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. That’s right: fashion week is upon us—one of many reasons why NYC is definitively back. With that in mind, we compiled a guide for the best ways to pass the time in what is universally considered to be the greatest city in the world, even in the winter. Chalk it up to Carrie Bradshaw; we don’t make the rules.
What to See
Kimberly Akimbo
You’ll leave Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway asking yourself, “How’d they do it?” How’d they break my heart, make me laugh, fill me up with indescribable joy, and ice skate onstage? The breathtaking musical is focused on Kimberly Lavaco, a teenage girl with a disease that causes her to age four and a half times faster than normal, and her journey toward happiness. It’s an intriguing premise, complete with a beautiful score by Jeanine Tesori, impactful book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, and incredible performances (Victoria Clark as Kimberly will sit with you for months on end). Head over to the Booth Theatre immediately if not sooner.
Pier 57 Rooftop Park
Even if you don’t work at Google, you can still enjoy the (free) views atop one of its buildings, thanks to the new 80,000-square-foot rooftop park at Pier 57. Scope out the skyline, including the neighboring Little Island, and stay tuned—it’s slated to be an outdoor screening location for the Tribeca Film Festival in June.
Alaïa
At long last, Alaïa has landed stateside—nearly 40 years after the house’s founder, Azzedine Alaïa, opened his first NYC outpost. The sophisticated store with white and dark blue interiors moonlights as an art gallery, with artwork by Robert Rauschenberg and Mike Kelley...and the same print that Rihanna recently wore to a Super Bowl Halftime Show press conference.
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Where to Eat
La Marchande
From the cozy dining nooks (pictured here) to the glamorous décor and decadent menu, La Marchande, helmed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, is a luxe French brasserie tucked inside The Wall Street Hotel. Highlights include seafood tower and brioche. Book this for the ‘gram.
L'antica Pizzeria Da Michele
You no longer have to fly to Italy to have a slice of what Julia Roberts is having during the infamous pizza scene in Eat Pray Love. The famous Naples pizzeria L'antica Pizzeria Da Michele is now open in the West Village, complete with a charcuterie bar and wine cellar basement. For first-time diners, the restaurant recommends starting with the classics, like the Pizza Margherita, so you, too, can be in a relationship with your pizza.
Casino
The most overheard line in New York right now might very well be, “Have you been to Casino?” The new eatery in the old Mission Chinese Food space offers coastal Italian fare—“casino” translates to a summerhouse or social club—via a wood-burning oven that churns out everything from wood-fired prawns to whole roasted turbot. The hard part is getting a res.
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Where to Drink
Jac’s on Bond
The restaurant formerly known as The Smile, Jac’s on Bond—the latest opening from the guys behind Pebble Bar, Ray’s and The Jane (R.I.P.)—bills itself as “a new neighborhood watering hole.” Named after the “Mayor of Bond Street” Jack Champlin, the sure-to-be hotspot offers cleverly named cocktails like Beets Me and Rum-Com, along with small, Spanish-inspired small plates and pool. Rack ‘em up.
9 Jones
An homage to British private member’s clubs, 9 Jones is a chic place to lounge in relative obscurity, spot a familiar face (George and Amal Clooney, Alan Cumming, and LaLa Anthony have all paid a visit), order some late-night caviar, and down a cocktail from the bespoke cocktail trolley.
The Nines
The adult-friendly version of Acme, conveniently located above the sceney bar, combines the best of piano bars like Bemelmans and luxe lobby bars in Paris and London (Bar Hemingway and Dukes Bar, respectively). The result? An elegant night out that will almost definitely include a martini and a baked potato with caviar.
Where to Stay
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 four restaurants—including The Chester, which has strong heat lamps—Banksys in the lobby, and a refurbished rooftop pool, for when it’s warm out.
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 glass of wine by the fireplace, spring for a stay in one of its opulent rooms featuring a wraparound terrace.
Hard Rock Hotel New York
If you (or your out of town guests) are looking to get into the true I <3 NY spirit, the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel in the heart of midtown is the perfect place to let your tourist flag fly. Just like Times Square itself, the hotel is kitschy and vibrant, with nightly live music, plenty of celeb memorabilia, and a rooftop bar with views of the city skyline.
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Beauty Picks
Youth to the People Superfood Peptide Eye Cream
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.
OUAI Super Dry Shampoo
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.
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.
Jessica Roy is the Site Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she worked as the News Editor of TheCut.com. She likes baking, running and Instagrams of your dog.
