If you live in New York but never have the time to go anywhere because of your busy schedule, you should take a break from work. However, if you want to tour the concrete jungle for the first time, having a local’s touring guide will be more than beneficial.
Here are some things you should do in the Big Apple.
Experience the Cupcake Culture
The culture of cupcakes is a big thing in New York. You can experience this culture by visiting the city’s most famous bakeries to sample their delicious scrumptiousness. The bakery shops you should try out include Billy’s Bakery, Magnolia Bakery, and Molly’s Cupcakes. Once you have a bite of their cupcakes, you won’t be able to stop yourself from going back for more.
Walk across the Bridge
When the weather is favorably warm, walking across the bridge will feel pleasant. Choose between walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or Williamsburg Bridge for amazing views. The Williamsburg Bridge will take you on a trip between two neighborhoods: Williamsburg and Lower East Side.
The famous Brooklyn Bridge is usually more crowded, so you should avoid it if you do not like crowds. Although crowded, it has striking views of downtown Manhattan. Moreover, it will take you between DUMBO and the Financial District. When on the Brooklyn Bridge, you need to stay away from the bike lane unless you are looking to lose a limb.
Attend Food Events
New Yorkers love to eat, so you can be sure there is a delicious food event going on somewhere. There are plenty of food events and festivals throughout the year to fill your schedule from January to December. The Madison Square Eats festival – which is held twice a year in Flatiron, Manhattan – is a favorite amongst locals.
At these festivals, you can sample innovative and unique foods such as Korean and Mexican fusions. Other great festivals and events include:
NYC Wine and Food Festival – this festival hits NYC every fall. You will find the best wine and food the city has to offer here.
Smorgasbord – you can attend this festival each Saturday during the months of April to November. You can sample a wide variety of foods here.
Queens County Market – this event is held year-round at several locations in Queens. To stay up-to-date on all of them, check their website.
Visit Roosevelt Island
Travel across the East River to Roosevelt Island if you want to witness the scenic views of Long Island City and Midtown Manhattan. If you visit this island during the spring, you will get to see some of the most beautiful cherry blossoms in NYC.
Try NYC’s Real Little Italy
When tourists come to the city of New York, they usually want to visit Little Italy. Most tourists go to the inauthentic Manhattan neighborhood thinking that they will find it there. However, the real Little Italy is in Belmont, the Bronx, where you will find family-owned restaurants on Arthur Avenue. While in Belmont, check out Calandra Cheese and Madonia Brothers Bakery.
Travel to Brooklyn for Food
When visiting NYC, do not limit yourself only to eating in Manhattan. You will find that the outer boroughs have cheaper food that is just as great. One of the best places to eat is in Brooklyn because it has a wide selection of foods. Try the food in Williamsburg and DUMBO whenever you are in New York.
If it is your first time in NYC, consider using public transport to get around: the subway or a TopView bus tour, for example, that will take you to all the major sights and provide you with a peace of mind of not having to worry about at which stop to get off or which metro to get into.
Yogi wanderer. Solitude searcher. Book worm and chill out music tripper.
