FAVE SPOTS IN NYC

MANHATTAN

Central Park. https://www.centralparknyc.org/ The lake! The carousel! The Ramble! The bridge over the other lake with a view of the San Remo! (Ghostbusters fans take note.) Bonus: DOGS! Lots of DOGS!

MoMA. https://www.moma.org/ and The Met https://www.metmuseum.org/ Go see an exhibit! Maybe two! Tell people you thought the Richard Serra was “magnificent” but the Picasso, “Totally overrated.” Say it with the bored inflection of a real New Yorker.

The Hudson River Park. https://hudsonriverpark.org/ Go for a walk along this river pathway that stretches from Chelsea up to Hell’s Kitchen. Bonus: More dogs.

Little Island https://littleisland.org/ and Pier 57 https://pier57nyc.com/ Visit the cool “mushroom” park with views of lower Manhattan, then walk over to Pier 57 and experience a smorgasbord of culinary delights.

The Lower East Side & Little Italy. So much to see and do here, from Essex Market https://www.essexmarket.nyc/ and tons of shopping to street vendors, Bowery Ballroom https://mercuryeastpresents.com/boweryballroom/ if you want to catch a band, and our fave Mexican restaurant, Barrio Chino https://www.instagram.com/barriochinony/?hl=en

Rough Trade https://www.roughtrade.com/en-us/stores/new-york Go buy some vinyl. It’ll fit in your suitcase. And they have everything from ABBA to obscure Zen French Groove.

Vanguard Wine Bar https://www.vanguard-nyc.com/

Craft + Carry https://www.craftandcarry.beer/ and/or

Great Jones Distillery https://greatjonesdistillingco.com/ for when you need to slake a cocktail-hour thirst.

Bryant Park https://bryantpark.org/activities/holiday-shops & Union Square Holiday Markets https://www.nyctourism.com/shopping/union-square-holiday-market/ So many vendors (and tourists). But you’re here in December—why not cross off that holiday shopping?

The Theater District (TKTS). This is the place to stand on line for discount tickets day-of. Wear comfy shoes and bring a snack. https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/tkts-live/

Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg One of NYC’s best libraries, and that’s saying something! Afterwards, head up to Hamilton Heights to 70’s-themed Honey Well https://www.thehoneywellnyc.com/ and take a stroll through historic Sugar Hill.

The Many Bookstores! There’s Word right near the wedding venue: https://wordbookstores.com/ The Strand: https://www.strandbooks.com/ McNally Jackson https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/ Books Are Magic https://www.booksaremagic.net/ Books of Wonder (kids’ books)

Travel

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge

The Tillary Hotel Brooklyn