We’ve had some great feedback on our new Links We Like feature so it’s definitely here to stay! I’ve been doing a lot of research for my upcoming New York trip so I thought I’d mix things up from the usual content and share a few links helping me plan my autumn jaunt.
- DesignSponge have some incredibly handy city guides so are worth checking out before you board a plane. The Crown Height Brooklyn Neighbourhood Guide has got me adding the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to my itinerary as well as a trip to the Brooklyn Flea.
- The bohemian boutique Free People are synonymous with effortless cool so I devoured their Girls Guide to New York City. The NY FP team share their favourite sights including the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Station and the hidden gem, Rossy’s bakery on the East River Waterfront.
- We’re looking to start off our anniversary with a celebratory brunch so I’ve enjoyed reading Time Out’s chronicle on the 50 best brunch spots. I haven’t got anywhere near shortlisting a place yet and Miranda threw in Refinery 29’s round-up for even more inspo!
- A read of the Cruising Couple’s Cool Things To Do In New York has added a walk along the High Line and a trip to Chelsea Market to the must-do list.
- MyDomaine’s Cheap Travel Tips has reminded me this trip doesn’t need to cost big bucks. They have lots of hacks, apps and sites to follow to get large discounts in the Big Apple. It was through this site I found Bryant Park offers free ice skating admission (skates are extra) rather than the pricier alternatives as the Rockerfeller Centre or Central Park.
- I’ve been pouring over Garance Dore’s recommendations (as seen in French Elle) and intend to visit Big Lowe’s Chemist on her recommendation as well as checking out the view from the Wythe Hotel bar. Also on Garence Dore’s site, Miranda forwarded on the mini video How to Be A New Yorker’ made by so-cool-it-hurts, Chloe Sevigny.
- On the subject of the aforementioned rooftop cocktails, I’ve also bookmarked the Thrillist’s feature on 10 NYC rooftop bars that will be open all year round.
- As we’ll be visiting at the beginning of November we’ll definitely be taking a stroll through Central Park to view the changing leaves. NY Through The Lens has a really helpful post on the best places to take in the fall foliage. One for the nature lovers.
- Last but by no means least, I can’t do this roundup without mentioning our very own NYC post. You lovely readers sent in lots of suggestions for our reader request feature earlier this year so I’ve been having a good old butchers at all your very helpful recommendations.
Any other links you’d like to share for helping with the New York planning? (Image by NY Through The Lens)
Perfect timing as I’m off to NYC in 2 weeks!!
It’s my favourite place. Can definitely recommend the Highline.
We’ll also be hitting a few of the rooftop bars including our fave which was where we got engaged a few years ago.
Not sure if they still do it, but the Met has a rooftop Martini bar which is worth checking out although think it closes around 8pm ish – Culture and cocktails.
Officially excited now! Thank you!
Oooh, getting engaged in NYC – you lucky lady. Just checking out the Met Rooftop bar, it looks gorgeous! Only open until October though which is a shame.
Have a fabulous time Sarah x
If you are heading out to NYC, you should definitely try out the Campbell Apartment for cocktails – it’s a hidden gem inside Grand Central Station. The former private office of a railway tycoon, it has been converted into an atmospheric and intimate cocktail bar.
For a rooftop bar that’s reasonably priced, open late and has the BEST panoramic views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, it has to be 230 5th. An unassuming office block from the outside, you wouldn’t expect the views that await you at the top of the elevator.
Have fun!
Becky
Hi Becky, I can’t wait to head to Campbell’s apartment. We featured the place in our NY post earlier this year. It looks amazing!
Will definitely check out 230 5th. Thanks for the recommendation x
We went to NYC for the first time in May and had a a amazing time! I think we did more stuff in five days there than we usually do in a year here!!
We aren’t into partying or swish bars, but what we did do was a lot of stuff to do with the social and architectural history of the place as it’s evolved in such a fascinating way, like nowhere else on earth. So my recommendations are based on these things. If you’ve ever been intrigued by The Gangs of New York or the ‘old’ bit of The Godfather where De Niro plays a young Corleone carving my out his power in an old time Lower East Side, or followed the protagonists in Sophie’s Choice around 1950s Brooklyn and to Coney Island then you have to do some of this stuff!
1) My biggest tip, and I only went along for my husband but was hooked, is to do a Mafia Tour with Eric Ferrara at the LES History Project. Even if you have no interest in the mob, you’ll see the city in a whole new light, inc. an original speakeasy. It was brilliant! http://www.leshp.org/walking-tours/60-mafia-tour
2) Along the same lines, definitely visit The Tenement Musuem http://www.tenement.org/. So utterly fascinating to see the inside of an original tenement on the LES, especially as they have uncover the stories of so many people who actually lived there. We did the Hard Times tour, it was fascinating.
3) We did a LOT of walking tours and found that, while the free ones were fine, the ones you paid for were so much better. We did the Brooklyn Bridge and Heights with Big Onion and loved it. http://www.bigonion.com/tour/brooklyn-bridge/ This really touched on the GONY story as it starts near City Hall, you find out how much of the film is really true (most of it, apparently) then you go on to hear about the Bridge and what was going on in the world at the time it was built, then into the old part of Brooklyn, which is such a contrast to Manhatten.
Anyway, they’re my little tips, some may find them dull as dishwater, I do appreciate! But for me, they bought the streets of NYC alive with the people who made it what it is. If I hadn’t have done them I would just have seen another old building or another normal street, when there was SO much more to it than that.
Have a wonderful trip!!! Xx
I did the Tenement Museum tour when I went to NYC with my dad, it was fascinating. Desperate to go back now so I can do the Mafia tour Faye! x
Hi Faye, this could be right up Mr C’s street. Sending the link over to him right now. x
You must go to breakfast/brunch at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien. Amazing doesn’t come close to describing it and the portions are immense. Views from the Rainbow Room are wonderful for too. And if shopping is your thing(!), the outlet at Woodbury Commons. Have a wonderful for trip!
Wow Emma. The Rainbow Room looks incredible! x
We stayed at a place called The Strand just a couple of blocks from the empire state on our honeymoon. They have a small rooftop bar that I would highly recommend, the view was stunning. The hotel was also beautiful.
I am going to NYC in a month so I have also been doing lots of online research (thanks for these!) and I came across http://www.onthegrid.city/new-york/, which is a brilliant neighbourhoods guide. We’ll be staying with friends in Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn so it’s nice to be able to see what the local coffee shops and bars are. I can’t wait!!