New York City Travel Guide

They say New York is the city that never sleeps, and even though it took a solid snooze over the pandemic, the frenetic energy has returned with a vengeance. This month, fashion week takes over all five boroughs—one of many reasons why, to quote Bill Burr’s SNL monologue, “New York is back, baby!” With that in mind, we compiled a guide for the absolute best ways to pass the time in what is universally considered to be the greatest city in the world, especially in the fall. Chalk it up to Meg Ryan; we don’t make the rules.

“Virgil Abloh: ‘Figures of Speech’” at The Brooklyn Museum

“One of the great things about Virgil is that he worked across disciplines and mediums,” Antwaun Sargent, who curated the posthumous exhibit honoring the late designer, previously told ELLE. “You have art, you have architecture, you have music, you have film, you have design, you have fashion.” It’s fitting then that “Figures of Speech” highlights Abloh’s multi-hyphenate nature, from designing Serena Williams’ Off-White x Nike “Queen” tennis dress to a creating a test press plate of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne album.

Classic Harbor Line’s Sunset Cruise

What could be more romantic, nay picturesque, than a sunset cruise aboard a yacht? Classic Harbor Line offers a host of non-touristy options, including rides with live jazz and wine and cheese pairings. (Yes, you’ll still get to see the Statue of Liberty.) Take advantage of the weather while you can, people.

Forest Hills Stadium

Originally home to the U.S. Open, this storied venue now hosts concerts with top billings like Death Cab for Cutie and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs set against the backdrop of tennis courts. Come for the tunes, stay for the plethora of food vendors. And if you’re feeling extra luxurious, spring for one of the stadium’s Speakeasy Suites, complete with a private viewing porch, bar, and concierge service team dressed in tennis whites.

Telfar Shopping Bag

AGOLDE Pieced 90s Pinch Waist Jeans

Kate Spade New York On a Roll Zip Cardholder

Saint Theo’s

From the ’80s New Wave soundtrack to the vintage-meets-modern décor and late-night menu, coastal Italian-inspired bistro Saint Theo’s is a place to see and be seen in every sense of the phrase. Highlights include Aperol spritzes and cicchetti (translation: Venetian small bites). Do this one for the ‘gram.

Mr. Capri

Run by Capri natives and brothers Alessandro and Mario Passante, Mr. Capri is the real deal when it comes to food (think: authentic Caprese dishes inspired by Passantes’ mother’s recipes, like prosciutto and fried burrata) and drinks (do not bypass the bar, with creative cocktails mixed by internationally renowned cocktail artist Cristina Bini—each one is cleverly named after a location on the island).

PLANTA Queen

It’s rare that vegan food actually tastes good, such is the case with PLANTA Queen. The plant-based Miami restaurant in New York’s Flatiron neighborhood serves up everything from sushi to bang bang broccoli, spicy noodles, pineapple fried rice, and cocktails with fantastic names like Herb Your Enthusiasm and Mez-Cal Me Maybe. Peloton’s Robin Arzón is a big fan.

Oscar de la Renta Floral-Embroidered Tulle Mini Dress

Loeffler Randall Lilla Thong Wrap Sandal Timber

JW Pei Rantan Super Mini Bag

L’Avenue at Saks

Nestled inside Saks and overlooking Fifth Avenue, the newly opened outdoor terrace at L’Avenue is a welcome respite in chaotic midtown. Have a cocktail or nosh on small bites—the sliders and fries are musts—as you peek at customers shopping inside. The ultimate people-watching experience.

Genesis House

An homage to the Korean car brand, Genesis House is a great spot to grab a drink, soak in the Hudson River views, and order some light bites courtesy of the in-house Michelin-starred restaurant and culinary institute Onjium, which serves up modern takes on traditional recipes, like gim bugak (translation: seaweed chips).

Fasano Caffè

If you manage to snag an invite to the fancy members-only club Fasano Fifth Avenue, you’d be silly not to go. Located right on Fifth Avenue (hence the name), its “caffè” is an impossibly chic place to sit, with occasional live music to boot.

Khaite Sasha Lace-Detailed Georgette Top

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Oma the Label Kano Earrings

Brother Vellies Paloma Sandal

The Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC

Say hello to the (relatively) new and improved Gansevoort. The iconic hotel underwent a multimillion dollar renovation over lockdown, and now boasts two restaurants—a European-inspired café and a pop-up sushi bar, Saishin—Banksys in the lobby, and a refurbished rooftop pool.

The Bowery Hotel

There’s a reason why The Bowery remains one of the city’s most desirable hotels, if only for the celeb sightings in the lobby. After you cozy up with a martini by the fireplace, opt for a stay in one of its opulent rooms (outdoor shower on the terrace, anyone?).

TWA Hotel

Surely you’ve seen the red and white corridors on Instagram, but how about the (surprisingly quiet) suites? Don’t let TWA Hotel’s location at JFK fool you: the cozy bed, martini bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows will make you feel like you’ve transported to the 1960s in the best way possible. This is the way to take advantage of a cancelled flight.

Rimowa Cabin Neon

Slip Silk Sleep Mask & Hair Tie Set

by Raven Leilani Luster

Youth to the People Superfood Peptide Eye Cream

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The perfect eye cream for the city that never sleeps. Relieve those tired eyes with this fast-absorbing cream that’s packed with aloe to soothe and peptides to plump.  

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops

Chances are you’ll get in a good amount of walking while in NYC. Protect your skin from the elements, including but not limited to: the very hot sun or very cold snow, the very packed subway, the very lost tourists, and the very dirty Times Square. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Anti-Pollution Drops is an easy-to-use (you just need one droplet a day!) serum that works to defend your skin against daily pollution and environmental aggressors.  

Long live second (or third or fourth) day hair. Give your roots a spritz of Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo and you won’t ever need to stop back at your hotel. Key ingredients like rice starch and volcanic minerals work to detoxify strands and cleanse the hair so it will appear stronger and healthier between washes.  

MAISON MARGIELA Replica Jazz Club Fragrance

If you make it off the island of Manhattan to the land of hipsters, a never-running G train, and the feast of Smorgasburg, you’ll find yourself in Brooklyn. This fragrance, inspired by the borough’s jazz club scene, has woodsy notes of smooth cocktails and smoking cigars.  To answer the question of the most notorious BK resident, “Where Brooklyn at?” Bottled, in this fragrance.  

Claire Stern is the Deputy Editor of ELLE.com. Previously, she served as Editor at Bergdorf Goodman. Her interests include fashion, food, travel, music, Peloton, and The Hills—not necessarily in that order. She used to have a Harriet the Spy notebook and isn’t ashamed to admit it.