A NYC Weekend!

As I sit on a plane to fly to my next destination, I can't help but look back at my time in NYC! I truly don’t understand how anyone could dislike it there.

Back in August, some coworkers and I had just started our jobs, and we decided we needed to bond outside of the workroom. Obviously, that meant it had to be in another state. So, one afternoon, we gathered in a cubicle during lunch and booked our tickets to NYC! The girls going with me had all been to New York before, so they really knew what I needed to see; the things other visitors might overlook. With a hotel room booked and Broadway tickets secured, we had only three months until our trip!

After work on Thursday, November 13th, we Ubered to the airport and hopped on our plane. When we flew into NYC, it was nighttime, so we got to see the city that never sleeps in its prime time. The lights made the city feel even more inviting. We got to the hotel around 11 p.m. and realized we were only three blocks from Times Square — THE ODDS. We changed out of our airport clothes and walked a few blocks to see the staple of the city. After stopping for some infamous Joe's pizza on the way back to the hotel, I could already tell this trip was going to be exactly what I needed.

Our time in NYC was from Thursday evening to Sunday evening in November. Going in November was the best season we could have chosen — cold enough for layers, but not so cold that being outside was unbearable. The fall trees were beautiful, and the sun was still shining. Next time I go, I’d probably add one more day on the backend so we could end on a slower pace. Five days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the city and still love it when you leave.

There were a few non-negotiables for me when going to NYC for the first time. I had to see a Broadway show. I had to see the MET. I had to walk through Central Park. And to no one’s surprise, we got to do all of those things! I highly recommend making these big three a priority the next time you go, plus a few more activities that are listed below, if you have the time.

Lastly, a tip for this city would be to know your limits. Yes, there is so much to do, but you don't need to do it all in one trip. Don't do so many things that you feel drained and upset by the end of it. Enjoy the places you go to, stop into random stores that you weren't planning on, and see what other things besides the touristy stuff the city has to offer. There's a lot!

Very few places make me dream about going back on a regular basis, but NYC is definitely one of them. I’m already eager to return to the city and so thankful I got to experience it with new friends.

Below, you will find some of my favorite recommendations and outfits that are perfect for the weather in New York City in November!

LETS GO!

Hotel

• We stayed at the Hudson Yard Hotel and overall had a good experience. They messed up our rooms, so instead of one big room that slept four, we ended up with two rooms that slept two, one room on the first floor and the other on the third floor. Ideally we would have been all together, but we were rarely in our rooms anyway, so it wasn’t a big deal. The hotel was only three blocks from Times Square, and we felt safe walking around our area at night. Still, I’d always recommend staying in at least a group of two.

  • https://www.guestreservations.com/hudson-yards-hotel/booking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=16967391756&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16967391756&gbraid=0AAAAADiMQMYiZFMsHgob3ttiO2PuPnjqK&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsNPKBhCqARIsACm01fQbq5IAb94FOUjSBhR1QHj4AeNplbOTpukgOYcVcO5FRUkIgJlnGgEaAuAtEALw_wcB&ctTriggered=true

Traveling around

• Subway - We took the subway a lot during the day, and to my surprise, we never had a bad encounter. We felt safe traveling as a group and made sure to only use it during the daytime. It was super cheap, and they take Apple Pay, which made it really convenient. I’d definitely recommend using the subway to cover long distances quickly.

  • https://www.mta.info/map/5256

• Walking - The cheapest and most fun way to get around New York City! We walked everywhere and got to pop into stores and restaurants we never would’ve seen if we hadn’t passed by them. I highly recommend getting your steps in every day here because you’ll easily hit 10,000 by 10 a.m.

• Uber - Anytime we needed to get somewhere specific that was a bit farther away, we Ubered. It was way easier to let a local take us where we needed to be than to walk miles in heels and hope we were going the right way. It was pricey, but we only used it about 4–5 times, and splitting the cost made it much more affordable. We always felt safe, and it was fun getting recommendations from drivers who knew the city so well.

Restaurants

• Joe's Pizza

• Broadway Bagels

• Black Iris in Brooklyn

• Lolita's

• Central Park Boathouse

• Chez Josephine

Coffee Shops

• Ralph Lauren Coffee

• Le Pain Quotidien in Central Park

• Goat Bakeshop

Grab a drink

• Common Country Bar

• Oscar Wilde

• The Wiggle Room

Places to Explore

• Lee Ren Hair Salon

  • The BEST blowouts EVER for only $30!!! This place started blowing up on tiktok but seriously, it is worth the hype. You can call ahead to schedule an appointment, but we did a walkup around 10 A.M and waited about 45 minutes. WORTH IT.

• Shopping in SoHo

• Brooklyn Bridge Flea Market

• A Broadway show

• Central Park

• Grand Central Station

• The MET

• Little Italy

• Timesquare (duh)

Pictures of the Week!

What I Wore!