New York City

"The city that never sleeps". That's the old saying we've all heard about NYC. A city full of events, nightlife, bars, opportunities, restaurants, etc...but in a place with a magnitude of options, how do you even know where to start?

In 2023, I traveled to travel to NYC twice - once with Caroline and Neely after graduation, and the second for New York Fashion Week (if you want more context about my first NYFW experience read my blog here). I had been to New York many times before, mostly for ballet competitions growing up, but this year was the first time I truly started to understand how great the city is - filled with an energy that's so alive and contagious. 

Now, I'm not going to give you a guide about all the basics - Empire State Building, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, etc. Obviously, they are cool to see (and you should if you have the time), but I think the beauty of the city (like any other) lies in immersing yourself in its every day beauty such as strolling through the different neighborhoods, grabbing coffee at a local shop, walking through the park, dinner at a mom and pop restaurant, and drinks overlooking the city. Don't get me wrong, there are still a few places I think you should plan to see, but just walking through the streets and people watching is fun enough. In just one summer, I was able to feel more familiar with such a enormous city, but I know New York City is a place that I will never get bored of exploring. 

When I visited NYC in May with Caroline and Neely, we stayed with one of Neely's friends who lives in the city. One of the reason's that I'm able to travel so much is because I mostly travel to visit my friends or my brother and don't have to pay for accommodations, which is usually the most expensive part. Luckily, all my friends live in cool places! However, when Donavan and I went in September for NYFW, we were also celebrating our 6 year anniversary, so we wanted to have our own space. Let me just say, that hotel bill huuuurt! Granted we were going during one of the busiest times of the year so it was rare to find anything under $300 a night, but we ended up staying in at the Aloft Hotel in Brooklyn which was a bit more affordable. It was a nice hotel and had everything we needed - close to the subway, and cafes and restaurants nearby, and was a cute and clean hotel!

Parks

Central Park

I think Central Park is one of the most beautiful parts about New York. In the midst of the city's chaos, you are able to escape into nature and slow down a bit. In the summer afternoons, you'll find people sitting in the grass having a picnic, reading, sunbathing, or watching the people go by. My favorite time of the day to visit is early in the morning - that is when the locals are going for a run, enjoying a coffee, or walking their dogs before they head to work.

High Line 

This 1.5 mile park was created on the old New York Central Railway track on the west side of Manhattan. It offers a unique perspective of the city as it sits above the main streets. You can take a walk, enjoy some food, and view their latest art commissions and projects.

Little Island

Little Island is another really great option if you need an escape for the city. This park was built on top of the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan (close to the High Line) and is the perfect nature oasis. Donavan and I went one evening after dinner in the West Village, and I just remember how calming it was to hear crickets and the moving water, and get some fresh air during our week in the city. They also have some food stands, and an amphitheaters where they host events as well. The architecture of the park on top of water is interesting to see in itself!

Shopping

Michael's Luxury Consignment, 1125 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028

Time to channel your inner Lily Van der Woodsen; this place was luxury consignment heaven. I stumbled upon this store on my way out of the MET, and I walked in to take a look. I ended up falling in love with these beautiful white vintage Channel loafers (oh, and btw the one thing I was looking for on this trip was...white loafers). From someone who has never owned anything designer, I convinced myself that I didn't need to spend the money on them and we continued on with our plans to go thrift shopping in Brooklyn. But no matter how many things I loved at other stores that day, I wouldn't let myself buy anything because I couldn't stop thinking about these damn Chanel shoes! I even called my mom so that she would talk me out of buying $350 shoes, but instead, she told me that I better get my ass back to that store and buy them before they're gone. So, with only one hour left before the store closed, we rushed back to the UES from Brooklyn (through rush hour btw) and made it with only 15 minutes to spare. With a little bit of girl math and a credit card, I walked out with my first ever designer purchase (cue Carrie Bradshaw voiceover). 

SoHo

If you weren't already familiar, SoHo is probably the best neighborhood to shop in all of New York City. You can name almost any brand, and it's possible they have a boutique in SoHo. There is a lot to explore, so if you love to shop, I'd recommend spending a day here and eat at some of my restaurant recommendations below!

Other great areas to shop depending on where you are in Manhattan are on Fifth Avenue and the Flatiron district. While they may not have as many stores as Soho, they still have a good selection of stores to shop at!

