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3 days as a tourist in New York City

Posted on December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 by Laura

After a whirlwind tour of New York City in November, I wanted to show those that have been messaging me some of the highlights.

We packed in a lot between a very cold Thursday and a weirdly warm Sunday last month. The trip was for my husband’s 40th birthday, so he got the most say on what we did and saw – hence there being no Statue of Liberty trip or swanky restaurants. I know, what a spoilsport.

Below, however, you’ll find some info and photos including food, tourist hotspots, advice on getting around and how best to spend your money in NYC. Obviously, being that I’ve only been to this city once, this is not an expert guide, nor is it an exhaustive list. I am not claiming to be a New York guru in any way, but I’m hopeful some of it will be useful if you’re planning a visit to the Big Apple sometime soon.

Getting there

I used Skyscanner to find our flights about 8 months before we flew, making them much cheaper than even I expected. We flew out from London Heathrow to JFK with Delta and returned with Virgin Atlantic (the former was much more comfortable with better food than the latter) for just over £300pp. Flying out mid morning is ideal as you land at lunchtime and have a whole afternoon ahead of you to explore.

Once we were through security we got a yellow taxi from the airport which is $70 inc toll and tip to anywhere in Manhattan. Alternatively, you can buy a $5 airbus ticket from JFK to the Jamaica subway stop, then a $33 metro card to get into Manhattan. You can then use that metro card for a full week to get around the city via the subway. Tip: Book a very late flight home – you wake up mid morning in the UK and reduce jet lag.

Where to stay

I think this is all relative, and depends largely on your budget and what you want to do, see etc. I booked us into Night Hotel Times Square, which sat (at most) 10 metres from Times Square and a subway station. This location was central and ideal if you’re looking for a base to explore Manhattan and beyond. It’s also right next to the Theatre District if that’s your main reason for visiting. The hotel itself was modern and clean, and the double bedroom we had was fine for a weekend. It’s cheap to stay on the Brooklyn side, and I’d happily do that if we revisit NYC, as it’s so easy to get around it doesn’t really matter where you lay your head.

Food and drink

I’m aware many of you reading this are here for the food, so I’ll get that bit out of the way before I round up the tourist hotspots we hit. My absolute must try is Katz’s Deli in the East Village, which serves up bonkers sandwiches and the most fabulous slow cooked deli meats I’ve ever encountered. Oh and don’t ignore the free pickles – they’re incredible. This is also the same place Meg Ryan made sex noises in When Harry Met Sally – I assume she had the pastrami reuben, like me. Tip: Go in the morning rather than lunchtime else you’ll be queuing for hours.

If you like a good food market you will love Chelsea Market, over in the Meatpacking District. There’s plenty of street food and vendors offering everything from ramen to Italian sandwiches and hotdogs. I had a bloody amazing meat-stuffed bagel and tacos, amongst lots more. You can read more about this place below.

The morning we went to Central Park we also visited Astro Restaurant in Midtown. The cafe is an American diner run by a Greek family and I don’t think it’s had a refurb if any kind since it opened in the early 80s. It’s only got about 20 covers and you have to queue regardless of what time you show up, but it’s pure comfort food and reasonably priced considering its location. I had the scrambled eggs with bacon and potato hash on a hideous plastic plate – and I loved it.

Everyone’s got their favourite pizza place, and no one seems to agree on them. Pizza slices are sold literally everywhere, some for as little as $1, but my favourite spot was Joe’s Pizza in Williamsburg. We found it after 8 pints in a dive bar up the road, so I may be wrong but I loved the crisp base and the crust was fantastic.

I found a beer I fell in love with called Hummer from Greenport Harbour (brewed in the city) at Rattle N Hum. The dive bar is well priced considering the Manhattan zip-code and near to The Cutting Room – a music lounge we went visited to watch a gig and eat big burgers.

