New York City Hidden Gems You Need to Experience

*Rugged up on the subway ready to explore (in 4°C!)*

Anyone who has travelled with me will tell you, there’s nothing I love more than exploring a city on foot - and when exploring New York City on foot (or via the subway) there are so many hidden gems to discover.

With so many Australians currently in NYC for the holiday season, I thought I’d share some of my current favourites so you can experience them (or add them to your travel list) too!

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Fish’s Eddy

📍 889 Broadway (Corner of 19th street)

I love quirky homewares and Fish’s Eddy is full of them! Perfect for gifting (especially Secret Santas!), they have something for everyone and the most hilarious gifts.

From mix and match plates to bagel plates, fun tea towels and cheeky drinking glasses there was so much to discover. I definitely recommend visiting at least once on your trip!

Keep an eye on their Instagram for future events!

MáLà Project

📍East Village (122 1st Avenue)

A favourite of NYC locals, MáLà Project offers the most incredible Chinese food and plenty of spicy options. They recently partnered with Jazz Age Brunch for their first Jazz Brunch and it was such an incredible experience.

Delicious food and live music? What’s not to love!

The 2 hour jazz brunch included Tea Eggs with Green Peppers, Hot & Sour Soup, Spring Rolls, Sichuan Wraps, House Fried Noodles, “Leftover” Fried Rice, Crispy Brown Sugar Filled Mochi, Spicy Bloody Mary (my choice!), Lychee Bellinis and Mandarin Mimosas.

Christmas is Everywhere

Every corner seems to be filled with Christmas magic in NYC and it really does feel like the holiday season. We were strolling through Madison Square Park when we heard Christmas carols and found this group of beautiful carollers happily singing away.

There’s a reason so many tourists flock to New York for Christmas. Christmas lights twinkle as snow falls from the sky for the ultimate white Christmas experience.

Veniero's Pasticceria

📍 342 E. 11th St. (Between 1st and 2nd Avenue)

First opened in 1894, Veniero’s is a NYC staple - especially during the holiday season. Famous for their traditional Italian baked goods and treats, Veniero’s is where you can find delicious handmade Italian butter cookies, biscotti, cannoli, tiramisu, sfogliatelle and their famous New York Cheesecake as well as plenty of gifts to share with loved ones.

With beautiful art deco ceilings and old world charm, Veniero’s is the perfect place to escape the cold with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a freshly baked treat.

*A quintessential NYC dinner before watching the ice hockey!*

New York Pizza

📍413 8th Avenue (at St.) NYC

Did you even go to New York City if you didn’t have at least one slice of NY Pizza? We stopped at NY Pizza Suprema for a quick dinner before heading to the Ice Hockey at Madison Square Garden.

*This year’s St Lucia Day celebration was one to remember!*

St Lucia Day at the Church of Sweden NYC

📍 5 E 48th Street, NY

We always celebrate St Lucia Day at home, but this year’s celebration was extra special as we headed to Church of Sweden for their Lucia concert. Held annually on December 14th (with two performances), All that’s missing was our family’s St Lucia Saffron Buns!

Butterfield Market

📍1114 Lexington Ave, NY

Straight out of a Christmas movie scene, Butterfield Market is full of festive treats - and everything you could possibly think of for your Christmas feast!