Washington Street, Grand Street, and Sinatra Drive are lined with restaurants, shops, and eateries to take in and explore.
When Josh was 4 years old, he celebrated his birthday in the Liberty Science Center. Today, the museum holds up as an excellent science museum for families to enjoy. LSC boasts a fantastic planetarium and dozens of interactive exhibits for kids and adults to enjoy.
Julia had to give a shout out to ol' blue eyes. If you're looking for a solid brunch spot in Hoboken, check out The Blue Eyes Restaurant for an excellent waterfront brunch made up of excellent Italian food. While you're there, be sure to snap a pic with the Frank Sinatra statue nearby.
Yes, the bakery from "Cake Boss."
As Julia and Josh are both proud of their family's immigrant heritages, they both encourage taking the ferry to Ellis Island. The museum is fantastic and when it's a nice day out, it's a solid spot for a waterfront picnic.
Josh was obsessed with dinosaurs and animals as a kid and adored exploring the fossils and skeletons showcased at the Natural History Museum. The museum still holds up as an exciting attraction for kids and families, and is perfectly located by Central Park, making it an excellent side activity for any picnic or park walk.
If you're looking for a solid brunch or low key dinner, check out the pub where Julia and Josh had their first date, the Penny Farthing. With delicious food and an excellent happy hour (including $5 espresso martinis on Wednesdays & $5 Aperol spritzes on Thursdays) it's the perfect spot for a quick sit-down bite.
(Just be careful on Friday or Saturday nights — it gets a bit packed.)
Wanna see where Julia and Josh began their wedding journey? Head to the Beauty Bar, where any cocktail you buy comes with a free manicure. Not only are the drinks excellent but check their schedule for dancing, stand up comedy, burlesque, or even a surprise film screening. Have a drink at the dive bar where Josh got down on one knee and proposed to Julia.
You'll have no trouble finding fantastic independent movie theaters in New York, but if you can only visit one, check out the Film Forum. Julia and Josh watched their first movie together at the Film Forum, and have frequented the theater for director Q&As, revivals, restorations, and showcases of indie, arthouse, and foreign cinema. If you're lucky, you may check out a film with live musical accompaniment.
When it comes to Italian pastries, Julia knows you need to go to Veniero's. Frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Al Pacino, and Liza Minnelli, Veniero's is perfect for either sit down or a grab-and-go of any small bite + coffee. Julia typically goes for tiramisù, affogato, or gelato, and if you REALLY want something special, head to Russo's next door for a fresh ball of mozzarella.
A personal favorite of Josh's, Veselka is perfect brunch of dinner for anyone seeking unique Ukrainian food. Be sure to grab some pierogis while checking out the gorgeous murals, you won't be disappointed.
Julia does not mess around when it comes to Italian food. If she says it's legit, it's legit. If you're looking for fresh pasta that won't destroy your bank account, check out San Marzano.
If you're looking for a quieter speakeasy, head to the Angel's Share where Julia and Josh shared a quick drink on their first date. They stumbled upon the speakeasy while trying to escape the cold, and it was here where they shared their first kiss.
You can experience Julia's excitement for the pre-code era in one of the last true active speakeasies from the Prohibition era, The Back Room. Tucked away underground, The Back Room features drinks served in real tea cups and live swing dancing on Mondays, making for a fun Roaring Twenties evening.
You're waking up, you need coffee, a bagel, and lox. Josh will tell you, Russ & Daughters is where you need to go. You can also bring home some babka, along with some herring filets with onion & cream sauce. It's the perfect way to start the day, but get there early to dodge the line.
Josh would be remiss if he didn't mention his favorite Jewish bakery, Korn's. It's his regular spot for grabbing challah for Shabbat, along with the freshest rugelach, babka, and the best Baltimore-originated chocolate tops you'll ever find.
For a quiet afternoon, Julia and Josh love exploring art galleries around SoHo, usually coupled with brunch or a small picnic. A personal favorite of theirs is the Park West Gallery, featuring a fantastic collection of pop art. Whether they feature contemporary artists like Miguel Paredes or classics like Peter Max, the Park West is excellent for a quieter afternoon.
When Josh first moved to New York, his first job was at the legendary Blue Note Jazz club as a humble gift shop clerk. While there he rubbed shoulders with legends like Robert Galsber, Ron Carter, Mos Def, GZA, Chris Botti, and many more, all the while giving guests NY recommendations that weren't just tourist traps. Catch a show if you can.
Partial to off broadway shows and theater, Julia and Josh typically enjoy checking out the lineup of the Caveat in the Village. Some of their favorite shows include the storytelling series Risk and the comedy series Drunk Bollywood, but there's tons of stand up comedy, trivia, improve, and drag shows to choose from.
While Julia and Josh don't encourage getting so hyped that you're too tired for their wedding, they won't stop you either. House of Yes is their usual dancing spot, featuring fantastic disco and house DJs, lots of burlesque, drag, and aerial work, and an overall welcoming vibe. House of Yes is the perfect way to end any evening.
Josh is a wrestling fan, and while the bigger companies like WWE and AEW continue to maintain a strong following, he's always encouraging people to support local independent promotions, namely House of Glory (HOG). Owned by Master P and showcasing modern legends like Swerve Strickland, The Hardy Boyz, Joe Hendry, Konosuke Takeshita, Jacob Fatu, The Lucha Brothers, and El Hijo del Vikingo (alongside dozens of excellent young up-and-comers), House of Glory always promises a fantastic evening of wrestling.