New York, USA

The Big Apple

 

Manhattan

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The City That Never Sleeps

 

Gotham 

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Concrete Jungle

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The Empire State

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Manhattan

 

Manhattan is what most people think of when they hear "New York." The borough is divided up into neighborhoods, each with a distinct vibe. Roughly, you've got:

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• Upper East Side

  • Posh, "suburb" feel, quiet(er), sophisticated retail

• Midtown

  • Offices, 5th Avenue, and tourist attractions

• Murray Hill

  • Recent college grads meet NYC​

• Gramercy

  • Pre-war architecture and elegance in the heart of​ the city

• Flatiron

  • Central​ to everything, including a clutch subway hub

• East Village

  • Eclectic​, cool, youthful, vibrant bar scene

• Lower East Side

  • Grungy, trendy clubs and restaurants​

• Upper West Side

  • Think UES, but more laid back

• Chelsea

  • Gay Pride, Google, and the best little English shop​​

• Greenwich Village

  • NYU students​

• West Village

  • Townhouses to die for, great food and nightlife​

• SoHo

  • Designer boutiques and cobblestone streets​

• TriBeCa

  • The modern, ​family vibe

• Chinatown​​

  • Need I say more?​

• FiDi

  • Wall Street​ and South Street Seaport

 

Within these neighbourhoods there are neighbourhoods. Think Theatre District, Little Italy, Carnegie Hill, Sty Town... but I digress. Getting from one neighborhood to the next can be hell by car, so I suggest downloading the app CityMapper to flawlessly navigate the subway.

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So, with all these neighborhoods, where should you stay? When my parents visited me in the city, they always liked being in the center of everything and would choose The Lotte New York Palace. The executives at my law firm would often stay at and hold events at the nearby St. Regis Hotel.

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Personally, I prefer to be out of the thick of things in Midtown, staying closer to the best restaurants and nightlife, in a hotel that really embodies the atmosphere of its neighbourhood.

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There's no better place to people watch than in New York City. From street performers to hot pink poodles, you'll see it all. Post up on a bench or at a café and enjoy the show.

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Resting above the city streets on an old railroad track is a walking path called The High Line. The green space offers views of downtown and a place to escape the rush, though it is slowly becoming a more popular destination.

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Townhouse gazing in the West Village and in the East 80's is one of my all-time favourite activities. These chic residences blend traditional architecture with the modern, fast pace of urban dwelling. The doorsteps, windowboxes and front gardens filled with seasonal flowers will put a grin on your face.

 

The MoMA is an art staple that will capture your attention for hours on end. The exhibit following the annual Met Gala always brings a collection of carefully curated fashion pieces to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Whitney’s rotating contemporary American art galleries are often whimsical and thought provoking. Entrance is free on Friday evenings. 

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For breakfast on the Upper East Side, eat at Cafe d'Alsace (below my old apartment!)

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The Musket Room is an Australian, Michelin starred restaurant hidden in the Lower East Side. There is an outstanding Australasian wine selection and I highly recommend the tasting menu. 

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I am a sucker for rustic southern Italian food. A NY friend scored big when he took me to Locanda Verde in TriBeCa. 

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If you fancy a meal on the water, try Grand Banks on the West Side and order yourself some fresh oysters.

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An tradition for my boyfriend's French side of the family is to gather for a big dinner at La Grenouille, in Midtown once a year.

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@diningwithskyler has a never-ending list of delicious food options - Skyler is a fellow Delaware girl, eating her way through the Big Apple and beyond !

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Tip: Be sure to make dinner reservations a few weeks in advance - especially for a weekend.

 

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With an outdoor rooftop overlooking the midtown skyline and a comfy yet plush indoor lounge, it's no surprise there is often a queue to take the elevator up to Mr. Purple, a bar on the Lower East Side. Popular among young professionals, this place is great for visitors and locals. Show up before 9pm and the hostess may offer you a table.

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The Penny Farthing is the place where you're bound to run into your ex - if you're a NYC resident. It's a buzzing spot during happy hour and on weekend nights.

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SPiN - Shout-out to my best friend who's dad invests in this place and calls it her second home in every city. SPiN is a bar filled with ping pong tables and exudes energy. A great place to go for some fun with friends.

 

Though we no longer live in the Studio 54 era, if you're into the DJ-driven club scene, expect to buy a table to get into a NYC nightclub. Le Bain, PHD, 1Oak, and Lavo are classics. An intimate, after-midnight dance destination, The Fleur Room, was opened by the TAO Group atop the Moxy Chelsea Hotel last March. The music trends techno/house and will likely keep you out until sunrise.

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Times Square. Every visitor I ever had made me walk through this place and act as an Instagram wife. If you don't like crowds, I recommend not walking anywhere between W 40th and W 55th. If you don't like tourists, stay away from the bottom of Central Park on 59th St. If you want to ride a horse and carriage though, pick one up outside the Plaza Hotel.

 

Stroll down 5th and Madison window shopping, or actually shopping, at Cartier, Montblanc, Dunhill, Burberry, and Dior. At 34th St. you'll see the Empire State Building. Pro-tip: book tickets online in advance to skip a huge queue, and don't go up to the 102nd floor if you're claustrophobic. There is a "secret" 103rd floor, but unless you know the mayor or have a Grammy or an Olympic gold medal, good luck getting access!

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Use the subway to get to Ground Zero and The Freedom Tower. An absolute must. The Freedom Tower is a less popular attraction than the Empire State, but you won't be haggled about "Going up?" and you'll still get brilliant views of the city. The park, Ground Zero, is peaceful; a place to pay respect to those who lost their lives there, to listen to water - a unique sound in such an urban place, to read a book, to people watch. I am desperate to go to the 9/11 Museum, but I would need to block off an entire morning to let it all sink in. I've heard great things. *Bring tissues.

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From there, you could stop by Wall St. and the Charging Bull, before continuing on over to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Heck, if you have time, walk all the bridges that connect Manhattan to Long Island. Long Island.is home to Brooklyn - the trendy little brother of Manhattan. It's young, hip, edgy, diverse, and more green.

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