New York, New York. So good, Frank Sinatra had to sing it twice. The ultra cool concrete jungle consists of painfully fashionable inhabitants and shops to die for – so get your gladrags on and be ready to sight see and spend, spend, spend with our guide to New York City.
When to visit?
When you’re planning your visit, it’s best to think of it in terms of ‘when will the best seasonal shopping be available?’. Don’t worry, we’ve got it all sorted for you. Head for the big smoke in February to June to get the best spring/summer product, and April for the high summer product. Late July to December sees shopping for autumn/winter product and school season goodies at it’s prime. Most importantly, sale season comes to town between January and July.
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Best way to get there?
Flying is the simplest and fastest way to get there and there are a few airports to choose from…
- JFK Airport – This infamous airport has direct access to the subway, which makes it the easiest to get to and from – the NYC subway costs $2 per ride and for $5 each way you can catch the Air Train to JFK
- La Guardia – along with JFK, this is the second of New York’s major airports and has access to both shuttlebus and train services
Quick Reference
- Language: English
- Currency: US $
- Time zone: GMT -5
- Dialling code: +1
OPENING HOURS
- Larger stores are open 10am-8pm, while smaller stores are open 12pm-7pm. On a Sunday stores tend to close earlier, around 6pm
- Usually stores are open seven days a week but some smaller boutiques (like the ones in Williamsburg) and art galleries are closed Monday through Tuesday
Getting Around
- The New York Subway is the easiest way to get around the vast city. You can also purchase a Metrocard, will enable you to explore the city via subway and bus
- The classic yellow taxi is the other most popular mode of travel. Fares can be expensive, but for that price there is no doubt you will get some serious city knowledge off the taxi driver and you can spend the whole ride pretending your Carrie from SATC
Neighbourhoods of Note
- Chelsea The art district of Manhattan houses the best art dealers and also is home to the Balenciaga and Comme des Garçons flagship stores
- East Village Back-to-back boutiques, affordable vintage and streetwear shops and cafes now line this busy bohemian residential neighbourhood – this is a hot spot for art students who frequent the cool bars
- Lower East Side One of the hippest areas of New York, the Lower East Side is abundant with streetwear and vintage emporiums, which attract crowds of twentysomethings into the local clubs and bars
- Meatpacking District If you’re looking for the infamous New York City buzz, this is where you’ll find it; in demand designer brands and pricey furniture stores sit alongside swank hotels and clubs, and the High Line – an innovative park constructed on a unused trainline – is the center piece
- Upper East Side This high class, posh residential area faces the glorious Central Park and houses Madison Avenue, Park Avenue and a scatter of French restaurants
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn Atmosphere is in abundance here. The hipster hangout of NYC, Williamsburg hosts a handful of flea markets and encaptures the essence of trendy New York through its bars and restaurants that come alive at night
Where to stay?
The Dream Downtown
355 West 16th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY 100131, Tel: +1 212 229 2559, www.dreamdowntown.com
The result of a multi-million dollar renovatio, this hotel borders Chelsea and the trendy Meat Packing District and features a rooftop beach, Marble Lane Restaurant and PH-D, their penthouse
Hotel on Rivington
107 Rivington Street, Lower East Side, New York, NY 10002, Tel: +1 212 475 2600, www.hotelonrivington.com
This striking glass tower sits in the uber-cool Lower East Side and boasts stark white rooms, Japanese style baths and steam showers – ensuring to rid you off the city toxins
Hotel Gansevoort
18 9th Avenue , Meatpacking District, New York, NY 10014 , Tel: +1 212 206 6700, www.hotelgansevoort.com
Mere steps from the neighbourhoods best galleries, eateries and clubs, this hotel sports a all-year-round heated rooftop pool and offers breath taking views over the Hudson River
Ink 48
653 11th Avenue, Midtown, New York, NY 10036, Tel: +1 212 757 0088, www.ink48.com
A former printing house (hence the name), this quirky hotel is inspired by an urban loft. In-room dining and spa treatments are on offer and select rooms feature a Fuji hot tob. If that wasn’t enough, they offer a rooftop bar and bicycles to all of their customers
King & Grove Williamsburg
160 North 12th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11249, Tel: +1 718 218 7500, www.kingandgrove.com
Artisian cocktails are served on the rooftop bar while rooms are equipped with vintage record players. The swimming pool and 24-hour room service make this retro resort-style experience oh so appealing
Where to eat & drink?
Bell Book & Candle
141 West 10th Street, West Village, New York NY 10014, Tel: +1 212 414 2355 www.bbandcnyc.com
With a rooftop garden to grow their own vegetables, it is no wonder the menu is completely sustainable and made of local ingredients only.
The Grand Cental Oyster Bar & Restaurant
89 East 42nd Street, Midtown East, New York NY 10017 , Tel: +1 212 490 6650, www.oysterbarny.com
Since creation in 1913, this classic Manhattan eatery sits under Grand Central Station and sports a gothic inspired interior. Oysters, Clam Chowder and fine seafood are on the menu
The Dutch
131 Sullivan Street, SoHo, New York NY 10012, Tel: +1 212 677 6200, thedutchnyc.com
You can’t visit New York without eating at a classic New York Diner – The Dutch fits the bill. Enjoy burgers, fried chicken and steak sandwiches while lapping up the stylish atmosphere
The Breslin Bar & Dining Room
16 West 29th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY 10001, Tel: +1 212 679 1939, www.thebreslin.com
Set up in the Ace Hotel, this much hyped restaurant has a kitschy English hunting lodge decor and a meat heavy menu. Feel right at home with the l;oud pub atmosphere this restaurant provides
Verb Cafe
218 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York, NY 1211, Tel: +1 718 599 0977
Based inside Williamsburg mini market, this cafe is favoured for its outside tables set in prime people watching postition – facing Bedford Avenue
If you have been to New York recently, why not tell us your favourite places to visit? Missed our other city guides, check them out here…
> See Guide to London
> See Guide to Paris
> See Guide to Milan
> See Guide to Tokyo
House of Fraser Guide to New York is a post from: House of Fraser