Caroline in the City Guide to New York City

New York City is one with dozens of nicknames, whether you prefer the “city that never sleeps” or the “Big Apple.” But one thing is for certain: the five boroughs have more than their fair share of personality squeezed into each neighborhood.

Sometimes you forget you’re in a thriving metropolis and feel more like a number of towns. You can visit dozens of times and still not see everything, but this is a good place to start.

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The Neighborhoods of New York City

In Manhattan alone, there are dozens of neighborhoods worth visiting and that doesn’t even include those in Brooklyn and Queens. While each has their own parts worth visiting, namely Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Astoria, I’m going to focus on those on the island of Manhattan.

Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea are where I’ve spent the most time, mostly due to their location near the Javits Center. Hell’s Kitchen was once a rough neighborhood but today is full of good restaurants, Gotham West Market and filming locations for television and movies.

Nearby Chelsea is home to landmarks like The High Line and Chelsea Market, the city’s most popular food hall. You’ll also find art galleries, rooftop bars and even a driving range at the piers.

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Greenwich Village is typically divided into East and West, separated by Broadway and the NYU campus. In the West Village, check out the Whitney Museum (on the border with the Meatpacking District) and Washington Square Park for a quiet afternoon.

Also worth is the Stonewall Inn, home of the modern LGBT movement. Over on the Eastside, stop by staples like David Chang’s Momofuku Milk Bar, Xi’an Famous Foods and McSorley’s Old Ale House, one of the oldest bars in the city.

Tribeca has a reputation for being upscale, but there are plenty of reasonably priced dishes to be had. The neighborhood below Canal Street is mostly known for the Tribeca Film Festival, started by actor Robert De Niro and held annually.

And while not overly budget-friendly, Tribeca has many independent boutiques and shops. One memorable landmark is the Ghostbusters Building, the firehouse used in the movie.

New York City Restaurants and Cafes

One of the best things about visiting New York is dining out. It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to go and getting reservations, but the good far outweigh the bad. Sometimes the best meals can be random neighborhood joints you happen upon.

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but here are a few of my favorites from my frequent trips to New York. Most are under $20 per meal and you can also check out the best bites on one of many food tours.

Pick A Bagel– When looking for bagel sandwiches, salads, and soups, head to this westside eatery. I was impressed to see they even have tofu cream cheese for the vegans and non-dairy eaters.

Sullivan Street Bakery– This small bakery has a cult-like following amongst those in the know, particularly for their pastries, particularly the bomboloni, and the breakfast sandwiches.

Tacombi at Fonda Nolita– I visited this pop-up style restaurant with a friend that felt more like a street in Mexico than a building in New York City. They serve up tacos and cocktails at metal tables and chairs while the kitchen is located in an old VW bus.

Cafe Mogador– This Village cafe was recommended to me by a coworker for its Mediterranean fare and brunches. The decor makes you feel like you could be in Paris, especially the patio. Be sure to try the spicy eggs and a cappuccino.

Two Hands– The Australian-style cafe has framed photos of Bondi Beach and dishes like avocado toast and flat whites. There are now multiple locations.

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Pure Thai Cookhouse– The small, authentic Thai restaurant always has a wait, but once you get inside it’s worth it. They serve up stir frys, noodles and bites like egg rolls and buns.

Zutto Japanese American Pub– After reading about it in a magazine, my sister and I met a friend at Zutto, which soon became our favorite spot. There may not be many seats, which means you should make a reservation if you can, but the sushi and spicy ramen are worth it.

Little Spain– The Jose Andres Spanish food hall at Hudson Yards has everything you love: tortilla Espanola, paella, patatas bravas, churros, and Spanish wine.

Vanessa’s Dumpling House– Expect to wait in line at this bustling Chinatown dumpling spot. They offer fried and steamed dumplings with a variety of fillings. They also have noodle soups and pancake sandwiches.

Jacob’s Pickles– I wouldn’t usually recommend Southern food outside of the South, but this Upper West Side has incredible biscuits. The portions are massive, so be prepared.

New York City Bars and Nightlife

Nightlife is at the center of the city’s heartbeat, as you can find historic pubs that have remained unchanged since the early days of the city to the swanky cocktail lounges where celebrities mix and mingle.

Onieal’s– I went to this bar on the Sex and the City Tour, as it’s where Steve and Aiden opened Scout, but it was also a Prohibition-era bar with a tunnel to the police station.

McSorley’s Old Ale House– Named the oldest bar in the city, the bar was established in the late 1800s and men’s only until the 1970s. Nothing has been removed from the walls since 1910 and they only serve their own house beer.

The Press Lounge– Located atop the Ink48 Hotel, here you’ll find sweeping views of the Hudson as well as the westside. The drink prices can be steep and the lines can be long on weekends, but you can’t put a price on the atmosphere.

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The Polynesian– The funky tiki bar inside the Pod Hotel has pricey, but delicious and strong, drinks. You can share massive drinks with friends or enjoy zero-proof cocktails.

Rudy’s– Easily my favorite bar in New York, the smoky dive bar offers free hot dogs with every drink you purchase. It’s easy to spend under $5 on beer and snacks.

