New York turns it on.
Energy crackles through New York City like an invisible electric fence and you know you shouldn’t touch it, but you just can’t help yourself. Every street, every corner delivers a jolt. Look up, ZAP! Central Park Tower slices the sky. In the distance, POW! The Chrysler Building’s sexy art deco curves beckon. At street level, ZZZT! A surge of déjà vu hits as you realise you’ve walked these streets before… just with friends from your favourite sitcom.
You’d think NYC might feel intimidating, all that in-your-face power and, yes, a bit of arrogance. But there’s a thrill here you can’t deny. Life is happening here, and when you’re in the middle of it, you feel like you’re part of something big.
BT visited in March. The snow had melted, the cherry blossoms were just beginning to pop in Central Park, and stylish black coats still ruled the sidewalks. Then, out of the crisp blue came an unseasonably hot Saturday where the temperature soared to 86°F (about 30 on the “crazy Aussie scale,” as one local put it). The day screamed: PARK! And all New Yorkers listened. The city emptied into its shared backyard, Central Park. Hot dog queues snaked through crowds, jazz musicians improvised all over the place, and carriage horses trotted past like a merry-go-round. You couldn’t have staged a more New York moment if you tried.
But for BT, buzz alone doesn’t cut it. We travel with our stomachs. And we need to talk about just how good the food is in NYC. What? Yes, we know American food often gets a bad rap – huge portions, greasy carbs and bland flavours – but nothing could be further from the truth here. This city is pure joy for foodies. There’s even a hint of a Japanese-style approach at some spots: a focus on doing one thing and doing it spectacularly. Sure, some of the humility is swapped for a little swagger… but hey, it’s New York. (Scroll down for our favourite dining hits.)
Choosing just one base in a city packed with great options? Too hard. So we didn’t. We mixed it up, changing accommodation three times to soak up the vibes of three completely different neighbourhoods and enjoy three amazing hotel experiences. It also gave us the chance to discover each area’s local flavour, plan our sightseeing around nearby attractions, and pick up a fresh set of concierge tips at every stop. BT was, quite literally, a moveable feast.
First stop: the Meatpacking District
Once the land of slaughterhouses, now a playground of fashion houses, buzzy eateries and galleries (hello, Whitney Museum). Bonus points for the High Line. Could there be a better place to take your morning walk and first bite of the Big Apple? We stayed at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, where contemporary cool mixes with sophistication and a touch of playfulness. If it were a cocktail, it’d be a cosmopolitan: elegant, bright, and a little sassy.
Next stop: uptown and the unforgettable Mark Hotel
This hotel’s striking black-and-white lobby is picture perfect and an irresistible backdrop for a selfie. For such a high-end sophisticated hotel, it’s not pretentious in any way. Rather, it’s all warmth, generosity, and style. The Mark Hotel is so good that only a city like New York can lure you away from its charms.
Final stop: the Lower East Side
We swapped the Upper East Side’s polish for downtown spunk. This neighbourhood pulses with the spirit of its feisty immigrant roots. We checked into the recently opened, and oh-so-cool, Nine Orchard, a stunning hotel set inside the historic Jarmulowsky Bank. But it doesn’t just sit here – it belongs. And let’s be honest: there isn’t a swankier spot for blocks.
Some of BT’s highlights:
Food:
JG Melon, a NY institution if you’re after THE burger experience.
Via Carota, reservations are almost impossible, but they save loads of tables for walk-ins. We rolled the dice and got lucky!
Balaboosta, for gorgeous Israeli food.
Knickerbocker Bagels, when NYC cops, firefighters, and locals queue for bagels, you fall in too.
Prince St Pizza, thin crust and the most standout sauce ever—even if you do end up wearing it.
Hand pulled noodles in Chinatown.
Drinks:
Bar Pisselino
The Swan Room
Hotels:
The Mark Hotel
Nine Orchard
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
Sights:
You know them, but one you mightn’t is the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum. This unexpected cool gem pairs modern art and design with the opulence and charm of Andrew Carnegie’s grand old mansion. The contrast is powerful.
Book:
Walk With Me New York by Sarah Kaufman
Elise Wackett, Travel Writer