A Locals-Approved Guide to Exploring New York City's Hidden Gems

The center of the universe. The capital of the world. The city of dreams. Call it what you want, New York City is on every person’s travel bucket list. From sky-high feats of architecture and accessible public transit to boundless diversity and a vibrant arts scene, NYC is proof that one place really can have it all.

But many tourists don’t see the best sides of the city. If you only flock to defining monuments like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, you’ll miss out on the things that make this city great, like exploring neighborhoods where hundreds of languages are spoken in less than a mile, or relaxing in the grass with the city skyline splayed out in front of you, or striking up a conversation with the owner of a century-old bagel shop that could warm even the most grizzly New Yorker’s heart.

This guide is designed to help you find the true heartbeat of NYC—a pulse that’s uniquely hard to find when you’re looking at five boroughs across more than 300 square miles. So we’ve tapped a handful of born-and-raised locals to share their all-time favorite things to do and see in New York City. Do as they do—sweat it out on a never-sleepy dancefloor, gather around a table with strangers at a new restaurant, or shop at businesses that are neighborhood fixtures—and you’ll become the intrepid main character of your own NYC adventure and see the sides of the city that are typically reserved for locals.

See: A room full of unbridled laughter. New York’s comedy scene is first rate. From storied venues like the Comedy Cellar and Alan Cumming’s namesake space dedicated to queer comedy, Club Cumming, to smaller venues supporting big-eyed emerging talent like The Bell House, the scene is vast. And in a city where much of the industry’s top talent lives right around the corner, you never know who’s going to take a break from starring in their own Netflix special to grab the mic.

Touch: Your feet to the ground. The subway will get you around just fine and you can throw your hand up to hail a yellow cab for longer trips, but NYC is a walking town. The best way to see the city is on foot—that’ll ensure you have time to take in all the other sights, sounds, and smells that make this city so special.

Smell: Honey-roasted nuts that perfume the streets. Let’s be honest, most of NYC’s defining smells (warm garbage and human excrement) are decidedly disgusting. But there’s one smell that is impossible to escape and also pleasant: the scent emanating from Nuts4Nuts carts set up around the city. These stands dole out small packages of honey-roasted peanuts to passersby, and you can’t shop in SoHo or dodge tourists in Times Square without taking in the cloyingly sweet and impossibly warm aroma. To be honest, many New Yorkers probably haven’t even tasted the final product, but the smell still conjures up memories of the city.

Hear: Emotive blues music. As a music mecca, NYC touts unparalleled venues for listening to some of the city’s world-famous talent. A favorite among the bunch is Terra Blues. Found on the second floor of a Greenwich Village building, the space features a modest stage, a spread of two-top tables, and a long wooden bar. Every evening features at least two performances, from solo acoustic acts to multi-instrument bands.

Taste: All the classics at a local deli. The city’s list of iconic food goes on forever, but you won’t find old-school Jewish delis dishing out lox and latkes in such volume anywhere else. So be sure to visit an institution on your trip. Katz’s Deli has a line that stretches out the door for good reason, while 2nd Ave Deli and Barney Greengrass are neighborhood favorites.

More than 60 million people visit the Big Apple during any given calendar year, but packing your days with activities that are uniquely New York doesn’t have to mean rubbing elbows with every other tourist in Times Square. From exploring Chinatown and witnessing world-class art to collecting kitschy souvenirs that have cemented their place in pop culture, this itinerary celebrates the classics while only sending you to places that locals would visit themselves.

10 am - Breakfast at Golden Diner.
Fuel up for the big day ahead with a spot that combines two cornerstones of NYC’s food scene: old-school diners and Chinatown classics. Located under the Manhattan Bridge, Golden Diner invites you to scarf down a Chinatown Egg & Cheese Sando on a sesame scallion milk bun or dig into a fluffy stack of Honey Butter Pancakes at the bar alongside neighborhood regulars.

11:30 am - Explore century-old storefronts in Chinatown.
NYC is home to one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. In fact, this section of downtown Manhattan has the highest concentration of Chinese people living in the Western Hemisphere. Needless to say, the restaurants and casual eateries are plentiful and markets can be found around every corner (and even spill out onto the bustling sidewalks). Be sure to check out the neighborhood’s grand dame Wing on Wo. As the oldest store still operating in Chinatown, it’s been selling fine porcelain wares since the 1890s. On the more modern front, Yu and Me is a bookstore that’s popular with locals for its curation focused on immigrant stories.

