Whether you’re visiting New York or not, you probably have an idea of how you would spend your time there—which is why, today, we’re going to talk all about your ideal itinerary. If you read the first post in this series, then you might recall that I designed my first trip to New York as a relaxing glamour-girl getaway and left the city after a glorious weekend with shopping bags nearly as full as my stomach.
It might be hard to imagine that there’s more to NYC than Lady Liberty and the Empire State Building, but, beneath the city’s flashy, all-American facade lies a hidden world of old-world style and glam, just waiting to be discovered!
While this post highlights some of the more conventional, attractions that you might consider adding to your must-see list, I also suggest that you take your time in the city. Wander. Explore. In doing so, you’ll experience a dreamy, dare I say decadent weekend in the middle of a stressed-out city center—guaranteed or I’ll buy you a bagel.
That’s because, at its core, Manhattan is magic.
Reminder—I’ve included links to some of my favorite places, but this post is 100% unsponsored. If I link it, I love it!
Fifth Avenue Flagships
Even if you don’t have a trust fund’s worth of money to spend, you can appreciate the magic of some of Fifth Avenue’s most illustrious shopping institutions.
Founded in 1899, Bergdorf Goodman resides in a gilded-age mansion, and touches of history abound on all eight levels of women’s fashion. (The more modest but not-to-be-missed men’s store is just across the street.) If the sight of all those zeros on the price tags has you feeling peckish, pop into the store’s eponymous restaurant, Cafe BG, for its classic afternoon tea service overlooking Central Park. Looking for something more substantial? The Gotham salad—with a side of complimentary focaccia—was spectacular.
Want to recreate the iconic opening sequence in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Now, you can do better, thanks to the Blue Box Cafe at the Tiffany & Co. flagship, on the diagonal from Central Park at the north end of Fifth Avenue. Headlined by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud (of two Michelin-Starred Daniel fame) this is more than a department store coffee spot. It’s an experience—a sort of pilgrimage for lovers of all things Audrey Hepburn, Tiffany blue, or just plain delicious.
Of course, these are only two of the myriad luxury shops and towering buildings catering to serious shoppers—there’s also Saks, Cartier, Gucci…you get the picture. Study a map of the Avenue, put together your own list of can’t-miss destinations, and do your research beforehand. Many of the most iconic stores (Armani and Saks come to mind) have hidden dining experiences and other extra-special offerings not available at your typical mall shop.
They’re harder to find here than in other parts of the city, but independent businesses do exist—namely, Louis Martin Jewelers in Rockefeller Center. Established in 1978, the family-run business is known for its vast array of new and estate jewelry, as well as its exquisite custom work. While it’s no Tiffany’s, the quality here is on par with the avenue’s most notorious shops…and the prices are refreshingly more realistic.
Take a Buying Break
If you’re thriving amid the glitz and glam of Fifth Avenue but your pocketbook is starting to feel a little light, don’t despair! There’s more to Midtown than just shopping and, while some attractions require a ticket, they’re well worth the price. Even better—some are free.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman building of the New York Public Library is an architectural treasure in its own right, but its greatest offering isn’t its magnificent collection of books—it’s the Polonsky Exhibition, affectionately referred to as Treasures. If you’ve ever wanted to lay eyes upon one of the first copies of the Declaration of Independence, a handwritten Mozart score, or the original stuffed teddy that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, then you’re in luck. This free exhibition is a true Midtown treasure. Museum lover or not, you’d be wise to slip this perfect dose of history into your afternoon.
If museums are your thing and you don’t mind spending a bit of cash on something other than souvenirs, New York is home to some of the greatest historical and artistic institutions in the country—if not the world. But there’s more to the city than the MoMa and the Met. If you’re looking for an awe-inspiring experience that won’t take up an entire day, consider making a stop at the Morgan, located in an old gilded age mansion and home to Dickens’s original manuscript for A Christmas Carol. (Especially fitting if you’re in the city for the holidays.)
