♦Soho♦

My absolute favorite area for shopping is Soho. All the biggest fashion houses in the world are represented here, as well as a heavenly mix of smaller boutiques and more unique stores. On the budget friendly side you’ll find chain stores like Topshop, Sephora, Zara, H&M and Urban Outfitters just to name a few, and if you’re looking for more high end stores you’ll find Chanel, Miu Miu and Prada, again just to name a few. The main street in Soho is mostly filled with chain stores, and the real treasure hunt starts once you start exploring the side streets. There are so many cute and cool boutiques hidden in the side streets. My favorite boutique in Soho is LF Stores, you can find it at 149 Spring Street. It’s filled with unique pieces and the customer service is beyond! It’s also a big celebrity favorite, I’ve spotted Bar Rafaeli there amongst others. Another favorite in Soho is “A Second Chance” (155 Prince Street), which is a high end vintage store. That’s where I found my Chanel, and they have such a good selection on every luxury brand you can think of. They have clothes, bags and accessories, and it’s like a little piece of girly heaven.

If you’re planning to shop in Soho, I would recommend doing a little research on forehand. The area is so crowded and can be quite overwhelming, and it’s easy to get stuck in the main street with only chain stores. Try to get a little overview of the area before you hit the splurging spree, and the shopping will go way more smoothly.

♦Meatpacking District♦

If you’re a big spender, the Meatpacking district is a good place to go. Here you’ll find high end stores like Moschino, DvF and Alexander McQueen, and Jeffrey which is a department store with luxury brands. Personally I don’t really like shopping in the Meatpacking though, the stores are a little too stiff for my taste. But it’s definitely fun to check it out, if not for shopping then at least to check out all the stylish people who hang out there. If you want to spot a celeb or two (who doesn’t?!), this area is your best bet! I’ve spotted several cast members from Gossip Girl there, need I say more? If you go there, be sure to check out Chelsea Market, that’s a fabulous place to shop for unique pieces in the middle of the jungle of stiff overpriced boutiques.

♦5th Avenue♦

Shopping at 5th Avenue is of course a must if you’re in New York. You’ll find huge extravagant stores and warehouses like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue there, and all the biggest fashion houses are also represented with their own stores. It’s really an experience to go shopping at 5th ave, the store windows are literally like art, and the buildings are so inspiring. In addition to the high end stores you’ll find several Zaras, H&Ms, Urban Outfitters and more budget friendly stores there, but it’s definitely the high end stores that are best represented. Be sure to stop by Saks, it’s such an amazing warehouse, and the shoe department on the top is so ridiculously big that it has its own zip code!! Saks is definitely where I tend to overly splurge in New York. Right next to Saks there is this amazingly beautiful church, and every time I’m in New York I go in there to light a candle for my Grandmother. I always get so emotional and my makeup gets totally ruined because of the tears, so when I cross the street and enter Saks I always feel like I need to compensate with splurging just so I don’t seem so weird, haha. So that’s a tip for you, go to the church after Saks, at least that’s what I need to do in the future!

♦Madison Avenue♦

One of the things I love in New York is spotting people who actually live there, not tourists. Especially when shopping on 5th avenue I was like “Where are the real life Blairs and Serenas of New York?!?”. All I could see was tourists! The secret is that the native New Yorkers mostly shop at Madison Avenue, because 5th avenue is so full of tourists. Madison Avenue is right next to 5th, and is just as filled with luxury stores at 5th, but not so much the budget friendly ones. It’s a gorgeous and extravagant avenue which I definitely recommend visiting. You’ll find Barney’s there which is my favorite high end warehouse, and the rest of the street is excellent for window shopping, haha.

♦Brooklyn♦

Brooklyn is like a little piece of vintage heaven! You absolutely have to go! Go during the weekend to check out the Brooklyn Flea, a fab flea market right by the river, and afterwards you can check out all the amazing vintage boutiques in Williamsburg. To get there, take the L train from 14th street just across the river, and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the vintage mekka. The atmosphere in Brooklyn is so magical, and so much more calm then New York. Be sure to check out Beacon’s Closet (88 n 11th street), and all the little boutiques you’ll pass when walking around.

