I can officially say that I’ve visited New York in the spring, summer and fall. The only season left is winter and I don’t think I’ll be visiting during the Christmas time, so maybe I’ll eventually do a January trip. With that being said, I think I’ve visited “The Big Apple” just enough to tell you my absolute fave places to stay, what to do and where to eat for your next or first trip to New York (please don’t cue Lil Mama, iykyk).
Here are my recommendations – where to stay, what to do and where to eat:
Where to stay
Arlo Nomad
TikTok has definitely become one of my go-to search engines when planning my travels and I came across the Arlo hotels last year when planning my solo trip. The Arlo brand has numerous locations across the city, but the one in Midtown- the Arlo Nomad seemed like the best option for exploring. I’m so happy I chose this location because the room was great. It’s perfect for one person but manageable for two, the staff were friendly and I was surrounded by restaurants and close enough to the things I wanted to do without being super close to the hustle and bustle of Time Square.
I enjoyed the location and hotel so much that I went back in April and had no complaints. Additionally, the Arlo Nomad also has a rooftop bar and indoor diner. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to experience them as yet, so hopefully on my next stay.
Doubletree by Hilton Time Square South
Everyone knows Doubletree and this Hilton hotel is quite consistent. When I visited New York in the summer of 2023 to see Drake in concert for the first time, this was the perfect place to stay because it was walking distance (about 5 minutes away) to Madison Square Gardens. If you’re ever attending a concert or a basketball game at MSG or really want the feeling that you are in New York, crowds and all, I would recommend this hotel.
What to do
Watch a show on Broadway
Whenever I visit New York, I have to watch a Broadway show – it’s my favorite thing to do. I love anything in the arts and a play or dramatization of any kind will always capture my interest. As of last month, I’ve watched six Broadway productions with the Lion King and the Great Gatsby (both watched in New York) in first and third place on my faves list. I don’t think there is another feeling that comes close to seeing the talent of the actors, the set designs, the costumes, the music and the lighting all come together to make a stunningly entertaining piece. Ugh, I love a show and will always recommend this activity.
Visit a museum
New York is museum central. From the iconic Met to the Museum of Modern Arts and anything else you can think of, I’m sure there is a museum in New York with your name on it. I love the arts, so visiting a museum is something that I usually enjoy. I find it interesting that art made hundreds of years ago has been preserved in such a way that we can still enjoy it today. However, if looking at paintings and sculptures is not for you, there are many interactive museums to visit, like the Museum of Ice Cream, Artechouse or even the Museum of National History.
Walk through Central Park
Central Park in the spring and summer is so beautiful. The park is huge and while I’ve not walked the entire area as yet, I always make it to the carousel/merry-go-round and go for a ride. You gotta add some whimsy to your life!
Central Park is also home to many scenes from some of our favorite shows and movies. For me it’s Gossip Girl, whenever I walk down the staircase where Blair and Chuck were married, I always smile at that memory. I hope the next time I do visit the park, I’m there for an extended period of time to really enjoy it, perhaps with a picnic. The grounds are gorgeous and a perfect place to relax, people watch, play a sport or even bike ride.
Visit Chinatown & Little Italy
A first time visit to New York should always include visiting one of its most popular areas. While there are definitely other areas to try Italian or Asian food, I think it’s something so great about eating $2 dumplings in Chinatown or chicken parm in Little Italy. On my visit in April, I went in the late afternoon and stayed until nighttime and it was so lovely to see the street lights lit in the little towns.
What to eat
Ichiran
Over the past year, I’ve been on the search for the best ramen home and abroad and when I tell you that Ichiran has the best ramen I’ve had so far, you just have to go. I love that their Midtown location has individual booths just like their locations in Japan. It’s such a unique touch and made my solo trip more enjoyable. If you’re dining with other people, it works just fine too because they seat you together, but ideally I wouldn’t recommend going with a group larger than four and expecting to sit together.
Now, let’s get back to the ramen. The broth, the pork slices, the noodles are so delicious. Did I mention the broth? Their ramen is so good, I actually went back twice on the same trip. I also love that you’re able to customize your ramen to your preferences, such as the spice level, noodle size and even add-ons. I would suggest choosing their recommended options and if you like spice, probably adjusting just a little on that. They also have a veggie ramen, that my friend adored. I love Ichiran and think I’ll definitely make it a staple on my New York trips.
7th Street Burger
What’s the best burger you’ve ever had? I’ll wait. If you’re thinking hard, it’s probably because you’ve never had a 7th Street Burger. They have multiple locations, its super convenient and affordable. The fries are also so good and their homemade sauces are tasty. I love their burgers, especially after a night at Broadway. Absolutely deliciouso!
Blank Street
I was introduced to Blank Street when I lived in Manchester. There were two locations in the city centre and let’s just say, I tried the iced white chocolate matcha, loved it and convinced all my friends to try it and they also loved it. When I went back to Manchester last July for graduation, I also persuaded my family to try it and now they know good things too. Unfortunately, the white chocolate matcha is not on our side of the world. However, the daydream matcha comes pretty close and they usually have other seasonal flavors that are found in the UK like strawberry shortcake and carrot cake. If you’re not a matcha lover, it’s probably because you’ve never had one from Blank Street. Thank me later.
Anita Gelato
Anita Gelato reminds me of the gelato shop I visited in Paris. There are so many choices, that change periodically and its always the perfect end to my trip. I usually order something with caramel but on my last trip, I got the white chocolate raspberry crumble and that was delightful. Their smallest serving is two enormous scoops, so I never finish the entire thing, but you can certainly share.
Chelsea Market or Time Out Market
My last food recommendation would be to check out one of the food markets either in Manhattan or Brooklyn. The Chelsea Market has a lot of food and drink options and small stores. I had a delicious Thai noodle dish there and a steak quesadilla with all the fixings at Time Out Market.
And there you have it, my favorite things to do, places to eat and stay in New York. Bonus tip, be sure to use the subway. It’s $3 per ride and simple enough to figure out. Additionally, Metro cards are no longer necessary, you can tap and go with a credit card or Apple Pay. I’ve also used the local taxis multiple times, because there’s always some issue with finding a driver on Lyft. Happy planning!
Derencia Travels 