No trip to New York is complete without a visit to Central Park, and for my money the 1-mile track around the reservoir is the best place in the whole city to walk or run. The northern edge of the reservoir has beautiful views of the ultramodern Midtown skyscrapers and the art deco Upper West Side apartment buildings. The southern edge is close to the Met!
After three and a half years of exhaustive research, I have concluded that this is the best pub in New York. It has the best Guinness, the cheapest cocktails, and the funniest bartender (a Dubliner named Simon who once called my Dad a 'culchie'). If I only had one night left in New York for the rest of my life, I would spend it here. Pro tip: get Korean fried chicken wings from Chicken Insider next door and bring them to eat in the pub with your Guinness.
Beautiful Brooklyn diner walking distance from two of the hotels. I am partial to the bloody mary, and Samaa is an advocate for the milkshake. Also one of the best burgers in Brooklyn.
A Samaa favorite. Great place to get some frozen cocktails on a hot summer night. Make sure you get the $5 chicken sandwich while you're there!
A bit of a tourist spot, but for good reason. This is the oldest Irish pub in New York -- Abraham Lincoln drank here after he gave the famous 'House Divided' speech. Two important things to note before you go: it's cash only, and they only have two drinks on the menu, dark beer and light beer.
Another Samaa favourite! This wonderful store is filled with eclectic, whimsical treasures made and sourced by New York artist John Derian, making it the perfect place for special, one-of-a-kind gifts.
A visit to New York isn't complete without exploring Chinatown. It's the perfect place to wander; pop into restaurants and bakeries for delicious Chinese treats, sample exotic produce from the fruit stands, and picking out fun souvenirs! Truly an unmissable experience.
A bit of a tourist trap but still a breathtaking view of the city. Also a great place to buy a knock-off Yankees hat. Once you get to the end of the bridge, turn around and walk back to Manhattan!
Every summer, we ride to the very end of the F and Q subway lines, get some hot dogs from Nathan's or a lobster roll from Paul's Daughter, and ride the beautiful Wonder Wheel (or if we're feeling brave, the very fast Cyclone). As Americana as it gets.
A very moving piece of Ireland in the middle of the Financial District. This is right next to my office, and whenever I need a moment of peace on a chaotic day I visit this small park featuring a reconstructed Famine-era cottage from Mayo and stones from all 32 counties of Ireland.
If you only go to one museum in New York, make it this one. Even if you're not an art lover, this museum has something for you: medieval suits of armor, an ancient Egyptian temple, a room from a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, etc. My recommendation is to enter at the 81st street door, get up to the second floor to see the famous Van Gogh sunflowers, then cut across through the arts of ancient Asia to see Astor Court, which is a Chinese tea garden. From there, you can walk through the Japan section to get to Washington Crossing the Delaware, and then go downstairs to see the Temple of Dendur.
This museum has preserved the apartments that immigrants to New York lived in in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a fascinating place. Make sure you book a few days in advance.
This is a cool little museum withing walking distance from our hotels which lets you see how New York's subways were built and the crazy old trains that used to run on them. Great for kids and adults.
No visit to New York is complete without watching a Yankees game! Great opportunity to sport your knock-off Yankee hat that you bought at Brooklyn bridge. The beers and snacks are pricey but try the "walking taco", it will change your life!