A Wholesome NYC

Local Guide

  • A woman standing on a rooftop with New York City skyline in the background, under a sky with clouds.
  • Two women having a rooftop outdoor gathering with food and drinks, in front of a city skyline.
  • Two people, a man and a woman, standing in an art gallery and observing a painting on a plain white wall.
  • A laptop, a book, and a coffee cup on a small round table at Bryant Park, with benches, trees, and skyscrapers in the background.
  • A young woman with long brown hair smiling at the camera, sitting at an outdoor cafe table on a sunny day in an urban area with tall buildings, and other people dining and walking nearby.
  • A person relaxing in a park, holding a magazine called The New Yorker, with a coffee cup nearby on the grass. The park has trees with autumn leaves and people walking on a path in the background.
  • Two young women taking a selfie in front of a city skyline with tall buildings and trees, some cars in the background.
  • Outdoor city café table with a slice of white pizza, a drink with an orange slice, a glass of water, a glass of wine, and a bottle, against a city street with bicycles, pedestrians, and tall buildings. Street signs read 'Street Closed' and 'Do Not Enter'.
  • Interior of a historic library with wooden bookshelves, bust sculptures, chandeliers, and antique furniture.

🥗 60+ Food Spots
☕ 30+ Cafes
🌿 20+ Cultural Picks
🍷 15+ Bars
🎶 Music and Secret Parties
☔ Rainy Day Ideas

For people who like their cities walkable, their meals cozy, and their travel… slower

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A woman with a tote bag featuring flags of Germany, the United States, and other countries, surrounded by floating flags of the United Kingdom, Spain, Russia, and Germany, set against a black background.

I’m Julia. Born in Russia, educated in Germany, refined in New York

I’m fluent in five languages, and a full-time language teacher. I spend my days helping people speak like locals, and now I want to help you travel like one too

This Guide Is for You If…

💭 You like to wander, not rush

💭 TikTok lines aren’t your idea of discovery

💭 You’d rather find a hidden café than follow a food map

💭 A quiet bookstore beats a crowded “must-see”

💭 You want NYC to feel lived-in, not checked off

💭 You’re here for real tips, not recycled lists

Black and white cartoon drawing of a museum or gallery interior with visitors looking at paintings. In the foreground, two children stand near a painting, one with a backpack and the other with a beret. There are other visitors in the background, some seated and some walking, observing the artwork. A caption at the bottom reads, 'Nothing like traveling hundreds of miles to immerse yourself in art for the sole purpose of killing time between meals.'

and if you don’t want to travel like this… :)

Cartoon by Sarah Kempa

A handwritten note with a check mark and the text: "I'm personal: I have notes on what to skip."
A black background with handwritten text that says, 'I'm honest: real spots I love, not internet noise,' along with three small hand-drawn hearts.

What Makes This Guide Special?

Handwritten note with a smiley face reading 'I help you travel slower with pretty moments for a pic too'.
Handwritten text that reads, 'I'm multilingual, 5 languages, one real voice' with the number 5 circled.
Decorative quote with a black, minimalist leaf illustration that says 'I'm organized: by neighborhood, not trends' in handwritten style.
A black background with text that says, "I'm full of local secrets and useful apps."
Text stating over 100 places across 30+ pages curated by someone who lives here.

A Taste of What’s Inside

  • A collage-style travel guide cover for a NYC guide. Features images of the Statue of Liberty, a woman in a dark blue trench coat, an airplane, and icons like a disco ball and lipstick kiss. Text highlights include 'Wholesome NYC Guide,' written by New Yorker Julid, and lists of attractions and activities in NYC.
  • A webpage titled 'My story' with a personal narrative about visiting New York City, accompanied by three photos of women in NYC. The first photo shows a woman walking in the city on a street with tall buildings and greenery. The second photo features a woman standing in front of a display with portraits of Marilyn Monroe on a dark background. The third photo depicts a woman standing near the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River, holding a cup, with NYC buildings and the bridge in the background.
  • A travel guide page for New York City with a map highlighting the areas to avoid, marked with a red X and arrow. The map features illustrations of famous landmarks, transportation, and city scenes.
  • Colorful illustrated map of New York City divided into three parts: West Side, East Side, and Brooklyn, with labeled neighborhoods and landmarks such as Chelsea, Soho, East Village, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and a bridge.
  • A collage of photos and text highlighting various landmarks, parks, and cafes in Upper West Side & Central Park, including St. John Cathedral, Untermeyer Fountain, Riverside Park, The Consulate, Brunch at Florentin, Chaotic Good Cafe, The Soiree, and Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
  • A travel guide for Upper West Side & Central Park with sections on what to see, do, eat, and drink, including Central Park landmarks, architecture, cultural sites, dining options, and activities.
  • Collage of photos featuring various cafes and art galleries, including Urban Cafe, Portrait Bar, Gagosian Gallery, Chapel Bar, Intelligentia Cafe, Bergamote, Washington Commons, and Cafe Chelsea.
  • A guide to Chelsea and Meatpacking districts in New York City, listing art galleries, museums, experiences, dining, bars, hidden gems, and tips, with addresses and descriptions of each location.

This guide isn’t trying to be “the ultimate New York list” or tell you where to take selfies.

It’s just the places I take my friends when they visit — cafés I love, corners you’d walk past, and spots where locals actually hang out.

Download it, read it on the plane, and wander better.

Ready to See NYC Differently?

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