Welcome to my personal list of favorite food spots, activities, and Broadway shows in NYC! Everything in blue is a hyperlink to the restaurant, directions, booking site, etc. I don’t get anything from these recommendations; they’re just some places I love and hope you will too. If you haven’t yet, tipping makes up 40%-50% of my weekly income and goes a long way! Click here to tip via Venmo!
FOOD
Latin American: Empanada Mama
- Low-key, open 24/7, and serves both savory and sweet empanadas.
Unique: Cheeseboat
- Georgian cuisine with must-try cheeseboats.
Brunch: Flippers or Dolly Varden
- Flippers for unique Souffle pancakes. Dolly Varden is super Instagrammable with a great dinner menu.
Pub: McKenna’s Pub
- Classic pub with 40-year-old meat suppliers.
Thai: Thai Diner
- Cool ambiance, not far from tour spots.
Bagels: Absolute Bagels, Broad Nosh Bagels, or Liberty Bagels
- You can’t go wrong with bagels in NYC, but these are top picks.
Bao: Mei Lei Wah Bakery
- Ridiculously good steamed pork buns, especially the pineapple-crusted one.
Comfort Food: Jacob’s Pickles
- Get the hot honey chicken sandwich. Huge portions!
Korean BBQ/Japanese: Gyu-Kaku
- Great happy hour deals and lunch menu with rewards via app: WesWill6702.
Chocolate/Candy: Myzel’s Chocolates
- Small shop with 150+ licorice flavors and delicious cookies.
Pie: Little Pie Co.
- Try the Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie.
Bakery: Pi Bakerie or Magnolia Bakery
- Pi Bakerie has amazing flavored baklava; Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding is heavenly.
Gelato: Figo
- Quality gelato near tour end spots.
Drinks:
- Rudy’s: Affordable with a free hot dog per purchase.
- Sveta: Unique cocktails in a beautifully designed venue.
- Gallow Green: Beautiful rooftop bar in Chelsea.
- Basement: Speakeasy hidden behind a Coca-Cola vending machine in Chinatown.
ACTIVITIES
- The Met Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park: Often missed by tourists but a gem for European Medieval art.
- Rainy Day Route: Grand Central Station, New York State Library, and Macy’s at Herald Square.
- Ice Skate in Central Park: Prefer Wollman Rink over Bryant Park.
- Staten Island Ferry: Free with great city views.
- High Line: Walk between Hudson Yards and Chelsea Market.
- Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo: Walk to Time Out Market in Brooklyn.
- Fifth Avenue Walk: From the Plaza Hotel to Grand Central Station.
- Explore The Lake in Central Park by Boat: Open seasonally.
- Hudson River Greenway via Bicycle: Citibike route from Hell’s Kitchen to Little Island.
- American Dream Mall: Indoor activities perfect for a rainy day.
- Bryant Park Winter Village/Holiday Market: Opens early for holiday festivities.
BROADWAY SHOWS
- With Kids: Wicked, Lion King, or Harry Potter (honorable mention: Aladdin).
- Hot Shows: MJ: The Musical, Merrily We Roll Along, Stereophonic.
- Short on Time: Six or Titanique (both around 90 minutes).
- First-Time Broadway: Wicked or Hamilton.
- Want to Laugh: Book of Mormon (honorable mention: The Play That Goes Wrong).
For more detailed information, click the links provided. Enjoy your time in NYC and don’t forget to leave a review!
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Click here to leave a Google review!
Instagram: @wes.williams
*Shared from my tour guide, Wes.
