My Ultimate NYC Recommendations

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.