Are you coming from out of town? So did I (Rachel), and I've got the scoop for you! If you're in search of delicious places to eat or fun sights to see, check out some of my favorites below!

Good Eats

Dekalb Market - check out this spot close to our venue for a large variety of delicacies. Hungry for pierogies with dill and sauerkraut? Want to try an insane pastrami sandwich and pickles from Katz's? Maybe it's tacos or jerk chicken or ice cream or dumplings you're craving. Dekalb Market has you covered.

Coffee - There are a couple spots close to our venue that have delicious coffee. Try White Noise just a block away, or head down Livingston Street to Devocion and enjoy your light coffee among the trees and yellow chairs.

Debutea - This is just a couple blocks from our venue, and you must definitely try either the Coco Mango or the Milky Strawberry bubble tea. It's not cheap, but boy, is it delicious and refreshing.

Wonderpig - If you want to head a little deeper into Queens, check out my favorite Korean BBQ spot. Not only is it adorable, but it's also all you can eat, so you can stuff your face with pork belly and pickled radish and bulgogi and leave fat and happy. Just be smarter than me and order in stages, because the servings are larger than I expected, and you have to eat it all on the spot or be charged for your leftovers.

Birrialandia - Would you like to have your life changed by tacos? I thought so. Check out these taco trucks, and thank me later. There's one in Williamsburg, not too far from our venue, and another in Jackson Heights, close to LaGuardia Airport. They do just one kind of taco - birria tacos - and they do them right. If you leave New York and crave these forever, don't say I didn't warn you.

Xing Fu Tang - Only the best bubble tea you'll ever have. If you're heading into Manhattan or Flushing, make a stop by Xing Fu Tang, and try their brown sugar bubble tea. They roast the boba with the brown sugar, so you take a sip and it's an explosion of caramelized sugar and milk and wonderfulness on your tastebuds. You won't regret it, and you might find yourself heading there again the next day.

Sight-seeing

Brooklyn Heights Promenade - If you're looking for a nice little walk, head toward the Promenade about 6 blocks away from our venue. It's a beautiful stroll through old brownstones and brick apartments, leading to the Promenade which overlooks the East River and gives you a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Start at the south end of the Promenade and stroll to the north, then take the overpass across the highway, which will land you down by the piers and parks under the Brooklyn Bridge. If you time it right, you can catch a sunset over the Manhattan skyline.

Brooklyn Bridge - It's always a pleasure. My favorite is to walk it at dusk and watch the city lights turn on. Ask my Dad to accompany you, and he'll give you a great history lesson on the building of the bridge, to boot!

Central Park - It may be a cliche, but it's cliche for a reason. In October, it's particularly glorious. Start at the south side and stroll north through the Literary Walk, which lands you at the Bethesda Terrace, my favorite spot in the park. There are almost always live musicians there, and so many interesting artists to watch.

The Met - If you're an art lover, you really can't visit NYC without making time to explore this massive museum. It takes at least half a day to do it any justice, but if you're in a hurry, at least check out the Greek and Roman statues, and the European paintings.

NYC Public Library - If you want a museum experience but you'd like it to be free, take a bit of time to explore the Library, located in Bryant Park. The building is one of the most beautiful in the city, in my opinion. Bryant Park is also a fun place to hang once you're done, and there's lots of great food nearby.

Washington Square Park - It's my favorite park in the city because it's always so full of interesting people watching. Go first to Pommes Frites, get yourself a massive paper cone of Belgian french fries with some parmesan & peppercorn sauce, then sit in the park and people-watch as you eat them. After a while, head back down to Macdougal Street and get yourself an earl grey ice cream cone from Van Leeuwen. It's the perfect evening.

The Strand - You thought I wouldn't sneak in a bookstore? The Strand boasts 18 miles of books, and you can spend hours browsing its four floors. It's also close to Bagel Bob's, my favorite little bagel spot in the city, and Blue Bottle Coffee, which although it's a chain, is a very delicious chain. :D

I hope you enjoy your stay in New York City!