Gala's Guide To NYC Version 1.0
[ 22 July 2008 ]
Here are some of my favourite things about New York City… just a few odds & ends I have discovered in my 3 months here. Hopefully, if you come to the city, this list will provide you with some jumping-off points & ideas to keep you busy! (Of course, there will be more to come when I actually live here… squeal! On that note, sorry if things are a little slow around here — I leave in less than a week & have a ‘to do’ list as long as my arm!)
Ultimate NYC resources
NY Magazine, Village Voice & Time Out New York should be your first online ports of call for finding things to do & events in the city. Craigslist is great for buying or selling furniture, finding a job or an apartment, or just spending hours on the missed connections pages! Yelp.com has saved my life — I don’t know how I would have ever found anything in New York without it. It’s a huge peer review site, where people talk about customer service in shops, food quality at restaurants, whether this or that cafe has wifi, & pretty much anything else you can think of. It is my holy grail. I love it. Another magnificent resource is HopStop, which will help you find your way from A to Z using public transport.
Best neighbourhood: West Village
Yes, I am totally biased, because this is where I stayed… but I adore it. It’s clean & quaint, as well as beautiful & charming, & while it isn’t party central (a total blessing when you’re trying to sleep), there are still plenty of people around — & places open — late at night. It’s the sort of area where, when you say where you live, people always tell you how fortunate you are. I really think it’s the cream of the crop, without the boredom factor of the Upper East Side & the geriatric factor of Gramercy Park (both lovely areas but, in my opinion, suffering from a chronic lack of charisma).
What’s the West Village like? Well, there’s a massive gay population, which means lots of same-sex couples holding hands & kissing in the middle of the street. It makes me very happy & is a definite perk of living here. There are also way, wayyy more sex shops than you could ever possibly visit. There’s a little piazza just off 6th Avenue called Father Demo Square with a fountain in the middle, surrounded by flowers. At about 4pm, this odd man rolls his piano into the middle of the square — I have no idea where he comes from — & plays songs until about 11 at night. People flock to the square with their slices of pizza, hot dogs, bagels or boxes of noodles, sit on the seats & soak up the atmosphere. It’s one of my favourite places in the village.
One of the best things, though, seems minor but really isn’t. The West Village doesn’t appear to suffer from the same olfactory injustices as many other neighbourhoods. You see, a lot of people have the unfortunate belief that New York City is their personal bathroom, which can get pretty disgusting in summer. The West Village, however, for the most part, is delightfully non-pee-scented. Celebrate good times come on!
Essential accommodation asset: Double-glazing
If you’re living on or near a busy street, which, let’s face it, is pretty likely, double-glazed windows will make you a very happy camper. The owners of the place I’m in told me it has double-glazing, but even so, it gets pretty loud in here. Thankfully, I can sleep through anything, but if you can’t, make sure you check it out before you rent it. Don’t just take what they say at face value — actually stand there & listen. Cabs in NYC have absolutely no regard for the sanctity of sleep, & will blare their horns at 3am if they feel the need. You may want to invest in earplugs.
Best way to find a home: Craigslist
The place I am staying in at the moment — which I love & think is gorgeous — is the first place I looked at from Craigslist. Even better, they offered it to me straight off the bat. Pretty good, huh? You can find beautiful places to live on Craigslist. Don’t believe what brokers may tell you about Craigslist being full of scams — they just want you to use their service & pay them a fat commission! — but as with most things in NYC, you have to do the legwork & act quickly.
Hip tourist accessory: NYC Moleskine
(Yes, hip tourist accessories exist!) I love my city Moleskine & carried it around constantly for the first couple of weeks I was here. It’s packed with maps in the front & is great for getting to know the lay of the land. It just looks like a notebook, so you can pretend that you’re deep in thought, composing a sonnet — not trying to work out how to get to Barney’s! It’s so much better than dawdling on a street corner with an enormous map, a baseball cap & white sneakers — there’s nothing cool about that!
Best make-up artist: Regan at MAC Flatiron
You’ve all heard me talk about him before… Regan is the boy wonder who did my make-up for the Patricia Field & Louis Vuitton parties, & to whom I am eternally grateful! He knows what he is doing — he did Richie Rich’s make-up for the MAC/Heatherette launch — & he listens to what you say & will take steps to make sure it looks the way you like it. I cannot recommend him highly enough, I adore him! So go, flee, & let him turn you into a masterpiece!
Best tanning experience: Tamar at Gotham Glow
It’s not every day that a woman strolls into your living room, puts up a tent & then sprays your naked body with an airbrush, but given how good it looks, I almost wish it was! She uses a solution made of beets, brown sugar & DHA which gives you plenty of colour but won’t stain the bedsheets. It’s easy to see why she has a slew of celebrity clients — she puts you totally at ease, she uses an awesome muscle-enhancing technique (which makes you look f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s) & she is in & out of your place in less than 30 minutes. Perfect.
