A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting NYC

Day one:

Central Park: Enter the park on the southern end across from the Plaza Hotel. There are endless activity options. Is it wintertime? The pond in the southeast corner turns into a picturesque skating rink.

Animal lover? Head a few blocks north on the Fifth Avenue side and visit the Central Park Zoo.

Exit through the Vanderbilt Gate at 5th Avenue, and you’re on the Museum Mile. Depending on your particular interests, you could check out The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum or the Museum of the City of New York. On the Central Park West side is the American Museum of Natural History, if that’s more your vibe.

Times Square: To be honest, Times Square is one of my least favorite places in the universe — it is crowded, it is loud and everyone is trying to sell you something. However, if you’ve never been to New York City before, it is a rite of passage. Check it out, take some pics, but then get out of there.

Go see a Broadway show: If you’re a musical theater fan, you can buy tickets in advance online to whichever show your little heart desires. If you don’t really care what you see, stop by the TKTS booth while you’re stopped in Times Square to get discounted tickets to a same-day show. Pro tip: Check your tickets at the booth to make sure they’re for the show you asked for and you don’t accidentally end up at a play that is 90% in Mandarin with subtitles.

Day two:

Grab a New York Bagel and a coffee, then take a stroll along The Highline, an abandoned elevated rail line on the lower west side of Manhattan that has been transformed into a lush garden walking path

Pay respects at the 9/11 Memorial. This is one of the most moving monuments I’ve ever experienced. It really allows you to take in the enormity and scope of the tragedy. Everyone should visit at least once.

Visit the Top of the Rock: The Empire State Building has an iconic observation deck at the top that has been featured in countless television shows and meetings. But if you’re on the Empire State Building, you can’t see the Empire State Building. Instead, head over to Rockefeller Center and go to the Top of the Rock. The views are just as gorgeous as from the Empire State Building, but you get the added benefit of seeing the Empire State Building as part of the skyline.

Day three:

Meander across the pedestrian path on the Brooklyn Bridge for more iconic views of the city.

Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and visit the Ellis Island Museum to get insight into not only America’s history, but possibly even the history of your own family.

Dagon: One of the new hot-ticket restaurants, Dagon showcases Mediterranean food inspired by the cuisines of Israel and Tunisia. With an indoor-outdoor dining room featuring lush greenery, you can almost feel the sea breeze in your hair. Be sure not to skip the flatbreads!

Fresco by Scotto: Fresco is a family-run Midtown lunch or dinner spot. If you’re visiting in the summertime, you can enjoy their fancy outdoor Lemon Orchard area that includes actual lemon trees. The potato and zucchini chips with melted gorgonzola come highly recommended.

UVA: Upper East Side Italian restaurant. Home of the best truffle gnocchi I’ve ever experienced.

Lure Fishbar: Soho seafood destination. The menu has everything from raw bar options to sushi to whole fish. You feel like you’re actually inside a luxury yacht. Great place for groups because of the giant banquettes.

Balthazar: Soho French cuisine. While you can’t really lose with any meal at Balthazar, my favorite is brunch.

Joe Allen: Midtown. Open since 1965, this theater-district staple has a constantly changing menu. Recommended by Ben Platt as an excellent pre-show dinner location.