1. Eat a bagel for breakfast
Most NYC delis offer an impressively wide variety of bagel flavours with an equally wide variety of cream cheese flavours. Get yours in a brown bag to go and make like a local, eating and walking with smeared cream cheese all over your face. You’re well on your way to becoming New York-ed.
2. Walk the High Line
High Line, NYC photo credit: iStock
Forget Central Park (temporarily) and raise your game (literally) by hitting this elevated park built along an old freight rail line, one storey above the grid. This unusual green space is a #sorrynotsorry waiting to happen with its views of both the Hudson River to the west and urban sprawl below.
3. Chow down on soul food in Harlem
Dig into a taste of the hearty south, brought north by runaway and freed slaves. Think: fried chicken, waffles, collard greens, biscuits and gravy, cornbread, ribs, mac and cheese, peach cobbler and more. Pro tip: Sylvia’s is Topdeck North America Product Manager’s favourite soul grub joint.
4. Have a beer at McSorley’s
McSorley’s, NYC photo credit: en.wikepedia.org
With claims to be the oldest Irish bar in NYC and serving only 2 drinks – light beer and dark beer – this is a real hidden gem and local favourite. Fun fact: the original owner fired his own son for serving spirits! No televisions, pool tables or pretentiousness, just actually talking to your friends and fellow bar patrons. #imaginethat
5. Brunch with Hipsters
Brooklyn, NYC photo credit: iStock
Head to Brooklyn for a dose of retro style and seriously good grub. Williamsburg’s got the best selection, but Bushwick and Bed-Stuy are serious up-and-comers if you’re after a more authentic vibe. Join the hipsters for the ultimate NYC meal: Sunday brunch. Chase it down with artisanal coffee varieties – at least five words in the name, or it’s not up to par.
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