City Guide to New York City

By Lauren Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief

New York City is where the world’s leading financial center and world-class entertainment meet. As the most populated city in the United States, the city consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx - within these boroughs are characteristically contrasting neighborhoods that make the big city feel distinctly local. This guide will help you navigate the city and its many treasures:

Eats

With so many different places to eat, including incredible food trucks, there are endless options for some grub. Explore the food scene while you are here, and check out these quintessential New York eats:

Waverly Inn & Garden

The Waverly Inn serves high-end American comfort food in a chic, romantic 1844 brownstone in the West Village. Established in 1920 as the Ye Waverly Inn, the restaurant closed its doors in 2005. It was reopened in 2006 by Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair from 1992 to 2017, minus the "Ye." The Waverly Inn serves the best chicken pot pie in the city and incredible oysters. Just be sure to make reservations!

Joe's Pizza

Anyone who visits the city must eat a slice of New York-style pizza in New York! Handtossed thin crust pizza with a crispy edge and soft center with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Joe's Pizza is a New York institution. Started by Joe Pozzuoli in 1975, Pozzuoli brought his Naples roots to New York and still owns and operates the restaurant 47 years later.

Katz's Delicatessen

Katz's Deli is the legendary kosher-style delicatessen known for its pastrami on rye, corned beef, and Jewish deli classics. Established in 1888, Katz's is the oldest deli in New York City and ships anywhere in the United States. The tradition of shipping their dishes started during World War II when Katz's owners would ship their traditional Jewish dishes to their three sons serving in the armed forces. Katz's slogan became, "Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army." But nothing beats sitting inside Katz's, enjoying one of their mile-high sandwiches and a matzoh ball soup.

H&H Bagels

You probably know H&H by their bagels appearance in countless movies and television shows like "Sex and the City," "How I Met Your Mother," "The Office," "Seinfeld," and "You've Got Mail." But their popularity is well-deserved. They are made with high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. H&H prepares their bagels by proofing, kettle-boiling, bathing in cold water, and baking them on burlap-covered wood boards in H&H's vintage revolving tray ovens.

Serendipity 3

Famous for its over-the-top fare, especially its unique deserts, Serendipity 3 has been serving New Yorkers since 1954 and is most notorious for the invention of Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Jackie Kennedy, who frequented the restaurant, once asked for the recipe to serve the drink at the White House and was denied. The drink can be ordered plain or with specialty add-ins, such as Peanut Butter Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, S’mores Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, or Frrrozen Hot Strawberry White Chocolate. While a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate dessert beverage is affordable, Serendipity 3 holds the Guinness World Record for Most Expensive Dessert. The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate is made in partnership with the luxury jeweler Euphoria of New York, is decorated with 5 g of 23- carat edible gold, and costs $25,000.

Stays

New Yorkers know the value and luxury of space, and the hotels in the city place a value on that luxury, whether you’re staying at a high-end or more economical location. Manhattan gives you access to the heart of the city, while New York’s outer boroughs can provide a way to see the city the way many locals live and view some of its lesserknown marvels.

Bowery Hotel

If you've read the liner notes on Taylor Swift's latest albums "folklore" and "evermore," the word "Bowery" may look familiar as the last name of William, credited as a co-writer on "exile," "betty," "champagne problems," and "coney island." Clever Swifties, who decode Swift's Easter eggs, uncovered "William Bowery" is a pseudonym for Swift's boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. "William Bowery" combines the names of Alwyn's composer great-grandfather, William, and the name of the Bowery Hotel, where he and Swift went on one of their first public dates in 2016. The Bowery Hotel is famous for its art-deco-inspired lobby where New York's most creative gather. Your favorite writer is probably there now, working on their next best-seller in one of the bar's velvet sofas. The ground floor houses Gemma, an Italian restaurant that rivals the best in the city. After indulging one of Gemma's luscious pizzas, take the elevator to your room, preferably on one of the top floors. The guest rooms floor-to ceiling windows contrast the lobby's dimly lit interiors and showcase the best views of the Lower East Side.

