NEW YORK CITY GUIDE PART 5

Down Town New York

TIP - Travel to NYC in winter! I had an intense love for New York City that I almost left my family and moved there with my my husband! But first I wanted to see what the summer in NYC was like, so we vacationed in summer and it was the best thing I ever did because WOW did my opinion change! It's so so so hot so hot that you don't want to do anything because your all sticky and sweaty and there is no where to go to cool off! It just didn't have that magical feeling at all and Manhattan is fine but head to Brooklyn or Queens and you feel like your life will end although some parts in Brooklyn are amazing (we stayed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) but your always on alert and I think that's why no one leaves Manhattan (and staying on that island 24/7 would make me feel claustrophobic!). I hate summer but I know it wasn't that because I would go to LA over and over again in summer but NYC... I'm in no rush what so over to go back! That's HUGE for me to say as I was literally obsessed and I guess visiting Europe after didn't help either.
But the memories of the holidays we spent in winter in NYC will always be some of the best cherished memories! NYC at Christmas time is something everyone should experience! 

On the bright side I found that eating healthy, organic and vegetarian was super easy in NYC, easier than eating fast food!

STAY

Hotel Americano
http://www.hotel-americano.com/?cat=14

The Standard Hotel - High Line
http://standardhotels.com/high-line

Mondrian Soho
https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/mondrian/mondrian-soho
(this place was incredible!)

Ace Hotel
http://www.acehotel.com/newyork?gclid=COb-xY3Fqr4CFRNwvAodfbIANg

The Jane Hotel
http://www.thejanenyc.com/

The Jade Hotel
http://www.thejadenyc.com/

EAT

Spotted Pig
http://thespottedpig.com/

Spice Market
http://www.spicemarketnewyork.com/
(the tofu is soooo good)

Pastis
http://www.pastisny.com/
(the mushroom and walnut ravioli!)

Balthazar
http://www.balthazarny.com/
(everything!!!!)

Max Brenner
http://maxbrenner.com/locations/usa/restaurant-nyc/?jsf=0e3cbf2d-5929-4b39-a259-677bbd675abd:47892
(so much better than Australia)

Magnolia Bakery
http://www.magnoliabakery.com/
(The best cupcakes and Red Velvet Cheesecake!)

Buddakan
http://www.buddakannyc.com/

The Meatball Shop
http://themeatballshop.com/
(they even have vegetarian ones!!!)

George Town Cupcakes
https://www.georgetowncupcake.com/menu.html
(these are sooooo goood! Chocolate mint fudge & peanut butter fudge!)

Cafeteria
http://www.cafeteriagroup.com/

T.G.I.Friday's - Union Square Park
https://www.tgifridays.com/
(bruscetta pasta!!!!!!!)

Two Boots Pizza
http://www.twoboots.com/
(garlic knots - beyond amazing)

Dean and Deluca - SOHO
http://www.deandeluca.com/?gclid=CMOahPTUqr4CFdgjvQodzTgA9g
(everything - so fresh and tasty)

Sushi Samba
http://sushisamba.com/explore/menus

Momofuku
http://momofuku.com/

Cipriani - Downtown
http://www.cipriani.com/en/services/restaurants/cipriani-downtown

Financier
http://www.financierpastries.com/

DRINK

Boom Boom Room
http://standardhotels.com/high-line/food-drink/the-top-of-the-standard
(you will most likely find a celeb here)

Gold Bar
http://www.goldbarnewyork.com/

The Gansevoort - Meat Packing

http://www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com/hotels/gansevoort-meatpacking-nyc/

1OAK
http://1oaknyc.com/

Tenjune
http://www.tenjunenyc.com/

Greenhouse
https://www.facebook.com/GreenhouseNYC

Griffin
http://thegriffinny.com/

SEE

Washington Square Park

If your lucky - watch a baseball match under the Manhattan Bridge.

Hubby & I love to just walk around and we stumbled upon a game! 

Chelsea Market
http://www.chelseamarket.com/

China Town

Little Italy

Union Square Park

Statue of Liberty
(you can see her from Battery park or get a free ferry if you don't want to do the tours)

Wall Street

DO

Walk along the High Line

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
(type in Brooklyn in the search box at the bottom of my blog page to see my city guide on Brooklyn)
THE MOST MAGICAL THING I'VE EVER DONE!
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge just before sunset and watching in set whilst on the bridge was so perfect I couldn't believe it was real! It was beyond amazing and beautiful! We also seen a couple taking wedding photos and they got everyone on the bridge to join in! So fun!

Walk around the Meatpacking district at sunset!
(I love the Meatpacking District - seeing it change from day to night is so gorgeous!)

Walk along the Hudson River and see everyone either playing basketball, tennis, jogging, tanning, gardening or skateboarding! 

Have a workout session in the Outdoor Gym!
https://foursquare.com/v/east-river-park-outdoor-gym/4c5560f8f5f3d13a30a7aafb

SHOP

SOHO
 (You will find everything from Bloomingdales to Opening Ceremony, DASH,  Zimmermann & Louis Vuitton)

Century 21
http://www.c21stores.com/
Major designer discounts!

Trader Joe's
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Speciality grocery store - the best!

Winter Garden Plaza
http://brookfieldplaceny.com/eng_content/winter_garden_and_plaza-28484.html

Photos from my trips can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/elena.scaccianoce/media_set?set=a.10150938619913041.420455.580073040&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/elena.scaccianoce/media_set?set=a.499668688040.265679.580073040&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/elena.scaccianoce/media_set?set=a.499668583040.265678.580073040&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/elena.scaccianoce/media_set?set=a.207210833040.130477.580073040&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/elena.scaccianoce/media_set?set=a.207115578040.130449.580073040&type=3