New York : A 4 DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1. Central Park, The MET, 5th Avenue and Grand Central Station
We started our first full day in New York - after visiting the Museum of Art and Design, seeing exhibitions by Anna Sui - at Columbus Circle by wandering through the famous Central Park, walking via the Bethesda Terrace/Fountain and The Loan Boathouse featured in famous films such as Stuart Little and 27 Dresses. Finishing up at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, we spent the next few hours gathering research for our course, viewing exhibitions and collections of art, sculpture and fashion installations.
After a quick lunch break, we walked the length of 5th avenue visiting New Yorks' collection of designer stores, gathering photographs for our fashion space module. After a spot of guilty shopping at Victoria Secret, we nipped into the world famous Bloomingdales before jumping into a taxi and visiting Grand Central Station - a last minute decision, but it turned out to be one of my favourite places within the city. The commuters bustle combined with the beauty of the architecture was an amazing experience and something I'm so glad I added to the itinerary. After dinner, we headed to Times Square, simply a must - something you can't miss off your list! The lights and billboards are truly a spectacle and worth crossing The Atlantic for!
Day 2. 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Washington Square Arch, The Flat Iron Building, The Empire State and Broadway
As a sunny day dawned in NYC, we jumped on the subway and headed downtown to the 9/11 Memorial in the Financial District. This is something I'd wanted to visit for years and the experience didn't fail to impress. I have watched many documentaries on the 9/11 disaster and visiting the memorial was a heartbreaking yet amazing experience. We were also lucky enough to see the FDNY pull out of their headquarters as we left the site, which was the icing on the cake.
From 9/11, we walked to the East River and across Brooklyn Bridge. We were incredibly lucky and were met with sun and small crowds whilst walking the bridge, making it an enjoyable experience and a great opportunity to get photos. Arriving in Brooklyn, we walked down into DUMBO, along the waterfront looking across at NYC. We had a gorgeous lunch in a cafe called 'Butler' and loved getting some photos in front of the world famous Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. DUMBO has some great markets and independent shops too, which were lovely to look around.
After exploring DUMBO, we had an afternoon at leisure, so we jumped in a taxi, driving back across the Brooklyn Bridge and headed to the Greenwich Village area, to visit a few monuments such as Washington Square Arch and The Flat Iron Building. We wandered the streets, bringing us back to The Empire State Building and the area where our hotel was. Hungry, we grabbed bagels and juice then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the evening.
Another last minute decision, but again, something you can't miss off when visiting NYC. I went to The Minskoff Theatre and saw The Lion King production on Broadway. I absolutely loved the production. The costumes and music were incredible and I'm so glad I got to see the show in such a famous venue. 10/10!
Day 3. Statue of Liberty ferry, West Village/Meatpacking District - F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartment / Carrie Bradshaw's House - and Rockefeller Centre - Top of The Rock for sunset
Riding the subway downtown again, we caught the 11.30am ferry across to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This was so fun and we were so lucky to have a sunny day! Walking round to the base of the statue got us the best photos and it was amazing to see the statue up close. On the ferry back we munched on iconic hotdogs from the onboard stand and planned the afternoon. We decided to head uptown to West Village for an afternoon of wandering the streets, shopping in thrift shops and visiting a few iconic buildings. We had a delicious lunch of avocado on toast and sweet and savoury waffles and wandered around the picturesque streets, visiting the famous F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartment and Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment, in Sex In The City.
As the late afternoon drew in, we caught the subway back across town to The Rockefeller Centre- walking past the Radio City Music Hall - to head to the top, for views across the city and watch the sunset. The views were incredible and this evening made it high up on my list of favourite moments in NYC. After, we enjoyed dinner at a Madison Square Garden's Pensy Beer Garden - great food and casual cosy atmosphere!
* TIP : I would make sure to leave plenty of time to get through the queues, as they can be long at peak times!
Day 4. The High Line, Chelsea Market and New York Fashion Week Show - The Journey
After breakfast, we leisurely walked The High Line, narrowly missing a viewing of a fashion show, but we were able to watch the cast and guests leave the building. It was great fun to watch , with plenty of paparazzi snapping away and well-dressed people walking in pairs onward to other shows or back to penthouse apartments(we guessed!). Ending our walk in Chelsea, we grabbed some food in Chelsea Market - a great venue for food from around the world and shopping. During our time in Chelsea, we passed by Milk Studios, who were clearly setting up for a fashion show, later that evening. Myself and my friends went inside to explain who we were and to ask if there was any possibility of getting seats to that evenings show. Magically, our wishes were granted! We were asked to return later that evening and to ask for Fiona!
The next few hours, were filled with a last minute rush of outfit shopping, to attempt to try and fit in with the fashion show guests, grabbing some dinner and getting ready. The show kicked off at 8pm, and what a show it was. The highlight of our trip, it just shows - if you don't ask and push yourself out of your comfort zone; you don't get!
* Read my blog on NYFW: The Journey here > https://www.indiaclements.com/post/my-experience-of-nyfw-the-journey-fashion-festival
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