![]() ![]() If you don’t need coffee but could use a dirty bacon-egg-and-cheese, my favorite is the BEC on a croissant at the Donut Pub, which is at the northwest corner of 14th and 7th. Their coffee is definitely strong, and they have Balthazar ’s baked goods and croissants, which is a HUGE plus in my book. I also like Yanni’s coffee - which is further south and closer to Greenwich Village. You can never go wrong with classic glazed or cinnamon sprinkles, but if something calls to you, try it. They are yeasted, pillowy soft donuts that come in a lot of really exciting flavors. As an added bonus to Gotham Coffee, across the street is Dough Doughnuts, which is a personal favorite spot. If you need a snack for your drink, Variety and Seven Grams both have decent baked goods. When I happen to be closer to Union Square, I really like Gotham Coffee. Variety at the corner of 25th and 7th is my go-to ( which is looking festive and cozy for the holidays), but I also love Seven Grams just half a block north. Chelsea: There are multiple, because Chelsea happens to be the neighborhood where I most often caffeinate. I have recommendations by neighborhood, because you should never be more than a few blocks from a very good cup of whatever you need to power yourself through the day. A marathon of Christmas activities REQUIRES caffeine. Once you’ve landed, drop off your bags and head back out for a coffee. (Don’t eat at the restaurant unless you’re in a pinch, which you might be if you don’t make reservations in advance for any of your meals.) Their drinks, however, are STRONG. If that’s your focus for the whole weekend (this is the Christmas guide after all), I would recommend staying closer in the Nomad or Chelsea area (I wouldn’t recommend staying in midtown/Times Square, unless you don’t mind a lot of noise and congestion). This means that staying further downtown will leave you farther from some of the holiday festivities you might want to take part in. *I want to note that most of my recommendations in this post are in downtown New York, with the exception of the Christmas activities, which are generally located more midtown/upper east. Rates are also likely very high during the holiday season. Definitely book in advance for either, because they will fill up quickly. It’s a little more modern, brighter, but still has a nostalgic yet timeless feel. From the same hotel group as Bowery, Ludlow feels like the edgier younger sibling. A slightly more affordable option is the Ludlow Hotel in the Lower East Side. Every little detail is intentional, which I love. If you’d like, they’ll bring you the New York Times in an embroidered tote on your door handle, which you’ll find hanging on your door in the morning. and on the Upper East Side on Madison Ave where you can get embroidered knits - a great holiday gift for that family member who loves to be cozy (and you can get them personalized!). The fluffy white robes are embroidered in red by Lingua Franca, whose little shop is in West Village on Bleecker St. I LOVE The Bowery because it really puts careful thought into EVERY LITTLE DETAIL and goes out of its way to highlight local New York businesses. Even if you aren’t staying here, stop by for a drink downstairs in their cozy seating area. (I’ve always been nostalgic for a time I wasn’t around for.) Behind the concierge desk, you’ll see a wall with little boxes for each hotel room key, where a deep red heavy tassel with a brass key hangs (with an electronic key fob attached behind that, because it’s still the 21st century). As soon as you walk in, you’ll be transported back to old New York. ![]() If you see a big old-fashioned analog clock hanging from the awning and someone in uniform waiting to open the door (with an umbrella if it’s raining), you’ll know you’re in the right place. WHERE TO STAY*: My favorite hotel in the city is the Bowery Hotel. This is a long way of saying: BEST TIME TO TRAVEL – December. To get to Duane Reade, you walk through streets lined with Christmas trees for sale, like you’re walking through a teeny tiny Christmas tree forest. You hear Christmas music when you step into Duane Reade. The air practically hums with excitement and you find that a city of lights can shine even brighter. Whether you’re a New York native or just in town for the weekend, nothing is as MAGICAL as CHRISTMASTIME in the city. After graduating, she extended her stay on the East Coast to work in New York City, but she’ll always be in a Texas State of Mind and will never give up on finding good tacos and barbecue away from home. Christine is a born-and-raised Houston native who spent her first 24 years there until she packed her bags for Philadelphia to attend law school. You can get a downloadable map of this itinerary here. ![]()
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