72 Hours In New York: Where To Stay, Shop, Sip & Eat Your Way Through The City That Never Sleeps

The Big Apple. The Concrete Jungle. The City That Never Sleeps. Call it what you like, but New York City doesn’t just live up to the hype – it defines it. More than a destination, it’s a rite of passage; a place that belongs on every serious traveller’s shortlist. New York occupies a rare space in the global imagination; a city that feels both cinematic and deeply personal, as if you’ve known it long before you arrive. There’s a reason directors keep turning their cameras toward it, why shows like Sex and the City and Friends made it a character in its own right, and why songwriters continue to name-drop it – NYC pulses with an energy that doesn’t just move you, it remakes you.

Everywhere you look, New Yorkers move with purpose; the true definition of hustle and bustle. When night falls, the tempo only quickens; bars hum with conversation, the restaurants have queues down the street, and the city unfurls an endless menu of ways to eat, drink and dive headfirst into its rhythm.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, one truth remains: you’ll never see it all. But that’s part of the thrill. To help you tap into the city’s many layers, this three-day guide explores three distinct neighbourhoods. From cult-favourite restaurants and buzzing bars to standout vintage shops, independent boutiques and essential stops for art and culture lovers, consider this your launchpad for a New York experience that’s anything but generic...

Day 1

Check Into... One of the latest additions to hit New York’s hotel scene is The Manner, tucked away in SoHo. Think: staying at your most stylish friend’s place – effortlessly cool and dripping in that classic NYC sexiness. If you’re after something a little more budget-friendly (well, New York budget-friendly), check into The Standard, East Village, with its dreamy Manhattan views and a hidden garden perfect for cocktails.

Once You’re Settled... Start your trip with lunch at Frenchette, a beautiful, laidback French bistro in Lower Manhattan. It’s the perfect spot to ease into the city’s energy, with a standout brunch and lunch menu. Don’t miss the omelette and fries – the eggs are unbelievably fluffy – best enjoyed alongside something from the superb natural wine list. (Quick side note: if you love a good grocery store moment while travelling, don’t miss Happier Grocery just around the corner. It’s honestly one of the chicest food stores you’ll ever walk into).

Make Time For... The Whitney Museum of American Art, which is around a 35-minute walk uptown from Frenchette and a great excuse to explore the West Village along the way. The museum itself is large, airy and offers beautiful views over the river. Its permanent collection highlights some of the best American art throughout history, alongside contemporary exhibitions (recently featuring the incredible Amy Sherald). Even better, it offers a range of discounted tickets and free entry on select days, including every day for those 25 and under.

For A Sweet Treat... Head to Van Leeuwen’s for some seriously good ice cream, then wander over to Pier 51 at Hudson River Park, or Pier 53 ,where breezy benches with sweeping river views invite you to slow down, savour and take in the city from a quieter angle.

Have Pre-Dinner Drinks At... Parcelle in Greenwich Village or Bar Veloce (they’re right next to one another). On warm evenings, their outdoor seating hits just right and both offer a great selection of organic wines and inventive cocktails, perfect for easing you into the night.

Book Dinner At... Cha Cha Tang – a fun, vibrant Cantonese restaurant with dimly lit, sultry interiors and plush red seating that make it easy to lose track of time. The menu is equally captivating – you’ll want to try everything, but the XO Fried Rice? A showstopper.

End The Night... with a drinks reservation at the new Clemente Bar, located above the renowned Eleven Madison Park restaurant. This intimate cocktail bar feels like stepping into one of the hospitality world’s best-kept secrets. The drinks menu is expertly curated, making it a very special way to end your first night.

Day 2

Head Over To... Brooklyn and grab breakfast at Public Records. By day, it’s a relaxed café and co-working space with a brilliant selection of independent magazines to browse and buy. By night, it transforms into a club, hosting some of the best DJs from around the world, so definitely check their events calendar before you go. (And if you’re gluten-free, make time for Sixteen Mill Bakery – their coeliac-friendly bakes are genuinely life-changing.)

Get Lost Down... Atlantic Avenue, where some of Brooklyn’s best-kept shopping secrets unfold. From Consignment Brooklyn and Salter House to Outline and PORTA, this street is a playground for those who know how to hunt for the unique.

Grab Lunch At... Montague Diner, if you’re after a no-nonsense Americana fix. This charming neighbourhood spot serves up the classics with flair: juicy cheeseburgers, crispy chicken wings and Tater Tots you’ll be dreaming of for weeks.

Keep The Shopping Momentum Going... over in DUMBO, where you’ll find Front General Store & FGS Outpost, as well as Crowley Vintage. Their curation is fabulous, though admittedly, it leans toward the aspirational side! But who doesn’t love a bit of window shopping and casual browsing? DUMBO is also home to that iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge between the buildings, in case you’re after a photo opp.

Make Room For... Brooklyn’s legendary Junior’s; one of the most iconic spots for New York Cheesecake.

Make A Pit-Stop At... Petit Paulette. All that shopping and walking is thirsty work, so by this point you’ll probably be after a refreshment. Petit Paulette is a charming natural wine bar and the perfect sun trap come golden hour. If you fancy staying for dinner, head next door to sister restaurant Cafe Paulette. Or...

Book Dinner At... Roman’s. Just up from Petit Paulette, this Italian spot is a must-try. The menu is simple but absolutely delicious, with standout dishes including prosciutto cavatelli and fava bean purée. The space has that the perfect mix of low lighting and lively atmosphere – the kind of place you’ll feel lucky to snag a table at.

Order A Nightcap... just round the corner at Dick & Jane’s. This spot is the perfect end to your night. The cocktails are top-tier, the playlist is a crowd-pleaser and the vibe, unbeatable. During our visit, we sipped margaritas and swayed to Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.

Day 3

Take The Subway...up to 86th Street and visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – one of Carrie Bradshaw’s favourites, an NYC classic and definitely worth a visit. From there, you can stroll down 5th Avenue, taking in the stunning park-facing apartment buildings as you make your way to the natural next cultural stop: the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Walk Through... Central Park as you head back downtown. You’ll pass plenty of cafés along the way if you need a pick-me-up, but on a beautiful day, nothing beats this one.

Keep Sightseeing... through Midtown, down 57th Street – or hop on the subway back down to Lower Manhattan and head to Chinatown. Grab lunch at Corner Bar, part of the stunning Nine Orchard Hotel – it’s open all day with a menu full of global bistro classics, such as prawn cocktail and steak with French fries.

For An Unexpected Shopping Fix... head to 75 East Broadway Mall, which may look like a rundown food market from the outside, but don’t be fooled. Step inside and you’ll find a great mix of independent designers and vintage sellers, including Reservations Only, James Veloria (a favourite of Hunter Schafer), and Janky Vintage. 

Grab A Drink At... Time Again Bar in Chinatown. It’s the place to be when the weather’s nice: people spill out onto the street on plastic chairs, sipping Aperol or Campari spritzes. If you’re after a little more action, check out Le Dive or Bar Belly, though getting a seat at either can be a challenge!

Secure A Dinner Reservation At... Cervo’s. We had a fantastic dinner at this seafood restaurant, just down the road from Time Again. The crowd was cool and creative, offering plenty of style inspiration to bring back to the UK. We dined al fresco, watching NYC’s nightlife slowly ignite as the night unfolded.

For A Final Cocktail And A Dance... End the night at the Treasure Club, just a minute around the corner from Cervo’s. It’s a fun bar with a live DJ often spinning tunes. You can relax in one of their booths or, if you’re in the mood, get up and dance – either way, it’s a great way to end your time in the city.