18 Hours in New York City
📍 Upper East Side, NYC
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You can live in New York your entire life and still only see a fraction of what the city has to offer. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. I had the pleasure of living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood for two years, and there are countless things I’ve yet to do, to see, to eat! The silver lining is that New York is just a quick two-hour flight away, and we’re now in a position to visit frequently. While I would much rather have an extended stay, our most recent trip to the Empire State only gave me about 18 hours in the city before taking the train out to the Hamptons. For a quick trip that’s over in the blink of an eye, here’s my recommendation for 18 hours in New York City.
5:00pm: Land in NYC
While our most recent travel times were a little different, let’s just say you land at one of the New York Airports. Whether you land at Newark, JFK, or LaGuardia, it’s going to take you about an hour to get into the city. the time depends on traffic (obviously), but also where in the city you want to get to. On this particular trip, we flew into JFK and opted to take public transportation the entire way. While it was a little bit longer of a trip, it’s a fraction of what a taxi or Uber will cost. Plus, it just seems faster because you’re not stuck on the highway. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to get to your night’s dinner reservations.
6:00pm: Check-In
Once you’re in the city, you have plenty of time to check in to your hotel. Even though the flight’s pretty short, you may want to take a moment to freshen up and get ready for the evening. While there are countless hotel options in the city, with an endless selection of neighborhoods, I’ve become partial to NoMad. It’s centrally located, letting me get both uptown and downtown in a flash. On this most recent trip, we stayed at The Evelyn Hotel. This charming Art Deco hotel was just a block away from Madison Square Park. Even though we only stayed here for a night, it’s probably going to be a top pick from here on out.
7:00pm: Dinner Reservations
In the city that never sleeps, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a dinner reservation for either 7 pm or much later. Depending on the time, you may even be able to squeeze in a quick happy hour. From our NoMad hotel, we strolled along 5th Avenue until we reached Washington Square Park. It’s a sign that you are official in Greenwich Village. I have a long list of restaurants that I either already love or am dying to try. While the number of possibilities can seem daunting, sometimes, you just need to follow your intuition. A quick list would be: Boucherie, Via Carota, Minetta Tavern, Dante, Claudette, and American Bar. While Greenwich Village and West Village have many incredible spots, feel free to branch and dine in a different neighborhood. The perk with this “itinerary” is that you have all the time in the world.
8:00pm: Post-Dinner Night Cap
To go straight home after a great meal is almost a waste of a quick trip to New York City. In the West Village, keep the party going by visiting one of the neighborhood’s many cocktail bars. Some of the restaurants listed above are open into the late hours, giving you time to sit bar-side for a drink. Other places like The Spaniard, Happiest Hour, and The Up & Up are open until the wee hours of the morning. This portion of your trip can last as long and late as you want to. When all is done for the evening, there’s nothing better than crashing into a plush hotel bed.
8:00am: Early Wake-Up
Good morning, sleepyhead! I hope you weren’t out too late. If you’re able, get up with an early alarm to take full advantage of the day. Depending on where you’re staying, take some time to walk through the neighborhood. The early morning is one of the quietest times of the day, so you can admire the architecture and history without bumping into crowds along the way. Grab a coffee if you need and take the subway up to the Upper East Side to finish your quick trip to NYC.
9:00am: Fashionable Morning Coffee
Need a little bit more caffeine? Depending on how hungry you are, I have two favorite options for a morning in my former neighborhood and home. For a lighter fare, you should head to Ralph Lauren for the chicest coffee and croissant in town. If it’s warm out, I love the espresso tonic. It’s a surprisingly refreshing drink with espresso, tonic water, and orange slice. I know it sounds far out there, but don’t worry. They have all of the classics too. Take your drinks to-go and wander through Central Park. Find the perfect park bench and watch the world pass by.
For a breakfast that’s a bit more filling, I always recommend Sant Ambroeus. There are a few locations throughout the city, but the spot in the Upper East Side was a favorite for a morning treat. I could be having the worst day, but walking through the doors under the pink and green exterior seems to make everything better. I’m partial to standing out the espresso bar and chat with whoever stands next to me. On our most recent trip, we stayed for a full breakfast, and it did not disappoint. My tip is to sit near the entrance so you can admire the very fashionable people who come and go.
10:00am: Opening Hours at the Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens up at 10 am sharp every day of the week, except Wednesday. More commonly known as The Met, it’s probably my favorite place in the city and just so happens to call the Upper East Side home. Get a ticket early and be in line right when they open. The line may look daunting, but you’ll be inside in under 5 minutes. You can spend an entire lifetime wandering through the museum and never see all two-million pieces of art. The most popular gallery is on the Southside of the museum or left if you enter from 5th Avenue. Here is where they house the 19th and Early 20th Century European masterpieces. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, oh my! Depending on the time of year, they may even have an exhibit from Costume Institute. This is what’s commonly associated with the annual MET Gala. If you love fashion, it is always a feast for the eyes. I cannot recommend it enough!
11:00am: Iconic Burger for Lunch
The last stop on the NYC Express is grabbing a classic burger for lunch. You’ll be hungry again after walking through The Met. From the museum, walk East through the Upper East Side, where you’ll find JG Melon on East 74th Street and 3rd Avenue. What can I say about this New York institution that hasn’t already been said? The burgers are incredible! Everything on the menu is so good that I sometimes struggle to decide what to order. My favorite thing about JG Melon is that you’ll feel like a regular from visit #1. Order a cheeseburger and cottage fries to relish in the history and atmosphere of one of the most beloved restaurants in the city!
Ding! Your 18 hours as a New Yorker are sadly over. Are you addicted to the pace and culture yet? After your hearty lunch, scoop up your luggage, if needed, and head off to your next destinations. If you’re going over the Hamptons, the fun is just getting started. If it’s back to the airport, take the time to daydream about your next trip to Manhattan. The beauty is that NYC will always be here waiting for you.
Love from NYC,
Katie
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