The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide: SOHO, NYC

A while back I talked about my Disney adventures with my boyfriend for our 1 year anniversary, but we didn’t actually spend our anniversary day together. So, my bf took it upon himself to plan something really special for our 1 1/2 year anniversary: a 3 day trip to my favorite place in the world, NYC. My goal for this trip was to create the ultimate traveler’s guide to SOHO, NYC and to live as much like a local as possible. #missioncompleted

Tips for traveling like a local in NYC

♡ Stay as far away from Times Square as possible

♡ Do not eat at any chain or overly tourist restaurant (basically anywhere near Times Square, Rockefeller Center, or Broadway)

♡ Use the parks as your treadmill

♡ Don’t get overdone, keep it simple (those 5″ stilettos are a dead giveaway you’re a tourist)

♡ Avoid shopping on 5th Ave. (you can find the same stores downtown with no crowds)

What to do

♡ American Museum of Natural History

I know I know. I said this was going to be SOHO tour, but the Natural History Museum is too good to pass up! Anyway, this is a great idea for a date. It’s slightly touristy, but Pat is a history/science buff and I really enjoyed learning about historic cultures like the Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.

It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. The things ancient civilizations used as tools were so creative – even the fashion was good and you can see the influence in today’s trends.

Also, seeing the skeletons of extinct animals like mammoths and dinosaurs was amazing too. Pat told me everything was bigger back then because there was more oxygen in the atmosphere. Then again he also told me Godzilla was real…

♡ Wander down back streets

Prince Street is one of my faves. I like looking in the windows, because I find people who live in SOHO are absolutely fascinating. I always wonder what their names are, what they do, where they came from, how they got to where they are now. Creepy or entrepreneurial? I like to think the latter…

Where to eat

Breakfast:

♡ The Smile – I’ve never had such deliciousness hit my lips, plus they have gluten free options. The atmosphere is quaint and hipster, just what I was looking for.

♡ Jack’s Wife Frieda – Apparently a favorite for brunch, but we went at 9am and had a low-key amazing meal with fresh cantaloupe juice. My only complaint is the portions are a little small.

Lunch:

♡ Juice Generation – Our breakfasts were so filling we had green juice/acai bowls for lunch after a run in Central Park so we were uptown. The acai bowl was killer and makes South Jersey look incredibly overpriced and phony. #letsjustbehonest

Dinner:

♡ Aquagrill – First, you get a FREE app of salmon tartar. It was so good we ordered more. The pepper tuna special with black bean salsa was my main course and unreal. For dessert you get another FREE sampler with little cakes and biscotti. Definitely got the most bang for our buck. Plus the atmosphere was amazing. We sat outside on the porch in the middle of SOHO. Perfection.

Dessert:

♡ Little Cupcake Bakeshop – Great options for gluten-free peeps. The GF brownies are to die for.

♡ Laduree – Nothin’ GF about this place but I had to try because they’re said to have the best macaroons in NYC. I got 4 and housed them in about 5 minutes. This adorable little shop makes you feel like you stepped into a cafe in Paris.