Manhattan Skyline Views: Gantry Plaza State Park
Found right across the street from our apartment, Gantry State Park is a beautiful waterfront oasis boasting THE best views of the Manhattan Skyline. If you're looking for the best NYC photos, look no further than this park. And if feeling hungry, we highly recommend a meal at American Brass right across the street.
For Live Jazz: The Village Vanguard
The Village Vanguard is an iconic and historic jazz joint in Manhattan where jazz legends have performed, including Sidney Bechet, Una Mae Carlisle, Art Hodes, and Mary Lou Williams. First opened in the 1930s, to attend a show at the Village Vanguard is to transport yourself to old New York. Make sure to buy tickets online in advance.
For a "New York Happy Meal:" The Garret
We love a good speakeasy: a stellar bar hidden behind an unassuming facade. The Garret West is one such place, a cocktail bar tucked above a Five Guy's burger joint. The best part? You can bring food from downstairs up to the bar. In NYC, we have something called the "New York Happy Meal," which is a cocktail (ideally a dirty martini) and fries. Order some fries, grab a cocktail, and enjoy your own NYC Happy Meal.
For a Prohibition Era Cocktail: The Campbell
Grand Central terminal is a must-see when visiting New York for the first time. But our favorite recommendation is a tucked-away bar hidden inside Grand Central called The Campbell. Housed in what was once the offices of the 1920s financier John W. Campbell, this nostalgic bar is perfect for a classic cocktail.
For the Perfect Pastry: Supermoon Bakehouse
NYC is home to many fantastic bakeries, but one of our favorite is the Supermoon Bakehouse on Rivington Street. Stop by for beautiful croissants, delicious pastries, and savory bites.
For a Scenic Walk: The High Line
The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan's West Side. This is the perfect way to enjoy New York on a warm day. Start at the Hudson Yards entrance and walk along the west side towards Chelsea, where you'll exit near Chelsea Market (a great spot to grab lunch).
For the Best French Food: Balthazar
If you're looking for a stellar dinner option, look no further than Balthazar down in Soho. This popular restaurant is known for its classic French fare, stellar wine and cocktails, and beautiful decor. We highly recommend making reservations in advance!
For an Escape to Nature: Central Park
We love to take Chico for walks through Central Park! In the fall, Central Park is at its most beautiful. Head over to the park and get lost in The Ramble, a lush wooded area of the park that feels like a forest in the heart of Manhattan.
For Affordable Omakase: Sugarfish
An Omakase menu can set you back more than $300 in certain restaurants, but thanks to this Los Angeles' restaurant that has landed in NYC, you can enjoy a fantastic and fresh omakase menu for under $50. We cannot recommend Sugar Fish enough!
For the Kiddos: Jane's Carousel
There is a lot to see in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood, but this antique carousel ride just might be the most charming attraction for those visiting with kiddos. Dating back to the 1920s, this lovingly restored carousel sits right on the water, with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline behind it.
For Old New York Vibes: The Roxy Hotel
One of our favorite places in NYC is The Roxy Hotel, which feels like a time capsule of old New York. Whether you're a guest at The Roxy Hotel or just stopping by for live jazz and cocktails, you can't go wrong with The Roxy. There you'll find a vintage movie theater, a Parisian-inspired jazz club, an Oyster bar, and so much more.
For Wine & Books: Book Club Bar
One of our favorite bookshops in the city is Book Club Bar, a cozy bookstore by day that becomes a wine bar by night. Curl up on one of the worn leather armchairs with a favorite read, or come by in the evening for wine and book-related events. Nikki will be hosting her own book event at Book Club Bar this November to celebrate the release of her travel memoir Call You When I Land.
For Natural Wine Lovers: Coast and Valley
One of our new favorite places is this Californian wine bar and restaurant in Brooklyn called Coast & Valley. Enjoy a fantastic selection of natural wines (which we are convinced leave you hangover free the next day!). Our recommendation? Don't skip ordering the Katsu chicken. It's epic.
For a Relaxing Spa Day: Great Jones
Nestled in Nolita, the Great Jones Spa is a true oasis of serenity. Book a massage or just a day pass to enjoy their saunas, thermal pools, and freeze plunge pools. You'll walk away feeling invigorated, relaxed, and pampered.
For Singing Show Tunes: Marie's Crisis Café
If you love show tunes and singing, this bar is from you. This iconic bar is an experience in itself: an evening that promises a room full of New Yorkers belting out their favorite show tunes while sipping cheap beer and even cheaper wine.
For Something Unexpected: The Met Cloisters
For something unexpected, head to the Met Cloisters, which look like a European monastery dropped in northern Manhattan. This is the only museum in the country dedicated to the art of the Middle Ages, and here you'll find Medieval-style gardens, architecture, and rich tapestries.