Carol Cain

When it comes to spending time outside, nothing beats the free events at Central Park, whether it be taking in a performance at Shakespeare in the park or one of the Summer Concert series, Central Park is has a lot to offer.  A favorite outdoor activity in the park also includes an afternoon on the pond while on a rowboat, or a picnic at Sheep’s Meadow.

If you’d like to try a different park, and one with a water view, then Riverside Park is the place to be. A walk or ride along the Greenway, or an afternoon playing volleyball in Hudson Beach (Riverside Park 105th St entrance, lower level) is a great way to greet the sunset, which is a gorgeous sight from there as well.

Other fun outdoor activities include taking in summer festivals at Governors Island, or renting bikes to ride across Brooklyn Bridge (you can also walk across the bridge) and make your way to Dumbo for some ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

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When it comes to spending time outside, nothing beats the free events at Central Park, whether it be taking in a performance at Shakespeare in the park or one of the Summer Concert series, Central Park is has a lot to offer.  A favorite outdoor activity in the park also includes an afternoon on the pond while on a rowboat, or a picnic at Sheep’s Meadow.

If you’d like to try a different park, and one with a water view, then Riverside Park is the place to be. A walk or ride along the Greenway, or an afternoon playing volleyball in Hudson Beach (Riverside Park 105th St entrance, lower level) is a great way to greet the sunset, which is a gorgeous sight from there as well.

Other fun outdoor activities include taking in summer festivals at Governors Island, or renting bikes to ride across Brooklyn Bridge (you can also walk across the bridge) and make your way to Dumbo for some ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

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When it comes to spending time outside, nothing beats the free events at Central Park, whether it be taking in a performance at Shakespeare in the park or one of the Summer Concert series, Central Park is has a lot to offer.  A favorite outdoor activity in the park also includes an afternoon on the pond while on a rowboat, or a picnic at Sheep’s Meadow.

If you’d like to try a different park, and one with a water view, then Riverside Park is the place to be. A walk or ride along the Greenway, or an afternoon playing volleyball in Hudson Beach (Riverside Park 105th St entrance, lower level) is a great way to greet the sunset, which is a gorgeous sight from there as well.

Other fun outdoor activities include taking in summer festivals at Governors Island, or renting bikes to ride across Brooklyn Bridge (you can also walk across the bridge) and make your way to Dumbo for some ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

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My fellow NYC experts have already listed a lot of really great bookstores, and I agree with them all, so give them a read! Some of my other favorite bookstores to check out in NYC:

Kinokuniya is a Japanese and anime collector’s dream come true. Everything from Japanese collectible toys and comics, to film and literature. They also have several English and Chinese selections to choose from.  Because of its focus to celebrate Japanese art and culture, visitors will also find small exhibits displayed throughout the store.

For those with kids and teens, the Scholastic Store in SOHO is a treasure chest full of children and young adult favorites, with everything from Clifford The Big Red Dog to popular chapter books such as Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. This colorful store also hosts birthday parties and private events, either in their in-store party room or on their beautiful roof top event space. Weekends also mean free fun family-friendly events, often hosted by favorite literary characters and authors.

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As a New Yorker it would be difficult for me to decide which single activity is a must when visiting here, but if I had to choose only one, I would say to sign up with a tour guide to walk you through the city. Even as a native, I often take tours of my city because they give me a deeper insight into the historical landmarks, architecture, and figures that are often overlooked, both by those who live here and those who are overwhelmed with their first visit.

Let a tour guide take through Wall Street or Chinatown, two significant areas in NYC’s history. Take a tour on a double deck bus, which allows you to look up and admire architectural details that you would otherwise miss while hurrying with the crowds on the sidewalk. Take a tour through Ellis Island, the former entry point into the United States, and learn about the first immigrants, many of which settled and helped to shape NYC into what it is today. Or take a tour through Central Park, an location with many cinematic points of interest as well as historic ones.

If you can only do one thing in NYC, but want to take in as much of the city as you can during your visit, taking a tour is one of the best ways to absorb many of this great city’s details in a short period of time.

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Want to bring share the fine-dining experience with your little ones? Luckily there are several New York restaurants that are more than happy to oblige, such as Landmarc. Sure you’ll find the mac and cheese and grilled cheese on the kids menu, but little foodies can also indulge in green eggs and ham (spinach & basil pesto, cheesy whole wheat toast 
served with sliced apples & bananas) and orecchiette. The environment is welcoming and friendly, a great place to get your little ones on the road to fantastic eating.

The Sea Grill, another great spot to check out with kids is right by one of NYC’s most beloved landmark: Rockefeller Center. Get a seat overlooking the ice skating rink during winter month, or reserve a table outside during the warm months and sit back while the friendly staff caters to your little one, serving up their seafood flair like lobster mac and cheese and jumbo lump crab cake.

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The wonderful thing about food in NYC is that whatever you may be craving, you will most likely be able to find. The flavors of the world are displayed throughout the boroughs, serving up everything from neighborhood style and flavor to upscale, elegant experiences. 

For a taste of France and a night of celebrity sightings, for example, guest can complement a night at the theater with an experience Le Cirque New York, a Forbes Travel Guide star winner. Advance reservations are required, as a seat at any of these two fine dining establishments are both highly coveted and often hard to come by quickly.

If a taste of Asia is what you crave a visit to Jungsik, a contemporary, upscale Korean restaurant located in Tribeca and celebrated for both its authenticity and quality service, will indulge you with its menu options, which include the five taste elements: spicy, crisp, sweet, sour, and soft.

From East to West, the list of cultural experiences is endless when dining in NYC.

