New York City is one of my favourite places to visit. The energy, the inspiration, creativity and endless entertainment are just some of the reasons I love it. If you’re planning a trip, I’ve put together this New York City travel guide. I’ve been lucky enough to visit New York City multiple times so these are my top picks for things to see and do, where to stay, local coffee shops, craft beer bars, and restaurants to check out in NYC.
Things To Do In New York City
Architecture Yacht Cruise
The architecture yacht cruise is at the top of this list of things to do in New York City for a reason. It gives you the opportunity to see so many parts of New York City from the boat which is especially great if you only have a few days in the city. This NYC boat cruise is around 3 hours long and absolutely worth it. The boat that you’re on for this cruise is really lovely and reminds you of your Grandparents fancy living room.
The boat has so many windows so regardless of where you sit, you have a great view. You can also go outside on the boat deck for part of the tour if you’d like. You can hear the tour guide very clearly outside as well which is nice. They also have benches to sit on outside.
When you first arrive you’re assigned a table and that’s your seat throughout the tour. You are allowed to wander around freely though which is nice. We ended up having a lovely older man come sit near us. I enjoyed chatting with him and we both shared our love of architecture boat cruises (if you haven’t done the Chicago architecture boat cruise, add that to your bucket list – he agreed!)
One of the best part of this boat cruise is the tour guide. They’re usually architects or work in the architecture world and have vast knowledge of New York City and all the different buildings and areas of the city. You really get a feel for the city and hear some really interesting stories.
The tour guide we had was easy to listen to, casual, incredibly knowledgeable and really enhanced our experience.
During this tour, you pass under 26 bridges, including the most popular and famous Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll get an incredible view of the bridge from a really unique vantage point. It’s actually my favourite way to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
You’ll notice if you walk to and go on the Brooklyn Bridge it’s quite busy and very touristy so I much prefer looking at the bridge from below. Also, you’ll hear more about how the bridge was built, by who and some interesting stories about the bridge. When we walked to the bridge and read one of the historical plaques after we took the boat cruise, it lacked much of the information our tour guide shared with us. Another reason to book this NYC boat cruise!
Another famous New York City monument and attraction that you get to see up close and have an incredible view of is the Statue Of Liberty. It’s a great way to see this monument and learn more about it. I love hearing the information about what I’m looking at when I’m actually looking at it. Another reason to take this tour! They also stop near the statue so the staff can take your pictures which is really nice.
Another neat thing about this boat cruise is that it qualifies for professional development credits that architects need to take to maintain their license. I thought that was pretty neat because it means the information is high quality and detailed. Our tour guide also mentioned it’s the only time you can get your professional development credits and drink a beer.
As I mentioned above, if you only have a few days to spend in New York City this boat cruise is a great way to see some of the popular sites in NYC along with so many other unique buildings, parks, islands and bridges and I highly recommend it.
Are there bathrooms on the boat?
Yes, there are two bathrooms on the boat. I was impressed with how clean and surprising yummy smelling they were.
Can you order food on the boat?
Yes, you can. They offer small cheese plates and a few other options. They don’t have full lunch or dinner menus but can definitely satisfy a snack craving.
Can you order drinks on the boat?
Yes, you can order drinks. In fact, your first drink is included with your ticket. Derek ordered a beer and I got a mimosa. I originally said “half champagne and half orange juice like a mimosa” because mimosa wasn’t on the menu. The bartender said “yes, absolutely” but gave me a look and said “are you sure about the half? We normally just do a splash of orange juice”. Ok, twist my arm.
Visit Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Ellen’s Stardust Diner was recommended to us and it fit into our schedule this trip so we decided to stop in for lunch. What a treat! I was expecting something way more touristy. I was pleasantly surprised when we were greeted with down-to-earth friendly employees, traditional diner decor vibes, all day breakfast menu, and incredible singers who were also our servers.
While we were there we learned that many of these servers have been or are currently broadway performers or are working to get their broadway debut. That’s how incredible the talent is. So while you’re eating your omlette or egg’s benny, enjoy the amazing talent, sing along, and don’t worry if a little confetti lands on your plate – that’s the beauty of this place!
Ellen’s Stardust Diner Pro Tip:
I highly recommend going to Ellen’s Stardust Diner and if you want a better chance of getting in right away without a lineup, go there for brunch/lunch instead of dinner.
Where is Ellen’s Stardust Diner located?
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is located right near time square.
- 1650 Broadway, New York, NY (Google Maps Link)
Go To A New York Yankees Game
Even though a New York Yankees game is such a big event, this felt like one of the most local things we could do in New York City because this is truly what the locals are doing. We were so surprised how packed the stadium was and almost everyone had some kind of Yankees gear on. You can see the sea of blue and white in the stands.