If you’re over in Brooklyn it’s worth checking out North 3rd Street Market. This indoor food and craft hall reminded me of an Independent Birmingham festival, if they were permanent. The food vendors change every so often but this is a full time set up and includes all sorts of food, from pizza to lobster to bao, and arcade games.

Tourist hotspots

Top of the Rock, Manhattan

We paid for a City Pass (Google this; well worth having and you can get them for 3 or 6 attractions) and used it first for Top of the Rock. This is an observatory on the roof of the Rockefeller Center and gives you great views of the Empire State Building and across NYC. We did this during the day to see the city in daylight. It’s about $36 without the city pass.

Empire State Building, Manhattan

Our second use for the city pass was the Empire State Building – the view from this at night is absolutely insane. We went up at dusk, so we saw the skyline go from blue to black and the city light up. It’s windy and cold, but it’s so so worth it. This costs about $39 without a pass.

Central Park, Upper East Side

This park is enormous. We walked around it in search of the John Lennon memorial for an hour and still hadn’t scratched the surface. There’s lakes, walks and (currently) an entire ice skating rink. In fall it’s absolutely glorious so I can only imagine how beautiful Central Park must be in summer.

Chelsea Market, Meatpacking District

If you like food this is a must visit. Here you’ll find homemade pizza sold by the slice, plus seafood, cheese and meat galore, and the most incredible smell of freshly baked bread. As well as all the glorious food and drink, you can find a plethora of shops and market stalls below the ground floor, including some selling records, jewellery and clothes.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

An area rather than a specific place, we loved this part of Brooklyn. There’s loads of dive bars (beers are half the price and then some compared to Manhattan) and you can walk to it via the Williamsburg bridge from the Lower East Side. The walk takes about 45 minutes and half way across you get a lovely view of Brooklyn bridge and Lady Liberty.

Times Square, Manhattan

Yes – it’s a tourist trap, and yes – it’s terribly loud and bright. But, it’s worth visiting for some photos and just to absorb the madness that comes with Times Square. Saturday night is particularly bizarre with street performers and people trying to make you part with money. Avoid the bars on the street itself as they’re all overpriced, rammed and relentlessly themed around Ireland.

One World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan

We visited the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center towards the end of our trip. The pools in the foundations of the North and South towers that fell are an emotional scene, and I left feeling glad I’d been but quite tearful. You can walk 10 minutes to get a good view of the Statue of Liberty from here too.

American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side

Our last use of the pass came in the shape of this enormous museum. It’s usually about $20 to get in, but I believe you can just leave a donation if you don’t have a lot of money. We enjoyed the dinosaurs and naked monkeys, because we’re inherently very silly.

And that’s your lot – ending with a monkey penis like all good blog posts should, right? New York City is incredible and I hope to go back sooner rather than later. Just make sure you take enough dollars to enjoy yourself and don’t forget to tip!

Have you been? Let me know in the comments or over on Twitter.

Disclosure: I paid in full for all flights, accommodation, attractions, food and drink in this post.

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WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE To cele WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE

To celebrate the launch of their brand new spring/summer menu I’ve teamed up with the folk at Ju Ju’s Cafe to bring you a tasty giveaway. 

The winner will get a 2 course meal plus a bottle of wine for 2 at this cute canalside restaurant. Enjoy homely cooking and seasonal ingredients, not to mention some of the friendliest service in Brum 🙌🏼

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @jujuscafebham 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (you can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced 6pm on Weds 31st May. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Ju Ju’s IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @c Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @couchstirchleyb30 on their wins at the @classbarmag awards last night. Brilliant people doing brilliant things to make living in Brum all the better. Proud as fuck, as always 🖤
Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderf Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderful. From the same babes that bring you @saibuddhabelly, this new Stirchley restaurant is just delightful. You can expect some of your old favourites (hello beef massaman, I love you) and new dishes like the spicy flavour bomb that is the pad cha het. Mushrooms have never been that sexy: fact. Have no doubt this place will be very popular - big love to the team behind it ♥️
ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an usually sunny) Manchester yesterday to meet the @bundobust gang ahead of their launch in Brum at the start of June. 

