Disclaimer:  This blog post is word and visual heavy.  So grab a snack or a glass of vino and enjoy.  You’ve been warned, darlings.  

So I’m back from the Big Apple and I have to admit that of all the times I’ve traveled to NYC this past trip was my favorite and I think it really showed through the moments I shared on social media.

So much so that I had so many requests to create a New York City Travel Guide of the trip!

To be honest, I was a little hesitant to share one because I’m not a pro travel blogger.

I don’t have the latest and greatest suitcases and I definitely don’t get sponsored to look beautiful as I fly all over the world first class, although I wouldn’t be opposed to any of those things. 😉

I’m just like you but I have learned a couple of things over the years of what I like to call #FailingWhileFlying. 🛫 🙅🏾‍♀️

I typically have the worst experiences when I come to this city in particular and was pleasantly surprised that everything worked out in my favor this time around.

Unlike the other times visiting the City I didn’t have any influencer events or meetings to attend so my time didn’t feel rushed and the added stress that I would place on myself of not wanting to disappoint anyone was completely removed from the equation.

I was just there with my friend Carla and the goal was simply to have a good time.

This was easily done at coffee shops, sample testing at Glossier, walks in Central Park or selfcare face masks/deep convo sessions back at the hotel.   I have come to realize that my busy filled days were what contributed to me not liking NYC.

My bad, New York.

Turns out I actually do like you after all.

It’s all about intention, how you want to spend your time and who you travel with.  Those things are so key.  

If your goal and focus is to show the world or those that follow you on social media that you are the most ballerest of all the ballers and are having the best time expect to be disappointed with your trip.  Travel is about gaining rich experiences not likes on Instagram.

If you haven’t checked it out I created a NYC Story Highlight from the entire trip if you want a visual recap.

So without further ado here is my travel guide to the city that never sleeps…

AIRPORTS

We flew into JFK which is located in Queens and about a 40 minute ride to our hotel.  Other major airports are La Gaurdia and Newark (New Jersey).

TRANSPORTATION

Straight off the plane we took a Lyft to get into the city.  I find that Lyft is significantly cheaper than Uber when I’m in NYC.

Because we were staying in Manhattan we just used Lyft throughout our entire 4 day trip.

I always plan and budget transportation for when I’m in NYC especially when I’m traveling by myself and want to avoid getting lost.   We did use the subway a few times which will be your cheapest way to get around the city.  You can use your Google Maps to help you navigate.  It was super easy.

You can’t avoid walking while in NYC so make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.  I stuck with cute booties that worked with jeans, skirt and dresses.

BOOTIES

I also thought to bring inserts because I have plantar fasciitis and knew my feet would ache after long days walking around.  It definitely helped this time around and I’m so glad I thought to bring them.  Your feet will thank you.

ACCOMODATIONS

We booked our accommodations pretty close to our departure date.  I used Hotel Tonight to book our hotel.

We scored an amazing deal with The Evelyn Hotel — just a 5 minute walk from the Flatiron Building.

The room was a little small but it was super chic and the bathroom was large so we were happy.  We had the option to upgrade to a larger room for an extra $50 a night but we decided to stay in our original room and use those funds for something else like amazing Italiano at Eataly…

If you want to save even more on a hotel room here’s $25 off your next booking with Hotel Tonight.  Just use my code THGUERRIER at checkout!

COFFEE SHOPS + RESTAURANTS

Our major game plan was to eat and drink our way through the city and I think we managed to hit up all the spots we wanted to but the amazing part about NYC you will always discover new places that will keep you coming back every year.