Explore Brooklyn/Williamsburg

If you're wanting to really feel like a New Yorker, I would spend the day in the Brooklyn/Williamsburg area. Many locals live in these neighborhoods outside of Manhattan and it has a slightly quainter feel to it. There are great restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and thrift shops - it is a very artsy area. Here are a few gems I discovered in Brooklyn just by walking along the street. 

Artists & Fleas, 70 N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

This flea market, open only on Saturday and Sunday, had the coolest variety of products. From paintings, clothing, vintage posters, to jewelry, you could easily find some unique items while supporting local artists and vendors. Donavan and I connected with an artist and bought her print that we currently have up in our home. They have two locations in Brooklyn (Regeneration and Williamsburg) and one in Chelsea Market in Manhattan.  

*Near this flea market, there is also a street with many well-known retailers such as Mejuri, Everlane, Patagonia, etc.

Dyphor, 146 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

This is a a pretty random suggestion, but this interior designer and furniture store had some of the coolest pieces I've seen for a home. I love visiting just to window shop and get inspiration for my own home! But you can also shop from their website as well. 

Museums

Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

As I'm sure you've heard me say before, I hated museums growing up. My mom, who is an artist, always dragged me to them and it wasn't until I got older and started becoming interested in fashion that I started looking forward to visiting them. When I visited in May, I was lucky enough to see the Karl Lagerfeld: Line of Beauty exhibition that was curated for the MET Gala that year. Of course, for that you have to go at a very specific time of the year, but it was an amazing experience and one that made me excited for a day at the museum. Regardless, the MET is the largest museum in the U.S. and has everything from Decorative Arts, Greek artifacts, Islamic and Asian art, and an extensive collection of European and American art. They also have a beautiful rooftop where you get a beautiful view of Central Park and Manhattan. I would highly recommend spending an afternoon here!

Other museums that I remember visiting when I was younger were the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) and Guggenheim Museum . Both have more modern and contemporary arts, so they are other great options to visit to see a different style of art than what is shown at the MET. Of course, New York has many museums, these are just the ones that I have a personal memory of. No matter where you choose to go, I always suggest booking your tickets ahead of time!

Coffee/Pastries

Ralph's Coffee, 888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021

Ralph's Coffee is a well-known chain that is an extension of Ralph Lauren, and this is one of my favorite coffee shops in New York. There are a few locations throughout the city, but my favorite one is on the Upper East Side. They have a beautiful interior and in the summer you can sit at their tables right on the street and take in the beauty of the UES. 

Stumptown Coffee, 30 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011

Caroline, who is a coffee connoisseur, found this place one afternoon when we needed a break from shopping in Soho. One thing that stood out to us when looking at their website was that they are extremely transparent with the production of their beans and all of the processes that they use for their business. They are also a chain, with a few locations in NY, Portland, and one in L.A., but it is obvious that they are truly educated in coffee and all of its components. And of course, their coffee is delicious!

Sweetbee, 1039A Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

This coffee shop was one Donavan discovered through an influencer, Ryan Winter, that he follows on Instagram. He had recently opened up the shop and we discovered that we weren't too far from it at our hotel in Brooklyn. It was in a very quiet, local part of Brooklyn - it was beautifully designed and also had a cute courtyard in the back. Unfortunately, it's quite a treck from Manhattan, but if you find yourself in Brooklyn, this is a great option for some good coffee and a great way to support a small buisness!

Food

In my opinion, finding food in large cities where there are thousands of restaurants is one of the hardest parts about traveling - and there is nothing I hate more than spending too much money on a bad meal. Luckily, before I left I discovered this food blog, Art of Foods NYC, that was started by influencer Ella Rose McFadin who lives in New York! I had recently discovered her as a creator and saw that she was always trying (what looked like) good restaurants, so when we went to New York in May I decided to follow her guides. I can tell you with full honesty that between both trips that year, there wasn't a single bad restaurant that we visited from her guide. Below are just the ones that I have been to (and few others that I found on my own), but I highly suggest using her guide while you're in New York as well!

Chobani Cafe, 152 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

In 2019, after I graduated high school, Donavan and I took our first ever trip together and we came to New York. We somehow found ourselves in the Chobani Cafe and fell in love with this Roasted Chicken and Avocado sandwich - we were seriously obsessed. We ended up eating there every morning and kept talking about how good it was long after the trip. Funny enough, in September 2023, Donavan and I were strolling around SoHo looking for breakfast when we walked right by it. I'm not sure how we forgot about it as an option, but we went in and were so happy to see that they still had it on their menu, and it was just as good as I remembered. They also have some great yogurt bowls and other snacks! This place is a great option for either breakfast or lunch!

