New York City
What is there to be said about New York City that hasn’t been said before? Quite a bit, actually. The Big Apple has inspired countless odes, epics, and epithets over the years, it’s true; but what makes it a wonder is its ability to constantly change and evolve. Each decade in New York is a new era, thanks in part to the fact that 10 years appears to be at the high end of how long most people can stand to live there. But to take part in that evolution is to feel as connected to the world around you as you’ve ever felt – and whether you visit for a weekend or fancy yourself a lifer, it’s nothing short of remarkable to have been a part of NYC’s endless patchwork of diversity, art, industry, and undeniable cultural dynamism. Like they say in the Empire State: ever upward.
Know Before You Go
Great For
Group getaways, solo excursions, foodies that worship at the throne of James Beard, anyone setting out on an epic shopping spree, theater enthusiasts, museum-goers, lovers of high-energy, urban adventures, ages 8-88
Budget
There are certainly ways to cut costs in New York –eschew taxis and Lyfts for the subway, or simply hoof it, for instance – but it’s a splurge-worthy destination if ever there was one. A day in the city adds up; spending less than $150 every 24 hours is no easy feat. Lunch and dinner will each set you back around $20 at minimum, and the limitless shopping and entertainment options test the mettle of even the savviest savers. Our advice: Estimate how much money you think you’ll need for your trip (factoring in a hotel at $200-$400/night) and then add 25 percent.
Good Eats
Where to begin? (No, seriously – we really don’t know how to encapsulate the food scene of NYC in a single paragraph.) Whether you’re looking for all the Michelin stars or are a sucker for a cheap slice, New York’s got it in spades, from dawn until, well, dawn. The city excels in all manner of international cuisine, and new, exciting restaurants open up (and close) on a constant basis.
Getting Around
It’s not impossible to get lost in New York City, but it’s not easy! A well-defined grid of streets and world-class subway system ensure you’ll have options when it comes to getting around; Citi Bike’s 13,000 bicycles available throughout the city are a great choice, too. Taxi cabs and Lyft/Uber are more good options, but be careful – those prices add up in a hurry.
Where to Stay
A city as big and bustling as NYC can be overwhelming to experience as a vacation, and too often, visitors don’t properly factor location into selecting a place to stay. So pick your neighborhood with intention: If you’re all about museums and shopping, the Upper East Side is a good option (though Chelsea has more to offer in the way of galleries). The Lower East Side is good for feeling connected to the action. Williamsburg is surely where twenty-somethings will be drawn. The West Village and Brooklyn Heights are a bit more chilled out, with their brownstones and quiet(er) coffee shops.
Where to Next?
Take the Amtrak Adirondack train through New York’s wine country and all the way up to Montreal, in Quebec – the total journey is 10 hours, but it’s best enjoyed in sections so as to best experience Hudson Valley (this one is ideal for fall, when your view will feature lots of iconic autumnal foliage).
Featured Local: Kate Harvie
Kate Harvie has lived more than half of her life in New York City. She is a writer, an author, and someone who lives for and believes in culture and character over (or as important as) commerce. You can read her work as the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s contributing writer on its site. After surviving a traumatic brain injury, Kate became more of a connector and an advocate. She’ll tell it to you straight, and doesn’t tell jokes about time, money, or food.
Kate’s Must-Dos
David Zwirner
I’m not a gallerista, though I do appreciate and adore visual art. But New York City does not lack art galleries, and my life has changed twice upon visits to David Zwirner. The first time was in 2019 when I experienced God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin. The multi-media, cross-generational, multi-genre assortment about and for this iconic, revolutionary author curated by Hilton Als stopped time. My appreciation and respect for James Baldwin deepened. My life changed again recently, and my privilege this time was to witness, learn from, and be simultaneously overwhelmed and overjoyed by Toni Morrison’s Black Book. Again, Hilton Als’s recipe for the known, unknown, and unexpected both shared and spotlighted an author whose work is known across populations and histories. There is nowhere like David Zwirner.
La Plaza Cultural
Truth be told, the website, the social media, and the TV coverage of La Plaza Cultural don’t do it justice. This community garden, which I know I didn’t find by accident, is one of the few truly urbane spots in Manhattan. Between the lily pad pond, the gazebo, the graffiti art, the sculptures that rest atop the surrounding chain walls, the bigger-than-most-dining-tables willow tree stump (Manhattan’s largest willow tree was in La Plaza, and when it was struck by lightning, the trunk and branches were removed), and so much more, this is a place to sit, to think, to feel grateful, to write, to eat, to marry, to celebrate. Do. Not. Miss.
