I finally had a chance to go through all my photos from my trip to NYC last March. I’ve been thinking a lot about traveling more and it’s probably because I feel…I can finally say I truly enjoy traveling with my kids. Let’s be honest, making a trip out to local grocery store was stressful at times with my toddler boys. It was only recent that traveling with kids came in the picture for the Kim family. Traveling with or without kids, I think we all need some time away from our daily grind and just pack up your favorite weekender and go refresh yourself exploring some place totally new. Here are some shots from my NY trip with my traveling buddy and a long time friend. We live in two different cities so we flew into NYC separately and met there. There is an idea! Meet someone in third city for a weekend! It all started because we picked up a book at a local bookstore called ‘New York Times 36 hours, 150 weekends in USA & Canada‘. It basically sparked our wanderlust ideas and gave us some new perspective on traveling. You don’t have to go far away or for long time to make a good vacation. Sometimes, going away for a weekend is all we need. Plan your trip ahead to save time and budget and become a weekend traveler!

NoMad Hotel (Midtown)

Left// 60 Thompson (Soho)  |  Right// Ace Hotel (Midtown)

Coffee Spots (Midtown, Tribecca, Soho)

Highline Park (Chelsea)

Momofuku Noodle Bar (East Village)

Lombardi’s New York Pizza (Soho) // Waffles & Dinges (Lower Manhattan)

Soho Street Shopping (Soho)

MOMA (Midtown West)

Brooklyn Bridge

Broadway (Musical ‘Once’)

NY Crossings (Times Square, Soho, Midtown, Brooklyn)

From top of the rock (Rockefella Center, Midtown West)

La Colombe Torrefaction (Soho) – best cappuccino experience you will ever have.

Stumptown (Midtown) – the usual trend carried over from west coast. baristas in their new yorker suits and hats.

Happy Bones NY (Nolita) – you wish you lived nearby this cafe to grab coffee here every morning. seriously coveting that cute tortoise shell spoon that i spy on instagram all the time!

Momofuku Noodle Bar (East Village) – chef david chang’s restaurant. wow on the ramen, go visit his other restaurant momofuku ssam bar.

Café Habana (Soho) – delicious cuban, mexican restaurant in soho. can’t leave this place without trying the mexican style grilled corn. it’s impossible to have just one. i dare you to try.

Lombardi’s New York Pizza (Soho) – what is it with NY pizza? they are so good down to very last bite of the crust. must have before you leave town.

Waffles & Dinges Cart (throughout NYC) – we picked up some waffles before walking the brooklyn bridge. that was so memorable!

Butcher’s Daughter (Nolita) – THE brunch spot.

NoMad Hotel (Midtown) – beautiful boutique style hotel with amazing library/café.

Thompson 60 (Soho) – modern, clean affordable hotel right in the heart of Soho street shopping.

MOMA (Midtown West) – worth every exhibit and floor for modern art.

Broadway Musicals – get the tickets earlier in the day at TKTS in times square to get discounted tickets. Tip: watch something that only plays in New York.

Top of the Rock – top of the rockefeller center for city view. i prefer top of the rock over empire state building.

Brooklyn Bridge – walk the bridge, amazing experience.

Highline Park (Chelsea) – relatively new, city park built on old railroad track. it’s elevated so you have some nice vanishing point views of the city and the waterfront side.

Chelsea Market – the lobster place is a killer! order fresh lobster and they will steam cook it on the spot for you.

Soho Street Shopping – from designer brands to your everyday brand name favorites, it’s all there.

My NYC list goes on and on…I would love to hear if you have discovered any new spots in and around the city!

_Selina