No matter how many times I visit New York City, there's always something new to see. It's an ever changing and expanding city; a city full of life and endless excitement. Because of this, I always leave utterly exhausted but feeling like I could have/should have seen more.
On my most recent trip, we decided to just come up with a couple things we would plan to do and spend the rest of the time wandering and exploring. This meant a lot of time walking the streets, stopping at cafes and lingering over a bottle of wine. When you stop trying to fit it all in, you are better able to appreciate the little gems of the city.
Because of how much there is to do and see, it would be impossible to give you a list of things to check off when visiting the Big Apple. But here are 5 things (out of a never ending, always changing list) I'd recommend when visiting NYC.
1. Shop the Flea Markets
New York has some of the best shopping in the world. Full of designer stores and boutique shops, you can find anything and everything. But my favorite places to shop when I visit the city are the flea markets. On this trip, we hit up the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, where I walked away with some vintage jewelry, a caftan dress, and a fringe vest (all of which will make appearances in upcoming outfit posts).
2. Be a Tourist (at least a little)
As a fan of venturing off the beaten path, I usually try and avoid tourist traps when I travel. But when visiting New York, it's unavoidable. So when I visit the city, I embrace being a tourist and try and pick one stereotypical tourist attraction to see. This trip, we took the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. It's free and allows for some great photo ops of both the city and Lady Liberty.
3. Visit the World Trade Center Memorial
This was an important stop for us. Last time I was in Manhattan, the 9/11 memorial was still under construction, so I was glad to be able to pay my respects to the site during this trip. It gave us time to share and reflect about the day while visiting the incredibly impressive and moving tribute. Definitely make the effort to visit if you haven't done so.
4. Get Lost in the Met
The newest Costume Institute exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass, recently opened to the public at The Met, so naturally it was high on my list of things to do. Not only was the exhibit beautifully done and a highlight of the trip, but the entire museum is worth getting lost in for the day.
5. Eat (and Drink!)
This goes without saying, but half of what you do in Manhattan is eat and drink. Cafes and bakeries. Street food and five star dining. Rooftop bars and underground speakeasies. It's all good. Try and experience as much variety as you can.
What are your favorite things to see and do when you visit New York City?