1 pm - Take in the views on a ferry to Williamsburg.
Skip the subway for now and instead opt for this two-for-one deal. First, download the NYC Ferry app and purchase a ticket for just $4.50. Then hop on a boat at Pier 11, snag a seat on the top deck, and keep your phone handy as you relish the views of lower Manhattan and DUMBO on your way to Williamsburg. It’s the most budget-friendly sightseeing cruise imaginable.

1:30 pm - Sample the city’s best pizza by the slice.
You’d be hard pressed to find a NYC neighborhood that doesn’t have a solid slice shop. But in Williamsburg, you’ll hit the jackpot. Within a handful of blocks, there are several slice shops worth your time, but here’s the best way to play it: Start with a white slice topped with a lemon wedge at Fini. This popular newcomer offers one of the crispiest slices in the city, making it an optimal appetizer for what’s to come. Then go for a true classic at Best Pizza before braving the lines at L’Industrie for pizza with more fussy toppings like burrata and truffle oil. End your crawl hitting Leo’s slice counter next to the restaurant, where you can wrap up lunch with a piece of sourdough pizza and some refreshing soft serve in seasonal flavors like concord grape or corn.

4 pm - Pick up some souvenirs back in Manhattan.
If you want a spin on the classic I Heart NY merch, Locavore Variety Store is the ultimate place to pick up locally made souvenirs. Every single item in the curated selection was made within 100 miles of NYC. Find everything from pickles to pretty homewares, then snag a copy of their new guidebook with more than 600 vetted, locally owned shops across five boroughs to steer you through the rest of your shopping adventures.

6 pm - Indulge in martinis and oysters at an iconic address.
Tucked inside a legendary townhouse off Rockefeller Center, this longtime celebrity favorite was once effectively the water cooler of the Saturday Night Live cast, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and any other New York celebrity with reason to find themselves in Midtown. Since being reimagined as Pebble Bar in 2022 with celebrity backers, it has carried on that legacy. Go all out with a seafood tower, kick back in cozy velvet booths with a martini in hand, and see who you can see.

7 pm - Roll the dice and see first-rate theater.
No theater scene on the planet can rival Broadway. From the iconic TKTS booths in Times Square to majestic spaces like New Amsterdam and The Gershwin, the venues alone are landmarks—and that’s not even getting into what you’ll see on stage. If you have a particular show on the bucket list, be sure to secure tickets early and use our guide to get the best prices. But if you simply want to be in “the room where it happens,” Broadway Roulette is the best way to see a show. Simply select your dates and rule out any productions you’ve seen before, and the system guarantees solid seats and adds a bit of spontaneity to the experience.

If you’d rather avoid all the hassle or want to escape at intermission, head down to the West Village and into Marie’s Crisis. The building dates back to 1839, where it served as a boarding house, brothel, and ultimately a tavern owned by Marie Dumont. Now the piano bar is known as a staple for the LGBTQ+ community and leads rowdy singalongs to show tunes until 4 am.

11 pm - Choose your own nightcap.
In NYC, the juxtaposition between high and low is worth celebrating. Fancy galas are followed up with dirty water dogs. Cocktails that cost more than your electricity bill are chased by free concerts. Your nightcap plans provide the same choice: Grab drinks at Jimmy’s Corner, a no-frills dive on 44th Street where regulars and tourists alike toss back $3.50 shots in the narrow barroom. It’s a Times Square institution that’s somehow maintained its gritty persona despite over-the-top mall restaurants and sterile chain hotels popping up all around it. Take the night in a different direction at Dear Irving on Hudson, a top-notch cocktail bar with some of the best views in Manhattan. Take the elevator up to the 40th floor of a Midtown hotel and sample ambitious cocktails while taking in the glittery skyline.

Fifty years ago, hip-hop was born during a house party in a Bronx apartment building. As DJ Kool Herc mixed elements of disco, rock, R&B, gospel, and reggae to create a unique sound, little did he know that he was creating more than just a new genre of music, but a lifestyle and social movement.

“Hip-hop is more than just music,” says Rocky Bucano, the founder of NYC’s forthcoming Hip Hop Museum. “It’s a living, breathing culture that represents every aspect of today’s society. There’s nothing that isn’t hip-hop today, it’s embedded in everything people see and hear.”

As the mecca of it all, NYC’s local talent is thriving, inspired by the resounding success stories of fellow New Yorkers Run-DMC, Cardi B, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Lil Kim, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, A$AP Rocky, and Nicki Minaj. Learn more about the origins of hip-hop and its legends by exploring its home borough of The Bronx. And, keep an eye out for The Hip Hop Museum, which is slated to open in 2025.

