monday to friday in manhattan
Grand Central Terminal during rush hour.
places to see, things to do
day in the neighborhood
UNION SQUARE
10:30 AM - BRUNCH
12 PM - PARSON SCHOOL OF ART
KTOWN
8:00 PM - KARAOKE!
MIDTOWN
11:45 AM - LUNCH NOMS
12:30 PM - GRAND CENTRAL
1:30 PM - REMI’S FLOWER SHOP
2:30 PM - UNITED NATIONS
4 PM - ECLAIR DESSERT
escape the concrete
There are plenty of hidden gems hiding around and about the city - here are some of my favorite spots in Manhattan!
Bryant Park
oasis in the middle of manhattan
Bryant Park is a lively all year round and is a popular destination for folks visiting or working in Midtown West. From movies, the famed Shakespeare in the Park performances and Tai Chi lessons in the summertime to the popular Winter Village in winter, Bryant Park boasts a large number of recreational activities for all to enjoy.
Tudor City
gardens above 42nd
Tudor City is a hole in the wall neighborhood that is located above 42nd street. It is close to the United Nations Headquarters and seems out of place. You can wander around Tudor City, crash a weekly bookclub or enjoy gold hour and catch a surreal sunset over the always busy 42nd St with a clear view of the traffic to Time Square.
Governors Island
ferry away to the city island
Governors Island is an island in the Manhattan Harbor right off the southern tip and easily accessed from lower Manhattan (and Brooklyn) by ferry! Governor’s Island is (usually) open from late spring to fall. From hammocks to movie nights, Governor’s is a perfect day away from the city noise.
the high line
rail-line turned public art park
The High Line is one of my favorite places of all times. I like that is grows with the times. This park gives you the chance to stroll for 1.45 miles (with well placed pit stops) at your pace on TOP of Manhattan. There are is always a new surprise to enjoy and a good way to take a break from the city noise and traffic.
Central Park
manhattan’s green treasure
Central Park is a destination friendly for tourists and local alike. The park is massive and has enough of space for everyone to enjoy when they are looking for new adventures or just a break from the skyscrapers. You can take out row boats or bikes and find some castles if you are lucky.
A CITY WAKING UP
It was still early. The city was quiet. Thankfully it was still too cold for the birds to chirp up a storm. The morning chill was unexpected but welcomed. It was already the end of March, but Winter was reluctant to bid farewell. At least the snow was no longer clinging to the sidewalks. In about an hour the city that never sleeps will stretch its limbs once more. For now, all that could be heard was a quiet hum. Even the city that doesn't sleep needs to rest. Even if it was for a short while. It was just enough time for me to enjoy the rare serenity that came with early mornings. These days, it was hard to wake up early enough to enjoy this brief moment of peace. Why did the bustling streets of New York City calm me more than the forests close my parents home? Before walking two streets down to the cafe that caught my eye the night before, I closed my eyes and inhaled. It was as if I could taste the rain that was ready to fall. I wondered to myself if it was feasible to grab the cup of tea I was craving and walk toward Bryant Park before the morning commuters made their way out of the subway and to their offices. 7:45 AM my phone read. Not enough time. In fifteen minutes the city would return to its boisterous self. My feet remembered the unevenness of the sidewalks I walked last night. Just enough for me to walk in a stride with my chin raised high. There is nothing quiet as distinct as the stride of true New Yorkers. I was practicing, but still not enough to match the original. The city was more than a city that never sleeps. I entered the cafe and ordered the blueberry rooibos as I did the night before. Before the barista finished the drink, I heard it. The faint raindrops falling and the clack of dress shoes on the pavement. Again, the city was ready for a new day.
here for the pop-ups
“There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.”
manhattan cafe highlights
a coffee to start the day. coffee with company. tea for the migraine. latte for dessert. boba before an adventure. here are my favorite manhattan coffee spots for all the cravings. New York City has an abundance of coffee shops, but some are real gems.
The High Line is a public art park that was built on over an abandoned freight rail line that sits above the streets in Manhattan. New Yorkers can enjoy a little bit of nature and art while fitting in their daily steps for the day after a long day in the office.