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- Home
- Inspiration
- Our Pirate Picks for the Best of New York
Experience New York City Like a Pirate 🏴☠️🗽
New York has been the source of inspiration for many people, from musicians to painters and architects, and there's a reason why: you never stop discovering new things in this city.
We've asked our pirates to share some of their favorite places in the city, so you can explore it through the eyes of a Pirate.
Flying into New York
New York City has three airports (yes, we are counting 3):
John F. Kennedy (JFK), in Queens
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), in Queens
Newark (EWR), in New Jersey
If you don't have a preference for a particular airport, the easiest way is to use the NYC airport code, which will give you the flexibility to book the cheapest one from your departure city.
Hotels in NYC
Finding the ideal place to stay in New York is not easy! The city is filled with hotels on almost every corner, so it all comes down to what you are looking for and your budget.
Here are some of our favorite hotels in the city:
Margaritaville Resort Times Square
Located in the world-famous Times Square, the hotel features an outdoor pool, a rooftop deck with views of the city, a restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine, and a Tiki bar.
Hotel Belleclaire
Sitting in the heart of the Upper West Side, this landmark building was designed in 1903, and it's close to Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and more.
Pod Times Square
A micro-hotel experience in the center of all the action, just a few blocks away from the Hudson River Park, the Intrepid, and Circle Line Cruises.
You can also check some of our past hotel deals in New York City for more inspiration and options when looking for a place to stay in the city:
Bars & Restaurants
One of the best things about NYC is how many cultures you can find in the city, which is displayed in the enormous array of cuisines throughout the city.
Again, this is not a definite list of the best of New York, but just some of our favorites and/or places we keep coming back for more.
Restaurants
Just this title needs an entire page on its own, so we are just going to name a few and see if some of your favorites are on the list:
When on a budget, there's nothing better than a slice of New York-style pizza, hotdogs from Papaya Dog, or a chicken, lamb, or falafel over rice from a street cart.
One of my favorites is The Meatball Shop - Hell's Kitchen; surprisingly, the best meatball is their tofu one.
If you are exploring Brooklyn, Evelina or Emily are great options.
Canyon Road Bar & Grill is a delicious Tex-Mex restaurant, and their chimichangas are to die for.
To experience the best burger of your life, head to The Brindle Room in the East Village; it's a very simple burger but packs a lot of flavors.
Bars
Who doesn't like a drink at the end of the day? There's a reason why New York is The City that Never Sleeps; from sports bars to cocktail bars all around the city, there's a place waiting for you. Here are some of our favorites:
Starting with my all-time favorite, The Duplex is a piano bar in the West Village; you'll enjoy from top 40 songs to some classic Broadway tunes. It's always packed, but you are guaranteed to have a good time.
Appearing on the list of best bars in NYC, you find Leyenda, and indeed legendary cocktails are what you'll find there.
The Holiday Cocktail Lounge is almost a landmark in the East Village and is said to have been a popular place that even Sinatra frequented.
Feeling fancy? Time Out Market New York has incredible views of the city, with several bars and restaurants to keep you busy for a while.
Something Sweet
New York is home to some of the best desserts I've ever had, from completely new inventions to classic ones with a twist. Here are some of our favorites:
Chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery, firm and doughy all at one, are a must-have when visiting.
Banana Pounding from Magnolia Bakery, there are many of these bakeries throughout the city, including one in Grand Central.
A local invention by Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo: The Cronut, a mix between a doughnut and a croissant.
Also, try the Momofuku Cake at Milk Bar, a tasty surprise!
Things to Do
Book a helicopter taxi from the airport
Get great seats at a Mets or Yankees game
Go for some afternoon tea at the Baccarat Hotel (they've got champagne too)
Book a private rooftop for $1,000
Finish any night out the world-famous Smalls jazz club and give whatever cash is leftover straight to the bartender (always after your late-night slice from Bleecker Street Pizza)
The High Line is great for a long walk, with awesome street views along the way.
Roosevelt Island has lots to see and is very walkable — it also has a free shuttle bus between the southern FDR Memorial and the lighthouse in the north.
What are your favorite spots? Share them with us!