Discovering New York City by visiting its coolest spots and most exclusive addresses is one of the most memorable experiences you can have. Five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, exclusive clubs, and panoramic rooftops offering the world’s most breathtaking views.
There are countless places in the city to experience life like a true New Yorker. We’ve handpicked a few must-dos for every moment of the day, from Sunday brunches to sunset cocktails overlooking Manhattan’s skyscrapers, from Michelin-starred lunches to nights out in the city’s most exclusive clubs. Here’s where to go.
New York: from morning to night, in the coolest places
A brunch in New York
If you find yourself in New York on a weekend, the best brunch is at The Lambs Club, just a short walk from Times Square and the Broadway theatres. It’s an old-school venue that, when it opened in the early 1900s in the same Georgian-style building (today one of New York’s historic sites), began as a private club founded by a group of actors and frequented by Broadway crowds, where you can still sample classic American dishes: hamburgers, eggs Benedict, Caesar salad, and avocado toast.
Sitting on the red velvet sofas of this restaurant, surrounded by portraits of all the stars who have visited, feels like stepping back in time. The perfect combo is to catch one of the many Broadway shows—afternoons included—then visit the newly opened Museum of Broadway, where costumes and memorabilia from the most famous productions are on display, from the iconic Cats to Phantom of the Opera (the most successful show in theatre history), from Chicago to the more recent The Lion King.
Where to have lunch in New York
For lunch or dinner, the top address is Cut, curated by Wolfgang Puck at the brand-new Four Seasons Downtown Manhattan, a stone’s throw from Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum (a visit not to be missed, perhaps with CityPASS which grants access to New York’s major attractions). Here you can savor one of the city’s best Wagyu sirloin cuts and perhaps spot a celebrity who frequents the place. Guests lucky enough to stay in this splendid hotel can enjoy suites with terraces offering sweeping views of one of the city’s most vibrant zones. It’s no coincidence that the suites are named Oculus Suite (after the iconic building that rose on the World Trade Center site), Empire Suite, Liberty Suite, Tribeca Suite, precisely for the views you can admire directly from the room.
This area is utterly among the most visited in the city due to the fountains and the 9/11 Memorial, and now also the building hosting the PAC NYC, the Performing Arts Center—the latest addition to the Ground Zero redevelopment—a 49-by-49-meter cube clad in marble slabs that, at night, glows a magnificent amber color, impossible to ignore.
One of the most beautiful and iconic views in New York can be enjoyed from the vast panoramic window at the MO Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental New York in Columbus Circle, looking over Central Park and the new Manhattan skyline with the latest ultra-slim skyscrapers (such as 111 West 57th Street, the slimmest in the world, Central Park Tower, and 53W53 designed by Jean Nouvel). Here, the Afternoon Tea (starting at noon) with signature sweets is a must.
A stroll through Central Park is a prerequisite to fully soak in the New York atmosphere—watching people run, stroll, walk with dogs, push strollers, read a book on the grass, or listen to a saxophonist improvise. The new wing of the American Museum of Natural History, the Gilder Center, features architecture reminiscent of Gaudí. Perfect for travelers with kids, yet stunning for adults as well, with the butterfly vivarium, the dinosaur hall, and the blue whale exhibit—the largest specimen of its kind in the world.
Aperitif with a view of Manhattan
Come cocktail hour, you should try the wine bar in the intimate lounge of the new boutique Hotel AKA NoMad by Piero Lissoni on Madison Avenue. Here, the bartender offers a tasting of wines—or cocktails—accompanied by boards of the finest cured meats and cheeses. The location is strategic, especially if you spend the afternoon wandering the shopping streets (a must-stop, Tiffany & Co., to feast your eyes or grab a pre-dinner inspiration, much like in the movie, at the fourth-floor bar inside the Tiffany-blue windows).
Those fortunate enough to stay at this luxurious hotel can enjoy rooms with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Empire State Building and one of Manhattan’s most famous avenues. It is the address most recommended after visiting perhaps the city’s top recent attraction: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, situated between floors 57 and 59 of the skyscraper opened in 2020 above Grand Central Station. It is the highest observation point in midtown Manhattan and the perfect place to take in the city’s imposing skyline.
If you are after a striking view, the best aperitif is at the rooftop of the new The Gansevoort Meatpacking, a modern art hotel that showcases magnificent works by Banksy, Andy Warhol, and others, with expansive loft-style rooms a short walk from Chelsea Market and the West Village, offering a splendid glimpse of the Hudson River. The top floor houses a bar that feels like a winter garden—fully enclosed within glass, including the ceiling. The terrace even extends outdoors, for an even better vantage, perhaps after a dip in the pool.
Dinner in New York
Evening dining by candlelight awaits at Locanda Verde, the Greenwich Hotel’s Italian-style restaurant, part of The Leading Hotels of the World, located in Tribeca, the neighborhood of American actors. This tavern, named by Esquire Magazine as the city’s best new restaurant, embodies classic New York styling with red brick walls, bookshelves brimming with volumes and design objects, a setting that makes Italians feel right at home. It’s a rustic-chic spot serving the city’s finest homemade pasta.
Night out in New York
After dinner, there’s no better place to end the day than The Jazz Club at the Aman hotel, the temple of New York’s music where cultures mingle in a way you’ll only find here. It’s a Midtown Midtown speakeasy where you can enjoy a live session and cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. The priciest option, around $250, features Highland 35-year-old Scotch, 10-year Bourbon, and gold leaf, paired with premium caviar-based bites also adorned with gold leaves.
Next time you visit New York, be sure to try at least one of these incredible luxury experiences the city has to offer. And if you think that isn’t enough, New York City Tourism provides countless ideas on what to do across all the boroughs of the city.
