I lived in Manhattan for 10 years, and I still find new things to love every time I visit. Spring is my absolute favorite season in the city. You’ll see thousands of tulips blooming around Central Park, and I always feel like the whole city comes alive. I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways to get around and where you might want to stay if you’re planning your own Manhattan adventure.
Best Things to Do in Manhattan, NYC
Central Park
I always get started in Central Park , that glorious green expanse that somehow feels bigger once you're inside it. I entered near 72nd Street and just kept walking—past a couple dancing under a bridge to live violin music, past rowboats skimming the lake, past benches carved with names I didn’t recognize but somehow respected. I found a quiet patch near the Ramble and sat for a while, breathing in damp grass and the occasional whiff of hot dog cart. "Even in a city this loud, you can hear yourself here,” I thought, watching a blue jay hop between tree roots like he owned the place.
Hornblower Cruises
I boarded a Hornblower Cruise just before sunset, the kind that glides slowly past Manhattan’s edges like it’s tracing a line under a signature. The wind picked up as we moved down the Hudson, the skyline unfolding like a story told in glass and steel. I stood near the railing, watching the Statue of Liberty come into view, then disappear again behind someone’s raised phone. The city shimmered as the lights flicked on one by one. “From the water, New York looks less like a place you live—and more like a place you dream,” I thought, holding onto the moment as long as I could.
The High Line
Back on land, I walked along The High Line , an elevated park built on an old freight track that now blooms above the city like a secret garden. I moved past wildflowers and rusted rails, past sculptures and sunbathers, watching the city flow beside and beneath me. At one overlook, I stopped and stared down at 10th Avenue—taxis crawling, people hurrying, someone eating dumplings on a stoop. “Only in New York do you find nature and concrete arguing so beautifully,” I thought, brushing past a breeze that smelled faintly of lilac and food truck steam.
Chelsea Market
I dropped down into Chelsea Market hungry and curious, and I left happy and slightly overwhelmed. The air was thick with competing aromas—fried scallion pancakes, fresh espresso, cinnamon sugar, and warm bread. I wandered the length of the brick-lined hallway, tasting here and there: a mini lobster roll, a cube of aged cheddar, a bite of salted caramel brownie. I stopped to admire handmade ceramics and jars of chili crisp I didn’t need but absolutely bought. “This is what a global village smells like,” I thought, balancing a paper cup of spicy soup in one hand and a bag of edible souvenirs in the other.
Birdland
That night, I went to Birdland, the legendary jazz club that doesn’t need to prove a thing. The lights were low, the tables close, and the sound—live, warm, and impossible to fake. I ordered a small plate and let the music do most of the talking. A saxophone solo melted into a bass groove, and for a minute, no one moved. I watched a couple sway slightly in their chairs, completely tuned in. “In here, time stretches,” I thought, feeling the room breathe in unison with the rhythm.
Marea
For dinner the next day, I treated myself to Marea, where every detail felt intentional without being stiff. I ordered the fusilli with red wine–braised octopus and bone marrow, and it arrived like a secret worth keeping. The pasta was tender and just chewy enough, the sauce rich and smoky with a whisper of the sea. The dining room was calm but not quiet, a low hum of people tasting something they didn’t want to rush. "This is what indulgence sounds like—low forks, soft wine glasses, and no apologies,” I thought, twirling the last perfect bite.
The Honorable William Wall
The Honorable William Wall (The Willy Wall), usually open from May through to October, is essentially a floating steel barge out in New York Harbor, just a short distance north of Ellis Island. I enjoyed extraordinary views over the skyscrapers and skyline of NYC itself. It was a wonderful place from which to watch the sailing races.
Gotham Bar and Grill
Gotham Bar and Grill gave me something I hadn’t realized I was missing: elegance without pretense. The space felt polished but grounded, and the meal followed suit. I ordered the yellowfin tuna tartare, which came topped with microgreens and bright citrus. Every flavor was clean, thoughtful, and in no hurry to show off. I sat near a window with views of the village outside, still lit up, still buzzing. "New York knows how to dress up without trying too hard,” I thought, lingering over a spoonful of silky buttermilk panna cotta.
Creel and Gow
I stepped into Creel and Gow expecting curiosities, but it felt more like a museum where everything was for sale. Fossils, coral, taxidermy birds, and silver-plated ostrich eggs lined the shelves like treasures from an eccentric explorer’s collection. The air smelled faintly of cedar and something old and rare. I picked up a hand-carved horn spoon and traced its curve without knowing why. "This is what wonder looks like in retail form,” I thought, as the shopkeeper told me the story behind a geode that glittered like midnight caught in stone.
Farm.One
Visiting Farm.One was like stepping into the future—sleek rows of hydroponic herbs growing in vertical columns under glowing lights. The scent hit me first: basil, lemon balm, microgreens, and something bright I couldn’t quite name. I toured the small space with a guide who spoke about flavor like it was a form of art. I sampled a petal that tasted exactly like cucumbers, and another that fizzed like mint soda on my tongue. "In this city of steel and glass, something delicate is thriving,” I thought, watching green leaves sway slightly under the hum of grow lights.
Final Thoughts
Manhattan doesn’t beg for your attention—it assumes it. But if you take your time, walk its parks, ride its trains, and eat its stories, the city shifts. It softens. From redwoods of steel to sea salt risotto, from jazz riffs to hydroponic petals, I found that wonder here isn’t rare—it’s expected. I came to keep up with the city. I left feeling like I’d found places where it paused—just long enough for me to look around, breathe, and belong.
How to Get to Manhattan, NYC
- By air: I usually fly into JFK or LaGuardia, but Newark (EWR) works too. You’ll have no trouble getting into Manhattan—trains, buses, or taxis can get you from the airport to your hotel in no time. I personally love taking the AirTrain and subway when I’m traveling light.
- By train: I’ve arrived at Penn Station plenty of times via Amtrak, NJ Transit, and LIRR. If you’re coming from upstate or Connecticut, Metro-North into Grand Central is your best bet—it’s a beautiful terminal too, so take a moment to look up at the ceiling.
- By subway or bus: I’ve ridden the MTA more times than I can count. You’ll find the subway and bus system running 24/7, and it’s still the easiest way to get around Manhattan. I always tell people to grab a MetroCard or use a contactless tap card—it makes life simple.
Where to Stay in Manhattan, NYC
- The Plaza Hotel – I stayed here once as a treat, and you’ll never forget the experience. You’ll be right near Central Park, and the classic luxury is exactly what you’d hope for.
- CitizenM Times Square – When I want something modern and efficient, this is my go-to. You’ll find tech-savvy touches and a great vibe right near all the action.
- Arlo NoMad – I’ve recommended this to friends who want something boutique and stylish in Midtown. You’ll love the skyline views and cozy-but-smart layout of the rooms.
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields is one of those places that I returned to often when I lived in NYC for 10 years. It’s tucked just off Central Park West, near West 72nd Street, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might miss it. I followed the curved path until the trees thinned out and people were gathered in a respectful hush.
OktoberFest NYC
Held at the spacious and scenic Pier 15 in Manhattan, this free-to-attend celebration transforms the waterfront into a beer garden bursting with bratwurst, music, games, and joyful energy. OktoberFest NYC captures the spirit of Munich, right in the heart of New York City.
FitReserve
FitReserve offers the 'Flexpack' program, and this lets you buy packs of 5, 10, or 25 classes as you wish and then use them whenever you like over the course of a six-month period.
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