This is the second of a two-part series on what to do when visiting New York City. My family and I were there last month and had an incredible time. If you want to read about my general tips on being a tourist in the city you can read them here. This post will give you a list of what we did, where we ate, and what we’d recommend based on our five days in the city. It is by no means an exhaustive list; just some of our highlights.

Three out of four people in my family do not enjoy museums or any type of guided tours so you won’t really find any of that here.

I recommend prioritizing your list, putting absolutes at the top but being flexible and open to what you may stumble upon.

Things You Must Do:

The 9/11 Memorial Museum

On the top of the list is definitely the 9/11 Memorial Museum. This is the one museum that was a nonnegotiable on our trip and I had no trouble getting my family to agree. Each of us had an incredible experience. If you were only going to do one touristy thing while in NYC, I would say hands down go to this museum. There aren’t words for me to describe the impact of this memorial. You could probably spend four to five hours there and see almost everything; but because it is so emotional, two and a half hours was plenty for me. It is the most powerful exhibit I have ever seen.  I was so greatly moved by this display because I vividly remember 9/11 and the emotions that went along with it. It will take you right back. You simply MUST SEE THIS MUSEUM; you will leave profoundly impacted. It is a testimony to the spirit of the people; all the people involved whether victim, savior, loved one, or shocked bystander. You will leave there proud of the American people and the human spirit.

Tip: You must make reservations online before you go.

Central Park

Central Park is 843 acres. While exploring this enormous park, you forget you’re in the middle of a huge metropolitan city. Central park is definitely a MUST DO. We were there in the winter and if you go in the winter IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU ICE SKATE IN CENTRAL PARK. This was a once in a lifetime experience. Whether or not you have kids, do not leave NYC without ice skating in Central Park. I haven’t skated in Rockefeller Center but the Wollman Rink in Central Park is much larger and because you are in the park instead of amongst the buildings, you feel like you have much more space. Don’t be daunted if you go and there is a line. They clean the ice every hour and a half so there will be about a 20 min wait. But once the line gets moving it goes fast. The one recommendation I will make is to go as early as you can. As in all lines I witnessed in NYC, the earlier you arrive the better.

*Tip: This is cash only!

No matter the season you are visiting, take a couple of hours to stroll through Central Park. It is beautiful and truly awesome. I am always amazed at this huge park bordered by skyscrapers and stores. The last time I was in NYC we were short on time so we took a horse and carriage ride around the park. This was a cheese ball tourist thing to do but it was so iconic NYC. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it allowed me to see more of the park than I could have on foot. Definitely, don’t leave NYC without visiting Central Park.

The Brooklyn Bridge

One afternoon while on the way to a Nets game, we walked from Chinatown to Brooklyn across the Brooklyn Bridge. This was a fabulous experience and I would definitely recommend it.  You will have company but the views are amazing. We were there at sunset so this was ideal and it is free!

One option would be to have lunch in Chinatown (see below for recommendation) and then walk across The Brooklyn Bridge. Or you could walk across the bridge and eat dinner in Brooklyn (restaurant recommendation below).  Either way if your schedule permits, this is a must do!

A Broadway Show

You should really try to see a Broadway show while in town. We saw the play The Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper at the Booth Theater while we were there and it was spectacular. The actors were brilliant and the story was one that kept everyone in my family engaged. The Booth Theater was perfect. It was a small venue with intricate architecture and I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house. This is a classic NYC thing to do and you should definitely try to fit a Broadway show into your itinerary. There are websites to help find reasonably priced tickets. Shop around.

Views of the City

Another  thing you also must do while in NYC is to get a view of the city from up high. Most people do this from the top of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center. Our family doesn’t really follow the pack so I have not experienced these but I have no doubt they are absolutely spectacular. Just know you won’t be alone. If you don’t want the major crowds (there are always some crowds wherever you go) and you don’t mind something a little out of the box, you can find other places that have great views. There is a revolving restaurant at the top of the Marriott Marquis on Broadway that is supposed to have amazing views of the city. We didn’t end up going here but it might be worth a look.  It’s a pretty safe bet that it will be pricey and you will need a reservation; but if you are planning to do one upscale dinner while in NYC, this might be a good choice!

One evening on the way back to our hotel, we stopped into the Gansevoort Hotel on Park Avenue. We noticed they had a rooftop bar and we wanted to take in a view of the city. This hotel was amazing. All the public areas were very impressive. Beautiful and pretty swanky (I just love that word)! It also has a rooftop pool which my kids were coveting. The view was pretty awesome and even with the chill in the air, sitting on the terrace was lovely. But beware! The food is expensive. I would say just go for a drink.

On a previous girls trip to NYC, I visited the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for incredible panoramic views of the city. I would highly recommend this as an alternative to some of the more crowded spots to take in a view.  A few bonuses: You don’t have to wait in a line with hundreds of other people to get in, the fee is by donation, and you can see the museum and then end your visit on the roof to catch the sunset. It is a casual, outdoor setting with a rooftop bar that provides the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing.