Kate’s Picks
Golden Diner
What can you say about a team that cut its teeth working with David Chang, crushes that situation, decides to open its own for-real destination under the Manhattan Bridge, and has its food provided by local farmers and purveyors? Say it with us: Hallelujah and thank you. You shouldn’t go to Golden Diner with a growly stomach unless you’re prepared to eat your weight in the breakfast and lunch menu. If you’d prefer to stick to just one dish, the breakfast burrito and Chinatown egg and cheese sando should be among your contenders. Huge appetites love the Golden cheeseburger, though finishing it in one sitting may require you to fast for a couple of days prior.
Cookshop
Cookshop is the sort of place locals take loved ones when they visit NYC. Don’t let the small menu fool you; everything is specific, detailed, and as locally sourced as culinarily possible. While the menu changes often and the specials reflect what’s fresh and available, go-tos include the spit-roasted half chicken and crisp russet potatoes. Bonus for visitors and those who don’t live near it: One of the entrances to the High Line is a stone’s throw from here.
Scarr’s Pizza
If you grew up in a town where the local pizza joint was always the preferred – or the only – option for your family, Scarr’s Pizza was built for you. Setting aside the highest quality, completely natural, stone-milled flour, this is a joint for people who dig the concept and experience of pizza, as well as its taste and texture. There is love and skill put into these pies, like the Grandma (crust density between classic and Sicilian) with meatballs, basil, and fresh garlic. And the Hot Boi with pepperoni and Mike’s Extra Hot Honey is ridiculously delicious.
Dough Doughnuts
There’s not space here for me to tell you how I became acquainted with Dough, and while it doesn’t matter for our purposes, it is an example of two of my core beliefs: There are no coincidences and instinct is 99.9% right. Dough has all-year-round, seasonal, and vegan options. Everything is certified kosher. There is nothing like them. Yeast doughnuts. Beignets. Fillings. Glazes. Sugars. Accompaniments. Fried. Perfect. And they’re beautiful. I thank the good lord of confection that Lemon Poppy Seed and Passionfruit are all year-round. The coffee is terrific, and yes, Dough ships around the U.S. You’re welcome.
Dandy Farmer Bonsai Shop
Truth: The best way to enjoy botanicals at home, when you want an experience to last longer than three days, is to add a bonsai tree to your residence. They’re trees. They continue to grow. And a bonsai tree – grown, cultivated, curated, and nurtured by founders Paul Kierulf and Matt Puntigam – purchased at Dandy Farmer brings more than something beautiful to your digs. The trees are named, they’re planted in and rest upon bespoke bowls and collection plates, there are ~13 glazes available, and your bonsai comes with care instructions. You’ll never 1-800-Flowers again. Enjoy.
B’KLYN BURRO
Have you been to San Francisco’s Mission District? I hope so. Besides being where Dave Eggers’s 826 is headquartered, Mission burritos are next level. Thanks be to he who chose to bring the skill, effort, and traditions to Brooklyn. A door or two away from my tattoo shop (shouts to Samantha Park and the All Wolves, No Sheep team), I’ve had the privilege of watching food be made here and, of course, eating it. Besides freshly-made-every-single-day refried pintos and black beans, the salsas are so good, I asked the owner if he’d let me bring a glass jar and sell me the product. He politely declined and smiled. Yes to the tacos and quesadillas, and HELL yes to the carnitas bowl and – when I want to immerse in glorious starch – the picadillo burrito. I’m always about the agua fresca, and points for michelada.
Day Trips
Shop ’til you drop, wine and dine at one of the town’s delicious eateries, or head outside the city limit for horseback riding or apple picking, depending on the season, in New Hope, Pennsylvania, about 1.5 hours from NYC via train
An easy 2-hour train trip from the city will transport you worlds away Dia:Beacon, a tranquil museum that showcases world-class contemporary art; in the town of Beacon, you don't need a car to get around – and Main Street is within walking distance, perfect for a pre- or post-museum bite and local shopping
Hop on the ShortLine Hudson (a two-hour trip) to Storm King Art Center, which boasts one of the largest collections of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the country – rent bikes to explore, or enjoy a picnic and and watch the scene unfold around you
Take the Hudson Line 1.5 hours north to Cold Spring for a day of adventuring: Lace up your hiking shoes and tackle one of the trails on Breakneck Ridge before strolling along Main Street to shop and find some farm-to-table eats
