Ten Quintessential New York Experiences
In celebration of The Peninsula New York’s 30th anniversary, we roundup the ten quintessentially New York experiences, from book-ahead dining and nightlife to world-class museums and meditative havens. Start spreading the news...
Bergdorf Goodman. The granddaddy of department stores lures the luxury shopper with its expansive cache of everything covetable, from high fashion (with personal styling) and the latest must-have handbag to boutique cosmetics and objets d’art for the home.
9/11 Memorial. Nigh on 20 years later, September 11 is a date deeply ingrained in the New York psyche. Understand why with a quiet moment at these twin reflecting pools, provides a heartbreaking but important insight into one of the nation’s greatest tragedies.
Daniel. Local legend Daniel Boulud has been enchanting diners with his culinary largesse for nearly 30 years, and you’ll need to book months in advance to join them. The iconic red n’ gold Renaissance-style salon requires a jacket, while the front lounge offers a relaxed ambience with its slightly more lenient dress code. Order the black-truffle scallop in puff pastry, and thank us later.
Salon de Ning. Gussy up glam for rooftop tipples at The Pen’s own 1930s Shanghai-inspired rosewood doll, attracting the city’s style set with its sense-awakening Sino cocktails (think lychee martini). Nab a daybed on the terrace for clincher 5th Ave penthouse panoramas.
Tenement Museum. In a city built on immigration, there are few insights more important than this Lower East Side C.19th tenement building, returned to its former gritty glory as a painstakingly restaged house museum. Trot along on one of their illuminating neighbourhood tours.
Gramercy Tavern. This hearty, evergreen crowd-pleaser has been setting the gold standard for both modern American fare and attentive hospitality for two decades and counting. For the best NY vibe, we suggest skipping the formal dining room and grabbing a table in the rustic front parlour.
Metropolitan Museum of Art. The country's largest art museum heaves with more than two million works, including some of the world’s most significant. Tackling it alone can be daunting so why not join resident-led tour guide Hack the Met, offering entertaining insider jaunts through the hallowed halls with an emphasis on lesser-known pieces.
Russ & Daughters. Choose between the original century-old family-run shop in the Lower East Side and the stylish, airy sit-down cafe iteration, two blocks south on Orchard. Whichever way you sway, expect to queue for its famed bagels and lox, and traditional kosher comfort food like potato latkes. Geschmack!
The High Line. This elevated rail line turned public park, with panoramic city and Hudson vistas, stretches from the Meatpacking District all the way up to 34th street. Weekends are rammed so search out the slightly quieter patch north of 24th, or go early for an oh-so lovely morning stroll.
Please Don’t Tell. In the city that saw the first ever speakeasy, it would be rude not to check out this tipsy hideaway tucked behind unassuming Crif Dogs (clock those delish hot dogs for later). Low-key, intimate and unpretentious, this taxidermied boîte is still one of NYC’s best. Try the bacon-infused Old Fashioned.
Bergdorf Goodman / Women’s: 754 5th Ave / Men’s: 745 5th Ave / +1 212 753 7300 / 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm Sun / bergdorfgoodman.com
9/11 Memorial / 180 Greenwich St / +1 212 312 8800 / 7.30am-9pm daily / timed entry / book up to 3 months in advance / 911memorial.org
Daniel / 60 E 65th St / +1 212 288 0033 / dinner Mon-Sat / danielnyc.com
Salon de Ning / 23/F / The Peninsula / 700 5th Ave / +1 212 903 3097 / 5pm-1am Mon-Sat, 5pm-midnight Sun / peninsula.com
Tenement Museum / 103 Orchard St / +1 877 975 3786 / 10am-6.30pm Fri-Wed, 10am-8.30pm Thu / access by tour only / tenement.org
Gramercy Tavern / 42 E 20th St / +1 212 477 0777 / lunch & dinner daily / gramercytavern.com
Metropolitan Museum of Art / 1000 5th Ave / +1 212 535 7710 / 10am-5.30pm Sun-Thu, 10am-9pm Fri-Sat / metmuseum.org
Russ & Daughters/ 179 E Houston St / 8am-6pm Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun, 8am-7pm Thu / or Russ & Daughters Cafe / 127 Orchard St / +1 212 475 4880 / 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm Sat-Sun / russanddaughters.com
The High Line / from Gansevoort St to W 34th St / +1 212 500 6035 / 7am-11pm daily / thehighline.org
Please Don’t Tell / 113 St Mark's Pl / +1 212 614 0386 / 6pm-2am Sun-Thu, 6pm-3am Fri-Sat / pdtnyc.com