W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
N E W Y O R K C I T Y
P L A N N I N G
If you’ll be visiting on a weekend, make sure to book your spot at nicer restaurants ahead of time, or you may end up waiting for an hour or so—though, that’s not so bad when there are a plethora of shops nearby and the people-watching makes time pass quicker than you thought possible, is it?
Regarding accommodations, we recommend you stay in Lower Manhattan—SoHo, FiDi, Tribeca—or Midtown Manhattan.
In these areas, you’ll be close to all the major attractions but slightly removed from the buzz of Times Square.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are must-visits for all art enthusiasts, no matter how many times one has visited NYC.
The Whitney, The New Museum, and The Met Cloisters are other great options depending on your interests and timeframe.
Book in the morning on the day of your visit and your entry will be seamless.
If you plan to attend a Broadway show, musical performance, or historic attraction, consider booking prior to your trip unless you’re willing to wait in line.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Start your trip by taking in the stunning skyline of NYC at Hudson Yards, where you’ll visit the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, known as “The Edge.” At 100-stories-high with a glass floor, this is a view of the city like no other. And, if you’re a thrill seeker, opt for their “City Climb,” in which you can lean over the edge while harnessed.
In the afternoon, head to one of the restaurants within Hudson Yards for a delicious meal followed by some shopping. The neighborhood has a combination of fast casual and nicer dining experiences, depending on your mood (or budget).
At night, pay a visit to Times Square. If you’ve bought Broadway tickets, enjoy a show at the heart of the Theater District. Otherwise, enjoy the city’s neon lights and billboards. For dinner, we’d recommend that you head out of Times Square for a calmer dining experience, especially if it was a travel day.
Consider settling down somewhere in Midtown, like Le Rock, where you can enjoy views of the Rockefeller Center.
Alternately, ignore our advice and enjoy the delicacy that is a NYC hotdog from one of the hundreds of vendors in Times Square. Your joy is yours to choose for yourself.
DAY II
In the morning, head towards Tribeca, where you’ll have one of the best pancakes of your life at Bubby’s. Pro tip: go downstairs and memorialize your trip by visiting the free photobooth tucked away by the restrooms.
In the afternoon, head towards the Financial District where you can explore Wall Street and visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum or the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Alternatively, visit SoHo where you can spend hours shopping from the entire spectrum of offerings ranging from big houses to boutiques.
At night, make your way to Little Italy and Chinatown, where there are a plethora of dining options to choose from. We recommend Jiang Nan—consistently ranked one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city—or Kiki’s—a (literal) hidden gem nestled in the back of a print shop—for authentic and affordable Greek.
After dinner, make your way over to The Chai Spot, an endearing tea house loved by locals. Here, expect to order a steaming hot chai and then immediately take off your shoes.
As you walk towards the back, you’ll find beautiful bohemian floor seats and a no-devices policy meant to spur conversation as you sip.
DAY III
Start your day off right with a walk through Central Park.
Grab one of the city’s claims to fame—the NYC bagel—on the way over.
If you can wait, have breakfast in the park to really soak in the ambiance. Just make sure that you don’t leave your food unattended, or a greedy pigeon might get to it before you do! Take some time to just stroll. You might walk in on a live Shakespeare performance or join in on some impromptu salsa dancing.
In the afternoon, head over to the Upper East Side where you can spend hours window (or really) shopping on Madison Avenue, where the flagship stores of your favorite brands will be lined up one after the other.
At night, make your way up to the Upper West Side for an amazing meal and show. One of our favorites is Elea, a Greek restaurant with a lovely ambiance and even better food.
After dinner, head to the Upper West Side Comedy Club, where there are nightly shows and tickets are usually inexpensive.
In the morning, head towards the Chelsea Market where you’ll be able to choose brunch from a variety of high-end vendors.
Our favorites are Takumi Taco, a unique fusion restaurant that blends Japanese and Mexican, and Big Tings, a jerk chicken and rum bar. Spend a few hours shopping, and make sure you visit the rotating vendors towards the back of the market.
If you’ve visited on a Sunday and the weather’s good, be on the lookout for Chelsea Flea, an outdoor flea market selling vintage items. When you’ve made your way through Chelsea, only a short walk away is the High Line. Walk the 1.45 mile stretch, enjoying elevated views of the city and outdoor artwork.
In the early evening, make your way to Williamsburg and stroll the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood. You’ll find loads of designer boutiques, curated consignment stores, vinyl shops, and cocktail bars.
Have an early dinner at one of the neighborhood’s iconic spots, like Lilia or L’Industrie Pizza. If you’ve still got energy, just before the sun sets, make your way to the Brooklyn Bridge for a truly unforgettable view.
As you walk from Brooklyn back into Manhattan, the sky will light up in gorgeous pinks and oranges, and you’ll even get a glimpse of Lady Liberty.
DAY IV
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.