If you could use a breath of fresh air, there is, of course, the sprawling, enchanted expanse of Central Park (depending on the season, you might be able to ice skate at the rink or row on the pond), but don’t dismiss other, smaller green spaces throughout Midtown. Located behind the aforementioned library and home to the eponymous Bryant Park Grill—an institution for nearly three decades—Bryant Park is a beautiful slice of serenity stretching between 5th and 6th Avenue at 40th and 42nd streets.
If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting during the holiday season (which, in New York, lasts roughly from Halloween through Epiphany) there are plenty of free and lower-cost options for making lasting memories. Holiday markets such as my favorite, the Bryant Park Winter Village, have plenty of options for shopping, sure, but they’re also a fabulous place to grab a snack, people-watch, or strap on a pair of ice skates for a turn around the rink. Consider taking a holiday tour of Midtown—stop into each hotel to admire their decor, and don’t miss the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or the shop windows on Fifth Avenue!
Pamper Yourself
No truly glamorous New York City getaway is complete without a bit of self-care, especially since you’ll likely be running to and fro throughout the city for much of your trip. A little relaxation day in the middle of your trip is the perfect remedy for museum or mall overload. Spending intentional time resting, recharging, and relishing in the wonder of a spectacular spa treatment can help you slow down long enough that you’re ready to amp up your exploration the next day.
Home to some of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels and brands, New York has no shortage of top-tier spas. Check first with your hotel—oftentimes, their signature spas and salons offer discounts for overnight guests. Sometimes, as in the case of the Trump Spa, the facilities are reserved only for hotel guests. Other spas operate in partnership with a specific luxury beauty brand, such as the Guerlain Spa at the Plaza, where I had a lovely facial last year, or the Spa de La Mer at the Baccarat.
If you’re after a more immersive experience, consider taking the five-minute (and five dollar) ferry to Governor’s Island and spending a full day at the QC “spa of wonders”. This veritable wellness estate sprawls across the waterfront, offering, in addition to traditional spa treatments, nearly two dozen different relaxation areas, each one designed to inspire a sense of serenity through a variety of immersive tranquility rooms. Themes range from lavender to ice; Central Park to the Scottish highlands. Among the various aquatic experiences are the underwater music pool and foot baths—and, of course, in case all this relaxation makes you hungry, there are several bistros and cafes scattered among the grounds, too.
Still searching for a spa-like activity but not quite up to whiling away an entire afternoon on your vacation? Olfactory NYC has two locations in Manhattan where you can book an appointment to design your own perfume with the help of a professional perfumer. Similarly, micro-chain LipLab has several New York locations where you can work with a cosmetics designer to create the perfect lipstick, gloss, or liner.
Or, depending on where you’re staying, forget going out at all and stay in—many of NYC’s finest hotels have some of the most luxurious bathrooms you’ll find outside of a multimillion-dollar penthouse. Pop some bubbles in the tub, order room service, put on your favorite soothing spa playlist, and spend the evening soaking in the hidden serenity of the city.
See a Show
New York is known for Broadway, of course—as well as fabled performance venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, and Radio City Music Hall. But, if you’re searching for something a little more intimate, it has those options, too.
During my weekend in New York, I was fortunate enough to attend Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic show at the Lotte Palace. Known as “the Millionaire’s Magician”, Mr. Cohen limits each show to only sixty-four attendees, offering an up-close, highly interactive experience. As a cynic who can’t help but enjoy the theatrical quality of well-performed tricks, I was baffled, mystified, and completely mindblown as Mr. Cohen somehow “read” my traveling companion’s mind before my very eyes. Add in the fact that the show takes place in one of New York’s most beautiful historic hotels and it was an unforgettably unique, once-in-a-lifetime treat.
Looking for an equally intimate, less supernatural evening performance? Consider cocktails and light bites at The Nines, a new jazz bar which employs live pianists nightly. Café Carlyle and Bemelmans Bar offer similar experiences—as they have for decades. And, if you find yourself roaming the City that Never Sleeps after dark, seek out Dizzy’s Club at the Lincoln Center—their Late Night Sessions start at eleven o’clock in the evening.
