Through the eyes of Julia...
New York City has always been a place close to my heart, as I frequented it on many weekends growing up. Over the years I've come to appreciate the mix of big city life and quieter neighborhoods and found my favourite go-to spots. Here is what my perfect day on a budget would look like in the Big Apple.
As an avid follower of Wafels & Dinges's mouth watering Instagram account @waffletruck, I would start my day by calling their “Hot Wafeline” (866-429-7329) to locate where I can find one of their food trucks that morning. Their menu sports 10 “dinges” (toppings) and a variety of customizable sweet and savoury waffles featuring specials such as pulled pork, maple syrup and bacon or homemade ice cream and Nutella sauce.
After such a decadent breakfast, I'm ready to head over to my favourite yoga studio called Om Factory to channel my inner Cirque-Du-Soleil star in a beginners aerial yoga class. Aerial yoga is unique mixture of soothing yoga and a fun circus-type class. You will learn how to suspend yourself and do tricks using aerial silks and if you can make it to a Community Class, it's only $10!
All that stretching suspended mid-air has worked up my appetite and I'm ready for lunch; the best lobster roll in the State is from Red Hook Lobster Pound food truck. To find them, check them out on twitter (@lobstertruckny). After lunch, it's time to stop by Crumbs for the best gourmet cupcakes you'll ever have. With “colossal” cake-sized cupcakes to miniature “taste” size treats, there is the perfect amount of indulgence for everyone. The menu boasts 18 decadent flavours with their trademark fillings at the “signature” size. Their unique flavour options include Apple Cobbler, Grasshopper Classic, Dippin' Dots Delight, Milkshake and Cookie Dough!
After all that sugar, you'll have tons of energy and the High Line is the perfect place to burn it off. Elevated 30 feet overhead on a historic, abandoned railroad the High Line is now 1.5 miles of green retreat in the city. Highlights along the path include the nearby Hudson River, numerous ever changing art installations and the Diller—von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature where you can relax in reclining sun chairs or wade into the inviting water.
Along the High Line is the Chelsea Market, one of the world's greatest food halls with 35+ vendors selling artisan goods, such as clothing, jewelery, specialty cheeses, nuts, produce, meats and desserts. The market is worth a walk through and you can enjoy some dinner by nibbling from a variety of vendors or sitting down at one of the outdoor cafés for a lite bite.
Around the corner from the market, you can partake in outdoor Sunset Salsa Thursday nights at 6 and bonus – it is free! Enjoy a dance lesson in the fabulous Meat Packing district followed by a dance party with New York’s top Latin DJ’s.
New York City has everything to offer at every price range and it definitely cannot be done in one day. Every time I return I seem to find a new “must-go” destination but the places I have shared with you are hidden gems for enjoying a day like a true New Yorker.
