5 DAY NEW YORK GUIDE
A first timers guide to New York City - with some must-do's, some independent recommendations & some just really cool off the beaten track finds !
We landed in the early evening so technically this is 5.5 days guide.... but here we go ! We also did things in this order depending on when we had tickets booked for some experiences but wether its Vintage shopping, good pizza, great views or cheap deals - read on.
We stayed at Heritage Hotel New York City which was an amazing location for exploring all of Manhatten. A stones throw from the Flat Iron building and right next to Madison Square Park it was a very safe-feeling location. The hotel itself is quite mid-range. Not too fancy but clean and safe with a comfortable bed, private bathroom and iron access (very important ).
DAY 0 -
As we landed early evening and I was headed to NYC with someone who had never been before - I wanted to jump right into Times Square for that 'You have landed in New York' vibe right away. Also to get that tourist hub ticked off right away so we could explore further afield.
Placed to hit up near Times Square -
- Hardrock Cafe
- Walk up Broadway to see all the light & the theatres
- Grab food at Stardust - where the waiters are all also on Broadway ( or aiming to be ) and they sing as you eat. Its really good fun and confetti falls from the ceiling after the songs. Its a feel good New York vibe.
- Rooftop Bars to see NYC from the best vantage point - Dear Irving on Hudson, St Cloud Rooftop, Castell Rooftop, Haven Rooftop
- For a real New York dive bar head to Jimmys Corner !
DAY 1- Midtown & Union Square
A day of exploring some of the shops, cafes and tourist attractions around midtown. With some vintage shops thrown in !
- Start at Thompkins Square Bagels - it took us AGES to decide what to get because everything looks (and is) so amazing !
- Wander to the Flat Iron Building
- Check out the thrift shops nearby including Thrift NYC, Goodwill, Crossroads, Beacons Closet and Reminiscence on w 13th Street between 5th and 6th Ave
- Head down to Nordstrom Rack for discounts
- Pass Metropolis Vintage on the way
- Wander around the shops on 5th Avenue
- Go to Grand Central Station and Campbell Apartment (a stunning bar inside from the 1920's)
- Make sure to go Joe's Pizza for this very famous slice
- Head to the Top of the Rock - I would reserve tickets before to avoid long queues - if you can go for sunset do so. We did , and to see the cityscape change as the darkness creeps and all of the city lights come on is incredible. Tickets are $40 each here and it is open 9am to 12am.
DAY 2 - East & West Villages
- Have breakfast or an early lunch at the famous Katz Deli - getting the ruben is recommended. If you do not want to eat in, then eat in the Creative Little Garden a short walk away.
- The East Village has so many vintage shops so take the time to walk around some. Check out AuH20, Trash and Vaudeville, Crossroads Trading, Search and Destroy, Cloak and Dagger, Buffalo Exchange, East Village Thrift Shop, No Relation Vintage, Cure Thrift Shop, 2nd Street Vintage
- Wander along St Marks place - it has lots of cool shops and the cover of Physical Graffiti by Led Zepplin was shot at number 96
- Grab something from Rays Candy shop
Then get the subway over to West Village
- Explore Washington Square Park on the way.
- For shopping check out Hamlets Vintage, Village World Music, Artful Posters.
- Make sure to get a Cappuccino and a Tiramisu at Cafe Reggio - which has the 1st Cappuccino in the US
- Have food at Cafe Dante - Patti Smith & Bob Dylan used to go here and it now serves Cocktails and Italian small plates
- Get drinks and snacks at Bandits - a cool dive style bar with outdoor seating
- Johns of Bleeker serves the best pizza according to many - we tried it and I can confirm it is very very good
- 1 Jones Street is where Bob Dylan shot his famous album cover
- 90 Bedford Street is the Friends Building
- Check out 10 and 12 Grove Street for super cute houses
- 66 Perry Street is Carries Apartment from SATC
- Wander along Bleeker, window shop and head to Magnolia Bakery
We went to a few speakeasys and found it to be a really unique experience. Some of our favourites are -
- The Back Room on the Lower East Side - our favourite - & one of only two speakeasys that operated during prohibition. They still serve alcohol in tea cups and beer in brown paper bags.
- Zinc bar is a hidden jazz bar
- Apotheke
Day 3 - Financial District, Central Park and the Upper East Side
- Start the day at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Book tickets on line before you go !
- If you love a bargain then head to Century 21 round the corner
- Wander around Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange including seeing the Bull on Wall Street
Next onto Central Park and the Upper East Side
- Walk up Maddison Ave to Ralphs Coffee, then explore 2nd Street Vintage
- Grab a slice at Village Square Pizza
- Some vintage shops to check out at Designer Revival, Gentlesmans Resale, Thrift NYC, Unique Boutique.
- Get a Cola the old fashioned way at Lexington Candy Shop. The oldest family owned Luncheonette in the city. The syrup for the Coca Cola still comes a pump and the milkshakes are amazing !
- Get the best cookies in the city at Levain Bakery. Get them to go and head to Central Park
- Check out the Met on the way
- Enjoy a wander around Central Park. Make sure to look out for Alice In Wonderland Statue, Loeb Boathouse, Bethesda Arcade, Bow Bridge, Cherry Hill Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Sheep Meadow
- Roosevelt Tram over to Roosevelt Island . $2.90 gets you incredible views of the city as the tram take you above the high rise buildings and over to the Island. A must do for amazing views
Day 4 Chelsea, Chinatown, Little Italy
- Head to the high line above the city and walk to Chelsea Markets
- Get tacos from No1 in Chelsea Market and wander around the boutiques
- Get the subway over to Little Italy and book onto a Gangster Tour. Which takes you around Little Italy and China town to get a good sense of the history here. Some of which is still happening at the present .... We booked onto this one.
- Au Cheval near Chinatown is said to be the best burger in the city
- Lombardi was the 1st Pizzeria in the USA so check it out
- Wander around China town and Little Italy exploring the local shops
- Research if there are any local festivals when you go. The Feast of San Gennaro was happening when we were there and there were street vendors and live music. Side note - you MUST try meatballs in Little Italy !
Day 5 - Over the bridge ( only just ) & Statton Island Ferry
- Get the FREE ferry over to Staten Island for the view of the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island and the Manhattan Skyline
- Walk across Brooklyn bridge although I recommend doing this in the evening more - why not do both!
- Head to the corner of Front and Washington for those iconic bridge views
- Time out Market has amazing food vendors - so many good options to chose from - grab some food and head to the root to eat it - we did this in the evening for pizza with amazing views of Manhattan.
- For vintage over the bridge check out 2nd Street Vintage
- The River Cafe is the perfect place for a fancy meals with views of the bridge and Manhattan
- Squibb Park Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park are beautiful grassy areas with those same great views
We didn't venture into Brooklyn due to time but enjoyed staying close to the bridge for the food, drinks and views of the city.
