At the end of June, David and I flew up to New York City for a summer weekend getaway to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. This has become sort of a tradition for us over the past couple of years. You may find last year’s recap here. Each year, our approach to our trip changes a little bit. This year, we opted to spend a day in various neighborhoods around the city to explore without much more organization or planning. Here are 10 things to do on a casual summer getaway to New York City!
10 Things to Do on a Casual Summer Getaway to NYC
People Watching in Bryant Park
Located in Midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is 9.6 acres of pure bliss and the people watching is spectacular. There is always something happening in Bryant Park, whether it is movies in the park in the summer, ice skating and a holiday village in the winter, plus they have table tennis, a library with books and newspapers, plenty of seating, beautiful landscaping, and a variety of cafes and restaurants. We like to go here and grab a early happy hour before heading out on an adventure for the evening.
Enjoy Rooftop Happy Hours
There is no shortage of fantastic rooftops in NYC and we enjoy trying new ones while in the city. Two of our must-visits are Press Lounge in Hell’s Kitchen and Bookmarks Lounge in Manhattan. Press has the best view of the Manhattan Skyline and the Hudson River. For a cozy, elegant rooftop experience, Bookmarks is top notch.
Explore Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is located in the heart of the Meatpacking District in Manhattan and it is easy to lose track of time strolling through the expansive market. It is not your average food hall, as it features delicious restaurants, retail locations to shop, and shops to take home fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, fresh cuts of meat, and more. If you have time, head up the stairs to walk the High Line as well!Â
Spend Some Time on Little Island
Little Island is an artificial island park located in Hudson River Park. We saw it last year from the water while on our sunset cruise and decided that we wanted to spend some time here this year. After exploring Chelsea Market, head over here to listen to live music and grab a snack from one of the food trucks. Then, walk the paths to take in views of the Hudson River and lower Manhattan skyline.
Book a Sunset Cruise of New York Harbor
For the second summer in a row, we booked a sunset jazz cruise on Classic Harbor Line. It is such a beautiful way to take in the scenes of lower Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Classic Harbor Line offers a variety of ticketed cruises and tours, including architectural tours, fall foliage cruises, and holiday cruises.
Grab a Bagel from Zucker’s
No trip to New York City is complete without grabbing a bagel. Our favorite spot is Zucker’s for an everything bagel breakfast sandwich (my go-to is a bacon, egg, and cheese) and to eat it in Pershing Square, right in front of Grand Central Terminal.
Hang out in Hell’s Kitchen for Good Bars & Food
One of our favorite stops is the Pocket Bar in Hell’s Kitchen. Stop in here for a drink and enjoy the charm of this quaint neighborhood bar. Not too far from the Pocket Bar is Ponche Taqueria & Cantina and is a delicious little Mexican place with a mix of classic and contemporary dishes. It is another low-key, yet welcoming spot with great food. Grab a nightcap at As Is for a great draft beer list and cocktails with a retro vibe.
Catch a Yankees’ Game (or Two)
Head to the Bronx to catch a Yankees’ game. If you get there early, head a couple of blocks up from the stadium to grab a drink and a snack at Bronx Drafthouse. While at the stadium, visit Monument Park and the Yankees Museum before getting situated in your seats.
Have a Pizza Picnic in Central Park
Grab pizza from Patsy’s Pizzeria on the Upper West Side and then walk down to Central Park for a little pizza picnic. Find live music, grab a seat, and enjoy your pizza. We packed our Chappy wrap blanket to take with us to the park and this was one of my favorite parts of our trip this time. Pro Tip: Order in person at Patsy’s and grab a drink at the bar while waiting. It likely won’t take more than 20 minutes to get your pizza.Â
Unwind at the Library Hotel
While I have shared our adoration of the Library Hotel before, I cannot recommend a stay here enough for its location and ease of getting around the city plus how comfortable the rooms and hotel amenities are for guests. The reading room is one of my favorite spots to get a day started or to regroup. Plus, the hotel restaurant is outstanding. Also, the rooftop bar (Bookmarks mentioned above) is one of the best we’ve experienced in the city. We cannot recommend booking here and calling this your home base while in the city enough! P.S. use code FIXINTOBLOG in the promo code when checking out for an additional discount.
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