NYC’s Most Instagram-able Bucket LIst To Check Off Before the New Year

Wanna add some unique pics to your Instagram feed while traveling through NY but don’t want to limit your travel shots to the same, traditional stuff that everyone else expects from New York?  Or have you already seen all the classic Christmas hot spots and are now looking for something new and cool?  Well either way, you’ve come to the right place because here is a list of the top 5 spots in NY you won’t want to miss!  Plus I’ve packed in all the insider info. you’ll need!

  1. Yankee Candle Pop-Up yankee candle, soho pop up, nyc pop up, instragmable nyc

    WHAT:  It’s a fragrant pop-up that allows you to personalize a candle with your own photo, shop their entire collection and take selfies at 4 photogenic areas.  WHERE:  503 Broadway between Broome and Spring across from Zara.  WHEN:  until January 3, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.  TIP:  Study other people’s poses for the upside down room so you can best plan out your shot by researching the hashtag.  It’s a bit of a mind warp when you arrive and have just minutes to take the perfect shot and you’ll want to use your limited time wisely.  Click here for more info.  And make sure to have a high-res photo that you love and want to personalize your candle with on your phone.  They’ll ask you to email it to them and staffers on-site will walk you through the fun process of creating this cute gift idea for yourself or a loved one.  HASHTAG:  #candlepowernyc

  2. Google Pop – Up made by google, nyc most instagramable, nyc photo opps, ball pit

    What: a branded pop -up where you can play, shop and explore all things Google.  Highlights include a psychedelic photo station, virtual reality experience and an all-white ball pit pitched as a snowglobe that you get to play in!  WHERE: 110 5th Ave, (between 16th and 17th streets)   WHEN:  10am-8pm everyday  HASHTAG: #googlepopup  TIP:go after 6:30pm on a weekday to avoid the lines.  And if you have a furry friend, go this Saturday from 1-3pm for a photo of your special pet turned into custom gift wrap!  Click here for more details!

  3. Gingerbread House and Flatiron Art iconic nyc, iconic new york, flatiron building

    Within close walking distance to the Google Pop-up are two must-see stops in the neighborhood.  Take a picture with “Flatiron Reflection,” the shimmering, artsy tubes in front of the iconic FlatIron Building,  WHERE: North Flatiron Public Plaza at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street.  Nearby at Madison Square Park across the street, go find the Gingerbread House. WHAT:  a life sized, super-sweet gingerbread house featuring a real gummy bear wreath, a marshmallow snowman, and a gingerbread man (found on videotape (inside) all created by magazine, “Taste of Home.”  Being that it is set against the backdrop of a gorgeously lit Christmas tree and New York’s skyline, it makes for a stunning photo opp in the city.  WHEN:  Flatiron Reflection will be open to the public everyday through Jan 1 and the gingerbread house will be around through December 20.  If you want to go inside, the house is open 2-8 p.m. during the week and noon-8 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 20. HASHTAG:  #gingerbreadBLVD  TIP:  if it’s cold and there is a line, just opt to take pictures towards the back of the house and you won’t be missing much!gingerbread house, gingerbread house nyc, life sized gingerbread house, Bucket list to check off, nyc instagramable, nyc popup

  4. Festival of Life david zwirner gallery, david zwirner, yayoi, japanese artist, instagramable ny

    WHAT:  Modern artist Yayoi Kusama from Japan has brought her famously colorful modern art to Chelsea and has been received with 2-4 hour long lines it is so popular! People are even creating custom clothes to match her art to optimize the Instagram-able opportunity! You’ll see sixty-six paintings from her iconic My Eternal Soul series, new large-scale flower sculptures, a polka-dotted environment, and two Infinity Mirror Rooms.  WHEN: only open until the 16th until 6pm everyday.  WHERE:  525 AND 533 W 19th st. (2 gallery spaces at David Zwirner Galleries)  HASHTAG:  #festivaloflife  TIP: expect to wait  2 – 4 hours to enter into the exhibition. If the wait time exceeds 2 hours, they will post an update with the estimated wait time on @davidzwirner Twitter and Instagram Stories.  When wait times are 4 hours or longer, the line closures may occur as early as 2PM.  Flash photography, video cameras, tripods, and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited. Visitors may take photographs without flash.  Note that the gallery does not have public restrooms!  For more info click here.