♦34th Street♦

34th street isn’t exactly a favorite spot to shop for me, but I thought I’d include it. Here you can find mostly chain stores, but also Macy’s, which is the biggest department store in the world. If you’re traveling with your boyfriend chances are he’s gonna love Macy’s, they actually have a very good men’s department. You’ll also find Victoria’s Secret’s flagship store here, which is an amazingly pretty store! Don’t be surprised if you suddenly spot one of the Victoria’s Secret angels in there, they do appearances there all the time.

♦Delicatessen♦ 54 Prince St

Delicatessen must be my favorite spot to dine in New York, at least for lunch. It’s right by the main shopping street in Soho, so it’s perfect to schedule in a little shopping break there. My favorite thing on the menu are the Truffle Parmegian fries, they must be one of the yummiest things I’ve ever tasted!! My favorite thing to order there is Mini Sliders with truffle fries, you have to try it!! It’s a very popular spot and celebs go there all the time, which is always fun. The interior is super cool, and this might seem weird but they have the coolest bathrooms I’ve ever seen, haha. I won’t even go into detail, I’ll just tell you that you’ll have lots of eye candy to enjoy while doing your business.

♦Mikado Sushi♦ 525 6th Avenue

This isn’t a fancy place at all, but my God!! They have the best sushi in the world! I discovered Mikado when I lived on 13th street, and Mikado was right around the corner. After going there once, I was sold, and I often had both breakfast, lunch and dinner there. I think it’s safe to say that I was there at least once a day. The sushi is super cheap (we’re talking $4 for a maki), and the place is very relaxed. If you want to go to a more hip sushi place you could try Samba Sushi in Greenwich Village, but nothing beats my beloved Mikado.

♦Tao♦  42 E 58th St

Tao has become a big hit for Norwegian tourists in New York, and with good reason. It’s an incredibly cool spot, and the food is heavenly. It’s where Carrie and the girls had dinner in Sex and the City, if any of you recall the episode where they dined next to a huge Buddha statue? My favorite thing on the menu is the Orange Crispy Chicken, it’s extremely yummy. This is the kind of place you go before a girl’s night out, or if you just want a fancy dinner. Dress up and enjoy the cool atmosphere!

♦Gobo♦ 401 avenue of the americas

Gobo is a really cool vegetarian restaurant in West Village. The menu is based on small dishes and quick bites, which I love. This way you can taste a little bit of everything, and everything is soo good! I loved this restaurant so much that I brought my parents there when they were visiting me, and especially my dad was pretty sceptical to the fact that everything was vegetarian. After finishing our dinner Gobo was one of his favorite restaurants too! Ask what the staff recommends and have them put together a little surprise menu for you, I promise you you’ll love it!

♦Lombardi’s♦ 32 Spring Street

If you’re looking for the best pizza in New York, Lombardi’s is the place to go! It’s one of the first pizzerias in the US, and is actually a big tourist attraction as well as a great place to have pizza. The historical restaurant has been featured in several movies and TV series, and the pizza is simply to die for.

♦Hakkasan♦ 311 W 43rd St

I actually haven’t visited this restaurant in New York, but I’ve been to the one in London and it’s such an amazing spot to dine! It’s a bit pricey, so like Tao this is the kind of place you dress up and enjoy a fancy dinner in a majorly cool atmosphere.

♦Pastis♦ 9 9th Ave

Pastis is a french restaurant in the heart of the Meatpacking District, with a fabulous menu of French yumminess. It’s an incredibly popular spot, and this is the kind of place where people spotting and dining go hand in hand. Try to get a table for Sunday brunch there, you won’t regret it! Pastis has also been featured in Sex and the City, which is always fun.

♦Max Brenner♦ 841 Broadway (Right by Union Square)

Max Brenner is a chocolate restaurant, and yes, it’s every bit as heavenly as it sounds! This is a complete must for all my fellow chocolate lovers! I think they have a menu with regular dishes as well, but I’ve always just skipped straight to the dessert when heading here, haha. They have the most insane desserts where chocolate obviously is the main ingredient, and they have the cutest chocolate gift shop by the entrance. I recommend the chocolate fondue, one of the best things I’ve ever tasted!

