Guidebook for New York
Parks & Nature
See the last natural forestation in NYC in my old stomping ground. Great for hikes and dog walks!
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Inwood Hill Park
Seaman AvenueSee the last natural forestation in NYC in my old stomping ground. Great for hikes and dog walks!
The mecca of the East Village. Lined by restaurants and shopping, adorned by an amazing farmer's market on the weekends. Don't miss it!
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Union Square
The mecca of the East Village. Lined by restaurants and shopping, adorned by an amazing farmer's market on the weekends. Don't miss it!
Arts & Culture
Modern Classics, curious new exhibits, and a behemoth collection. My favorites are Van Gogh's Starry Night and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Admission is free on Friday evenings!
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The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetModern Classics, curious new exhibits, and a behemoth collection. My favorites are Van Gogh's Starry Night and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Admission is free on Friday evenings!
The Met has EVERYTHING. I love their Egyptian collection and really enjoy seeing their rotating exhibits. There is a suggested donation, but I like to keep it old school and donate 10 cents. It's great for a shoestring budget and high end art!
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I-Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveThe Met has EVERYTHING. I love their Egyptian collection and really enjoy seeing their rotating exhibits. There is a suggested donation, but I like to keep it old school and donate 10 cents. It's great for a shoestring budget and high end art!
The strangest part of the Frick Collection is that it was actually Mr. Frick's home, though his daughter spent much more of her life there than he did. It's eclectic and strange and I adore it.
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I-Frick Collection
1 E 70th StThe strangest part of the Frick Collection is that it was actually Mr. Frick's home, though his daughter spent much more of her life there than he did. It's eclectic and strange and I adore it.
See New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, The New York Philharmonic and more.
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Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center PlazaSee New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, The New York Philharmonic and more.
Don't get MAD, get educated! I love their Native American and First Peoples exhibit, and they have rotating artist workshops that are really cool and interactive.
75 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko Lomuzi wezobuciko nezobuciko
2 Columbus CirDon't get MAD, get educated! I love their Native American and First Peoples exhibit, and they have rotating artist workshops that are really cool and interactive.
Harlem Renaissance Era Americana at this famous theater. I've performed and had my choreography shown there, which is one of the highlights of my life as a professional dancer.
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I-Apollo Theater
253 W 125th StHarlem Renaissance Era Americana at this famous theater. I've performed and had my choreography shown there, which is one of the highlights of my life as a professional dancer.
Shopping
Columbus Circle has all your high end shops with stunning views and Michelin Star restaurants. If your pockets are deep, make a reservation at Per Se upstairs, or head down to Landmark for lunch or dinner if you count yourself in the 99%. There's a Whole Foods in the basement for the grocery shopper, and the whole building is dog friendly! My go to shops are H&M, Sephora, William Sonoma, and Cole Haan (I bought the best pair of heels in my life there.)
377 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Columbus Circle
Columbus CircleColumbus Circle has all your high end shops with stunning views and Michelin Star restaurants. If your pockets are deep, make a reservation at Per Se upstairs, or head down to Landmark for lunch or dinner if you count yourself in the 99%. There's a Whole Foods in the basement for the grocery shopper, and the whole building is dog friendly! My go to shops are H&M, Sephora, William Sonoma, and Cole Haan (I bought the best pair of heels in my life there.)
They have the original wooden escalators! Even if you don't need to buy anything (but you will), it's worth the trip for a ride on NYC history.
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Macy's
151 W 34th StThey have the original wooden escalators! Even if you don't need to buy anything (but you will), it's worth the trip for a ride on NYC history.
High end shopping, quintessential NYC. Pull up in an Uber Black to feel fancy.
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Bloomingdale's
Lexington AvenueHigh end shopping, quintessential NYC. Pull up in an Uber Black to feel fancy.
Fun shops and restaurants! Hit up Fat Witch Bakery for some awesome treats.
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Imarike ye-Chelsea
75 9th AveFun shops and restaurants! Hit up Fat Witch Bakery for some awesome treats.
Essentials
This deli has all your essentials, and the staff is so friendly. If you want an inexpensive and healthy lunch, make your own salad at the counter! They are open 24 hours and great for quick stops.
Hampton Gourmet Deli
755 9th AveThis deli has all your essentials, and the staff is so friendly. If you want an inexpensive and healthy lunch, make your own salad at the counter! They are open 24 hours and great for quick stops.
The Amish have done it right with this lovely local grocery store. It's not the least expensive in town, but it is high end and very close. I do 95% of my shopping here!
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Amish Market
731 9th AveThe Amish have done it right with this lovely local grocery store. It's not the least expensive in town, but it is high end and very close. I do 95% of my shopping here!
The lines can get long during rush hours, so try to go mid afternoon or late night. Their buffets are the best in the city. Whole Foods. Whole Paycheck. Whole Happiness.
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Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston StThe lines can get long during rush hours, so try to go mid afternoon or late night. Their buffets are the best in the city. Whole Foods. Whole Paycheck. Whole Happiness.
