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. 

​

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

 

I've lived in Manhattan for 7 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.

​

RESTAURANTS & BARS:​

​

• 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

​

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

​

• 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.

​

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

​

• 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.

​

• Don Angie: Italian restaurant, marble accented space. 

​

• Frenchette: French restaurant.

​

• Sadelles: American casual brunch.

​

• 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.

​

• Maman Soho: cool coffee shop.