Of course, there’s no shame in picking a more “touristy” venture, such as sitting in on the taping of a live talk show, or cheering for your team at a major-league ball game. In fact, if you’ve followed me for a while, then you’ll know that I’m an advocate for unconventionality over originality—one of the keys to a lovely life is being uniquely you and following your passions (not anyone’s “advice” for a unique experience) wherever they lead…whether that’s to the most-visited theater on Broadway or a Harlem jazz bar.
No matter your entertainment style, Manhattan has the perfect thing to give you a dose of show biz. I’m particularly excited to see my first Broadway show—a revival of Our Town. It doesn’t have the glitz or glamour of a traditional musical, but it’s one of the most enduring plays and one I’m thrilled to have the chance to experience in person.
Feast Your Eyes (+ Your Stomach)
If you’re looking for a true show—one that delivers itself right to your table and delights all of your senses, then don’t skimp on New York’s dining scene. Home to one of the largest number of Michelin starred restaurants per capita in the United States (only San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami have more), New York is famous for its food—and for the chefs that make it. Not familiar with Michelin-starred dining? Think of it like a Broadway show…
Setting the stage—each restaurant has a carefully curated aesthetic which hints at the personality of the chef, style of cuisine, and overall tone of your dining experience. Just like no sellout production is complete without impeccably designed sets and costumes, no Michelin-starred restaurant is complete without stellar views, inimitable artwork, and perfectly designed table settings. Music is expertly curated to match the dining experience, with some chefs going so far as to study the psychology of sound in order to provide the perfect score for your dining experience. And the smells…well, the smells are everything.
Casting call—with carefully coordinated interactions between front-of-house employees (everyone from the hostess to the busser) and back-of-house superstars (from the head chef to the line cooks), every Michelin-starred dining experience is an expertly orchestrated dance, combining hundreds-of-years old traditions with a touch of modernity. Prepare for tableside service—everything from an artfully poured swoosh of finishing sauce to desserts lit on fire before your very eyes—and well-rehearsed (but never stilted) soliloquies from your sommelier and server about the contents of and inspiration behind each dish. It’s truly a production!
Playbill—just like a Broadway show is set in motion with the overture and carries through to completion at the end without audience intervention, a Michelin-starred dining experience typically involves the concept of a chef’s tasting menu, which might look, to some, a bit like a playbill, explaining each act and number. Instead of burdening you with choices between equally delectable courses, tasting menus instead take you on a journey from amuse-bouche to mignardises (and everywhere in between) at the chef’s discretion, allowing you to simply sit back and marvel at the seamless transition from savory to sweet and (sometimes) back again.
Does Michelin dining sound like the perfect alternative to the more traditional evening entertainment options? Prepare to spend a considerable amount on the meal (and remember—you’re paying for the production, too…the cost of which alone ranges around $200 for a decent seat in a Broadway theater) and dress to impress. Other than that, simply relax and revel in a dining experience where you truly feel like royalty. During my time in New York last year, I was enchanted by the atmosphere and artistry of cuisine at The River Cafe, one of New York’s oldest fine dining restaurants and a Michelin Guide restaurant. It was one of my top three dining experiences in my life, if that tells you anything! This year, I’m excited to try several restaurants with Michelin two-star ratings: Daniel, Jean-Georges, Gabriel Kreuther, and SAGA. However, there are Michelin restaurants for diners with every type of culinary palate and budget—just peruse the Michelin Guide and see what most tantalizes your taste buds.
Don’t Forget to Slow Down
New York is a bustling city that practically hums with a different kind of energy on every street corner. It can be all too easy to get lost in the shuffle and abandon all notions of a glamorous getaway or luxury adventure…but, by taking a moment to curate an itinerary that focuses on restful and restorative activities, you can find quiet luxury in every corner of the city. My last word of advice on your NYC bucket list? Don’t pack it too full—leave yourself room to linger, explore, and experience the magic of Manhattan in your own special way. Bon voyage!
