New York Cheat Sheet
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New York Cheat Sheet 〰️
AIRPORTS
LaGuardia
Our personal fave. ~25 minutes by cab to North Brooklyn. Don’t eat at Brooklyn Diner. Catch the fountain light show set to “New York, New York”.
JFK
Farther from the heart of the city, but this one is accessible by train if you’d like to brave the subway. $10 tram to the ACE line! If you have time, stop by the TWA hotel - a 1960’s Space Age dream - in Terminal 4.
Newark
Tickets can be cheaper, but factor in drive time + cost to the city — cabs can be $100+.
GETTING AROUND
Subway Tips
Download the Kickmap app to see where all the subway lines go (and it is still accessible if you lose wifi underground). You can tap to pay with your phone if you have a card in your Apple Wallet - no Metrocard needed.
Citi Bike
Citi Bike docks are everywhere in Williamsburg and can be the quickest (and most scenic) way to get around. Download the app to unlock a bike and check dock availability in real time.
Cabs
Uber or Lyft are always a safe bet, but cabs can be cheaper during surge pricing (sometimes). If you want to feel like a true-blue, cab-hailing New Yorker - raise one hand and look for a cab who’s numbers are lit up. That means they’re open for biz. Also - try giving them an intersection when they ask you where you’re going.
WHERE TO EAT
Manhattan Faves
If you want to turn up the heat Mission Chinese (Chinatown)
DESCRIPTION
If you want classic NY Italian hospitality Artè Restaurant (Union Square)
Sorry, Olive Garden — but when you’re HERE, you’re family. Order the chicken parm, veal picatta, tiramisu — you cannot go wrong. Tell them Natalie and Josiah sent you and you just might get a preview of our wedding cocktail on the house.
Brooklyn Faves
If you want a sleek, expansive atmosphere Rule of Thirds (Williamsburg)
You can order several dishes to share with killer sake pairings at this Japanese fusion neighborhood spot. Don’t miss the karaage and the Kasujiru. Reservations reommended.
If you want an elevated burger for a great deal Cozy Royale (Williamsburg)
With prime beef sourced from local hip butcher The Meat Hook, this place has the best smash burger + fries in town, on happy hour from 5PM-7PM. Reservations reommended.
WHERE TO IMBIBE
Manhattan Faves
If you want an iconic NY piano bar Bemelman’s (Upper East Side)
A New York institution inside the famous Carlyle Hotel. Lively piano bar, the best bar nuts in town, and a wraparound hand-painted mural by the illustrator of Madeleine. An iconic room with elevated ($$$) cocktails. Reservations recommended.
If you want Lower East Side weirdness 169 Bar (LES)
A quirky dive bar with pickle martinis and a leopard print pool table. Can’t go wrong.
Brooklyn Faves
If you want to visit our hip local watering hole The Palace (Williamsburg)
The Palace has been featured in Boardwalk Empire, The Hunting Party and most importantly — many a weeknight catchup. Friendly bartenders, stain glass, and dog-friendly — next to our fave neighborhood park.
If you want to feel like you’re in a 1970’s basement Ray’s (Williamsburg)
Justin Theroux + Cousin Greg (for all you Succession fans) co-own this very hip, happenin’ elevated dive bar. Great martinis, GREAT frozen drinks, and a pool table.
WHAT TO DO
If you want to go to the dive bar of spas Spa 88 (Financial District)
A traditional Russian and Turkish bath with some crazy New York characters, a surprisingly delicious selection of soup and smoked meats, and a 200+ degree dry sauna called “The Russian Room”. Must be seen to be believed. You’ll emerge feeling brand new.
If you want to see some famous paintings The Met (Upper East Side)
Don’t mess with a classic. Dedicate a few hours to this NY institution, and don’t miss the French interiors (which inspired our wedding colors) or the Impressionist wing.
If you want some scenic exercise The Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn Heights)
Want a day in South Brooklyn? Start in lower Manhattan and stroll the Brooklyn Bridge. The views are unmatched. Once you cross over into BK, grab some ice cream on the pier and stroll the Promenade.
If you want to see some famous comedians Comedy Cellar (Greenwich Village)
Expect some famous faces to drop in, sign up for a reservation online, and stop by Olive Tree Cafe next door before or after for good bar food + drinks. It serves as the green room for all the comedians. You will prob sit behind Kevin Hart.
If you want to get jazzy Small’s or Mezzrow (Lower Manhattan)
You can’t go to New York City and not hear some great jazz. Luckily, it’s everywhere. Check out Small’s, Mezzrow, Arthur’s Tavern, or Village Vanguard.