*Tip: The rooftop is closed in the winter so only add this to your itinerary if you are visiting NYC May through October. And be sure to check the hours.

Things You Might Want To Do:

Professional Sports

This is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening. New Yorkers are very passionate fans and whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or hockey; a sporting event would be a unique addition to your itinerary. We are a basketball family so were happy to see a New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets game. The Knicks were on the road during our visit so we saw the Nets. This was not a typical way a tourist spends an evening in New York City, but it was perfect for us.

The Tonight Show

If you at all like The Tonight Show, I would try to get tickets. I LOVE Jimmy Fallon and wanted to see the taping of The Tonight Show pretty badly but unfortunately, they weren’t taping when we were there.  I think this would be a fun, unique way to spend a day in NYC. It does take a full day I believe so if you only have a few days you may need to save this for another time. But, it is free!! If you do decide to do this, go onto his website to see the process of getting tickets. They release tickets online once a month in advance and they are highly coveted.

Holiday Window Displays

During the holidays I would recommend checking out the large department stores like Sak’s and Macy’s window displays. It will be crowded but it is free. It’s worth a look just to see the beauty and creativity involved. Also, if you can stand the crowds, go into Sak’s and see the elaborate decorations. It was breathtaking.

Parks and Open Spaces

I love how big cities like NYC and Chicago have these beautiful green (in the fall, spring, and summer) spaces where people can come to relax and get a bit of softness amongst all the skyscrapers and businesses. On our first day, we came across Bryant Park while exploring the neighborhood. It was decorated for the holiday with a Christmas tree and was bustling with people. We stopped for a moment for a photo shoot and then were on our way. These parks provide a respite for weary tourists and business people looking for a little peace. Throughout our time in the city while walking through the streets we also made quick stops at Madison Square Park, Gramercy Park, and of course the mac daddy of them all, Central Park. These of course are free.

Recommended Restaurants:

As one of my tips for visiting New York City, you must be prepared for how expensive things are. Especially restaurants. As long as you know this going in, you can make your choices for restaurants and meals accordingly.

-If you see a broadway play and want to eat before the show, I highly recommend making a reservation at a restaurant in the theater district. Give yourself an hour and a half to get to your show on time. Let the staff know your showtime and they will bust their butts to get you in and out on time. We ate at a restaurant called Marseille and were pleased.

*Tip: The theater district is crowded in the evening so I would eat at a restaurant within walking distance to your show. Because of traffic, it is often faster to walk than take a cab. Also, give yourself enough time to enjoy your dinner. It is a special night and you don’t want to feel rushed.

-Another restaurant we tried was Koi at the Bryant Park Hotel on 40th Street. We love Japanese food. Our favorite sushi place at home is called Koi so when our hotel concierge said there was a sushi restaurant named Koi around the corner from our hotel we thought it was fate. This place is amazing if you are getting engaged (we saw an engagement while we were there), if you’re having a girls night out or if celebrating an event. It has a very fun and swanky vibe. We love our sushi place at home because it is simple; great sushi with an unassuming atmosphere. This Koi was not. It had fancy rolls, eccentric entrees, elaborate decor and high energy. The sushi itself was pretty good but I don’t need all the bells and whistles . . . just give me tasty, fresh fish that isn’t all doctored up with different sauces and preparation styles! This is a fun place with a great vibe and a super cool club downstairs but not necessarily the place to go for just a good, reasonably priced family dinner. It wasn’t cheap but if you want a fun adult night out or to celebrate a special occasion, this would be a good place to try.

-If you find yourself in Chinatown and are hungry I can highly recommend the restaurant we went to, The Red Egg. We had Dim Sum and it was tasty. The Red Egg had a clean, contemporary decor in a lounge style setting and the service was spot on.

-We wanted to experience an authentic Jewish Deli so after soliciting local recommendations, we decided on Katz’s Deli on the lower east side. Katz’s has been around for more that 100 years and going there you really get a sense of the history. We had sandwiches, drinks and of course matzo ball soup. Katz’s can be pretty intimidating however but it is worth the bit of confusion you will feel…especially if you are a fan of Jewish Delis. We had visions of the Seinfeld episode The Soup Nazi. They definitely have a process and you will feel a little anxiety about messing it up. Don’t worry though, it’s a crazy system but everyone figures it out.

*Tip: There are two lines, one to sit down and be served and one for self-service. The staff are friendly and will help you get into the right line. Be prepared for chaos and just go with it.  The pastrami and turkey were delish but warning, the roast beef is extremely rare! Just whatever you do, DO NOT LOSE YOUR TICKET! And don’t forget to tip the carvers.

-While walking to Times Square one day, we stopped by a great little italian restaurant, Ceci, on West 46th St. for lunch. We had a lovely, reasonably priced meal here and the service was great. Ceci seemed family owned however I can’t say for sure but the wait staff with italian accents definitely added to the authenticity! The restaurant is small but we were here on off hours so we didn’t need a reservation. I would recommend this restaurant for lunch or dinner.