Best tattoo artist: Tim Kern at Tribulation Tattoo
Yes, I am totally biased because he has made my arms look beautiful, but surely that’s the point! Tim works out of Tribulation Tattoo in the East Village (directly opposite a church — awesome, right?), a little red shop made up of three artists. This is not one of those places where you walk in, choose something off the wall & walk out again an hour later with a demented-looking Tweety bird on your shoulder. They only do custom work, which of course means you end up with something amazing & unique. I am completely delighted with all the work Tim has done for me, & after watching him fix up an unsatisfying tattoo by someone in New Zealand, I am also totally devoted! I’ve learned my lesson! I will never go anywhere else!
Best shoe department: Bergdorf Goodman
Expensive? Why, yes! But the range — & the service — cannot be surpassed. Their sale area blows my mind & they are never slow to approach & ask if they can help me with anything. Honestly, I just love Bergdorfs & I am happy to give them all my shoe business for as long as I am in New York. I think all their sales staff are great, but I especially like Thomas — he has an afro, wears glasses, & has his entire back tattooed. He’s also got style & charm for days!
Most valued possession: Foot bath
This city’s made for walking, & that’s just what you’ll do… One of these days this city’s gonna walk all over you. No joke, people walk like mad here. Yeah, the subway is cheap & convenient, & so are cabs, but New York is so fabulous that often you’ll want to be on the street. Or you’ll look at something on a map & think, ‘Oh, it’s not so far!’ Wrong! It is always further than you expect! An estimated 10 minute walk is usually somewhere closer to 20 or 25 minutes, & if you’re not wearing the right shoes, you will suffer! I cannot tell you the number of times I have dragged myself home & had to lie down just to give my feet a rest. I think the ultimate solution to this is a foot bath. One of those vibrating ones. You can buy them for nothing at Duane Reede, & it will make you feel like a new person.
Best place for froofy dresses: Geminola
Notice that I didn’t say cheap froofy dresses… but then, beautiful, frothy, sugar-flower-hued dresses often aren’t. If you have a bit of cash & you want something utterly cupcakey & delightful, Geminola is the place for you. It’s a small shop with some pieces from various designers, but mostly what goes on there is vintage dress mania. The owner takes things from all around the world — a piece of ribbon from Paris, a crinoline from Tennessee, some lace from London — & puts them together to make something utterly unique & exquisitely beautiful. To give you an idea: do you remember the dress Carrie is wearing in the last episode of Sex & The City, where she’s crouching on the floor of the hotel lobby, trying to find something? That dress came from Geminola. So now you know. (You should go there.)
Best pizza: Joe’s Pizza
My closest two pizza places are Joe’s Pizza & Bleecker Street Pizza. Both places have been given ample awards, but I think Joe’s is the best. Their pizza is truly awesome. I adore it. I went through a phase of eating two pieces a day for at least one consecutive week. Yum. While neither joint offers exceptional customer service, the creepy old guy at Bleecker Street looks like he is undressing you with his eyes, while the younger guys at Joe’s instead treat you with terminal indifference. I prefer the latter. The older guy at Joe’s, however, winks at me, calls me “beautiful” & offered to give me a job there so I could stay in the country, so I know where my alliances lie! I’m not silly!
It’s incredibly greasy, but hey, you’re not eating this stuff for your health! If you’ve never eaten New York pizza before, know this: they sell it to you in enormous slices on paper plates. Grab some napkins. The standard way of eating it is to fold it in half across the crust. Tip it backwards so that the excess grease drips off onto your plate… & enjoy!
Best cupcakes: Sugar Sweet Sunshine
I have done the leg-work. Oh yes. New York’s cupcake bakeries have had me on my knees for months now. I have sampled cupcakes from Magnolia (word to the wise: don’t do it), Buttercup, Crumbs, Billy’s Bakery & Sugar Sweet Sunshine, small vegan cafes & markets, as well as eating way, way too many at the annual Cupcakes Take The Cake picnic in Central Park a month or so ago. But I know where the best cupcakes are. Yes, I do. Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Okay, so I don’t like the name. I don’t like the location much, either — it is a pretty decent walk from my place, often a walk I can’t really be bothered making. But their cupcakes… oh their cupcakes… they draw me back. Seriously, their cupcakes are brilliant. They are also — in a shocking twist of fate — cheap. When I bought five (haha, yes, really) & the girl on the other side of the counter said “Seven dollars”, I thought I had misheard her. But I had not. I recommend their Red Velvet (awesomely good), Ooey Gooey & Lemon Yummy. Writing this has made me hungry, maybe I will have to swing by later! Dear Sugar Sweet Sunshine, I love you, always forever! Ahhhh!
Best raw food treats: Pure Juice & Takeaway
Pure Food & Takeaway is a teeny little shop attached to the back of the famous Pure Food & Wine, a huge gourmet raw food restaurant. It’s an incredible place to grab a salad or a juice, snack on a raw mallomar (one of my favourites) or, even better, buy an enormous tub of raw ice-cream & devour it in one sitting. (I like the almond butter cup flavour, if you’re interested.) You also meet the coolest people standing on line. Raw guru & speaker, Matt Monarch, was in front of me the other week — we hugged & talked about a mutual friend — & it’s also where I met my friend Ise, stylist to the stars. Yay!
Best greasy vegetarian food: Red Bamboo
What can I say, other than “yum”? Nubby & I went here for an amazing meal which has completely kept me going back for more. Their roti bread is out of this world & their selection of fake meats & incredible soy concoctions is truly formidable (said in French accent please!). It is cheap & delicious & the staff are super-friendly. We liked it so much that we want them to cater our wedding! (P.S. If Red Bamboo is packed out, go down a couple of doors to Vegetarian Paradise. They share the same kitchen!)
Best coffee: Joe – The Art Of Coffee
Good coffee. Cute staff. Sometimes Amy Sedaris bakes cupcakes & sells them here. It’s small but charming & a local haunt of many writers (or so it seems). I was introduced to this place by No Impact Man, for which I am eternally grateful.
Best place for a midnight snack: French Roast
My friend Ise introduced me to this place after a very long evening in Brooklyn. We showed up at about 4am, ate amazing sandwiches & shared a bowl of fries. (We were also faux-seduced by one of the best magicians I have ever seen.) I have since been back several times, always after midnight. Did you know you can order escargot around the clock? Well, you can. French Roast is fantastic — it’s open 24 hours, the decor is totally European bistro style, the lighting is dim & flattering & they are more than happy to feed you & your friends whatever you might feel like at 2am. The coffee is excellent, & Nubby says their french toast is out of this world, too.
Best place to go for a decadent night out: The Box
The Box is one of my absolute, hands down favourite places in New York City. It is amazing, & even though I’ve been way more than anyone needs to (I think I’ve seen four or five shows in two months), I still adore it & it still makes me coo, my jaw drop & my eyes bug out every time. What happens there? Well, it’s a variety show… a raunchy variety show that will have you by turns delighted & appalled. It’s good for the soul, I think. I recommend the late show — it is more exciting & raucous than the dinner show (which is still, of course, wonderful). If you need any further encouragement, do you remember the episode of Gossip Girl where Blair strips on the stage of a burlesque club, to be later ravaged by Chuck in his limousine? That was shot at The Box.
Best high-end sex store: Kiki de Montparnasse
Hot pink duct tape? Pearl restraints? 24k gold handcuffs? Black leather elbow-length fingerless gloves? Cute underpants printed with lewd French phrases? Oh, Kiki… my heart. Oh Kiki, you have outdone yourself. I love you even more than Agent Provocateur (which is quite a lot). Now, of course, there are a lot of high-end erotic shops selling toys & equipment these days, & many of them do it very well. But while Babeland & its ilk make sex fun, friendly & approachable, Kiki de Montparnasse actually makes sex sexy. There are no fluorescent lights or invitations to eager self-exploratory g-spot workshops here. No, this is a very different beast.
The boutique is dark & smells delicious. The girls in the shop — who tend to be on the gorgeous side — aren’t wearing much, but they look sultry & hot & minxy, like the kind of girls who might just close the shop early & pull you onto the bed at the back of the shop with little warning. The items they sell, which are really more objets d’art than anything else, are laid out with the attention they deserve (& honestly, at these prices, one would hope as much). Their lingerie is amazing, I adore pretty much all of it. It’s a bit edgier than what you’ll find down the road at Agent Provocateur, & much more appealing.
Best thing to find: A rooftop
Yeah, of course, a rooftop in any city is pretty great. I am an ardent fan of the rooftop scene in Melbourne, for example. But New York rooftops are a totally different kettle of fish. I can’t really explain it, but they are basically the best thing ever. My rooftop gives me a lot of joy. If you don’t have a rooftop on your building that you can access, start asking the people you meet. Someone will have one, I promise, & then all you need to do is go up there, take your sunglasses & some drinks, & enjoy yourself. Bliss.
Best view of Manhattan: The Brooklyn Bridge
Drive it, walk it, catch a train across it — it doesn’t matter, just do it. Preferably at night, or at the very least, sunset. The view is exhilirating. Every time I see it, I get really excited!
Having said all this, here are some things to avoid:
Catching a cab from about 9pm on Thursday night (it’s impossible); leaving food around or in a bin without a lid on it (remember: the rats & cockroaches were here first!); expecting exceptional customer service at Duane Reede or CVS (it’s never going to happen); shopping on the weekend (NYC is always busy but the weekend is particularly painful); the Hard Rock Cafe (I shouldn’t have to tell you but just in case, don’t even go for irony’s sake!); Times Square (go once, & never again), & opening your mouth if you feel rain droplets (it is probably an air-conditioning unit above you, dripping!).
So, what are your favourite things to do in NYC? Spill the beans!
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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Thank you so much! I’m about to head there to visit my sister in a few weeks and this post is super-timely! I’d say to also go gallery-hopping – one of my favorite things to do with my sister.
coney island. period.
you’ll find me in the back row of the freak show with a beer.
until they tear it down for condos, that is.
This was cute to read, even though I personally dislike New York City. I was sad that things have been slow on GalaDarling..but I figured it was just because I don’t have a life & am obsessively checking it every 10 minutes. :) Anyways, we all totally understand that you’re busy. Hope everything goes well and you have a safe trip.
Aha ! What a mammoth article <3 Love it, am sure it will come in super handy when I eventually make my way to NYC!
This article was lovely. I enjoyed everything in it and it makes me want to visit New York more then ever now! The last time I was to NYC, I went on a little school trip and it wasn’t what I expected. We had no free time and it was a boring tour D: Aw!
But when I have freedom (aka, can drive myself to a train station), I will be finding my way to New York City!!
What has happened to Simon? Is he in NYC with you?
i just did my own ny post! i loved it, i always do. this time it taught me about my soul though—oooooh, that’s deep. www.xanga.com/jloo
sora — Have an amazing time!
star — I still haven’t made it there…
Elizabeth — Nope, things have definitely been slow… I’m doing lots of paperwork for immigration & setting up a company & stuff, but I’m doing what I can!
sarah frost — When you can explore it on your own you’ll have suuuuuch a good time!
kate — He left at the start of May & is in Melbourne as per usual! I have been here on my own this whole time :>
Dearest Gala,
I have always wanted to visit NYC! It’s on my life list of places to go. Everything that you mentioned sounds great-especially West Village. Some of the places in particular that I want to see when I visit New York are:-The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ sculpture in Central Park
I wish you all the very best with your move! I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a safe trip. I’m so happy your dream of living in New York is going to come true, Gala!! You are one of the most inspirational and truly beautiful souls I have ever come in contact with, and I am so greatful for it! Thanks always for being you, sweet Gala!!! So very much love for you-Always, Kendra Jacklyn-The giant World of Disney store
-Tarina Tarantino’s NYC boutique
-The Life Cafe-where Jonathan Larson (creator of the musical ‘Rent’ hung out and actually wrote!) ...and so much more!
A few of my personal suggestions…
Best free date:
A ride on the Staten Island Ferry – gorgeous views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty…a guy and I hopped on on a whim one evening and spent a very pleasant hour snuggling, passing a flask, and enjoying the view.
Best coffee (in the West Village):
I’m going to argue and say Jack’s on West 10th! I’ve met the coolest people standing in line there, and the brew is much stronger than Joe’s. Yum.
Some favorite bars:
The Slaughtered Lamb (fantastic decor!), Art Bar (2 for 1 happy hours!), Johnny’s Bar (great atmosphere and bar tenders)...there are more, but they’re not West Village-centric.
I wish I could share the love for French Roast, but every time I’ve been there the service has been beyond shit…and this is coming from somebody who has worked as a waitress for years. The food is good, but it’s not worth it for the crappy attitudes (from the employees AND other patrons). If I’m in the area and want a 24-hour restaurant, I’ll go to Waverly Restaurant down the street.
As for tattoos, everybody has their own favorites, but I’m sending a shout out to the guys at FlyRite in Brooklyn – beautiful skills and great attitudes. I’m saving up for my next one as we speak…
Oh my goodness, Gala and nonpareils, I am going to New York City next month to scout out the neighborhoods. I am so, so, so excited.
It’s such a big swing for me — I live in a miniscule town and almost never take chances — but if everything works out (and I really hope it does), I could be settling down there this time next year.
I’ve dreamed about living in NYC since I was little, but always regarded it as a pipe dream. You totally inspired me to try and make it happen and now, it could be really happening.
This is a long comment, but I thought I would let you know how you’ve inspired me to go after something I’ve always dreamed about. :)
While I have no desire to go to America in it’s current state the Geminola website makes me very jealous indeed. It looks so dark and pretty.
I laughed at the rain droplets comment too. Gross!
Gala, I can’t tell you how perfect the timing of this article is! I’m heading to NYC for 10 days in August (eek!) and planning a move there (likely solo, but possibly with a best friend) in the near future. Thanks for the amazing advice and inspiration! Big love. :)
I have a suggestion for UNBELIEVABLE late night food in New York… Cafeteria (7th at 17th)- open 24 hours, it is an upscale diner with killer drinks and even better food. It’s hip but not too pricey. While many flock there for their mac’n‘cheese sampler appetizer, I LOVE their breakfast which is served until 5 pm everyday. Check out the menu on menupages.com…. Enjoy!
xoxo
Marisa
P.S. my best friend Misha got me hooked on your site— you ROCK girl!
I am actually in NYC right now staying with my cousin in the West Village. I absolutely love it. Even though there are no elevators i absolutely adore how cute and different from the rest of the city it is. I agree with the foot bath. I spent one day walking around and my feet are covered in blisters. The best deal i have found in the city is this Thai restaurant that i can’t remember the name of. You can get an appetizer and an entree for $8.00 and it is so yummy. it is totally worth it. My cousin is a model so i was able to attend her fashion shoot today. Suprisingly one of the dresses who helps the models dress didn’t show up and they needed a substitute. That substitute ended up being me. That was probably one of the best moments of my life. I am definitely thinking of hitting up some of the spots you mentioned.
love this post! All I need to do is go to NYC to put it into use! B xo
Thanks for a great article on NY, Gala, will definitely be taking this with me when I (one day!) make it to its shiny, beautiful, magnificent city!
xoxo
Sorry, I got as far as ‘ravaged by Chuck in his limousine’ and suddenly found it very hard to concentrate…. [fans self]
Hi Gala! First time posting here after a month or so of reading iCiNG! So I am just wondering, does The Box have any age restrictions? I’m planning on visiting a friend in NYC in early August and it would be great to check this out. We are both 19 however. I’m also curious about the prices. The website says that tickets to the Pandora show on saturday are $45. Would it cost less if we simply went on a different night? Thanks so much for the article, you must have psychic powers because it is exactly what I’ve been looking for (literally typing ‘NYC trip’ into the search bar)!
1. Dojo – this is my favorite inexpensive food place, Heaven sent for those on a budget who abhor McDonalds. Oh, the service is horrible, but the cheap prices make up for it.
2. The Met – I will always love the Metropolitan Museum of art!
3. The Strand – Best bookstore ever…provided you don’t actually need anything in particular.
4. The MAC Pro Store – Everything you could ever want. While I was going to school in the city I was there every week. Oh, I also saw Amanda Lepore there, and she is freaking tiny! She also has the best ass ever.
5. All the lovely one of a kind stores, which are usually too expensive for me to frequent, but make nice treats.
I am moving to New York City this August to go to NYU, and I’m so nervous! I won’t know a single person there, but you have definitely inspired me to just love the city and have a good time exploring it, even if I am by myself! Thank you so much, Gala!
I love…
*Student Rush Tickets- $20 (ish) for a Broadway show? YESSSSSSS.
*MoMA (btw, free for SUNY students, just go to the info. desk + flash your ID) particularly the show they have featured now.
*The Garment District- I go there + just drool on all the sparkly things… + the splurge on a pretty button, or something (usually quite cheap, actually)
*The Hudson River Line- the train goes all the way, next to the Hudson the whole time… a gorgeous view the whole way!
*Wearing polarized sunglasses- so I can shamelessly check out all the cuties! And watch them checking me out, of course.
I’m traveling to the US this time next year from Perth Australia for my 21st in Vegas, then to spend some time in NY and LA, thanks for the amazing article, heaps of hints for me to jot down in my holiday plan making journal!
I totally love the natural history museum!
Harro Gala! x
I actually saw you awhile back at the Bubble War but I was too shy/in awe! :X
ANYWAYS as a native NYer, I must agree with most of your findings. Here are some of my personal favourites:
Best Thrift Store/ReSale:
Beacon’s Closet in Williamsburg, BK
www.beaconscloset.com/
This place is amazing. It’s run by snooty hipsters who don’t care about you, but the clothes and the finds are worth it. I’ve scored several pairs of Marc Jacobs shoes and a score of Betsey Johnson dresses from here.
Best Place to Find Furniture:
Junk in Williamsburg, BK
Literally three blocks away from Beacon’s Closet, this place has interesting pieces and doo dads.
Best Cafe:
MUD Cafe. I’m sure you’ve seen those orange trucks everywhere. Absolutely delicious and cheap!
I’ll actually in NYC on Saturday and Sunday- taking a bus up early Saturday morning and meeting up with school friends for the weekend. On my list of things to do in the city, either on this trip or just in general:
The TKTS Booth in Time Square, which is the only reason to brave the crowds down there really. Half price theater tickets? Sure, student rush is sometimes cheaper, but you can’t really count on that, and TKTS will have shows that don’t offer student rush.
The Met is incredible. I’ve only been once, and I’ll love to go again, especially since the Impressionist galleries were under construction during my first trip.
MOMA has been on my list for ages, and I’ve never been. I’m totally trying to convince my friends to go with me this weekend, but I’m the most art obsessed of us, and a lot of people don’t necessarily ‘get’ modern art.
Shopping in the Village at the little boutiques and such. No chain stores while I’m in the city, please! My best purse (cost more than my senior prom dress!) was purchased at a little tiny leather goods boutique in the Village, with graduation money, and I adore it. And I’ve never seen another person with the same bag, and rarely even the same company!
Food everywhere. I have yet to eat a bad meal at a non-chain restaurant in NYC over 4 trips in the past 3 years.
I live so close to NYC, but I only go every once in a while for reasons I don’t understand. I think this might have inspired me to go just a little bit more often and go exploring =o)
Thank you so much for this post, it will (hopefully) come in very handy for me someday. I’ve always wanted to live in New York, but my biggest concerns have been, How will I find a place to live?, and What if I end up living in a bad part of town? I adore cities and busy streets and walking places, but I will admit I’m terrible at finding places on my own.
Ha I LOVE this! Especially a ‘hip tourist’ accessory – I do love travelling but hate looking like the clueless tourist studying maps and asking for directions in an extra loud voice!
Have a fabulous week before you come back!
Hey Gala, thanks so much for this. I’ll be traveling to NYC in Oct, and this will come in handy. What are the chances you’d be there then? I’d love to interview you for one of the mags I write for! Sending some love from Singapore!
xx
MET is so big and they always have interesting exhibits
Moma trying to go since fridays after 5 are free and they have the salvador dali exhibits.
Theres always different events going on as i just went today to a book signing for alisa valdez.
China town love the food but canal street is very crazy so be careful.
Rooftops can be great all i do is wait for someone to open a door in a building and i just go in.
im sure theres more things but cant remember at the moment.
i too love hopstop i can prepare before going to the city before i used to look at the map when i got to penn station
Oh, awesome! I’m going to NYC in January and I’m super excited, and this post has made me even more so! Much of this going on my to do list! Cheers :D
I cannot WAIT to visit NYC! Oh how i wish i could win the lottery (not that i’ve ever bought a ticket..haha)
ahhh, one day, one day…
Two of the things you listed I love…although I love them for other cities!
Yelp is essential for my life here in LA. How else would I find the best weekday brunch or know how to dress when I go to that upscale 1920’s bar in an old power company building?
Before I moved to London, my roommate gave me a London moleskine. It lived in my purse the six months I was there, and I never stopped using it. SO MUCH LOVE. I’m actually thinking about getting a LA one too.
In NYC...
Other people have said the MOMA, and I totally agree. Soooo amazing.
Strand Bookstore. So many books piled on top of tables, crammed into shelves. I’m pretty sure it’s heaven.
Veselka Ukrainian Restaurant in the East Village is DELICIOUS. I love good hearty Eastern European fare…lots of dumplings, cabbage, etc. This place definitely had all of that and more.
McSorley’s Old Ale House in the East Village is one of the oldest bars in the city, and has the old-timey decor and sawdust on the floor to prove it. They only serve two kinds of beer — light or dark. It’s a fun place with a cute resident cat.
And see a show! Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway. Whatever. JUST DO IT!
I WANNA GO TO NYC SOOO BAD.
i think it’ll first on my list for when i am old enough and have time/money.
Oh i’m so glad you added the brooklyn bridge (I was going to show it to you myself but then had to jet off to Taiwan ha) because it’s what i show everyone who comes to NYC. but my personal favorite things to do are to go to museums, esp. the Met and the MOMA. Another favorite (aside from shopping and seeing friends and going to amazing restaurants) is to go to Prospect park and have a picnic (or snack) or just walk around. Central park works just as well for such a voyage.
There are so many things to do in NYC depending upon one’s taste. I think that’s why it’s such a wonderful place to live—you are always discovering new things, no matter how long you’ve lived there. I miss living there!
I’m not even that well accquainted with Brisbane yet and I’ve been here for over five years! You’ve made me want to get out and explore it more, as well as make me want to envelope myself in New York as you have done! On a different subject, I sent off a pretty present for you on monday, so I’m hoping you recieve it this week, or at least before you leave!
Lol at raindrops… that would be an pretty gross surprise.
Every time I read your NYC posts it brings up a forgotten fantasy to live in New York! I wish New Zealanders could move there :-(
I want to hold hands and kiss in the west village! And maybe if I’m super lucky catch a glimpse of Meryl Streep. I. Would. Die.
