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We tried to count the number of times the Reply group has collectively visited New York, but we ran out of fingers. That’s why it was an easy call to make New York, New York our first entry in our series of City Guides. We won’t wax poetic about the city that never sleeps, we’ll just give you the goods. And here they are – your next trip to the Big Apple, curated by Reply Magazine.
6 a.m.
MORNING RUN
Park Drive in Central Park
If you’re like us, you plan your morning run more often than you execute it, but the early morning people watching and nature-versus-city aesthetic are enough to get us out of bed and circling Central Park. Whether you choose the 2 or 6-mile variation is up to you.
8 a.m.
COFFEE and the NEWSPAPER
Café Sabarsky
After a brisk run, you’re going to want to relax. You won’t find peace of mind inside the ever-swinging doors of Starbucks, so head to the Upper East Side’s cozy Viennese cafe for coffee on a silver platter, right next your copy of the Kurier (or maybe just the New York Times).
9 a.m.
PLAN YOUR DAY
concierge.com
While we’d love to afford the bespoke services of say, Quintessentially.com, the nonprofit magazine business isn’t the cash cow it used to be. If you’re in the same boat, head over to Bryant Park, the green space-cum-fashion mecca boasting free WiFi, pop open your laptop, and plan your day with the help of the good people at Concierge.com. Tipping is optional.
http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/newyorkcity
http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/wireless.php
9:30 a.m.
ACQUIRE TRANSPORTATION
MetroCard
While we’d love to tell you private car is the way to go (and believe us, it is), we’ll be reasonable and recommend you grab a MetroCard at the nearest Subway stop. Good for buses and trains, it’s the best way to get around. That is, if you can’t find the Cash Cab.
10 a.m.
STOCK UP
Duane Reade & MUJI
You’ll need to gear up for a busy day (and night) in the unofficial capital of the world. For perishables, mixers and hotel room snacks, we recommend the NYC favorite Duane Reade – it’s like your pharmacy back home, just better and on every corner. For creature comforts, like the scarf you left at home or the foldable cardboard laptop speakers you never knew you needed, there’s MUJI, the brand-less Japanese general store that’s made its first American inroads in New York.
11 a.m.
A SOUVENIR FOR YOUR FRIENDS
UNICEF Store
While postcards are nice and snow globes charming, we recommend you pick out something thoughtful from the UNICEF store. FC Barcelona kits do well with the gents. Your friends (and thousands of children around the world) will thank you. Besides, it’s impossible to get a snow globe on a plane these days.
11:30 a.m.
A SOUVENIR FOR YOURSELF
MoMA Store
You’ve already treated yourself with a trip to New York, why not remember it? We suggest an art book or print from the gift shop at the Museum of Modern Art or, better yet, a useful knickknack from the MoMA design store across the street.
12 p.m.
GRAB SOME LUNCH (OPTION 1)
Sylvia’s Restaurant
Sure, Sylvia’s is so saturated with tourists that you’re more likely to sit next to someone from Spain than from Harlem, but sometimes tourist landmarks exist because they’re just so great. So get in line early and get a plate of chicken and waffles from Sylvia’s. The combination of sweet, salty, spicy and crunchy is worth the wait any day.
12 p.m.
GRAB SOME LUNCH (OPTION 2)
Ippudo
We know. You’ve had your share of ramen noodles. But when you’re in a city as culturally deep as New York, there’s no reason not to try something from overseas. Get yourself a table at chic Japanese noodle chain Ippudo and get yourself a table full appetizers and a few bowls of ramen for you and your friends. Best of all? It’s cheap. The New York location is Ippudo’s first entry into the American market, and we’re hoping it won’t be their last.
2 p.m.
SNAP SOME PHOTOS
Columbus Circle & Battery Park
You’ll want visual proof of your trip, right? Skip Times Square and head to two of our favorite spots. For that iconic shot of skyscrapers, monuments and Central Park, we suggest you take the blue line to Columbus Circle. While you’re there, spend some time at the Museum of Arts & Design, or at least marvel in its architecture. For that shot of the Statue of Liberty your mom’s been asking for, take the red line to Battery Park. Memorials, ferry rides and photo ops abound.
3 p.m.
GO SHOPPING
White Trash & Strand Book Store
Listen. We know there are a lot of museums (musea?) in New York. We know you’ll go to them. So we won’t bother telling you where they are. You know how to Google. Instead, we’d like to point you to some great places to pick up great things on the (relatively) cheap. Grab some vintage goods for your apartment or dorm at White Trash, the East Village stop for all things funky and found. Just make sure you save enough cash to ship your 1950′s Italian serving tray ahead of you. For something you can pack in your luggage, you can’t go wrong with a stack of swag from Strand Book Store, our bet for best bookstore ever. 18 miles of books. That’s all we have to say.