I happily threw on my Yankees hat without realizing this makes me look like I am more of a baseball fan than I actually am. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going to games and think it’s a fun thing to do in different cities to experience the culture and NY was no different. That being said, I have never experienced the camaraderie of seat neighbours in the same way as I did at the Yankees game. The lady beside me kept leaning over to chat about players and dropping pitcher names as if I was supposed to know who she was talking about and why it mattered. I did my best to pretend and nod in agreement and not let on that despite the fact I’m wearing a Yankees hat, I in fact know absolutely nothing about the Yankees, what she’s saying, and to be honest, very little about baseball in general. Derek found it quite funny how hard I was trying to conceal my true identity and how I was getting increasingly uncomfortable.
The Yankees game was a really fun experience and I enjoyed people-watching, seeing strangers high-five over home runs and feeling part of the Yankees community for a few hours.
As with most major sporting venues, food and drinks are incredible overpriced. You can save your money and forgo the huge oversized and overpriced beer or accept that it’s part of the experience and embrace it.
Go To A Comedy Show
New York City is known for their comedy clubs so if you’re into comedy shows, we highly recommend you check out The Comedy Cellar or The Comedy Club. Going to a comedy show is definitely one of the most budget friendly local things you can do in NYC. Our tickets were $17 each and you have to buy two things off the menu when you’re there. The price for beer wasn’t outrageous like other places you’ll go to in NYC.
I highly recommend The Comedy Cellar if you’re into belly laughing with strangers and aren’t easily offended. We loved our experience so much we went twice in one trip.
I only have one picture from the night because you have to put your phones on silent and they put them in a padded envelope and seal it. They give you the envelope so you’re never without your phone but you’re not allowed to open it and your phones must stay in the envelope.
I actually loved that they do this. Even though I love taking pictures or videos, not having phones really helped everyone in the room be more present. I wasn’t on my phone and didn’t watch the show through someone else’s phone in front of me. It was a welcomed phone-free experience that we don’t get in this day and age very often anymore.
One of the best things about comedy shows in NYC is that you never know who might just ‘pop-in’ to practice a new set or be in the city that night. We were lucky enough to have Aziz Ansari stop in to do a set while we were there. This usually happens at the late night show.
PRO TIP: Don’t go with your parents. Haha.
Blues Music Bar
If you enjoy live music, particularly blues or jazz, there are some amazing live music venues to enjoy. We went to Terra Blues NYC for a blues show and definitely recommend it. This intimate venue has everything you would want – incredible musicians, delicious drinks, great sound, friendly servers.
The blues guitarist and singer we saw at Terra Blues NYC was incredible. It was obvious how passionate he is about blues music. It was an honour to see him perform and be part of that moment in time. Definitely a cherished memory for us.
Where is Terra Blues Located?
Terra Blues is located in Greenwich Village at 149 Bleecker St., New York, NY (Google Maps Link)
Walk The High Line In NYC
Walking The High Line in NYC is absolutely worth it. It’s an elevated walking trail that follows the old railway line in Manhattan.
Along The High Line you get to see art installations, unique architecture, and traditional NYC buildings all up close and personal. It’s also a great way to get to The Chelsea Market. It’s definitely one of my top recommendations for things to do in New York City.
There are lots of places to sit along the trail so if you need a break, that’s not a problem. In some sections the trail narrows and it can become crowded but that doesn’t last long.
Most of the trail is quite wide and spacious. In some sections of the trail you’ll actually see that they’ve kept the old railway tracks. It’s such a unique way to keep the history of the city and the railway system and update it to fit with the current needs of society. It’s an awesome blend of old and new.
Little Island
This art installation you see on Little Island you’ll see as you walk along The High Line. We actually learned about these tulip-looking planters on our boat cruise (another reason to book that tour!) and I took this picture from the boat.
Hudson Yards – Vessel Building
You can easily access Hudson Yards from The High Line. Hudson Yards is close to the Hudson River and has lots of places to sit along the water and unique structures like the Vessel Building which is currently closed to the public. If they re-open it, you’re able to walk to the very top and enjoy the view. I personally don’t recommend Hudson Yards unless you want to see this copper beehive shaped structure or go to Edge NYC.
Is the High Line in NYC safe?
Yes, very safe. We never felt uneasy while walking on the high line and always felt like it was completely safe.
Are there bathrooms along the High Line in NYC?
