I’ve wanted to visit New York since I was a child. It always looked magical in the movies and sounded exciting based on friends’ travel stories.
This trip was somewhat last-minute — I booked it about two weeks in advance. After passing the RD exam in early July, I felt free and knew I needed to get out of town, relax, and experience something new. New York felt like the perfect choice. It also gave me an opportunity to finally meet one of my closest Instagram friends from the past year, Lisa of @thewellnecessities. Lisa and I connected through our shared RD background, and she supported me throughout my dietetic internship. Meeting her in person felt like a natural next step.
My boyfriend and I booked flights to arrive Saturday, September 3 and depart the following Friday, September 9 back to Seattle. That left us with the task of finding hotels.
We had a rough start because I didn’t realize my dates fell during New York Fashion Week, which limited hotel availability. Luckily Lisa and her boyfriend Evan generously offered us a place to stay at one of their parents’ homes in Manhasset for the first two nights. It was a warm welcome — especially since this was my first time meeting Lisa in person. We’d FaceTimed and messaged often, so I wasn’t worried, and we clicked instantly. We share a passion for nutrition and food, and our partners got along great too.
Day 1
On Sunday, September 4 our group of four hit the gym, grocery shopped, relaxed by the pool, and later hosted a dinner party with a few more friends. We cooked an impressive feast and it felt like we’d been friends for years.
[Photo taken with Jessica Lebovitis, RD, CDN, me, Lisa Hayim, Abby Cannon, Dietetic Intern]
Day 2
On Monday, Lisa and I filmed a Facebook Live discussing our paths to becoming RDs. After that my boyfriend Bridger and I headed to Penn Station and took a roughly 40-minute train ride into the city.
We decided to walk about 18 blocks from Penn Station to our first hotel, Dream Downtown, near the Meatpacking District. We’d rather see a city on foot than by taxi. We stopped at Whole Foods along the way so I could grab vitamins and green juice since I’d been feeling under the weather from late nights.
[Photo taken of the Silver King Room at Dream Downtown]
At check-in we were upgraded to a Silver King room with a balcony overlooking the pool. The hotel was fantastic and the staff were accommodating. We enjoyed the rooftop bar PhD for night views. That evening we had a reservation at Bodega Negra inside the hotel but spent the afternoon exploring Chelsea Market and wandering along the waterfront. A spontaneous line outside a building led us to The Standard’s rooftop — an incredible surprise with panoramic views, a Jacuzzi, and lively vibes.
[Photo taken at the rooftop bar of The Standard Highline]
Dinner at Bodega Negra was excellent — dimly lit and romantic. Highlights: the grilled corn and beef fajitas with mini corn tortillas.
Day 3
Tuesday, September 5 we took an Uber to Lower Manhattan for breakfast at The Butcher’s Daughter. It might be my favorite breakfast spot from the trip. I ordered an egg sandwich on toasted 7-grain with avocado, tomato jam, kale, cashew cheese, and over-easy eggs, plus a Liquid Vitality shot. It fueled a nearly three-mile walk to the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, Hudson Eats, and more. I even treated myself to my first blowout while out — a small-town WA girl moment that I recommend trying if you haven’t.
[Photo taken of our breakfast at The Butcher’s Daughter]
For lunch we stopped at Hu Kitchen, known for unprocessed, high-quality whole foods. The roasted vegetables were standout, and I tried a Paleo Veg Loaf that wasn’t served warm, which wasn’t my favorite. Dessert came in the form of Cookie Dough Truffles — very good. After a nap back at Dream Downtown, we headed to Bareburger for dinner where I built a bison burger on a sprouted bun and the sweet potato fries were perfect.
Day 4
I didn’t sleep much that night because I was preparing to appear as a guest on Dr. Oz’s show the next morning, part of a group of bloggers supporting his new season-long health initiative. The day was surreal: hair and makeup, mics, and a small speaking role on the show. Meeting other bloggers was energizing — it’s rare to find so many like-minded food and wellness creators in Seattle.
[Photo taken on Dr. Oz set with bloggers and supporters of The Regimen]
After the taping we moved hotels to EVEN Times Square South, a wellness-focused hotel with an excellent gym and in-room workout options. Times Square itself was more crowded and grittier than expected — loud, busy, and not my favorite place to stroll. That evening we enjoyed Cipriani at Grand Central for dinner, a prime spot for people-watching and great food.
[Photo taken at Cipriani’s overlooking Grand Central Station]
Day 5
Thursday, September 8 we ran through Central Park, ticking off a long-held bucket-list item. The greenery and fresh air were a welcome contrast to the city. Bridger had to cut the run short due to a nagging hip and knee issue, so we switched to breakfast at Bluestone Lane nearby. My Avo Smash Toast — with tahini, heirloom tomatoes, sprouts, feta, and a poached egg — was extraordinary and tied with The Butcher’s Daughter for best breakfast of the trip.
[Photo taken in Central Park]
We checked out of EVEN Times Square and met Lisa and other foodie friends for lunch at Clement in The Peninsula. Chef Danielle Marullo recommended several dishes; I had a kale-quinoa salad with shrimp and we shared desserts including a raspberry sorbet and a raw chocolate pie that were delightful. After lunch we visited the Top of the Rock for a 360-degree view of the city — worth the fee and the experience.
[Photo taken of the RAW Chocolate Pie at Clement at The Peninsula]
That evening we checked into EVEN Hotel in Brooklyn. The neighborhood was quieter than expected with fewer nearby dining options, so we settled for pizza at a nearby spot, Brado, and later treated ourselves to vegan ice cream at Van Leeuwen — their mint chip made with cashews and coconut was outstanding.
Day 6
Friday, September 9 I exercised at the hotel gym while Bridger rested from a cold. Breakfast at the hotel café was simple and satisfying — their frittata was delicious without needing substitutions. We took an Uber to the Brooklyn Bridge, walked partway across for photos, and then stopped at Trader Joe’s to pick up snacks for the flight home.
[Photos taken from the Brooklyn Bridge]
Our Delta flights were smooth both ways. I usually fall asleep quickly on planes and appreciated the in-seat entertainment options.
My first trip to New York was a huge success — I keep replaying the memories. I’ll be back to explore more neighborhoods, taste new foods, and experience new things. See you again soon, NYC.
Highlights of the trip:
- Became fast friends with Lisa and Evan
- Rooftop bar at The Standard
- Running through Central Park
- Appearing on Dr. Oz’s show
- Outstanding food throughout the trip
- Sweeping views from the Top of the Rock