When is the best time to visit New York City?
There really is no best time to visit New York City. Visitors fill New York in pretty equal measure year-round — to the tune of more than 48 million in 2010. Winters can be cold but there usually isn’t much snow and there’s nothing like ice skating in Central Park. The city is usually very crowded during the holiday season with people coming to shop and see the big tree in Rockefeller Center. There’s nothing like Central Park during autumn or spring, and summer is a good time to visit if you want to see the city when it’s less crowded (and don’t mind the humidity).You’ll find the streets a little quieter on summer weekends, when locals do their best to escape to the beaches and mountains.
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6 hours agoLinnea Covington answered the question:
What are the best clothing boutiques in New York City?
One of the best places in the world to buy clothes is in New York City, and here, we have hundreds of small, medium, and large boutique clothing stores to choose from. A lot of these places prove really good, depending on your style, sex, age, and so on. With that, since I am a young professional woman, here are three boutique-clothing stores that are I think are worth the visit.
Blessed Peacemakers: With a bohemian vibe, a Moroccan-themed décor (all for sale), and clothes and accessories curated by Yumi Kim designer Kim Phan, this shop exudes an exotic feel right in the heart of the Lower East Side. It’s not pretentious or fancy, but that doesn’t mean the goods aren’t on the high-end side. You can pick up frocks by Champagne and Strawberries, shoes by Dolce Vita, and soon, a house-brand label by Yumi Kim.
Legacy: If you are looking for something old, something new, and everything stylish, check out the clothes Rita Brookoff has curated at her shop in SoHo. Here you can find vintage Bill Blass and Hermes dresses, and new creations Brookoff has made using antique fabrics. It’s a unique place to get that outfit that no one at the party could possibly have, and since she makes the pieces to order, you know it will fit like a glove.
Dalaga: When this sleek boutique opened in 2006, sister-owners Mary and Michelle Mangiliman brought stylish, yet utilitarian threads to their Greenpoint neighborhood in Brooklyn. That means it’s easy to find a light cotton frock by Lace Trails, or an airy skirt by Ark & Co. They also sell jewelry, bath products and accessories, so you can truly deck yourself out Brooklyn style, ala Girl’s.
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23 hours agoCarol Cain answered the question:
What are the best outdoor activities in New York City?
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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23 hours agoCarol Cain answered the question:
What are the best outdoor activities in New York City?
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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23 hours agoCarol Cain answered the question:
What are the best outdoor activities in New York City?
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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1 day agoCarol Cain answered the question:
What are the best bookstores in New York City?
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. -
1 day agoLinnea Covington answered the question:
What are the hottest upcoming concerts in New York City?
Summer in New York City means live music galore. You can hear plenty of buskers on the subway and in the street, catch big and small name bands free in parks and on piers, or pay top dollar to see some of the hottest shows this season. Of the 100-plus concerts going on, here are the five I am the most excited about.
She & Him: Head to Summer Stage Main Stage on July 6 to check out what darling duo Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward have been working on and hear the latest off their third album, Volume 3. Tickets are only $40, and what better way to bop around to Deschanel’s tinkling voice than outside, in a park, on a summer’s night.
fun. and Tegan and Sara: Also along the indie-pop line is the double-Grammy winners fun. mixing it up with twin sisters Tegan and Sara. This show takes place at Hudson River Park at Pier 26 on July 22 and 23, which means you can enjoy not only the energetic music, but also a killer view.
Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake: On July 19 and 20, these old-school performers will be taking the stage together to showcase their latest collaboration on JT’s recent album, The 20/20 Experience. Catch them at Yankee Stadium and consider it a fair consolation prize to missing Jay-Z’s lady’s performance in August, which sadly sold out months ago.
Black Sabbath: What could be better than the (almost complete) reunion of the world’s greatest heavy metal band? Well on August 4 you can catch a fuller, healthier Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Just remember to wear black and get ready to rock.
State of the Union: The Roots with Jim James: Stars and stars will be had on June 18 at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park when My Morning Jacket’s Jim James teams up with the hip-hop group The Roots. You can get a sneak peek at what’s to come if you look up the Jimmy Fallon show they were recently on, and be prepared to get excited. -
2 days agoCarol Cain answered the question:
What is the one must-do activity when visiting New York City?
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. -
5 days agoLinnea Covington answered the question:
What are the best restaurants for a business lunch in New York City?
In the land of power-lunching businessmen there are tons of quick, good and impressive meals to be had. One of the best deals can be found at Vic & Anthony’s in Gramercy Park. Here, for $26.95 you can get a three-course prix fixe with options including lobster bisque, Caesar salad, a 10-ounce sirloin au poivre and dessert. Not only do you get luxury at an affordable price, but with white linen and steakhouse service, it feels like a dressed-up lunch.
