New York. The Big Apple. Manhattan. It’s a bustling place. If you’re looking to escape the chaos for even a moment, here are twelve New York spots that will blow you away.

New York Library

Albeit a tourist attraction, the New York Public Library is a stunning building that boasts some of the most beautiful architecture.

The building itself is a gallery, and the walls you roam in the building are like looking at art.

Like most libraries, you need to keep quiet, because people are studying and reading in the main rooms.

I imagine that if you’re a New Yorker just trying to get some studying done that it can be a little bit awkward to have people gawking at you studying in this library because this place isn’t just a historical building but a functioning library.

There are so many little hallways that you can enter, and stairwells you can go down and up. You may not find solitude, but you’ll get a break from the Times Square madness.

Grace Street Cafe

Feeling parched? Or, maybe you’re just craving some delicious boba. Either way, you must visit Grace Street Cafe, which is in the heart of New York’s Koreatown.

Unfortunately, this cafe can get some heavy traffic because it’s in a high-traffic area of NYC, but it’s worth it anyhow.

This Korean cafe is known for its decadent treats, including Bingsu – a shaved ice dessert – and favourites like their Lavender and Rose Boba, as well as basics like a matcha latte.

If you want to avoid a significant crowd, try to visit this cafe in the morning, because it gets busy in the afternoon. The wait isn’t too long, though, and once you get that first sip of the Rose Boba, you’ll be just aright.

Five Senses

Are you feeling hungry? Five Senses is a super chill place for Korean food. Yes, this is also in the heart of Koreatown, just a few stores down from Grace Street Cafe.

This restaurant is like more Korean spots, serving Korean BBQ and yummy side dishes. When I was here, I had their glazed salmon with rice and an assortment of side dishes.

It was so good, if not, the best meal I had in New York City. I was satisfied, and it still felt pretty healthy.

Bryant Park

New York City is busy, so most places have people. Bryant Park is no exception, but there’s enough space in the park for you to lay out a blanket on the grass and relax.

You can watch the performances going on, chat with friends or just people watch. It’s a peaceful little square in NYC that reminds you to enjoy nature in the bustle of a city and to slow down.

Visit Kinokuniya

Across the street from Bryant Park is Kinokuniya, which is a Japanese book store.

They sell all the famous North American books, including young adult fiction and self-help books. On the basement floor, though, they sell an assortment of stationery, beautiful fabric and collectibles.

I didn’t get to fully explore Kunokuniya, or buy anything when I was there, but as a fan of books and stationery, it was so fun just being in the store. It’s a great spot, and it’s also a great feeling to support independent bookstores.

See Waitress on Broadway

When in Manhattan, New York, you must see a musical broadway. The history of Broadway in New York has existed since 1750.

It’s a classic part of the culture. Make sure to stop by Times Square to get discount tickets at the TKTS discount broadway ticket boots.

We snubbed Waitress tickets last minute because Hamilton was WAY too expensive.

All in all, it was a pretty great musical. The soundtrack is somewhat infamous, and catchy.

It’s an unforgettable experience to see a musical on Broadway in New York.

Try Vivi’s Boba

If you’re in the mood for bubble tea, check out this franchise in New York. I ordered a fruity bubble tea drink that did the job of waking me up at 11 PM after watching Waitress on Broadway. In Toronto, we have Chatime, and in New York, they have Vivi’s Boba.

Shop at the Glossier Flagship Store

Are you a fan of makeup and skincare. Glossier is a famous beauty brand that has exploded on social media, and they only have TWO flagship stores in the world.

One of those stores is in Soho, New York City, which means you need to stop by it. Plus, just around the corner is Chinatown.

Brooklyn Bridge

The infamous Manhattan/Brooklyn Bridge that you see in popular TV shows like Friends and Gossip Girl in the flesh is a lovely way to view the skylines of New York City and Brooklyn.

It’s a tourist attraction, so it’s busy, but not too packed.

It is just a great place to be in nature and see the whole city at large.

Sometimes being in a big city is very overwhelming, so just stepping back, and seeing the entire picture can put your thoughts to rest for a moment.

Books are Magic!

The final destination on this list if Books are Magic! – A super cute bookstore in the heart of Brooklyn.

It’s filled with books and about a 30-minute walk from the Brooklyn Bridge if you don’t want to commute.

The cool thing about this independent bookstore is that they tend to have events and author signings. They even have a small area at the back of the store just for those types of things.

What drew me to this store is the mural wall at the side of the store. Many people tend to pose in front of this mural and share it on Instagram.

After I saw that mural on Instagram, I knew I had to visit the store.

Taste the Best Guacamole in Brooklyn

If you’re looking for a place to eat, you gotta check out La Cantina in Brooklyn, New York City. It’s a French-Mexican fusion restaurant with the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted.

They serve guacamole in these massive bowls, and you’ll see many tables with these guacamole bowls as they’re one of the key menu items that draw people to the restaurant.

On top of that, there’s a variety of seafood fare and even a tasty salmon burger.

It’s one of the top two eats during my trip to New York.

Get Caffeinated at Coffee Factory

My friend’s friend brought us one night to a hidden gem of a cafe in Flushing, Queens, New York.

This cafe has some of the best coffee lattes I’ve ever had, a little bit sweet and a whole lot of creamy.

They also serve up delicious bingsu with taiyaki. How cute is that?

Overall, your New York experience doesn’t have to be Times Square. It doesn’t just have to be crowded and overwhelming. There are places in New York that give you breathing room and time to digest everything you’re seeing.

These are just some places that will provide you with a moment to think, but there is so much more. It’s part of the reason why people can handle living here, because usually, just some blocks from Times Square, you’ll find a lot of chill spots that make New York feel like home.