Visit NYC like a local

New York you’re perfect – don’t, please don’t, change a thing. Growing up, living in the vibrant and bustling island of Manhattan was all I could dream of. I watched Gossip Girl and Sex and the City and imagined the fabulous life I would lead as a magazine editor. Ultimately I moved to NYC in 2014 and quickly fell in love (it took me about 4 months to get used to the hectic pace and a year to feel comfortable). Although I no longer live in the city, I still visit every chance I can get and explore NYC like a local.

View from Top of the Rock

One of my favorite things about New York is the constant NEW – new restaurants, shops, always something new to do or try. But over the years I’ve found some places are tried and true for the best of reasons. This is my list of absolute classics and mainstays that I always return to when I’m back in the city.

Current mural on Bowery in the Lower East Side (formerly a Ramones mural)

Ramones mural near the former CBGB’s in the Lower East Side (has been repainted to Blondie)

If you are looking for a sightseeing guide I recommend this list of the best touristy spots to see.

At an event in the Botanical Gardens, Bronx

BARS

Campbell Apartment – you have to try a speakeasy when in New York. There are some complicated ones like Please Don’t Tell or Employees Only, but the Campbell Apartment is actually in Grand Central Station and grand it is! This is one of my favorite spots in the entire city. The cocktails are pricey but wonderful. I even based an article for The Daily Meal off their spiced apple Moscow Mule.

Joe Strummer mural outside of Niagara in the East Village

Niagara – this is my favorite bar, hands down. It’s more of a neighborhood bar and a great way to experience NYC like a local. One time my friend called me and told me to head to Niagara for a cool show, which happened to be Penn Badgley’s awesome band Mxther, hosting an impromptu small gig (I think there were about 20 people there). Where else does that happen?! Since I can’t go to CBGB’s, this place has the grunge NYC punk-era feel that I need. The Joe Strummer mural outside is just the icing on the cake.

Charleston – this gem in Williamsburg has $1 pizza with your drink. It also has games in the back. My friends and I frequently started or ended up here on our nights out. It’s also a great place to meet people. A good conversation starter = what toppings they are choosing for their drunk pizza.

Another fun activity is the concert lineup at Central Park called Summer Stage. I saw Passenger for free!

Bowery Electric – this is another good venue for live music! It’s on my favorite strip on NYC in the Lower East Side and on the weekends it’s hopping.

Hair of the Dog – funny story: one time I frantically searched for a bar called “Dog of the Hair” before deciding this must be what my drunk friend meant. When I got there I knew why she was mixed up – this is the place for a hot mess on Saturday night. It is still extremely fun! It’s also packed in the spring/summer on Saturday afternoons with people hanging outside and drinking all around this block.

Surf Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Surf Bar – this is my other favorite bar in Brooklyn. It has actual sand in it. If you are craving the beach in NYC this is your spot. It’s got the coolest shore vibes and laid-back atmosphere.

The Pod 39 Rooftop Bar

The rooftop bar at Pod 39 Hotel – you have to try out a rooftop bar in NYC and this is my favorite. Empellon Al Pastor serves delicious margaritas and has the coolest energy. Very cute décor as well!

RESTAURANTS

Gyro photo taken from the viewpoint at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Smorgasburg – food fairs are one of the most fun ways to experience the huge melting pot of food in nyc like a local and Smorgasburg (held on weekends in the summer) is my absolute favorite. There are two locations but I usually frequented the Williamsburg one (and by frequented mean, went every chance I could get).

Random food fair in lower Manhattan

Whole Foods Bowery – the great thing about NYC is that the Whole Foods =  shopping malls, they are huge and have every product ever. The prepared foods section is like heaven and it’s a pretty cost effective way to eat out. They had delicious sections like burgers, barbecue and more, but it seems they have eliminated these.

Beyond Sushi – of course NYC has an entire sushi restaurant that is vegan! The rolls are so inventive and feature a lot of delicious ingredients like artichoke, mango, fennel, eggplant and more.

Vegan French toast at The Butcher’s Daughter

The Butcher’s Daughter – I love this place for both dinner and brunch. Plus, the location in the Lower East Side is great. Rice flour vegan pancakes with whipped strawberry vegan butter – yes please!

The scene at Gemma on Bowery

Gemma – this is a fun, casual restaurant in one of the most hip accomodations in the city – The Bowery Hotel. Great place for celeb sightings and delicious craft cocktails. I especially like the jalapeño tequila drink.

Gramercy Tavern – if you’re looking for a fancy night out you can’t beat Gramercy Tavern. I visited a lot of the top restaurants in NYC, such as ABC Kitchen, and none impressed me more than Gramercy Tavern. Expect exceptional service and food.

ACTIVITIES

Gallery observed during Lower East Side meetup tour

Art – MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is an incredible collection and houses many of my favorite works. However, tickets are very expensive and the place is PACKED on the free night. The Met (Metropolitan Museum) is a much more pleasant experience and you can pay what you think the experience is worth. Technically you could give a penny, but I always like to support this wonderful NYC institution. Other city museums like the Natural History Museum operate under the same policy. My favorite work at The Met is Manet’s beautiful impressionist painting, Boating.

Gallery observed during Lower East Side meetup tour

For touring galleries I suggest you check out Meetup.com – I easily joined a free gallery tour of the Lower East Side and was introduced to so many great new places and artists. The meetup possibilities are endless as well (you can join groups heading to a restaurant or food fair or speed-dating, whatever!). There are literally 101 things to do in NYC. Lastly, make sure to look for any auction previews. When I lived in NYC I was lucky enough to hear about the exhibition of the Alfred Taubman collection at Sotheby’s. I got to preview the estimated $500 million collection containing some of my favorite artists like de Kooning, Rothko, Calder, Lichtenstein and more.

North River Lobster Company NYC boat cruise

Take a boat ride around the city – this is a cruise atop a lobster restaurant that also serves drinks. Great way to relax and see the city from a new perspective!

Shopping – I love the Lower East Side for shopping. Billy Reid is on Bond Street and Rag & Bone is close by. I suggest checking out both. They are my favorite boutiques in NYC.

The Physical Graffiti building on St. Marks

Teatime – It’s no secret that I am obsessed with Led Zeppelin. My humble apartment in NYC was only 10 streets away from the iconic Physical Graffiti building. I frequently passed by it hoping I might see Jimmy Page (just kidding). The best part? Underneath is an adorable tea shop – Physical GraffiTea – that sells all sorts of exotic tea you can enjoy right there in the shop or take home for a cuppa. You might even run into Robert Plant (he does go there!).

Waiting in line for a cronut at the Dominique Ansel bakery is a must-do NYC experience

Party at Gotham Hall – there used to be an epic Halloween party called the “Villain’s Ball” but it looks like it may not be happening anymore. However, the same company hosts a New Year’s Eve party there, which seems like a great time as well. The venue is stunning and feels like the most fabulous New York event ever.

View of the Empire State Building walking through Madison Square Park area

NEIGHBORHOODS

Snow covered street in the East Village/Gramercy area

East Village/LES – my favorite area of NYC, I love just walking the streets and discovering new spots

FiDi – super fun in the summer when the block parties on Pearl Street start

The Flatiron building near Gramercy

Gramercy – this is the wonderful, quiet residential area that I fell in love with

view of the Manhattan Bridge from DUMBO

Williamsburg – the cool, hip area of Brooklyn

Union Square – very fun, tons of restaurants