Grand Central Market

Grand Central Station reminds me of an indoor Times Square; It is crowded, slightly chaotic, and busy. I expected it to be like this because of the way it is on television, but I did not expect it to have food and shopping! When I first walked in the entrance from the subway I immediately ran into an adorable French bakery and a Vince Camuto store. Who would have known a train station could be like an airport? (Maybe that is common sense, but I had no idea.) I made my way into an adorable market with countless cheeses, yogurts, cookies, flowers, and baguettes. If you were thinking of having a picnic in Central Park, I would shop at this market because it is walking distance from the park, or if you are not looking to have a picnic, but enjoys markets, I would for sure stop by and walk through!

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Dominique Ansel Bakery 

Let me just say these are the cutest things I have ever eaten! My friend was in New York City during my stay, so I wanted to do something fun and I found out about these cookie shots! They are from DominiqueAnsel Bakery in Soho. (There is a ‘Dominique Ansel Kitchen’ too, so make sure you go to the ‘Bakery.’) Cookie shot sales start at 3:00 pm and the line is outside the bakery. We arrived at about 10 till 3:00 pm and were fifth in line, so it only took about ten minutes. (I heard we got lucky and the line is normally very long.) An employee walks you into the bakery and you purchase the cookie shots as they pour the milk into the cookie “shot glass” right in front of you! It is obvious that they look super cute, but the cookie tastes amazing too! The cookie itself was surprisingly still warm. Also, while the cookie “shot glass” looks small, it is actually a pretty good amount of cookie. This made for the perfect snack between shopping!

Top of the Rock

Being someone who is so scared of heights that I am afraid to go on a Ferris wheel, I do not understand why I was so excited to go up 70 floors to the Top of the Rock, but I was. I have always seen pictures from the Top of the Rock and was so excited that during this trip to New York, I would have the chance to go. The views are absolutely breathtaking and you can see all of Manhattan. I have been to the Empire State Building multiple times, but if I ever had to choose between the two, I would choose the Top of the Rock with no hesitation. At the Top of the Rock, you can see Central Park, the Empire State Building, (which are the two best-known symbols of New York City), and everything in between. Also, the walls are glass to allow you to take better pictures of the view, which I took full advantage of. Also, there are many different decks and windows to take in the view, so even though I was there on a perfect day in the middle of the summer, it seemed to not feel that crowded, which allows you to enjoy your time. Basically, if you are in New York City and want an amazing picture to post or to just have, I highly recommend going to the Top of the Rock.

Eatly NYC

Eataly is a hidden gem right by the Flatiron building, which is full of Italian restaurants, markets, cafés, and Nutella World! My family and I ate at both the pasta and fish restaurants. I ordered penne pasta with their tomato sauce and while that sounds boring, I can promise you it is the best pasta I have ever eaten. That pasta dish is one of the things I miss the most about New York and I ate it three times in my last week (I’m obsessed)! My whole family ordered fish (which I do not like) and they all loved it! For dessert, I ate a Nutella and strawberry crepe from Nutella World. You can order anything from a crepe to just Nutella in a cone. Also, they have Nutella jars with adorable sayings on them. If you are not in the mood to eat, Eataly is still an adorable place to walk around in, but I recommend you arrive hungry!