Our New York Holiday Diary
So just like that, our New York trip is over - boooooo! We'll be landing back in the UK very shortly and all I can hope is that the weather is kind to us to ease the post holiday blues... I have so much content I want to share from our trip, from city guides to outfit posts to shopping hauls, but I thought I'd start with an old school holiday diary. When we'd go on holiday when I was little I'd always keep a little log of everything we'd been up to on each day, and they were pretty fun to look back on.
So I decided to do the same on this trip - it won't be the most informative or eloquent post ever, but if you're interested in having a little nosey at what we got up to then keep reading...
new york holiday diary
Day 1: Wednesday
We've arrived! We had such a lovely flight - we drank champagne and napped and the cabin crew made such a fuss of us. We even got a card written by the captain! After a pretty long immigration queue we hopped in a yellow taxi (always feels surreal!) and headed into the city. There really is no feeling like seeing the skyline unfold in front of you - I'll never tire of it.
After a quick change at the hotel we headed out to explore. First stop was the amazing 230 Fifth rooftop bar which had the most incredible view of the Empire State Building. Then we wandered down past the Flat Iron building for dinner at Tacombi - the food was so good and just what we needed after a long day.
Day 2: Thursday
We actually managed to sleep until a reasonable hour (take that, jet lag!). Sam went out to get us coffees and juices which we enjoyed in bed before getting ready. We walked down through the city to the start of the High Line - it was so gorgeous to explore it in the sunshine and the views were amazing! We followed it up with brunch at Bubbys which was just sooooooo yum.
Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the West Village in the sun - had yummy ice creams from Milk and then went to a cute little pub for a couple of happy hour beers. Home for a quick nap and American TV watching session (obsessed with Million Dollar Listings NY) before catching the subway down to the Lower East Side for dinner at Mission Chinese Food. Amazing meal - food was great and the whole vibe was just so cool.
new york holiday diary
Day 3: Friday
Woke up super early so got dressed and headed out for a wander. Grabbed bagels and coffee and enjoyed them in Central Park - bliss! We even saw a little turtle wandering around the park! Had a lovely walk around before doing a spot of shopping on 5th Ave.
Quick change and then headed to Dream Downtown to make use of their rooftop pool. Was so nice to sit and chill and drink cocktails in the sunshine - just what we needed after all of the wedding chaos.
Spent the evening in the Flat Iron district again - yummy dinner at Eataly and superb cocktails at the Nomad Hotel. Walking home with the view of the Empire State Building all lit up was just ace.
Day 4: Saturday
Yummy Mexican brunch to start the day before heading down to Brooklyn Bridge. Still my favourite place in the whole wide world - will never get sick of those views!
Enjoyed a coffee in Brooklyn Bridge park before catching the subway up to Williamsburg for Smorgasburg. Ate so much yummy food with the best view of Manhattan - the truffle fries were the best. Wandered along Bedford Avenue and then it started to rain so ducked into the Four Horseman for some very delicious wine.
Went back to hotel and spent ages getting ready, only to be greeted with biblical thunderstorms. Changed plans and stayed in with takeout, beers and American TV instead - bliss!
new york holiday diary
Day 5: Sunday
Such a great day! Started the morning at Top of the Rock which was amazing as always - those views are just too addictive! Then we headed to Union Square for brunch at a super old school greasy diner.
We then caught the train up to Queens for the Mets game - we had so much fun cheering them on in the sunshine and enjoyed a beer or three too! The atmosphere was so good - would definitely do this again.
Spent the evening in Bushwick - amazing pizza at Roberta's and the most beautiful sunset on the way home.
Day 6: Monday
Got up and caught the train down to East village. Lovely morning of wandering and eating breakfast at Black Seed bagels. Also tried some dumplings from Vanessa's which were so good and SO cheap!
Weather was amazing so caught the subway to Coney Island - had so much fun. Rode the old classics like the cyclone and the wonder wheel and tried some new ones too - Thunderbolt and Soaring Eagle (which were actually pretty scary!). Walked along the pier and drank frozen daquiris in the sunshine - such a happy day!
Rooftop cocktails while watching the sun set and then fab dinner at Minetta Tavern. Went out in the East Village and made some new Irish pals who took us on a bar crawl - got very drunk!
new york holiday diary
Day 7: Tuesday
Bit of a write off day today as we were so hungover, but we managed to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and spent the afternoon dozing and people watching in Brooklyn Bridge park which was fun!
Then this evening we headed to the waterfront to watch the 4th of July fireworks which was just amazing! It was such an incredible show and we felt very lucky to see it.
Day 8: Wednesday
Yummy brunch near our hotel before heading up to the American Museum of Natural History - we loved it here! Such a cool place.
Caught subway down to Midtown - had some lunch at the Eataly rooftop and then did a little bit of shopping. Stocked up on goodies at Sephora and picked up a few new books at Strand (my fave book shop in the world!)
Then it was time to say goodbye to the city and head back to the airport - until next time New York!