5 things to do in New York City
Recommendations from my recent trip
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If you read last week's post, you know that my recent trip to NYC almost ended before it started (due to an “uncomfortably close" landing at Newark). Thankfully, the trip only got better from there. I crossed a few spots off of my “want to go” list and saw Peter Dinklage coming out of his apartment in Brooklyn. Exciting stuff!
Here are the top five things I did during my four-day stay.
Enjoy!
Riley
The Ace Hotel
Downtown Brooklyn
The Ace’s newest New York outpost is in downtown Brooklyn, a skippable, urban neighborhood that is, nevertheless, the perfect hub for getting around. The hotel is located across the street from a metro station that connects you to Manhattan and Williamsburg in less than 15 minutes. It’s also a short walk from Fort Greene and Prospect Park. Because the Ace is brand new, all of the rooms were in excellent condition. This is probably the nicest—and definitely the biggest—hotel room I’ve ever booked in NYC. And it was about $275 a night. Arguably, a good deal for a room with a king-sized bed, a couch, and a desk. If you don’t stay here, the hotel is an attraction in and of itself, with a loungey bar, decent food, and a dedicated coworking space.
Bar Kabawa
Lower East Side
A Momofuku restaurant, Bar Kabawa has all of the approachability and “fun" you'd expect from a David Chang-related institution. It's high-quality drinking food. This time, from the Caribbean. Handpies are a must-order (specifically, the Geera Goat baked pattie and the Pepperpot Duck baked pattie). And a good rule of thumb? Get the most tropical drink on the menu (like the Daiquiri or off-menu Piña Colada). Reservation recommended, unless you’re fine standing at a shared high-top. You can also go next door to Kabawa for a bigger menu and more substantial but less intimate seating.
Long Island Bar
Downtown Brooklyn
This is where I went after the harrowing landing into Newark. Maybe it was the post-flight adrenaline, but the moment I walked in to Long Island Bar, I was in love. Think retro NY deli, but with really good cocktails and burgers. The centerpoint is a sturdy bar, encased with gold name placards of loyal patrons. I ordered the Improved Pendennis Club—gin, apricot, lime, and bitters—which tasted so good I basically gulped it down. Although I ended up getting a burger across the street at Henry Public (an excellent alternative if Long Island Bar is too packed), the food here seemed solid. If you're from Austin, you’ll be excited to know the executive chef came by way of Bufalina. No reservation needed.
The New York Transit Museum
Brooklyn Heights
This is a museum for people who’ve “done New York museums.” Skip the Whitney Biennial and another trip to the Met, and go to the Transit Museum instead. The exhibits take you through the many phases of construction and feature preserved, decomissioned train cars. One of the best rooms is an homage to the now defunct Metro Card, a New York relic. For only $10 a person, this is a must-do. Especially if you have kids. Or if you really love talking about transit.
Mary Beth Barone
Greenwich Village
Sure, you could go to Comedy Cellar or a talk show taping (I’ve done both and recommend!), but why not see if any big names are in town? Lucky for me, Mary Beth Barone (of the Amazon Prime’s Overcompensating and the podcast, Ride) was filming her Netflix stand-up special during my stay as part of her Galaxy Brain tour. Although the show was sold out, by some miracle, I snagged a few tickets from a fellow Baronie on Reddit. Mary Beth absolutely delivered, and I highly recommend seeing if she has any shows next time you’re in NYC (where she lives) or watching her Netflix special once it airs.
P.S. Other spots I loved: Grand Army, Henry Public, Apollo Bagels, Xian Famous Foods, and Chambers Wine Bar.
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Huge co-sign for Bar Kabawa! I didn’t make it to Long Island Bar on my recent trip, but it was a favorite when I lived in Brooklyn!! Glad you had a great trip!