A Visit to Classic NYC

WALK everywhere! There is no better way to experience NYC than to walk it. You'll be surprised by how far you get and what you discover along the way. It's urban hiking!

Jazz is a must for me when in NYC. And there are so many great jazz clubs to choose from. I am partial to Smoke Jazz & Supper Club on the Upper West Side, as it feels like a local pub. Smoke Jazz Club rose to fame as one of NYC’s most iconic spots with cool vibes and classic and modern jazz. And you can't go wrong with Blue Note, Birdland or Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Step down into the Comedy Cellar for some good ol´ belly laughs! From Amy Schumer to Chris Rock to Nikki Glaser, all the greats started here and still will drop in from time to time.

There is an endless amount of amazing art to see in NYC. From museums to galleries to public art, you will not be at a loss for visual stimulation. I love the Whitney downtown, the MoMA, the galleries in SoHo and any sculpture I run into on the streets.

If you love a real book, as I do, you will be thrilled with the bookstores around the city. The Strand Bookstore was founded in 1927 and is widely praised for its selection, prices and knowledgeable staff. You can spend hours roaming around the "miles of books" in this East Village shop. People say it feels like you wandered into your best friend’s library, where you can read for hours. The store also hosts readings by speakers who've included Jonathan Franzen, Toni Morrison, Julian Barnes, Maya Angelou, Kazuo Ishiguro and Raymond Carver, to name just a few. And if you're passing by the NY Public Library or The Morgan Library & Museum, go inside! Not only for the books but for the stunning art and architecture.

Everyone goes to Central Park, and for good reason. This 834-acre urban park has everything from running and biking paths, to horse stables, ponds for boating and fishing, museums and a zoo. Take a walk through the Ramble and enjoy the silence of nature, take a picnic on the Great Lawn and watch the world pass by.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take in the view of Manhattan! Take a ferry or walk back across to the city.

Need to unwind? Head to the Wall Street Bath for steam, massage, scrub, cold plunge and a platza. I love this place. You can spend an hour or the day here wandering from one heavenly room to the next. Top it off with lunch at their restaurant.

Katz's Deli is a New York City institution. Founded in 1888, the downtown deli is known for its pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, knishes, pickles and that old-school NYC vibe. I always get a table so I can sit and take in the nostalgia-filled room. Go for lunch so you have the day to walk off your feast.

I don't go to New York without going to Zabar's. I love everything about this Upper West Side specialty food shop, from its lox to its babkas to its house blends of coffee. The bonus stop is next door for a bagel & lox.

The most perfectly quintessential café is nestled in Greenwich Village, Café Reggio. This place brings back all those 90s coffee shop vibes when we all sat and talked and drank coffee all day long...before that pesky internet took over our lives. Take an hour, relax and enjoy.

Ever been to a bar that only serves two choices of beer? Then get to McSorley's in the East Village, where you decide between a light or a dark beer. So simple and so worth it. An NYC legend, McSorley's has been around since 1854 and dubbed the oldest Irish bar in NYC. Known for its dark wood interior and sawdust floors, McSorley's is a great place for a mid-day beer break.

In the heart of SoHo, you will find Blue Ribbon Brasserie. It's open seven days a week, and is open late, making it a popular spot for anyone looking for a terrific meal and a lively atmosphere. It's known for its classic American menu focusing on steak and seafood: the menu features dishes like lobster rolls, oysters Rockefeller and dry-aged New York strip steak. I suggest a cozy booth and settling in for a long dinner. The best!

Upper East Siders love their burger joints. And they do it right. JG Melon is an intimate pub, where locals go for a burger and beer. Their burgers are simple but made with the best ingredients. Alternatively, you can't go wrong with PJ Clarke's, another lively pub with mouth-watering burgers and a great bar scene.

Delmonico’s, which sits on a triangle-shaped corner near Wall Street, opened in 1837 as the first fine-dining restaurant in the US. It was the first to have a printed menu, separate tables and tablecloths. Famous classics such as Delmonico steak, eggs benedict, baked Alaska and lobster newburg were all born here. This is serious old-school dining in a landmark steakhouse.

Check out the shops in Chinatown, then flee the crowds for an authentic and inexpensive Vietnamese or Thai meal on Baxter Street. On this little side street, no-frills restaurants are filled with locals slurping up pho beef noodle soup, summer rolls, barbecued pork and other classics.

Balthazar is a must for me when in SoHo. This classic French brasserie is always what you need it to be, with delicious steak frites, moules frites, onion soup, loaves of bread and pastries. Sit and enjoy the atmosphere or pick up a takeaway.

Located in the lower concourse of Grand Central, the Grand Central Oyster Bar serves over 25 varieties of oysters daily. The Oyster Bar is also famous for its architecture. The beautiful arched tile ceilings are the work of famed Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino, who left his unique stamp across NYC. Take a seat at one of the U-shaped counters, bustling with activity. While there are several other oyster bars in the city, the Grand Central Oyster Bar offers a piece of New York history, like stepping back in time.