Duane Reade
2864 BroadwayConvenient pharmacy, great shampoo collection.
Food Scene
It's not a coffee shop, it's a juice shop! Detox in the day, retox in the night. Vegan friendly and delicious.
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Juice Generation
210 Bedford AveIt's not a coffee shop, it's a juice shop! Detox in the day, retox in the night. Vegan friendly and delicious.
I am friends with all the handsome peeps who work there, and their tip jars ask adorably existential questions (it's a game of "Would you rather?" where the baristas win). I love their chai latte.
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Kahve
403 W 51st StI am friends with all the handsome peeps who work there, and their tip jars ask adorably existential questions (it's a game of "Would you rather?" where the baristas win). I love their chai latte.
I spent many moons as the Maitre d' here on the iconic Restaurant Row. Tell them that Chelsea sent you! The best place to sit is at the sushi bar, and if you're ready for a decadent meal, get Chef Seki's Omakase. Worth trying are the world-renowned cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Shingo Gokan. My favorites are the Yuzu and Lychee! Great selection of sake, wine, beer and spirits. If you have a group of 5 or more, ask for a private Tatami room! Call (212) 262-8880 for reservations.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sushi Seki Times Square
365 W 46th StI spent many moons as the Maitre d' here on the iconic Restaurant Row. Tell them that Chelsea sent you! The best place to sit is at the sushi bar, and if you're ready for a decadent meal, get Chef Seki's Omakase. Worth trying are the world-renowned cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Shingo Gokan. My favorites are the Yuzu and Lychee! Great selection of sake, wine, beer and spirits. If you have a group of 5 or more, ask for a private Tatami room! Call (212) 262-8880 for reservations.
Hands down my favorite spot in NYC. Get the steak burrito and a side of fried plantains. They make a mean margarita too!
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El Centro
824 9th AveHands down my favorite spot in NYC. Get the steak burrito and a side of fried plantains. They make a mean margarita too!
To die for Ukrainian food, next door to the Ukrainian Embassy. Get the borscht and a mixed plate of pierogies. Challah bread is delicious. Also try a good Ukrainian beer! They are open 24 hours, but there's often a wait at peak meal times. Try to go during an off hour.
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Veselka
144 2nd AveTo die for Ukrainian food, next door to the Ukrainian Embassy. Get the borscht and a mixed plate of pierogies. Challah bread is delicious. Also try a good Ukrainian beer! They are open 24 hours, but there's often a wait at peak meal times. Try to go during an off hour.
Outdoor seating in the front and a lovely garden in the back. Amazing oysters year round, and I love their shakshouka, a Mediterranean breakfast specialty. Also recommended: the lamb burger. Great wine list, and my old neighbor Matt is one of the bartenders!
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Medi Wine Bar
811 9th AveOutdoor seating in the front and a lovely garden in the back. Amazing oysters year round, and I love their shakshouka, a Mediterranean breakfast specialty. Also recommended: the lamb burger. Great wine list, and my old neighbor Matt is one of the bartenders!
Need Mexican food on the go? Stop by Burrito Box and you won't be disappointed. This food fueled me through college. My go to is the portobello mushroom burrito, or the chicken ranchero burrito. They are the size of small babies and delicious. If you want delivery, I promise you they can get to my apartment with their eyes closed. Call (212) 489-6889.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burrito Box
885 9th AveNeed Mexican food on the go? Stop by Burrito Box and you won't be disappointed. This food fueled me through college. My go to is the portobello mushroom burrito, or the chicken ranchero burrito. They are the size of small babies and delicious. If you want delivery, I promise you they can get to my apartment with their eyes closed. Call (212) 489-6889.
Less expensive sushi, right around the corner, super delicious. I like the salmon lover!
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Ageha Sushi
767 9th AveLess expensive sushi, right around the corner, super delicious. I like the salmon lover!
My favorite brunch in NYC. Get the lemon ricotta pancakes and scones and Eggs Benedict! All locally sourced and I've never regretted anything on their menu. The decor is also lovely. If you want to go with a group, make sure to get a reservation at any of their locations.
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Sarabeth's Upper West Side
423 Amsterdam AveMy favorite brunch in NYC. Get the lemon ricotta pancakes and scones and Eggs Benedict! All locally sourced and I've never regretted anything on their menu. The decor is also lovely. If you want to go with a group, make sure to get a reservation at any of their locations.
My absolute favorite bakery. Get the cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I like chocolate on the bottom and vanilla on top! Drink with a glass of whole milk for a little taste of bliss.
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Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker StMy absolute favorite bakery. Get the cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I like chocolate on the bottom and vanilla on top! Drink with a glass of whole milk for a little taste of bliss.
Famous bakery in Hell's Kitchen. I love the cherry cream scones and double lattes!
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Amy's Bread
672 9th AveFamous bakery in Hell's Kitchen. I love the cherry cream scones and double lattes!
