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8/17/2026 New York City, New York - things to see, what to eat, drink, & explore (2026 TRAVEL GUIDE)
click HERE to jump to my 2.5 DAY NYC ITINERARY!
AHHHH NEW YORK CITYYYY !!! I've been dreaming of visiting this city since I was a child, probably due to all the movies and shows I watched that always highlighted New York as an iconic city. I always knew I wanted to visit, but never felt the time or age was right. I remember saying as a teen that I wanted to wait until I was 21 to visit, and that passed YEARS ago and yet I still haven't checked New York off my list. I knew I needed to make it happen and it would happen when the time was right. Summer 2026. The stars aligned and I was able to make it happen.
Since it was my first time visiting the city, I wanted to see all of the touristy things. It felt like I had a few things I needed to see while I was there to truly solidify that I visited New York. I only had 2.5 days to squeeze everything in and I made it happen. I built out my trip itinerary in order of priority and then by area, which allowed me to see so many different parts of New York all throughout the weekend.
Where I Stayed: Moxy NYC Times Square - right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. I loved this hotel. Great location, walking distance to Broadway and the famous "red stairs". The rooftop bar was beautiful, stunning view of the Empire State Building. Only flaw is that yes, you're basically staying in Times Square so it is a busy area and can be overwhelming if you're not used to big cities. Would I stay here again? Maybe if I was visiting with first-timers or if the price was right. Throughout my trip I visited a few different areas that I would try to stay in next time, a little slower-paced and a more diverse neighborhood/community would be ideal.
What I Ate: New York is a city where the food (& drink) options feel literally endless. I suggest taking a walk around wherever you stay, see what stands out to you, and explore it.
A few of the standouts for me, in no particular order: CLASSIC HOT DOG (preferably all-beef from Nathan's) CHARLES PAN-FRIED CHICKEN (yes. yes x10000. my mouth is watering rn.) SKINNY LOUIE (SMASHBURGER, FRIES, & SHAKES. had this both nights after the clubs) BLEECKER STREET PIZZA (well, pizza in general, but this place was great) MAGNOLIA BAKERY (BANANA PUDDING & COOKIES) CAFE D'AVIGNON (ICED COFFEE + PASTRIES) MAMAN (COFFEE)
Where I drank, danced, & played:
ROOM 207 (speakeasy-ish bar with craft cocktails) MAGIC HOUR ROOFTOP (city views & great drinks!) ANIMAL (just gay guys doing gay things) OBERON (just gay guys doing gay things) THE COCK (just gay guys doing gay things)
Things to see/explore:
BRYANT PARK GRAND CENTRAL STATION 5TH AVENUE PALEY PARK CENTRAL PARK TIMES SQUARE DUMBO BROOKLYN BRIDGE CHINATOWN STATUE OF LIBERTY 9/11 MEMORIAL OCULUS BROADWAY TOP OF THE ROCK OBSERVATION DECK FLATIRON BUILDING WASHINGTON ARCH WEST VILLAGE LITTLE ISLAND THE HIGH LINE
CTXYZ New York City — 2.5 Day Itinerary
Day 1 Times Square Bryant Park SNFL New York Public Library Rooftop Grand Central Station Tudor City Bridge Walk up 5th Avenue Paley Park Central Park Day 2 DUMBO Brooklyn Bridge Chinatown Statue of Liberty Boat Tour Oculus 9/11 Memorial Broadway Show Observation Deck Times Square (at night) Day 3 [Half-Day] Flatiron Building Washington Square Arch West Village Little Island High Line 8/11/2024 Nashville, Tennessee - where to stay, things to do, see, eat, & drink! [2024 TRAVEL GUIDE]Welcome to Nashville, Tennessee—Music City where legendary tunes meet Southern charm! Known for its lively honky-tonks, rich musical history, and delicious cuisine; Nashville offers a vibrant experience that captures the essence of Southern culture. Dive into the heart of the city with me as we explore where to stay, eat, drink, and things to do/see!  WHERE TO STAY: For those seeking a vibrant, immersive experience in Music City, Downtown Nashville stands out as the ideal location! It’s in the heart of the city, making it incredibly convenient & places you within walking distance of many major attractions. My hotels of choice: Moxy Downtown Nashville Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville WHERE TO EAT: Nashville’s food scene is as dynamic as its music! The city offers a diverse array of dining options, from classic Southern comfort food to innovative culinary creations. My must-try spots to eat: Hattie B’s (best fried chicken sandwich) Pancake Pantry (best pancakes, biscuit & gravy, & chicken fried steak!!! yes i’ve done my research ) Jack’s BBQ (quick bbq eatery on Broadway) RISE Biscuits (great breakfast sandwiches) Martin’s BBQ Joint (excellent bbq food & sauces) Assembly Food Hall (a food court on Broadway with 30+ eateries to choose from!) WHERE TO DRINK: If you’re looking to start early, most of the honky-tonks (a bar that features live music, cold drinks, and a party atmosphere) open and have bands playing around 10 AM every morning! When the sun goes down, Downtown Nashville transforms into a lively nightlife hub. From rooftop bars with stunning city views to speakeasies with crafted cocktails, the options are endless. My favorite places to get a good cocktail: Literally any of the bars on Broadway Tootsies (a classic must-do, great rooftop view in one of Nashville’s most famous honky-tonks) Twelve Thirty Club (the best espresso martini and great appetizers) Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row (great rooftop view) ACME (multi-level building with a different vibe on each floor) Friends In Low Places (newly opened, best A/C system ) Coyote Ugly (yes, like the movies -- lots of fun!) THINGS TO DO/SEE: Attend a festival: Nashville hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year. From the Nashville Film Festival, CMA Fest, the annual Pride Festival & more, it feels like the city always has something going on! Listen to the music: Known as "Music City," Nashville’s music scene is legendary. Broadway Street is lined with iconic bars and live music venues where you can experience the best of Nashville’s honky-tonk culture. Whether you're interested in up-and-coming country artists or legendary performers, Downtown offers a range of musical experiences to suit every taste. Learn about Nashville’s history: From the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame to the historic Ryman Auditorium. Explore the Johnny Cash Museum for a dose of musical history, stroll through the scenic Centennial Park to see the replica Parthenon. No matter what brings you to Music City, Nashville’s blend of rich history, vibrant music scene, and warm Southern hospitality ensures that every visit is a memorable adventure. (& why I keep going back!) 3/16/2024 Yosemite National Park   LOCATIONS CAPTURED:
The Chapel — the oldest structure in Yosemite Valley, originally built in 1879 Nevada & Vernal Falls — standing at 594 ft & 317 ft, both of these waterfalls and the trails that lead to them offer spectacular views of Merced River, Yosemite Valley, & Emerald Pool. via the John Muir & Mist Trail, this is a strenuous hike w/ a 2000 ft elevation gain around 6-8 miles total depending on the trail you take! don’t forget to pack snacks/water Mirror Lake — a seasonal lake; aptly named, as it offers perfect mirror reflections of the surrounding mountains & sky on the water surface accessible via a 2 mile roundtrip hike on a mostly-paved road with minimal elevation gain, very kid & dog friendly Lower Yosemite Fall Trail — 1 mile trail leading to the base of the lower waterfall; a 320-foot drop, making it the final part of North America’s tallest waterfall! (2,425 ft total) HIGHLY recommend walking to the footbridge and getting sprayed by the mist, especially when it’s warm out Cook’s Meadow Loop — 1 mile trail through an open meadow in the center of Yosemite Valley; great views of Yosemite Falls & Half Dome on this trail |
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