Daniela Sanchez
~ Instagram: @mylifestylememoir | mylifestylememoir.com
People and traffic EVERYWHERE. I thought living in London prepped me for chaos... well, no, it didn’t. New York is a lot busier, but it adds to the charm.
Prepping For Photographing NYC
While doing my research on New York for my travel map, I started with the landmarks. Since this was my first time visiting, I wanted to make sure I saw the big ticket items. Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Grand Central Terminal and the World Trade Center to name a few. Obviously the Upper East Side and Brooklyn Bridge were musts. After completing my list of landmarks (which actually hit 20 locations), I moved into my Insta-spots. This was tricky, because some of my Insta-spots are also restaurants, rooftops and cafés. Categorizing them as Insta-spots reminded me to go and take a picture even if I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t able to hit all the spots but did manage to get a lot of them, which made me happy and over-caffeinated.
Photogenic Locations
• Brooklyn Heights Historic District • Brooklyn Botanic Garden • Feng Sway • Pietro Nolita • Freemans Restaurant • Urban Backyard • Cafe Colette • Sel Rrose • Sézane • Bellocq • Coperaco Coffee Company • Upper East Side • Remi Flower & Coffee • Maman • John Derian Company Inc • Milk & Cream Cereal Bar • Saltwater Coffee • Birch Coffee • The Pint Shop • Woops! • Sweet Moment • Blank Slate Tea • Cupcake ATM • Cha Cha Matcha • Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs • Dumbo & Brooklyn Bridge • Nomo Hotel • Pier 34 • Stone Street • Green Fingers Market • Joe Coffee
RoofTops
As for the rooftops, I got to explore a bunch of them. SERRA by Birreria is beautiful and super Instagrammable. Do make sure to book beforehand as they are super booked up. Pod 39 is a hotel, but the rooftop was named the best in America, so make sure to check it out. Surprise, surprise, it is also a taco joint!
ORIGIN. Eats
Our Manhattan Plant-based Picks
• Candle 79 • Peacefood Cafe • Le Botaniste • The Cinnamon Snail • Hangawi • Blossom • Lady Bird • Avant Garden • Jajaja Plantas Mexicana • Modern Love • by Chloe
Central Park
I strongly encourage getting lost in Central Park. It is truly a park, and it’s great for people-watching while sipping coffee. Loved exploring where all the pathways lead you to. Try the Central Park app for navigation. Stop by Tavern on the Green for a drink outside on their terrace and watch the picnic + kite-flying couples in the park.