9 am - Sip coffee at a community cafe.
Start your day with coffee and breakfast, while old-school hits play overhead, at Boogie Down Grind. Owned by lifelong Hunts Point resident and hip-hop fan Majora Carter, the cafe doubles as a community space and prides itself on affordability with few things on the menu over $8. After you place your order, peruse the art gallery, which features locally made art inspired by music and the neighborhood.

11 am - Let local experts lead you around hip-hop landmarks.
When it comes to learning about the history of hip-hop, there’s no one with more cred than Hush Tours. For the past 22 years, the company has led walking and bus tours around the genre’s seminal locations in The Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn. During the sessions, local experts like rapper Grandmaster Caz, video director and DJ Ralph McDaniels, and rapper Roxanne Shante educate attendees about hip-hop’s evolution, play famous tracks, and quiz attendees on song lyrics. “Hip-hop gave a voice to young people,” says hip-hop producer, Bronx native, and Hush Tours guide Tuffy Questell. “[It’s] more than just music, it’s people, it’s culture, it’s credence, it’s color. When people come on the tours, we want to give them as much information as we can. Hip-hop matters to us.”

1 pm - Admire decades of vibrant street art.
Street art came up alongside hip-hop, sharing a desire to challenge the status quo and creatively convey current events. So it’s no surprise that some of the most well-known works in NYC honor legends—see the Notorious B.I.G. mural in Bed-Stuy and a depiction of A Tribe Called Quest in St. Albans, Queens. If you want to avoid hoofing all over town in search of these creations, visit the Futura 2000: Breaking Out exhibit at The Bronx Museum where guests can explore decades of the artist’s renowned graffiti art for free.

3 pm - Fit yourself up with stylish streetwear.
Hip-hop has touched nearly every aspect of culture. But one of its most prominent influences was, and still is, on the world of fashion. Oversized shirts, loose jeans, Kangol bucket hats, layered jewelry, and sneakers skyrocketed in popularity in the 1980s as hip-hop fans aimed to imitate the streetwear of their favorite rappers and DJs. Although trends oscillate with time, streetwear is still as prevalent as ever. Since 1982, the family-owned store Sammy’s has provided the borough with stylish fits from big-name brands and local designers. The store is conveniently located next to Yankee Stadium for pre- and post-game perusing. For borough-centric merch, The Bronx Native is a one-stop shop. The gift store celebrates the area through playful branding on everything from I Love BX t-shirts and El Bronx hoodies to New YERRR Yankees snapbacks and OKURRR beanies.

6 pm - Fill up on Bronx-inspired dishes.
For owners Alfredo Anguiera and Junior Martinez, Beastro is a love letter to The Bronx. The restaurant pulls inspiration from the local Puerto Rican and Black communities via cross-cultural recipes, artwork, and music. Popular dishes on the menu include oxtail croquettes, yuca fries, and the famous two-piece chicken box. After eating, head to the on-property speakeasy and dance late into the night to whatever the DJ has queued up.

8 pm - Pull up to a local spot for a set.
Clubs are not what they once were. According to Questell, “everybody goes to lounges now.” His number one suggestion is Barrio BX in Throgs Neck. Owned by local Tony Martinez, the Puerto Rican restaurant and music venue hosts some of the city’s best hip-hop nights. Otherwise, Questell’s advice is to ask locals where the party is tonight or start following local hip-hop DJs on social media to see where they’re playing that weekend. “You want to follow Funkmaster Flex, Ted Smooth, and DJ Lucho,” he divulges. In Bucano’s opinion, the historic Apollo Theater is always worth planning a trip to for one of its many hip-hop performances.
 

There’s a reason NYC has inspired countless pieces of art across all mediums. The artistic energy here is electric and has spread to every corner of the metropolis, even beyond the world-famous art museums. “Of course, NYC has the bigger institutions, but I love the very small galleries and smaller initiatives,” says Inge de Leeuw, the Director of Programming at Metrograph, an independent theater in NYC.

9 am - Fuel up at an eclectic coffee shop.
Pop into Cafe Lyria for all the caffeine you’ll need to start your day plus a taste of scene-y lower Manhattan. As you sip on an expertly made cappuccino, you’ll see artsy New Yorkers flipping through architecture coffee table books or challenging each other to a game of backgammon.

