NYC Summer Weekend Guide
Whether you live in New York City, plan on working there this summer or are a train stop away, we at The Edge have compiled an itinerary for a perfect weekend in the Big Apple. As a New York City native myself, I hope to provide you with some of the city's most excellent and entertaining spots. These destinations are guaranteed to leave you with a weekend for the books. This guide features spots mostly located in Lower Manhattan.
Friday:
To start off your Friday night, head to Bar Belly on Orchard Street for their happy hour. This hidden gem has a quaint atmosphere and is serving $1 oysters and $11 cocktails every day during happy hour from 5—7 p.m. Next, for dinner, head to La Esquina on Kenmare Street. La Esquina offers an innovative rendition of Mexican-style street food. The downstairs restaurant (which is more upscale) is for reservations only; however, outside and upstairs seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The crowd is hip, and the tacos and margaritas are to die for.
After dinner, it’s time to get the night started. Make your way over for drinks at The Flower Shop on Eldrige Street. This ‘70s inspired bar is the perfect place to start your night. The downstairs features a pool table, sunken fireplace, jukebox, disco ball and photo booth. The music is amazing, and the atmosphere is nostalgic. After this, end your night at NYC’s newest nightclub, the Daphne. Hidden inside a Chinatown hotel, this nightclub sends you back in time to a disco and vintage era. Lastly, 7th Street Burger is THE place for a late-night munch. This hole-in-the-wall burger shop has been dubbed by many as serving the best burger in NYC and is open on weekends until 3 a.m.
Saturday:
Wake up! It’s Saturday, and it’s time to get your day started. There’s nothing like a good NYC bagel to start your morning. Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A is known as one of the bagel places in New York City. Whether it’s a bagel with cream cheese, lox or a basic bacon egg and cheese, this spot won’t disappoint. For a sit-down breakfast, we recommend Cafe Habana in NoLita. This is a must-go, Cuban-Mexican neighborhood restaurant serving classic huevos rancheros, Cuban sandwiches and delicious elote.
Cafe Habana
After breakfast, get ready to spend the day in NoLita and SoHo. Start by grabbing a delicious iced latte from La Colombe. While it may be slightly overpriced, La Colombe has some of the best coffee in NYC. It’s creamy, nutty and reliable. Then, sip your way over to McNally Jackson, an independent bookstore located on Prince Street. McNally Jackson is a NoLita classic and perfect for book lovers. They feature a variety of books and a curated array of magazines and coffee table books. Make your way over to the New Museum. The contemporary art museum features up-and-coming exhibitions that are perfect for an afternoon activity. Students get $12 entry with a student ID. After exploring art, we recommend that you check out Isalis. This small women's boutique includes everything from brands like Paloma Wool to House of Sunny. In addition to smaller boutiques, West Broadway is filled with stores to browse like Urban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, Aritzia and Zara. If you’re feeling adventurous, go get your ears pierced at the “Glossier of piercing studios,” Studs.
Studs NYC
For lunch, head on over to Ruby’s Cafe on Mulberry. This all-day Australian cafe serves a menu of crowd-pleasing staples with a healthy-ish, bowl-based bend. The menu features delicious options like a crispy rice bowl with eggs and scallions, a spicy Italian sausage pasta and their famous “Bronte” Aussie burger. For dinner, it’s hard to recommend just one place as downtown is filled with so many amazing restaurants. For this trip, we recommend dining at Jack's Wife Freida. This lively NYC bistro serves American-Mediterranean dishes and never disappoints. The Jack’s Burger is to die for, along with their Greek salad or Peri-Peri chicken with diced salad. The drinks — ranging from a Bootsy Collins to a margarita on the rocks — are also a hit. Finally, end your night with some karaoke at Sing-Sing on St. Marks Street.
Sunday:
It’s Sunday, your last and final day in NYC. Spend this last day in the West Village and Chelsea area. First, start out by grabbing breakfast at The Grey Dog in Chelsea. The Grey Dog is a relaxed cafe known for its lunch and brunch. It’s a cozy spot to get a classic American breakfast such as eggs, pancakes, home fries, bacon, fried chicken and waffles or a classic breakfast burrito. If you’re feeling like a smaller bite, Sullivan St. Bakery in Chelsea features delicious baked goods. Walk off the weekend at the High Line, an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. The 1.45-mile-long elevated park features beautiful views of Manhattan and the Hudson River as well as contemporary art installations and food pop-ups. As you walk the High Line, make your way to the Whitney Museum of American Art. The museum presents a full range of contemporary American art with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries. Student tickets are $18, and adult tickets are $25. If you’re looking to see art on a budget, Chelsea offers some of the best free art galleries in Manhattan. This Time Out article features top recommendations including the David Zwirner, Gagosian and C24 Gallery.
The High Line
For an afternoon bite, stroll through Chelsea Market. This food hall and shopping mall occupies an entire block of Chelsea and features amazing bakeries like the Fat Witch and Sarabeths, along with restaurants like Takumi Taco and Black Seed Bagel. For sushi, pop into Lukes's Lobster and for a sweet treat, the Doughnuttery donuts are a must. The West Village is full of restaurants, cocktail bars and happy hours to end your day. Ofrenda is a Latin-inspired restaurant with classic Mexican cuisine and a tequila-infused cocktail menu. Happy hour is from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with margaritas and tapas dishes. If you’re looking to save money, we suggest grabbing some to-go food and setting up a picnic on the West Side Highway. Enjoy the sunset, good food and great people-watching. For a sit-down spot, Rosemary’s is your place to be. Rosemary’s serves some of the freshest Italian cuisines in the West Village. Try their Cacio e Pepe and Penne Vodka; it won’t disappoint. If you’re feeling Japanese food, try Nami Nori. This casual Japanese restaurant specializes in open-style temaki hand-rolls — ranging from tuna poke with crispy shallots to diced seabass with daikon gochujang. After licking that plate clean, end the night with a confetti cookie from Milk Bar.
Nami Nori
With that, you have a successful three-day weekend in New York City. We hope you enjoy it!