It’s not my first time visiting the Big Apple, but I will never run out of things to do in this vibrant city. It’s a city of exciting extremes- skyscrapers and crazy traffic contrasted against cosy cafes and museums.
Here’s my recommended list of things to do, what to eat and where to stay when you are visiting New York City.
WALK THE STREETS
One of the things I enjoyed doing was simply strolling along the pavements and taking in all that this eclectic city has to offer. You will be sure to cover a lot of ground, so do pack comfortable shoes. Worth exploring are Little Italy, West Village, Lower East Village, Chinatown – all very charming areas with little nooks for shopping and food. Other more mainstream areas to explore include the High Line in Chelsea and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
WHAT TO EAT
A classic Lox Bagel always hits the spot for me. I love the Beet Lox bagel from Black Seed Bagel. Address: 170 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012, USA. Opens 7AM to 6PM.
Indulge in chicken and waffles at Sweet Chick. I love that they have interesting waffle flavours such as rosemary and thyme, mushroom and cheese. The chicken is fried till crispy perfection and waffles are fluffy. Address: 164 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (various outlets).
Grilled cheese? Hell yes. This one from Creamline was the bomb. Address: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue, in Chelsea Market, New York, NY 10011, United States (various outlets).
Momofuku Ssam has an inventive menu that is always evolving, drawing inspiration from flavors and techniques found worldwide, while staying true to its New York Roots. Singaporean Executive Chef Max Ng helms the Ssäm Bar team to create dishes that showcase seasonal products. Signature dishes include the Bo Ssäm, Rotisserie Duck Ssäm, and Pork Buns. Address: 207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, USA.
For lobster rolls at wallet-friendly prices, head to Luke’s Lobster. A roll and drink will set you back about $15. Generous chunks of lobster on toasted brioche buns, what’s there not to love? Although they have outposts worldwide, the quality remains consistent. Various locations here.
Morgenstern’s is my favourite place in NYC for ice cream. No matter how stuffed I am, I will always make room for their Seasalt & Pine Nut ice cream. Address: 2 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, USA.
Not all food trucks are created equal. The Halal Guys is an example of that. Serving up gyros (sandwiches) and rice platters since 1990, these guys have carved a name for themselves and grown into two restaurants in New York and franchises worldwide. Some New Yorkers call it the perfect ‘drunk’ or hangover food. Be cautious not to add too much of the red hot sauce because it really burns! Address: Corners of 53rd St and 6th Avenue (main and second locations).
For more, check out this post for a list of hipster food places to visit when in New York.
WHERE TO GET THE BEST VIEWS
Cliche as it sounds, there’s no better way to view NYC than from Top of the Rock (Rockefellar Centre). Catch the best views of of the 1930s Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock. The view never gets old, and it’s a become a mandatory stopwhenever I’m in the city. I booked my tickets via Klook, and it was a fuss-free process.
Insider tip: Check the forecast and book a slot 45 minutes ahead of sunset to witness a breathtaking view of the city basking in golden light rays. Give yourself extra time just in case the queues moves slowly. It is even more breathtaking at night.
HIT THE RIVER
Indulge in a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty and all five boroughs of New York up-close. This is great for those who do not have the luxury of time to explore NYC, and love a relaxing yet informative cruise ride. You can book your tickets for the Best of NYC Cruise tickets via Klook.
GET TO THE MUSEUMS
The American Museum of Natural History is worth visiting for the dinosaur relics alone. They ask for a donation instead of paying for an entry fee. Open daily, 10am – 5.45pm.
Meanwhile the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA features an evolving collection of 150,000 works of contemporary art, including paintings from artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Claude Monet. Pick up souvenirs at the flagship MoMA Design Store near the museum. Open 10.30am-5.30pm Mondays to Sundays and until 8pm on Fridays; tickets priced at S$19 via Klook. Use your admission ticket to visit MoMA PS1, an affiliated contemporary art museum.
WORK UP A SWEAT
Burn the holiday calories at Soul Cycle. Get your heart rates up and sweat it out at an invigorating indoor cycling workout class. There are drop-in rates for first-timers and many studios around NYC for you to choose from.
WHERE TO STAY
There are hotels for every budget in New York. Below are some hotels I recommend:
GETTING AROUND
Getting around is easy with the subway or buses. You may purchase a MetroCard in the subway station, which can be used on buses and the subway. Otherwise, download the Uber and Lyft application as an inexpensive alternative to the Yellow Cabs. Most of the time, I will choose to get around by foot as it is a great way to explore the city. In fact, walking is one of the fastest and easiest way to get around. So do pack comfortable shoes!
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Applications to download:
- Lyft is a safe, friendly and affordable taxi service. I feel that their prices are more competitive relative to their competitor, Uber. Be sure to make use of the first-timers promotion codes!
- Venmo is a free digital wallet that lets you make and share payments with friends. You can easily split the bill, cab fare, or much more.
Tipping: Yes it is necessary to tip in NYC. As a rule of thumb, tip between 15 and 20 per cent for eating, drinking and tour guides.
Activities booking: I booked most activities via Klook travel, as it is convenient and more affordable than booking from the operator’s website or at the door.
For more tips and places to go, check out my Instagram posts here:
