NYC is by far one of the most amazing cities I’ve ever been in and I knew as soon as I got my ticket that I wanted to create a full guide including all of my favorite places, accommodations and tips for you to use the next time visiting the Big Apple. 

So follow me along this amazing adventure and get to know all of the great places where to eat, visit, shop and explore!

Click here for my other NYC guides!

Where to Stay – Williamsburg 

265 S 1st St, Brooklyn | happycreativedig | IG @happycreativedig

As soon as we bought the ticket I knew that we needed to find a place we loved and could relax after a long day walking the city. We found the most BEAUTIFUL and amazing place in Airbnb hosted by the Hanya & Dan. 

Happy Creative Dig is an oasis in the middle of Williamsburg Brooklyn. It has the most perfect location, easy access to the subway and amazing restaurants and cafés near by. They host workshops, dinner parties and have a room you can rent via Airbnb. You can snuggle with Pepper (the cutest cat on IG) and even be a part of their workshops! 

Weekending at Soho NYC

What to eat, visit & do in Soho

Soho has to be one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC. It’s fun, it’s eclectic and absolutely charming. Wandering through Soho you can always find something new to do, a new café, gallery, store will always catch your eye.

But first things first, let’s brunch!

Where to eat in NYC – Jacks Wife Freda

224 Lafayette St, New York | jackswifefreda.com | IG @jackswifefreda

Jack’s Wife Freda will always have a place in my heart! It’s by far one of my favorite places to go whenever I’m in NYC. The food, the ambiance, and the service is always great. This time around we ordered our 2 favorite plates the Rose Water Waffle + Poached Eggs & Grilled Halloumi (a killer combo).

PS: Jack’s is always packed so try arriving early so you can pick a comfortable place to sit!

Where to drink in NYC – Café Leon Dore

214 Mulberry St, New York | aimeleondore.com | IG @cafeleondore

Wandering through Soho you will find endless coffee shops you can try, but Café Leon Dore will make you feel like a true Parisian in the middle of NYC. This tiny coffee shop is the extension of Aimé Leon Dore where you can easily grab your coffee and enjoy the day out in their petit coffee tables and enjoy!

Where to eat in NYC – Tacombi

267 Elizabeth St, New York | tacombi.com | IG @tacombi

Tacos by far are my FAVORITE plate ever so I knew we had to go back to Tacombi! Their Soho location is one of the cutest and you can easily feel like home. The casual vibe & the amazing food make them the perfect lunch spot after walking all day long!

You can mix & match your favorite tacos, order lupitas, esquites and guac & chips and share!

Where to shop in NYC – Sézane

254 Elizabeth St, New York, | sezane.com | IG @sezane

After having some amazing lunch at Tacombi cross the street and you will find a little bit of Paris in NY! Sézane is the most beautiful and parisian store you will ever find. It’s seasonal decor and beautiful apparel will transport you to Paris in no time. Also you can find the iconic Bonjour New York tile you see all over Instagram!

Where to visit in NYC – The Color Factory

251 Spring St, New York | colorfactory.co | IG @colorfactoryco

If there’s a place that is worth every penny is going to The Color Factory! This amazing exhibit will make you fall in love with color with every installation they have. From tasting rainbow macarons, ombre ballons filled with wishes from kids and giving compliments to a stranger; this exhibit will make you feel color and creativity like a kid.

Also you can enjoy all the surprises, treats and of course the Sky Ball Pit is the best part of the exhibit. Enjoy and play all day if you want! Tickets are available through their website & they cost $38 for adults ($28 for kids ) + taxes.

Where to shop in NYC – Glossier

123 Lafayette St, New York | glossier.com | IG @glossier

I first fell in love with Glossier back when I went to LA, so I had to go back of course! Glossier is such an amazing brand that really makes you want to go in for the entire experience they offer. From the decor, to the ambiance & of course the products! I had to restock on my skin care favorites and every little corner of this store is absolutely stunning.

Where to eat in NYC – Supermoon Bakehouse

120 Rivington St, New York | supermoonbakehouse.com | IG @supermoonbakehouse

If you’re a lover of pastries, coffee & branding Supermoon Bakehouse will be the best place for you to go! This bakery in the Lower East Side was the most unique, delicious and most detailed pastries you could ever think of. Everything is hand-rolled, hand made and freshly baked every single day.

You can try their seasonal flavors and see all of the new creations in their terrazzo countertop before you order.

PS. If you want to indulge and try more than one get the sampler box and share it with your friends

Exploring Manhattan

What to eat, visit & do in Manhattan

My first stop in Manhattan was visiting the Flat Iron District. After wandering endlessly all over the city you can relax & unwind sitting in front of the Flat Iron. Head over to Madison Square Park where you can see all the newyorker puppers walking by, performers, daily activities. You can even have a bite at Shake Shack or cross the street and enjoy some freshly made pasta & pizza at Eataly!

Where to visit – Rockefeller Center & Times Square

If you’re in Manhattan head over to the Rockefeller Center and enjoy the hectic movement in the big city. There you will find everything you could think of. If you love Lego you can find the Lego & Nintendo Store. Don’t miss out on going to Magnolia Bakery for some Banana Pudding! It’s out of this world.

From the Rockefeller Center you can walk straight to Times Square! This has to be one of the busiest parts of NYC. The billboards, the people, the performances, it’s really a concrete jungle. Grab a drink and a snack & head over to the Stairs between Broadway & 7th and take it all in. It’s worth it!

Where to eat in NYC – Remi Flower & Coffee

906 2nd Ave, New York | reminyc.com | IG @remi.nyc

Coffee is always a MUST! And what’s better than coffee? Coffee & flowers! Remi is a petit coffee & flower shop in the heart of Manhattan that will steal your heart. Grab your coffee to stay or to go and pick out for favorite flowers to keep your heart filled with joy.

My favorite pick was the Iced Honey Latte, it was just perfect to fight the heat and still get the caffeine I needed!

Where to visit in NYC – The Met & Central Park

A visit to NYC is never complete until you visit The Met & Central Park. On weekends you can head over to the Met and sit at its steps and enjoy performances while eating street food and just having fun. If the weather is nice head over to Central Park just walk and make the most of your day. It’s the perfect plan when you want to simply unwind and step out of the craziness of the city.

PS. Bethesda Fountain has the best acoustics ever so you can always find artists, singers and groups performing acapella!

Where to shop – Anthropologie

195 Broadway, New York | anthropologie.com | IG @anthropologie

Anthropologie has become my favorite brand of all times! You can find over 6 different store locations all over NYC and my favorite by far has to be the one in 195 Broadway. Here you can find the most beautiful home decor pieces you could ever think of. From apparel, to beauty, home and decor Anthro has the most beautiful and amazing finds you could ever think of.

Daydreaming in Brooklyn

What to eat, visit & do in Brooklyn

Brooklyn for me is the best neighborhood to stay in NYC. Some people may say it’s way too far but really with the metro you can get into the city really quickly. In this trip I stayed over in Greenpoint & Williamsburg so I got the chance to really enjoy this part of the city.

From the cutest cafés, to its chill and relaxed ambiance; Brooklyn has so much to offer! So let’s see all the places you can visit in your next trip!

Where to eat – Taiyaki NYC

294 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn | taiyakinyc.com | IG @taiyakinyc

On weekdays Taiyaki offers japanese ice creams in their iconic fish-shaped waffle cone. BUT on Friday, Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 2pm you can also order their Fluffy Japanese Pancakes! I first saw them all across social media and as a pancake lover that I am it was on the top of my list. 

This baby pancakes are the fluffiest treat I’ve ever had! You can ONLY get them on weekends so be sure to check when you’re thinking to go. Lines can be a little crazy but their Williamsburg location is more chill so you won’t have to wait as long as you would in their other locations. 

Each pancake order takes about 15 minutes to make, so grab a coffee and wait till your pancake puppies are ready. IT’S SO WORTH IT! 

Where to eat – Maman Greenpoint

80 Kent St, Brooklyn, New York | mamannyc.com | IG @_mamannyc_

In the heart of Greenpoint you will find the wonderful Maman. I knew their Tribeca & Nolita locations but this one really made me feel like home. If you’re a lavender lover you have to try their Lavender Hot Chocolate. Their morning menu is filled with amazing options, this time around I went to their Nectarine Pancakes with cinnamon whipped ricota and pecan & pretzel crumble. IT WAS HEAVENLY!

PS. Be sure to arrive early on weekends so you can avoid the brunch chaos!

Where to eat – Gertie

357 Grand St, Brooklyn, New York | gertie.nyc | IG @gertienyc

The first time I saw Gertie I was obsessed with their accent wall. The colors, the decor and of course the food! This little gem was just a block away from @happycreativedig our Airbnb and it was our lunch spot on the days we stayed in Brooklyn. You can order from their variety of sandwiches, salads, breakfasts and sweats.

Where to eat – Sauvage

905 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, New York | sauvageny.com | IG @sauvagenyc

If you love parisien style food and ambiance; Sauvage is your place! The last time I went I completely fell in love with their concept and of course we had to come back for dinner & drinks. We went for their Gnocchis Parisienne + Burger & some mojitos to celebrate our first night in Brooklyn.

Their brunch menu is awesome! So feel free to go back and try everything in the menu!

A day in Chelsea

Where to do, visit & eat in Chelsea

There’s so many things you can do in Chelsea so here’s my top recommendations for you to enjoy on your next trip!

Where to eat – Citizens of Chelsea

401 W 25th St, New York | citizens.coffee| IG @citizens.of

As soon as you go into Citizens of Chelsea you know you’re about to eat good, drink good & feel good. This oasis in the middle of Chelsea is the perfect spot for you to go and have brunch, sit at the bar and do some work or simply having a coffee over a meeting. This Australian coffee will always paired their food with great coffee and a smile!

After visiting Citizens of Chelsea head over to the Chelsea Market & The High Line to enjoy the view. It’s the perfect plan for a chill day in the city!

Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of

For me traveling is a way to reconnect with yourself and this trip was by far one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. New York is such an amazing place to explore and for months I’ve been looking up the best places that I thought were great and finally sharing with all of you these little gems fills my heart with joy!

Each section of this guide was designed by areas so when you visit the Big Apple you can make the most out of your trip! I can’t wait to be back and update this guide with even more fantastic places to visit.

Let me know which places were your favorite and which ones will be on your go-to-places list on your next trip to NYC!

xoxo
Ka