Oh, I wish I knew about these before I went to New York earlier this year – especially The Box!
Anyway, some of my favourite things were…
Lucky Chens – drag queens and amateur lap dancing.
The Algonquin – for when you want to feel like Dorothy Parker.
Crumbs – I went to Sugar Sweet Sunshine my first time in NYC, and wasn’t overly impressed.
PS2 – for great modern art in Queens.
Lower East Side – for shopping.
Off-off-Broadway – for theatre.
The museums! The Metropolitan. MOMA!
Central Park.
Walking down the sidewalks holding hands.
Finding little hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Noticing a trend here… Apparently, I think NYC is for lovers! lol…
Oh God, now I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go to NYC!! I love how people are adding their own travel guides in the comments!
Well, I know one thing for sure, if I ever DO go to New York, this will be my number one resource! Hopefully it will still be up on your site by the time I get my act together and save enough cash to make the trip!
Thanks so much for this! You have no idea how much you have just inspired/motivated me to start saving for my travels!
xxx
I am moving to NY in less than 2 weeks from Wellington NZ. Just booked the flight 2 days ago, I have been wanting to do it for months and my friend Cat suggested looking at your website to get me in the mood of NY.You motivated me to actually get my bum moving and book a flight and get on with my adventure.So thanks!I am totally stepping out of my comfort zone, I know no one, have no where to stay but I have my dream and I am going to try make it happen.
Thank you for all the advice and tips, hopefully it will make my move easier!! I am currently searching on Craigslist for apartments whilst reading your best ofs! Cant wait to check out many of them, am hoping the coffee place Joe’s is great…nothing can beat the coffee in Wellington so hope to find a good replacement!!
Cheers Gala
Mwah xx
Oh god, you are so making me want to return to nyc. I went twice when I was younger with my family, I was like 13 and 16 so we just did the typical touristy stuff. We went to Bleecker Street and some vintagey shops around there, but I wanted to explore it so much more! And those cheapcheapcheap cupcakes! Wow! I really wanted to go the Moma but it was shut for refurbishment or something when I went, sod’s law. I think that gives me an excuse to return…
I don’t know NY well enough to make my own comments on it but I loved this article.
I know you love cupckaes so I am telling you this now. The best cupcakes in the whole of London come from the Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello rd. I don’t know how often you visit London but if you’ve never been to Hummingbird before it is worth a visit just for those cakes.
aaargh, i’m having massive new york pizza cravings now! i had the best pizza in the world in a little diner in brooklyn. i think it was possibly the best thing i have ever eaten.
* sigh * travel…. * sigh *
Maybe one day after uni and babies.
If you go to Coney Island Gala you must take millions and millions of photos – remember I am living vicariously through you :)
It’s awesome that you’ve enjoyed NYC & plan to return there soon. I have enjoyed the pictures and updates during your stay.
However, I just have a small comment. During this post especially, I felt like you are losing the “down to earth” touch that I think all of your readers love & respect. A lot of the places you raved about are expensive (which you mention), and the average person can’t really afford to purchase shoes, dresses, etc from these places. Honestly, I don’t know your personal situation, but it seems like you’ve been living it up in NYC, and spending a lot of money. But is that what you’re all about?
I feel like this blog is starting to become a record of consumption in NYC. And don’t get me wrong, I adore shopping and NYC is a fun place to visit. But please don’t forget that most of your readers enjoyed your advice posts, your posts about daily outfits (with outfits that seemed accessible rather than uber-expensive).
I don’t mean to be so negative however. I still love your blog and look forward to reading it every day. Hope you have fun during the rest of your stay.
KB — Thanks for expressing your opinion so respectfully :> I appreciate it. The thing with this site is that while it is designed for an audience (i.e. you guys), the mood & tone & content is dependent on what is happening in my life. So, as my life changes, the site does too — that’s just what happens. My life has been evolving in some massive ways recently, which you will all find out about soon enough, & so it’s fair to say that the site is going to change even more based on that…
But I am doing what I can to provide content that is diverse & appeals to all sorts of people, & I’m really proud of some of the pieces I’ve written recently. I’m doing my best, & that’s all any of us can do, right?
is it just me or does everywhere else in the world seem to have cupcakeries all over the place?!? the only one we have in the greater Boston area is Kickass Cupcakes (http://kickasscupcakes.com/), which is relatively new (and Gala, if you ever come to visit up in Massachusetts near Boston, go here! their cupcakes are AMAZING). i wish we had more cupcakeries ;_;
Agreed.
I love New York and I did find plenty of galleries, museums and vintage type stores to make me feel completely at home, actually its more homely to me than in Melbourne.
