Our Four Petsits in NYC (October 2023 – November 2024)

Our first housesit in New York City was completely unexpected. It came about as a last-minute pivot from a canceled sit—and suddenly, we found ourselves in the heart of the West Village. That stay ended up bringing us one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences: attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, something that had lived on my bucket list for years. Since then, we’ve completed four different house sits across NYC, and each one has offered its own flavor of the city, along with unforgettable adventures.

NYC House Sits: Living Like Locals

House-sitting has given us the chance to truly live in New York City, experiencing its neighborhoods like locals rather than tourists. Each sit has introduced us to new communities—and new furry friends:

• Miso & Logan – Two sweet cats in the West Village (our first NYC sit).

• Penny – A gentle, loving cat in Harlem.

• Stevie Jackson – A playful tuxedo cat in Brooklyn.

• Millie – An adorable French Bulldog in DUMBO.

We used TrustedHousesitters for all of these sits—it’s been a game-changer for our slow travel lifestyle. If you’re curious about pet sitting or want to explore cities without breaking the bank, I highly recommend checking them out.

Iconic NYC Moments

Being in NYC for several months allowed us to slow down and soak up everything from the everyday to the extraordinary. Some of our most unforgettable moments include:

• Getting Engaged in Central Park – Truly magical.

• Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge – A must-do, with skyline views that never get old.

• Visiting Coney Island – Complete with a Cyclone ride and a classic Nathan’s hot dog.

• Exploring the NYC Subway – Including a fascinating visit to the New York Transit Museum.

• People Watching – The fashion, the characters, the energy—nowhere does it better.

Entertainment, Arts & Culture

New York’s cultural scene is world-famous, and we had the time to dive deep:

• Broadway & Off-Broadway Shows – We scored tickets to all of these via rush or digital lottery (see how here) and saw incredible shows like:

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

  • Hadestown

  • Kimberly Akimbo

  • Little Shop of Horrors

  • Maybe Happy Ending

  • Teeth

  • The Hills of California

  • The Lion King

• Broadway Karaoke at Marie’s Crisis Cafe – Singing show tunes with theater lovers in a historic piano bar is just as fun as it sounds.

• The Daily Show Taping – Thanks to 1iota, we got free tickets and a behind-the-scenes look at live TV and political satire.

• Comedy Shows – Always an adventure; some hits, some misses, but never boring.

• Live Music – We caught concerts in some of the city’s most beautiful old theaters—nothing beats great acoustics and classic architecture.

• Museums & Galleries – From the MET and MoMA to hidden gems in Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, there’s always something new to discover.

The Food Scene

Eating our way through the city was a joy all on its own:

• Chinatown Favorites – Soup dumplings and hand-pulled noodles became staples.

• L’Industrie Pizza – Legitimately some of the best pizza we’ve ever had.

• Xi’an Famous Foods – Spicy lamb noodles that still haunt our dreams (in a good way).

• Late-Night Eats & Street Food – Post-show snacks became part of the routine. So much food, so little time!

House-sitting gave us a different kind of New York experience—one filled with slower mornings, neighborhood strolls, and the chance to return to our favorite coffee shops, parks, and pet friends again and again. We didn’t just visit the city—we got to live in it, and we’ll definitely be back.

If you’re considering a long-term stay in NYC or just looking to travel more intentionally, we can’t recommend house sitting enough. Whether you’re caring for a cat in Brooklyn or a Frenchie in DUMBO, it’s a one-of-a-kind way to explore the city that never sleeps.