COFFEE SHOPS

• Stumptown Coffee $$
• Blank Slate Tea $$
• Blank Slate Coffee $$
• Ludlow Coffee $$
• Remi Flower + Coffee (This one was my favorite!) $$
• Blue Stone Lane  $$$
• Happy Bones $$
• Grace Street Cafe $$

Lavender Tea and Lemon Blueberry Scone at Blank Slate Tea

Rose Latte at Remi Flower + Coffee

RESTAURANTS

• Eataly  The cutest Italian marketplace with little shops and amazing pasta.
• CharlieBird Reservations have a two week waitlist.  We didn’t get a chance to go but hear everything is amazing. $$$
• Egg Shop The Egg Shop Sandwich minus the jalapeño and tomato jam with the truffle hash browns are the business.
• Shake Shack le obviously. $$
• Los Taco No. 1 inside Chelsea Market I highly recommend getting their around 11:30am for lunch, the lines get long really quickly.  We manage to hit every place just before it became saturated with hungry people.  The Abodaba is the best, it’s the most delicious marinated pork taco ever!!! $$
• Prince Street Pizza The line for this place was way too long for us to wait in the cold for.  We heard amazing things but we also had amazing pizza down the street at Lombardi’s. $$
• Lady Bird It’s a vegetable bar.  Don’t let that scare you though.  It’s super cute inside and the has photo worthy entrance door and plates. $$$
• While We Were Young An insta-worthy beautiful space to enjoy a pretty drink. $$$
• Old Rose inside The Jane Hotel $$

Walking off all the breakfast at the Egg Shop

Brunch at While We Were Young

Blending in at Old Rose 

THINGS TO DO

This wasn’t my first time in NYC so I didn’t do the obvious touristy things like the Empire State, Times Square, or the Statue of Libby but those are definitely go-to’s for first timers.

Pace yourself.

Take your time and enjoy the sites.  I don’t always get to everything that I want but that’s just another reason to come back.

Here are some other places that you can’t miss when you’re in NYC.

• Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunrise
• Watch a play or musical on Broadway
• Grand Central Station
• The Oculus 
• 9/11 Memorial
• The High Line
• Chelsea Market
• Central Park (Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Alice and Wonderland Statue)
• Boat Ride in Central Park
• The Met 
• Coney Island
• Prospect Park
• Make Custom Scents at Olfactory NYC Tell JJ I said “Hello!”

Bow Bridge Photo from @margoandme

Making our custom scents at Olfactory NYC

PHOTO OPS

A trip with two blogger friends wouldn’t be complete without hitting up a few places for the perfect picture.  Carla and I were fortunate enough to have my friend Brandon hang out with us and snap photos for us.  It doesn’t hurt that Brandon’s a bomb professional full time photographer.  Thanks OD for all these amazing photos!

• Pietro Nolita All the pink goodness 💗
• The Flatiron Building
• Color Factory Wall (walls are always changing in NYC so this might change.)
• The Mall in Central Park (famous tree lined path that’s been in dozens of movies)
• The Met Stairs — XOXO, Gossip Girl 💁🏾‍♀️
• The Cactus Store — For the plant lady. 🍃
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Dumbo 
• Jane’s Carousel
• Manhattan Bridge at Water and Spring Street
• Corner of Stuyvesant Street at Stuyvesant and E 10th Street
• Rainbow Wall Under the Brooklyn Expressway 
• Washington Mews
• Soho Cobblestone Streets 
• MacDougal Street
• Souvlaki Greece Restaurant
• White Wall of Sosta 
• Gilf Wall at 30 Prince Street
• Little Italy Sign
• Sel Rose

A few snaps at Pietro Nolita

Flatiron

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunrise

The sights and sounds of Central Park are Magical

Corner of Stuyvesant St & E 10th Street

MacDougal Street in the Spring

SHOPPING

• Sézane
• Mansur Gavriel
• Everlane
• Glossier
• Chelsea Market
• Sephora
• Macy’s

Shopping at Sezane

So much sauce at Glossier.  It’s made for Instagram so make sure to enjoy the experience.

Okay darlings!  So there it is!

I’m sure I left some things out that are obvious options but I honestly try not to do new and the unexpected when I come to the city.

Nevertheless, I do hope this travel guide helps you as you plan for your own adventures in NYC.  Bon voyage and happy travels!

COATS

SHOP THE LOOKS

Stay Lovely!