Aside from the fact that we had a glorious time drinking all the beers and cocktails (and shots, buts that’s a story for another time) the food was delicious and the people behind this concept couldn’t be nicer human beings. 

Here’s a haphazard glimpse at what you can expect when Bundo Brum lands - long story short it’s fab Indian street food that happens to be all veggie but manages to not make that their entire personality. Lush picky bits, perfect alongside bevs including their own beers. 

I’m honestly really excited to see this launch in our city and I’m equally thrilled the old Pint Shop site is FINALLY going to be something affordable, accessible and delicious. I hope you love this as much as I do when it opens ♥️ 

Thanks to @whittleldn for organising a really great day. To the train home reprobates: let’s never speak of that again 💀🤣
Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this we Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this week. I repeat.. the gravy is back 💦🙏🏼
Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Jewellery Quarter @barrelstorejq. Lots of @atticbrewco beers as you’d expect plus cocktails. Funky little space, nice people behind the bar, decent tunes. Ideally located to link up other beery places like The Wolf and North for a crawl. Currently open Thursday to Sunday, food will be coming soon. Cheers to you, TBS ♥️
ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a litt ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a little something to whet your whistles from @barandblock that’s just opened at Exchange Square. This is a big ol’ restaurant with plenty of outdoor space too. There’s a host of signature special dishes for the non steak fans (including some lovely sounding stuff for the pescatarians out there) but my eyes were firmly on the beef. The fillet arrived a beautiful medium rare and it was nice to be able to choose an accompanying side other than chips. Long live the jacket spud! Loved the mega rich blue cheese sauce, too. I would say, the small plates weren’t particularly noteworthy (the prawns were a bit overcooked and the scallops needed to see more of the pan) and I think the mains could be presented better, but overall it’s fair-priced city centre offering with plenty of variety (the menu is massive) and handily it’s open 7 days a week. Bonus: there’s 2 for 1 on selected cocktails from 5-7pm, too. Go for happy hour, eat a steak, skip the starters 👍🏼
Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like a new woman after a mad week of birthdays, parties and hens. Speaking of which, it’s not every day you get to go on a hen with one of the best private chefs in Birmingham, let’s be honest. Shout out to @_tuttoapposto (otherwise known as Ang) for filling us with delicious treats including the world’s horniest lasagne and her mahoosive arancini. She’s also an absolute diamond of a human so give her a follow ♥️ Have a good week!
People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being brilliant. They’re right. Faultless from start to finish when I visited last week, but I’d like to give a special shout out again to the courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese and mint (that will continue to live rent free in my head) and the onglet steak - I’d probably marry it if it wasn’t frowned upon.
Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself to @restaurantadams for lunch. Opted for the 5 courses (you can have 3 or 7 if you prefer) you can see here if you swipe through - the menu is at the end for a breakdown of the dishes. 

The main reason I wanted to post this is to thank the guys working that day for making me feel special but not weird for being a solo diner. I’ve talked a lot about this in the past and believe firmly anyone should be able to eat a meal out comfortably alone - whether that be a fast food joint or a Michelin star restaurant. 

I loved this lunch and the service made it extra special. Big love to Team Adams ♥️
38 and feeling great 🥳 I mean, let’s be rea 38 and feeling great 🥳 

I mean, let’s be real: I’m hungover as fuck. Buttt I had the most delicious day celebrating my birthday with some of my favourite humans. Thanks to all those that came out to get me sloshed (I took no photos, sign of a good night) and for all the bday love here 🖤 You made an old emo lady very happy. 

