10/ 22/ 2015
After living in New York City for over 4 years, I’ve tried out many places. Restaurants, bars, museums — you name it — I’ve been too aplenty. There are some that stand out from others, and I’m so glad I discovered.
Here are five spots in NYC you should be sure to check out:
Alice’s Tea cup: I discovered this Alice in Wonderland inspired tea shop after my first few months in the City. They offer tons of different types of loose teas and have a full brunch and afternoon food menu. They also bake a daily menu of sweet treats (including pumpkin scones, chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake). They also sell all the teas by the pound, so you can take a little bit of the magic home.
Order this: the chocolate chai tea with the chocolate raspberry vegan scone and extra jam.
The Tenement Museum: It’s no secret that New York has a rich history. This gem of a museum will give you a look at the tenement housing that most immigrants lived in during the 1800s. They offer a series of daily tours, so you can pick one that specifically interests you. The guides are so knowledgeable and they only allow a small group of people on each tour (a nice bonus). Also, the bookstore is awesome. In addition to historical books about the neighborhood and time period, they have a great fiction and non-fiction selection and other fun finds.
When you visit: buy tickets in advance or early in the day—they will sell out.
The Cloisters: I’ll be honest, it’s a hike to get up to the Cloisters, but well worth the trip. This museum features European medieval art and is located at the most northern tip of Fort Tryon Park. To get there, you could take a walk through the park. It’s more natural looking than Central Park with wild flowers and winding paths—pretty beautiful. The park also overlooks the river and had some really stunning views of the water.
Footwear matters: wear comfortable shoes. It’s a pretty hilly walk to the Cloisters.
The King Cole Bar: Some times, I just need a taste of classic Manhattan. There’s no better fix than the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis. It’s also the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, so if they’re your jam, this bar is a must. It’s famous for more than just its drinks and excellent service though. Behind the bar is a famous mural, originally commissioned by Colonel John Jacob Astor in 1906, that is worth seeing.
Look cute: there’s an unwritten dress code. No need to get super fancy, but I definitely wouldn’t be too casual (so skip the sneakers and t-shirt).
The Stone: If you love listening to new music, stop by The Stone, a nonprofit performance space for experimental jazz musicians on the Lower East Side. Most nights, the artist in residence will play two different sets of music. It’s also more of an avant-garde sound, so if you’re hoping for a big band or swing style, this may not be the venue for you. The best part: tickets are usually only $15-$20.
If you go: It’s a hole in the wall sort of establishment, so arrive early. This is the sort of place where a t-shirt and sneakers are totally appropriate.
Do any of you have a great find to add? Would love to know about it!
hi, i’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and after seeing this post i just have to ask you a question on behalf of my 2 roomies and me. like you, we all work at non-profits. we share a 2-br in brooklyn–or brokelyn, as we like to call it. and we are all wondering how on earth you manage the lifestyle you describe on a non-profit salary! this is NOT intended as a snarky question, honestly, we are totally jealous and just wondering what we’re doing wrong. even splitting rent 3 ways, we could never afford a place in manhattan (believe me, we’ve tried) muchless groceries from whole foods, yoga classes, docs, clubs, even starbucks is a special treat for us. forget any traveling outside the city. and the bar at the st. regis? a total fantasy–i have to waitress several weekends a month just to pay my student loans. one of my roomies says your parents must help you out, but maybe you just know some financial secrets we don’t. we love, love, love nyc and our jobs, but we’re all sick of being thirtysomethings and living like the characters in “rent.” seriously, we’re desperate, and we’d welcome any and all tips you could give us!
Oh how I understand where you’re coming from! It took nearly three years for me to find a full-time job in the nonprofit field that pays me well and I really love. In my first few years here, I worked multiple part-time jobs at nonprofits (I had five gigs at one point). I had three other roommates at the time in Upper (way upper) Manhattan. In addition to the extra living expenses in NYC, I also pay multiple student loan payments, am single and independent from my parents—I know it’s tough! My secret to making it work—budgeting and networking. Every single dollar I make gets assigned to an expense. I use a budgeting program called You Need A Budget that I am obsessed with. I also followed an envelope system during my first couple years in NYC by using an app called “Envelopes 2.” Budgeting helps me plan for upcoming things I want to do that I’m not able to regularly afford (like seeing a Broadway show, having a nice dinner somewhere, taking a trip, etc). Basically I plan ahead, because my thought is I won’t live in the City forever, so I want to do those fun things that make NYC the kind of place it’s known for. My other secret is networking. The only reason I have the job I have now is because I was recommended for it. That was the big positive of working multiple part-time gigs: I got a lot of experience at other organizations. I worked very hard at each job and made great contacts along the way.