Yes, there are. I recommend going to the bathrooms at The Chelsea Market but there are also bathrooms at 16th street, 30th street and Ganesvoort street.
Is the High Line trail free?
Yes, it’s free. This is just another reason to love the high line. It’s such a great budget-friendly way to experience New York City and Manhattan.
Shop At Chelsea Market
When you walk along the High Line it leads you to The Chelsea Market which I definitely recommend checking out. It’s a popular market in NYC to grab something to eat, do some shopping and my favourite part – check out the Artists & Fleas local vendors.
Artists & Fleas
As a local shopping lover and big supporter of local Canadian shops, I love checking out local markets in the cities that I travel to. Artists & Fleas is an incredible addition to The Chelsea Market in NYC. It features a rotating mix of local vendors selling trendy accessories, jewellery, vintage clothing, art, and more. I could’ve spent hours chatting with the vendors and looking at all the fun products. If you’re a local shop lover, Artists & Fleas is a must.
Hudson River Park & Empire State Trail
If you want to get a feel for where NYC locals go for a run, walk their dog, and escape the downtown chaos – head to the water at Hudson River Park. There’s an incredible pathway that follows the water for miles in either direction. It’s clean, safe, and a great spot to enjoy the waterfront views and do some people watching.
Along the pathway you’ll see unique playgrounds for kids, restaurants, benches, grassed areas perfect for a picnic, and we even overheard music classes for parents & kids taught by a broadway singer (cool!). You’ll eventually end up at the beach on Gansevoort Peninsula at Pier 57.
Beach At Gansevoort Peninsula
We came across this beach while walking along the trail near the Gansevoort Peninsula at Pier 57. It’s so unique to have a beach and muskoka chairs right in the city. Such a great spot to sit and relax and read a book. The sand was super clean too which was great. The only thing that’s different from most beaches is that you’re not allowed to swim at this beach.
Rooftop Patio
One of my favourite things to do in cities I travel to is go to a rooftop bar. Lucky for us – our hotel had one so it made it so easy to enjoy a NYC rooftop bar. The Arlo SoHo rooftop bar called ART Rooftops had a great vibe, live DJ, string lights, lots of seating, and delicious cocktails. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset. This rooftop isn’t as high up as some other rooftops but it was still a great spot. They also host different events which you can check out here. Even though it’s in the hotel, anyone can enjoy it. Just head in the lobby doors, turn right, then left to the elevators, head to floor 11 for the rooftop restaurant and rooftop bar.
There was a large group of friends meeting there for drinks after work which I love because anything that helps me experience life as a local in NYC is a bonus for me.
If it happens to be raining or the rooftop is closed for the season, you can still enjoy the lounge upstairs at ART SoHo. It has a great vibe as well.
Walk Around Central Park
Central Park is likely one of the most famous parks of all time. It’s definitely a great place to head for a nice walk and every time I’m there I’m amazed at how huge this park is. It’s always surprising to me how much green space there is in New York City.
You can walk to different areas of the park and see things like Strawberry Fields, bridges and arches, the Bethesda Fountain (shown below), and more Central Park attractions. I definitely recommend looking up what you’d like to see ahead of time. The park is so big that you don’t want to miss anything and you’ll need to plan a route ahead of time.
Once you get to Bethesda Fountain, you’ll see that there’s a little lake there. If you want to do one of the touristy things in Central Park, you can rent a rowboat and paddle around. It was a great place for us to sit and rest our legs and people watch.
911 Memorial
Visiting the 911 Memorial is definitely a must while in NYC. It’s a really important part of New York City history and every time I visit, I still can’t believe this happened. The picture below if from my latest visit. They were doing work on the water features which was too bad but it’s still really impactful.
You can also go to the 911 Museum. Derek went this trip and thought it was really well done and interesting to see and read more about the horrific events on 9/11.
PRO TIP: If you want to enter the museum, you’ll likely see a big line-up of people waiting to buy a ticket at the ticket booth. Skip the line and buy a ticket online before you go or while you’re standing outside on your phone. That’s what Derek did while we were there and completely skipped the line.
Do you need a ticket to see the 911 Memorial fountains?
No, it’s free to visit the 911 memorial fountains. You only need a ticket to enter the museum.
Art Installations & Murals
Right across the street from the 9/11 memorial park, there are some really unique art installations and murals. I really enjoyed wandering around and taking in the bright coloured murals and street art.
Broadway Show
There aren’t many experiences that are more traditional New York City activities than seeing a broadway show. I’ve been lucky enough to see a few over the years but the most recent one I saw was Wicked which is incredible. Regardless of which show you see, taking in a broadway show is definitely something I would recommend while in NYC.
