Clarabelle

About once a month I get a Facebook message from a friend or a stranger asking me “Where should I go in New York?”Now I do live in New York but I am no expert on places to go. There are other people that are a thousand times better at dropping the names of obscure restaurants and shops and bars — but I do have a few tips that will ensure that you have a fulfilling time when you visit.

♥ Take the subway: I know it looks scary and intimidating and you may think that going down in the subway will lead to your violent and tragic demise. It won’t. Yes, you will annoy about ten people when you don’t understand how to acquire and use your metrocard but that is water under the bridge. Get on the subway and take it somewhere. Anywhere. The subway will ensure that you don’t spend your entire trip to NYC essentially circling the Times Square area in a smelly cab.

♥ Go to Times Square either really early or really late: Some jaded poo-poo pants might try and tell you that Times Square is for chumps. Well, you wouldn’t go to Paris and not see Versailles, so why come to New York and not see Times Square? It is cool there — not as cool as Versailles but whatever. You will never, ever, ever in your whole life see more oversized ads in one place. Seriously the sheer amount of advertising in one city block will blow your mind. But you have to be smart about Times Square. You only need to see it once and you need to see it at the right time. Here’s a secret to success. Go to Times Square either SUPER early (like 7am) or super late (like 1am after drinks). A miracle occurs then. Times Square is empty — but all the lights are on so it is still cool. Don’t ever, under any circumstances, go to Times Square during the day. Unless you don’t like happiness.

♥ Eat below 14th street: It may sound snobby but if you only have a few days to spend in the city — eat at good places. All the good places are downtown. Get on the subway and go down there. That isn’t to say that there are no good places to eat above 14th Street. For example, Red Rooster in Harlem where I live is lovely. But the number  of great places per city block downtown is remarkable. You stand a better chance of eating somewhere great if you stay down there.

♥ Visit a park that isn’t Central Park: Central Park is so gorgeous and so big. But other parks are pretty rad, too. Like Prospect Park in Brooklyn. That is a lovely park and you can go there and see real hipsters and take photos of them (hipsters love to have their photo taken by a stranger).

♥ Come back: Don’t try to cram New York into a weekend or even a week long trip. Pick one or two super touristy things to do (like the Statue of Liberty or Top of the Rock) and spend the rest of your time exploring. Just put on those walking flats from J. Crew and walk. Walk for miles. Walk till your feet burn. Then stop  on a block that appeals to you and go to whatever cafe is the closest. You will feel adventurous and alive — and you will experience something truly memorable.

Happy New Yorking!

p.s. Don’t forget to bring money and lots of it. This city is a cruel mistress and she will make you broke as a joke if you aren’t careful.

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