10:30 am - Go gallery hopping in Chelsea.
Between street murals, lauded institutions, and colorful characters roaming the streets, some would argue that all of NYC is an art museum waiting to be explored. And that rings even more true in Chelsea, a neighborhood that’s long been synonymous with the creative world. The area is home to more than 300 contemporary galleries from world-class art dealers like David Zwirner, Paula Cooper, and Hauser & Wirth to C24 Gallery, a space dedicated to emerging artists. And the best part is: They’re all free. Simply pop in during open hours or visit on Thursday night, when many spaces host receptions that are open to the public.

11:45 am - Shop at Casa Magazines and Philip Williams Posters.
Old-school businesses like these are something to celebrate. As rents skyrocket and trends come and go, these institutions remain ultra-specialized. Casa Magazines is a West Village landmark that’s been carrying more than 2,500 titles for about three decades, even as the rest of the world has gone digital. Down in Tribeca, Phillip Williams Posters sells vintage posters in a museum-like shop that’s been there since 1973.

3 pm - See a matinee at a Wes Anderson-esque (and approved) theater.
NYC has an incredible slate of repertory theaters. “I don't think any other city has this wide variety of films,” says de Leeuw. “Every day of the week you can go somewhere new and there's an event, lecture, performance, or great film showing.” But if you only have time for one, Metrograph is a film nerd’s fever dream. Trained projectionists screen indie hits, rare archival film, and foreign flicks on two screens at this independent theater celebrating the craft of filmmaking. Inspired by the Art Deco theaters of the ’20s, every detail at Metrograph has been carefully curated, from the custom seats made of reclaimed pine sourced from the iconic Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn to an extremely aesthetically pleasing candy display. Be sure to check out the theater’s calendar for special events like filmmaker Q&As and themed film series.

6 pm - Have dinner at Hotel Chelsea.
Walk in the footsteps of the greats—Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, the list goes on—and stop into Hotel Chelsea for a meal. Cafe Chelsea is a newly opened bistro on the hotel’s ground floor that’s been drawing in modern-day legends since it opened in 2023. Meanwhile, the on-site tapas restaurant, El Quijote, is a relic from the hotel’s storied past. You can still stop in for pintxos, paella, and sangria, just like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin did before driving north to Woodstock. Or head to the Lobby Bar and opt to drink your dinner instead (you wouldn’t be the first in hotel history to do so). Toss back ice-cold Duke’s Martinis or other excellent cocktails from the menu, it’s simply the right thing to do at this bohemian landmark.

8 pm - Go show hopping at Public Records.
On any given night, several shows are happening across five distinct venues at this Brooklyn outpost for DJs and serious vinyl heads. So it’s the perfect place to end your night. Keep it low key upstairs in a loft-like listening lounge or sip cocktails at the main bar while listening to a DJ spin in The Atrium. Meanwhile, the Sound Room is a full-on nightclub with a custom sound system and genre-spanning performances.

Whether you’re actually a born-and-bred New Yorker or simply a fan of the city who has visited multiple times, this lineup will push you outside Manhattan to explore more of what NYC has to offer. For lifelong New Yorker Nicholas Heller, the creator behind the viral New York Nico social media account and author of New York Nico’s Guide to NYC, the best slivers of NYC include time-tested businesses and the people behind them. “The city is always changing. There's always new interesting people to meet and new things that are happening,” he says. “But the main thing that I love about the city are the old-school businesses, the spots that have been here for a long period of time.” So check out the underrated museums and local food spots that have been serving for generations on this itinerary, and you’ll leave more in-the-know than some locals.

9 am - Enjoy the city’s greenspace.
NYC isn’t all concrete and skyscrapers, and gems like the Queens Botanical Garden are a great reminder of that. This 39-acre oasis in Flushing is an expansion of an exhibit that was first shown at the 1939 World’s Fair. Nearly a century later, it remains a respite of nature for locals. Head there first thing in the morning (the gardens open at 8 am), and you’ll have the place to yourself.

11 am - Eat your way through Jackson Heights.
By some counts, more than 300 languages are spoken in Jackson Heights—and that fact is reflected in the local cuisine. Beloved taco carts jut up against Nepalese restaurants, while you can hear shouts from neighboring South American cafes screening a soccer match. Our favorites include savory Tibetan soup dumplings from Amdo Kitchen, crispy pockets of Indian fuchka from Tong, the namesake dish at Chalupas Poblanas El Tlecuile, and the array of treats you can uncover at Maharaja Sweets. The list goes on, so stroll along Roosevelt Avenue and find your own favorites.