Delicious Italian joint in Harlem, right off the 1 train. Great for live music!
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Pisticci
125 La Salle StDelicious Italian joint in Harlem, right off the 1 train. Great for live music!
I've collaborated with their in-house band, The Rakiem Walker Project, at the Apollo Theatre. They are not to be missed! Red Rooster harks back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance and serves Southern classics.
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Red Rooster
310 Lenox AveI've collaborated with their in-house band, The Rakiem Walker Project, at the Apollo Theatre. They are not to be missed! Red Rooster harks back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance and serves Southern classics.
The best ramen in NYC. They have a very popular location on 52nd and 9th ave, but this hidden gem will have seats! Cash only.
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Totto Ramen Hell's Kitchen
The best ramen in NYC. They have a very popular location on 52nd and 9th ave, but this hidden gem will have seats! Cash only.
Getting Around
Signage is difficult to understand, so plan extra time down there!
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Penn Station LIRR
214 W 34th StSignage is difficult to understand, so plan extra time down there!
Plan LOTS of extra time in here. I have missed my bus more than once because I couldn't locate the terminal. The good news is, if you get there super early or, heaven forbid, miss a bus, there are shops and restaurants galore in here to entertain the weary traveler.
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Port Authority of NY station
641 8th AvePlan LOTS of extra time in here. I have missed my bus more than once because I couldn't locate the terminal. The good news is, if you get there super early or, heaven forbid, miss a bus, there are shops and restaurants galore in here to entertain the weary traveler.
This is a gorgeous train station that was renovated several years back. If you look up at the ceiling with constellations painted across it, there's one corner that was left black from train pollution and cigarette smoke to remind people how dirty it once was. Check out the Oyster Bar restaurant inside for an amazing meal.
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Grand Central Terminal station
89 E 42nd StThis is a gorgeous train station that was renovated several years back. If you look up at the ceiling with constellations painted across it, there's one corner that was left black from train pollution and cigarette smoke to remind people how dirty it once was. Check out the Oyster Bar restaurant inside for an amazing meal.
Drinks & Nightlife
All the whiskey you could desire. On weekend nights, tell Josh that Chelsea sent you and he'll take care of you. My favorite drink is a Manhattan Sour (it's a whiskey sour with red wine on top). My boyfriend always goes for Macallan 12, neat.
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On The Rocks
696 10th AveAll the whiskey you could desire. On weekend nights, tell Josh that Chelsea sent you and he'll take care of you. My favorite drink is a Manhattan Sour (it's a whiskey sour with red wine on top). My boyfriend always goes for Macallan 12, neat.
This bar is my second home. Amazing draft beer selection, and 50 cent wings late night! Order them extra crispy.
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Valhalla
815 9th AveThis bar is my second home. Amazing draft beer selection, and 50 cent wings late night! Order them extra crispy.
Champagne lounge with creative cocktails. It has cushions and curtains and candles galore, and they created a special cocktail for my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. Open from 4pm to 4am.
Flûte Champagne Bar
205 W 54th StChampagne lounge with creative cocktails. It has cushions and curtains and candles galore, and they created a special cocktail for my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. Open from 4pm to 4am.
Japanese Speak Easy managed by award winning mixologist and my good friend Shingo Gokan. He won the 2012 Bacardi Legacy Competition and the drinks can tell you why. Try the Smoke Gets in Your Eyes for a sweet and sexy whisky drink, or the Flirty Bird for a light and refreshing citrus cocktail.
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Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant StJapanese Speak Easy managed by award winning mixologist and my good friend Shingo Gokan. He won the 2012 Bacardi Legacy Competition and the drinks can tell you why. Try the Smoke Gets in Your Eyes for a sweet and sexy whisky drink, or the Flirty Bird for a light and refreshing citrus cocktail.
Rooftop speak easy in the McKittrick Hotel, where the infamous and interactive Sleep No More is performed. My favorite drink here is the Something Wicked! Great views of West Chelsea and the Hudson River.
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Gallow Green
542 W 27th StRooftop speak easy in the McKittrick Hotel, where the infamous and interactive Sleep No More is performed. My favorite drink here is the Something Wicked! Great views of West Chelsea and the Hudson River.
Three stories of nightlife. Burlesque shows on the roof, a happening bar on the ground level, and an outright dance club downstairs. This is where I celebrated by 21st birthday!
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Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow StThree stories of nightlife. Burlesque shows on the roof, a happening bar on the ground level, and an outright dance club downstairs. This is where I celebrated by 21st birthday!
Rooftop club that gets its name from the hot tubs upstairs. I've rubbed elbows with NBA elite here.
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Le Bain
848 Washington StRooftop club that gets its name from the hot tubs upstairs. I've rubbed elbows with NBA elite here.
The gayest nightclub in the gayest neighborhood. My favorite local dance spot!
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The Ritz Bar & Lounge
369 W 46th StThe gayest nightclub in the gayest neighborhood. My favorite local dance spot!