Nomadic Foodie welcomes Little Miss Obsessive to wax NYC here for us.  We were paired up as part of the 20-Something Bloggers Blog Swap, a great way to find, meet, and introduce yourself to new bloggers.  LMO’s spent some considerable time in NYC, so she weighed in her favorites and must-dos.  I visited NYC for the first time this past summer, and can not wait to get back to see and eat more!
Enjoy!

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New York City Favorites

Well hello blog tarts, I’m Little Miss Obsessive and I’m invading Doniree’s blog today for the 20 something bloggers 6th Blog Swap! So don’t forget to head over to my digs today also, to get a dose of the lovely Doni talking about her city, Minneapolis.

Being a Jersey girl and all, I have been able to do my fair share of exploring the amazing city of New York. I still have SO MUCH left to cover but I thought I’d share with you some tips, favorite spots & adventures from my travels there.

My #1 Recommendation – Learn to use the Subway system

My college roomie and I use to travel to the city with her Dad for a few days every winter. We usually stayed somewhere in Midtown, as I’m sure most people do. During the day we would explore on foot, walking up to the Upper East side or walking around Midtown but walking can only get you so far (and taxi’s get expensive!). One year, we were gung ho about getting us some fake bags from Canal Street and realized to do this, we would need to conquer the Subway system. We really did not have high hopes for ourselves but we were pleasantly surprised (and proud) of how easily we were able to navigate our way. And once we did, we realized just how much more of the city there is to explore! An all-day unlimited pass is only $8.25. And for all the zipping around the city you can do – that is an amazing deal! You have endless possibilities for exploring if you can just conquer that silly subway system.

Canal St. – China Town

Speaking of Canal St, that was probably one of my favorite adventures in NYC. Now, I don’t know if you are into buying some fake bags but even if you are not, it is a sight to see. Located in China Town, a stretch of Canal St is store after store of all the same items – sunglasses, jewelry, scarves, hats, purses, purses & purses (mostly knockoffs of the real expensive stuff)! But not the blatantly fake stuff, the good stuff. With imperfections that are sometimes completely unnoticeable. However, the stores that you can see from the street are not where the good stuff is located. They have to hide the good stuff from public or they will get busted by the cops. Basically what happens is, as you’re walking down the street, people will be acting all nonchalant and as you walk by they will get really close and whisper, “you want Gucci, Prada, Coach, Louis??“

The first time we said yes, we ended up having to follow a lady 2 blocks to a convenient store and then down to the basement. Yes, it was just as sketchy as it sounds and you probably think we are crazy! Once downstairs, we found ourselves in a room filled with bags – Coach, Prada, Chanel, etc. – just as promised. We each bought a bag and that was about all the excitement we could handle the first year. The following year, a lady took us to a parked van which was filled with bags. There were three of us and we could barely fit in the van, there was a little bench big enough for barely two people so my sister ended up sitting on my lap as we scoped out the bags. It’s actually quite a rush, to be honest. Half the fun is definitely the adventure! By the next year, College Roomie and I were pretty much pros at how it all works, and would be able to spot the people who had the hidden stash somewhere. We went in the dead of winter, bundled up and literally spent hours walking around in the bitter cold. And we still had a great time. At one point, I turned to her and said, “man, I love this place.” To which she replied, “I really do too.”

Serendipity – The East Side

It’s become our tradition to go to Canal Street every winter followed by a trip to one of our other favorite spots in the city – Serendipity – famous for its desserts and especially their frozen hot chocolate. I especially love it there around the Holidays. They do an amazing job with the decorations and create an amazing ambiance (and I’m allll about the ambiance of a place). There is almost always at least a 2 hour wait. The one time we did not have to wait, we went right when it opened at 11am. But I’m guessing not everyone wants to eat dessert at that time. So here’s what I suggest: you get there and put your name down. Then head over to Patsy’s Pizzeria across the street to have dinner. It’s awesome! I promise. Now – here’s the important part, DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT! After you eat, you will have killed at least an hour or an hour and a half. That’s when you head back over to Serendipity and check on how much longer a wait you have. Probably only 15-30 minutes. Then enjoy the lovely ambiance and a DELICIOUS dessert. I’m craving their famous FROZEN hot chocolate just thinking about it:

Central Park – Upper East Side/Upper West Side

Another favorite spot of mine is Central Park. I kind of can’t believe I’m in the city when I’m there. It’s so beautiful and even, relaxing! It’s such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the streets. During the spring you will find the grass covered with people lying out, reading or getting a tan. There are great restaurants like Tavern on the Green and The Boathouse to have lunch or dinner at. There is also a really cute, small zoo that I’m not sure that many people know about – The Central Park Zoo. You can cover the whole thing in only an hour or two which is perfect for an afternoon in the park.

Central Park – May ’09

Times Square

Of course, no trip to the city would be complete without spending some time in Times Square. Sure, it is the most touristy part of the city – but that’s ok. I think everyone should see it at least once in their life. There is really nothing else like the hustle and bustle of Times Square. Mostly all the Broadway shows are located in this area. If you do not have a specific show you are dying to see then I suggest visiting the Ticket booth in the middle of Times Square (located “under the red steps” In Father Duffy Square on Broadway and 47th Street). Basically, they sell discounted (up to 50% off) for that night’s shows. You have to wait in line but if you don’t mind and you don’t have your heart set on a specific show then it’s a great deal!

So, those are just a few of my favorite places to go to in the city. The amazing thing about New York is that it is filled with endless possibilities. You don’t even always have to have a plan. You can just wander around and see what you end up finding.

Have you traveled to New York? Where are some of your favorite spots?

My first trip to NYC was a short, but dizzyingly wonderful one.  I spent about thirty-six hours there and managed to sightsee more than I’d expected.  And naturally, I ATE.  In fact, the only thing I think I had on my to-eat list that I didn’t get to was the pizza.

Don’t get me wrong.  We tried.  We walked all the way across the bridge to Brooklyn for Grimaldi’s pizza.  Except that it was 90somethingfucking degrees outside and the line THAT WENT OUTSIDE was a good 45 minutes.

Hell no.

So, we ventured to the South Street Seaport instead.

NYC has SO MANY food options, and with the exception of Times Square (ick. boo.), most seem to be authentic, local, amazing little eateries.  Here’s what I DID manage to nom:

• a bagel in Brooklyn.  To be honest?  It was TASTY, but the bagels at East Coast Bagels in California were better on the sheer principle that they had CHOCOLATE CHIP bagels and this little shop in Brooklyn did not
• popcorn shrimp at the Heartland Brewery at the South Street Seaport.  Popcorn shrimp is ALWAYS a win.  I also enjoyed their Summertime Apricot Ale with my Fish and Chips.  Seafood?  Always good.  FRIED seafood?  EVEN BETTER.

• Then there was a CHEESE PLATE and TIRAMISU at Bar Baresco.  I think that the best way to enjoy a cheese plate – at least for me, while I’m learning what I like and don’t – is to ask the server for a good variety of different levels of soft and hardness and intensity.  We got a beautifully diverse array of soft cheeses, red wine infused cheeses, and delicious nuts and honeys to accompany the cheese.
• And the tiramisu? OH MY GOD.

Now, I just need to get back to that fine city and have a piece of greasy pizza!