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NYC Travel Tips
We’re so glad you’re coming to New York City! Use this guide to plan where to stay, what to see, and what to eat. Everything here is walkable or a short subway ride from Midtown.
Stay between 5th–8th Aves & Below 59th St
- The New Yorker - Thanksgiving Parade staging hotel.
- Sheraton New York Times Square - Stayed here with AYC Team.
- Courtyard by Marriott Fifth Ave. - guest ministers reviewed well.
- Broadway Plaza Hotel - Flatiron District.
- Motto by Hilton - clean, great location, compact rooms.
- InterContinental Times Square - nice & close to subway, pricey.
Best Skyline Lookouts
- 🌟 The Edge — Ashley's Favorite. Outdoor deck with glass walls.
- Empire State Building — Iconic NYC.
- Summit One Vanderbilt — Futuristic.
- Top of the Rock — The Beam experience.
Quick Hits
- Literary Walk
- Bethesda Fountain
- Row Boats at Loeb Boathouse
- Grab a hotdog 🌭
Must-Try Bites
- ⭐ Prince St. Pizza - Donny's Favorite (SoHo, famous squares)
- Joe’s Pizza - Classic NYC slice (Carmine St.)
- Santo Taco - excellent tacos
- 🌟 Los Tacos No. 1 - Chelsea Market favorite.
- Da Nico - Little Italy classic.
- 5 Napkin Burger - great burgers & shakes.
- Little Ruby’s - Aussie-style café; multiple locations.
- Time Out Market - Brooklyn (DUMBO) food hall with views.
- Jacob’s Pickles - Upper West comfort food.
- Magnolia Bakery - banana pudding!
- Chip City - cookies on Bleecker.
- 🌟 Tony Di Napoli - family-style Italian; Midtown/Upper East. 🍁 Willis Thanksgiving Lunch Spot Upper East 🍁
- Carmine’s - giant family-style Italian.
- Mulberry Street - Little Italy, classic vibes.
- Junior’s - famous cheesecake, Times Square & Brooklyn.
- Churros Truck - popular street snack.
- 🌟 Jackson Hole - Upper East Side burgers. Family Favorite
- Pommes Frites - Belgian fries, East Village.
Sweet Treats & Sips
- Desserts: Molly’s Cupcakes; Little Cupcake Bakeshop; Dominique Ansel Bakery; Schmackary’s; Anita Gelato.
- Coffee: Caffè Paradiso; The Elk.
- Old‑School Soda: Lexington Candy Shop (classic soda fountain).
Free Best View Tip
Staten Island Ferry - Board on the right side going out for statue views. Get off in Staten Island and reboard to return.
Only-in-NYC Experiences
- Broadway show - same-day discounts at the TKTS booth (Times Square).
- The FRIENDS Experience
- The MET - world-class art museum
- The Plaza Hotel - by Central Park
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum - solemn, powerful
- Rockefeller Center
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Little Island Park
- The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- ⭐ American Girl Store - Claire’s Favorite (Rockefeller Center)
- ⭐ MLB Store - Braydon’s Favorite
- ⭐ M&M Store - Elliot’s Favorite
Budget‑Friendly Gems
- Elizabeth Street Garden — quiet Nolita spot for coffee.
- NYC Ferry — cheap skyline views (beautiful at night).
- Pier 57 Rooftop Park — sunset views over the Hudson.
- Hudson Yards — great sunset vantage by the Vessel.
- The High Line — elevated park walk.
Transit Tips
- Subway - fastest & cheapest (a bit tricky first time).
- Hop-on/Hop-off buses - easy sightseeing.
- Cabs/Uber - convenient, expect traffic.
Don’t Miss These Angles
- DUMBO - Brooklyn, skyline framed by the bridge (walk or ferry).
- Little Italy sign - plus Mulberry St. stroll.
- Times Square - best at night.
- Central Park bridges - Bow Bridge & Gapstow.
- Flatiron Building - classic wedge shot.
- Grand Central - Main Concourse ceiling.
- 9/11 Memorial - reflecting pools at night.
- Doyers Street - Chinatown’s curved, lantern-lined alley.
Join Us in Worship
- Living Hope NYC - livinghope.nyc
⏰ Sundays at 5PM - 120 West 17th Street, Manhattan (between 6th & 7th Ave) - Westchester Church - westchesterchurch.com
⏰ Sundays at 11AM - 690 N Broadway, White Plains (40 min train ride from Grand Central)
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