Our team knows there’s never ever any shame in wanting a little extra love on your birthday. After all, it’s the one day a year that’s all about you! If you want to go all out for your special day, and you happen to be in New York City – specifically Manhattan – celebrating the day, let us just say – this is thee place to be! It is the city that never sleeps which means you can celebrate from sun up to sun down. We’v e rounded up some of the best places and cool spots to hit up for a birthday in Manhattan. Trust us, it’ll make you want to book your plane ticket now!
1. Birthday Sweets
It’s tradition to have cake on your birthday, and two of our favorite bakeries offer FREE or discounted birthday treats. Both Magnolia Bakery and Sprinkles Cupcakes have various locations in NYC (and here in LA too) and will give birthday babes the sweetest of treats. First off, Magnolia Bakery is famous for its red velvet cupcakes and banana pudding. You’ve seen it featured on shows like Sex and the City, and The Devil Wears Prada. On your birthday, you’ll get 10% off but only if you’re a part of Magnolia Bakery’s newsletter. Sprinkles, on the other hand, offers your choice of one of their tasty cupcakes for FREE on your special day. All you have to do is sign up for their Perks program (which is also free).
2. Birthday Sweat
Kick off your birthday cycling along to catchy tunes with supportive people at SoulCycle is so much fun and will get your day off to a running start. Soulcycle offers a FREE class for your birthday (a $25 value)! They’ll also snap a cute Polaroid pic to commemorate the experience. Just drop in and let the front desk know it’s your birthday. They’ll either let you in to the current class if there’s room or drop a FREE class to your account if you’ve already pre-paid.
3. Celebrate in Times Square & Be On the Jumbotron
If you’re feeling super extra and want to REALLY treat yourself, this is the ultimate birthday gift. For only $150, you can have your picture on a giant Times Square billboard and you can view it every hour! The pic will appear for 15 seconds, per 24 hours. Talk about feeling like a star! If you’d rather not spend the cash on a billboard, there are plenty of other spots to grab freebies in Times Square. Beauty Insiders can grab a FREE birthday gift at Sephora. Starbucks Rewards members can pick up their free birthday drink at any Starbucks. And Applebee’s Club members can score a free dessert too.
4. Birthday Dinner & Dessert
Junior’s Cheesecake is arguably the most famous in the world. Eating there is an NYC tradition and a fun place to celebrate your birthday. The classic 50’s diner atmosphere is so IG-friendly too. And, if you join their birthday club, you’ll get a FREE slice of their cheesecake with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entree. Which is perfect because you’re already having a birthday meal there anyway. If you can’t make it to NYC, they’ll offer you a discount coupon for a cheesecake to be shipped directly to you.
5. Birthday Visit To The Museum of Ice Cream (& It’s FREE)
You read that right! The Museum of Ice Cream offers a one day free admission for guests during their birthday month. Just sign up for their newsletter and you’re in. The museum is filled with interactive exhibits dedicated to everyone’s favorite dessert. Snap a pic jumping in the “sprinkle pool” (a ball pit filled with life-sized sprinkles), feel like a kid again and go down their giant slide, or visit other fun activations and displays. But don’t forget to treat yourself to some delicious drinks and desserts after a walkthrough of the museum. They’re available at the museum too.
Manifesting a bday trip to NYC this year? Check out our guide to making a killer vision board to make it happen.
