NYC: Top 5 (edition 2)

Are you ready for my next top 5 things to do in New York City? We've had a few visitors over the past couple of months which gave us the excuse to play tourists again (because we like to consider ourselves locals now). It also stops us from being lazy and falling into a pattern of not getting out and exploring on the weekends, because as I've previously said - it would take a life time to cover all of New York!

I guess with it being the winter months at the moment we are looking for ways to explore the city that involves less time outdoors in the freezing cold temperatures and occasional snow. But sometimes it is just inevitable as a huge part of visiting and being in New York is all the walking that you've got to do!

Anyway, my top 5 picks for this season are a good mix of places to visit (that are indoors) and delicious foods to eat (to warm you up), so enjoy!

One World Observatory

I don't think anyone visits New York and doesn't stop by to see the 9/11 memorial, however the One World Observatory is often overlooked. With the new One World building now completed, you can catch the lift all the way to the top, which produces spectacular views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. We even managed to spot our apartment whilst up there!

The building is 104 stories high and the tallest of the new WTC complexes. Tickets to go up to the observatory start at $28 and can be purchased on the day (the line moves quickly).

Jimmy's Diner

A visit to a greasy diner is a must when in the States! Whether it is to cure a hangover or to just gain the all-American experience you cannot go wrong with Jimmy's Diner. I felt like this diner belonged on the side of a deserted highway somewhere, like the ones you see in horror movies, rather than on the streets of Williamsburg. It's filled with some quirky characters but does get to be quite the busy little spot.

To get to Jimmy's take the L train to Lorimer Street and it's a short 3 minute walk from there.

Basketball at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden in itself is an iconic place to visit. Every time I go there or walk by I always think of the scene from How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days when they are leaving the basketball after Matthew McConaughey's character gets punched in the face.

And now I'm generally not the biggest fan of sports but a basketball or hockey game goes really fast and it is filled with plenty of action and excitement. And if that doesn't do it for you then the celeb spotting might! We saw BJ Novak, The Fat Jewish and a gazillion baseball players all on celebrity row.

Galli Restaurant

A quaint little Italian restaurant located in the Soho area. Once you step inside it gives off that "oh so New York" vibe. This restaurant also takes bookings which is a bonus as many restaurants in Manhattan generally don't and when you are dining out with a group you can end up waiting for over an hour to get a spot. Anyway enough of that, lets get to the food! When I visited I definitely made the wrong meal choice and ended up with food envy so when visiting Galli Restaurant it is a must you order the meatball parma!

The closest subway is the RW at Prince Street or Canal Street.

Barcode

Are you a gaming nerd? Do you love beer? than Barcade is the place for you! It is simply as its name implies a bar filled with arcade games. Now I'm neither a gaming nerd and I don't like beer but this place was still a pretty cool spot to visit and great starting spot for a night out in Williamsburg.

Again, catch the L train to Lorimer street and Barcade is a short walk from the station.

Now I'm off to discover 5 more great things to do in New York City!