Bar Sixty-Five– If you don’t mind a splurge, visit this stunning bar atop Rockefeller Center at the Rainbow Room. There is a minimum cost to sit outside and reservations are recommended.

Brooklyn Brewery– And, of course, visit the city’s original craft brewery, located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. They’re open for tours daily but get there early.

Things to Do in New York City

New York City has hundreds of things to do for both first time visitors and locals. Once you’ve done the big-ticket items, like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square, look for the more cultural experiences and check out the city’s many public parks.

The Morgan Library & Museum– What started as a private library for robber baron J.P. Morgan is now a museum devoted to art and the printed word. See the historic library, with its original volumes. It’s a worthy break in the standard museum mile.

High Line Park– Perhaps the most popular green space to be created in the last fifty years, the High Line is made of a converted elevated rail line that now hosts concerts, art shows, and food vendors.

Ground Zero– It’s important to visit the September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero even if you decide not to go to the Museum, which opened last year. Visiting both require purchasing tickets. Book your 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Skip-the-Line 9/11 Museum Ticket.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum– There are many art museums worth visiting in New York, including the Met and MOMA, but the Guggenheim is recommended for its famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed architecture and exhibits on modern art. Book your Skip the Line: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Ticket.

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The Cloisters– Opened in 1938 with the support of John D. Rockefeller, the museum is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Book your Metropolitan Museum of Art w/access to The Met Breuer &The Met Cloisters Ticket.

Brooklyn Bridge – The famous bridge is free to walk across and has great views of the city. Just be sure to watch out for bicyclists who won’t hesitate to veer around you and yell if you’re walking slowly or in the wrong lane.

Circle Line Cruises– There’s no better way to see New York City than by water. I took the Harbor Lights cruise, which left from the Westside down to Battery Park and the Freedom Tower, past Hoboken, looping around Brooklyn, and returning past Lady Liberty at night. Book your New York City Harbor Lights Cruise before you go.

Tours- I also recommend checking out some of the On Location Tours NYC TV & Movie Tour that visit your favorite locations from Sex and the City, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Sopranos, and many more. 

For local experiences of New York City neighborhoods, check out Urban Adventures tours.

Shopping in New York City

It’s easy to go crazy when shopping in New York City, particularly when it comes to the major flagship stores here. Apart from clothing, here are a few of my favorite stores to check out when in town.

Century 21– The Financial District store is famous for its discounted designer attire. Be prepared to search for the good stuff as it’s mixed in with non-designer.

ABC Carpet & Home– Design lovers will fall head over heels for this store that sells so much more than carpet. Their displays are like Anthropologie but better, featuring home furnishings and other gift items. They also have an in-house restaurant.

The Strand– Dubbing itself “18 miles of books,” you could spend hours roaming through the shelves of this New York City landmark. They carry all genres and regularly host author readings and relevant events.

Eataly– The restaurant/beer garden/classroom/Italian food hall sells everything a foodie and Italophile could want, from fresh pasta to small-batch olive oil to espresso.

McNally Jackson– Another favorite bookstore, the Nolita and Brooklyn locations have great travel sections (that carry my book!).

Artists & Fleas– The artisan market has locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan with vintage clothing, handcrafted jewelry, records, and other gifts.

Where to Stay in New York City

Finding a deal on a place to stay in New York City depends heavily on what neighborhood, time of year and price range. The further away you are from areas like Times Square and Central Park, the less expensive it’s bound to be.

Kimpton Ink48 Hotel– My go-to hotel in New York is usually this Kimpton property, which was chosen by my bosses, but it’s a great hotel that provides daily tea and coffee, bike rentals, an in-house restaurant and bar, and plush bathrobes. There’s also a spa and they provide C.O. Bigelow toiletries.

Ace Hotel New York– For a hip and more pricey stay, the Ace is where you want to be. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of staying here, but I have visited their bar. They have all sorts of rooms, including bunk beds in smaller rooms to full suites.

The Row NYC– Similar to the Ace, The Row is a new property in the heart of Times Square and just as busy. You choose what size room you want and can take advantage of amenities like the free Wifi, computers for use, bar and restaurant, and a 24-hour shop.

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The Jane Hotel– Another small but quirky property, The Jane has bunk bedrooms and larger rooms for a higher rate. All are reminiscent of sleeping onboard a ship as it was originally a home for sailors.

The Pod Hotel Times Square– With four locations within the city, these small space hotel rooms have great amenities like an in-house restaurant, fitness center, and toiletries.

Yotel New York– The Japanese-inspired hotel has an electronic check-in and a robot to hold your luggage. Rooms have free WiFi, televisions, and ensuite bathrooms.

Don’t forget about Airbnb as an option either, but expect to find more options in the outer boroughs like Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and across the river in New Jersey.

New York City Transportation

New York City is easy to get around if you know where to find the subway stops. MetroCards can be reloaded and are good for a number of years. You can use them on buses and trains, which can take you from the airport. Get yourself a map or an app on your first day to figure out where you’re going.

Also, keep in mind that the entrance to the direction you want to travel might be across the street or down the block. Be mindful of how late your chosen train runs and make sure you don’t accidentally end up on an express train that skips your stop, as I did once. Follow the MTA website for rail delays and updates.

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