PRO TIP: You can buy discount Broadway tickets for same day matinee or evening performances or a matinee show the next day at the TKTS ticket booth in Time Square or at The Lincoln Center.
Grand Central Terminal
Although it’s pretty touristy to go to Grand Central Terminal, if you’ve never been it’s cool to see. Derek and I took a moment to take in the incredibly detailed architecture and stone work. It’s quite fascinating! I’ve never been there when it isn’t pretty full of tourists.
There is a bar inside to stop and have a drink if you choose to do so. I imagine the prices are sky high. I’ll always choose less touristy spots so I’ve never been to this bar.
Are there bathrooms inside Grand Central Station?
Yes, there are washrooms at Grand Central Station. Go to the lower level from the entrance and you’ll find them there.
Brooklyn Bridge
As I mentioned above, my favourite way to see the Brooklyn Bridge is from the water on the architectural boat cruise. If you’d like to actually walk on the bridge this can be a fun experience too. Every time I’ve been, it’s quite busy so prepare yourself for lots of tourists.
Statue Of Liberty
The Statue Of Liberty is an iconic NYC monument. There are a few ways that you can see the Statue Of Liberty up close. You can book a tour of Ellis Island and the Statue Of Liberty or you can see and learn about it from the boat cruise I talked recommended above.
Ellis Island
I’ve also been on the tour to Ellis Island and Liberty Island which was also a great experience. If you’re short on time, I would pick the boat cruise over the tour to Ellis/Liberty Island. If you have time and are interested in the history of immigration in NYC, you’d likely enjoy Ellis Island. It’s pretty interesting to learn about this influential immigration center.
Is the Statue Of Liberty on Ellis Island?
No, the Statue Of Liberty is located on Liberty Island which is very close to Ellis Island. It’s a common misconception that Ellis Island is the home of the Statue Of Liberty.
Where To Stay In New York City
Arlo SoHo Boutique Hotel
If you’re looking for a hotel in NYC with great amenities, check out Arlo SoHo. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend this boutique hotel in NYC. It has great amenities, trendy lounges, large boardroom table for working at, rooftop bar, restaurant, speakeasy bar and much to my sweet tooth surprise – a candy bar in the lobby!
As with most apartments and hotels in NYC, the rooms are very small. They are very clean and are well designed to make use of every corner of the room. There is a storage area and drawer under the bed, place to hang a few pieces of clothing up, mini fridge, little desk and chair, and shoe rack. We are always out and about doing things around the city and don’t spend much time in our room so the smaller size was ok.
In our room, the bathroom just had a sliding door. It was fine for us but I do want to mention this because there isn’t as much privacy (if you know what I mean…💩). It didn’t impact our stay negatively but I wouldn’t recommend staying here for your first trip as a couple because of this reason haha. Another perk of married life 🙂
If you do book Arlo SoHo make sure you ask about their amenities. They have partnerships and deals with multiple other businesses in the city including a boxing gym and LTD Pizza. The bodega in the lobby has coffee and snacks, along with a delicious bulk candy selection and stays open 24 hours. We were impressed with their staff members. They were super friendly and always around to open the doors and help in any way.
New York City Coffee Shops
Maman NYC
Maman coffee shop and bakery was a great experience. The location we went to was such a gorgeous light-filled space with incredible vintage-style decor and unique rustic pendant lights. It’s a really stunning space.
Maman definitely felt like a place locals in NYC go. There were moms with babies meeting friends, people having business meetings, friends meeting to talk about how travelling with their in-laws is hard, and more. Wondering how I know this? We sat at the long family style dining table in the center of the room and I’m a pro at observing and apparently, eavesdropping.
I ordered the honey lavender latte and I highly recommend it. Delicious! They serve their drinks in an actual mug which I really love. Major bonus points for being such a pretty mug and saucer!
Where is Maman NYC located?
Maman started as one coffee shop and bakery in NYC in 2014 and has grown to multiple locations across NYC. They even have locations in Montreal and Toronto!
Rosecrans
I had no idea having coffee shops inside flower shops was a thing, and now I’m hooked. Rosecrans is exactly that. It’s everything you love about a cute vibey high quality coffee shop inside a full functioning flower shop.
What’s the address of Rosecrans?
Experiencing this mixed flower café inspired me to research and create a full guide to flower coffee shops in NYC. I write more about my experience at Rosecrans in that guide.