Ink 48 Hotel

Located inside a repurposed printing press from the 1930s, the Ink 48 Hotel pays homage to its printing past while providing affordable hotel accommodations in Manhattan. The Press Lounge located on the hotel's 16th-floor features stunning views of the Hudson and the Manhattan skyline from Hell's Kitchen and is a perfect place to mingle after dinner at Ink 48's in-house restaurant, Print. Print's menu is updated daily to accommodate ingredients collected from local farmer's markets, regional farms, and other artisan purveyors. With its colorful Mid-Century Modern-inspired decor, the Ink 48 Hotel is the perfect location to stay in the city.

The Plaza

No hotel is more New York than the Plaza Hotel. And its location on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South is as posh as the hotel itself. Recognizable names such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tommy Hilfiger have called the hotel home, and notable guests have flocked to the hotel since its opening in 1907, when it became the most expensive hotel in the city's history. Even if you're not a guest, it is worth stopping to see the inside of one of New York City's most glamorous sites to have afternoon tea at the hotel's Palm Court. After visiting The Plaza, walk next door to The Paris Theater, a single-screen theater that opened in 1948 and screens old movies. Or take a trip to W 44th Street to watch Neil Simon's play, "Plaza Suite," which reopens on Broadway this winter, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Previews begin Feb. 25.

The Williamsburg Hotel

Walking into The Williamsburg Hotel feels distinctly Brooklyn. The exposed brick, hearth fireplace, herringbone wood floors, and velvet seating gives the hotel a fun, edgy feel. Within walking distance of the subway and in Brooklyn's most lively neighborhood, the hotel is surrounded by great restaurants and shops to explore during your stay. The Carlyle Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs were once in the same elevator car at The Carlyle when Princess Diana broke into "Beat It" before the three-headed their separate ways when arriving on the ground floor.

The Carlyle

Only ay The Carlyle is it uncommon to hear a story like that. The Carlyle has been a favorite among stars since its opening in 1930, looking for discreet, glamorous, and comfortable fun in the city. The Carlyle's Bemelmans Bar contains murals from Ludwig Bemelmans, who painted the bar's walls when it first opened in the 1940s. Bemelmans was the writer and illustrator of the Madeline children's books, and his work at The Carlyle is the only public surviving commission of his work. Bemelmans has a lively live music scene and is famous for its piano music. Bono, Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper, Liza Minelli, Billy Joel, and John Mayer have all made impromptu performances on the Bemelmans' piano keys. The 2018 documentary "Always at The Carlyle" tells the story of the iconic hotel from the perspective of the hotel's employees and those who frolic it, including George Clooney, Jon Hamm, Naomi Campbell, Anthony Bourdain, and Wes Anderson. As a guest, you can experience the old New York glamour yourself.

Music

New York’s music scene is as diverse as the people who call the city home. There is a little bit of everything. As a Mecca for culture, the biggest names and acts can be found playing in small clubs billed with up-and-coming acts.

Carnegie Hall

Musicians know they have made it when they get to grace one of Carnegie Hall’s three stages, often argued as the most prestigious concert venue in the United States. Carnegie Hall was home to the New York Philharmonic from 1892 until 1962, and while it is known for its classical sound, artists such as Jay-Z, Pink Floyd, The Kinks, and Frank Zappa have all graced the stage at Carnegie Hall. Located in the heart of Midtown, Carnegie Hall’s Renaissance Revival architectural beauty stands out as much on the streets as it does inside. In 1962, it was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Blue Note Jazz Club

On any given night at the Blue Note, you will find legendary and up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and funk artists playing to an intimate crowd in the heart of Greenwich Village. Lucky crowds have seen artists such as Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, and Quincy Jones make surprise appetencies on the Blue Note stage. There are two shows every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., and a late-night show on Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30 a.m. There is also an extensive dinner menu for hungry attendees, including lobster ravioli and New York strip steak.

