WKNDS CITY GUIDE / NEW YORK CITY
New York City is a place that you can visit 100 times and have a different experience each time. There are countless restaurants, bars, shops and hotels, each for a different type of person. There are several parks and farmers markets, a whole bunch of incredible plays to choose from on Broadway, and of all the places in the world you will find the most unique businesses thriving in New York--something to interest everyone.
There are enough wonderful things to do in Manhattan to occupy an entire trip, but I beg you to make your way to Brooklyn as well--it's been our consistent favorite since we first stayed there in 2012. It will especially interest you foodies & creative folks who love to see the graffiti and yarn-art laced through the fences. It has been argued that you will find the best food, coffee, cocktails & unique hangout spots in Brooklyn--and most definitely the most convenient parking.
Next time you find yourself in New York, we have an itinerary for you. This WKNDS CITY GUIDE has you covered for an exciting Saturday + Sunday in the city.
xo, emily
saturday: BROOKLYN
breakfast / Buttermilk Channel
EXPLORE /BROOKLYN FLEA FT. GREEN LOCATION
MID-morning TREAT / DOUGH
FUN TIMES / ROYAL PALMS SHUFFLEBOARD (OPENs @ 12)
late LUNCH / FETTE SAU
Walk + Shop / Bedford Ave + Wythe ave
cocktails/ Maison Premiere
enjoy / McCarren Park
Dinner / FIVE LEAVES
post-dinner / walk brooklyn bridge park
substitutions /
DEVOCION COFFEE / for the coffee lover
Brooklyn Brewery / for the craft beer enthusiast
brooklyn Bowl / for live music + bowling
MAST BROS CHOCOLATE / for DELICIOUS bean-to-bar chocolate
Pro Tips
Fette Sau / Expect a long line. It's a Texas-style BBQ joint where they serve you at the counter. So the line may appear daunting, but it's worth it because of the incredible taste of the food, and also because the instant meal at the counter is like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Order a few of the burnt ends if you see them, Lord have mercy.
Maison Premiere / This place was such a mystery to me when I showed up the first time. I happened to get there right before 4pm when they opened and stood outside the door. Before I knew it there was a line behind me stretching all the way down the street. I got inside in time to snag a seat at the bar where the bartender whipped me up something delicious (Walcott Express, per my request for something with mint). Tell them what you like and they will make you something incredible. The oysters are some of the best I've ever had.
Five Leaves / This is Heath Ledger's dream restaurant that his family opened in his name after he died. It has that magical pub environment that makes you feel like your favorite British novelists probably sat in the seat next to you when they wrote their best novel. Don't expect overly friendly service here, but the food is unbelievable. The truffle fries will change your life.
Sunday: MANHATTAN
BREAKFAST / SARABETH’S
coffee / FIKA
central park walk / to Bow Bridge
explore / CHELSEA MARKET + HIGH LINE PARK
lunch / the meatball shop
shop / soho
DINNER / IPPUDO
BROADWAY / THE LION KING
NY CHEESECAKE / JUNIOR's
be a tourist / walk times square
COCKTAILS / ACE HOTEL
substitutions /
9/11 MEMORIAL / everyone should see this memorial at some point
katz's DELICATESSEN / one of those famous spots you almost have to try
THE DEAD RABBIT / voted #1 bar in the world
broadway plays / hamilton, wicked, les miserables, etc.
ARTISANAL / for those who love a great glass of wine + artisanal cheese
Halal Guys / for lovers of food carts + gyros
Pro Tips
Ippudo / This adorable Japanese restaurant is one of my favorite things in New York. Make sure you try a little bit of everything. Our non negotiables when we eat there are pork steamed buns, traditional ramen + pulled pork, pepper wings. Just trust us.
Katz's Deli / I love Katz's so much, mainly because it was the location of that famous "I'll have what she's having" scene from "When Harry Met Sally". Order the pastrami (!!) with a plate of pickles. The sandwiches are huge and carved to order at one of their 7 carving stations. So brave the line (it may take awhile) and enjoy some of New York's most famous food.
Artisanal / My favorite restaurant in New York, because to me wine and cheese are life. The fromager will help you pick the right selection of cheese for you, and even escort you to their cheese bar for some tasting if you're unsure (you may have to request this, so DO IT... you get free cheese!). The somalier will help you find the perfect wine to pair with your meal. Yes Lawd. So what I'm trying to tell you is that if you want to feel swanky in this restaurant you absolutely can. BUT they also have an extensive grilled cheese, fondue and macaroni menu...so basically it's the perfect restaurant.
