I Heart NYC

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A lot of people have been talking about visiting my favorite city lately. I promised my NYC mini-travel guide months ago and I realized that although I worked on it, I never posted it.

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This is my simple guide to New York for tourists. I sadly have never lived there so I can't say I have any secret spots or off the beaten path tips. Also, sorry for the lack of restaurant recommendations. We eat at the same places every time we go. When we go back, I am promise I will venture out. Anyway, here's my list of my favorite things NYC.

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I am splitting the city into 3 parts, upper manhattan, midtown and lower manhattan (I am arbitrarily drawing the line between the Flatiron and Union Square). If you want Brooklyn recommendations check out Brooklyn Limestone's Guide to Brooklyn.

UPPER MANHATTAN.

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SHOPPING.

Columbus Circle: A shopper's paradise. Filled with large chain stores. Great place to shop if you are like me and don't live in a big city so you don't have access to every chain store.

After leaving Columbus Circle, walk up Broadway and you will find tons of stores and coffee shops. Lots of chain stores.

Gracious Home. Home accessories galore!

Sabon. My favorite bath store. These are littered throughout Manhattan but there is a great one on Broadway.

Zabar's. Downstairs this is a neighborhood grocery but upstairs they have every piece of cooking equipment imaginable.

SIGHTS.

Lincoln Center. Will be on your left as you travel up Broadway from Columbus Circle. Juillard is nearby as well.

The Dakota. Located at 72nd and Central Park West. Sight of John Lennon's death and across the street is a great entry point to Central Park.

My Photo. March 2007.

Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fabulous and at times very crowded museum. Check out the decorative arts collection. Even if you don't go in, stop and see the outside of the Museum.

Central Park. See below.

EATING.

Stop by Magnolia Bakery. It's adorable and a great place to re-energize. Staff is very nice but it can be crowded.

My Photo. December 2009.

My favorite spot by far is Central Park. Now I am getting ready to break your heart. If you don't have a day and aren't a super hero, you will not be able to see all of the park. The park is immense and full of gorgeous sites. Pick what you want to see and chose a path. Here is my highlights tour...

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Jessica's Highlights Tour of Central Park.

Enter at 72nd and CPW across from The Dakota. You will walk right into Strawberry Fields. Look down and see the tribute to John Lennon. Continue to Bethesda Terrace. Walk up the regal staircase to The Mall. This is my favorite spot and a great photo op. Next turn around and head to see the Alice in Wonderland sculture. This will put you right at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you have more time head towards the Reservoir or back towards the south end of the park for great views of the NYC skyline.

My Photo. November 2006.

MIDTOWN.

SIGHTS.

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This is the best area for sightseeing and walking around. The Chrysler Building, Grand Central and lots of the big sights are located here.

Rockefeller Center. A great place to start in Midtown. Filled with stores, restaurants and great sites. Must see at Christmas.

5th Avenue. A great walk with amazing shopping. FAO Schwarz, Apple Store, Tiffany, etc.

St. Patricks Cathedral. Gorgeous and located right outside of Rockefeller center. If the doors are open you can see the gorgeous interior being ever mindful of those worshipping inside.

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Times Square. Located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue is the quintessential tourist trap. That being said, you can't miss it particularly at night. The lights and energy are amazing. As for food and shopping, don't expect much.

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Empire State Building. A must see if you never have. Fabulous at dusk.

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MOMA. My favorite NYC museum. Target sponsors free Friday nights and you can peruse the Pollocks and Monets for free. MOMA Store is also excellent and fun.

So this is actually The Met circa Dec 2009. My bad. Just pretend it's MOMA.

New York Public Library. Great to see especially when there are rows of desks outside. Bryant Park is located nearby.

Flatiron Building. In lower midtown, this is a great site to see just south of Herald Square (also a must see at Christmas) and one of my favorite shopping areas.

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SHOPPING.

Chain Stores. Midtown is slam full of large versions of your favorite stores.

5th Avenue is a shopping mecca. Apple, Tiffany, FAO Schwarz, etc.

Flatiron District. I love shopping here. All of the major chain stores located uptown without the crowds.

Kate Spade. Featured in Lonny Magazine and is amazing from a design perspective and the staff is precious. Located near the Flatiron Building.

My photo. December 2009.

Fishs Eddy. Plates, Glasses and Serveware galore! Located near the Flatiron Building.

My photo. December 2009.

Trixie and Peanut. Cute pet store located near Fishs Eddy.

Muji. The Japanese Department Store is located at Times Square. Small but fun.

EATING.

Magnolia Bakery. A tiny one is located at Rockefeller Center.

My Photo. December 2009.

Serendipity 3. A frozen hot chocolate is a must. Make life easy on yourself and make reservations.

Norma's. A breakfast spot located in Le Parker Meridien. Delicious. We had breakfast next to the Allstate guy there.

Allstate Dude.

LOWER MANHATTAN

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SIGHTS.

The Brooklyn Bridge. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge weather permitting. It's gorgeous and so much fun. My favorite thing to do in the city.

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Union Square. Great place to see. Amazing market located here as well.

Lower Manhattan is filled with great neighborhoods, Soho, The Village, Chelsea, Financial District, etc. I am always amazed at how the city changes over just a few blocks.

SHOPPING.

SOHO. Absolutely amazing shopping. Here are a few of my faves.

Kate's Paperie. I love paper and if you do, you will love this store.

MOMA Design Store. Ah-mazing.

Burberry, Apple, Sur La Table, Sabon, Broadway Panhandler, Mxyplyxyk, Anthropologie ... I could go on and on.

My photo from Kates Paperie, Dec. 2009.

EATING.

Union Square Cafe. My favorite restaurant in NYC. Amazing seasonal menus with food selected from the market located in Union Square.

From We Heart It.

So there is my quick run down of my favorites and essentials for NYC. For all of you venturing to the big apple have so much fun!