New York, New York
A living museum of honey-hued palazzi, ancient markets and citrus groves, all under the menacing gaze of Europe’s most active volcano.
Written by Rosalyn Wikeley
The best part about New York City is that there is always something new to discover and do, so whether it’s your first trip to the city that never sleeps or your 100th, you are bound to find something you’ve never done before. From museums and art galleries to restaurants and bars, not to mention the shops and department stores, there is something for everyone and countless neighborhoods to discover. For a weekend in the city, prepare to eat, drink and be constantly merry – and bring your walking shoes!
EXPERT TIPS
Bettina Prentice
Bettina Prentice, a native New Yorker based in London, is an independent curator, advisor and cultural strategist. A founding curator of The Peninsula Hotels’ global “Art in Resonance” from 2018 to 2024, she now serves as a Global Cultural Advisor to the brand. She is currently at work on several curatorial projects including a film with multidisciplinary artists Gerard & Kelly.
Prentice has advised some of the world’s foremost artists, cultural institutions, galleries and luxury brands including Google, Tiffany & Co., Christie’s and Hermés. She serves on the Board of Directors of Creative Time and is a founding member of the Artemis Council of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.
IN FLIGHT ESSENTIALS: Thank goodness for Sisley-Paris Black Rose Cream Mask before landing!
PACKING TIPS: Luxury to me is a physical copy of The New Yorker for the long form articles so do pick one up at the airport. I invariably must ask someone else for a pencil for the crossword, this almost always initiates a meaningful conversation of some kind or another.
I find great joy in supporting local craftspeople throughout New York State. I just made a pilgrimage to Behida Dolic in Hudson (90 miles North of NYC) for the most elegant of handmade straw hats!
THE FILM TO WATCH/BOOK TO READ BEFORE DEPARTURE: “Ninth Street Women” by Mary Gabriel looks at the female artists who shaped culture against all odds in post-war America. You will look at everything differently on your trip to MoMA.
Watch Julian Schnabel’s brilliant 1996 film “Basquiat” for its poetic visual journey through the gritty downtown New York of my childhood. And we can all agree the casting is a thrill!
FAVORITE HOTEL: Peninsula New York is my home away from home. Tell them I sent you. Property is newly renovated with a brilliant spa and the pool has views up and down 5th avenue that are simply unbeatable.
MEMORABLE MEALS: We lived on Gramercy Park and were lucky enough to have Union Square Cafe in the neighborhood. Everything they do is wonderful.
As a family we are unanimous that nothing beats a pizza from John’s of Bleecker Street (founded in 1929). We all know a proper slice of pizza must be folded in half.
THE DRINK TO ORDER: Fresh iced tea everywhere. You rarely find one in London and I am just jonesing.
BAR OF CHOICE: Jon Neidich’s The Nines is the place we go to see all our friends.
FAVORITE SHOP: PORTA in Brooklyn for dinnerware, glassware and linens
WELLNESS TREATMENT TO TRY: Any woman struggling with reproductive health should see reflexologist Vera Krijn. Her name is passed from one New York woman to another with great love and reverence. Now you have it too.
PRO TIP: Smile at strangers! Say thank you and make eye contact. And tip generously - lots of folks struggling to pay their bills in New York.
STAY
Some call New York City the city that never sleeps but when you consider the immense quantity of excellent hotel choices on offer you’d think it was a city that slept a whole lot! Here are some of the best options…
SAVOR
The only problem with dining in New York City is narrowing down your restaurant wish list and squeezing it all in! From hot dogs to haute cuisine and everything in between, Manhattan is a food lover’s city.
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gramercytavern.com
Address: 42 E. 20th, New York, NY, 10003
Phone: 212.477.0777The original darling of restaurateur Danny Meyer, Gramercy Tavern has been on every “best” list since it opened 30 years ago. The perfect spot for a special occasion or just a memorable meal, head chef Mike Anthony serves up inventive pastas, delicious vegetable dishes, perfectly executed roast chickens and delectable desserts.
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jgmelon-nyc.com
Address: 1291 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, 10021
Phone: 212.744.0585If a New York City cheeseburger is on your culinary bucket list then JG Melon is a must. An Upper East Side classic, New Yorkers flock to this cash only, no-frills, green and white checked table cloth institution for their chili, cheeseburgers and cottage fries.
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katzsdelicatessen.com
Address: 205 East Houston Street, New York, NY, 10002
Phone: 212.254.2246Yes it’s a tourist destination but if you look closely you’ll also spot locals lining up to pick up their pastrami, corned beef and loaves of rye bread too. Katz’s shot to stardom in the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene of When Harry Met Sally, but it has been open on the Lower East Side since 1888 and locals in the know have been getting their deli mainstays there ever since. If having a classic New York City pastrami, corned beef sandwich or bowl of matzo ball soup is on your hit list then this is the place to do it.
