The Intern Guide to NYC

My Final NYC Picks (and a Few You Can Skip)

HI! I feel like I’ve been talking about “my last days in New York” for weeks but I’m finally back in Dallas.

I’ve been living in Murray Hill with two of my best friends this summer, one interning in fashion, and the other studying for the LSAT. It was chaotic, gritty, and probably one of the happiest seasons of my life so far. They both headed home at the beginning of August, and I stayed back to finish my internships, which wrapped mid-month. My last two weeks in New York were a weird mix of really quiet and really fulfilling.

At first, I was totally fine with the solo time. I meant to check more things off my NYC bucket list… but I found myself returning to familiar spaces: favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and walking routes. Probably seeking comfort. 

By the second week, I started to feel the quiet more and more. Coming home to no one, no one to tell my subway stories to, or celebrate the end of my internship, it was different! I’m so grateful to have started writing on Substack because I was able to put a lot of my time into it.

I’ve always loved my alone time, but I realized I’d never really lived alone for longer than a few days- especially in an unfamiliar place. My sister, Mary Palmer, has been amazing (truly rolled out the red carpet for me all summer), but of course she can’t be with me 24/7. And that’s okay.

I’ve learned a few things: that it’s okay to feel a little lonely, that you don’t have to pretend you're unfazed by a silent apartment, and that solo time can actually crack open parts of your creativity you forgot were there. I’ve had full conversations with myself and explored a lot of the city on my own. I honestly think I’ve come out of this as a more thoughtful, confident, and self-aware person.

Now, back to the fun stuff which is the real reason for this post! I’ve been compiling a list (with help) all summer of my favorite NYC spots, everything from shopping, food and things to do, plus a few places I think you can totally skip.

See you in Texas!

To Eat

1. Breakfast By Salt’s Cure (West Village) - You have to wait in line but it’s worth it. Pro tip weekdays are usually much quieter.

2. Apollo Bagels (West Village & East Village) - My favorite bagel in NYC. The open-faced tomato is so worth the hype.

3. Pop Up Bagels - I had low expectations that Pop-Up was going to be way overhyped but it really is that good. The salt bagel and scallion cream cheese were my favorites but I really don’t think you can go wrong.

4. East Village Organic (East Village) - My go-to smoothie spot! I loved (& miss) going here and strolling through the East Village on a Saturday.

5. Butterfield Market (UES) - The smoothies and the Fro Yo take the cake on this one. My ideal Sunday includes getting a smorgasbord from Butterfield and picnic-ing in Central Park.

6. Café Paradiso (Nolita) - I thought this was just another TikTok gimmick, but the draft latte is so good. It’s a little salty and one of the best coffees I had this summer.

7. Jeffrey’s Grocery (West Village) - Jeffrey’s Grocery was the perfect Saturday brunch/lunch this summer. If this is on your list I would go during the day and choose somewhere else for dinner.

8. Emmett’s on Grove (West Village) - The Caesar salad and “The Hot Girl” are perfect to me. And the vibes are also unmatched. It was a go-to all summer and will be every visit after.

9. Pastis (Meatpacking) - I had never been to Pastis for dinner until this summer! We did drinks at the Whitney museum (Linking tickets for Free Friday Nights here) before and it was so fun.

10. American Bar (West Village) - I know everyone loves American Bar but it really is one of my favorite restraunts in New York. One of best friends from highschool described it as “The best country club food you’ve ever had” and if you knew us in high school we frequented our country club grill during our free periods (sorry Mom & Dad). But it really is that good.

11. Caffe Panna (Gramercy) - The not-so-secret ice cream spot tucked away in Gramercy. It’s the best ice cream I’ve ever had (Juice Bar on Nantucket is a close second). My order: Cookies & Panna with olive oil drizzle & sea salt.

12. Culture Frozen Yogurt (Greenwich Village) - Another ice cream stop that’s worth the line! My favorite place for frozen yogurt.

To Drink

1. Elvis (NoHo) - Cozy, warm and casual this was a go-to spot for pre-dinner drinks.

2. Crosby Hotel (SoHo) - No notes. Dying to stay here!

3. Hotel Chelsea (Chelsea) - We went to dinner at Teruko (sushi restaurant downstairs) and had a drink at the bar after. It’s comfortable, hushed and perfect for the start or end of your night!

To Do

1. Comedy Cellar - My ideal Friday night includes drinks, dinner, after dinner drinks (Madeline’s Martinis would be ideal) and late night Comedy Cellar.

2. Brooklyn - I got sent to Brooklyn for work on a few occasions and I love it. It’s more intimate and serene than the hustle and sweat of the city. My roommates explored over there one night and reported back that it was a must do (that I regret not doing).

3. Printemps (Fidi) - This is more of museum than a department store which is why I'm putting it in this section. I genuinely got emotional walking through because it is so beautiful.

4. The Frick Collection (UES) - We went on my last day in New York and I’m so glad we fit it in!

5. Central Park - Central Park is so magical to me & it never gets old.

To Shop

1. Not a Normal Market - I’ve uncovered my love of vintage shopping this summer which I credit to visiting NANM one of my first weekends in the city. If you happen to be in the city while it’s going on I highly recommend you go- it’s where vintage fashion, designer bags, and upcycled pieces go to start new life. I’d love to go back so I can do a whole post on the best vendors to buy from etc. My sister and I both bought bags from @old.thebest and dresses from @vfdesignsnyc.

2. Designer Revival (UES) - A fun place to look through if you like searching for vintage pieces. They had a gucci silk skirt that I wake up thinking about some times.

3. John Derian Company (East Village)- One of my favorite places. I want my home to look like the inside of these three stores- vintage, colorful, and storied.

4. Rosemary Home (East Village)- From rainbow glassware to Italian toothbrushes this store tucked away on a vibrant street in the East Village makes my heart skip a beat.

5. Fish’s Eddy (Flatiron)- This is one of those places that I could go in everyday and not get tired of looking at everything. And fun fact, I probably did stop by at least once a week and bought something. From colorful ceramic plates, dish towels and prints- cannot get enough.

Of course, some honorable mentions: Nightly’s, Cafe Commerce, Sugarfish & Blue Ribbon Sushi.

Places that I think you can skip and are overhyped in New York include Grand Banks (sorry not sorry), Bubby’s, and waiting in a long line at Bandy Melville.

That’s all for now, no links today but will share more soon! Let me know what you’re shopping for :)

XO,

Mims