As a Jersey girl since birth, yearly trips to the city were a must when fall rolled around. My trip looked a little different this year, bringing along my Seattle-native roommate for a tour. Read below for my tourist guide of the Big Apple!

Snacks

• Think Coffee: First thing first, coffee. After the 45-minute train ride, we needed a pick-me-up before heading out for the day. We stopped by this coffee shop close to NYU and Washington Square Park. Their iced caramel latte was a perfect treat in the abnormally warm weather.

• Leon’s Bagels: A good bagel was a necessity during fall break, so we grabbed a bite to eat before shopping in SoHo. They have three locations and are adorable and quick. It was on the busier side, but the line only took about 15 minutes and was SO worth it.

• Ruby’s: Their truffle fries and spicy vodka pasta were amazing. Right across from the NYU Freshman dorms, there was a great atmosphere with a younger crowd. If you need nightlife outfit inspo or simply like to people-watch, this is the place. 

Shops

• Cure Thrift: A vintage store close to Union Square. They have all the different pieces imaginable. From sweaters to sunglasses to purses to shoes, there is something for everyone. The jewelry-making table was also a fun and extremely affordable draw. For under $10, you can make a charm bracelet, necklace, or earrings with a variety to choose from.

• Zara, Brandy Melville, Edikted, Pacsun, etc: SoHo is filled with several popular brands right next to each other, making for a great shopping spree day. Generally, it is pretty busy, especially since it was such a lovely long weekend. With all the time in the world, we waited outside the stores in line to shop. It is definitely not necessary when visiting the city, but it is fun to do every once in a while.

Spots

• Washington Square Park: A go-to spot to walk around or even sit with a coffee. It was especially crowded with the nice weather and was another great spot to people-watch. There is always something going on, and you might just get randomly stopped by an interviewer.

• A Cute Street: It’s right by NYU buildings and Washington Square Park, where you will find many people taking pictures and strolling down. It is located in a quieter part of the city (if that is possible), so it was a nice place to go after being in SoHo. Also, it's a great spot to take a picture for your Instagram dump!

This trip was super fun, introducing my roommate to my favorite spots and discovering new ones. I hope you take inspiration and check out some of these cool spots the next time you find yourself in the city!