Your best girls.
The perfect spot.
Indulging, experiencing + creating memories that last forever.

Welcome to #TheGirlsTripSeries: The ultimate guide to an unforgettable weekend away with your bffs.

New. York. City.

Sky-scraping buildings, streets that are always swarming and a skyline that will inspire the heck out of you. I seriously love NYC. I’ll take any time that I can get in this city – but staying a week or two really puts you in that groove of calling this bustling city your new home.

Call your girls and get going to the city that never sleeps.

This is #TheGirlsTripSeries.

THE VICEROY CENTRAL PARK

I’m not sure where to start – but working with this team has been hands down one of my favourite travel experiences. We were so grateful to get the opportunity to stay at this luxurious spot and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Amazing views of the Central Park, modern rooms with a classy + vintage twist, a bustling rooftop bar, fitness centre, and a mid-town location close to minutes away from Central Park and the subway.

Update: When I travelled on this trip – I was working with the Viceroy Central Park. This hotel now has new ownership and is now called Le Meridien Central Park. Please note that the views and experience expressed above are on my experience with the Viceroy and I cannot comment on the transition on the new property.

GETTING AROUND
Should I Rent A Car?
Don’t. Even. Think. About. It. This is not the kind of city you want, or need to be driving in.

Take The Subway. Not only is easy to get around to anywhere you need to be, but it’ll also save your wallet. Get yourself a metro pass and you’re set!

Uber is exactly what you need for everything else – especially for those nights out. Want $5 off your next ride? Use the code allyp1896ue when you sign up!

Catch NYC
Location: Meatpacking District
You heard me talking about this spot over on my LA trip – and it’s just as much of a favourite in NYC. With a focus on seafood, Catch incorporates local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible as it cultivates a menu that is designed to taste and share in amongst your table. Save some room for dessert, you’ll need it. Reserve A Table

Must try: Catch Roll, Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Gnocchi.

Note: reservations are needed for dinner, and getting up to the rooftop for drinks afterward is tricky. If you have a big enough group of friends, book a bottle service table to secure a spot. Otherwise, it’s at the discretion of the doorman and your chances of getting in a weekend are slim to none.
Buddakan
Location: Chelsea Market
I’m not sure which I like more: the vibes in this spot or the food. Prep yourself of a share-style meal that marries the serenity of Asia with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris. Reserve a table.
Sunday In Brooklyn
Location: Williamsburg

An American style restaurant with a bumping patio serving up mean, instagrammable cocktails. Hit this spot for brunch. Reserve A Table.
Ess-A-Bagel
Location: Midtown East

If you went to New York, and you didn’t have a bagel – did you really go to NYC? Don’t mess around and just go to this spot, k?

Must-Try: cookies & cream cheese bagel on a plain, toasted bagel. RIP. Dead. You’re welcome.
While We Were Young
Location: Greenwich Village
This spot is cozy, but really cute – and definitely buzzing at all times. Reservations are far and few and they won’t seat your table upon walking in unless your whole crew is there.

Must try: avocado toast + while we were young cockail (half sweet).
Banter
Location: Greenwich Village
Another spot that’s known to have a decent wait. But the perks of hitting this one solo, is that I waltzed right into the bar and tested out their raved about avocado toast. I added eggs and bacon to it. It didn’t disappoint.
Dr. Smood
Location: There’s a few around the city.

Looking for a quick, healthy option? Check this spot out. They “offer carefully crafted menu of organic performance foods and juice programs backed by science for optimal performance, body, and mind. We’re here to revolutionize the way you eat. Never Artificial. Never Processed. Always Organic.”
Joe’s Pizza
Location: There’s a few around the city.
Don’t play hunni, just go. Actually, instead of waiting in line for a slice – order a whole dang pizza to your hotel room for you and you gfs to share.

Did we do that? Yes.
Would we do it again? Also yes.
Pret A Manger
Location: All around the city.
This is a fav for quick bites when I’m over in the UK or Europe, so seeing it on the streets of NYC brings a bit of travel nostalgia. Pret operates a bit like a restaurant. They build kitchens in every shop 0 and since everything is prepared fresh daily, you won’t find ‘sell-by’ dates. If something isn’t used by end of day, it’s offered to charity rather than keeping it to sell the next day.