New York City Craft Beer Bars
Talea Beer Co. is my favourite craft beer bar that we went to in New York. I don’t know if it has more to do with the fact that this brand is female-founded (YES!), the decor is a mix of classy, fun and minimalist or that the beer was delicious. Both Derek and I loved our beer and sitting at the bar (our favourite way to experience craft beer bars). Talea Beer Co. definitely seemed like it was a place locals meet after work for a drink and I could totally see Derek and I doing that if we lived there. We highly recommend this craft beer bar in NYC.
I don’t normally go for branded clothing but my only regret is not buying the cool Taleo branded t-shirt they had for sale.
The Greats Of Craft is another coffee and craft beer bar in NYC that I highly recommend visiting. We stopped in for a late afternoon beer on a sunny Sunday and this totally felt like a place where families and friends come together to hang out and chill for the afternoon. There were also people working away on their laptops which is a huge giveaway that this is a place loved by locals.
I have never seen a place that mixes being a craft beer bar and a coffee shop so well. They really pull off the vibe of a coffee shop and the vibe of a cool beer bar so well. This is definitely somewhere we would go a lot if we lived full-time in NYC.
We headed outside to their patio but they have lots of seating and a full bar to sit at inside as well. They have large windows that open up and have a high top table right in front of the window. I’d say that’s the best place to sit and do some people watching. They have lots of tables and chairs set up outside and a full patio section.
We loved being there for a cool moment between locals – an elderly couple was walking past and saw a girl wearing a NY Yankees hat sitting on The Greats Of Craft patio with her friends. The older (adorable) man pointed to her hat and gave her a thumbs up and she was like yes “let’s go Yankees!!”. It was cute and the type of moments I love witnessing between locals. Another reason I strongly believe you need to make sure you seek out local places and avoid only doing the touristy things.
Clinton Hall
Another beer bar that we enjoyed is Clinton Hall. We ended up here because we simply walked past and after a full day on our feet, were ready to sit and have a beer. Lucky for us, they have a happy hour deal on their wings so we got some of those as well.
Clinton Hall is your typical craft beer bar but it’s decor and vibe is all focused around games like Jenga & Connect 4. This would be a fun place if you have kids or enjoy to play a board game while you enjoy beer and a burger. Speaking of burgers, I just found out that Clinton Hall was voted to have the Best Burger in NYC at the Food Networks Food & Wine Festival. If only we had known! Regretting not trying the burger but the wings were great.
New York City Pizza & Restaurants
LTD Pizza
LTD Pizza is located right next to our hotel, Arlo SoHo, so we ended up going here a few times. The pizza is delicious and I loved that you could buy a slice and take it to go. Sometimes you just need one slice after a long day of walking around the city! They make their pizza right at the front so you can see it all being made.
They have seating both inside and if it’s nice out, a few small tables outside. You can also sit at their cool bar area.
What’s the address of LTD Pizza?
LTD Pizza is located at 225 Hudson St., New York, NY (Google Maps Link)
Arturo’s Coal Oven Pizza
Arturo’s was a real treat from the moment we walked in. We got a table quickly, placed our order and within minutes of our pizza arriving at our table, the live music started.
The piano & bass player and singer were an incredible trio. You can’t go wrong with pizza and amazing live music. Totally made our time there so much more enjoyable!
What’s the address of Arturo’s Coal Oven Pizza?
- Arturo’s is located at 106 W Houston St., New York, NY (Google Maps Link)
We really enjoyed our experience and meal at Empire Diner in NYC. We sat outside on their covered patio which was lovely. The decor inside is very much a traditional diner but way more upscale and modern. The beautiful interior design and decor matches perfectly with the ‘artisan’ vibes of their menu.
For example, instead of getting regular home fries with my breakfast, I got the most delicious potatoes topped with herbs. It was definitely an elevated diner experience. They also have fresh pressed juice.
What’s the address of Empire Diner in NYC?
- Empire Diner is located at 210 10th Ave New York (Google Maps Link)
- If you’re walking along The High Line, you’ll walk right above the Empire Diner. Just look for the mural with large colourful painted faces of Andy Warhol & Frida Kahlo through the buildings – that’s the spot to get off the high line if you want to get to Empire Diner.
We stopped in at Connolly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant before our broadway show and it was great. The restaurant is huge and has two floors. We didn’t have reservations but they were still able to seat us right away. I ordered the coconut chicken curry which was delicious! They also have live music on certain nights of the week so check ahead if you want to hear some music.
A trip to New York City never disappoints and is always a good idea. Derek and I have now added spending a month in NYC to our bucketlist so we can truly live like a local and get the full experience of the city. I’ll keep updating this New York City travel guide and I discover more ‘local’ experiences!