♦The Standard Grill♦ 848 Washington St

Again, just as much of a people spotting place as a dining place, haha. It’s located in the hip Meatpacking district, and it’s a part of the coolest hotel in New York; The Standard. The decor is super chic, and the menu includes one yummy thing after another! After dinner, take the elevator up to the rooftop club The Boom Boom Room, and you’ll have a night you’ll never forget!

♦The Spotted Pig♦ 314 W 11th St

Okay, so I’m really not as celebrity obsessed as I seem, but this restaurant is also a great place for celeb spotting, haha. When I lived in New York I always took late night walks in the West Village, and almost every night there were so many paparazzies waiting outside this restaurant for the celebs inside to come out. The restaurant is incredibly charming and unique, one of my favorite places to dine in New York for sure! It’s fancy in a completely relaxed and almost dorky way. Jennifer Aniston always goes here and gets the grilled cheese sandwich (which of course Tonje and I had to try, and we can back Jennifer up on that, it’s to die for!), and rumor has it JayZ loved this restaurant so much that he bought the whole building that the restaurant is in. Be sure to order a side of fries when you go here, they’re ridiculously yummy! I bet those fries are the reason JayZ bought the place, they’re just so damn good..

♦The Waverly Inn♦ 16 Bank St

Oh yes, you know it, another celeb spot!! Like The Spotted Pig, this place is incredibly charming and cosy. Rumor has it that earlier you had to know the owner of this place to be able to book a table, because they’re so protective of their clientele (read: celebrities). Stine and I enjoyed a few glasses of wine there, and the waiter could tell us that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had just left!! Darnit!! It’s really pricey here, so unless you want to spend way more cash than necessary, just enjoying a few drinks here is fine.

♦Flavaboom♦ 600 6th ave

I can’t do a post on food in New York without mentioning FlavaBoom. It’s my favorite place for frozen yoghurt in New York. I have so many good memories attached to that place! When I spent the summer there in 2011, FlavaBoom is one of the places Lisa and I bonded over, haha. She had a busy work schedule, but the evening walk up to FlavaBoom for some fro-yo was mandatory every single night. The fro-yo place Pinkberry is all over town, but I’ll tell you, Pinkberry has nothing on FlavaBoom, trust me!! A fun twist is that you help yourself to everything you want, with 10 flavors and 40 toppings to choose from, then just pay after how much your yumminess weighs at the checkout. Majorly recommended!

So, that’s a wrap on part two of my New York tips! I’m so sorry that it came out way later than I told you!! Now I’m wondering if there’s anything else you want me to do a post on when it comes to New York tips? What are you wondering? Let me know and I’ll do a post on it♥

Finally the big New York post is ready, with all my favorite tips and recommendations. I hope it comes in handy to those of you who have New York trips planned in the foreseeable future. I planned to just do one big post, but as I was writing I saw that it would’ve been way too big. Therefore I’ll divide my tips into two posts, and I also created a category with New York tips so they will be easier for you to find. Enjoy girls♥

Basically as long as you’re on Manhattan, I think you’re fine. The subway system is amazing so it’s no problem getting from A to B no matter where you stay. And as we all know, yellow cabs aren’t exactly a rarity in New York either. If you’re planning a trip to the city, I would recommend looking for good offers at pages like hotels.com or booking.com, that’s what I always do. I’ve been lucky and found crazy discounts every time I’ve gone. I think it’s better to have a little more pocket money than staying at a fancy hotel, you shouldn’t spend too much time there anyway. Hotels in the Times Square area are most often the cheapest, which is OK, especially if it’s the first time you’re going and think Times Square is fun. I would definitely recommend staying downtown instead though, the atmosphere is so much more real and magic than the touristy area around Times Square. To me, that area isn’t the real New York, downtown is. If you find something around 14th street that’s the best! You’ll have great subway connections, walking distance to the hottest clubs and stores, and the atmosphere is so relaxed and cool. But again, prioritize pocket money for experiences and shopping rather than a fancy hotel.

I’ve gotten a lot of questions on my own experiences on the hotels I’ve stayed at, so I thought I’d share the three last ones I’ve visited.

The Milford was pretty, and the rooms were fresh. A big minus was the location, as it’s almost in the middle of Times Square and the Broadway musical district. At night I seriously had to stand in line at the curb just to get in to the hotel, because the area out front was so crowded with people headed to Broadway shows. In the mornings when I got outside it was like a stress wave slapped me in the face. So many stressed out people overcrowded the street, which I didn’t like. But other than that it was good.