1 pm - Explore underrated museums in Queens.
Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image is a celebration of cinema. Permanent exhibits break down how films go from just an idea to a marvel projected on the big screen, while rotating exhibits typically dive into a single genre or a particular director’s work. Nearby in Long Island City, the Noguchi Museum is a simple-yet-stunning space showcasing the work of Isamu Noguchi. See the artist’s famed lamps on display along with sculptures and works from rotating guest artists, and leave some time for quiet contemplation in the serene garden.

3 pm - Have a self-care moment.
No staycation is complete without some sort of spa treatment. That’s where the viral Korean deep scalp treatment at Guifei Spa comes in. The treatment starts with a deep scalp cleanse with an acupressure massage that spans your scalp, neck, shoulders, and arms. The hair steaming session is the most ASMR-y part, where tiny jets of water hit your scalp offering ultimate relaxation.

5:15 pm - Peruse a bookstore in a bibliophile's apartment.
Make your way into Brooklyn and scour the stacks at High Valley Books, a by-appointment-only bookshop located in owner Bill Hall’s basement. The expansive collection covers just about every niche you could imagine but focuses on rare design books and archival fashion magazines. “Obviously, there are places you can go shopping all over the country,” Heller says. “But these are spots that you're not going to get anywhere else.” Before you leave, strike a pose and find the photo on the shop’s Instagram.

6 pm - Have a communal dinner at a buzzy restaurant.
Maybe it’s because our apartments are so small, but there are few things New Yorkers love more than getting the crew together for a dinner party. Since coming on the scene in 2022, Dept of Culture has taken that ethos to heart by hosting groups of 16 around one big communal table for tasting menus of Nigerian cuisine.

8 pm - Meet your people at a trendy club.
No, not that kind. In the post-lockdown era, there’s no hotter club than the hobby club, and groups of all genres have been popping up around the city for the past couple years. Now this isn’t exclusive to NYC, but thanks to the city’s massive sprawl, you can find groups for cut-throat chess players, chic backgammon gamers, the knitting set, and masters of mahjong all in one place.

All trends lead back to NYC. But just as soon as something becomes hot, it can also fade into obscurity, so there’s no time like the present to relish in the fleetingness of it all. Use this guide to visit the latest hyped-up spots, from secondhand shops stocked with chic going-out fits to a nostalgic selfie-taking machine that will slay-house-boots-down your next IG.

9 am - Take a dip for a natural boost of energy.
Wellness isn’t just a West Coast thing anymore. Tucked behind an unassuming exterior on a Flatiron block, the 7,000-square-foot facility at Othership is akin to a holistic Soho House. You’ll find eight of the coldest commercial ice baths on the continent, a three-tiered sauna (that can reach temperatures up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit), and a tea room outfitted with a James Turrell-esque lighting installation. Crowds flock to the concept for its guided group experiences that combine elements of breathwork, aromatherapy, mindfulness, and shared reflections. Simply put, it's the hippest way to reduce inflammation, challenge yourself mentally, and get a natural boost of energy at the start of the day.

11:30 am - Build an enviable closet of vintage finds.
We solemnly swear not to gatekeep some of the city’s top thrift stores—even to out-of-towners. So listen up: The east side is a veritable treasure trove. Starting in the East Village, stop by SLCT Stock NYC for vintage tees and baseball caps, followed by a trip to Tokio7 for secondhand garments from Japanese designers and NYC-based independent brands. A bit further south on the Lower East Side, all the fashionable New Yorkers buy their flowy dresses and sexy tops from Dana Foley, while the funky James Veloria offers rare designer and archival finds, including pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dior.

1 pm - Take four perfectly nostalgic selfies.
If you see a line running down the Lower East Side’s Orchard Street, it might not be what you’d think. It’s not a Supreme drop or a viral dessert, but the Old Friend Photo Booth. The admittedly worn-down appearance and Sharpie’d exterior reading “4 poses, $8” adds to the appeal of this film photo booth. Four flashes of the camera and you walk away with a strip of black-and-white pics and a forever souvenir.

2 pm - Indulge in a whimsical, flower-topped treat.
The people’s princess of NYC bakeries is From Lucie. Owner Lucie Franc De Ferriere pulls inspiration from the French countryside where she grew up to create wonderously whimsical cakes topped with delicate wildflowers. The gorgeous treat selection rotates daily at the quaint East Village shop, so every visit is like stumbling across a powder-sugar-covered surprise.

