5 days of wandering, exploring and seeing friends in NYC
Full Itinerary
It’s hard to beat a spring visit to NYC. I just spent 5 days there mid-May and my time was full of exploration, nice dinners, plays and seeing family and friends. The weather was perfect for walking (except for one rainy day) and that’s what I love to do best when in NYC as there is always something unexpected or new around the corner. I like to have a destination in mind and then see what comes up en route. I pre-book shows and museum tix (as needed) and like to have a bit of structure each day that still allows for flexibility in between events. Dinner reservations are usually made ahead of time as well as things are always so crowded, and then lunch is grab-and-go or wherever I happen to be at the time.
Day 0: Tues Arrive NYC
Day 1 Wed: Visit family member and new baby in Murray Hill Walk to the West Side, grabbing a slice of pizza on the way near Bryant Park. Visit Veronica Beard sample sale (Google NYC sample sales to see what’s on while there) Walk up to 2pm matinee of Kimberly Akimbo play, booked via TodayTix Wander over to 5th Avenue/Rockefeller Plaza area and shop/have coffee/wander. Dinner at Indian Summer in Harlem (subway up) – really good, casual Indian spot Amateur night at the Apollo Theater. Super fun night!
Day 2 Thurs: Big walking/exploring day (14 miles or so). Visit the Met. Karl Lagerfeld exhibit (great!) and wander other galleries of the Met Kasuma exhibit at David Zwirner Gallery (519 W. 19th) Avedon 100 exhibit (at Gagosian Gallery 522 W. 21st) Wander West Village, Village, SoHo, NoSoMa Cocktails with friends at rooftop bar Ready in the Moxy hotel in the East Village – very hopping and trendy Dinner at Fish Cheeks (Thai) restaurant on Bond Street in NoHo
Day 3 Fri: Morning shopping on Elizabeth Street in SoHo (lots of fun shops, esp on block just sound of Houston) Lunch/Afternoon in Brooklyn visiting a friend’s art studio and having lunch/hanging out Evening drinks at the Electric Lemon bar in Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yard after driving back into the City Dinner at a Spanish restaurant in the Hudson Yard eating area
Day 4 Sat:
Quiet morning. Yoga via headphones in Grand Central Station via @sateliteyoga Midtown shopping near Grand Central Pick up a friend at Grand Central Visit New York Library, a few blocks from Grand Central. Free to visitors and worth visiting the Treasures room, the Darwin exhibit, and the reading rooms. Drinks at the Knickerbocker Hotel that has a rooftop bar (indoor and outdoor options) Dinner at Club China – delicious Chinese food – near Times Square. &Juliet play in Times Square area. Wonderful play!
Day 5 Sun:
Walk across Central Park on a beautiful Sunday morning, with all the bikers, walkers, and runners out enjoying the spring morning. American of Natural History: Newly renovated building plus all of the favorites. Wander down the Upper West Side on Columbus Ave – Sunday flea market, farmers market, window shopping Subway to West Village Wander West Village while waiting for lunch reservations at Via Carota (51 Grove Street in the Village). ‘Friends’ house is a block from the restaurant, as well as lots of great little charming streets to shop and wander through. Lunch at Via Carota – wonderful way to have a late sunday lunch! Wander down through the Village, SoHo, and to TriBeCa. Subway to midtown Visit the new Tiffany store. 6 floors of opulence and beautiful items. The employees are all so kind and helpful, and not at all snooty. Really refreshing for a luxury store! Dinner at home/pack.
