If there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s that whatever needs to be said about New York City has been said – and said well – before.
In the centuries since Manhattan was founded, some of the greatest poets, journalists, songwriters, and novelists have all spun the tale of the city that never sleeps. So, we won’t try to wax poetic and say it better, but what we can plainly point out is that as visitors to New York, we’re wow-ed every single time. It’s as an American a mecca as they come, and the thing we really love most is that each experience in the city can be wholly made your own.
You are in a place six million other people frequent, but you get to have your very own version of NYC. You’ll settle on your favorite borough, find a go-to bodega for hot coffee, and fall in love with a family-owned diner you can hole up in at 2 am. You can claim your favorite restaurant experience at a place with no sign outside and you’ll sneak into a bar crafted in a tiny slice of an old Manhattan basement with 7-foot tall ceilings. Those other NYC travelers might never happen across your most cherished spots even once.
And because you can never hope to see it all, we love hearing, and giving, a good recommendation for the Big Apple. Cheers to the food, sights, and scenery that have most shaped our love of the city. We hope you’ll plan a visit soon, too.
Where to Stay – Upper West Side & Midtown
Kimpton Theta
Though housed in one of the busiest areas of Manhattan, Kimpton Theta is quiet, calming and modern. Their new rooftop bar/restaurant offered an impressive menu of coastal Italian fare and just like any other Kimpton I’ve stayed at, the service and attention to detail is superb. If you want quiet luxury and to be in the heart of the city with easy access to the theater district, this hotel is perfect for you.
Arthouse Hotel
I’ve stayed here five or six times now and there’s a few reasons I use it as a staple: The service is great, the downstairs bar and lounge are charming and cozy, and the walkability for Upper West siders is excellent. It’s nice but not pricey or stuffy, and while the rooms are on the smaller side, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Hotel Wallace
Hotel Wallace is just a block away from Arthouse, so you’ll get all the same benefits of the good location, but with a different vibe. Wallace offers spacious rooms and a beautiful downstairs bar, and just like Arthouse is surprisingly well priced for what you can expect.
The Food
Jack’s Wife Freda, SoHo
Jack’s Wife Freda is a beloved bistro for good reason: They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and whip up familiar twists on everyday food. The husband-and-wife owners’ family histories have made this an inviting, homey hangout. Brunch is one of the bests we’ve had, and the Madame Freda, a pressed sandwich with duck prosciutto, cheddar béchamel, gruyere and a sunny side-up egg, is incredible.
Bar Sprezzatura
Located on the rooftop of Kimton Theta in midtown, Sprezzatura has a charming Italian Riviera feel with expansive views of the skyline and an indoor/outdoor setting. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Bar Sprz is as great for a quick drink and bites as it is for a full sit-down meal. They recently launched happy hour and a unique Piccola Cena menu. From 5-7 pm, guests can indulge in the daily Happy Hour, offering select $4 beers, $8 glasses of wine, $10 cocktails, and small plates from $3 to $11. The Piccola Cena menu, which translates to “Little Dinner,” is offered from 5 pm to close. For $25, select from one of three combos.
The Mermaid Inn, Upper West Side
When we’re staying uptown, I just love this spot. It’s got a cozy neighborhood feel, but it’s also always lively and feels like you just walked into a spot everyone wants to be at. The food and service are both consistently excellent, and I’ve never had a meal here that I didn’t enjoy start to finish.
Bar Pitti, Midtown
Pitti is a local hotspot with some of the best people-watching and Tuscan Italian you can find. The handmade pasta will blow you away, and the antipasti offerings are a perfect pairing with your favorite glass of vino.
The Drinks
The Empire Hotel, Upper West Side
This brick cocktail bar has both a lunch taproom and a cozy parlor with small plates and vintage cocktails. It’s perfectly New York feeling, with some of the best cocktails we’ve had anywhere.
Highball at Tempo by Hilton Times Square
I’ll be honest that I rarely spend time in Times Square, but for a taste of nostalgia and iconic NY energy, grabbing a drink and a bite at Highball is undeniably joyful. The view (especially by night) is pretty incredible, and both the cocktails and food were spot-on.
Death & Co., East Village
A small, subtle wooden sign with the bar’s name hangs on the front of the East Village speakeasy. If you weren’t looking for the place, you’d just walk right by. A doorman stands at the entrance of Death & Co., flashlight in hand. Announce the size of your party and then follow him through the raspy, heavy wooden door and into the darkness. The small prohibition style bar is lit only by candles.
The Sights
The MET, Upper East Side: The MET is quintessential NYC. The largest art museum in the United States, and one of the most visited in the world, this spring and summer the MET will host several exciting exhibitions, including Chinese art from the Qin and Han dynasties, and photographer Irving Penn’s Centennial show. Be warned: There’s no way to see it all in a day, let alone in a few hours.
NY Public Library, 5th Avenue
The New York Public Library holds nearly 53 million items, making it the second largest public library in the US, and fourth largest in the world. It’s equally stunning and a bit nostalgic every single time. Pop in to browse, study, or simply get a bit of refuge and quiet.
National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Lower Manhattan
This is one of those you have to see. We have a hard time rendering it into words, but the experience of standing on the ground was incredibly moving, and the recently completed tribute is large, elaborate, detailed, and simply beautiful.
Brooklyn Night Bazaar, Brooklyn
This one is a true gem – the super eclectic market has a little bit of everything. It’s a bustling flea-market combined with live bands, food stands, drinks, art, karaoke, Ping-Pong… you get the idea.
The Scenery
Central Park
When you find a slice of green space in the city that you love, you hold on to it.. It’s a beautiful landscape with several different collections and display.
The High Line, The West Side
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long New York City park that was built in Manhattan on an elevated section of what used to be the New York Central Railroad. By converting the High Line from an out-of-use railroad trestle to a public landscape, the project has brought beautiful greenery to what was one of the most industrial areas.
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
This is a true hidden treasure. While most flock to Central Park (an undeniably great part of the city), Sunset Park is equally great. It’s a bit more tucked away, but offers stunning sunset views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and Staten Island from the vista. The park also has a recreation center and playground.
Coney Island
Experience sensory overload at the southernmost point of Brooklyn, New York’s Coney Island. The New York Aquarium should be your first stop. Here ocean lover’s can get their mind blown by the kaleidoscopic offerings: colorful tropical fish swim in giant schools, excited sea lions bark, and toothy sharks cruise. After the aquarium, walk the beach or boardwalk and see the historic shoreline. Then, grab a delicious world famous Nathan’s hot dog (or four) and hit the amusement parks, that is, if you can stomach the craziness of rides like Thunderbolt, Zenobio, The Tickler, Power Surge, and Sling Shot.
Inexpensive Flights From CLT
If you have the means to travel mid-week, airlines like Spirit and Frontier can get you to the big city for less than $25 one-way! Tracking on Expedia is one of the best ways to see which day/time of year is going to be the most cost-efficient.
Since Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an American Airlines hub, there are always American Airlines flights (non-stop) running from CLT to all three major NYC airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.
