Anyone who knows me or has followed me on social media for even the shortest amount of time knows that New York City my favorite city in the world (with Los Angeles following closely behind it.)

I’m always suggesting to friends and family (or anyone that will listen) that they need to visit and the next question is - what should me do? (or even if they don’t ask I will still give suggestions on what to do.)

I tend to try to live like a local when I’m there, so some of these places are off the beaten path, but very well worth it.

Transportation

This Is A MUST: Before even stepping foot onto the plane to head to New York, download the Transit App. There’s no real reason to take an Uber/Lyft, in fact I don’t take one unless I’m running late somewhere. The Transit App gives pretty exact directions to where you need to go, what trains you need to take, if/when you need to transfer to another train, and (my favorite feature) it tells you exactly which exit signage to look for when leaving the station, so you don’t get turned around. (e.g. NW Exit, SE Exit)
Getting from LaGuardia Airport: Take the Q70 LaGuardia Link shuttle bus for free from Terminals B or C to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av/74 St Station and from there you can take the MTA 7 Train, E Train, F Train, M Train or R Train wherever you need to go. (Don’t forget to head to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave/74 St to take the LaGuardia Link on your way to the airport.)
Tap, Tap, Tap: Using MTA’s OMNY system, you can easily tap your phone or card and ride on subways and buses. When you tap the same card or phone for 12 individual trips within a 7-day period, you'll get unlimited free rides for the rest of the week.

Food

Lunch/Dinner/Late-ish: Azara Kitchen (Harlem) My first time trying African food (thanks, Darlene) and I’m hooked! Try the Maffe Lamb. Take the MTA 3 Train to Harlem–148th Street Station and walk 4 minutes.
Dinner/Late Night: HarlemPublic (Harlem) One of the best burgers I’ve had in the city. The Peanut Butter Burger or the Wake n Bake (featuring a McDonald’s hash brown!) are good choices. I also love their Avocado Fries. Take the MTA 1 Train to 145th Street Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) and it’s a 4 block walk.
Lunch/Dinner/Late Night: John’s Of Bleecker Street (West Village) I won’t wait in a long line in the freezing cold for just ANY Pizza. Try The Boom Pie. Take the MTA 1 Train to Christopher St-Stonewall Station and it’s a short walk down 7th Avenue to Bleecker.
Lunch/Dinner/Late-ish: Wo Hop (Chinatown) I believe this is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the city. You definitely want the basement location and not the “Wo Hop Next Door” - if nothing but for the experience. Their Spicy Crispy Sea Bass Hunan Style can’t be beat. Take the MTA N Train, Q Train, R Train or 6 Train to Canal Street Station and it’s not too far from the station based on which train you take.
Lunch/Dinner/Late Night: La Nacional (Chelsea/West Village) My first time ever trying Spanish Tapas was at La Nacional with some dear friends, and I was hooked. Take the MTA 1 Train, 2 Train, or 3 Train to 14th Street Station, or the MTA A Train, C Train, or E Train to 14th Street/8th Avenue Station and you’re there in about half a block.
Lunch/Dinner/Late-ish: Zia Maria Pastaria (Little Italy) Your classic Italian restaurant, but what I like about this place is the outdoor seating. In fact, in the many times I’ve been there, I’ve never sat inside. The Lobster Ravioli is a fave. Take the MTA N Train, Q Train, R Train to Canal Street Station and walk about 6 minutes to Little Italy from there.
Dinner/Late Night/Sunday Brunch: BEA NYC Restuarant and Bar (Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown West) Try the Uncle Tommy’s Pie. Take just about any MTA Red, Purple or Yellow line to Times Square–42nd Street Station and walk a t.

Tourist Attractions

Top Of The Rock Observation Deck (Midtown/Diamond District) One of my favorite places in the city. A 360° view of the entire city from the top of Rockefeller Center. (A better view than Empire State, which has a chain-link fence to partially-obstruct your view/photos. Plus, any photos you take will have Empire State in them!) Go at Sunset for the most incredible photo ops! Take the MTA B Train, D Train, F Train or M Train to 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center Station or take just about any MTA Red, Purple or Yellow line to Times Square–42nd Street Station and walk a couple of blocks.
Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn) Take the MTA A Train or C Train to High Street or Jay St - MetroTech station.

Night Life

Don’t Tell Mama (Hell’s Kitchen) Don't Tell Mama has been in Hell's Kitchen for over 40 years. It's a fantastic piano bar with great food and even better live music! Take just about any MTA Red, Purple or Yellow line to Times Square–42nd Street Station and it’s a short 10 minute walk from there.

Record Stores

Generation Records (South Village) A great selection of vinyl upstairs and lots of deals on CDs downstairs. Take the MTA 6 Train to Bleecker Street Station or the MTA B Train, D Train, F Train or M Train to Broadway–Lafayette Street Station (they’re connected) and it’s an 8 minute walk.
Rough Trade (Midtown/Diamond District) Four floors of new, used, and rare books along with book-ish gifts. A must-visit for me every time. Take the MTA B Train, D Train, F Train or M Train to 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center Station or take just about any Red, Purple or Yellow line to Times Square–42nd Street Station and walk a couple of blocks.

Shopping

Carroll Gardens (Brooklyn) This is a great neighborhood full of charming boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Think of the 12 South neighborhood in Nashville or the Delmar Loop in the University City neighborhood of St. Louis. I recommend Saturn Road for Coffee, Woods Grove for gifts, and a trip to Books Are Magic is a must. Take the MTA A Train or C Train to the Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets Station and switch to the G Train to Bergen Street.
Strand Books (Union Square) Four floors of new, used, and rare books along with book-ish gifts. A must-visit for me every time. Take the MTA N Train, Q Train, R Train or W Train to 14th Street–Union Square Station and it’s 2 blocks away.
Chelsea Market (Meatpacking District) Chelsea Market is home to butchers, bakeries, specialty food shops and restaurants, speciality shops, and more. A must see is Artists & Fleas Marketplace featuring local artists, designers, makers, and vintage items. Take the A Train, C Train, or E Train to 14th Street/8th Avenue Station and walk one block.

New York City