OTHER QUICK MENTIONS
– Grab a chocolate almond croissant from Maison Kayser from any and every of their multiple locations around the city. Listen. I was fooled by this on my first try and got a plain croissant – don’t make the same mistake I did and do it right the first time friends.
– Coffee at Gotan. I frequented the Chelsea location, but there are a few around the city.
– Coffee at Stumptown at the Ace Hotel.

CENTRAL PARK.
I mean, it’s not the first thing I do when I go to NYC – but if it’s your first time it’s definitely worth checking out. The park is BIG, so map out things you’d like to see and make a plan! Wanting to snap some pics in the park? Here are some popular spots: Strawberry Fields, Gapstow Bridge, The Mall, Bow Bridge + Bethesda Terrace.

SOAK IN THE SKYLINE.
I’m not one for lineups and super touristy stuff, but the skyline of NYC is something that really takes your breath away. There’s always a hot debate on which building you make your way to the top of: Empire State Building OR Rockafeller Centre. Tip: the photo you want has the Empire State Building as part of the skyline, so opt for the Top Of The Rock.

My favourite view of the city actually came from having cocktails at the 1 Hotel in Brooklyn. Le Bain (rooftop bar at The Standard) straddles the highline giving you twinkling views of the city as well as a look at the Hudson River.

ARTS + CULTURE.
You’re in the perfect city for it. Catch a show on Broadway, visit iconic museums like The Met or MoMA & visit the New York City Ballet. I also recommend researching any pop-ups that may be happening during your travels!

BASKETBALL GAMES + CONCERTS.
I looooove doing this when I travel – and it’s most likely because I don’t have the luxury of having an NBA team in my city. Check out the game schedules and concerts happening at iconic venues in the city.

9/11 MEMORIAL.
30-foot waterfalls sit where the Twin Towers once stood and are said to be the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. On the edges of the pools you’ll find bronze plates that have the names of all 2,983 people who were killed in the terror attacks at the World Trade Center site along with Flight 93’s crash in Pennsylvania at the Pentagon, and the six people who died in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

You’ll see white roses places along the edges of the pool as well. Before opening to the public, 9/11 Memorial Museum staff places a white rose at the name of each victim who has a birthday that day.

Visiting this memorial really hit me. It’s hard to describe the energy that comes from ground zero but I definitely recommend scheduling in a visit and paying your respects.

EXPLORE THE HIGHLINE.
Another popular park in NYC: The Highline. Giving you great views of the Hudson River and skyline – this is a great spot to grab some ice cream and spend a couple of hours exploring.

BROOKLYN IS ALWAYS A GREAT IDEA.
Explore Williamsburg, walk the bridge, experience amazing restaurants, shopping, markets street art, and hipster spots.

LET’S TALK TIMES SQUARE.
I have serious social anxiety and really don’t enjoy crowds – so if you ask me how I feel about Times Square, I probably won’t give you the greatest feedback. BUT, if it’s something you’re dying to see: go at night and watch it light up!

SWEAT IT OUT.
Here are some of my favourite workouts to do in NYC:

– Switch Playground. Think circuit in a nightclub. This was a fun experience in SoHo that I definitely recommend!
– Brrrn. Heat up your cold shoulder at the world’s first and only cool temperature fitness experience.
– SoulCycle. You guys know I love to get a spin class in and there are no shortages of SoulCyle locations in here NYC. Pro tip: book in for Trammell’s class.
– Barry’s Bootcamp. I hate running, so it’s a real mystery why I always end up in these classes. But if you’re like me and don’t get the luxury of having Barry’s in your hometown, it’s worth checking out the hype!
– The Class. Designed by Taryn Toomey and originating in NYC, The Class is a transformative workout of the body and mind that invites participants to witness their resistance to discomfort. You will feel weird. You will scream it out.
– Rumble Boxing. Hit some combos on the bag, head over to do some weights and repeat. This dark room paired with loud music is one of my fav places to sweat in NYC.
– DogPound. Is this workout spot a popular one for instagrammers and models? Yes. Will you die? Also yes. The workout is great but the scene isn’t for everyone – and I don’t think they really care.

You should also note that ClassPass is amazing in this city. Offering up workouts, wellness and beauty options – this is a must for sweating in the city. New to classpass? Get $30 OFF by using my referral link.