Nearby, you can also have get a hearty business lunch at L&W Oyster Co., where they not only have plenty of oysters to choose from, but also offer an “in and out in 30 minutes” menu with options including lobster rolls with a Caesar salad and crab cakes with gazpacho. The setting is more fish shack-like, in the best possible way, so it’s a great choice for co-worker business lunches or laidback meetings.
Oceana in Midtown also deals with seafood, though their set-up is more for people who aim to impress, both with their fine-dining setting and solid food. Choose items from their main menu, or go for their $35 prix fixe, which includes black bass tartare, salmon a la plancha, grilled calamari and strawberry-pineapple sorbet. Of course, if your business partner doesn’t like fish, suggest the steak. Chef Ben Pollinger prepares some of the best.
Finally, one of the places I like to go to for interviews and meetings is the Guilty Goose in the Flatiron area. The setup reminds me more of an upscale gastropub, and I like this space not only for their $15 burger and craft beer lunch deal, but for their quiet ambiance and unhurried service, which is perfect for talking and actually conducting business. -
5 days agoMichelle Doucette answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in New York City?
New York City knows a thing or two about dessert. Where else can you find a store that sells nothing but rice pudding (Rice to Riches), a sweet shop with a namesake romcom (Serendipity 3) and a cupcake mecca where legions of TV fans queue around the block for a taste (Magnolia Bakery)? There’s no shortage of places to curb your sugar cravings in New York, but here are six of the best.
Restaurants
If it’s a restaurant experience you’re after, Mario Batali’s Babbo is a great place for a sweet bite late at night. Sit at the bar and order an imaginative Italian dessert — like saffron panna cotta — from the dolci e formaggi menu. Love your dish? Purchase the Babbo pastry cookbook, Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen, and try to create it at home. For classic American desserts, head to Tribeca and enter Bubby’s (which is also a top brunch spot). The popular restaurant started as a pie shop in 1990 and still makes some of the best pies around. As you walk in, check out the diner-style dessert display case and make a mental note of your favorite find.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is a summer staple in New York, and there are plenty of upscale ice cream trucks to prove it. But when it comes to ice cream shops, I particularly like Il Laboratorio Del Gelato on the Lower East Side. Flavors are on rotation — with 48 on the menu each day — so there’s always something new to taste. The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is another place that specializes in uniquely flavored cones; go for the taro or red bean ice cream.
Baked Treats
For a grab-and-go treat, the chocolate chip cookies at Jacque Torres’ five locations are hard to beat. You won't see chips in these warm cookies, but rather thick layers and ribbons of high-quality chocolate. Finally, for your best New York cupcake experience, my money is on Billy’s Bakery. There are three locations, including one at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Plaza Hotel, at which you generally won’t find the lines you’ll see at that other beloved cupcake bakery — but the cupcakes are amazing. Take a few mini cupcakes with you and you'll be set for sustenance while sightseeing. -
5 days agoMichelle Doucette answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in New York City?
New York City knows a thing or two about sweets. Where else can you find a store that sells nothing but rice pudding (Rice to Riches), a sweet shop with a namesake romcom (Serendipity 3) and a cupcake mecca where legions of TV fans queue around the block for a taste (Magnolia Bakery)? There’s no shortage of places to curb your sugar cravings in New York, but here are six of the best.
Restaurants
If it’s a restaurant experience you’re after, Mario Batali’s Babbo is a great place for a sweet bite late at night. Sit at the bar and order an imaginative Italian dessert — like saffron panna cotta — from the dolci e formaggi menu. Love your dish? Purchase the Babbo pastry cookbook, Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen, and try to create it at home. For classic American desserts, head to Tribeca and enter Bubby’s (which is also a top brunch spot). The popular restaurant started as a pie shop in 1990 and still makes some of the best pies around. As you walk in, check out the diner-style dessert display case and make a mental note of your favorite find.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is a summer staple in New York, and there are plenty of upscale ice cream trucks to prove it. But when it comes to ice cream shops, I particularly like Il Laboratorio Del Gelato on the Lower East Side. Flavors are on rotation — with 48 on the menu each day — so there’s always something new to taste. The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is another place that specializes in uniquely flavored cones; go for the taro or red bean ice cream.
Baked Treats
For a grab-and-go treat, the chocolate chip cookies at Jacque Torres’ five locations are hard to beat. You won't see chips in these warm cookies, but rather thick layers and ribbons of high-quality chocolate. Finally, for your best New York cupcake experience, my money is on Billy’s Bakery. There are three locations, including one at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Plaza Hotel, at which you generally won’t find the lines you’ll see at that other beloved cupcake bakery — but the cupcakes are amazing. Take a few mini cupcakes with you and you'll be set for sustenance while sightseeing. -
On May 15Carol Cain answered the question:
What are the best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City?
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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On May 15Carol Cain answered the question:
What is New York City’s dining scene like?
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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On May 14Linnea Covington answered the question:
What should I pack for a trip to New York City?
