My 31st Birthday Weekend in NYC
📍 Manhattan, NYC
Satin Dress (Similar) || Flats || Similar Handbag || Sunglasses || Earrings
During the last weekend of June, I celebrated my 31st birthday, June 25th to be exact! While it’s not a milestone year, there was only one thing I wanted. David and I don’t typically exchange physical gifts. Instead, we prefer to treat each other with weekend trips and incredible meals. So, we packed our bags for the concrete jungle for three days in NYC. Although it was a quick trip, I found it relaxing, which is not a word typically used to describe anything in Manhattan. Here’s a recap of my 31st birthday weekend in NYC.
Tank Top || Jeans || Flats || Similar Handbag || Earrings
Friday
Check Into the Ace Hotel
After a bright and early flight to JFK, we took the train to Penn Station and had a quick walk to our home for the weekend. The Ace in NoMad has become our go-to hotel while staying in the city. I think it’s well priced, and the staff is always incredibly nice. Better you still, you can’t ask for a better location. It’s a short walk from several subway lines and has many great dining options just a few blocks away. When they discovered it was my birthday, they delivered this sweet card and a round of cocktails at the lobby bar. It was such a lovely gesture and yet another reason why I’ll always choose Ace when I have the chance.
Morning Coffee at Maman
Since I was still a little sleepy from our 4 am wake-up call, we headed out in search of coffee. Near our hotel is Devocion, one of my favorite coffee shops in the city. On this trip, I wanted to visit somewhere I hadn’t been to recently and was delighted to find a Maman nearby. With several locations in NYC, it has become a trendy staple with its blue and white decor and matching to-go cups. With oat-milk cappuccino in hand, we found a shady spot to sit in Madison Square Park and relished in the city’s buzz. I also had the treat of having lunch with my co-workers at a lunch spot called Little Beet Table. No pictures were taken, but the food and company were incredible!
Dinner at Saint Theo’s
After some downtime at our hotel and a fun happy hour at the Broken Shaker, we made our way to the West Village for dinner. I absolutely love this neighborhood but didn’t visit it enough when we lived in New York. Beautiful brownstones are followed by an endless selection of some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and bars. Our dining spot for the evening was Saint Theo’s, one of the newest Italian restaurants on the scene and one that has obtained instant popularity. Everything aspect of this meal, from cocktails to entrees to dessert, was incredible. The menu does have a note of ‘no pictures,’ and because I’m a rule follower, this is the only picture I was brave enough to take. If you can snag a reservation, do not let it pass you by.
Cocktails at Dante West Village
With so much daylight left after dinner, David and I continued our evening by walking through the West Village. The neighborhood was buzzing with other couples on date night, friends celebrating the weekend, and the city was getting ready for Pride festivities. We were lucky to grab a seat at the Dante on Hudson Street and had a few post-dinner cocktails. I ordered the Brooks Nader Paloma. During the month of June, $5 from the sale of each drink was donated to Everytown, a nonprofit organization that I deeply believe in and stand behind.
Saturday
Explore SoHo
SoHo, I love you! This neighborhood is always a delight to visit! On Saturday morning, officially a 31-year-old, we made our way downtown to wander through the cast-iron buildings and for some window shopping. Because of the endless array of boutiques, the streets can get very crowded quickly. In the early morning, I felt like I had SoHo all to myself. We stopped at Felix Roasting Co., another favorite coffee shop, to hold us over until breakfast. The space is absolutely beautiful and where I would love to spend the morning with a good book.
Breakfast at Sadelle’s
Having a bagel should be a top priority when you visit New York! While there are many opinions on who’s the best, I’m personally loyal to Tal Bagels on the Upper East Side, and Leo’s in FiDi, but I wanted to try Sadelle’s. First opening in 2016, it has become an instant favorite with its reimagined New York City classics. The most popular thing to order is their House Salmon. It’s presented with three tiers of plates, with a freshly baked bagel and other accoutrement. We had breakfast reservations right when they opened, and the place filled up within minutes. It’s easy to say this is a must-visit while in SoHo.