The Halal Guys / People try to imitate, but there's only one REAL Halal Guys (not Halal Food, Halal Boys, Halal Cart...). This food cart is cheap, delicious, always open, and has several locations. If you need a last resort food option in NYC, you need Halal Guys. At lunch time there will be an ungodly line, so if timeliness is your thing, look for off-hours like 3pm or 10pm)
alright, now for the logistics
ACCOMODATIONS
AIRBNB
I always choose AirBnB first. It stands for "Air Bed & Breakfast". This route is great for any budget. Check out their website for some more info. We have stayed in some magical places through AirBnB, and it is definitely 100% safe. This option will be for the people who are more interested in seeing the city as a local would, because you'll literally be staying in someone's apartment. I always go the "entire home/apt" route, because I'm adventurous, but not so much so that I want to room with a stranger on my trip. I highly recommend AirBnB and it's easy to find some really unique, nice spots.
HOTWIRE.COM
Hotwire is not fancy, but it's always been good to us when we're in a pinch. You can select the general area of town that you'd like to stay in, and it will certainly find you the cheapest deal. The catch is, you won't know which hotel you've booked until you pay. Full disclosure, I have had a few Hotwire fiascos where the hotel didn't turn out just as I imagined. But for such a cheap price sometimes you don't mind staying in a hotel room where the room number is written on a sticky note... true story.
HOTELS
The most traditional, and typically the most expectation-rewarding option, but this is the most expensive route to go. In most big cities you won't have a whole lot (wifi, parking, etc) included, but you will definitely feel the most in control of your experience. I would recommend the following NYC hotels (click the links to see more)
- The Ace Hotel - located in midtown, somehow eclectic and elegant at the same time
- The Wythe Hotel - located in the coolest part of Brooklyn, my #1 coveted hotel stay
- J.W. Marriott Essex House - for those looking for traditional and elegant, located right at south central park
- The Warwick Hotel - a large luxury hotel near Times Square
- The Surrey - elegant, exquisite, upper east side
- The Bowery Hotel - for those who love to sip a glass of good single-malt scotch in front of the roaring fireplace, lower east side
- The High Line Hotel - picture-perfect and adorned with local antique furniture, chelsea
- The Greenwich Hotel - located between TRIBECA and Greenwich Village, unique and beautiful
- The McCarren Hotel - for the lover of all things Brooklyn, plus a really cool pool for those summertime visits
- The NoMad Hotel - located right on Broadway, tastefully designed by a French architect + interior designer
TRANSPORTATION
NEW YORK YELLOW TAXI
Tried and true. Somehow even when the taxi driver is hitting the gas every 15 seconds, slamming on the brakes, and laying on his horn you will feel safer with him than you would driving your own vehicle in the city. Hail a cab on pretty much any street. I just learned a fun fact that the taxi is full (not available to pick you up) when the light in their sign is off. Probably obvious, but there you go. You can also call them toll free: +1-800-609-8731
UBER
Uber is a hot new taxi app, and I love it. It's so easy because you can hail the driver through the app on your phone, and then you can see exactly where he is on the map. THE BEST PART though is that there's no annoying swipe-transaction at the end. WHAT? Yes. Because your card is stored in your Uber account, all you have to do is get out of the car and hit "pay fare". You can leave a tip if you like (you probably should) and be on your way. It's so easy. Also if you recommend Uber to a friend you both will get a free ride. Not too shabby. You can find Uber in the App Store or check out more info here.
THE SUBWAY
It is certainly the cheapest option, and it will also make you feel very authentic New York. HERE is a map, although what I do is use my Google Maps application on my phone. Once you plug in the destination and hit "route" it'll give you the option up top to click the "car" icon, "subway" icon, "walking man" icon or "bike rider" icon. Select the bus/subway and it'll tell you exactly how to get there and how long it will take. Brilliant.
Just a heads up/ You may want to allot 90 minutes for most meals in New York. I know that sounds extreme, but if you go into it knowing that it will be a long wait for an incredible product, then your spirits will be a little higher when your waiter moves slow and the lines are long.
It is, after all, the big city. You came here to experience it and experience it to the fullest. So go eat some cheese and talk to crazy taxi drivers and HAVE A BLAST doing it.
It's such a great rule of thumb to treat every trip like it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You may not make it back to this part of the country again, so you have permission to be your most fearless, fun-loving, picture-taking self and to love every minute of it.
Have so much fun on your journey
& LIVE FOR THE WKNDS / XO, the WKNDS crew
