T & B's Guide to NYC

Travel Plans

Although trying to do everything in Manhattan would make a very, very busy weekend, a 4-day trip is more than enough time to casually see and eat your way through the city. This personalized itinerary is based on how you want to vibe in NYC and my personal experience.

A few notes:

• There's a lot of cool things to see and do that are completely free. Some of my favorite things to do are just to walk around and look at buildings or stumble into an art fair at Bryant Park.

• The subway is the best way to get around. You can download OMNY to use your phone / watch to pay for your fares. Personally, I like the physical card, and you can get a MetroCard at a MetroCard machine in most subway stations.

• While the ability to get a table for two isn't too tricky, making reservations for any place you absolutely want to eat at is the best way to go. It's going to be difficult to find anything under $10, but you can find a lot of good eats for around $50 a person.

• Also, download CityMapper. This is the best travel app to help you figure out to get from point A to point B using any sort of transportation.

Friday

Morning Arrive at LGA

Take Uber/Lyft to Manhattan

All-day Explore

Saturday

Morning Explore

7:15 PM Get to theatre

8:00 PM Chicago starts

10:45 PM Leave theatre

Sunday

All-day Explore

Monday

Morning Explore

Check-out of hotel

Depart LGA

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Hotel and Neighborhood

You're staying on the edge of Chelsea - New York's arts district with over 200 galleries in the neighborhood. You are centrally located to the bustling center of Times Square, the artistic vibes of SoHo, and piers of the Meatpacking District. You're going to be able to walk or take the Subway to anyway you want to go.

INNSiDE New York NoMad

Your hub to explore the city - INNSiDE boasts their unbeatable location. You're staying in a room with 2 double beds, a work area, and a TV with a USB port, Bluetooth, and Chromecast. You'll also have a shower+bathtub and an in-room coffee maker. Some key features for you to know:

• 24-hour gym and an E-Fitness room

• 24-hour reception

• Concierge to help you plan anything on the fly

• Bike rental, if you want to get around the city on 2 wheels

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Chicago the Musical

You're going to be right in the middle of Broadway action with the theatre's location. Before or after the show would be a good time to check out Times Square. That also means is the whole area will probably be busy from 5pm onwards.

Tip to Improve Bravolebrity Citing

A lot of actors get to their respective theatre about 45-60 minutes before show time. Since there's a matinee on Saturdays, they have about 2.5 hours of downtime, so they likely leave to eat. Cast members have a separate entrance that usually has them passing by the long-lines waiting to get in. I'm guessing the cast entrance is either in the parking garage or is part of this side door that's technically attached to another building.

Also, this is your Chicago orchestra. Make sure to cheer extra loud when the actors point down (or wherever) to recognize them.

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Exploring

Since your trip is pretty flexible, I'm going to list some ideas for you to explore during your time in NYC. I also put together an interactive Google Map for you to see where all these places are location - I tried to be intentional about showcasing stuff to do that's a reasonable distance from your hotel.

Free Things to Do

There's so much to do in NYC that's free. Here are some highlights.

• Walk the High Line - iconic elevated park and walking trail. The non-profit that manages the park also provides free tours.

• Chelsea Piers - see where the Titanic was supposed to dock

• The Vessel - closed in the winter, you can look at this deadly spiral staircase (cw)

• City Girls Who Walk - Every Sunday, women meet up to walk in Central Park

• Walk the Manhattan Bridge - do it for the 'gram

• Grand Central Terminal - a National Historic Landmark, see the Main Concourse and the Whispering Gallery

• Trinity Church - go look for Nick Cage and Hamilton's grave

• Central Park - pick 1 thing you want to see here to make it manageable (I picked geology) - you could easily spend an entire day here, if you wanted to. They offer paid tours that they recommend for first-timers.

• Who Ya Gonna Call? - go see the Ghost Busters building

Places to Visit

There's are places I recommend checking out. They're free to go in-to, but you'll likely be spending money on something once you're there.

• Harry Potter Store - there is usually a line to get inside. Plan on shopping, drinking Butterbeer, and doing some HP VR. Oh, and there's some pretty cool movie props sprinkled throughout.

• Starbucks Reserve - this is where rich mom's go

• The Strand - most famous independent bookstore in NYC

• Chelsea Flea Market - open every Saturday and Sunday

• The Evolution Store - like visiting a museum, but it's shopping

• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar - great views of the skyline and it's transformed into a winter Igloo and Gondola Bar this time of year

• Macy's - it's the largest store, so you gotta go inside

Experiences to Check Out

NYC has some cool stuff to do. Here are a few things you might want to do that cost extra.

• Drunk Shakespeare - watch 5 actors try to do the classics after doing a bunch of shots

• Orchid Show - 21st annual show at New York's Botanical Gardens

• Afternoon Tea at Alice's Tea Cup - think you'll meet the White Rabbit?

• Alexander Hamilton Tour - maybe you'll see his ghost

Eats

You probably have your own list, but here are some places I'd recommend that are worth checking out.

• Chelsea Market - this is the heart of the Chelsea food scene

• Allure's Bottomless brunch - 90 min of Mimosas, Bellinis, or Bloody's

• Empire Diner - Billy Joel sang about this place

• John's Pizzeria of Times Square - located in the former Gospel Tabernacle Church, which opened in 1881

• Rolf's German Restaurant - in here, it's always Christmas

• COSME - contemporary Mexican (+ Japanese and Italian)

• The Cauldron - Like Harry Potter, but real life

• Ellen's Stardust Diner - because musicians need 2nd jobs

• Risotteria Melotti - entirely GF, entirely authentically Italian, entirely stereotypically grumpy staff.

• Erin McKenna's Bakery - to OG store, entirely GF and vegan

• Senza Gluten by Jemiko - another entirely GF restaurant

• Friedman's at the Edison - almost anything can be GF, exceptional breakfast items

• Connolly's - casual Irish pub and restaurant

• Dos Caminos - Mexican food with made-to-order gauc

• Modern Bread and Bagel - entirely GF, apparently the best

• Inday Nomad - Indiana-inspired bowls, curries, and salads

• Berimbau - Midtown - easygoing Brazilian restaurant

Drinks

Even old-soul rich moms need to go out at least 1 night while in NYC.

• Coby Club - underground lounge with impromptu music

• The Overlook Bar - secret and immersive bar in the McKittrick Hotel

• The Portrait Bar - be bougie in a bar inspired by Italian villas

• Pine and Polk - the secret door to the speakeasy is behind the coca shelf

• Bathtub Gin - roaring '20s-inspired speakeasy with live jazz and burlesque

• The Manderley Bar - I'd tell you to go through the whole Sleep No More experience but I don't want to freak you out

Movie prop found at HP store

Strand sticker on floor

Sandwich from Senza Gluten

Outside of Erin McKenna's

The Vessel

Walking on the High Line

Dinner at John's Pizzeria

Trinity Church circa 2009