Where to Eat, Shop, and Explore in New York City

By: Lauryn Jiles

Planning a trip to the Big Apple? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite things to do in New York City, including the best places to eat, shop, sight-see, and explore.

Where to eat

From Italian eateries to Soul food, New York City is known for having some of the best food and fine dining options there is to offer. Each of the city’s boroughs has unique restaurants and spots with delicious food.

If you’re looking for Italian food, Carmines Italian Restaurant on the Upper West Side has a variety of different kinds of pasta, meats, and gourmet Italian desserts. Little Italy is also a good borough to check out if you’re looking for authentic Italian food.

NYC is home to some of the best Pizza joints starting at $1 per slice. Our favorite places to get a New York Slice are Mama’s Pizza in Hell’s Kitchen and Luigi’s Gourmet Pizza in Midtown.

If you’re looking for some good soul food to try, Sylvia’s restaurant is the place to go. Established in 1962, Sylvia’s is a community favorite serving mouth-watering dishes like fried chicken and waffles, baked mac and cheese, and candied yams!

Where to shop

One of the biggest fashion capitals in the world, the Big Apple is home to fashion week, top fashion schools, and stunning street style, so it’s no surprise that shopping in New York City is an experience of its own.

Some of New York’s best shopping districts are SoHo, Upper East Side, and Madison Avenue. Many designer department stores like Moschino, Lanvin, and Chloe are housed on the Upper East Side. Whether you want to window-shop or splurge, you can stroll through shops like Prada, Balmain, and Alexander Wang in SoHo.

Museums

NYC has a wide range of museums to visit. One of the most famous museums, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is located on the Upper East Side and houses paintings from everyone from Pablo Picasso to Henri Matisse.

If you love fashion, the Met’s costume art exhibit features costumes and designs from the Met Gala every year. The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology has different exhibitions from fashion designers like Christian Dior and Versace.

If you’re a fan of van Gogh, you won’t want to miss The Museum of Modern Art in Midtown Manhattan, where you can see Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Sightseeing

The Big Apple has something to offer for everyone, whether you’re looking to go to some of the city’s tourist attractions or some of the local spots. One of our favorite hot spots to hit is the Plaza Hotel. Whether you looking to enjoy an Eloise-themed tea party, have brunch and drink champagne at the bar, or simply gaze at the beautiful architecture in the hotel, the Plaza is a spot you’ll want to check out.

Explore the city by checking out some of its most famous filming locations. Head to the Lotte New York Palace to see where Serena from Gossip Girl lived, the Friends apartment, and Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment both located in Greenwich Village.

Nightlife

NYC is the city that never sleeps. After you’ve walked around the Met or done some shopping in SoHo, take advantage of the city’s nightlife instead of just going back to your hotel. If you’re looking for a calm night out, The Apollo Theater is the place to go. The theater has a wide range of shows to enjoy with events such as comedy nights, jazz and opera shows, and ballet shows.

If you’re looking for an electrifying night, the city has several bars and nightclubs to attend. Venture a few minutes out of the city to Coney Island for fireworks on the beach or the various rides and attractions the island has to offer. Take the subway to Chinatown for some authentic Chinese food and exploring.

Lastly, to end your perfect night in the city grab slice of Pizza, or take the Staten Island Ferry and see the Statue of Liberty at night.

Whether you’re looking to hit up some of the biggest tourist attractions or take on the city like a local, New York has so much to offer and take advantage of. Next time you plan a trip to the big apple, make sure to hit up some of these hot spots!