My only qualms with certain places is that I feel very out of place, I tend to side with the quirky side of things and don’t tend to notice my behaviours with things until people are giving me very rude looks. So I was wondering how you go about not feeling like scum in places that you know you dont fit?
love how that picture matches your hair! <3
I’m going to New York in August for an interview at Pratt, I can’t wait to be back in my second home for a week. My favorite fancy pizza place is Franny’s near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Everything I’ve had there was memorable.
My friends who keep kosher in NYC ADORE Red Bamboo. (Vegan = kosher.) It’s such a fun spot, and has soooo many options. Though you’re right about the grease … I’ll have to let them know about Vegetarian Paradise.
is it horrible that i really like the automat?
bamn! is like…one of my favourite places. i know. it’s horribly tacky and all of that…but i love it even still. that, and i’m really a fan of going to plays. i pay like 70 dollars for a decent in one of the first 9 rows of the top shelf, dress up and go pretend as if it’s the Opera Populare. broadway, baby. i love it.
what can i say? i’m a simple girl.
question, does anybody have a favourite smoothie place? i’m in desperate need!
Gala can i just ask, how much are you paying for rent in West Village?? Something insane, I would assume, and how did you get them to agree to letting you stay for only a few months??
OMG. This is my new bible. I have just bought one of those NYC moleskines just days ago & intend on filling it with a wealth of tips just like these. Hmm if only I could print this to a size that would fit in it!
I’ve got little on my agenda aside from seeing bands at concerts & a music festival and going to a Rocky Horror Convention! I’ve mostly planned to have no fixed plans at all so that I can go wild – tips like these are EXACTLY the type of thing I need.
Thanks so much :)
P.S. I’d never have known not to open a bin with a lid. Rats = YUCK!
Sade — Way too much :> Double the rent on my apartment in Melbourne, which is in the central city & much bigger with a much more amazing view. Plus it’s in American dollars. The reason I’m able to stay for a short amount of time is because I’m sub-leasing & the people who own it just wanted someone in it for a little while.
giulianna — I like Elixir & Juice Generation! Both in the West Village. Elixir is my favourite, they do all green juices & stuff. Juice Generation is my second choice :>
-the new york public library [not the one on 42nd street, the old one.]
-the knitting factory
-la migla restaurant in little italy
the moleskine thing is really cool! anything that helps you loook not like a tourist = optimal hahaha
gala! If you are a member of yelp, we should be yelp friends!
Gala—
GO TO CONEY ISLAND THIS INSTANT!
srsly. Before you leave, you must visit.
Gala, this is a wonderful but very biased list :) That’s what I love about New York though. Everyone has their own interpretation of the city and what’s good and what’s not. Most of my experience has been in Brooklyn because I have family there, but every time I visit I have new favorites. Some old standbys though are:
I will have to agree the Coney Island is one of my favorite places to go.
Also, I love the Natural History Museum, so good and a wonderful way to spend a rainy day.
Union Square is also, for some reason, one of my favorite places. There the little park where you’re insulated from everything but smack in the middle of it, and the countdown clock on Virgin adds a dab of weird artsiness to the place.
When I was in Manhattan last,my fave things were:
*dessert at www.ferraracafe.com/ (little Italy)
*hanging out/yummy veggie food at www.yaffacafe.com/
*east village
*figuring out the transit system on my own.
*strawberry fields(beatles memorial)/central park.
*International Youth Hostel.
Alli – Thanks for the Staten Island Ferry tip! I’m bringing friends to the city for the first time this weekend, and I LOVE being on the water, but couldn’t stomach the cost of $20/person to do the touristy Circle Line tours.
Things I love about New York (from my last trip in May 08)
public transit! not having to drive anywhere!
museum of sex (not for the prudish)
washington sq park
union sq
st marks
filene’s basement
Cool but reasonably priced restaurants/bars
El Cantinero (elcantineronyc.com)
Republic (thinknoodles.com)
V Bar (vbar.net)
The Bitter End (bitterend.com)
Beyti Kebab (beytikebab.com)
Chinatown (chinatownbrasserie.com)
I’ll be in the city as of Saturday night. Good luck with your travels, Gala, and come back soon!
Oh Gala! While I love Sugar Sweet Sunshine and Red Bamboo, I have a suggestion on the coffee. Try Cafe Grumpy on 224 West 20th Street between 7th and 8th Ave, let me know what you think? Other than that, love the list! The things to avoid is so on point!
P.S. Oh and I co-sign with the other nonpareils on Cafeteria, Dojo for cheap eats, the Mud Coffee trucks, Veselka is yummy, and Union Sq to people watch.
P.P.S. I also like trash days on the Upper East Side (I found a lovely cabinet and a bookcase)
Oh! And the free water taxi to Ikea in Brooklyn if you get tired of taking to Staten Island Ferry back and forth.