I visited New York and found the ultimate highs on the world’s most famous skyline
IF you’re visiting the world’s most famous skyline, make sure you find the ultimate highs, says Beauty Editor Tara Ledden.
My toes are hanging over the edge at the top of one of New York’s highest skyscrapers – 30 Hudson Yards – and I’m terrified, but also exhilarated.
There are panoramic views over the whole of Manhattan, a cityscape I’ve only seen on-screen before, with just a harness between me and a 1,300ft drop to the street.
My sister Cera leans over the drop as if she’s relaxing on a deckchair, while I quickly shuffle back to safety.
Despite my racing heart, it’s certainly a cool way to greet The Big Apple, and knocks the rest of the city’s observation decks out of the water.
The City Climb costs £146 per person, while entry to the observation deck (no harness required!) costs £29 per person (Edgenyc.com).
Made in Chelsea
Back on solid ground, we walk along The High Line – a railway-line-turned-parkland – from Hudson Yards to bustling Chelsea Market (Chelseamarket.com), with a stop at Little Island – a floating, landscaped park on the Hudson River that looks like it belongs in a futuristic computer game.
Despite the long queue at Los Tacos No.1, we’re ordering in no time and get three tacos each – including the smoky chargrilled chicken pollo asado, £3.90 – and chips y guacamole, £4.35, to share.
The guac is perfectly creamy and, although the tacos look small, they are surprisingly filling (Lostacos1.com).
With full bellies, we stroll around nearby market Artists & Fleas, which has stalls selling everything from handmade accessories and art to vintage clothing and homewares.
I pick up a dainty gold-plated ring, £28, while Cera nabs some vinyl for £8 (Artistsandfleas.com).
The empire strikes back
As New York has been on my bucket list since forever, a visit to the Empire State Building feels like a must.
Arriving just before sunset means we catch the gorgeous orange glow over the city and glimpse the bright lights of the skyline after dark, too – although with a CityPass, £114 per adult, which saves you money on top attractions, you can also return after 9pm for free on the same day (Citypass.com).
My soulmate isn’t waiting for me at the top, despite what Sleepless In Seattle led me to believe, but nearby Korean restaurant Her Name Is Han offers a fabulous end to the evening.
The pork-filled Han Dumplings, £7.85, and Korean Fried Chicken, £12.60, are perfect starters, followed by Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap, £13, a rice dish packed with veg and topped with an egg yolk and tender beef that’s big enough for us to share (Hernameishan.com).
We’re staying at Moxy NYC Lower East Side, which opened last year.
As soon as you walk in, you feel instantly trendier, and the super-comfy beds are an added bonus.
Downstairs is Sake No Hana, which hosted Heidi Klum’s 2022 Halloween party, serving delicious spicy tuna and avocado sushi, £20, and ginger, onion and pork-filled Tokyo gyoza, £17.50, with treats such as a 40-layer crepe cake and ultra-rich chocolate-black sesame soufflé to finish (Taogroup.com).
Upstairs is The Highlight Room, with its rooftop terrace and extensive cocktail menu including the NSFW, £16.50 – a heady mix of vodka and tequila with mango, passionfruit, rooibos and Red Bull.
Plus, we’re a stone’s throw from iconic film locations, including the Bowery Ballroom from Coyote Ugly, and the legendary Katz’s Delicatessen from When Harry Met Sally – its bestselling bagel with lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese, £13, is almost as big as my head (Katzsdelicatessen.com).
Love at first sight
Like typical NYC first-timers, our days fly by in a whirl of spotting Picasso paintings at the Guggenheim (Guggenheim.org), pausing for thought at the heart-wrenching 9/11 Memorial and Museum (911memorial.org) and catching a show on Broadway – we grab last-minute tickets to see Chicago for just £39 (Broadwayinbound.com).
It takes an hour to walk the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge (selfie time included), and at The Museum of Modern Art, we marvel at Monet’s Water Lilies before joining the crowd around Van Gogh’s Starry Night (Moma.org).
We also spend a day visiting the Statue of Liberty and touring the fascinating National Immigration Museum at neighbouring Ellis Island, grabbing seats on the outside deck of the ferry to soak up the views (Statueofliberty.org).
On our last morning, we brunch at Sadelle’s in SoHo.
The bagels are served on tall tiered stands so you can build your own (Sadelles.com).
But it’s the doorstop-thick French toast, £19, that is our fave.
And, as we sip our blood orange and passionfruit Sadelle’s spritzers, £14, we can almost convince ourselves we’re in an episode of The Real Housewives Of New York City.
FYI
Double rooms at Moxy NYC Lower East Side cost from £157 per night (Moxylower eastside.com).
Plan your trip at Nyctourism.com.
Flights from the UK to NYC cost from £330 return.
Foodie pit stops
Fab bites to munch in The Big Apple…
Pancake lover? Head to Bubby’s in Tribeca – its fluffy creations are what dreams are made of. Three from £21 (Bubbys.com).
Grab a classic slice at Joe’s Pizza in Times Square until 3am, from £3 (Joespizzanyc.com).
Expect live jazz and generous measures at The Rum House in Midtown. Our fave? The Rum Old Fashioned, £14 (Therumhousenyc.com).