24 Hours in Downtown NYC
📍 Meatpacking District, NYC
Blazer || Blouse || Jeans || Sneakers || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Lip Color
I think I have perfected day trips to New York. Ideally, I would much rather spend full weeks or longer in a city that never sleeps, but I’ll take all the time I can get. This time last year, I highlighted 18 hours in NYC, which is the very minimum of time you would need if you’re making an effort. On this most recent trip, our actual destination was the Hamptons to celebrate our friend’s birthday. The timing just worked out for us to spend a day to ourselves in Manhattan before heading Out East. Here’s a quick look at our 24 hours in Downtown NYC.
10 am: Land in NYC
Whenever I travel, I always try to take the first flight out. From the Tampa airport, that gets me to JFK just before 10 in the morning. Traffic commute is still alive and well, making Ubers terribly expensive. Instead of that headache, I’ve loved hopping on the train and getting sent directly to Penn Station. I truly don’t think it takes any more or less time and is a fraction of the cost. Plus, there are a lot of great hotel options within walking distance. I can’t recommend this insider hack enough, especially if you want to get to Midtown or the west side of Manhattan!
11 am: Check-In at the Maritime Hotel
After our typical train ride, we took the subway for one stop to stay at a new-to-us hotel. When we lived in the city, we always loved escaping to Chelsea for some of our favorite restaurants, bars, and museums. When the Maritime Hotel appeared on my radar, I just knew I had to book a stay with them. This spot is a landmark and is full of history, but it’s the nautical decor that really won me over. Each room faces the Hudson River and offers incredible sunsets each night. Although we were only in the city for the day, it was a great place to lay our heads for the night.
12 pm: Lunch at Empire Diner
Let me introduce you to your new favorite restaurant in Chelsea. Because it was a bit of a journey from the UES, Empire Diner was our special treat once a month for breakfast. It’s a classic diner with a much more modern feel, but you can expect all of the New York staples. I had been thinking of their pastrami sandwich for months, and it’s just as good as I remember. The horseradish coleslaw and spicy brown mustard send me! Stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
1 pm: Explore Your Neighborhood
With most visitors gravitating to the Upper East Side, the West Village, or SoHo, Chelsea is a bit of an unsung favorite! It can be a bit gritty sometimes, but there’s so much beauty here too! Stroll along the High Line, a former rail line turned public park space. Here you can admire the stunning new architecture that has begun to redefine the neighborhood and the al fresco art exhibits that rotate pieces frequently. At the very end of the line is the Whitney Museum of American Art. The collection includes over 25,000 pieces and ranges widely in aesthetics. End your visit at Studio Bar, on the eighth floor of the Whitney, for a cocktail and a great view of the city.
3 pm: Shop in the Meatpacking District
Oops! I was a bit naughty on this trip, but I promise it’s only the essentials. The nearby Meatpacking District has an incredible selection of boutiques, including a stunning Hermès space. After four years of wearing my Oran Sandals thin, I finally got a replacement pair. The fresh, new pair is even prettier than I remember. When you’re in the Chelsea area, be sure to visit the other shops that call the neighborhood home. The repurposed warehouses offer many opportunities and new brands to explore.
5 pm: Drinks at Bar Pisellino
After you freshen up in your hotel room, take a stroll down to the West Village for some Happy Hour. The walk will only take you about 15 minutes, but it’s such a treat to take in this neighborhood. Sometimes, it feels like the heart of the city, with countless New Yorkers cutting loose after a busy day. We were able to snag a table at Bar Pisellino, a stunning corner bar that has an old-world Italian feel. David and I relished in our Negronis as we watched another NYC night begin. I cannot recommend this space enough.
7 pm: Dinner Reservations at Tiny’s
Whenever I visit New York, I always try to prioritize trying new restaurants. On this trip, I found the joy in taking a fresh look at old favorites, including dinner. Tiny’s is a neighborhood favorite in the heart of Tribeca. With its pink facade, it wonderfully stands out, and so does its menu! Some of our favorite date nights took place here, including our first night together in the city. It’s so lovely to see this spot get even better with time. Cheers to many more visits and date nights to come!
9 pm: Night Cap at Holywater
Just around the corner from Tiny’s is this absolute gem of a bar. Holywater is part of the same family as Seaworthy, this great seafood spot in New Orleans. Open the nondescript door and be welcomed by a world of nautical flair. While the decor is definitely maritime, the menu still has the New Orleans-inspired flavors that I love. The playlist was absolutely on point. I only regret that I didn’t know about this spot sooner. Holywater is open until 1 am, but I was happily in bed at our hotel by 10:30 pm.
6 am: Morning Walks Through the West Village
Since we had a pretty normal bedtime, we took advantage of an early wake-up call to walk the West Village. The peace and quiet of a Saturday morning aren’t what you usually find in Manhattan, but I love every second of it. The lighting was absolutely stunning, and I wanted to take pictures of each corner I stumbled upon. There’s so much history in this particular neighborhood, and you can’t help but drink it in.
8 am: Breakfast at Jack’s Wife Freda
Jack’s Wife Freda can be found in a few different spots in New York, but I love the location on Carmine Street the best. I have a fond memory of randomly popping in for brunch on a rainy Sunday morning. Their menu is simultaneously Mediterranean and French-inspired. I ordered their version of Croque Madame, and it was just incredible. We also ordered a side of their duck bacon, and I can’t recommend it enough!
9 am: Get a Snack To-Go
It may seem strange to pick up coffee and a snack immediately after breakfast, but I was prepping for the upcoming train trip. Still staying in the West Village, we made our way to the Sant Ambroeus on West 4th Street. I typically visit the location on the Upper East Side, but this corner café seems the most intuned with the restaurant’s Milanese roots. I ordered an iced coffee and sandwich to go, which was the perfect treat for the train ride out east.
10 am: Off to Your Next Destination
And just like that, our time in the city was done. We picked up our luggage from the Maritime Hotel and headed to Penn Station. From there, it was a seamless trip to the Hamptons for a few days of birthday festivities. If you haven’t yet, I would love for you to take a peek at my recent blog post about the new Canoe Place Inn. The hotel is one of the latest additions to the Hamptons scene, and I simply loved it!
24 Hours in NYC just doesn’t seem like enough time. If you focus on one neighborhood or area, like Downtown Manhattan, and plan accordingly, you can make the most of your visit. I’m already looking forward to my next trip, I’m thinking October or November, and I’ll share all of the details soon.
Love from NYC,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.
