There is nothing more exciting than flying into New York City, seeing that sky line once again, for the first time, the thrill never changes! It’s big, it’s indulgent, it’s unattainable, yet nostalgic and completely, completely magical. We arrived under the bluest of skies, jumped into a very yellow taxi and headed into Manhattan. With only 48 hours, no time at all, but still time to soak up the city.

I wont lie, the small window of time, came with an overwhelm of choices, decisions, budget crises. My husband, eager for a more chilled mooch (his words) with me wanting to fit in as much as possible with little sleep and a go, go, go attitude.  There may have been a few conversations of ‘you have organised the fun out of it’ but hey when every minute counts, no, when every ‘New York minute’ counts what can you do? I feel we reached a happy medium -well sort of, and although we only had 48 hours it really did feel like so much longer. We had two days of all embracing, adrenaline inducing, dream worthy New York City in the Fall!

I give recommendations lightly, I can feel so easily overwhelmed with what you ‘should do’ and ‘what is cool to do’ when we travel, so take as you will if you find yourself with two days in NYC! There is nothing overly new, some return visits and some new ones for us, and lots were recommendations from friends, followers and of course Instagram.

So here goes, 2880 New York minutes:

We dropped off bags in at our hotel in Midtown, we stayed at The Life Hotel, and headed straight for coffee with my cousin, in the Hudson Yard area, we were drinking coffee looking over the Hudson and under The Vessel, within an hour of landing in LaGuardia. Diving straight in to the busy blue skied NYC, walking the streets, with the smoke lingering from the subway, the noise and urgency, the loud conversations on the phones, all the weird and wonderful that you see, hear and soak up in NYC. All can come to a halt when you are just crossing the road and happen to look up and there is the Empire State hovering over you- Just like that!

Bagels were devoured at Russ & Daughter, I’ve been dreaming of a scallion cream cheese and it hit the spot.  It has been said they are the best bagels in NY, bold statement but they were pretty damn good. Fuelling us for the next venture -Central Park. We went via the subway, this system we never got the hang of and ended up in Brooklyn twice by accident, another story, but Central Park was every poetic vision it should be in the Fall. Oranges, rust, yellows, reds, burgundies, all the colours, the quiet away from the bustle, the calm on the water. I could have stayed in this bubble for many more minutes, alas Brooklyn Bridge was calling and our minutes were ticking.

A quick change and refresh back at the hotel, we took the long and wrong subway to Brooklyn and then back again, (because we had so much time to waste) but eventually made it to the City Hall Park, complete with a hot dog ( him, not me) for the walk across the bridge. The light! Oh the light at this hour was incredible. It was busy, yet you could still feel in your own NY bubble whilst walking across the bridge, and the excitement of walking away from the sky line, once again. It took about 45 minutes to stop-start walk across to DUMBO and up to the Time Out bar to watch the skyline turn twinkly over Manhattan- magic. We hopped back on the subway , the right one this time and ended the first day in the West Village, with a slice from NY institution Joe’s Pizza (could have had 5 more) and then bundled into Aurthur’s Tavern for Jazz and champagne, up at the bar, for an evening with the The Grove Street Stompers. The entrance is free, with a drinks tab of $16 per person per session and cash only. The decor is classic speakeasy ambience, the clientele are friendly locals, tourist or jazz enthusiasts, and the vibe – friendly old school New York- perfect! This was the slow New York minute, the take a breath for a minute , the warm, cosy, and the Old New York and the ideal way to end an Autumnal full day in NYC!

Minute 1440, started with the classic blueberry pancakes and refill coffee, so bad and so good at the same time and a very long walk back to the West Village, and a return visit Perry Street was high on the agenda (no need to explain why) A peruse around the brownstones complete with Halloween decor to rival any Hocus Pocus! and old favourites like Magnolia Bakery. Unfortunately the pancakes were still sitting high so there was no room at the inn for the famous banana pudding- next time. We continued the strolling to the East Village to take in vintage and independent shops, absorbing, albeit briefly, the creative and cultural buzz of this part of the city, obviously we had to have a visit to the Old Friend photo booth- (Instagram influenced obviously). Just be prepared for the first picture happening immediately, not my most flattering capture. All this to work up an appetite for the next New York institution -Katz Deli. Once we worked out the system, more successfully than the subway I’d add, a pastrami on rye complete with gherkins was ordered, collected and devoured.

Left with about 120 minutes free before heading to The Edge for sunset. What to do? A thousand things, but really can you go to New York and not see the the lady? Clearly we can’t! Staten Island it was to be! It’s so easy, it blows away the cobwebs, it’s oh so Melanie Griffiths -Working Girl 1988, and…. it’s free! Forever breath taking, wistful and special!

Final stop – The Edge was recommended to us and the only thing I had pre booked, so back to the Hudson Yard area it was. The sun came out as we reached the top to take in the 360 degrees views of Manhattan and where I finally got to spot my favourite- Chrysler building , sitting with charm amongst the concrete jungle. It was very cool! A slow and final walk back along parts of the High Line before cocktails at Apotheke Bar. There were many versions planned for this 2nd night but this won purely due to exhaustion levels and being a 6 minute walk from the hotel- needs must! Apotheke, was again Speakeasy vibe, Art Deco, with views of the Empire Sate and the cocktails were good, oh and we got ID’d – highlight of the trip! All before ending the night on one last slice of pizza, pepperoni this time!

Were we exhausted? Yes! Was it worth it? – Absolutely! Did we need another 48 hours? Most definitely! Do I have an even longer list of what we didn’t get to do and more to do next time? Of course! But even in the most fleeting of visits, the excitement of a trip to New York City never wavers. The rush of adrenaline that hits, the bowl you over of force, the absolute intoxication of energy, the familiar and unfamiliar, the dream and the real life, all existing in a perfect bubble of 2880 New York minutes – magic! 

Thank you for reading x