3:30 pm - Design a one-of-a-kind keepsake where the trend started.
Ulta-personalized accessories are all the rage right now. Abbode is the go-to when you want a charming momento that’s entirely unique to you. Specializing in custom embroidery, the Nolita shop offers an array of personalizable items from L.L. Bean tote bags and cocktail napkins to striped boxers and frilly scrunchies that you can emblazon with your initials, a cheeky message, or an ode to your time in the city. Lingua Franca in the West Village is an equally aesthetic but a bit more upscale option for embroidery services. Customize everything from cashmere sweaters, denim jackets, button downs, hair bows, sleep masks, and slippers. If bespoke jewelry is more up your alley, travel across the Williamsburg Bridge to Haricot Verts or Brooklyn Charm and design an unreplicable charm necklace or bracelet.

5:30 pm - Play tic-tac-toe and share a cheeseburger.
Make your way to Brooklyn where, on any given night, a line of people can be seen trying to land one of the hardest walk-in-only tables in the city. This is Bernie’s. In a space outfitted with exposed brick walls, red vinyl booths, and stained glass lighting, New Yorkers lean into their most childish desires with a menu of classics like mozzarella sticks and root beer floats and an opportunity to heal your inner child by drawing on the paper tablecloth with crayons. To up the cool factor, some of the staff are TikTok famous in their own right, like comedians/waiters Missy and Marty. If you have to wait for your table, Ray’s is a convenient pitstop nearby. A sceney bar with celebrity backers disguised as a low-key dive, Ray’s is about as NYC as it gets. It’s a popular spot for chatting over tequila sodas and canned Tecates before flirting your way into a game of pool.

10 pm: Get lost in the wub wub.
One of the hardest decisions of your trip will be choosing a Brooklyn club, but Elsewhere always hits. Embodying the free-spirited and underground energy of Bushwick, this three-story spot includes multiple stages, several dance floors, a rooftop bar (open during the warmer months), and an arts space. Electronic DJ sets and indie band performances stretch into the early hours of the morning. If you plan on being a repeat customer, there’s also a membership program that earns you discounted tickets, coat check, and merch. If the vibes aren’t right at Elsewhere, around the corner is Silo, which takes house and techno very seriously, or House of Yes, which regularly puts on fantastically weird parties combining music, cabaret, and aerialism.

Penny Hotel $$
If you want to feel like a local on your trip to NYC, look to this buzzy homebase in the heart of Williamsburg. The entire hotel is outfitted in local art, with no piece repeated across the property, and each of the 117 rooms includes a kitchenette for assembling meals or chilling some pre-party wine. elNico, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant with sweeping views of the city, is a dreamy spot to sip agave cocktails and dig into Mexican food.

Park Lane New York $$$
If you’re looking for iconic city views, no hotel fits the bill better than Park Lane New York. The property is situated on Billionaire’s Row just south of Central Park and towers 47 stories high, meaning you can get postcard-worthy shots of the park from many of the romantic, dusty rose-hued rooms. Even without a park-view room or suite, the hotel’s penthouse bar, Darling, is the only rooftop bar on Central Park South. It’s only open to hotel guests during the day, so it’s a privileged spot to take in the scene.

Nine Orchard $$$$
Nine Orchard puts you right in the middle of all the Lower East Side action. Found within a restored bank dating back to 1912, this lodging impresses with its vaulted ceilings, intricate moldings and lattices, and timeless aesthetic. When you’re not gazing up at the beautifully restored ceilings or luxuriating in this architectural dream, head down to the two gorgeous bars on site for some equally opulent refreshments.

We’ve already said the number one way to get around is by foot. That being said, sometimes your schedule doesn’t accommodate a leisurely stroll. In this case, hop on the subway like a tenured NYC resident. All subway turnstiles now accept touchless phone payments, making getting around a breeze. But you can also lean into the nostalgia of a MetroCard—plus, it makes for a great souvenir.

Every season in NYC brings something new to celebrate. Fall and early winter are magic—when stylish New Yorkers are all layered up and brownstones are decked out in twinkling lights. But spring and summer are popular times to take a trip as well, offering opportunities for Central Park picnics and escaping into air-conditioned theaters. For the smallest crowds, visit between January to April, but just know it’ll be pretty cold.

Central Park is actually only the sixth-largest park across the five boroughs. And although it is small in comparison to the great public swaths of land this city has to offer, Central Park is bigger than some entire countries. The park’s square footage clocks in at larger than the Vatican City and six-times the size of Monaco—that goes to show just how huge the Big Apple really is.

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