New York City – one of the most distinct cities in the world. Known for its impressive skyline, iconic buildings and attractions, and its fabulous entertainment scene (hello Broadway!), NYC is a destination everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Go visit the city that never sleeps and see the magic for yourself! Here’s my guide to visiting New York City.
Please note, some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Runaway Blonde!
Getting There and Getting Around
GETTING THERE | There are 2 main airports in New York: JFK and Laguardia, both located in Queens. I highly recommend Laguardia for three reasons: one, I think it’s a better airport; two, it’s a bit closer to Manhattan; and three, flights are generally cheaper.
SUBWAY | The subway is hands down the best way to get around in New York City. Each ride costs $2.75 (you can also buy a seven-day pass for $33), and gets you around the city quickly. Apple Maps provides great directions for navigating the subway system!
UBER + TAXI | I would generally not recommend calling a ride in the city, as traffic is outrageous and what might begin as a 10 minute ride can turn into a 30 minute ride quite quickly. However, it’s the best choice for getting to and from the airport (carrying luggage on the subway is a pain and asking to get robbed), and a good choice at night for female travelers for safety reasons.
What To Do
Walk Through Central Park
Strolling through Central Park is one of my favorite New York activities. The park is huge and you could easily spend an entire day here visiting each area of it! Some parts are quiet spots to go for a lovely stroll, others are full of monuments and history. You’ll find some spots you might recognize from movies and TV shows (I’m looking at you, Chuck and Blair’s wedding scene). If you’re interested, Central Park has a zoo you can visit as well!
FUN FACT: Central Park is the most filmed location in the WORLD.
Visit The Empire State Building
One of the modern 7 Wonders of the World, the Empire State Building absolutely deserves a visit during your time in NYC. Besides touring the iconic building, you can get incredible views of the city from here! Observation decks are located on the 86th and 102nd floors and you can purchase tickets here!
FUN FACT: The Empire State Building houses so many businesses, it actually has its own zip code: 10118.
Walk Through Times Square
When you think of New York City, you probably envision Times Square. With enough lights and big screens to keep the streets lit up in the middle of the night, Times Square is nothing short of magical. I highly recommend once during the day to experience less crowds, and again at night to get its full effect!
Go Shopping on Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue has, without a doubt, the best shopping in the city. You’ll find a wide range of stores, anywhere from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Cartier to more affordable ones like Zara. Name a store, and it’s likely on 5th! There’s also plenty of restaurants to stop at when you’re feeling a bit hungry. If you’re visiting around Christmas time, this is an absolute must do (read my blog post Best Things to do in New York at Christmas for more ideas!
Visit The Met
For all my art lovers, make sure you make a stop the Metropolitan Museum of Art! It’s just next to Central Park, so it’s perfect to include these together in your itinerary. I highly recommend getting here early, as lines get quite long. General admission is $25, and $12 for students.
See Grand Central Station
Another iconic spot in New York City is the Grand Central Station. Make sure you look up to see the artwork on the ceiling! Grand Central is free to visit, so it’s a great budget friendly spot!
SEE A SHOW ON BROADWAY
One of my absolute favorite things to do in New York is go see a show on Broadway! We saw the Harry Potter show and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE. The amount of work the actors and production teams put into it is astounding. Absolutely do not miss this!
Eat and Drink
LouLou
This gorgeous French bistro in Chelsea is one of the best spots to eat in Manhattan! The food and drinks are incredible, the service is unmatched, and the ambience is wonderful. We stop here every time we visit the city!
Beauty and Essex
A speakeasy disguised as a pawn shop, this was by far the coolest brunch spot I’ve ever been to! The interior is stunning and luxurious, and the food and drinks are so fun! Try their Smoke and Mirrors cocktails, which come in a dramatic jewelry box with smoke, or the Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel full of sweets. This spot was so creative and we loved it!
A speakeasy disguised as a pawn shop, this was by far the coolest brunch spot I’ve ever been to! The interior was stunning and felt so luxurious. Try their Smoke and Mirrors cocktails, which come in a jewelry box with smoke; and their Wonder Wheel, a lit up ferris wheel full of sweets. This spot was so creative and we loved it!
Scampi
There is no shortage of Italian restaurants in New York. Scampi, located in Flatiron, serves Italian with a focus on seafood. If you love pasta and seafood, this place is for you! Their signature dish (the scampi, shocker) is phenomenal!
STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY
Three stories tall and boasting an impressive menu of drinks and bites, the Reserve is a great spot to visit for my avid coffee drinkers. Try one of their seasonal drinks, or go for the full espresso martini flight if you’re feeling extra fun! Visit the tasting room on the bottom floor to try craft coffee flavors or book one of their signature experiences.
Jack's Wife Freda
This Mediterranean brunch spot knocked our socks off – it was SO good. We were so impressed with the service as well. The only downside? Everybody loves this place – it gets PACKED. Make sure you have a reservation or you’ll find yourself waiting for quite some time! There are several locations in different areas of the city – we visited the one in Soho!
Liberty Bagels
Visiting New York without getting a bagel is sacrilegious. You’ll find the absolute best bagels at Liberty – don’t let the line fool you, it moves quickly and its well worth the wait! They offer tons of different cream cheese flavors, breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, and more. It’s also home of the famous rainbow bagel! Try the protein plus bagel sandwich with the chipotle cream cheese – I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking to stay in Manhattan, I cannot recommend Virgin Hotels enough! Enjoy views of the city skyline from your floor to ceiling windows, indulge at their gorgeous restaurant and bar offering views of the Empire State Building, or hang out by the pool in the warmer months.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Views of the skyline from your room (our room on the 14th floor offered a view of the Empire State Building)
- A 38th Floor Observation deck
- Everdene Bar and Restaurant – offering delicious drinks and food!
- A terrace (again – with views of the Empire State Building)
- Pool
- Extensive minibar, robes, and a fullscreen TV so you can relax in your room
