As the semester comes to an end, it’s time to say goodbye to your friends for the summer. What better way to say your farewells than to spend a day in New York City?
The Setonian’s editorial board recommends the following NYC activities to help you orchestrate the perfect day in the city with your friends.
Solomon Lee: Bagels
My weekends in the city have two constants: long, late nights out and packed itineraries the next day. The only thing that powers me between the two? Bagels. I’m not from the northeast, so the debate on whether New Jersey or New York bagels are better isn’t something I concern myself with. I just want good bagels in the morning, and these spots have them. None of these are very niche picks. I am a product of the times, and social media influences my every move—but that does not detract from my credibility, as you best believe I can pick out a good bagel. Now, enjoy my trendy recommendations for a New York staple breakfast.
Leon’s Bagels: This is where the best sausage/bacon egg and cheese sandwich is, hands down. The cheese pull alone makes my day a thousand times better and it fills me up for the day. The lox bagel is popular too, and their coffee is a must to help with that extra buzz in the morning. They even have cute merchandise—the aesthetic here is simply unmatched.
Apollo Bagels: If we are talking about the bagel itself, this is my personal favorite, with a crispy crust but soft inside; it is heavenly. However, the options are limited as there are only cream cheese, tomato, and lox offered as toppings, so this is what I recommend for the best classic cream cheese bagel.
Tompkins Square Bagels: Options after options, that is the name of the game here. From the bagels themselves, my go-to is the rainbow bagel—to the spreads—cookies and cream, strawberry, confetti and more cream cheeses—and sandwich options—sirloin, pizza, chicken cutlet, and more, there is something for everyone.
Pio Bagel: The ‘Pio Bagel’ serves as the staple, like a title track, filled with cheddar, bacon, and onions; just add some egg on top and you’re set. If not everyone is in the mood for bagels, there are other food options like French toast, omelets, pastries, and more for them to get, too.
Pop Up Bagels: Maybe the most viral on the list, the cream cheese options change weekly, so there is always a reason to keep coming back. The bagels and cream cheese come separately, so I find myself dipping the bagels and eating them like a snack. Overall, I think this spot is great for the novelty but not so much for a fueling breakfast.
Each of these options has multiple locations, so the experience at each may vary, but I am almost certain none will disappoint. Expect some decent wait times both in line and for your order, but the 20-30 minute wait is the perfect amount of time to debrief with your friends about what you remember (or don’t) from the night before, and plan out your activities and photo-ops for the day ahead.
I wouldn’t call any of these spots ‘cheap eats’, but the quality of the product makes it worth the price–even if you find a double-digit price tag on a bagel a bit extreme. Try these out, and after you hit all five, search for more, because a bagel run after your night out in the city will become a mainstay in your weekend plans – I know it has for me.
Megan Pitt: Matcha
If you know me at all, you know I’m a fun drink fanatic. Blank Street has become one of my favorite stops in the city and their strawberry shortcake matcha is top tier. It’s the perfect sip to accompany a spring stroll through Central Park, exploring the city with friends or family.
Lakyn Austin: Coffee
I’m from quite literally the “180” of NYC, but, as a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I know good coffee when I taste it and the city certainly has some gems.
Paper Coffee: Located in a hotel lobby, this coffee shop not only serves one of the best cups I’ve ever had (and I have had a lot), but it is also an ideal study spot. With outlets located throughout and free wifi, the shop is equipped to host a last-minute finals study session. The cozy, wooden aesthetic makes for a homey feel, making the Es-Yen signature drink, a Thai-style coffee made with condensed milk, taste even better.
Fifth Sip: You have to try this banana iced latte. I know banana in coffee might be a little controversial—it’s kind of like the pineapple on pizza debate, but for the coffee world—but this coffee is pristine. The perfect ratio of sweetness, espresso, and banana is right here at Fifth Sip. Swing by on your way to do some damage to your bank account in SoHo (I’ve never been to the city without the coffee to shopping pipeline).
Caffe Pardiso: Okay, now I know this might be a little TikTok-y, but I can’t deny good coffee when I taste it. Because it blew up on social media, the line is long, and as the world’s most impatient person, this is one of the few times I will say it was actually worth the wait. Honestly, it might have tasted even better because of it and, mind you, it was five degrees outside. This is the silkiest coffee I’ve ever had. You need that, like, right now.
Jaden Highsmith: Bites and Baseball
Go stop by Caffe Panna and grab the Blueberry Cardamom Social Sunday. It’s blueberry ice cream with graham cracker crunch, cinnamon cardamom panna, and blueberry chunks, and it’s fire. If you’re not feeling fancy, they’ve got all the classics like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and cookies and cream too. After that, take a quick walk over to Washington Square Park, it’s less than 10 minutes away, and always has a good vibe.
Another option is to catch a game at Yankee Stadium. Just take the South Orange train to Penn Station, then hop on the subway, and it drops you right outside the Stadium. For the 21+ crowd, go across the street to Billy's Sports Bar before or after the game with your friends; it’s always packed with Yankee fans and is a great time.
Jacqueline Litowinsky: Broadway
For those willing to wake up early, the Broadway rush for tickets is a core part of the full Broadway experience. Theatre tickets can be expensive, but all Broadway shows offer day-of rush policies that make a limited number of tickets available at a reduced price for those who wait at the box office.