The location was a little bit better at Stay Hotel, even though it’s just a few streets up. The hotel was super modern and nice, definitely recommended if you don’t mind the location.

My absolute favorite hotel in New York is Dream Downtown. It’s by far the best hotel I’ve ever visited, and living there was an experience in itself. Where do I begin – the design is out of this world cool, the location is perfect, one of New York’s hottest clubs is on the roof so just an elevator ride up, the staff is super nice (and hot!!).. A lot of celebrities stay there, with good reason. It’s located on 16th street, so it’s in the Chelsea/Meatpacking area. Right around the corner is the Chelsea market (which I’ll come back to in the next post), and all the hottest clubs on Manhattan. Within walking distance is West Village which is my favorite area of New York, Union Square, the Meatpacking District and the Highline park, just to name a few. The hotel has an amazing view over the city, a pool which is a huge rarity in New York, great restaurants and the hotel is just super fancy and ridiculously cool. There’s only two downsides I can think of, which weren’t a very big deal. Even though it was super fun to have a night club on the roof, the music was so loud all night, and the bed was actually shaking to the beat of the music they played up there. Some nights I almost couldn’t sleep because of it. The other downside, which isn’t really a downside, is that there’s sooo many fancy and hot people there, so we almost didn’t dare to go through the lobby without serious outfit planning and styling, haha. In the evenings the lobby was filled with more models than there’s yellow cabs in New York (or at least it felt like it), and if you stay there the chances of running into a celebrity or two are pretty big. But again, no big deal, it was mostly just fun.

Bottom line, if you can afford it, book this hotel!!

Other hotels that are really cool are The Standard and Gansevoort, both located in the meatpacking district. I really want to stay there the next time I go!!

The first thing you should do when arriving in New York is to buy a Metro card for your whole stay. It’s cheaper than taxis, it can actually be quicker than taking a cab because of the traffic, and it’s just a fun experience riding the subway with all the New Yorkers. I love just sitting there doing people watching so much that I’ve lost count over how many times I’ve forgotten to get off at the right stop, haha. Be sure to download the app ‘NYC Subway’ to your phone, and getting from A to B shouldn’t be a problem at all. Now that we have transportation covered, let’s bring on the fun stuff to do!

♦Renting bicycles in Central Park♦

Central Park is of course a must, but the park is so enormous that it will probably take the whole day to see everything. Renting bicycles is the way to go if you want to see as much of the park as possible. Not only is it a great way of sightseeing in the gorgeous park, but it’s also super fun to ride around and take in the atmosphere. There’s so many things to see in the park, so that’s a big fun must!

♦Broadway Show♦

Maybe a cliché tip, but the Broadway shows in New York are incredible! The music, the costumes, the actors, the dancers.. It’s so inspiring, feel-good and such a good time!

♦Comedy show♦

I always try to visit a comedy show when I’m in the city. The Comic Strip Live on the Upper East Side is by far the best one! It’s New York’s eldest comedy club, and famous comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock were discovered here. Most of the comedians performing are well known from TV, and seriously just so hysterically funny! Somehow their bits always revolve around sex though, so maybe skip this one if you’re traveling with your parents. Believe you me, I brought my parents there and it was beyond awkward, haha. They always interact a lot with the audience so this isn’t the place to be shy. I would go in the end of the week. I was there with my cousin on a Monday and it wasn’t nearly as good as it’s been earlier.

♦A helicopter ride over the city♦

I’ve never done this, but I have friends who’ve done it and they all say it’s a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! The view is sick, and the whole experience of riding a helicopter seems like such an adrenalin rush!

♦Do Yoga in Bryant Park♦

Another thing I haven’t done myself, but it looks like so much fun! Bryant Park is a must see, there’s always fun things happening in the park. When it’s yoga there the huge lawn is filled with hundreds of people and one instructor on a stage, surrounded by tall buildings and the busy New York life. I definitely want to try that sometime.