Upside Pizza, 51 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

One thing that's nice about New York, is you can always find a cheap meal with all the pizza-by-the-slice restaurants around the city. This one is right in the middle of SoHo and Donavan and I ate here (probably too) many times during NYFW to save a few extra bucks. The pizza is great and it's perfect for a cheap, quick meal. There are also locations in Greenpoint, Midtown East, and the Garment District.

Caffe Valencia, 255 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

One morning Donavan and I were walking through Williamsburg when we got caught in a downpour and walked into this cafe to escape the rain. We weren't so much as worried about the food/coffee as we were staying dry, but we ended up just eating because we were too hungry to find something else. We ended up loving the food - we got these little empanadas that were so yummy and the place itself is very cute!!

Lunch/Dinner

Cafe Mogador, 101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009

This Moroccan restaurant is in Brooklyn and has amazing food - everything Caroline, Neely, and I got was delicious! The restaurant is really cute and also has a nice courtyard in the back.

12 Chairs Cafe, 56 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Donavan and I ate here for lunch one afternoon in SoHo, and we barely got a table because of how popular it was. They had amazing Middle Eastern dishes and their hummus was to die for! I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time to be safe!

Westville, 81 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

This was the best place for a good comfort meal. They have everything from bowls, salads, sandwiches, to entrees with different vegetable options - definitely a something-for-everyone place and the quality is great. Donavan and I ended up eating here twice; we went to the Dumbo location, but they have others all over the city. 

Little Ruby's Cafe, 219 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

This might be my favorite cafe in all of New York. It's a little Aussie cafe that serves amazing pastas, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast. Usually, when restaurants have too many types of cuisines you'd think it wouldn't be good, but Donavan and I ate here three times and everything we tried was 10/10. I especially loved the vodka pasta and their chicken sandwich, but the salad I had was also amazing! There are a few locations in the city and they don't take reservations so I'd definitely plan for a small wait!

La Contenta, 102 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

This Mexican restaurant was the perfect place to enjoy some margs and tacos! The food was authentic and the guacamole was amazing. It's definitely a more lively place so it's perfect for a fun night out!

Kazu Nori, 15 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

Hands down the best sushi I've ever had - this place was a whole experience. The restaurant only has two bars, and they only serve hand roll sushi. You get a little sheet of paper where you mark off all the hand rolls you want and they make each one right in front of you - you eat them one at a time and wait for the next one to be made. The rolls are very simple, they usually just have the type of seafood you chose with maybe a sauce or herb, but the quality of fish was so good that it didn't need anything else. They don't take reservations and we did have to wait for about 45 minutes but it was so worth it. I think about this meal very often lol. 

*Let me also say that we also ate a Nobu and there is a reason this place is on my list and Nobu isn't!

Empellón, 230 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014

Another great restaurant for a night out! We went with a group of friends and had a pitcher of margs and some great tacos. They also have multiple locations but we went to the one in West Village because it was close to some bars that we had in mind!

Rooftop/Drinks

Darling, 36 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

Located in the Park Lane Hotel, this rooftop bar sits on the 47th floor and makes you feel like you're on top of the world. It overlooks Central Park and the nearby buildings, and it was the perfect place to enjoy a girl's night out!

Public Hotel, 215 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002

This gorgeous rooftop if the perfect setting to view the city and take some cute pictures. This entire hotel, especially the roof, is just decorated so beautifully, and they also have a nice bar on the second floor of the hotel. We tried to go on a weekend and couldn't get in because of how packed it was, but we ended up getting in super easily during the week!

One of my favorite parts about New York is how so many people aren't afraid to take risks in what they wear. As someone who lives in Indiana, where many people don't dress up often, it was so freeing to be in a city where nothing was "too much". Yes, I'm still a neutral girly and love my timeless pieces, but I was able to play around a little bit with my outfits and pushed myself to wear things I wouldn't normally wear out in my small Midwestern town. My suggestion to you would be to wear literally whatever the hell you want. Buy all those items you love but didn't know where to wear it - I promise you'll find a reason (or make one) in New York. Obviously, some of my outfits below were catered to NYFW, but the best part is I could've worn them on any day of the week, any time of the year if I wanted to. Yes, of course we should have this mindset no matter where we are, but it is easier to dress freely in a place where others do the same and appreciate the art of style and fashion.