New York City is packed with must-see tourist attractions and siteseeing, but so many recommendations seem to come from travel bloggers who’ve only been there for 3 days max.
And normal suggestions might include hitting up Times Square, catching a few Broadway shows, or taking a Statue of Liberty ferry ride.
But I think you and I both know that it’s the locals who really know the best spots to explore in New York city and all the hidden gems.
So with that said, I’ve gathered tips from these seasoned New Yorkers, and every single one has made it onto my personal “Places to Visit in New York” bucket list.
1. Hole in the Wall Cafe
Starting off this locals guide to NYC is a cafe.
According to Adrienne Jordan, this is one of those cute and chic neighborhood cafés where you should definitely grab a breakfast!
Maybe a good place to eat for your first morning in New York?
Here are her tips:
“The venue serves favorites including avocado toast, a pulled pork Benedict, chili scrambled eggs and whipped waffles with salted caramel.
If you go for breakfast on the weekends, try to arrive before 9:30 a.m., as the neighborhood starts to wake up around then and tables can book up fast.”
2. High Line Park
If you’re gathering a list of places to go in New York, then this should definitely be on it.
Find a quiet morning to go and relax on this elevated NYC park. It honestly looks like such a great place to hang out, enjoy a pastry and a hot drink, and talk with a friend.
Also, being build in the 1930’s, it’s one of those beautiful historic walking paths where you can take your time, listen to the sounds of the city, and take photos.
And if you’re into NYC sightseeing spots with skyline city views, the High Line offers unique perspectives of the city.
3. Three Recommendations for the Conservatory Garden
Monica Francis says this about one of the best iconic New York locations…
“Not many people make it up to Central Park’s Conservatory Garden (Upper East Side), so it’s rarely busy.
There are three beautiful formal gardens here: French, Italian, and English.
Wander through and choose your favorite, or just choose your favorite bench and settle in.”
And in my opinion, it looks like one of those New York parks and gardens that offers a peaceful escape right in the heart of the city. Definitely not one of those popular New York destinations to miss.
4. The Jazz Bars
New York is apparently filled with live music venues like jazz bars!
Here’s what a few locals are saying about these nightlife spots…
“-I’ve been to Antique Garage in Soho that had live jazz and had a blast. The interior was so neat and since it was summer, the windows were open and you felt transformed into another place.”
Another local named John adds, “For the Jazz soaking, I would also recommend Small’s in West Village.”
And lastly, Molly says, “The Blue Note is a famous spot and has wonderful shows (drinks too). Also, mentioned in the guide is Bemelman’s Bar, which features live jazz along with famous (excellent) cocktails on the Upper East Side.”
5. Explore the West Village
Monica also gives a tip about one of the most famous New York neighborhoods:
“The jumbled streets of the West Village are perfect for getting lost on purpose and stumbling upon plenty of classic New York vignettes. If you don’t bring a camera here, you’ll regret it.”
6. The Flower District
“Every morning, dozens of shops in the flower district fill the sidewalks of 28th Street with fresh blooms and branches. Pick up a bouquet for your hotel room, buy armfuls of florals for a party, or just admire the scene.” – Monica
7. Balthazar
This is personally running for the top spot on my places to visit in New York city list.
Cup of Jo, a blog run by Joanna Godard, is one of my favorite places to relax and read. And because she’s a blogger who hails from New York + always has great tips, I trust her advice here…
She says this about Balthazar, “Soho’s famous, bustling, never-gets-old French brasserie, anytime of day or night.”
8. Kiki’s Greek Tavern
So where is this Greek tavern? A local New Yorker answered:
“… in Chinatown, where incredible food is served in an old paper shop that feels like a secret haunt.”
If you’re looking for some unique NYC food markets and neighborhood gems, Kiki’s should probably be on your list.
A Greek tavern in Chinatown with some incredible reviews, and a cool location.
It’s now one of my New York to-do’s. 👌
9. Lower East Side Pay-What-You-Like Walking Food Tour
Insider Tip from Briar on walking food tours on the Lower East Side:
“One of the best things we did was book a pay-what-you-like food walking tour around Lower East Side (where we were staying).
It sounded ridiculous at the time, but we basically ran from a delicious steaming food stop to delicious steaming food stop.
It helped us find the closest and tastiest food near us, which was an excellent motivator to leave our cozy beds, and gave us somewhere reliable to eat on our way home late, with cold feet and grumbling tummies!”
I’ve personally been tempted to do walking tours before, but now I’m sold (and especially if it involves food).
10. The Loeb Boathouse
I had no idea that the Loeb Boathouse existed but it needs to be done. Thank you Wit & Whimsey for this idea!
“There’s something so magical about some of the first Central Park days of the season. You still need a light jacket but the temperatures are perfect for long (she’s writign this in spring), carefree strolls and The Boathouse is the ideal landing spot when you want to rest your feet and have a cocktail on their terrace overlooking the boat pond. Some of my favorite afternoons have been spent doing just that with nowhere to go afterward. It’s pure bliss. (Highly recommend going to Sprinkles Ice Cream afterward for a spring treat. I just went and am mildly obsessed.)”
11. The Edge
Sam from Find Love and Travel says…
“The Edge, known as one of the best Sky Decks in NYC! It just opened in 2020 and is known as the highest outdoor sky deck in the West Hemisphere!
Make your way to the 100th story where you will enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline along with a partial glass bottom deck.”
I love observation decks, and this one look ridiculously cool. Might make my way there for sunset when I visit NYC.
12. The Hudson Yards
Another New York Insider Tip from Sam:
“If you happen to be visiting New York around the holidays, the Hudson Yards does a great light display you won’t want to miss.”
I’m someone who loves taking part in seasonal festivities, so this is definitely on my list. 👍
Also, if you happen to be in the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, then why not make a quick stop?
13. Bay Ridge Greenmarket
To Be Bright gave a great recommendation for a farmer’s market and since I love going to them, I thought I’d pass it your way:
“Dubbed “Bay Ridge’s Town Hall,” long-time residents and families who are new to the neighborhood meet to shop, share recipes and catch up with their neighbors at this Greenmarket that provides a gathering space for the tight-knit Bay Ridge community. A great selection of producers providing everything from fresh caught fish, baked goods, and a bounty of seasonal fruit, vegetables, and flowers draw shoppers week after week, all season long.”
14. Bike Along the West Side Highway
I love bicycling and especially when I don’t have to deal with traffic, so I really appreciate this tip from Dana Berez:
“One of my favorite things to do is bike along the West Side Highway. This path spans from downtown Manhattan all the way to the Upper West Side.
The best part? There is no car traffic on this path so it’s perfect for getting used to biking in NYC.”
This is one of those scenic bike rides that looks like a great way to explore the city at a slower pace and catch some nice views of the Hudson River.
Bonus: Dominique Ansel Bakery
This one is my personal recommendation. I know I’m not a local, but I had to share at least one recommendation. 🙂
Celebrity chef Dominique Ansel is famous for perfecting the “cronut,” a mix between a croissant and a doughnut.
We had heard about its incredibly flaky layers and perfect flavors so we decided to give it a try. I was actually concerned that it wasn’t going to be that great, but it actually lived up to the hype.
The flavors change every so often and if I remember correctly (this was back in December of 2019), we had a cream cheese chocolate cronut.
And if that’s not something you really want, then I definitely recommend going anyway. They have a huge assortment of different pastries and goodies curated by an expert French pastry chef. 👌
So if you’re planning a weekend escape, day trip, or romantic getaway to NYC, then definitely have this on your list!
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.
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