My NYC Top 10 this Fall (‘25)
Bakery: Bub’s Bakery
Cinnamon Roll: Losers
Cafe to work: The Local NY
Fall Leaves: Long Island City Waterfront + Ferry
Bucketlist Experience: West Village Halloween Parade
New: Insane Hudson River Sunsets
City Park: Paley Park
Bakery/Cafe: Tadaima
Massage: Okuyama Massage and Acupuncture
Outdoor Seating: Think Coffee Williamsburg
Bakery: Bub’s Bakery
A completely allergen-free spot that opened in Noho. As someone who loves gluten and has no allergies, the pastries were still delicious. I went with my Gluten Free/Dairy Free friend who was able to order things she hadn’t been able to in years. Will definitely be back and recommend picking up anything.
Cinnamon Roll: Losers
Sign up for the email list and you’ll get early access to the viral Cinnamon Roll from Losers. It’s not cheap, and it’s huge, I loved it. Walking to go and collect it from the nondescript door was quite fun. I put it in the freezer thinking I’d ration it over a few weeks, but it was gone in 2 days. Sourdough base, strong cinnamon, texture is right - delicious cinnamon roll!
Cafe to work: The Local NY
The Local NY is a Cafe/Bar in the lobby of a hostel in LIC. I worked from here one afternoon and would definitely recommend it. Large open space, good wifi, nice tables - underrated gem. Worth traveling to LIC and changing things up. Extremely friendly staff, cheap coffee and with cafes filling up lately this felt like a great alternative.
Fall Leaves: Long Island City Waterfront + Ferry
Long Island City has long been my favorite waterfront to walk along. It’s beautifully built out, has a good amount to see and has a wonderful view of Manhattan. Coming here while the leaves were changing and the sun was setting was particularly special - these are the brightest colored leaves I’ve seen and the best photos I got all season of the changing leaves. There are plenty of creative seats to sit and look at the view and you can walk right to the ferry dock and take the ferry back into Manhattan when you’ve finished.
Bucketlist Experience: West Village Halloween Parade
There is literally nothing stopping you from putting on a costume and joining the West Village Halloween Parade. You don’t need to sign up before, you just show up and walk. I joined a team of Miss Congeniality Fans and learned a dance that we did throughout the Parade - if you’re interested, they’re doing it again next year and it was insanely fun/freeing to perfom in that way. Even the most basic costumes can also join the crowd. The secret is that you get better views of the costumes and performances from inside the parade versus outside.
New: Insane Hudson River Sunsets
It’s getting colder but the good news - the color of the sunsets just amp’d up. NYC has some of the most beautiful sunsets - walking along the Hudson River you’ll see the whole sky change to bright reds and purples. There’s nothing quite like it. A positive for the colder weather!
City Park: Paley Park
Tucked away on 53rd St/5th Ave, this fountain and seating is my favorite spot in midtown. Quiet, calming, ample seating and the perfect spot to sit down and recharge. There’s a hidden cafe in the park if you’re hungry, and it’s completely free to sit down. An unexpected respite in Midtown.
Bakery/Cafe: Tadaima
Deep in Brooklyn you’ll find Tadaima. I stumbled onto this when visting my Friend’s exhibit a the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It’s a tiny Japanese bakery with unique and thoughtful baked treats. They have very few seats and cap how many people can enter the cafe at once. The service is slow but extremely precise and thoughtful. I grabbed a few baked goods from here that I’m still thinking about - if you’re after something really special, this is worth the visit.
Massage: Okuyama Massage and Acupuncture
Cheap but extremely high-quality massage. It’s certainly low frills but one of the best massages I’ve had in NYC. A good amount of pressure but you’re not gritting your teeth under the sheet - it’s the perfect balance and an excellent price. The service from the front desk and the masseuse was also noteworthy - you feel wanted and they really care about your experience.
Outdoor Seating: Think Coffee Williamsburg
After traveling to Williamsburg to pick up some new tap shoes I stumbled onto this Think Coffee Branch. A beautiful courtyard, I caught it just in time before the weather became too cold. Great spot for working/relaxing and very low key energy.