Since I was in New York City for the third time, I had a looser itinerary than I usually do. I’ve previously written about the joys of returning to the same cities over and over again. This third visit to the Big Apple was no exception. There were enough cool things to do and see to fill up an entire week without feeling completely overwhelmed by an endless to-do, to-see, and to-eat list.
We were staying at a friend’s house in the East Village, an ideal place to explore both Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was the first leg of a 10-day vacation that also included a few days in Boston (a first) and a 3-day wedding party on Martha’s Vineyard (lush, I know). It was all about catching up with friends, pinpointing with acute precision the best sunset spots, and eating well, as always.
So here’s what I got up to this time, including all my favourite hang-out spots, rooftops, local shops, hearty eateries, and art stops in New York City (and beyond).
Eat & Drink
- The pain au chocolat at scandi bakery La Cabra (152 2nd Ave, East Village) is out of this world. The olive bread and smooth butter-cream dish is also divine.
- The Butcher’s Daughter (581 Hudson Street, West Village) serves colourful bowls and thick smoothies that are meals in and of themselves. I recommend the Brazilian Blast with Açai. Though the name is a bit misleading, the menu is actually 100% plant-based.
- Ruby’s Cafe (198 E 11th St, East Village) recommended by our friend, is another breakfast favourite. Fuel up on syrupy pancakes, egg sandwiches, and avocado toast before a long walking day like we did.
- The outdoor terrace at Two Hands (262 Kent Ave Store 4, Brooklyn) was a great place for my favorite activity: people watching. Their brunch menu has plenty of healthy options.
- For dinner, very few things beat freshly-made pasta. Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana (Spring street 196, Lower Manhattan) is one name that kept coming up when I was researching Italian restaurants in Manhattan. I had Bucatini alle Sarde (pasta with Sicilian sardines), and it was gorgeous. Another Italian restaurant I didn’t have the chance to try but was highly recommended by my sister is Rezdôra (27 East 20th Street, Chelsea). It’s an affordable Michelin star (in other words, a winner).
- Our search for a quick light bite led us to Berimbau (43 Carmine Street, Greenwich Village) where we ended up ordering a proper feast instead. This Brazilian restaurant serves all the classics and I couldn’t resist ordering one of my all-time favourites: Bobó de camarão (a shrimp and coconut stew). Vegan options are also available here.
- A local recommended 12 Chairs Café (342 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn) and we were pleasantly surprised. This charming Israeli restaurant serves hearty Mediterranean dishes. I had stuffed cabbage with mash, which is not the most photogenic dish, but definitely one of the top 5 best comfort foods I’ve ever eaten. The small sharing plates are also a great option.
- Those staying in the East Village and coming back from a night out should know that Stromboli (83 St Marks Pl) serves extra large pizza slices until 4am… Do not make the same mistake I did by ordering two slices thinking you’ll have room. One is more than enough!
- The stylish and airy In Common (441 9th Ave Suite 101) near Times Square was the perfect coffee stop in this area, which is mostly populated with cheap fast-food joints so good to know.
See & Do
- Coney Island – a large beach in south Brooklyn famous for its amusement park – is a must-see in the summer. Our day began with hot dogs (or beef franks as they call it there) from Paul’s Daughter, followed by a stroll along the pier and a few hours half asleep, jet-lagged, on the sand.
- During this trip, I reached my daily recommended step count before noon every day. Here are a couple of walks I recommend: Meatpacking district to Times Square via the High Line, and Lower Manhattan to Dumbo crossing the Brooklyn Bridge are my favorites.
- Renting bikes to cycle around Central Park was one of the most fun activities I did. I used the bike shop Unlimited Biking, which is conveniently located near the park. It’s a good option if you’ve already been to Central Park or you’re pressed for time and want to experience it at a glance.
- NYC sunsets are epic. I don’t know if it was because of what time of year I went (June) but my experience was unlike anything I’ve ever had. After much deliberation, we booked at Westlight (111 N 12th St, Brooklyn), which has a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. The outdoor terrace is surrounded by thick glass walls, and it took me some time to adjust to the setting, but the view was truly stunning. Definitely worth visiting!
- Another unexpected sunset spot I discovered this time around was Governors Island. We hopped on a ferry to attend a private event, but this island is open to tourists all year round. The Statue of Liberty can be seen beaming in golden sunlight as the waves slowly rock along the shore. It’s magical.
- We spent a night out at Elsewhere (599 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn). It was truly great except for the prices; I paid 26 US$ for the tiniest vodka Red Bull, and I still can’t stomach it. I sipped that thing like godly nectar.
- Shopping in Williamsburg is always a good idea. It’s a great neighbourhood for vintage hunting although there won’t be much hunting involved, since most shops are highly curated. We bought a gift for our host at Soap Cherie (218 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn), a lovely shop of locally handmade skincare products.
- The only art-related thing I did was visit the outdoor museum Storm King Art Center (1 Museum Rd, New Windsor), and that was mainly because the weather was too nice to stay inside. In the Hudson Valley, one hour north of Manhattan, this eerie sculpture park hosts incredible work by Richard Serra, Henry Moore and Louise Bourgeois. Some of the pieces were monumental. We also picnicked there, which felt a bit surreal. The day trip was topped off with a visit to Greenwood Lake to soak up some sun and freshen up before driving back to NYC.
What to pack?
If you’re anything like me, you’re gonna want to walk, walk and walk some more. It may seem like distances are short, but that’s an illusion, my friend. Each day we walked well over 20,000 steps, including subway rides. New York is quite a flat city so you can get away with wearing whatever shoes you want, as long as they’re super comfortable. I packed my Good News trainers, which were perfect for this. We had every kind of weather imaginable in the space of a few hours when I went in Spring. Items in my suitcase that got repeated wear: mid and long length lightweight dresses, a denim jacket, and flat sandals. If you want to learn how to pack a suitcase effectively, this blog post is for you.