Take in Pride Weekend Festivities
Pride Weekend falls on my birthday nearly every year, and it’s such an honor! This may be New York at one of its finest moments. Even though the parade wasn’t until Sunday, everywhere you looked, there was a celebration of love and freedom. It truly is such a joyous and wonderful occasion in NYC. For obvious reasons, this Pride seemed to have a sense of urgency attached to it. The Roe v. Wade decision that had come out just days earlier was a devastating reminder of how swiftly rights and liberties can be taken away. Although the weekend began in a more somber tone, being in New York during this time was an almost cathartic experience. Although there are many stereotypes to the contrary, New Yorkers care!
Dinner with Friends in Seaport
The icing on the cake for the weekend was dinner with our dear friends, Sydney and Andrew. Even though we live 1,000 miles apart, we get together as often as possible. The night’s events include seeing their beautiful Seaport apartment, dinner at Daniel Boulud’s newest restaurant, Le Gratin, and walking around the lively Pier 17. I feel so lucky to have such incredible friends to reconnect with on each trip to New York. It helps me feel like I’ve found my place in a city of 8 million and will always be a reason for me to come back.
Sunday
Coffee at Ralph’s in the Upper East Side
Our final day in the city started at sunrise with a few pictures at the New York Public Library, which I’ll share very soon, and a trip to the Upper East Side. As soon as we walk up the stairs at 86th Street and Lexington, I feel like I’m home. This was our neighborhood for two years and is a required stop on every trip to New York. After saying hello to the doormen at our old building, we wandered down Madison Avenue to one of my favorite UES spots. After being off the menu for a few years, the scone at Ralph’s Coffee is back and ready for action. It’s served with a healthy portion of French butter and maybe my favorite pastry.
People Watching in Central Park
With provisions in hand, we walked the block over to Central Park and just… relaxed. Morning coffee and a pastry were our standing Sunday morning tradition, and it felt so right to do it again. Our favorite spot is at the Conservatory Water, usually known for its model boat sailing. It serves as an official dog park in the morning, with four-legged friends allowed to be off-leash until 9:00 am. David and I sat, watching the poshest puppies in Manhattan run around and play, with their equally chic owners following right behind. We sat here and watched the world pass for a long spell, and then it was off to continue on a blissful final day.
Shopping Along Madison Avenue
The Upper East Side is my favorite place to “shop,” even if I don’t spend a dime. Some of the most luxurious designers can be found along nearly twenty blocks of Madison Avenue. Start around the mid-70s and make your way down. When I was a card-carrying New Yorker, I was a pretty regular fixture at J. Crew Collection. I popped in to see the latest and greatest from my favorite brand. Let me tell you, the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is alive and well in Manhattan. Other favorite stores to peruse are The Real Real, Ralph Lauren, and La Ligne, although that’s a very abbreviated list.
Liquid Lunch at Bemelmans
This particular trip to the Carlyle was somewhat unexpected but very much appreciated. With its intimate setting and incredible cocktail list, Bemelmans Bar is one of my favorite places in the entire city. After walking in the sun, we wandered in for a post-shopping refreshment. Sitting at the bar, we chatted with the bartender (Jon, from Barbados). As we talked with the other patrons who made their way in, what was supposed to be one round turned into several. The afternoon passed in an instant, and it was time to return to the hotel to pick up our luggage.
Snack To-Go at The Mark Hotel
There was time for just one more stop before heading home. Just a block away from the Carlyle is the Mark Hotel. The Mark is equally as luxurious and exclusive, but with one tiny surprise. During the summer months, be sure to stop by the Jean-George hotdog stand. The hotdog stand is a fixture on countless blocks in NYC, but the Mark has given it a twist. For $6, a steal when compared to their hotel rooms’ prices, order an organic chicken or grass-fed beef hotdog. The signature is their Kimchi relish, but they also have all the standard fixings. This was the first thing I had eaten since my scone at Ralph’s, so clearly, I was a little bit hungry.
Off to JFK Airport
And just like that, our first trip to NYC in 2022 was over. We took the subway back to our hotel, which was winding down from a very successful Pride Parade, and hopped on the train to JFK. With so many canceled flights that day, the airport was a little bit of a nightmare, but we were fortunate to get on our plane with minimal delays. All in all, a very wonderful trip to New York. I’m already counting down the days until our next jaunt in August. After that, who knows?
Over 1,700 words later, and I’m still gushing from my 31st birthday weekend. A trip to New York is always a good idea, but if you ever have a chance to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend it! The city just has this larger than life quality, and it helps bolden any event from birthdays, anniversaries, and beyond.
Love from NYC,
Katie
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