New York is a great destination for time-off with two or three of your girlfriends. If a friend is finally tying the knot, take her on a farewell to singlehood to New York for the perfect bachelorette getaway. New York’s epic shopping, partying and culture are bound to give her the time of her life.
Where to stay
Even though New York is known for its pricey accommodation, there is always a way to get around that. One is to stay at one of these hostels and cheap hotels especially that in the city that has it all will keep you up and out all day and night.
Hostels
Broadway Hotel and Hostel
230 West 101 Street, (at 101 Street and Broadway), New York City, NY 10025. Starts from $40. For more information visit: http://www.broadwayhotelnyc.com/
American Dream Hostel
168 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010 (Between Lexington and 3rd Ave) Average rate: $40. For more information visit: www.americandreamhostel.com
Hotels
Howard Johnson North Bergen Inn (2 and a half stars)
1300 Tonnelle Avenue North Bergen NJ 07047. Only 20 minutes away from Manhattan, with a shuttle bus five minutes away from the hotel, it is a good choice for low budgets. Price from $72
Luxurious Hotels
Soho Grand Hotel
Located in the most stylish and sophisticated neighborhood in New York, the SoHo Grand give the genuine New York experience. It is prime destination for entertainment and socializing, with great service and eclectic décor to complement its perfection. The former industrial area and later the artists refuge hosts one of New York’s most sought after hotels. 310 West BroadwayNY NY 10013. Average rate: $400 For more information visit: http://www.sohogrand.com
Take a ‘Sex and the City’ tour
Follow in the footsteps of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda and live your favorite show’s best moments. Covering more than 40 locations from the show, this tour gives you just enough of the successful drama for you to escape to the Sex and the City world.
Tour Highlights:
Stop at “Scout,” the bar owned by Aidan.
Enjoy cupcakes like Carrie and Miranda.
Walk around Bleecker Street.
Go on location to the art gallery in SoHo where Charlotte worked.
Shop at the hottest boutiques & stores in Greenwich Village.
Visit Buddakan, site of Carrie and Big’s wedding rehearsal dinner.
See new locations from Sex and the City: the Movie and SATC2.
Tours are taken from a location near 5th Ave. and 58th St., the exact location is given after booking the tours. The tour starts at 11 am and ends at 3 pm. It costs around 44 $.
Or take an evening limo Hotspots tour a la Sex and the City; the ultimate hen night. Some tours even provide mini-makeovers, dinner and even champagne. Tours from: http://www.screentours.com/more.php
Or even better, break free from the touristy pretentious feel that a tour has and take the lead. To really walk in Carrie’s steps, go to Jimmy Choo’s and buy yourself a pair to pride on. Heavenly shoes indeed, the cheapest pair would cost around 700$, but it sure is worth it if you can afford it. There are two Jimmy Choos in New York. Carrie’s is in Midtown East in Olympic Tower, 645 Fifth Avenue. To get there, either whistle in a cab, the famous New Yorker way or take the subway? B, D, F, V at 47th-50th Sts.-Rockefeller Center.
Also, you can’t possibly miss passing by the shoes exclusive store Manolo Blahnik, center of the super expensive, super hot pumps, boots and bridal shoes. At 31 W 54th st, you can hail a cab or use the subway take the E, V at Fifth Ave-53rd st, or F at 57th st.
After spending a month’s savings on shoes, dine at the girls’ famous hangout, TAO restaurant. TAO is on 42 East 58th Street. To get there, you can take subway 4,5,6 (green line) to 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, or N & R (yellow line) at Fifth Ave and 59th/60th Street or Lexington Avenue at 59th Street. Don’t order any deserts though, save space for Magnolia Bakery’s treasured cupcakes, yet another Sex and the City landmark. Magnolia Bakery, where the girls gulped cupcakes, is located on 401 Bleecker Street. To get there, take a cab to West Village and have him drop you at 401 Bleecker Street.
Other places to Dine:
21 Club
The ‘21’ Club is a landmark New York restaurant located in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Celebrating 80 years of service this year, this former speakeasy offers superb American cuisine, a Grand Award-winning wine list and discretely attentive service. It has also been the location for scenes between Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney in One Fine Day and appeared in Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery, and was a dinner location for Carrie and Big in Sex and the City.
21 West 52nd Street, New York City, NY? . For more information visit: www.21club.com
Dylan Prime Steakhouse
(Diners’ choice winner 2010)
62 Laight St. New York, NY 10013 Want to try the best steak imaginable, Dylan Prime is just the place. With nice décor and a lively ambiance, not to mention great sides and desert, Dylan Prime will give you a nice evening.
Hours: Restaurant Mon-Wed Noon-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm; Thu-Fri Noon-2:30pm, 5:30pm-Midnight; Sat 4:30pm-Midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm. Lounge Mon-Thu 5pm-2am; Fri-Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 4:30pm-Midnight. For more information visit: http://www.dylanprime.com
Cocktail bars
Brandy Library
A place that will satisfy your drinking needs! Specialized in Whiskey and brandy, as well as wines, the Brandy Library is superb. Do not order food there, however, drinks are their specialty and it is what they do best.
Address: 25 N Moore St., New York, NY 10013. Hours: Sun-Wed 5pm-1am; Thu 4pm-2am; Fri-Sat 4pm-4am. For more information visit: http://www.brandylibrary.com
Watch a Broadway show
Broadway is the beating heart of New York. All the magic and glamour it pumps is something you will have to see for yourself. Watch a Broadway show and breathe in the nostalgia of the favorite American dream. For shows and tickets visit: http://www.broadway.com
Shopping
Nothing beats finding your favorite brands and your dream brands at affordable prices. You most coveted designer shoes, bags and accessories at great prices in these outlets:
Century 21
Address: 22 Cortlandt St., between Church St. and Broadway
Phone: 212-227-9092
To get there: Subway: E to World Trade Center; 2/3 to Park Place; N/W to City Hall
Gabay’s outlet
Address: 225 First Ave. (13th/14th) Phone: 212-254-3180
To get there: Subway: L to 1st Avenue; 4/5/6, N/R/W to 14th Street/Union Square
Syms
Address: 400 Park Ave.
Phone: 212-317-8200
To get there: Subway: E/V to 53rd/Lex, 6 to 51St./ Lex
Loehmann’s
Address: 101 Seventh Ave., nr. 17th St., Chelsea
Phone: 212-352-0856
To get there: Subway: 1/9 to 18th Street
10 Sights you cannot be in the Big Apple and miss:
1. Empire State Building
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Grand Central Terminal
4. Rockefeller Center
5. Ellis Island Immigration Museum
6. Staten Island Ferry
7. American Museum of Natural History
8. Central Park
9. Metropolitan Museum of Art
10. The Museum of Modern Art