Quintessential to metropolitan life, Lower Manhattan has a little bit of everything in it. From the skyscrapers of Wall Street to the busy streets of Chinatown and Little Italy, this is a great area to wander and explore.
The infamous Financial District and Wall Street seem to be synonymous with New York City. Be sure to stop by the Charging Bull, the New York Stock Exchange building, and the “Fearless Girl” sculpture while in the area.
The Oculus Building has turned into one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Though its exterior is a reminder that you may never understand modern art, once inside, you’ll stand in awe. Designed as part of One World Trade Center, the Oculus is a fabulous photo opportunity with its unique, eye-catching design. Stop by the vendors on the main floor, pop into the stores, and take the handy public transportation to your next destination.
Whether you were directly impacted by or too young to remember the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero is emotional. As you linger, you’ll have a chance to reflect on the lives lost and the stories that came out of this part of history, which went on to shape New York City forever.
A coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night, Split Eights has all bases covered. Whether you need coffee, tea, or something stronger, make this your pitstop for the day. If you’re looking for something more interesting, check out The Back Room—if you can find it. One of only two speakeasies in the city from the prohibition era, you’ll love the decor and cocktails in teacups.
If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, Chinatown and Little Italy are fun places to explore. Full of small businesses, some places have windows to catch the cooking in action. While you’re in the neighborhood, you can walk to the Manhattan Bridge to get a good view of the area.
Central to everything in the city, Midtown is the best place to act as your catch-all spot with easy access to food, entertainment, and history. While you can’t get to everything in a single day, this is a good place to start.
A work of art in itself, the High Line is a great place for a stroll, providing a unique perspective of New York City. Built with the intention of being more than a park or walkway, you can view art installations, visit local vendors, or relax on any number of open benches. While everywhere else is about hustling to the next destination, take your time here.
Head toward Hudson Yards to see the Vessel, an extraordinary and interactive installation at the heart of the neighborhood. While the upper levels are permanently closed, the base level and a few short staircases are open to the public. The perspective from within is just as inspiring as the outside and picture perfect. Once you’re done, shop your way through Hudson Yards next door and even get a higher viewpoint of the Vessel.
Finding the best views is a must in the city. Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is always a great option, but the new kid in town is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Located at the top of Midtown’s tallest skyscraper, the SUMMIT provides you with great views and an immersive experience. Since you can stay as long as you’d like, you can schedule your tickets for the afternoon and roam around until sunset.
There’s no better place to start a weekend than in the heart of the city. With plenty to see and do, especially after a long week at work, start here and see where the night takes you.
Broadway shows—like pizza pies, taking public transit, and all that jazz—are part of the New York City experience. Don’t throw away your shot to be so captivated, your body will want to defy gravity and jump out of its seat in applause throughout the show. Whether you enjoy Broadway or want to scratch it off the bucket list, do it now before you leave or find yourself wishing you were somehow here again.
There’s no better time to visit Times Square than at night. After your show, head there and see all that’s going on. You’ll often catch street performers in the middle of an act, getting the crowd pumped up for whatever they’re about to do. It’s always smart to be street smart, and Times Square (arguably one of the most iconic tourist places in America) is no exception.
Walking around the city takes a lot of energy and you’ll usually find yourself needing a second dinner. After exploring Times Square, go a few streets south to Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. Imagine artichoke dip pizza. It’s glorious.
Sure, Manhattan is great and has everything you might need, but there has to be more, right? One of the five boroughs in New York City, Brooklyn is full of history, charm, and, of course, pizza. Just a stone’s throw from Manhattan, by the end of the day you’ll already be planning your next trip across the river.
Get an early start and walk East across the Brooklyn Bridge to catch the sunrise. It’s a sight to see and it’s much less crowded at this time so you can get your pictures in. Stop and go as you’d like and enjoy the beautiful views of the Manhattan cityscape. Be aware of the runners, cyclists, and commuters when you stop for photos!
Though you won’t regret waking up for sunrise, we get it—you’re tired. Get a quick boost of energy at % Arabica or Devoción. Sporting top-of-the-line equipment, % Arabica’s coffee is about as good as it gets, while Devoción provides some of the freshest coffee and beans out there.
With perhaps the most instagrammable photo location in New York City, the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street provides everything you want in a photo: brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and the Manhattan Bridge in the background. That’s where DUMBO gets its name, after all—”Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” Head over to this intersection and get your photos before the crowd starts to flood in.
While pizza itself could bring world peace, the debate over Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s could start a war. Despite the rivalry dating back to the ‘90s, both locations have wonderful pizza depending on what you’re looking for—sometimes it just comes down to who has the shortest line. A little farther south, there’s Lucali, another great pizza spot that has calzones and serves as a reminder that not all pizzas are the same.
The world-famous Brooklyn Flea still draws huge crowds and highlights local vendors and artisans. Open from April through December, this is a fun break from running between one location and the next. Spend part of your Saturday here and soak in the good food, shopping, and vibes.
To close out your day, travel to a few breweries and unwind. Start at The Brooklyn Brewery and work your way down to Other Half Brewing Co., Transmitter Brewing, and Evil Twin Brewing. When you’ve worked up an appetite, Time Out Market is right next to the last brewery, making your life much easier.
After a pretty full weekend, here are a few ways to take it easy as you prepare to launch into another week.
Some say it’s the water, others believe it’s magic. Either way, bagels here are different and better than any you’ve had before. With a few locations around Manhattan, Ess-a-Bagel is the place to go for that doughy goodness and to try new bagel and cream cheese flavors. If you have time, you can also try Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A. There’s usually a line, but once you try it, you’ll understand why!
Museums are a great way to slow things down, breathe and rest a little bit, and maybe learn a thing or two. Three major museums to visit are The Met Fifth Avenue, The Guggenheim, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), each offering different types of exhibits.
The Met is a legendary museum, with something for everyone to marvel at—paintings by Monet and Van Gogh, a sculpture court filled with Greek and Roman statues, even mummies from ancient Egypt. It’s also the largest museum in the world, covering a staggering 2.2 million square feet. The Guggenheim and MoMA both focus on modern and contemporary art; catch Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” among the collections at MoMA and stroll the constantly rotating collections at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim.
One of the more unique Asian dining experiences in the city, MáLà Project, is best known for their dry pot entrée. Prepared in a wok over high heat, this mixture of 24 spices with ingredients of your choosing provides a dynamic experience for your tastebuds unlike ever before.
