Now, I am definitely not a professional tour guide, travel planner, or anything along this lines, but I do have die-hard passion for traveling and a rather obsessive love for the city of New York. Recently, my boyfriend and I took a trip to Manhattan (because for some reason, he had yet to take on the adventure of NYC), and I figured I would inform you all on what exactly we did as well as our favorite places that we went.

Disclaimer: We were only there for five days, so I am sorry if we forgot to include some major tourist traps or your favorite sights. But feel free to let me know which places to go are your favorites so I can add them to my travel list!

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art

To me, museums are a wonderment of culture and history. I could literally bounce around from exhibit to exhibit. And that is exactly what I did, but I just dragged Blake around with me. But not to worry, once we hit the Greek mythology section of the museum (his personal favorite), he definitely cheered up in a matter of seconds.

The amount of art they have at The Met is absolutely astounding. There is no way that you can walk through the doors and not physically drop your jaw as you see the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, and the incredible new modern artists as well. Just to stand before a piece of work that someone has dedicated their lives to is a moment like no other.

However, if you do choose to go to The Met, just make sure that you also decide on the proper footwear. I say this because Blake and I decided to be brave and walk the 3 miles from our hotel to the museum, walk through most of the exhibits, and then walk back. And I was definitely in a strained aggression with my decision to wear knee-high boots.

2. Serendipity

As you may or may not have noticed from my previous articles, I have a slight obsession with movies, specifically the genre of romantic comedies. And there was no way that I could miss out on the opportunity to drink the same world-famous drink that John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale devoured in the movie.

I will add that their entree menu is also pretty good, but if you are going to wait in the massive line that almost goes outside of the actual restaurant and order food, but not their frozen hot chocolate... then I really just don't want to talk to you right now. We're definitely going to need some space.

Also, if you think that you are going to miss the sweet concoction that is Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate, they also sell little take home boxes of them. That way, when you travel back home and you experience that post-vacation depression, you just make yourself a cup and slap a grin back on that face.

3. Central Park

Honestly, I am not a jogger neither an avid exerciser so this wasn't a giant deal to me. But I feel like if you have never been to New York you need to experience the vastness of green that is Central Park. Not to mention they have an abundance of cute puppers and adorable doggos so you don't have to pay attention to those more fitness inclined than you.

Also, Central Park is where The Met, The Guggenheim, The Central Park Zoo, and so many other things are actually located. Oh, and if you want to play a game, then you can try to pick out the area of the park where they filmed Home Alone 2 (Blake and I managed to find it).

4. Rockefeller Center

To me, this is an absolute must during winter time, and just a maybe afterwards. During winter they have these incredible lights strung from every branch and crevasse of every tree and they make this massive ice-skating rink. And even though Blake and I cannot ice-skate to save our lives nor did we even attempt to, it was amazing to see everybody gliding along so majestically.

5. Times Square

Now anyone that lives in New York or is even from New York will tell you that the place they despise the most and that they try to avoid at all costs is Times Square. BUT, if you are a tourist, I say go on ahead and experience the bright flashing lights and wacky performances that fill Times Square.

I've been there many times, but since Blake has never experienced it, I decided to take him there one night. And I definitely wasn't expecting him to absolutely love it. From the massive candy shops to the street performers doing anything for a couple of books, he was 100% about it. So if you are looking for a place to experience the craziness of New York City as well as the cute little treats it has to offer, then I would try Times Square - just remember to have a tight hold on your wallet.

6. Essa Bagel

I have to admit that Blake and I had an unhealthy relationship with this particular bagel shop. We tried it on our second day in the city and decided to eat there for breakfast every day after that. And while I switched it up and got their Chicken Parmesan bagel or my egg, cheese, and bacon, Blake decided to try every combination of egg and cheese with his choice of meat. It's fair to say that this was one of our favorite places to go.

Now, I'm not saying that this is the best bagel place in Manhattan. Obviously there are many other choices that are equally as good. But what I am saying, is that you need to try at least one of them. My parents (and most New Yorkers) don't joke that the bagels, and the pizza, are much better up north.

7. Shopping just about anywhere

In my family we have a deep ancestral trait of being chronic shopaholics. I learned it from my own mother and we embrace it together. But there is no way that you can fly, drive, bike, or walk all the way to New York City and not participate in the game we call "Oh my god, does that sign say 40% off?" And to be fair, Blake might have been shopping more intensely than I was.

I mean how could you not want to sneak a peek when you see store after store of Burberry, Gucci, Kate Spade, Nike, Adidas, Versace, Loft, Forever 21, H&M, Armani, Mac; my God I could go on forever.

And as I mentioned with Serendipity, movies are my specialty, and there is a certain store that makes an appearance in one of my favorite movies. I hope you guessed correctly and said Breakfast at Tiffany's or else I'm not sure we can be friends for much longer. You can stand exactly where Audrey Hepburn stood when she had a coffee in one hand and a croissant in the other.

8. Sevilla

I know this Spanish restaurant is just simply a place to eat for many people, but for my family, it holds more significance. From my incredibly in love grandparents and my wonderful mother and her siblings to my gorgeous cousins and eventually me and Blake, we have all dined here.

Knowing that it was a favorite among my grandparents made me want to take Blake there for our official 3-year anniversary. And since my grandfather (who was my absolute best friend in life) is no longer with us, dining in the same restaurant where I know he enjoyed so many dinners and made so many memories made it so much more special for me.

Not to mention that their paella and their empanadas are what they are known for and trust me, they do not disappoint. And if you don't trust my opinion, you can ask Blake because he is one of the biggest fans of Hispanic food that I have ever met, and he is dying to go back.

9. Little Italy

Warning: We are very, very, very big Italian food lovers. Our first day was an amazing Italian place in Winter Park and we still go there about once a month. Therefore, there was no way that we were going to go back to Florida without seeing what Little Italy had to offer.

From what my parents tell me, it has severely shrunk to only a few blocks since they have lived in New York, but the food is still absolutely amazing. Wherever you go, there is going to be pasta dripping in the thickest and most amazing tasting sauce you have ever imagined with the best fried calamari waiting to be devoured.

And definitely don't forget to stop by a bakery. Because if there is one thing Italians know how to do correctly, it's dessert.

Be aware that even though these are our places to go, there are so many other incredible and worthy restaurants, stores, and sights to experience! And although they are not in this article, I figured that I would include some of what those closest to me said were some must-see and must-do things:

Hell's Kitchen, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, Broadway Play, MOMA, the Guggenheim, Chinatown, 9/11 Memorial, Chrysler Building, Carlo's Bakery, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Grand Central Station.