This summer, I traveled to New York City a few times and saw many places that I had been wanting to visit for a while. Some of these places are also my standard go-to spots as I love the vibes and feelings I get whenever I go there.
Here is a list of activities and places you have to try out when you visit the beautiful city:
- Jajaja – This restaurant is somewhere I’ve been wanting to visit for nearly two years. Finally, I made my dream come true this year. It’s a lively restaurant that serves plant-based tapas-style food. We got corn, empanadas and nachos. One recommendation would be to order just one nachos for the table, since it is very filling!
- Washington Square Park – This famous park is so fun to walk around and enjoy the afternoon sun. You will see people of all walks of life come through dressed in unique styles. There are also many performers who use this park as their stage to practice their talents.
- Baar Baar – We couldn’t get a reservation for its famous brunch, but we went in the evening for drinks. I thoroughly enjoyed my Mumbai Margarita on a 5 PM in NYC. We also ordered Dahi Puri as a snack, which was super tasty and light. No matter what time you come in, you’ll walk away with an experience.
- Wafels & Dinges – Before we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner, we stopped by this cute little truck to get chocolate-covered strawberry waffles. It was a perfect dessert for the evening right by Macy’s.
- Times Square – One of my most favorite places to visit is Times Square. It is one of the most brightest spots in the world with its billboards and tall buildings. Standing there always makes me feel like I made it in life.
- Prince Street – This was my first time walking through this part of NYC, and let me tell you…it is busy with enthusiastic shoppers. There are many cafes and restaurants of varying cuisines and shops of many styles for viewing.
- Chobani Café – I’m pretty crazy about Greek yogurt. I ordered a “Blueberry and power” yogurt bowl, which was a fusion of blueberry and nuts mixed with Greek yogurt; my sister got a “Mixed berry açaí” smoothie. For a filling and rich breakfast, this is the place to go.
- Prince Street Pizza – When in NYC, you have to get pizza. My sister and I chose vegetarian-friendly slices and the famous square pizza slice. It was rich and delicious in taste. One word of caution – you may have to eat it on the go and get water especially if you sit under the blazing sun!
- Fiat Cafe – We went to this lovely place for breakfast. I had a tasty vegetarian omelette and mashed potatoes while my sister had pancakes. This cute cafe is the perfect place for brunch and is quite filling!
- Biking – This is a must. You will have such a unique experience biking around the city compared to walking! I put my pizza in the basket and happily rode the bike from the Vessel to Magnolia Bakery like a little girl. We used Citi Bike to go around the fabulous city.
- Magnolia Bakery – To celebrate summer, I got chocolate cupcakes with cute decorations! The cupcakes are so creamy and tasty, but definitely pace yourself because they are so sweet!
- Il Forno – I think I’m going to make this a tradition to eat here whenever I come to NYC. Situated in Hell’s Kitchen, this restaurant serves superb Italian food. My personal favorites are the mashed potatoes, spaghetti (with vegan meatballs) and wine!
- Dumbo – I took the wrong subway and ended up in Brooklyn instead of the Oculus Center. So while there, I decided to find this iconic spot. I’ve seen this place in photos, but I didn’t realize how breathtaking it is during sunset. It is a little difficult to find, but this spot is worth the visit if you want to see a view of the famous Manhattan Bridge.
- Time Out Market New York – Right near Dumbo was this famous market filled with restaurants. I love this market for its modernity and unique offerings. I had gone to the same market in Lisbon about a year ago, which made me excited to see the foods prepared here in NYC. If you can’t decide what to eat, take a walk around this market and feel the vibes before ordering. Don’t be surprised if you order from more than one restaurant!
- Upstairs – This rooftop lounge is a cool place for chilling out with friends and enjoying drinks. More than the views of the city, the vibes are perfect for a night out in NYC.
- Brooklyn Bridge – I usually start on the Manhattan side of the bridge, but this time I started from the Brooklyn side. After getting water and juice from a cafe nearby, I started my trek. It’s such a beautiful walk because you can see the entire city and the Statue of Liberty. It’s quite a walk, so make sure you’re wearing the right shoes!
- Hudson Yards – If you want to see many amazing spots at once, this is the place to be. You can see the Vessel, High Line, Electric Lemon and much more.
- High Line – After breakfast at Bluestone Lane, I went on the High Line. It’s a nice walk with views of the city and flowers on the side.
- Vessel – After lunch, we got our tickets for the Vessel. The Vessel has given a new meaning to staircases and workouts. The elevation and views are enthralling; it’s such a unique structure and stuns you for a moment as you wonder how colossal it looks despite it being smaller than the other buildings surrounding it. For an afternoon workout, walk through each level fully and make sure you are hydrated!
- Electric Lemon – I made a last minute decision to come here and am so glad I did. I enjoyed dinner by myself in this lovely restaurant and the views outside with the statue. The statue of a woman’s head is so modern and chic, shining brightly at night. The drinks are also delicious here – you can see the city at the fabulous bar while sipping on a cocktail. Shoutout to the staff for being super accommodating and friendly. I recommend you call the restaurant to see when they are open and how you can get in without a reservation.
- Shops – I wish I had more time to explore as there are many unique restaurants, coffee shops, and clothing stores. I recommend you schedule an entire day here so you can explore the area fully.
- Edge – If you want to see the most beautiful views of the city and witness sunset, this is the place to be. I even witnessed two proposals, and it was such a lovely experience overall.
- SERRA by Birreria – I did not realize this was part of Eataly NYC Flatiron. I love Eataly and have visited this place in other cities. The views inside were gorgeous – it was a wonderful garden-like feel on the roof. The drinks were also quite fantastic.
- Bravo Kosher Pizza – Before leaving NYC, I needed to grab something to eat. I found this pizza place, where they sold primarily vegetarian pizzas. I got a few tasty vegetarian pizza slices for the road and appreciated the taste of the tomato sauce.
*All recommendations are based on my personal experiences in NYC – this post is not sponsored.
Me. Poojah.