New York City is known to be the city that never sleeps, thanks to its abundant nightlife, late-night eateries, buzzing bar scene, and the general liveliness the streets have at all hours of the day. What about for those who don't love late nights and appreciate sunrises over sunsets? Believe it or not, for a city with a late reputation like New York, there are many reasons why NYC mornings are better than NYC nights. Here are 10 of them.
10 Fewer Crowds
New York City is extremely crowded, especially during summer and the holiday season. While most people are already out and about by 11 AM, for those who wake up at 7 AM or earlier, the typical busy New York City streets will be almost entirely empty. Enjoy the calm before the storm, as in the peace and serenity of New York, before the streets naturally get flooded with New Yorkers in a rush, finance bros, and tourists.
9 Less Traffic
Similarly to fewer people on the streets, there are fewer cars on the roads as well. While traffic can pick up by 7:30 or 8 am in New York, for those, who plan to commute via cab (though the NYC subway station is well-equipped for all commuting needs), an early morning taxi ride will typically cost less and be faster.
8 Epic New York City Sunrises
The New York City skyline is already one of the most prominent views in the entire world. Now, place in an epic, orange, and pink-hued sunset over it, and that's one pretty strong reason to get out of bed early. New York sunrises are magical, and if being up and ready by the time the sun up sounds a little too extreme, why not book a hotel with a nice rooftop and catch it while sipping that morning latte?
7 BECs
BECs are a classic New York breakfast. Better known as Bacon, Egg, & Cheese, all New Yorkers will have a varying and very strong opinion on where to get the best BEC in the city. While the competition is tough, find a nearby bodega and order a BEC on a roll for the way New Yorkers in a hurry do it. For something slightly more elevated, try one of New York's bagel shops, such as Black Seed Bagels, with locations all around the city.
6 Upscale Breakfasts
If BECs sound a little too rushed and on the go (New Yorkers and their lifestyles can certainly be stressful), New York City is also full of plenty of upscale eateries that open early enough to beat the masses. Head to Monterey, an American Brasserie located near St. Patrick's Cathedral, and try some luscious ricotta pancakes or an omelet made with hen of the woods mushrooms, truffle, fonduta, and served with a house salad.
5 New York Coffee Culture
Coffee in New York City is a rite of passage to any New Yorker's day. At the earliest of hours in the day, coffee can even be purchased out of food carts all over the city in classic blue cups that say, "We Are Happy To Serve You." Closer to 6 or 7 am, cafes around the city will begin to open, serving up classics like Americanos, espresso, and cold brews or elevated caffeinated drinks like matcha green tea lattes and lavender lattes. Try to avoid the Starbucks on every corner and head to a local café, such as Abraço or Variety Coffee Roasters, instead.
4 Morning Walks Along The Hudson River
Fewer views are better in New York than those along the Hudson River. Visitors can head all the way to the west side of Manhattan and stroll as far as they'd like since the Hudson River essentially lines the entire city. For those who want to get some miles in, why not walk all the way from Harlem down to Tribeca, making stops at popular spots like Vessel, The High Line, and Chelsea Market along the way?
3 Morning Strolls Through Central Park
Similarly to walks along the Hudson River, walks throughout Central Park in the morning are inarguably peaceful. New York is the city of skyscrapers, but Central Park is a slice of green haven that has New Yorkers and visitors alike quickly forgetting that they are indeed in the concrete jungle (until they see a tall building or two in the distance, of course). Central Park in the morning is a peaceful way to start anyone's day in what is seemingly a chaotic city.
2 Early Bird Yoga Classes
If one is going to wake up early, why not start the day with an early bird yoga class? Many yoga studios throughout New York City open early for those birds who want to catch the worm, and one of the best places to take a sunrise yoga class is at Modo Yoga. Try their Modo Flow 60 with music class at 6:30 am on most weekdays for a proper way to warm up the day.
1 Getting Photos With No One In Them!
Trying to get that Instagram shot at a popular NYC tourist spot but can't seem to get the picture without a million other tourists in the back? The solution is simple: arrive at popular spots like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, The Brooklyn Bridge, and more, and get that snazzy Instagram photo for your feed without the masses sharing the shot. As they say, pics or it didn't happen, so might as well take some stellar photos!