There are so many amazing places to visit in the world, but hands down, my favorite summer weekend adventure will always be an escape to New York City. Street side brunches, rooftop bars, baseball games, street fairs, flowers are back in bloom, exploring the city without freezing your fingers off.. there’s nothing like it! There is SO MUCH to see all over New York, so this post is focused on Midtown Manhattan. Everything is either walking distance or a very short cab ride!
Stay
POD 51 Hotel
My best friend Lauren and I met in the city for the weekend and stayed at the POD 51 Hotel. It was such a great little spot, trendy, cute, and the most important thing in a hotel to me – clean! Plus, we opted for a room with bunk beds – how FREAKING fun is that?!? Yes, I’m aware that we never quite grew up, but we’re OK with it 🙂 We highly recommend this place for a fun, funky stay with some friends or even for a solo trip. Its perfect if you don’t expect to spend a lot of time in your room (they are very small). Plus, a really cool bar, Salvation Taco is connected to the lobby; not to mention they also had bagels and coffee for purchase which we took to go more than once! Even more, the hotel had an awesome rooftop bar we popped up to during the day for an amazing view to go with our breakfast from Salvation Taco. It’s also a super fun spot to hang out at for some drinks at night. There are a few POD hotels throughout the city, so definitely check one of them out for your next New York visit!
Brunch
Rosemary’s
Rosemary’s is a great little spot in the West Village that is open from 10am – midnight most days, so they serve brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, but we loved coming here for brunch. We sat outside overlooking the Jefferson Market Garden and people watched while we ate. The inside is really adorable as well, plus, something very interesting about Rosemary’s is there is a garden on top of the restaurant. We were sure to wander up to take a peek! Make sure you get the Lemon Ricotta Bombolini!
Sights
Roosevelt Island
If you’re looking for something a little different than the typical NYC tourist spots, a unique little adventure Roosevelt Island may be the perfect way to spend a sunny NYC summer afternoon! Roosevelt Island is a narrow island in New York City’s East River, wedged between Manhattan and Queens. The most fun part about visiting Roosevelt Island is the ride over. Using your MetroCard and for the price of a subway ride you can float high over the NYC Skyline and the East River on the Roosevelt Island Tramway. I have to say this was my favorite part about the visit! Roosevelt Island was occupied by the New York City Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1839 and a Smallpox Hospital which opened in 1856, the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital remain today, and we were able to get some great photos of this slightly creepy but magnificent structure. There is a beautiful strip along the west side of the island that faces Manhattan and makes for amazing views of the city. Cherry blossom trees line this strip and it also makes for fantastic photos in the Spring! At the end of the island is Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park and is another great spot to relax and take in the views of the East River.
Walk the High Line
The High Line was called the “West Side Elevated Line” at the time it was created in 1934. It was built to transport million of tons of meat, dairy, and produce and cut directly through some buildings, creating easy access for factories like the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) which is now the home of Chelsea Market. The use of the “West Side Elevated Line” dwindled until it started being demolished in the 60s. Finally in 2004 actions began taking place to turn the elevated line into a public park. Today it is nearly one and a half miles of space for art and public recreation. I love coming here during the summer for beautiful gardens, city views and great people watching!
Chelsea Market
If you’re in the Meatpacking District you have to make a stop at Chelsea Market to check out one of the greatest indoor food and retail marketplaces. Now the Chelsea Market, the structure was once the factory of the National Biscuit Company, or as most people know it, Nabisco! You can pick up fresh meat, fish or flowers, or stop in for a quick bite, this food hall has it all!
The Vessel
The Vessel is a new structure that was completed in the Hudson Yards in March 2019. It’s a giant, 150 foot tall beehive shaped structure comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs — almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings that visitors are free to explore. The Vessel offers amazing unique views of the city and the Hudson River. Fun fact: this structure cost the city $200 Million but it’s free for you to explore! Just make sure you reserve your spot!
Flatiron Building
If you’re in Midtown Manhattan you need to pass by the Flatiron Building, one of the most iconic structures of New York City that was completed in 1902. 22 Stories high and with its unique triangular shape, critics at the time believe that the building’s combined shape and height would cause it to fall down. More than 100 years later, the Flatiron Building is still standing!
Lunch and Day Drinking
Eataly
Right across from the Flatiron Building is the most amazing eatery, Eataly. It comprised of a fantastic market for fresh food of all kinds as well as little restaurants, a cafe, charcuterie board, pasta stations, just about anything you can think of that is Italian. As if this couldn’t get any better, there is a restaurant and bar on the top floor which is perfect for grabbing drinks and enjoying the summer afternoon.
Frying Pan
The Frying Pan is a super fun historic lightship built in 1929 that is docked at Pier 66 at WEST 26th Street in Hudson River Park. No longer a working lightship, the Frying Pan is now an awesome spot for nightlife, but personally I love hanging out in the afternoon for some drinks and lunch bites. It’s a great place to catch a cool breeze on a beautiful sunny day while taking in the NYC skyline.
Dinner
Refinery Rooftop
My favorite Midtown Manhattan spot for food and drinks is Refinery Rooftop. With tasty food, great drinks and amazing city views from the 13th floor Refinery Rooftop is a great spot for dinner or just hang out with some small bites and drinks. It’s a great atmosphere and an amazing view of the Empire State Building. Make sure you get the kale salad if you’re going light or the mac and cheese if you’re feeling a little glutenous!
Night Scene
Cafe Wha?
If you’re on the hunt to hang out and listen to some awesome music – this is your place! Cafe Wha? is a funky little underground bar in artsy Greenwich Village with a really cool history. It was at this bar that young performers Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor all got their start in the 1960’s. Today, make sure you get a reservation to see the house band for an amazing showcase of a mix of Motown, reggae, R&B, and classic/ alternative/ modern rock. Plus, Artichoke Pizza is right next door and open late – we definitely got a slice before… getting Insomnia Cookies (right across the street!) … before finally… going back to the hotel 🙂 This night was not conducive to the waistline but sometimes you just have to pay the price for a bomb night!
