Are you hyperventilating yet?!?

We’re only DAYS away from RuPaul’s DragCon NYC 2017 and boy are you about to have an amazing time. It’s going to be incredible! Sickening! Fantastic! Everything you dreamed and MORE!

Since this is the first time the convention is traveling to New York City, we decided to talk to some NYC natives about the best drag spots, shopping, boy-watching places and SO much more.

So, of course, we had to talk to our good judge-y Judy Mr. Carson Kressley to get his input on ALLLL the best places around NYC to go during the after-hours of DragCon.

If you haven’t snatched up your tickets yet (Seriously, WHAT are you waiting for a lot of stuff is already SOLD OUT!) get them ASAP and then check out Carson’s recommendations below!

What’s your favorite place to catch a Drag Show in NYC?

I’m old school so I love Barracuda. I’m also lazy, and it was accross the street from my former apartment! It’s small and intimate and has had great drag shows for YEARS!

Where do YOU go for the best boy-watching in NYC?

Well I personally go to Whole Foods in Union Square to find the cuties. They eat well and have jobs! What more could I want!? But for most people I’d recommend the bike/running path on the west side highway. Lots of shirtless athletic types rushing past you at all hours.

Do you have any hidden gem/secret NYC food spots?

Yes I love Barwine in Harlem. The food is so good and there’s zero pretense.

What’s your favorite place to go drag shopping (or regular shopping!) in NYC?

My favorite place is Century 21 department store all the way downtown accross from the Freedom Tower. Their stores are only in the NYC area and their stock goes from runway samples to underwear. I’ve scored lots of D Squared here in my lifetime. They also have amazing Pratesi sheets on sale in the basement. Bargains galore!

No matter how tourist-y (or NOT!) what’s the number one thing that you must-do whenever you’re in NYC?

I’ve lived in NYC for 25 years and I’ve done ’em all (statue of liberty, circle line, Empire State Building). They are all great but why not just go to Bergdorf Goodman. Equally impressive, and only in New York!