Head uptown for a stroll around the beautiful Central Park (fingers crossed no April showers!). Pair with an afternoon in the Upper East and/or West Sides. Fun Fact: we got engaged in Central Park at The Mall & Literary Walk. See: Central Park, Columbus Circle, The Plaza Hotel Eat & Drink: Tavern on the Green, The Boathouse, Head to Bergdorf's for afternoon tea!
Abby started dating Jake even though he lived "all the way" on the Upper East Side (and we've lived there ever since...). See: Metropolitan Art Museum (The Met), The Guggenheim, Madison Avenue Shopping, Bloomingdales Eat: 2nd Avenue Deli, JG Melon (NY Classic Burger!), Uva, Elios, Pastrami Queen Drink: The Penrose, 2nd Avenue Deli Upstairs, UES (ice cream shop speakeasy, can't wear sneakers!). If you are feeling fancy, check out Bemelmans's (piano bar at The Carlyle Hotel).
Just off Central Park, the Upper West Side is one of the most beautiful areas in the city with lots of neighborhood charm! See: Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Square Eat: Levain Cookies (the original location!), Zabar's, Jacob's Pickles Drink: Vanguard Wine Bar, Jake's Dilemma, The Gin Mill
All New Yorkers avoid Times Square, other than for a Broadway show - but it is a must see for anyone that hasn't been before. See: Time Square, of course! Broadway shows Eat: Carmines, Totto Ramen, Pure Thai, Kashkaval Drink: Tanner Smith's, Castle Rooftop, Reunion, and no shortage of casual pubs!
See lots of iconic buildings including Grand Central, The Empire State Building & Rockefeller Center. Recommend passing by if its your first time to NYC, even if its just for a bagel. See: Grand Central, The Empire State Building, The NY Public Library, Bryant Park, The MoMA, Rockefeller Center Eat: Ess-a-bagel (Tip: if you just want a bagel and smear (not a sandwich), head inside to the back cash register, you can skip the line!), Grand Central Oyster Bar, Sarge's Deli & Diner Drink: Campbell (Speakeasy in Grand Central), the Ginger Man
See the city from above with a walk across the Highline (a park built on old, above ground subway tracks that extends from Hudson Yards to Chelsea). See: Highline, Little Island, Chelsea Pier, Hudson Yards Eat: Chelsea Market (lot’s of lunch options & local food!), City Winery, Brooklyn Bagel, Little Spain Drink: Restoration Hardware Bar, McKittrick Hotel Gallow Green
Just a quick walk from the The James Hotel. Fun Fact: Jake & Abby's first date was near Union Square at Pierre Loti! See: Union Square, Union Square Farmer's Market, Gramercy Park, 5th Avenue shopping, the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, Eataly (for an Italian food market) Eat: Shake Shack (in Madison Square Park), ABC Kitchen, Breads Bakery (for Babka!), Tacombi, Union Square Cafe, Joe's Pizza Drink: Pierre Loti, Dear Irving, Freehand Hotel Rooftop, La Birreria (Eataly Rooftop)
Fun Fact: Abby lived in the East Village for years before moving uptown! Lots of great bars and restaurants. See: Williamsburg Bridge, Tenement Museum, Little Italy, Chinatown, Comedy Cellar Eat: Katz's Deli (for it's famous Pastrami!), Russ & Daughters, Cafe Mogador, Clinton Street Bakery Drink: The Roof at Public Hotel, Sel Rrose, Kind Regards, Boilermaker
If you're looking for the best restaurants in NYC and quintessential tree lined streets, SoHo and the West Village are where you want to be. See: Washington Square Park, Shopping in Soho, Smalls Jazz Club Eat: Sadelle's, Jack's Wife Freda, Rosemary's, Quality Eats, Sushi Nakazawa. Or, *try* to get a reservation at: L'Artusi, Don Angie, or Carbone Drink: Wilfie & Nell, White Horse Tavern, Blind Tiger, Little Branch, The Happiest Hour, Employees Only
Downtown has lots of popular and signature tourist attractions that are must see's in a visit to NY! See: One World Trade Center, Oculus, Wall Street, Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, shopping at Brookfield place, South Street Seaport, Battery Park Eat: Bubby's, Walker's, Industry Kitchen Drink: The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, The Fulton, Pier A Harbor House (great outdoor space and view of the Statue of Liberty)