Fashion is king in New York City, but so is comfort. After all, NYC is a walking town. So how do you pack for this mixed bag of style? The first step is choosing layers, that way, you can adjust for the heavy air conditioning, humidity, and make an outfit nightlife or fine dining ready.
For women, I suggest plenty of casual dresses that you can spruce up with the addition of a bauble, scarf, belt, or wrap. Bring comfortable, but stylish shoes like kitten heels, ballet flats, or those heels you know you can run down the street in. Of course, you can do what other women do and stuff a pair of slip-on-shoes or flip flops in your bag in case you need a comfort change.
For men it’s pretty simple too; just get a pair of nice, cool slacks, a button up shirt, and carry a sports coat or summer blazer with you. Stuff a tie in your pocket in case you go to a really nice restaurant, otherwise, paired with a good pair of casual business shoes, you can look sleek in any setting.
It’s also important to bring a bag or purse that you can wear on the shoulder, as you will not want to be clutching a purse while trying to navigate subways, cabs, or just walking down the street. Plus, if you do one of my favorite activities in NYC, shopping, you will need hands to carry your goods. Also pack an umbrella, preferably one that fits in your handbag as you never know when it might rain; and when it does, it tends to pour. -
On May 13Linnea Covington answered the question:
What are the best Indian restaurants in New York City?
To get real, authentic Indian food, you can head the three main areas in the city, Jackson Heights, Queens, Murray Hill (aka Curry Hill), or on 6th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues in the East Village. In the former, you get solid curries, roti, lamb biryani, and other Indian specialties in no-nonsense, simple cafes and restaurants. The Little India area in the East Village tends to have Christmas lights strung across the ceiling, mirrors on the walls, and eager young men trying to pull you in. Then in Murray Hill, you get a lot of traditional southern Indian food and Eastern markets. All offer experiences worth checking out, though for dinner or lunch, the following three joints are my favorite.
1. Brick Lane Curry House: Located in Manhattan’s Little India, this restaurant is modeled after the curry shops in London, and compared to the other establishments on the strip, it proves a little more high-class. The specialty of the house is classic, England-style curry and kebabs, and they have plenty to choose from including butter masala, saag, nilgirl korma, and phaal, a very hot curry that, if you manage to finish, can get you on their wall-of-fame.
2. Junoon: In the heart of the Flatiron district is Junoon, a modern Indian restaurant that takes from cuisines all across the country. This includes dishes from the tandoor, or clay oven, tawa, or cast iron cookery, sigri, an open fire pit, and patthar, which is stone cooking. Check out their spice room to see just how many aspects go into Indian cooking, and to find out what wines pair best with curry and roti, as they have plenty of options on their well-curated list.
3. Saravana Bhavan: In India, you can find this mini-chain in all the major cities, and, lucky for us, they have branched out into the United States. Sometimes this means the food changes for a Western audience, but that’s not the case at their two New York locations (Curry Hill and the Upper East Side). Here, they serve the same vegetarian food as they do in Chennai and Delhi, including sweet coconut-chili chutney, vada, or lentil doughnuts, and idly, small steamed rice cakes usually in a sambar sauce. Though these vitals all prove excellent, the real gem of the restaurant is the dosa, a thin Indian-style pancake that gets griddled in ghee, and usually is larger than your head prior to being folded, rolled, or shaped into a cone. If anything, it’s fun to eat, but also not a dish you will find everywhere.
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On May 13Natalie Wearstler answered the question:
What are the best parks in New York City?
New York City's urban parks play a very important role as the yin to the Big Apple's notoriously busy yang. I always like to take a bit of time to explore new parks when I visit the city. Here are my three favorite places to unwind with a nice stroll in Manhattan:
Central Park. No matter how many times you visit this world-famous park, there's always something new to discover in the city's most famous greenspace. A stroll through the park's many trails is a simple and lovely way to pass an afternoon. If you have kids in tow, head to the Central Park Zoo to see the latest exhibits or book a horse-drawn carriage tour to whisk you and your little princess (or prince) through the city's most majestic courtyard.
The High Line. If you find yourself in Manhattan's West Side, look up — you'll find this unique park elevated above the streets on a historic freight rail line. While you can't enjoy all the activities permitted at Central Park (like biking, skating or playing catch with Fido, as no dogs are allowed), this park should be on your must-visit list. Where else in Manhattan can you walk alongside skyscrapers and manicured gardens at the same time?
Morningside Park. Situated just past Columbia University in Manhattan's Harlem and Morningside Heights neighborhoods, this lovely park is a gathering spot for students and families who live nearby. Visit during a spring or summer weekend, and you're sure to find children's sports leagues holding games on the baseball and basketball grounds. There's a beautiful cascading waterfall just across from the baseball diamonds, perfect for relaxing with a slice of famous New York-style pizza from a nearby restaurant and someone special.