This list continues to grow daily. It's made up of the things I want to do, places I want to eat and sights I want to see in New York City. If I'm missing one of your favorite places in the Big Apple let me know - I'll make sure to add it to the list!
*I've already done many things on this list and have marked the places I've personally reviewed in pink. Other places are linked to their respective websites for more information.
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To see/experience:
Visit the Statue of Liberty
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Read in Washington Square Park
Visit the animals at the Central Park Zoo
Visit the animals at the Bronx Zoo (free all day on Wednesdays)
Visit the 9/11 Museum (free tickets on Tuesday evenings after 5 p.m.)
Visit the 9/11 Memorial
Go to the top of the Freedom Tower
Go to a Broadway show (Phantom of the Opera was amazing!)
Survive the crowds of Times Square
Go to a Mets game
Go to a Yankees game
Go to a Rangers game
Go to a Nets game
Find the Balto Statue in Central Park
Go to a concert in Madison Square Garden
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Go to the top of the Empire State Building
Go to a Today Show taping
Go to a Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon taping
Go to a Saturday Night Live taping
Ice Skate at Rockefeller Center
Explore the New York Public Library
Check out the Flatiron Building
Shop in China Town
Eat pasta in Little Italy
Buy books at Strand Book Store
Visit the New York Times Building
Watch the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall
Go to a comedy show at Upright Citizens Brigade
Dance the Night away at Sunset Salsa
Go to a show at Drunk Shakespeare (looks hilarious!)
Shop and Explore at the Brooklyn Flea
Check out the Museum of the American Gangster
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To eat/drink:
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Dinner Cruise on the Hudson
The Spotted Pig (it's where the celebrities go)
Joe's Pizza (among NYC's top ten best pizza places)
Murray's Bagels (great bagels in Greenwich Village)
Shake Shack in Madison Square Park (the ORIGINAL)
Ganesvoort Market (numerous vendors, good food)
The Little Owl (located under the Friends building)
A Salt & Battery (British cusine in West Village)
Ess-A-Bagel (voted best in NYC)
Katz Delicatessen (NYC staple)
Uncle Nick’s Greek Cuisine (authentic Greek cusine)
Kat & Theo (GORGEOUS INTERIOR, perfect date night)
Pier A Harbor House (dinner with a view)
One if by Land, Two if by Sea (beautiful place for a date night)
Bodega Negra (dinner and a crazy/fun show)
The Grayson New York (sports bar with HUGE burgers)
Freemans (tucked away gem with a tasty brunch!)
Nanoosh ("Mediterranean Goodness")
Grounded (all organic coffee & tea)
Black Cat Coffee (a good place to write!)
The Grey Dog (breakfast/brunch)
Tuesday Tacos at Bayard's Ale House
Amity Hall (unlimited Bloody Marys at brunch...yes please)
Jack's Wife Freda (BRUNCH)
Smith & Wollensky (was told their steak is the best)
Eataly (Nutella bar - 'nuff said)
Catch NYC (rooftop dining)
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Bars/Coctails
Smalls Jazz Club (a personal favorite!)
McSorley's Old Ale House (oldest bar in NYC..get the "bar snack")
Marie’s Crisis Café (sing-along piano bar!)
Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs (adorable for lunch and dinner too!)
The Smile (healthy food, yummy drinks)
Fat Cat NYC (ping pong, pool hall, JAZZ)
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar (great views)
The Happiest Hour (beachy themed drinks)
Tortilla Flats (tex-mex cusine, margs with a twist)
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Healthy/Vegetarian
Joe & the Juice (upbeat, fun atmospher!)
Springbone Kitchen (bone broth goodness)
Juice Generation (numerous locations)
Chalait (matcha, tea, espresso)
Whole Green Inc. (small, simple juice shop)
Dirt Candy (creative, colorful, fun vegan restaurant)
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Dessert
Big Gay Ice Cream (best soft serve EVER...get the Salty Pimp)
Café Zaiya (green tea soft serve to die for)
Magnolia Cupcakes (a New York City staple)
Hershey's Chocolate World in Times Square
Sockerbit (Sweedish candy shop)
Sundaes and Cones (long time NYC ice cream favorite)
DŌ (cookie dough AMAZINGNESS!)
Molly's Cupcakes (cake batter cupcakes?!)
Sweat/workout:
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Kayak in the Hudson River
Rowboat in Central Park
Athleta/Yoga Journal Yoga in Bryant Park
Try out local yoga studios – Pure Yoga, Yoga to the People, NY Loves Yoga...
Run the NYC Marathon
Run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon
Run various 5ks, 10ks and half marathons
