Welcome to New York

Walkin’ through a crowd, the village is a glow

Kaleidoscope of a loud, hide beats under coats

Everybody here wanted somethin’ more

Searchin’ for a sound we hadn’t heard before

And it said;

Welcome to New York
It’s been waitin’ for you

-Taylor Swift “Welcome to New York”

Taylor Swift took the words right out of my mouth with this song about New York! New York is the city rushing with possibility, everyone has somewhere to be and it is a city that never sleeps. Every time we get off of the plane at LaGuardia Airport and head outside to catch an Uber the high energy begins! I always get in a very creative mind when I get to New York! The streets are lined with taxis/ubers, hotdogs and TONS OF PEOPLE!  I had numerous questions from my last trip to the big city on great places to stay, things to do in the BIG APPLE!

Last weekends trip was not vacation, I was on work with my sister, Anna Cate, who is designing her own clothing line that is hitting retailers February! I have been excited to share with you all what we have been working on and I am so proud to be able to help her launch soon! With all of that being said, we make lots of quick trips to the big city so sometimes now I feel like a, “regular,” although every trip is totally different! So today’s post is breaking down places I have stayed, eaten and enjoyed! I hope you all love it! I did decide to break it down into categories for ease of using on your trip!

1. The Plaza Hotel (I have never personally stayed here, but I have been for their brunch and it is INCREDIBLE! It is on my bucketlist 😉 – this is a a total vacation hotel, I would not suggest for business  The Plaza is by Central Park which is the most amazing view)

2.  The Lotte New York Palace Hotel ( I also have not stayed here, but it is STUNNING! This hotel is also a luxury hotel, but totally worth it for vacation and it is by Central Park as well)

3. The Westin in Times Square (we stay here almost every trip and they have amazing beds and are centrally located to walk to Times Square and Broadway)

4. Park Central Hotel (GREAT priced! This hotel is half the price of The Westin! The only downfall is if you are waking up before 6:30 am then there is no way to get coffee unless you go to the Starbucks basically attached to the hotel that opens at 5:30; this little inconvenience is worth the price adjustment)

(Pictured above La Sirena)

1. The Plaza Hotel – Bruch

2. Normas in the Le Parker Meridian – breakfast/brunch

3. Ralph’s Coffee Shop (best latte/cappuccino and cookies; upstairs in Ralph Lauren) – afternoon pick-me-up

4.  Bill’s Townhouse – American Style eatery looks like a men’s study (lunch)

5. Gotham Bar & Grill (never been but dying to try) – dinner

6. Del Friscos (amazing crab cakes and lobster mac-n-cheese; the bread pudding is to die for) – dinner

7. La Sirena (pictured above) Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s first new restaurant in New York in nearly a decade – we loved the bread and salted butter/ the desserts were INCREDIBLE my sister dies over the homemade whipped cream and my mom had the best lobster!) – breakfast/lunch/dinner

8. Baked by Melissa – cutest most delicious little cupcakes)

 1. Broadway – The Lion King made me cry; amazing! All shows are great!

2. Central Park

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (breathtaking; need at least 3 hours here)

4. Times Square (can be crowded and weird at times, but a must visit if you haven’t

5. Bryant Park (tiny shops and so pretty)

6. 5th Avenue

7. Madison Avenue Shopping (Zara is here)

8. St. Peter’s Cathedral (pictured above)

9. Top of the Rock

10. Statue of Liberty

11.  9/11 Memorial (breathtaking and a must see)

12.  The Empire State Building

13. China Town (I have not been but heard it was cool)

14. Rockefellar Center – Ice Skating/ Christmas Tree

This list is just the beginning of things to do in NY! There are just some of my personal favorites or tips I have head great things about! New York in the Winter is so beautiful especially when it snows! I hope this list was helpful to you all! Also, if you have been or live there and want to suggest places for me, I would LOVE it! I love good food so any restaurants are ALWAYS welcome! I hope you all have an amazing day and if you are in the mood for a little shopping check out my January Favorites Tab and my Get Active (wear) tab with some looks that are trending! XOXO