New York City is a place where you feel like the main character in any movie you can imagine. My dreams of visiting NYC began when I saw Coyote Ugly and I have been chasing that “little Midwest girl in the big city” feeling ever since and, I can say, NYC delivered. If you want to feel like Carrie Bradshaw for a long weekend, I have some suggestions to aid in cultivating your storyline.
Where to stay
- Citizen M Bowery: The Citizen M Bowery is just across the street from Soho proper and next to Chinatown. I wanted to stay near Soho for my first visit to the city and wanted a more affordable option so that I could spend more on dining and entertainment.
The hotel design is contemporary and chic with fun common areas that allow for work and socializing. The hotel has an amazing rooftop bar with views of the NYC skyline from every angle. The rooms are small and spartan but provide everything one would need for a long weekend trip. I appreciate that the lighting, TV, and blinds are all controlled by an iPad and provide options for focused time and sleep.
Where to eat
“Pinky up” places
- Gramercy Tavern: A one-star Michelin restaurant with a welcoming aesthetic and an impressive menu. The restaurant offers a tavern area with ala carte options as well as the dining room with more extensive menu options for both lunch and dinner.
- I chose the 3 course tasting menu for lunch and I was impressed at both the food and the service. I highly recommend the cold carrot soup and the chicken, which I don’t typically order at restaurants, but they did a fantastic job.
- Le Coucou: A one-star Michelin restaurant led by Chef Daniel Rose offers French inspired dishes and an elegant ambiance. I had the tasting menu with the duck as the main course, but the standout dish for me was the Ris de veau à l’estragon (veal sweetbreads). The service was excellent and the food was good overall, but the duck needed salt, which I have never before experienced when dining at a Michelin star- but I am no food critic, just a gal that likes to eat.
A few classy spots
- Lillie’s Victorian Establishment: Located near Times Square and Broadway, Lillie’s is an excellent place to stop before or after a show. I went for a cocktail and a bite before seeing The Cursed Child and had difficulty getting a table, so arrive early and expect a bit of a wait. The experience was well worth the time- cocktails and food were both excellent and the ambiance is incredible. Every square inch of the walls are covered in art and flowers, not to mention the exquisite stained glass window.
Casual Spots
- Ellen’s Stardust: In the heart of Times Square, Ellen’s Stardust is the diner where dreams come true. Aspiring Broadway stars with incredible talent perform numbers while serving tables. I only stopped in for an old fashioned but the food looked delicious and the entertainment was incredible.
- Carmine’s: A famous family-style Italian spot near Times Square (with the other location in the Upper West Side) serving sizable portions. Be prepared for the largest plate of pasta that you can imagine, because I surely wasn’t. The dishes are intended for 3-4 people and run around $35-40 ,so I left in an absolute carb coma. I had the vodka sauce over pasta with chicken and it was simple, home cooked Italian food with no frills. If you and your entourage need a meal, Carmine’s will feed everyone on a budget.
Grab a bite spots
- Katz’s Deli: Located in the Lower East Side, Katz’s Deli is a NYC staple. Famous for their pastrami, which they make in house. The pastrami is pickled for 3 weeks and then slow-smoked for 3 days, so I can attest that the $30 sandwich is worth every penny. Katz’s can get pretty busy so there may be a line. I went on a Monday at 10:00am and walked right in, so the earlier you arrive, the better.
- Joe’s Pizza: I was told by many that Joe’s pizza is the best grab-and-go slice in the city. I went to the Fulton Street location and it was pretty busy so expect a line. I got a slice of good ol’ pepperoni and it was delicious.
What to do
- Broadway Shows: I got tickets to The Cursed Child while Tom Felton was playing Draco and a childhood dream was actualized. Broadway is the pulse of NYC so I highly recommend catching a show.
- Times Square: Times Square is interesting during the day and a magnificent display of lights during the night. Expect large groups of people taking photos or performing. The area is a must-see and a great photo opportunity but also a tourist trap so I would venture a bit off of the strip for food and beverages.
- Central Park: Central Park is beautiful and certainly worth an hour-long stroll. There are carts to purchase beverages and food, such as hot dogs, so you can sit on a bench with a cony dog and take in the views.
- The Plaza Hotel: Across the street from Central Park is the famous Plaza hotel. A popular stay for the old Hollywood stars, The Plaza was visited by Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The hotel is opulent and you can almost feel the history when you sit at the bar for a cocktail. They offer an afternoon tea; however, I was not impressed with the setup so I opted to sip a mint julep and pretend that I was a Hollywood starlet of the 50s.
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge: Take a sunrise of sunset stroll across the Brooklyn bridge and maybe throughout Brooklyn, if you so choose.
- Visit the Harry Potter store: In case it wasn’t clear, I am a lifelong Harry Potter nerd and I never miss an opportunity to forget that I am a muggle. The Harry Potter store in the Gramercy Park area is magical and absolutely worth a visit. There is an incredible selection of wands and merchandise as well as a cafe for butterbeer and other treats.
- 9/11 Memorial: Located at the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the memorial is a touching remembrance of the lives lost and also the way that the city, and the country as a whole, banded together to support one another. Tickets for the museum are about $39, while the memorial areas are free.
