Where to Visit In New York City

Let's round out New York City Week with the most typical of all typical posts: what you need to see and where you need to go in New York. My favorite joke is that I don't go above 14th Street in Manhattan, which is actually kind of true but we really don't need to talk about that. 

Do I have specific sights you need to see in every neighborhood? Hell no. I just like to walk around and take in all there is about New York in all of its smelly, kind of trashy, but still lovely glory. Sometimes you don't need an agenda to live your life in the city, even if you're on a short visit. There's so much to see and do that it's almost overwhelming. You just have to sit back, chill, and let your feet take you wherever you want to see.

Or like, to these vague spots aka just neighborhoods that you need to see. Or at least, that you should probably see if you're into avoiding the Hell on Earth that is Midtown.

West Village, Greenwich Village, Where Do the Boundaries Begin and End?

Look, New York City neighborhood divisions are muddy and confusing so I have no idea where or if these neighborhoods overlap but just type in one of them on Google Maps and hope for the best! Go to the west side of town and walk around the street off of the grid and get really confused and lost. Trust me, even when you're kind of lost in the city, there's so much to see or do. But also like, use Google Maps. 

East Village

This is my favorite neighborhood in the entire city and I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT! I love the East Village. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Veselka is in the East Village but that's neither here nor there. There's something so cool and unkempt about the East Village and if I could afford to live there, I would. But sadly, I cannot, so I just walk through it as often as I can to pretend.

Williamsburg and Greenpoint

Sue me, I'm biased. Do I technically live in Greenpoint but on the Williamsburg border and spend way too much of my time in these two Brooklyn hubs on the weekened when I'm too lazy to commute into Manhattan? Maybe. But they have spunk! They have character! They have amazing food! Williamsburg is significantly less hipster-y now and is more trendy (if you're looking for hipster, go to Bushwick or whatever) and Greenpoint is just all around adorable and super, super Polish. We stan a Polish queen!

DUMBO

If you want the most incredible view of the city, you know where to go! Dumbo is fun to go to for the views but for a poor 23-year-old like me, there's not a ton for me to do down there. But like, THE VIEWS GUYS, THE VIEWS! It's always worth the tricky trip down there in my opinion and no matter how many times I complain about the difficulty to get down there, especially from my apartment, I will still always take people who want to go because COME ON, THE VIEW!!!!!

The High Line

So, if the East Village is my favorite neighborhood, Chelsea is easily the closest possible second there ever was. I love Chelsea. I used to live and breathe Chelsea when I visited because I didn't know how to use the subway system properly until I was in college visiting. So yeah, I love The High Line in all of its beautiful outdoor glory!

Bryant Park

I don't go to Midtown very often and try to avoid it like the plague, but there are little pockets of joy even in the worst places on earth and Bryant Park is one of them. Plus, there's a Bluestone Lane nearby so pick yourself up an iced coffee, head the park, and do some of your best people watching! Because really, why come to the city if you're not going to people watch, right?

The Met

I'm not a museum person by any means but come on, it's the Met for godssake. Live your best Gossip Girl life and sit on the steps or take a long stroll around the museum until your legs or eyes can't take it anymore!

Soho, Nolita, and Little Italy

I spend a majority of my time in these areas mostly because it's where I work and where I'm comfortable, but come on, how can you resist the trendiness of the 'hood? Get yourself some cannoli and pasta in Little Italy or take all of the Instagram photos your heart desires in the depths of Soho and Nolita and hey, where do these neighborhoods intersect again?

Central Park

I'm sorry, but need I say more? If you don't dedicate at least three hours to Central Park, you're missing out. It's where you need to escape if you're sick of all of the concrete and need some nature even if you actually hate nature because honestly, buildings on buildings on buildings can get exhausting even if you are a city girl.

Battery Park

If you don't want to go all the way to Ellis Island or go on the Staten Island Ferry (I don't blame you), you can get a view, albiet in the very distance, of the Statue of Liberty. I love Battery Park during the summer so I'd highly recommend saving your trip for the warmer days so you can take advantage of the breeze by the water!