Culture, Concrete, & Calories: 5 Amazing Days in NYC

This was our fourth time visiting New York City. You know how I feel about going to places I’ve already been, but I can assure you I’ll never feel bad about returning to New York. It’s constantly changing and always exciting–being there is such a rush and catching a glimpse of what it’s like at that moment is truly special. It’s a bustling city that’s really hard to put into words and just as complicated to photograph, so I’ll just share what we got up to on this visit from bars to restaurants to rooftops and more.

Day 1

Joe’s Pizza slice in Times Square– I think my favorite pizza of this trip, so delicious.
MoMA– I had yet to visit a museum, so I knew this visit it was time. MoMA did not disappoint. The building has a cool design, and being in a room full of Picasso’s was incredible.
New York Public Library– impressive building…you can’t miss the Rose Room. See more on the blog I posted last week.
Stumble Inn– lots of affordable beer, wings, and tots. The owners of this place also have a bunch of other bars across the city where you can expect a similar vibe and decent prices.

Day 2

walked across the Brooklyn Bridge– so iconic and full of beautiful views. We had done this once before but it was back in 2013, and I was ready to experience it again.
Juliana’s Pizza– really yummy and authentic.
DUMBO photo op– got the famous shot of the Empire State building peering through the Manhattan Bridge. See it on Instagram.
Prospect Park, wandering the nearby neighborhood, and stopping in for a drink before heading back to Manhattan.
Mr. Purple rooftop bar– gorgeous skyline views made even sweeter by pink clouds at sunset.
Fancy cocktails at Beauty & Essex– I had some sort of concoction made with earl grey tea and I was in love. Worth the price for the creative drink and cool atmosphere.
Stanton Social– we had a really nice gourmet meal…higher prices for smaller plates, but the flavors were incredible! Left with my taste buds feeling very satisfied. We had pierogis, mac and cheese, french onion dumplings, ribs, chicken and waffles, and salmon between the four of us.
post dinner drinks at a bar I can’t remember the name of haha oops
drinks at Supply House– because in NYC you have nightcaps on nightcaps and don’t go home until the bar makes you 🙂

Day 3

Black Seed Bagel– no visit to NYC is complete without getting bagels. I got a smoked salmon everything bagel, and it was heavenly.
Dō– we spent the afternoon wandering around West Village/Washington Square Park area and came across Dō (without a long line) so we had to stop in. A shop just for cookie dough!
The Frying Pan–drinks on a boat on the Hudson River. We obviously googled where Sully landed the plane to see how close we were to it.
230 Fifth Rooftop bar– this bar is right across from the Empire State building so we got to kick back and relax with that amazing view. And they give you robes to keep you warm–such a fun touch.
Dinner at an Irish bar near Comedy Club– more wings and potato skins.
Comedy Club– we got so lucky with really funny acts the whole night!
Pizza slices at a local 24 hour shop– because we needed something to soak up all the beer 😉

Day 4

Champagne picnic at a park on the East River– this was pure bliss to me: bagels, avocado, prosciutto, cheese, crackers, apples, babaghanouj, water views, city views, park views, great company, good music.
Yankees Game!
post-game drinks at Billy’s.
Salvation Taco– because I’m obsessed with rooftop bars.
3 Sheets Saloon–drinks and spinach artichoke dip from the same owners as the Stumble Inn.
Uva– An authentic Italian restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. It felt like we were eating somewhere in Italy. I love how NYC can offer that for so many cultures.
Insomnia Cookies– had a relatively early night after 3 full days, no better way to relax than cookies and coffee at home before bed.

Day 5

Central Park– my oh my I loved every second of wandering through Central Park, Bluestone Lane coffee in hand.
Five Mile Stone– lots of beers and wings were had at the best local pub ever.
Wahlburgers– after missing our flight we found ourself in the city for a few more hours and decided to stop in for burgers and beer. I really liked both!

So there’s the proof that we consumed a lot of calories in the concrete jungle and got in a dose of culture here and there as well haha. NYC, I love your energy and I love who I get to be when I’m with you. xoxo.

And if you want to see it all in photos…