Spotlight :: NYC

[trip style = urban]

{Editor’s Note: Check out the Trip Styler Feature in NET A PORTER’s online magazine. We are over-the-moon excited to be part of the Blogger’s Issue!}

If urban trip styles are your bag, New York’s got you covered from head to toe in Marc Jacobs. Most people I know have made the cultural and shopping pilgrimage to NYC at least once, which turns out to be a problem…for their credit cards. There’s a pulse that pulls you back, and most one-time visitors become repeat offenders.

From the dirty depths of the subway to the heights of every coveted roof terrace, the Big Apple has a way of charming people like no other city I know. It’s a place where everything is taller, bigger, faster and longer, and everything has a system. The systems might not be elegant, but they work.

It’s been way too long since I was in NYC last, but the second I got out of my airport shuttle and started walking 49th Avenue in search of my hotel, the city felt familiar. My first time in New York, I took a media class, sat in on two tapings of the Sally Jessy Raphael Show {one of her famous bootcamp episodes and “you’ve ruined my wedding and now you’re going to pay!”}, met media types in a boardroom of the Empire State Building, shopped at Old Navy {the height of my fashion at the time} and saw Les Miserables. Times have changed, and so have my tastes, but New York’s centre-of-the-universe, go-getter spirit remains the same.

At the end my trip last month, I made a vow to visit yearly. I hope—fingers crossed—I can keep this vow. Connecting with New York on a once-yearly basis is like getting together with your coolest friend whom you don’t see that often, but cherishing every moment you have together.

Stay

• Yotel – $ – New York’s newest fancy-schmancy pod hotel. In the heart of Times Square. Wowza.
• The Pod Hotel – $ – Fun, pod-style hotel with well designed interiors and a rooftop terrace. {See my trip advisor review here}
• The Ace Hotel – $$ – A moody and design-savvy locale where the rooms have as much style as the people.
• The Mercer – $$$ – Gritty-Romanesque beauty in the heart of SoHo.
• The Surrey – $$$ – Calm, contemplated and beaux arts.

Do

• Catch a show on Broadway. Despite the cliche, it’s an absolute must! Hot right now: Catch Me If You Can, The Book of Mormon, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Sister Act and the ever-popular Wicked. Trip Styler Tip: Avoid the often insane line-up at the TKTS booth in Times Square and instead get your tickets online or at the theatre box office to avoid service charges. Use promo codes from BroadwayBox for a slight discount on your ticket.
• Walk in Central Park or on the High Line
• Explore SoHo
• Shop! {see below}
• Go to a TV show taping like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon {only do this if there’s a show you love and it’s taped in NYC. It’s a fun experience, but takes up an entire afternoon}. Trip Styler Tip: You need to write or call in weeks or months in advance for many shows.

Eat

• Eataly – $-$$$ – Mario Batali’s Italian food emporium and restaurants.
• ABC Kitchen – $$ – Jean Georges’ latest restaurant opening with an organic menu and local ingredients.
• Bateau Ivre – $$ – Parisan wine bar. Open late.
• Balthazar – $$ – An always-busy, traditional bistro.
• per se – $$$ – NYC’s French Laundry—enough said. Reserve in advance. Way in advance.

Shop

• Topshop – $ – Constantly evolving, fast-fashion.
• AllSaints – $$ - Thoughtfully hip and vintage.
• Century21 – $-$$$ – Iconic NYC discount department store.
• Opening Ceremony – $$ – Hipster fashion-forward.
• Reiss – $$ – Stylish, classic apparel.

Getting to/from the Airport

• Train/Subway – $ – with only a few connections: AirTran –> train or subway, this is the cheapest way {ie. under $8} to get to/from the city.
• Bus – $$ – the Super Shuttle and NY Airport Service are easy shuttles to catch at the airport. From $15 one way.
• Cab – $$$ – cabs and black cars from $50 to/from JFK to Manhattan.

What to Know

• Manhattan operates on a grid system. Avenues are long and streets are short.
• Carry a small map in your back pocket, folded into a manageable size. Only bring it out when you’re out of the way of commuters around you.
• New Yorkers walk everywhere and so should you—there’s a reason why local ladies favour flats over heels {for everyday}.
• New Yorkers are friendly—just ask your question quickly because they’re also busy!
• Everything in NYC moves fast; people don’t even stand on the sidewalk to wait to cross, they stand in the street.

PS – did you know that we have destination spotlights like this one for 30+ cities in the US, Canada and internationally?

[photos by @tripstyler]