Me in Bryant Park two years ago

♦Go to the movies♦

Maybe an odd tips, but I definitely recommend a trip to the movies on Times Square! It’s such a fun experience with the huge theaters, and the classic red velvet seats. The sodas and snacks are beyond huge, and everyone talks and comments during the movie. I just love it! If it’s raining one night while you’re there, head to the movies! And remember, there’s no shame in going alone, everyone does it and I did it all the time when I lived there.

♦Brooklyn♦

Spend a day in Brooklyn if you get the chance! The atmosphere there is completely different from Manhattan, I can’t pinpoint what it is, but it’s so different. Relaxed, chill, cool, and incredibly charming! There are so many hip people to spot, and so many cute places to see.

♦Museums♦

You should definitely try to squeeze in a trip to one of the numerous museums in New York while visiting. Head to MoMa if you want to see modern and untraditional art, or the American Museum of Natural History if you want to be amazed by real dinosaur fossils and the amazing animal worlds. Other cool museums are of course the Met and Guggenheim, just to name a few.

♦Wander around♦

One of the most fun things I know in the city is just wander around in new areas, especially the first time when everything was so  new to me. Forget the map, the tourist attractions and the day plans, and just see where the city takes you. Talk to the people you meet on the streets, take in the atmosphere and get inspired by the architecture, the people, the boutiques, the smells, the sounds, everything! My fave place for wandering is the West Village.

 

 

♦Rockefeller Center + Empire State Building♦

The view from Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building is simply magical. I prefer Rockefeller Center because it’s much more spacious and less crowded. If your budget isn’t too tight, I would recommend visiting one of the buildings during a clear day, and the other one at night.

♦Brooklyn Bridge♦

Walking over Brooklyn bridge and relaxing in the park on the Brooklyn side is a big must! The whole experience is just so amazing, romantic, and again, magical. I would recommend starting on the Brooklyn side so that you can take in the view over the skyline to the fullest. Don’t forget to visit the park underneath the bridge, the view from there is surreal.

♦Times Square♦

A very touristy place, but of course a must see. Go at night and check out the huge billboards and the red steps, it’s pretty cool!

♦Central Park♦

It goes without saying, visit Central Park!! If you have time, enjoy a full day there and just relax. Read a book on the Great Lawn, visit famous places like Strawberry Fields, watch the dancing acts that are always to be found around in the park, dine at the Boathouse Restaurant, rent a boat and row around in the lake.. There’s so much to do there!

♦Ground Zero♦

Ground Zero is a very emotional place to visit, but I definitely recommend a visit. You can get guided tours of the area every day, and learn so much about what happened that horrible day. The new tower they’re building, Freedom Tower, is almost finished, it’s h-u-g-e!!

♦The statue of Liberty♦

The statue of Liberty also a must see if you’re in the city. If you have time check out the museum on Ellis Island to learn more about the history, and do a boat ride around the island. If you don’t have much time or your cultural budget is tight, grab a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free and goes right past the statue so you’ll get a great view.

♦The view from Hoboken♦

If you have time one night I would take the train over to New Jersey/Hoboken and enjoy the view of the skyline. I feel like I’ve used the word ‘magical’ way too much in the post, but seriously, the view is magical!! Haha. If you have a very tight schedule this tip can probably be skipped, but it’s definitely worth the trip over.

♦5th Avenue♦

5th Avenue is also probably a cliché tip, but it really deserves a visit, and not only for the shopping. Get inspired by the amazing store windows, visit the churches, the New York City Library, Bryant Park, the big expensive warehouses, and of course people watch. I love to try to spot the real New Yorkers, or should I say Upper East Siders, often characterized by ridiculously expensive handbags and faces that have been victims of even more ridiculous amounts of plastic surgery.

♦Carrie’s steps♦

If you’re a Sex and the City fan like me, Carrie’s steps is a huuge must! In the series her apartment was located on the upper east side, but in reality the apartment used for filming can be found in the West Village. 66 Perry Street, to be more precise. Be sure to take pictures there, and after that you can head over to Magnolia Bakery and buy cupcakes, just like Carrie and Miranda did.

Puh!! I think I’ll end it here. I feel like there are so many tips I’ve forgotten, so feel free to add tips if you have some. Also if you have any questions, bring ’em on :)

The next post will include my best shopping tips, dining tips and where to go out! Don’t miss it ladies♥