New York City is the best city in the world. Hard stop. I’m not saying it’s everyone’s favorite city, or that everyone would want to live here. I’m just stating a well known fact (?) about its urban dominance. Why? It truly never sleeps. NYC is vibrant and exciting, the energy is palpable, it’s full of fun, culture, history and a-maz-ing food. As a native New Yorker (sorry…New Yawker), I’m very familiar with many of the nooks and crannies that make this city special, unique and fun to explore. That said, I can still find new nooks and unexplored crannies. Sure, the Empire State Building is art-deco chic and the lights of Times Square are worth seeing at night – but if you really want to see the city’s character, then follow me. Here are my “Top 10 Insider Tips for Loving New York City”.

1. Walk Through the West Village and SoHo: walking through the city’s different neighborhoods and you’ll quickly get a sense of the unique character from each neighborhood. The vibe and aesthetic can change from block to block. My favorite is The West Village where you’ll find small, windy cobblestone streets, quaint (and pricey) townhomes, secret gardens and a vibe more like London than New York City. Grab a coffee at Jack’s Stir Brew, sit on the bench out front, relax and people watch. SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston) is also a must see. Tons of galleries and shops to visit. Make sure you snag a table at Keith Mcnally’s Balthazar for brunch or dinner.
2. Visit The Parks: check out the city’s parks, including Central Park, Prospect Park, and the High Line, and then eat at the Brooklyn restaurant named after the landscape architect who designed the first two, Olmsted. I happen to be the co-owner of Olmsted, but I’m not biased when I say you should try it.
3. Go Borough Hopping: bring your fancy camera (or fancy iPhone with a fancy camera) to the aesthetically captivating Brooklyn neighborhoods of DUMBO (which stands for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and Williamsburg then explore Queens for lunch or dinner.
4. Have a Drink and a Snack on a Rooftop: Have a drink and a snack on any of the numerous rooftop bars and lounges, which offer some of the best views of the city skyline. Seeing NYC from the top down with a cocktail (or mocktail) in hand provides an extra layer of majesty. Check out 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, the Refinery Hotel rooftop in Midtown or Le Bain at The Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District and Westlight in Brooklyn with expansive city views.
5. Eat at Le Bernardin: this three-Michelin-starred seafood restaurant in Midtown is consistently ranked among the best in the world and just retained its 4 star review from The NY Times in its most recent review by Pete Wells. Get ready to drop a pretty penny, but it’s a classic New York spot that hasn’t lost its luster and, if you love food, is worth the price tag.
6. Rent a Citi Bike: ride through along the Hudson River Greenway and over the Brooklyn Bridge. There are a lot of bike paths throughout the city and it’s a great way to soak it all up.
7. Go Museum Hopping: visit some of the city’s lesser-known museums, like The New Museum in the Lower East Side or the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. You’ll discover some incredible art and exhibitions that you won’t find anywhere else. Of course, if you’ve never hit the big guns like MOMA, The Whitney and The Met – do that too.
8. Attend The Tribeca Film Festival: This annual film festival takes place in April and showcases the best in independent and international cinema. Founded by O.G. New Yorker Robert De Niro (yes the Robert De Niro), plus Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff this film festival is a true New York experience.
9. Eat Lots of Pizza: There are so many places in New York to grab an amazing slice but Roberta’s or Lucali in Brooklyn are the best of the best. The Clintons came all the way to Bushwick once for Roberta’s and the line will start forming at 4pm to get a table at Lucali’s. If you’d prefer to stay in the city try Una Pizza Napoletana in the LES or grab a Pepperoni Square Slice from Prince Street Pizza or Mama’s Too.
10. See an Opera: Skip Broadway, see an Opera at Lincoln Center. Now, there is nothing wrong with a fun Broadway show, but this is a list for insiders. Broadway has become more and more commercialized and the shows have become franchised in different cities around the world. So, if you want a unique New York experience the elegant Metropolitan Opera House will deliver. Don’t worry, there are translation devices so you can read in English what they are usually singing in Italian or German.

If you need an affordable place to stay, we should note that Airbnb’s are not legal. You’ll have to book a hotel and those can get expensive in NYC. Of course, timeshare rentals in New York City like the ones on KOALA are much less than the hotel rack rates. They’re also the only legal short term rentals in Manhattan (!) and the resorts are located on prime blocks like West 57th Street (a.k.a. Billionaire’s Row) and 45th Street — near the enchanting and historic Grand Central Station. These are just a handful of ideas that can help you navigate New York City like a pro but in truth – it’s not hard to find yourself having fun in the city. As the famous Myrna Loy once said, “if you’re bored in New York, it’s your own fault.