My Favorite Places in New York as a European Traveler
- FancifulRoamer
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
New York is a dream destination for Europeans who lived for 90s sitcoms. After a few visits over the years, a few New York City places became my favorites. It's difficult to find anything off the beaten path nowadays, but for me, these spots encompass the spirit of New York.
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a place I only discovered on our last trip to New York, in March. It's a culinary destination mixed with cool shops. And we loved it so much, we went back. It's now my favorite place in New York City.
The market is inside the former factory of the National Biscuit Company. The exposed brick and the showcase of the original products made here keep up the old city vibe.
We browsed Japanese ceramics in Muji Market. They also offer sustainable clothes, kitchenware, and Japanese comfort food.
We ate at the Cull and Pistol. We sat at the bar, the place is popular and only has a few tables. I loved the Tuna Crispy Rice and the Lobster Roll, everything was delicious.
I love that you can get Italian products at Buon Italia. I think living in New York with a well-paid job that allows you to partake in the food scene is a dream.
We shopped for fun, unique things at Pearl River Market. From toys to Japanese things, I wanted everything in that store.
There are more international shops and restaurants in Chelsea Market, so add it to your itinerary. You can get all your meals here, shop for groceries, and meet friends for a drink.
It's more crowded on the weekends, so it's best to visit on a weekday.
Broadway Last-Minute Tickets
A Broadway show is a must when you're in New York. I didn't think I would like the shows so much, as I'm not really into theatre.
Check out the schedule in advance, and decide on a few plays you'd like to see. Then go to the last-minute kiosk when you're in New York, unless you visit in the winter, in which case, I would just buy the tickets online.
The place is called TKTS Times Square and it's right in the middle of Times Square, by the iconic Red Steps. Times Square is busy, but it's something you should see once.
You can only get tickets for that day's evening show, or the matinee for the next day. While you wait in line, promoters pass by and can offer you more information about the current shows. Once you get to the ticket booth, you pick your seats while looking at the map of the theatre.
The tickets are still expensive, but way less than regular prices. We saw many shows over the years, with tickets around $100 each. Most times, the seats were at the edge of a row, pretty close to the stage, and it was perfect.
My favorite plays are Wicked, The Great Gatsby, Death Becomes Her, and The Book of Mormon.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
I visited the Met, the Frick Collection and Moma in NYC. They're all amazing and worth a visit, but Moma is my favorite now.
The Met is huge, and has a lot of Egyptian artefacts. You need to take a break midday, go eat a hot dog on the museum steps, and go back in.
The Frick Collection is in a historic mansion, with collections of pieces from European masters.
Moma contains art that I want to see again and again. My favorite pieces were the Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Dynamic Hieroglyphic of the Bal Tabarin by Gino Severini, Opus 221 by Paul Signac, and The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali, among others.
It's a nice way to spend an afternoon, especially if you get a rainy day in New York City. Afterwards, I recommend getting a sweet treat at Angelina's Bakery.
Little Italy
Little Italy is an area full of Italian restaurants and more.
It's a great place to get some pasta and cannoli. I cannot say that the menus are too European, because they use cream in the sauce. It's funny that the service is mostly European as well, not much nonsense.
The last time, we stopped at Casa D'Angelo. I liked the decor and the old plates on the wall. It is more of a tourist trap, with gimmicks like tableside cheese wheel pasta. But we had a great time and enjoyed the food.
You do need to stop at a bakery and sample all the Italian pastries and desserts.
The last time, I got a Levain cookie as we walked back to our hotel. Luckily, there was no line. As delicious as it was, I wouldn't line up for more than 5 minutes for a cookie.
Pier Area by the Hudson River
This area is perfect for a summer afternoon.
You should start by walking on the High Line, and take in a unique view of the city and the artworks along the walk. This structure used to be a railroad track. Now it's a public park where anyone can enjoy a walk, nature, and art.
Then have a meal at the Frying Pan NYC. This is a Coast Guard boat that docks here during the summer months. You can enjoy seafood and drinks on the water.
Continue to walk on the boardwalk for a great view of the sunset. At Pier 62 there is even a carousel.
There are more cool and interesting places as you walk along the river, and more restaurants.
It's a nice break from the crowds and overbearing buildings of New York City.
While I don't like romanticizing New York, as it has its issues, I would visit again. There is so much to see in this city, and even more to eat. As a European, delicious food and great sights make for the perfect vacation.
I hope my article inspires you to find more cool places. Which is your favorite spot in New York City?
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