New York City has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, and has a significant impact in commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports. 

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New York City consists of five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

 

I've lived in Manhattan for ten years and honestly I don’t venture out too much. However, I’ve been to Brooklyn multiple times and have a couple favorite spots there. Here I've compiled a list of things to do in NYC. (As you may expect most are in Manhattan).

 

THINGS TO DO IN NYC:

 

• Grand Central: a very iconic subway/metro station worth visiting​

• Washington Square Park: a beautiful park where you’ll see musicians playing, nice to walk around​

• Dumbo: the best view of Manhattan, this is a must​

• Central Park: biggest park in Manhattan, great for exercising, walking around, and picnicking​

• MET museum​

• 5av: walk around this famous street where you'll find the best shops to pick up something new or just window shop​

• Plaza Hotel: a beautiful iconic hotel, perfect to grab a bite at their food court​

• Rockefeller Center: go ice skating in the rink, a quintessential winter activity​

• High Line: have a beautiful walk around Chelsea and Meatpacking, ideal for the summertime​

• Chelsea: the perfect neighborhood for any art lover, they have the best galleries​

• Moma museum​

• Eataly: a very fun Italian market/ restaurant​

• West village: a picturesque neighborhood filled with boutiques, restaurants, and classic townhouses​

• Brooklyn brewery: spend some time with a great beer tasting or tour​

• Botanical garden: enjoy luscious gardens in the spring​

• Hudson yards: Enjoy looking at the Vessel or go up if you are in the mood to climb stairs. Have some fun shopping luxury at the mall.​

• The little Island: A new park in the city, full of activities.​

• Soho: Shop and experience a fun NYC scene, cool place for pictures.

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RESTAURANTS & BARS:​

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• Buvette: a French restaurant, amazing for brunch​

• Gran electrica dumbo: Best Mexican I have tried in Dumbo, a must.​

• Mokyo: a Korean restaurant, so fun! a must.​​

• Pastis: a French restaurant, perfect for dinner​

• MAMO: an Italian restaurant​

• Mercado Little Spain: a Spanish food market, located inside the mall at Hudson Yards, a great lunch spot​

• Bar Pitti: an Italian restaurant​

• La esquina: a fantastic Mexican spot in Soho, perfect for dinner.​

• Tacombi: a Mexican restaurant in Soho​

• Broken coconut: a casual spot for a healthy lunch​

• Charlie Bird: an Italian-American restaurant, perfect for lunch​

• Pasquale Jones: an Italian pizzeria, great for lunch​

• Tao: an excellent Asian restaurant, perfect for a fun dinner​

• Miss Lily’s: a Jamaican restaurant with a super fun vibe, great for dinner​

• Café gitane: a cozy French restaurant in Soho, perfect for a casual dinner​

• Piccola cucina: the best Italian restaurant! Great for a fun dinner​

• Kiki’s: a casual greek spot in the lower east side, a good dinner spot​

• Thursday Kitchen: a delicious Korean restaurant in the East village, fun for dinner​

• Café wha: a live Music spot, great for entertainment​

• Cecconis: an Italian restaurant in Dumbo with fantastic views of Manhattan! Recommended for lunch​

• Pylos: a Greek restaurant in the east village, nice for a casual dinner​

• Niche Niche: a jazz club with food/ wine tasting, super fun for dinner​​

• Her Name Was Carmen: a Latin fusion restaurant with a lively bar downstairs​

• Cote: a Korean Steakhouse, fun for dinner​​

• Via Carota: an Italian restaurant, nice for dinner​

• Sant Ambroeus: an Italian restaurant, great for brunch, lunch or dinner​

• Frankies 457 Spuntino: a fantastic casual Italian spot, nice for dinner​​

• Tavern on the green: a famous restaurant in Central Park​

• L’artusi: an Italian restaurant great for dinner​​​

• Coffee shop: a Brazilian restaurant in Union Square​

• \Don Angie: Italian restaurant, marble accented space. ​

• Sadelles: American casual brunch.​

• Atla: Mexican restaurant, is on the list of best restaurants in the city.

• Maman Soho: cool coffe shop.

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I haven't try the following but definitely on my list:

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• Llama Sam: Peruvian restaurant, you should go for dinner over the weekend.​

• The tyger: Asian Fusion, perfect spot for a weekend dinner. Industrial-chic place with a patio.​​​​

• Wayan: Indonesian restaurant, sleek seating.​

• Crown Shy: American restaurant, spacious room with high ceilings.​

• Shuko: If you are in the mood for sushi this is the place.​​​​

• Frenchette: French restaurant.​​​​

• Raouls: French restaurant, Parisian atmosphere and classic bistro.​

• Lola taverna: Greek restaurant, cozy space.​

• The polo bar: American classic restaurant in the Upper East Side.​

• I Sodi: Italian restaurant, romantic space. ​

• Aime Leon Dore: coffee, cool store.​