I’ve woken up with all of my make up still on and no idea what happened after midnight, so yay me! Swipe for some classic instagram v reality 😬
Taking a few days off adulting to enjoy my birthda Taking a few days off adulting to enjoy my birthday. Started the fun a bit early today with my mum and delicious things at @arch13bar washed down with fizz. Then I got my spa on and paid a stranger to rub me up for a bit while I napped. Put this through as a work expense - can’t wait to argue with my accountant about it next year 🤣 Anyway, a lovely b’day eve was had. Am going to make a shit load of pasta and go to bed early else Santa won’t visit or something. Baiiii✌🏼
Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. 

I’m not great at many things in life but my scrambled eggs (and ability to sesh) are unbeatable. This was a right nice way to end the long weekend and kick start my birthday week. 

Did I mention it’s my birthday this week. 

It’s my birthday this week. 

Ok thanks baaaaiiii 👋🏼
What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Frien What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Friends, sunshine, doggy cuddles, grub galore and tasty bevvies. Here’s some of my favourite snippets - hope you had a good’un 🖤✌🏼
A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up with a hangover this morning get yourself to @jujuscafebham and order the porky hash. And a Bloody Mary. Because it’s what King Charles and his magic hat would want or something. Happy Saturday 🖤
This time last week I was scoffing delicious thing This time last week I was scoffing delicious things in the sunshine. Today I’m hungover eating toast on the sofa with a to do list as long as my arm. Life comes at you fast 😭 #throwbackthursday
WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2 Giveaway cl WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2

Giveaway closed. Winner @potts_potts_potts 

To celebrate the launch of their brand new bottomless lunch, I’ve teamed up with the Trentina gang in JQ to bring you a delicious giveaway. 

The lucky winner will get a table for 2 on a Sunday of your choice at this gawwwjus Italian restaurant. You’ll both enjoy a pasta dish plus dessert and 90 mins of unlimited frozen cocktails, beer and bellinis. 

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @trentinajq 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (You can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced at 8pm on Thursday 4th May. Can only be used on Sundays. Bottomless drinks last for 90 minutes from your booking time. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Trentina IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ Sunshine, m ☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ 

Sunshine, mini breaks, bank holidays, friends galore, amazing food and lots of laughs. 

If you can see yourself in this one feel privileged because it’s been a mega busy month and I couldn’t fit a lot of it in the 15 seconds 🤣

Aware this one is quite insufferable and probably a bit smug but I spent winter miserable and sad so don’t hate me for finding some joy in life plz✌🏼😆

Next stop: birthday month (likely to be even worse. Sorry not sorry..)
Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to fe Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to feed your hangover a massive fish finger sandwich.
Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enj Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enjoying lots of sunshine, tapas and cocktails with la babe @philipellis. Despite apparently being incapable of being in bed before 2am, it’s been a right old lol and full of lush grub. 

Had a lot of messages about the apartment while out there - tbf it was absolutely beautiful and the location couldn’t have been more perfect. Right in the heart of the old town, two mins walk from the marina and surrounded by loads of bars, cafes and restaurants. The attic apartment is spacious and modern inside but it’s the awesome views from the massive roof terrace (of the cathedral and castle) that make it so special. We loved staying here 🥰 Link to the Air BnB listing is here (https://tdy.lol/LSPqs) if you want to look into renting it. 

Highly recommend visiting said castle for the views but be aware it’s up a mountain. You can get a lift for a few euros (from the seafront) if you can’t be arsed to do the 90+ min walk uphill. Oh and don’t be a div like me and wear flip flops - the castle grounds are steep, rocky and slippy in parts. My hungover ass was humbled, let me tell you. 

Anyway, here’s the highlights reel including our smug golden hour snaps and loads of food… like, shit loads of food. Stick to small plates and paella on the side streets (away from the marina/beach where it’s ££ and the service isn’t as nice) and you’ll have a proper lovely time. 

Oh and girls: don’t take heels. The streets around old town are steep and many are cobbled/badly lit - stick with flats✌🏼

Here endeth the sunshine spam, I’m as cold and miserable as everyone else again now. Adiós, amigos.
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