Manhattan seen from Central Park Reservoir

Originally I wrote this post in 2021 after our 10 day trip to NYC but after living here for almost a year I realized I had to update some of the info and missing places on the list so here is the new version:

General Tips

Transportation

Josh and I like to take an Uber when we first arrive in a new city and have to go from the airport to the hotel. We discovered it to be very helpful with all the luggage but it also saves us from having to figure out public transport right after a long time of travelling. The first ride also often helps me get a feel for the city, to realize where the sketchy areas are and what traffic looks like.

The subway is a great way to get around in the city. Cabs & Uber obviously are convenient but they also get pricey plus you do get stuck in crazy NY traffic often. Even though you might see crazy stories and videos of the subway online, it is a safe means of transport and very convenient. Follow a few rules and you’ll be fine:

Attach your credit card to your phone wallet and use tap to pay. You get charged $2.90 per ride but not more than $34 a week if you always pay with the same card. Don’t bother buying a metrocard unless you want it for the retro feels. It’s a hassle to figure out the perfect swipe.
Use Google Maps to get around, it will tell you which trains to take and what exit to use
Don’t go on an empty train as there is often a reason why it is empty (smells, lone crazy person)
Be aware of your surroundings

Avoid taking busses, they take forever to get anywhere. I always feel like I am faster walking. (Might be controversial and you might have more luck than us.)

Accommodation

Our hotel in 2021 was in Astoria, Queens, right next to a subway stop which was very convenient. The place itself was okay, but not amazing. So I am sure you can find something a little more worth the cost. Generally I would probably recommend a hotel in Manhattan or near Downtown Brooklyn so you’re close to all the attractions.

Things to see and do:

Manhattan (Uptown to Downtown)

Central Park We just went on a few strolls through the park and sat down to read, which is very nice when you’ve been exploring for a few days. You can also rent Citibikes or sit on a carriage if you wish to do so. Umpire Rock is a fun place to go to as you can see the contrast of the skyscrapers in the background and the park in the foreground.) Generally the more north you go, the less people there are. I love to walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir at the top and see the Conservatory Garden.
The Met short for The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a giant museum with all kinds of paintings, sculptures and artefacts. You’ll find famous pieces from Da Vinci, Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and so many more but also a massive collection of samurai armor, photography and part of a pyramid. It is my favorite museum from the big three (other two listed below), plan enough time as the museum closes at 5PM except on Fridays and Saturdays and is closed on Wednesdays.
The Viand - A great diner
American Museum of Natural History If you are a history and animal fan, this is a great place for you to go to. They have all kinds of real stuffed animal collections, many of which were collected by legendary president Teddy Roosevelt himself. Generally more an “old” museum with a lot of things to look at but not very interactive.
The MoMA is short for Museum of Modern Art. If you are someone who enjoys the sometimes eccentric styles of modern art, you shouldn’t miss out on it.
Grand Central Station A fun place to stop by and go down the memory lane of how life used to be in the city. It reminds me of Zurich Main Station with the big giant hall in the center of the building.
Rockefeller Center We actually haven’t made it to the top of the rock since it is a little pricey but it is definitely an amazing view and we want to go!
Times Square A lot of people say they don’t think it’s worth going to Times Square. For my European eyes it is something stunning though, since we tend to have old buildings that are never as high, and we definitely don’t have such huuuge billboards.
The High Line is an elevated path/ park on the west side of the city where you get a view on some impressive architecture. It used to be a train line to transport goods from upstate into the factories in the city. When trucks came along, the area became abandoned and overgrown until a group of friends decided to save it. In the early 2000s the city officially embraced the idea and it became what it is known for today.
Chrysler Building and Flatiron Building Both fun buildings to look at, though the Flatiron building has been under construction since 2019 and is supposed to finish by the end of 2026.
Empire State Building I mean does this need any explanation?
Maman A cute cafe with several locations across the city
The Stand is a great comedy club near Union Square. It’s not quite as well known as the cellar but they don’t upcharge or require a drink minimum. Plus they have great food.
Joe’s Pizza has several locations across the city and is well known for being Spider-man’s workplace and popular with a lot of celebrities too
The Penny Farthing is a big restaurant/sports bar with an old western vibe and great food in the East Village
Spot Dessert Bar - a restaurant that only serves desserts but they look and taste fantastic! Make sure to reserve a table ahead of time and when you get to the location it can be a little hard to see as it is under the stairwell of the building.
Veselka is a Ukrainian restaurant with plenty of delicious food. They have a few locations around the city and Brooklyn.
Tokyo Taiyaki - Taiyaki is a japanese dessert shaped like fish that tastes like a waffle. It’s filled with vanilla custard and topped of with ice cream
Strand Book Store A huge, famous bookstore in the city with new and used books
Jean’s is a nice restaurant in NoHo with delicious food and sometimes a few famous people. They recommend choosing a lot of smaller dishes and sharing it with your friends.
Washington Square Park isn’t the biggest park and probably also not the prettiest in the city but I feel like it is quintessential NYC. You’ll always find chess hustlers (as shown in Searching for Bobby Fischer), artists and buskers in one area with families and tourists. The well known Washington Square Arch is also right there.
The Cellar is the most famous comedy club in the city. If you want to see a famous comedian and don’t mind spending money on a $60 ticket and 2 drinks, this is the place to go.
Color Factory New York A fun experience to be in a museum with lots of ways to interact and take photos. You don’t necessarily learn a lot about color and how it work but it lets you be a child again in a fun way. Plus you get to take lots of colorful photos!
Financial District I was hoping to see a little more than just tall sky scrapers, but I guess for security reasons they can’t let every curious tourist into the Wall Street Stock Market buildings. However it is still impressive to stand between all the tall buildings.
One World Trade Center It is humbling to be in the place of tragedy and to imagine how big the twin towers were.
Manhattan Bridge - This was probably my favorite experience on our first trip to New York and we discovered it by accident. We were on the subway (Amazing view from N, Q & R train) passing over the bridge at night, as I realized how amazing the view was from the bridge. Take the Grand Street exit from the subway and walk across the bridge. You get the better view on the city AND the Brooklyn Bridge and there are way less people. It also looks amazing at night. (Title image)
Brooklyn Bridge - Get out of the subway by Brooklyn Bridge City Hall and then walked across it. It does get very crowded but it is still a fun walk.
The Dead Rabbit is a classic Irish bar spread across 3 floors with traditional sawdust on the floors. They serve amazing drinks and there is a great atmosphere! During Christmas time they have great decorations and special Christmas themed drinks. Don’t miss out on that!
5th Ave is the one of the main shopping streets in the city with all of the big brands. During Christmas times it’s worth checking the area out for all the crazy decorations.
Biking: NYC has a lot of bike lanes and you can ride all around the city! I like the route that takes you on the edge of the city. Start at the point of your choosing on the eastern side of Manhattan, bike around the southern tip and back on the west side. If you’re planning on riding the bike all day it might be worth just renting a normal bike for a few hours. Citibikes can get very expensive (even if you get the day pass), you have to park them every 30min and the non-electric bikes are very heavy and hard to ride. The electric bikes cost extra per minute which really adds up.