Brooklyn Steel

Brooklyn Steel, a 1,800 capacity music venue in East Williamsburg, opened on April 6, 2017, to a five-night run of sold-out LCD Soundsystem shows. The venue instantly became a favorite among New Yorkers, and in 2018, it was named in a top 10 list of best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone. Constructed in a former steel manufacturing plant, steel from the building was repurposed to build the venue and give it a unique industrial look.

The Apollo Theater

Harlem's Apollo Theater is known for jumpstarting careers of legendary entertainers and introducing New York to jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul music. The music venue's influence on Black music history has made the Apollo a cultural icon. James Brown's first live album, "Live at the Apollo," released in 1963, was ranked number 25 on Rolling Stone's 2003 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time," "A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo..." closed out season three of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and since opening its doors in 1914, has showcased artists from Sammy Davis Jr. to Billie Holiday. Historical tours of the Apollo are given by reservation only Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and provide a behind-the-scenes look at "Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made!" But to truly experience the Apollo, attend an Amateur Night performance, a tradition that started in 1934. Legendary performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, and H.E.R., launched their careers on the Apollo Amateur Night stage. There's a good chance you will see the next big thing.

Village Underground

What once was Gerde's Folk City, a popular music venue for folk-rock artists like Bob Dylan in the 1960s, became the Village Underground when Café Wha? owner, Noam Dworman, and his business partner George Buchalter decided to purchase the venue to keep the space a music haven in Greenwich Village. Blues, hip-hop, folk, and comedy acts regularly take the stage.

Radio City Music Hall

Nicknamed "The Showplace of the Nation," over 300 million people have sat in the Radio City audience to enjoy a concert, stage show, movie, award show, or one of the many other special events put on each year at Radio City Music Hall. Despite a failing economy, after the stock market crash in 1929, John D. Rockefeller Jr. decided to partner with the Radio Corporation of America to build on a 24-year lease of property he held in "the speakeasy belt" of Midtown Manhattan. Rockefeller Jr. and the Radio Corporation of America were joined by the creative powerhouse, S.L. "Roxy" Rothafel, known for developing the silent film industry. And together, with their different strengths, they made Radio City Music Hall what it is today. A beautiful entertainment venue, gifting the city with high-quality entertainment every day.

Culture

New York is defined by its multi-cultural population that brings different styles of art, music, food, and traditions to the “city that never sleeps.” The city is a melting pot of ideas and the love New Yorkers share of the city.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Known for its annual costume gala, The Met is one of the world's largest and finest art galleries. Walking into The Met is like walking into a history book as it is home to over 5,000 years of art from around the world, such as the paintings "Washington Crossing The Delaware," "The Dance Class," and Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait With Straw Hat" are all housed in the renowned museum. Even if you are not an art and/or history buff, everyone should experience The Met at least once in their lives.

The Subway

No public transportation is as iconic as New York's subway transit system. While it may not be as glamorous as Bentley car service, it is much more efficient and the best way to experience New York like a local. Type where you want to go in the Maps app and choose "transit." The app will show you exactly which train you need to take to get to your destination. You can purchase a MetroCard, which you use as payment for the subway, in any subway station. You know you're a real New Yorker when you have mastered the MetroCard swipe.

The High Line

What may be the coolest linear public park is Manhattan's High Line, a 1.45-mile-long elevated park and greenway created around a former New York Central Railroad spur. CSX Transportation donated the railroad structure to the City of New York, and in 2009, the first section of The High Line opened to the public, and in 2019, the last remaining section of the rail structure opened as a public space. The park runs from Gansevoort Street to the northern edge of the West Side Yard on 34th Street.

See a Show

From On-Broadway performances to Off- Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, comedy clubs, to the street performers in Midtown, New Yorkers love to entertain. The best live show experiences live in the city. Look for what’s currently playing, or if you don’t have a specific show in mind, head to Times Square. The TKTS booth is under the red steps is a reputable source that sells discount tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway performances. If the comedy scene is more your style, an improv show at the Upright Citizens Brigade or a stand-up show at the Comedy Cellar will not disappoint.