-One afternoon my husband and I sent the kids (ages 16 and almost 19) to explore on their own for a couple of hours. While walking back to the hotel close to the theater district we decided to stop inside the Playwright Tavern Celtic Pub to warm up. I ordered an Irish Whiskey and it did the job just fine. The cool thing about this pub was most of the bartenders I saw, were Irish. Pretty authentic. The ambiance was very tavern like with the dark wood and jovial energy. My husband and I love pubs so this was right up our alley. I can’t speak to the food because we only had a drink but everyone seemed to be smiling. I can recommend this place for a pit stop and since they have several TVs, maybe catching a game.

-If you find yourself in need of a burger or “fast food” I can highly recommend The Shake Shack. After visiting the 9/11 memorial we were hungry and didn’t want the full on sit down lunch so we stopped for a bite to eat at The Shake Shack on End St. There are a few locations around Manhattan and I heard it was similar to California’s In n Out. The burger had a unique flavor and we really enjoyed it. The Shake Shack has been around a little over 10 years and actually started as a hot dog cart. If you want an inexpensive bite, with fresh, humanely raised, hormone free beef, I’d recommend The Shake Shack.

*Tip: Don’t do what we did and go at straight up noon. It was pretty crowded. If it is crowded, have someone in your party scope out a seat while you wait for your food. The tables are highly coveted.

-If you end up in Brooklyn, which I encourage you to, I highly recommend the restaurant James. It is a quaint restaurant with excellent food and good service. They are open for dinner everyday and for brunch on the weekends. It is a small place so heed my advice of the previous post and make a reservation. They also offer happy hour every evening from 5:30-6:30. This is a nice restaurant that isn’t exorbitantly priced and you will have a great meal.

-On our last night we were looking for a nice steakhouse. We received several recommendations from locals we engaged while stopping into the Park Avenue Tavern to warm up. After letting our new friends know we didn’t want a restaurant we could go to at home and listening to their arguments for each suggestion, we decided on Benjamin Steakhouse. This was our splurge night and a very nice way to end our visit. It is a beautiful restaurant with a nice menu, especially if you are a fan of steak. Our service was great and the food very tasty. You could either dress up here or feel equally comfortable in more casual/dressy attire. Ties not necessary.

Shopping:

My family and I aren’t the best shoppers so this part might not be overly helpful. We found shopping in NYC a little hard for us. We didn’t want to shop at places we had at home and although we loved them, most of the boutique stores were out of the budget. We don’t like to spend a lot of money on things but every once in a while we will splurge. There were a few different shopping neighborhoods we visited.  The 5th Avenue shopping with the high-end department stores and luxury shops were fun to browse. I did enjoy window shopping at Tiffany (five stories), Sak’s, and my highly coveted Jimmy Choo. It was fun to look but way out of my budget.

We also visited SoHo with a good mix of common chain stores interspersed with one of a kind boutiques. If I lived in NYC I think this is where I’d do most of my shopping.  We didn’t really go home with anything quintessential New York but my daughter did get her dress for her high school winter formal at Bebe there so that was fun.

On our last day we walked  to the Flatiron district. This would be another neighborhood I would shop in if I lived in NYC. One store I went into that I would have loved to spend more time in was Madewell. They had cute/casual clothing, shoes and accessories. The service was good and the prices were reasonable.  Come to find out there is a Madewell in Orange County as well. This was a great discovery!

Accommodations:

We stayed in Midtown on Park Ave which was a great neighborhood. We were in walking distance to Grand Central Station, Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Herald Square, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, MoMA, 5th Avenue shopping, and even Central Park if you’re so inclined. There are smaller attractions as well and Midtown is a great, centralized place to be.

Our hotel was 70 Park-A Kimpton hotel. The rooms were on the small side as that is pretty common for New York City. The hotel itself was adequate and the staff was impeccable. Everyone from the doorman, bellhop, housekeeping, reception desk, concierge to the guys that greeted us every morning in the cafe for our coffee were top-notch. Customer service is a big deal to me and 70 Park didn’t disappoint.  As far as the room rate goes, we didn’t get a steal but we didn’t pay an exorbinant rate either.

*Note- a nice perk of Kimpton hotels is you get free coffee in the morning and a free wine reception in the evenings.

Previously I’ve stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Midtown East and found this to be a clean, reasonably priced hotel in a good neighborhood with decent sized rooms and helpful staff. This is a great option if you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on a hotel.

*Final Tip: Walk everywhere if you can because on the way to your destination you are bound to run into other sights worth seeing.

At the end of our 10 day trip (5 days being in NYC) we were ready to head back to the salty air of Seal Beach, California. However,  I felt a little sadness leaving such a vibrant city with many sights still unseen. There were a few items on our itinerary that we just weren’t able to make it to. I was disappointed we didn’t visit Ellis Island or take a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. I feel like these are things that need to be seen while in NYC.

Next time!

You could stay in New York City for an extended period and still not do all there is to do; experience all there is to experience. That’s one of the reasons I love this city. There’s something for everyone and there is always a reason to return.

Salty Kisses,

Karen