New York City. The constantly evolving city that never sleeps.
Home to some of the world’s best restaurants, cafés, bars, art museums, shopping, culture, architecture and nightlife.
There’s no shortage of things to do or see. The city is so big and so diverse, packed with so many iconic attractions and landmarks, that even figuring out where to start your trip, deciding what to see or what neighborhood to explore can be overwhelming.
We lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with our first child and are always excited to share our favorite corners of the city. Our Brooklyn cake and pastry guide includes both current stops and places we visited before they moved or changed service.
Why we love New York
We moved here from Copenhagen and called Brooklyn home, navigating New York with a child in tow and groceries in hand. It never lets you get bored of it. Every neighbourhood feels like a different town, and the fact that you can find almost any food, at almost any hour, at almost any price still feels like magic to us.
What to see and do
The trick with New York is to resist the urge to do everything at once. Pick a neighbourhood or two per day and let the city reward you for slowing down.
- Central Park, which is bigger than it looks and worth crossing on foot at least once.
- The big museums along Fifth Avenue, including the Met, plus the Guggenheim's spiral.
- The High Line and Chelsea Market for a walk above the streets and an easy lunch.
- The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or the free Staten Island Ferry for the skyline view.
- Brooklyn Bridge, best walked from Brooklyn into Manhattan early in the day.
- The neighbourhoods themselves, from our former home in Williamsburg to the brownstones of Brooklyn Heights.
Where to eat and drink
Eating is the main event in New York, and the range is staggering. We spent much of our time in Brooklyn, and the bakery and pastry scene around us is reason enough to cross the river. Our Williamsburg and Greenpoint cake guide explains which of our former favorites you can still visit.
When to go and how to get around
Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, with mild weather and the city at its most liveable, while the December holidays bring their own energy. Summer is hot and busy, and winter is cold but quiet and cheap. Getting around is easy once you trust the subway. It runs around the clock and beats traffic almost every time. Add walking and the occasional ferry, and you rarely need a car or a cab.