New York City is one of the top destinations in the world. From Broadway shows to live music, the culinary crowd to Central Park, the city truly never sleeps. After graduating from UNC and living in North Carolina my whole life, I took a big leap and decided to move to NYC – not knowing anyone there and only having visited a few times.
Living in NYC is much different from visiting. Everyone’s hustling all the time and it can get tiring, but it is also filled with so much opportunity and inspiration. In my two years in the big city, I explored, ate, and danced my way through Manhattan, compiling a list of must-visit places, must-eat food, and must-drink coffees along the way.
The perfect weekend in NYC is a combination of dining, shopping, sightseeing, and of course, lots of steps. Here’s my perfect NYC weekend itinerary:
FRIDAY
Wake up and go to Partner’s Coffee in the West Village
Walk on Christopher Street to the West Side Highway and walk up to Hudson Yards
Shop around the Hudson Yards mall and take a pic in front of the Vessel
Walk on over to Best Bagel or Liberty Bagel in Midtown for one of the best NYC has to offer (tip: both are top ranked, so go to whichever has a shorter line – they are right across the street from each other!)
Take the blue line subway up to Columbus Circle and walk around the park
Grab a snack and water at a local bodega
Head to the MET and walk around galleries for a few hours
Grab a coffee at Ralph’s on the Upper East Side
Go back to hotel and regroup/freshen up
Drinks at Dante (two locations – my favorite is in Soho. Get the Fluffy Monkey!)
Late dinner at La Esquina on Kenmare (need to get a reservation, you walk through the kitchen to be seated. The outside looks like a cheap taco stand) Margs and tacos are a must!
SATURDAY
Breakfast at Bubby’s in Tribeca (no reservations - get there before 10:30 to be seated quickly)
Walk over to the West Side Highway to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty
Walk up to Soho to do some shopping (I love hitting Mango, Bloomingdales, Zara, and the furniture/accessory galleries in Soho)
Grab a pizza from John’s Pizza in Greenwich Village for a late lunch (some of the best in the city)
Afternoon coffee or cocktail at Bar Pisellino in the West Village (grab a seat outside and enjoy their famous aperol spritz or a martini!)
Go back to hotel to regroup, rest the legs, and change
Early dinner at Monkey Bar (best burger in town, try everything and share with the table! Do not leave without getting a slide of the chocolate pie.)
Go to a 7p Broadway Show (so many great ones to choose from! A few of my favorites are Wicked, The Michael Jackson Musical, and Hamilton)
After play drinks at Raines Law Room on 17th St
Optional late night jazz at Mezzrow Jazz Club
SUNDAY
Wake up and walk to The Elk in the West Village for coffee or matcha and a breakfast burrito to eat outside
Walk over to the closest entrance to the High Line and walk up to Chelsea Market
Browse through the shops, vintage pop-ups, and sample sales in Chelsea Market
Explore and shop around Meatpacking District
Lunch at Westville
Depart
This itinerary only scratches the surface of my NYC favorites. Hit a few of these spots on your next trip up to the Big Apple!