New York City Ultimate Travel Guide

You will never run out of things to do or see in New York City! There is a reason people call NYC the city that never sleeps. With iconic landmarks and some of the country’s best museums, you can’t go wrong with a day (or week) in the Big Apple. You can’t find a better place in the world with a more diverse selection of cuisine and shopping. Each and every business and restaurant along the city streets are there for a reason (the rent is too damn high for them not to be good). If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be this great city, and with this guide, I will show you why. Read more for my ultimate NYC guide!
People at the tops of skyscrapers overlooking New York City skyline, holding hands
The word 'DESTINATIONS' in large, bold, salmon-colored letters on a black background.
Illustration of a circular photo of an outdoor café with red chairs and tables, above the word 'BROOKLYN' in large, bold, brown letters.
A logo with a circular image of feet looking down over Manhattan, New York City, above the word 'MANHATTAN' in large capital letters.

BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES

  • hamilton broadway playbill

    See a Broadway Show

    The NYC Theatre scene is world-renowned for a reason! Seeing a show on Broadway should be added to everyone’s New York Bucket List. We saw Hamilton last holiday season and it was truly life-changing.

  • View from a helicopter flying over Central Park and Manhattan in New York City, with the city skyline, bridges, and waterfront visible.

    Take a Helicopter Tour

    For adrenaline junkies, see the city from a different perspective and book a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour above the city. I highly recommend taking a doors-off helicopter experience in NYC because you will feel like a drone (if you can even describe that)…

  • A woman stands inside a skyscraper with a reflective glass floor, overlooking the New York City skyline including the Empire State Building. She wears black sunglasses, a black top, black leather pants, and a black jacket, with a small black purse, and touches her hair. Her reflection is visible in the glass floor and wall.

    Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

    See New York from a different perspective at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This brand-new exhibit in NYC will have you ascending 93 floors and stepping into an immersive, multi-sensory art experience with stunning panoramic views of the city.

  • A large Christmas tree decorated with multicolored lights and topped with a bright star, set against tall city buildings at night.

    Visit NYC during the holidays

    No words can describe the magic that is New York City during the holiday season. From skating in Rockefeller Center under the tree to browsing the window displays on Fifth Ave, you truly can’t beat this.

  • A woman smiling outdoors in front of city skyline with tall buildings, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a black sleeveless top, and a necklace, with a metal railing and green bushes in the foreground.

    Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art

    Gossip Girl here! IYKYK! Visiting the Met is a surreal artistic experience. With some of the world’s most famous art pieces viewable in the flesh, you will leave this building a changed human with a new appreciation of art. If you visit in the summer, do NOT miss the elevator to the roof of the museum. It is free and open to the public!

  • Interior of a modern airport terminal with a high, arched ceiling featuring a skylight. The space is filled with people walking, shopping, and waiting.

    Check out the Oculus

    If you take the subway to One World Trade Center, this is the train station you will exit into. It is a great place to stop and shop if you find yourself in the Financial District of the city.

  • A woman with blonde hair wearing a black jacket and pants standing on an observation deck overlooking New York City with a coin-operated viewing telescope beside her.

    Visit the Top of the Rock

    Book a ticket to the Top of the Rock for some of the most iconic views of New York City. Combine this with an NBC Backlot tour, and you will be living your best tourist life!

  • Plate of cavatelli pasta with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and black pepper.

    Indulge in NYC's fantastic food scene

    I think I eat carbs for every meal when I visit the city, but no shame. Calories don’t count on vacation? Check out my guide on where to eat in New York - tales from a local (aka my best friend).

  • City park with trees, people walking and sitting, and a fountain in the center. Tall buildings and skyscrapers in the background under a blue sky.

    Enjoy the various public parks

    There is just something about sitting on a park bench in New York alone and people-watching. There are so many fantastic parks full of incredibly interesting humans (HONY hellurrr??) My favorites are Washington Square Park, and Union Square Park (pictured).

  • A couple dancing outdoors under a rustic archway surrounded by greenery and trees, with the woman in a red dress and the man in a white shirt, during late afternoon or early evening.

    Stop and smell the flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

    Very near and dear to my heart is the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, as it is where my now fiance proposed to me. I had never visited prior to our engagement, but now I can’t stop thinking about how marvelous of a place it is to visit.

TRAVEL GUIDES

  • A woman with blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, a white off-shoulder top, and shorts, stands on rocks at the edge of the ocean with a black backpack and other belongings nearby. She is smiling and looking to the side as waves hit the rocks, with a hill on the right and a distant sailboat on the horizon under a clear blue sky.

    3 Days in Mykonos | Itinerary for Adventure & Fun

    Looking for.a mix of chill and party, Mykonos is totally your vibe. Check out how to spend the best three days in one of my favorite Greek Islands

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  • Close-up view of the Parthenon, an ancient Greek temple with large marble columns, some scaffolding and construction equipment, and a clear blue sky in the background.

    A First Timer's Guide to Athens | Best Itinerary for Adventurers

    Have you dreamt of visiting the land where Greek Mythology originated? A city full of history and culture, Athens is an absolute bucket list place for all travelers.

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  • A woman in a denim jacket and black dress sitting on a sailboat at sunset, holding a drink, with her arm raised joyfully.

    Santorini Bucket List Items | Must Do Items for a First Visit

    Santorini is one of the most majestic places on the planet. With out of this world views and a plethora of things to do—both adventurous and chill, you will love this place.

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