5 p.m.
HAVE A DRINK
The JakeWalk
No trip to New York would be complete without a few cheap drinks in Brooklyn. Whet your appetite with a happy hour stop off at a place with great atmosphere, wine by the bottle or the glass and a staggering selection of whiskeys. Bring your own conversation.
7 p.m.
DINNER TIME (OPTION 1)
Khyber Pass
When we’re in New York, we make a point to enjoy cuisines we can’t find back home. That’s why we’re so keen on Khyber Pass, a dark, cozy, rug-draped homage to a more peaceful time in Afghanistan. If you’ve never tried Afghan food, you have failed. Imagine Indian food fused with your favorite gyro place, and you’re getting close. Grab a table or, better yet, sit Indian style on some comfy pillows and start with a cup of tea, then dive in.
7 p.m.
DINNER TIME (OPTION 2)
Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, Inc.
There’s no excuse to skip Chinatown, so here’s your in: dinner and a show at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, Inc. While the staff might not be much for imaginative naming, we can’t say no to Northern Chinese noodles being acrobatically slung around a kitchen in full view, nor can we deny the allure of three-minute wait times. It’s even more joyous when you get the bill.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tasty-hand-pulled-noodles-inc-new-york
9 p.m.
SOMETHING SWEET
Serendipity 3
Yes, we understand that Serendipity 3 is a little cliche. And we understand that you and your ten closest friend aren’t ready to pitch in $100 each for a “Thousand Dollar Sundae”. Bottom line is, we’ve found ourselves there on every trip to the Big Apple. It’s almost like – well, you get the idea. Did our editor once walk 20 blocks in the middle of the night to get a Frozen Hot Chocolate? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
10 p.m.
DRINKS & JAZZ
Lenox Lounge
Finding authenticity isn’t hard if you look in the right places. The Lenox Lounge has entertained natives of Harlem and visitors from far away for decades with live jazz and stiff drinks. Nestle into this zebra-striped Art Deco piece of history and stay long past the two drink minimum. Billie Holiday and John Coltrane aren’t there anymore, but the place still hops, and you can get a pretty good steak, too (that is, if you’re still hungry).
12 a.m.
HIT THE SACK
East Village Bed & Coffee
Bed and breakfast is a bit too retirement-chic for us, so we recommend you stay at the East Village Bed & Coffee for the night. Curl up in a neat, subtly themed room or haunt the tiered common rooms for a while. It’s more than you’d expect in such a tiny place, and with rooms starting at $115, we strongly encourage you to book one now.
Sarah
January 1, 2010
Pretty interesting list. Can’t say I’ve ever had the desire to get up at 6AM to run in Central Park, but then again, I can’t say I’ve ever had the desire to get up at 6AM.
Muji is pretty trendy, but if you’re looking for a brighter and cheaper alternative, I suggest you check out UNIQLO in Soho.
Karla
January 5, 2010
Love that you suggested Khyber Pass – as “scary” as Afghan food can sound to Americans (and I’ll admit, I was one of them), this place is soooooo good – and pretty reasonable for being on St. Marks. And if you’d like to skip the tourist trap that is Chinatown, hop on the L and go one stop in to Brooklyn (@ Bedford) to enjoy the yumminess that is SEA.
Kate
February 12, 2010
I liked this article (I did!), but I do have a few minor issues to raise.
1. I understand you’re not actually suggesting we follow this schedule, but just to call it out- with how spread out these stops are, the metrocard would be only thing on this list that got any use. Anyone who actually tried to go to all these places in this order in one day would actually spend most of their time underground.
2. People in New York generally refer to the subway lines by their number or letter not color. You may get an eyebrow raise if you ask how to find the blue line.
3. I support the decision not to “wax poetic,” but hitting the sack at midnight?
Great list otherwise though! Will make sure to check out some of the restaurants soon.
luisdaniel
February 14, 2010
Private car is NOT the way to go at all. Precisely because you’re say you’re being reasonable. Parking. No need to go any further.
Totally agree on subway.
As for cabs, depends on the time of day. During rush hours, it is often faster to take the subway, especially long commutes. I’ve had several instances in which I’ve said to myself “I should have taken the subway”.
Ahh… Serendipity.
Ahh… Khyber Pass.
Also, if you’re into rock climbing, you can go rock climbing in Central Park
It’s no Monterrey, though.
Also, you forgot to mention: brunch at Thor. zOMG!1! sexy…