Watchhouse

660 Fifth Avenue · Midtown

A London import with a very cute, quaint, upscale teddy-bear-like decor. Great pastries, coffee, and design.

La Cabra

284 Lafayette Street · SoHo

A Copenhagen coffee shop that landed in SoHo and kept all its calm. Single origin, very good, and it’s always packed — but seats open up quickly.

Torrisi

275 Mulberry Street · NoLIta

Order the martini, order the fusilli, and go with your best friend.

Atomix

104 East 30th Street · NoMad

Two Michelin stars and somehow the most welcoming room in New York. Korean tasting menu done in a way that makes you forget you’re at a tasting menu, but will remember years later.

Yunnan Rice Noodle House

274 Grand Street · Chinatown

Open 24 hours, complimentary noodle refills, sit in the back for more peace and quiet.

L’Industrie

197 Grand Street · Little Italy

Order the fig pizza. I hosted a work happy hour for 300 people and this was the first one gone, if that’s enough data.

McNally Jackson

SoHo, Williamsburg & more

My favorite independent bookshop in the city. Multiple locations — and the vibe is perfect at every one.

The Whitney

99 Gansevoort Street · Meatpacking District

More New Yorkers per square foot than any other museum in the city, which tells you it’s the right one. Don’t skip the fifth floor views.

The Met

1000 Fifth Avenue · Upper East Side

I’ve been over fifteen times — sometimes on my own and sometimes as a tour guide to friends — and still feel excited to explore more. Don’t attempt to scale the whole thing in one visit — pick a wing, go deep, then come back another day.

US Open

Flushing Meadows · Queens  ·  Late August – Early September

Fun, frenetic, overpriced — but the only Grand Slam in the western hemisphere. Worth every penny and every hour of chaos.

Domino Park

15 River Street · Williamsburg

The best waterfront park in the city. The view of Manhattan from the Williamsburg side is genuinely one of my favorite things about living here.

Central Park Reservoir

Central Park · Upper West & East Side

The first time I came here it took my breath away. Your first time is going to be the best time.