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ralphlauren.com
Address: 1 E. 55th Street, New York, NY, 10022
Phone: 1.212.207.8562Come for The Burger but stay for the chance to catch a glimpse of the A-List celebrities and some of Manhattan’s most stylish (and notorious!) residents. Stepping through the doors of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar is like entering into one of his gorgeous homes; tartan everywhere, luxurious leather, mahogany paneling, low lighting and horse or Americana paraphernalia.
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waverlynyc.com
Address: 16 Bank Street, New York, NY, 10014
Phone: 917.828.1154Nestled into a cozy townhouse in the West Village, The Waverly Inn is the sort of institution that feels both old school and trendy all at once. The hotspot opened in 2006 and has remained an A-List go-to ever since, serving up delicious New York classics alongside excellent people watching. From their house made biscuits to the truffle mac and cheese and the Waverly burger, this is NYC comfort food at its best.
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viacarota.com
Address: 51 Grove Street, New York, NY, 10014
Phone: 1.212.255.1962You’ll likely spot Via Carota from a few blocks away by the line of New Yorkers and tourists alike snaking around the block. The city has literally thousands of Italian spots on offer but Via Carota is one of the very best. Run by James Beard award winning chefs, Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, the food is fresh, simple and absolutely delicious: this spot is worth waiting in line for.
Credit: JG Melon
Credit: The Polo Bar
EXPLORE
A stroll through Central Park, a yellow cab ride, a Broadway play, elevator up to the top of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center; these are all cliche things that you really should do in NYC. Add in a few of the below for a perfect trip:
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In a classic NYC transformation, what was once an abandoned railway has become The Highline, a gorgeously green, elevated park and walking trail on the westside of Manhattan. The Highline starts in the Meatpacking district and takes you up the westside with gorgeous views of the Hudson River all the way to 34th street - it’s the perfect active activity and great way to see that part of the island.
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Tick every museum off your list by planning out a morning for “Museum Mile” - the stretch Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 110th streets on the Upper East Side. The stretch includes the MET, The Cooper Hewitt, The Guggenheim and the Neue Galerie so you truly can see it all in one go for the perfect cultural activity.
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When it was first built in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. While it no longer holds that title it is still a staple of NYC skyline with stunning arches offering unparalleled views of the city. A walk across the bridge in time for lunch in Brooklyn is a great morning activity.
SHOP
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With “18 Miles of Books” on offer, the legendary Strand Bookstore is the perfect spot to browse both the books and the people in the store! From the latest thriller to hard-to-find vintage tomes, this is the literary spot.
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While the Upper East Side has a whole host of chic boutiques littered along Madison Avenue, New Yorkers in the know will be going for something a bit more exclusive: an appointment at Attersee’s uptown studio. Sleek separates, luxurious coats and chic tailoring make this the best kept secret for the keenest of shoppers.
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A shopping mall smack dab in the middle of Manhattan might be hard to grasp but Hudson Yards is so much more than that: a combo of retail, residential and restaurants, Hudson Yards is basically its own neighborhood. The retail space has 100 shops and 20 restaurants and offers everything from Louis Vuitton to Lululemon and everything in between and there is even The Shed, an arts center and events space.
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Located in prime position on the corner of 5th Avenue and 58th Street, Bergdorf Goodman is a luxury department store that can satisfy any and every shopping desire. Showcasing nearly every luxury and contemporary designer, cosmetics, handbags, shoes and a dedicated men’s store across the street, Bergdorf’s is a New York institution, don’t miss lunch on the top floor with views of Central Park.
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If vintage shopping is on your hit list then a trip to Tokio 7 in the East Village can’t be missed. With an unbelievable curation of current and vintage pieces from the likes of Prada, Commes des Garcon, Vivienne Westwood and Dior (just to name a few), no matter what you are hunting for you’ll find something here.
Verdura Resort, A Rocco Forte Hotel
WELLNESS TIP
Tracey Anderson
Every fitness obsessed New Yorker in the know will swear by the “Tracey Anderson Method” and sneak in a “Tracey” class whenever possible. A mix of weight training, choreography and aerobics, it is truly a unique workout and unlike anything else!
STYLE TIPS
Slip on a velvet vest for an instant layer of polish — it’s sleek, versatile, and adds just the right amount of fall texture.
Add a little edge with a belt; perfect for cinching a blazer or elevating simple denim.
For everyday wear, pack your go-to straight-leg jeans — they’re the kind of denim that goes with everything and never feels overdone.
Dress things up with chic pumps, a mid-heel that takes you seamlessly from coffee runs to cocktails.
Don’t forget sunglasses — they’ll pull every look together and are essential for city strolling.
And of course, the hero piece: a timeless leather jacket. Structured, cool, and perfect for crisp autumn days.
visualsoflukas
ON OUR RADAR
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IMMERSE YOURSELF
PLAYLIST: Discover our New York playlist, available on Spotify
PLANNING SERVICES
Let Glimpse founder Jordan Rhodes help you plan your next vacation.
As an advisor independently affiliated with Brownell Travel, a luxury, Forbes endorsed, Virtuoso Agency, Jordan has a whole team helping plan her clients’ vacations.