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The best view of NYC is via a helicopter ride or by ferry. But, for those who prefer their feet firmly on the ground, here are a few great options:

The Empire State Building offers some incredible view of the city, as those Top of The Rock at Rockefeller Center. But if you want a close view of the Chrysler Building, the Empire Center's observation deck is where to be.

The Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, a Forbes Star Guide Four-Star hotel, has some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and New Jersey - not to mention that of Battery Park and the pier as well - from their roof top private event venue, Rise. Formerly a popular cocktail bar in the city, the space has now been transformed into a luxurious event space, popular for weddings and other special celebrations. Even on a cloudy day, the views are truly breathtaking. If staying here, check with the Front Desk to request access, which they will happily grant so long as there are no events taking place.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade will take you out of Manhattan proper, but it's one of the most stunning locations places to watch a sunset over the city. Another great view of the city is from Governors Island, off the shores of Manhattan.

The roof top bars are also great options, with a favorite being the rooftop cafe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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The best view of NYC is via a helicopter ride or by ferry. But, for those who prefer their feet firmly on the ground, here are a few great options:

The Empire State Building offers some incredible view of the city, as those Top of The Rock at Rockefeller Center. But if you want a close view of the Chrysler Building, the Empire Center's observation deck is where to be.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade will take you out of Manhattan proper, but it's one of the most stunning locations places to watch a sunset over the city. Another great view of the city is from Governors Island, off the shores of Manhattan.

The roof top bars are also great options, with a favorite being the rooftop cafe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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Nothing goes better with the best NYC coffee, than the best NYC bakery treat. The city is blessed with its share of masterful pastry chefs and bakers spread throughout the city so that you never have to go without a fresh, organic, loaf.

Amy's Bread whole grain, organic, as well as baked sweets and pastries. Can be found in various locations throughout the city.

Sullivan Street Bakery small shop with lots to offer. Breads are a must, but then so are the pastries which are are huge in flavor. Also a great place for bread making classes!

Milk and Cookies Bakery is where to go for a warm, fresh out of the over chocolate chip cookie with a tall glass of milk. But, it's hard to resist their other sweet creations, their latest being the "Bacon Smack" a cookie made from a mix of maple syrup, candied Neuskes cherry wood smoked bacon, dried cranberries, 72% dark chocolate chunks, toffee and graham cracker pieces. What more can I say?

Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller. The charming location in Rockefeller Center offers out door seating, perfect for people watching while enjoy a warm latte to go with any one of their fabulous pastry treats, including their delightful Macarons.

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Best coffee shops in NYC often go hand in hand with the best brunch spots. Though there is never a shortage of good places to grab some java in New York, I will try my best to highlight those places that - when it comes to a warm cup of comfort joy - stand out the most:

Kaffe 1668: Their individually brewed cappuccinos and espressos are what keeps coffee lovers coming back, and makes for a great coffee date. It's hard to resist their Agua Preta from Brazil or their Zambia espresso, or pretty much any of their teas.

Blue Bottle: Delicious coffee and yummy cookies come to mind, as well as the occasional tours of their roastery in Oakland (CA) and Brooklyn (NY) - so make a reservation if you are in town. They also host tastings and are really nice people, which I guess is what happens when really great coffee is being served.

La Colombe Torrefaction: Coffee, nothing more, nothing less. But really great coffee, for those who take their their joe seriously. The space is airy and bright and everything that would make you want to stay to enjoy at a slower pace.

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Devi, near Union Square, is an award winning restaurant offering a comfortable ambiance and home cooked Indian flavors. This 75-seat restaurant encourages guest to vary their dining experience with a tasting menu that starts at $40. The regionally inspired dishes are the creation of Chef Suvir Saran.

Tamarind’s authentic Indian cuisine at one of its two locations in Tribeca and the Flatiron district, the latter of which offers a more cozy dining experience and a tea room for those who want a lighter bite. The sauces and naan (garlic, rosemary, onion, etc.) are delicious, the vegetarian dishes (mushroom dumplings; sautéed okra) delight even the most ambitious carnivore, and the cocktail selections (e.g. Blood Orange Cosmopolitan) are the perfect accompaniment.

Dawat is where New Yorkers can enjoy what Chef Madhur Jaffray calls "haute Indian cuisine". Beyond the great food, what keeps diners coming back is the attentive staff and great service, no matter what time of day.
 

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When looking for the perfect food gift, NYC is not a bad place to be in. This food mecca has so much to offer that the problem isn't where to find a unique food gift, but rather where to start looking. In warmer months, the city’s farmers markets are a treasure trove of foodie gifts. But NYC also has one-stop shopping food destinations worth checking out, like 
Bleecker Street, home to many artisan food shops such as:

Murray's Cheese for artisanal cheese, perfectly aged for any palate. A gift certificate for one of their cheese classes is also a great treat.

Ottomanelli & Sons Prime Meat is a family-owned butcher shop that has been serving the best steaks and cuts for over 100 years.

Amy’s Bread is celebrated for her organic, whole-grain bread options, as well as baked sweets and pastries.

O & Co. has a huge selection of olive oil and vinegar products, many available for sampling. They also have wonderful spreads and crackers, as well as a few olive oil based beauty products.

Porto Rico Importing Co. offers coffee lovers a wonderful selection of organic beans that are environmentally friendly and support family-owned coffee farms. Just walking into the shop is a treat for the senses.

Of course, one of the best ways to experience it all at once is to gift a NYC food tour, where you learn both the history and taste along the way.

Another stop to check out when in town is the Chelsea Market. Here you will find many shops and eateries, as well as the Bowery Kitchen Supply store to appeal to the foodie in your life.

If looking for a gift with more of a European flair, a cooking class at Eataly is the way to go, along with any one of the many Italian food products and literature.

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