Places I think are not worth it:

Chelsea Flea The flea market is open on Saturdays and Sundays but I much prefer the Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg and Dumbo

Brooklyn

Josh and I live in Brooklyn and thus have a lot of recommendations for that. We were in Williamsburg for 6 months and now are near Downtown Brooklyn, so those are the areas with more recommendations but are generally probably also the more interesting areas.

Downtown Area (ish)

Brooklyn Heights From Brooklyn Bridge it is very fun to explore Brooklyn Heights and just walk through the neighborhood focusing on the fruit streets. (Cranberry, Orange, Pineapple) There are a lot of very fancy brownstone houses with nice gardens. Make sure to walk on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for the amazing view of Manhattan.
Brookyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Flea Saturdays the flea market is in Williamsburg and on Sundays in Dumbo, we enjoyed this one more than Chelsea flea
Prospect Park is the Brooklyn version of Central Park but it’s way less touristy, wilder and more natural. The south of the park has a lake with lots of turtles and is generally less busy than the north.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is on the east side of Prospect Park. It requires a ticket to enter but is very beautifully made. There is a very large outdoor area with different types of parks and a few greenhouses with various climates.
The Brooklyn Strategist - If you like board games you should definitely check this place out. It’s a board game cafe where all the locals hang out)

Williamsburg/Greenpoint

Domino Park - enjoy a great view on Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan and the old factory of Domino Sugar.
Walk along Kent Ave between Grand St and N 7th St and check out the side streets with all the little shops. Bedford Ave also has a lot of food and shopping places.
Three Decker Diner is a sort of dirty spoon diner that has delicious food and is very popular, especially on the weekends.
Fresh Kills is an amazing cocktail bar where you tell them the flavours you’re craving and they’ll make you a drink!
Skinny Dennis, a very popular country bar
Bernie’s is has delicious burgers and is one of the most popular spots in Greenpoint. Make sure to be there 15min before opening time to get a seat.
Kellogg’s Diner is another diner with great food options and is open 24/7

Other areas in Brooklyn

Coney Island to experience the cheap American way of life, you can enjoy lots of classic food (Nathan’s, Funnel Cake, Corn dogs, huge sodas…) here as well as rides on the rollercoasters right at the beach)

Places I think are not worth it:

The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is right near Brooklyn Bridge and has decent ice cream but is very pricey. Get your ice cream at another shop.

Other

Jersey City We took the PATH from Ground Zero to Newport (it is inside that white, crazy looking building) and from New Jersey you get a great view across the Hudson River and Manhattan. There were a bunch of benches right at the waterfront and we ate our dinner there
Liberty State Park is another option for a great view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty You can pay to get a boat ride to the statue itself. We went for the budget version here and took the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal which is free. It doesn’t bring you to Liberty Island but you cruise right by it.
Governors Island gets you an amazing view on the New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. I have an entire post about it here.

Best of NYC in 10 Days