24 Hours in NYC: SoHo, Bowery, LES
New York City is one of my favourite places to getaway. It buzzes with an electric energy, the perfect city for a restless spirit. There is something new to see, someone new to meet, or some new adventure waiting at every turn. Ever been to a speakeasy? You can in New York. An interactive play? You can in New York. Watch the best comedians in the world perform at a dingy Village bar? In New York, you can do just about anything.
The trouble with unlimited possibilities is the daunting task of planning an itinerary. Since there is nothing I enjoy more than sharing travel tips with friends, I wanted to share with you my first (of many) cheat sheets for 24-hours in New York.
This itinerary focuses on Lower Manhattan, particularly the neighbourhood south of Houston Street, known as SoHo, as well as the historic Bowery and hipster Lower East Side (LES). It will cover the best restaurants, cafes, shops and attractions in each, helping you to make the most of your trip. Make sure to pack your runners… you’ve got a lot of ground to cover!
A.M. in Lower Manhattan: Street Art, Brunch, Shopping
Goooood morning and welcome to New York! Wake up fully refreshed in your cozy white duvet at the LES’ The Ludlow Hotel. Brush your teeth, splash your face, you’ve got things to see! First thing’s first: swing around to Kelsey Montague's What Lifts You mural on the way to breakfast. Snap a few pics and enjoy the street art that has come to define the city.
89 Likes, 4 Comments - Maddie Pace (@madelinepace) on Instagram: "Is this how you @taylorswift?"
Next stop: brekky. SoHo may be more popularly known as New York’s hippest neighbourhood but it is also arguably the epicentre of New York’s brunch obsession. Two of my favourites are the breakfast sandwich hotspot Egg Shop, or vegan-mecca The Butcher’s Daughter, located just kitty corner. Get the avocado toast at The Butcher’s Daughter or the Hot Chix sandwich at Egg Shop (a fresh take on the Vietnamese bahn mi).
If you decide to hold off on the coffee at breakfast there are a couple adorable cafes just around the corner to explore. For the green tea fan, Cha Cha Matcha is the spot you’ve been looking for. Complete with a matcha soft serve machine, this cafe will give you a boost in no time. If you prefer your caffeine au traditionale, check out Happy Bones. Lattes are served with a tortoise shell stir spoon, which truly made me happier than I should’ve been about a spoon.
Now that you’ve been fueled up for the day it’s time to head to Broadway. No trip to New York City is complete without at least a little bit of window shopping. Many of the stores along Broadway are the brand HQ’s or flagships so you may see items you can’t get anywhere else. Check out Madewell and The Vintage Twin on Broadway. If you feel like browsing a bit more, a few blocks west you can find famed vintage store What Goes Around Comes Around, or a few blocks south, the glowy, dewy heaven known as the Glossier Showroom.
P.M. in Lower Manhattan: Lunch, Museums, Happy Hour, Dinner
Feeling a little peckish? Why don’t you grab a bite at the ever-popular sister-duo dumpling house Mimi Cheng’s before wrapping up your day soaking in some history at the Tenement Museum. The Tenement Museum is a collection of apartments in a five story tenement building which housed immigrants from over 20 nations. It is a fascinating way to learn about the immigrant experience in America and appreciate the multiculturalism of the city.
With all that walking, eating and learning, it’s almost dinner time! For the most gorgeous happy hour venue, check out NoMo Kitchen at the Mondrian SoHo before strolling up to your final destination of the evening: Cherche Midi. One of New York’s most famous restauranteurs, Keith McNally, of the equally buzzy and legendary Minetta Tavern and Balthazar, serves up incredible French bistro fare in this Bowery hotspot.
Hop in a iconic yellow cab or wander back on foot to the Ludlow for a good night’s rest. Before bed, take a relaxing soak in the gorgeous tub in the impeccably designed, white-subway-tiled, and brushed-gold-applianced bathroom. Sweet dreams, in the City of Dreams.
Let us know if there are any fabulous spots that we missed - it will be a certain stop on our next trip to the Big Apple. Until then, stay tuned for our next 24-hours in New York itinerary!
The Ludlow Bar
