This past weekend, Scott and I spent a long weekend in New York City.  We’re lucky enough to have friends who live in the city and they always show us a good time, taking us to historical bars, hip restaurants and recommending fun tourist activities a little off the beaten path.  For those without friends in NYC, here’s my long-weekend guide to New York City.

We usually like to stay somewhere in Midtown Manhattan and this time around stayed at The Muse.  It is by far my favorite hotel we’ve stayed at during all of our trips to New York!  The Muse is located just half a block from Times Square and perfect walking distance to a ton of destinations including the Theater District.  While in NYC, make sure to get tickets to a show.  We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Jimmy Fallon Show which was amazing!  We sat second row for Friday Thank You Notes, Gwyneth Paltrow and The Who!  New York has sooooo many shows to offer… get Broadway tickets, tickets to a comedy show or SNL if you can manage.

Make time to shop at Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street.  It’s the mecca of shopping with nine floors to wander around!  Take a break from swiping your credit card and recharge your batteries at Serendipity 3 with a Frozen Hot Chocolate just like John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale did in the movie!  (Cheesy, yes I know, but seriously so delicious!)

Although the weather this trip didn’t permit us to do this, renting bicycles and pedaling around Central Park is one of my favorite things to do in NYC.  When you need a break, stop by The Loeb BoatHouse for a cold one and a bite to eat while you watch rowboats on the lake.

Also nearby is The Champagne Bar in The Plaza Hotel, perfect for a glass of bubbly!  (A welcome sight for champagne lovers .)  I mean, just look at that wall!

With all of the walking that NYC entails, we had to bundle up which can be a challenge to do fashionably.  Lucky for me this hot pink Ted Baker coat has to be the most complimented article of clothing I own!  Women of all ages are drawn to the vibrant pink color and often stop me to comment on it.  I love the pop of bright pink to add some color to my winter wardrobe which can start to feel a little dark and drab during the final months of winter.  The minimalist structure is very sleek and the collar can be worn folded down or buttoned up asymmetrically on one side.  The pink version is no longer available online but this wrap coat also comes in camel, red, blue and black.  There’s also a long version!

On this day, I paired my pink coat with distressed denim, a cozy sweater scarf (similar here, here and here), leopard sneakers (similar here, here, and here) and my cross-body saddle bag (similar in black here).

Want to see my full NYC packing list?  Details in this post.

If you find yourself on the Westside of New York City or if you’re in the mood for a nice long walk from Times Square, stroll along The Highline and make sure to detour to The Chelsea Market.  There are so many amazing places to eat!

A few more fun places we stopped into during our time in Manhattan include:

The Boil – A fun spot in the Bowery neighborhood to get your seafood fix.  Be prepared for plastic lobster bibs and gloves to help you de-shell your crustaceans.

Mailiano – A great Italian restaurant in The Gramercy Park Hotel.  Their pasta dishes are incredibly delicious!  Make sure to stop by the ever-so-posh Rose Bar and/or Jade Bar on your way in or out of the hotel.

Duck into McSorley’s Old Ale House in the East Village for a pint.  It’s the oldest bar not just in New York City, but in the country!  Be prepared for a rowdy crowd, sawdust on the floor, and your choice of light or dark beer.

And don’t forget to grab a slice while in New York.  There are so many amazing options and while we haven’t tried them all yet, a few recommended pizza parlors from my friends – the locals –  are:  Bleecker Street, Grimaldi’s, Keste, Joe’s and Roberta’s.

What are your favorite things to do and places to eat, in NYC?