With sand in my hair

and mud between my toes

I bid farewell to the tropics

and trekked to the paved pathways

of my favorite city

instead.

I entered the tangled maze

stopping to smell the roses

quickly remembering

why this city

has always had my heart.

Because in New York

a buzzing energy circulates

infecting you with passion

with confidence

with courage

reminding you that you are alive.

Parks sit like oases

in an asphalt desert

bringing the masses to nature

and a local watering hole.

Restaurants cover corners

the next always cooler than the last

treats

and sweets

are everywhere

we are powerless to resist.

Wandering the streets

like a world traveler spanning the globe

you can find every culture

hear every language

without even leaving home.

Fashion is fierce

the expression may be weird

but you can be anyone

without being feared.

In New York among traffic

among garbage and even crime

there is beauty all around you

if you only stop for a while.

And in New York

the buildings and bridges

that sit higher

than your eyes can even span

don’t make you feel small.

They show you how big you can be

when you let yourself fly.

My Favorite Things in New York, New York

With the endless restaurants, museums, events, and shops in New York, this list is hardly exhaustive. But when I am in New York, these are that things always bring me bliss.

Brunch at Noho Star

Hands down my favorite brunch spot in all of New York. I have been coming here since I was a kid and it never disappoints. The salad with goat cheese and avocado, bruleed oatmeal, and the burger with shoestring fries are among my favorites.

Nutella ice cream from Ronnybrook Farms in the Chelsea market

The best ice cream I have ever tasted in my entire life.

A perfect bagel and cream cheese

You can get this anywhere. It’s New York people.

Vanilla macaroon from Laduree 

These treats really do live up to the hype. Savor one slowly letting the delicate meringue crumble between your teeth before sinking into the creamy center. Vanilla is my favorite. Why mask perfection with any other flavor?

Shopping in SoHo

Ever since I first came to new york as a wide eyed ten year old, SoHo has been my favorite neighborhood in New York. I love the architecture, the small streets, the fashion, and the beautiful stores.

The Farmer’s Market in Union square

Raised in Seattle it just wouldn’t be Sunday without a trip to the farmer’s market. I love the selection at the one in Union Square which has beautiful flowers and micro greens in the summer. When I’m in the big city interacting with farmers from New Jersey or upstate helps me feel grounded.

A walk in Central Park

On a sunny day there is no better place to be in New York but Central Park. I love sitting around the ponds and people watching.

Exploring the Impressionists at the Metropolitan Museum

This might make me a square but for me no museum in New York holds a candle to the Met. The Whitney and the MoMA can be fun, but when I want to truly feel moved I head straight to the impressionists collections at the Metropolitan Museum. I spend the afternoon with Matisse, Picasso, and Van Gogh. They make the best company.

Shopping for dinner at Grand Central Market

New York is paradise for foodies like me and Grand Central Market has an amazing selection of seafood, produce, and spices.

Standing on the Brooklyn Bridge just before sunset

When the sun casts a warm glow over the city, photographers and models line the Brooklyn Bridge for photoshoots. The views are gorgeous and it’s inspiring to watch.

Seeing an off broadway show

I’ve seen some pretty amazing theater in New York over the years, from Les Miserables to The Lion King to Mary Louise Parker in Proof, but its the off broadway productions that usually leave the biggest impact on me. My first trip to New York I saw the De La Guarda dance troupe from Argentina perform one of the most bizarre and entertaining shows of my life and last fall I enjoyed the confusion and exercise running up and down stairs in the highly interactive production of Sleep No More.

Hanging with the cool kids in Alphabet City after dark

Over the years on my visits to New York I’ve smoked hookah in Moroccan bars when I was underage, sang karaoke in holes in the wall in Midtown, had bottle service in clubs in Chelsea, and danced at the top of hotel bars in swimming pools. My favorite way to enjoy New York is still sitting over a fancy cocktail with friends. The Lower East Side has some of the coolest spots to enjoy a cocktail. My favorites are The Experimental Cocktail Club and Please Don’t Tell.

Relaxing at Home

Sipping pink cocktails on the sofa, eating steamed shrimp with my fingers, and having slumber parties with my Aunt Janet who has always made New York feel like home.