Whether you’re a first-time visitor or repeat offender, these quintessentially New York experiences, from book-ahead dining to world-class museums, are evergreen crowd-pleasers. Start spreading the news…
Bergdorf Goodman
The granddaddy of department stores lures the luxury shopper with its expansive cache of everything covetable, from high fashion (with personal styling) and the latest must-have handbag to boutique cosmetics and objets d’art for the home.
9/11 Memorial
Nigh on 20 years later, September 11 is a date deeply ingrained in the New York psyche. Understand why with a quiet moment at these twin reflecting pools, provides a heartbreaking but important insight into one of the nation’s greatest tragedies.
Daniel
Local legend Daniel Boulud has been enchanting diners with his culinary largesse for nearly 30 years, and you’ll need to book months in advance to join them. The iconic red n’ gold Renaissance-style salon requires a jacket, while the front lounge offers a relaxed ambience with its slightly more lenient dress code. Order the black-truffle scallop in puff pastry, and thank us later.
Salon de Ning
Gussy up glam for rooftop tipples at The Peninsula’s 1930s Shanghai-inspired rosewood doll, attracting the city’s style set with its sense-awakening Sino cocktails (think lychee martini). Nab a daybed on the terrace for clincher 5th Ave penthouse panoramas.
Tenement Museum
In a city built on immigration, there are few insights more important than this Lower East Side C.19th tenement building, returned to its former gritty glory as a painstakingly restaged house museum. Trot along on one of their illuminating neighbourhood tours.
Gramercy Tavern
This hearty, evergreen crowd-pleaser has been setting the gold standard for both modern American fare and attentive hospitality for two decades and counting. For the best NY vibe, we suggest skipping the formal dining room and grabbing a table in the rustic front parlour.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The country’s largest art museum heaves with more than two million works, including some of the world’s most significant. Tackling it alone can be daunting so why not join resident-led tour guide Hack the Met, offering entertaining insider jaunts through the hallowed halls with an emphasis on lesser-known pieces.
Russ & Daughters
Choose between the original century-old family-run shop in the Lower East Side and the stylish, airy sit-down cafe iteration, two blocks south on Orchard. Whichever way you sway, expect to queue for its famed bagels and lox, and traditional kosher comfort food like potato latkes. Geschmack!
The High Line
This elevated rail line turned public park, with panoramic city and Hudson vistas, stretches from the Meatpacking District all the way up to 34th street. Weekends are rammed so search out the slightly quieter patch north of 24th, or go early for an oh-so lovely morning stroll.
Please Don’t Tell
In the city that kickstarted the speakeasy trend, it would be rude not to check out this tipsy hideaway tucked behind unassuming Crif Dogs (clock those delish hot dogs for later). Low-key, intimate and unpretentious, this taxidermied boîte is still one of NYC’s best. Try the bacon-infused Old Fashioned.
A version of this article was originally written by LUXE for PenCities.
Hero Image: National September 11 Memorial & Museum
For both quintessential and off-the-radar New York experiences, nab a copy of the LUXE New York guide…