For example, you can go see the best show on Broadway (in my humble opinion), “Maybe Happy Ending,” for $49, rather than the full price of around $130, if you do the general rush in person or enter the digital rush.
Find what is on stage now here.
Dominique Mercadante: Broadcasts
Okay, so I am extremely biased. I intern for abc7NY/WABC-TV at 7 Hudson Square (310 Hudson Street, aka Disney Headquarters in Lower Manhattan), where many amazing shows are filmed, such as Live! With Kelly and Mark.
Tickets are free and you can request them for any day of the show (literally can pick whatever day that works for you). You can also view the show’s guests to see who’s on. Even though it’s early in the morning, with the show beginning at 9 a.m., it is well worth it. You will also be a part of a live broadcast. The show is hosted by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—they’re a wife and husband of 26 years and they’re adorable and funny.
If you’re not interested in this show, you can also get free tickets for award winning journalist Tamron Hall’s show. The Tamron Hall Show is a daytime talk show that is is pre-recorded, but filmed in front of a live studio audience. You can also see the guests on each show, if you want to pick tickets based on that, too.
There is also The View, a roundtable of women who discuss various topics, with, again, free tickets. It’s a morning talk show that goes on at 11 a.m. They also have cool guests (which you can see prior to requesting your tickets).
Christian Hui: Live Music
There are so many dope venues in NYC for live shows, from Carnegie Hall (which, FYI, you can get $10 student tickets for) to the Village Vanguard for jazz, or NYC’s classic event venues like the Paramount, Terminal 5, Brooklyn Steel, Irving Plaza, or Elsewhere. There’s nothing like going to gigs and discovering music in the city.
Keira Bala: Chinatown
Get your hair done and grab a quick bite after. The perfect place to end the day with your friends in the city is in Chinatown. At Kelly Hair Salon, you can relax with a head massage and deep shampoo followed by a 20-minute blowout. I recommend this salon because of the outstanding service, attention to detail and comfort and the relatively low price. In total, their hair service is $30 before tip. If you want to look your best, I recommend getting your hair done here.
After your new do, head to dinner at Hop Kee. Hop Kee is a cash-only Chinese spot serving traditional Cantonese dishes in a no-frills basement. The food is served hot and I recommend ordering plates to share with a group of two to four to enjoy it the most. This restaurant is great for families because of the ample seating booths.
If you’re not feeling like eating at a sit-down restaurant, Mei Lai Wah is a Chinese restaurant and bakery serving traditional steamed and baked buns, congee & rice noodle rolls. The steamed pork buns are addictive in the best way possible; they are tasty, sweet, and warm.
Lianna Cruz: Koreatown
Spend the afternoon in Koreatown in Midtown Manhattan shopping for treats and trinkets at the Koreatown Shopping Court. The little red stalls offer cute novelty items like keychains, phone charms and jewelry.
You can also grab viral snacks like tanghulu, a Chinese street food of skewered candy-coated fruit. You can get all kinds of fruit, but I recommend getting the strawberries—they’re some of the largest, ripest berries I’ve ever had, providing a burst of sweet, succulent flavor that’s totally worth the $2 per berry price tag.
Then, take a short walk to Jongro Rice Hotdog for Korean corndogs. You can get a traditional coated hot dog, fried mozzarella, or a half-and-half option to taste both. If you make the trip, be sure to go with a group of friends to get a taste of all the varieties available—from fried ramen coatings to crispy potatoes. I’m a sweet tooth, so I like to add sugar to mine—the added crunch and sweetness paired with the salty hotdog and sauces is to die for, and something you should definitely make time for the next time you’re in Manhattan.
Ashley Smith: The Met
Growing up in New York, I experienced a number of fun places. I’ve seen numerous shows and gone to the most delicious restaurants, my absolute favorite place in the city to visit is The Met, located on 5th Avenue.
Though The Met is not an underground or niche place to visit, it has remained one of my most treasured places. I find something new and exciting to see each and every time I visit. The museum is a space of serenity and wonder, where people can see the history of the world through art. Now I know a good portion of people think museums are boring and would make it the last thing on their list to visit when in the city, but The Met offers a chance for people to experience wonder.
My favorite wing of the museum is the Egyptian wing, as many who visit the wing, like me, can experience an entire civilization’s culture right in front of their eyes. It’s truly a place that leaves all its visitors in awe.
As you prepare to head home, wherever that is for you, we hope our recommendations played a small role in memory-making moments for you and your loved ones.
Lakyn Austin is the head editor of The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at lakyn.austin@student.shu.edu.
Solomon Lee is the advertising manager for The Setonian. He can be reached at solomon.lee@student.shu.edu.
Megan Pitt is the head editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at megan.pitt@student.shu.edu.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
Jacqueline Litowinsky is the copy editor and the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Social Media. She can be reached at jacqueline.litowinsky@student.shu.edu.
Dominique Mercadante is the Editor-in-Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.
Christian Hui is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at christian.hui@student.shu.edu.
Keira Bala is the videographer for The Setonian. She can be reached at keira.bala@student.shu.edu.
Lianna Cruz is the assistant photographer of The Setonian’s Photography section. She can be reached at lianna.cruz@student.shu.edu.
Ashley Smith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Opinion section. She can be reached at ashley.smith@student.shu.edu.
