I ❤️ NYC
I love New York City for all the typical, common reasons. The fast-paced environment, walkability, different cultures everywhere, abundant history, and that the city is the heart of fashion, business, and pop culture.
Another more personal reason I love NYC is because wherever you go, it always seems like everyone around you has some sort of vision for themselves, for their lives. On every street corner, you see hundreds of people, and it always reminds me that humans are more similar than they seem. The city has a sense of interconnectedness that I have not felt anywhere else.
My Favorite Places
When I say New York City, I am referring to only Manhattan in this case. I always stay in Manhattan, although I want to visit the other boroughs of the city.
Generally, I prefer downtown Manhattan over uptown. SoHo, Greenwich Village (The Village), and Union Square are my favorite areas. These places have a more residential feel but are still very city-like. Downtown Manhattan in particular is known for its roots in music, art, history, various cultures, and New York University is located in this area as well. Little Italy and Chinatown are both downtown and so are various museums, jazz clubs, coffee houses antique shops, and smaller-scale restaurants.
I recently stayed in Union Square and spent most of my time in Greenwich Village and SoHo, and I would 100% never stay anywhere else in the city.
There is so much more to NYC than Times Square and Central Park, and I feel as if most people who visit the city do not take advantage of all the other unique parts of Manhattan. The most extraordinary thing about NYC is that so many little places and areas make up one special city.
My Recommendations
Attractions:
The Roxy Hotel New York - a hotel in Tribeca that has dining, a movie theater, and a jazz club
Summit One Vanderbilt - definitely the best observatory in the city
The Plaza - you can book tea or dining options, or just walk around inside
Washington Square Farmers’ Market - so many interesting items sold, including flowers, spices, fresh produce, jewelry, etc.
Washington Square Park - my favorite park in the city
The Plaza Hotel 
Dining:
Da Nico in Little Italy - the best Italian food I have ever had, I recommend the “Rigatoni Alla Vodka”
Los Tacos No.1 - authentic and quick tacos, an easy 10/10
Magnolia Cupcakes - an iconic spot, especially their Greenwich location
Sadelle’s - a breakfast & brunch spot, definitely try the french toast
Tompkins Square Bagels - one of the best bagel places in the city
Brunch at Sadelle’s
Shopping:
Hudson Yards - higher-end retail & a nice mall in Midtown
Perry Street in The Village - so many interesting shops and stores
SoHo - the best stores in terms of selections available, all major retail chains can be found here
Sporty and Rich Flagship Store - one of my favorite stores in the city
Strand Bookstore - the biggest bookstore in the city, they carry books on any and every topic imaginable
Above all, the component of New York City I love the most is that there is something for everyone. So many different events like Fashion Week, marathons, and various festivals are always occurring in the city, always ensuring anyone can find something they love. Another thing is that you could visit NYC and not plan a single thing, but it can be guaranteed that you will have a fabulous time regardless.
Thank you for reading!
February 29th: Men’s Fashion Breakdown
February 15th: What it Means to Turn 18 (click to read)
- Lily