  5. Louis Vuitton’s Volez, Voguez, Voyagez louis vuitton exhibit, bucket list to check off

    WHAT: If you like fashion, or enjoy history, this Monogrammed exhibit is not to be missed!  It retraces the brand’s heritage and follows its founders giving you a deeper appreciation of the iconic luxury brand while sending you down a fashionable path prompting endless poses.   WHERE:   86 Trinity Pl, in the Financial District  WHEN:  until January 7th, 10am-8pm Mon-Sat. 11am-7pm Sundays, limited hours on Christmas Eve, NYE and New Year’s day (check website for details).   TIP:  Book Reservations to minimize entry wait time.  Check website for guided tour times.  Audio tours are also available in English,s most Spanish and Chinese. Visitors with tickets will be given priority over ‘Walk-ins’

So which one of these Instagram-able options most interests YOU?  And if you’ve already been to one of these, what is YOUR best tip? I’d love to know – leave a comment below!

 

Read On for my top tips for getting that Instagram-able photo HERE!

Top 5 Trendy Asian Ice Cream Spots to Hit This Summer in NYC

There’s no better place to find your new favorite ice cream than NYC.  And surprisingly (or not), the most trendy ones today happen to be Asian-owned!  I know, you may not equate Asians with ice cream at first, but we Asians love taking photos so when it comes to picturesque treats, it’s no wonder the cutest, and most Instagram-able ones are Asian-owned!  We’ve done the taste-testing, and have rounded up the top 5 that NYC has to offer.  New summer bucket list, anyone??

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Store: Justin Tea

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Location: 69 Mulberry (Chinatown)

Trains:  J, N, Q, Z to Canal

Open: 10am-12am, yes people, you can have your late night ice cream binge here at midnight!

Most Instagram-able must trys:  There are tons of creative desserts to try including liquid nitrogen ice cream (watch them make this from scratch and feel like a scientist eating your smokin’ cold scoop), mango tower drinks, pop rocks toppings etc. but we opted for the cutesy teddy bear waffle cone and my little one was NOT disappointed!

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Store: Soft Swerve NYC

 

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Location: 85B Allen St (lower east side)

Trains:  B, D to Grand st.

Open: 12pm – 12am everyday except Sunday 12pm -11pm (gotta love these Asian-owned places for staying open late!)

Most Instagram-able must trys:  What’s special about this place are the exotic flavors such as black sesame, matcha, or the ube (purple yam) will beg you for a try! If your kid is like mine and loves the color purple, ube will be the best pick, (get it with the red cone for an extra vibrant pic) and watch as your kid’s tongue and mouth turns Barney-purple!  I took this shot right outside the store in front of a grafitti covered love wall.  They do a cute job with the mochi sprinkles by adding a ring around the base of the ice cream, making for a super cute cone – next time I’d get that too!

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Store: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar

 

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Location:  159 Mott St (border of Little Italy and Chinatown)

Trains: J to Bowery, B,D to Grand, 4,6 to Spring St.

Open: 12pm – 10pm everyday except Fri & Sat (open til 11pm)

Most Instagram-able must trys: With 4.5 Yelp stars and almost 200 reviews, you know you can’t really go wrong here.  Specialties include birthday cake and matcha flavored cones plus an endless selection of all the nostalgic cereals from your childhood.  Pick your favorites and they’ll crush and mix it into your ice cream!   Also, the store is so cute, you’ll wanna stay and take shots of your tasty cone from all angles!

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Store: Taiyaki NYC

 

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Location: 119 Baxter St

Trains: J, N, Q, Z, 4,6,N,R to Canal

Open: M – Th 12pm – 10pm, Fri 12pm -11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm  (so confusing by changing it up so much..)

Most Instagram-able must trys: Let’s start by mentioning the over 1050 reviews and 4.5 stars..that is a mighty feat!  It’s a tiny store with hardly any space to sit and enjoy so plan on taking your shot by the quote wall or out in the city for a cool street shot.  Beautiful presentation includes a unicorn option (not pictured here).  The fish cone with red bean inside is served warm making for a tasty contrast to your soft serve of choice!

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Store: Cafe Bene’ (don]’t let the French- sounding name fool ya, this is truly a Korean chain..one that we frequent both in K-town and beyond)

Location:  www.caffebeneusa.com

Trains: so many locations to choose from.. K-Town, Tribeca, Brooklyn, East Village, Union Sq, Times Sq. etc

Open: see website Most Instagram-able must trys: This all – in – one coffee/gelato/bubble tea/ waffle/sandwich/ice cream shop is a must-stop for anyone who loves a shaved ice (with ice cream).  Our favorite is the matcha one with green tea ice cream, matcha sauce, almonds and whipped cream but the cutest one for pictures is the choco devil.

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So there you go!  It’s National Ice Cream Day today.  Time to start checking off that list!  Leave a comment to let me know which one takes top priority for you to visit or if you see that I missed something, please let me know!

Here’s to summer!

 

For tips on how to get those coveted Instagram-able photos, click here! 

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