Here's How I'd Spend Four Days in NYC

visiting my favorite haunts & hidden gems, acquired over fifteen-years

Greetings, from a girl who never got over New York. Like every kid who grew up a voracious reader, every young aspiring writer, I moved to New York when I was 20 years-old, first chance I could. This was — *wince* — fifteen-years ago now, so when you walk around New York with me today, you’ll sometimes (charmingly?) be treated to a tour of what “used to be here.”

All the places I used to drink $2 PBR with my Oxford shoes sticking to the floor. Yes, I lived in Lena Dunham’s Girls New York; I knew people who wrote listicles for a living. I have a weirdly vivid memory of the first time I heard Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” playing in a coffee shop…

Anyway…. though I had my “Goodbye to All That” moment a decade ago, I’m still lucky to return to the city I love a handful of times each year for work, play, and visiting old friends.

When it comes to a city break, I’ve now got my mix of tried-and-true staples, the trendy indies, flagships for sustainable fashion brands (gosh, it’s so nice to try things on in person!), and the vintage shops I’ve hit consistently for years. I’ve grouped these spots below, by neighborhood, into your guide for a 4-day city break.

Now, if you’re after a more general ‘travel New York’ guide, you probably should look elsewhere. Same if you’re looking for the latest TikTok viral spots (I cannot wait in a line, I’m so sorrrryyy!!)

But if you’re interested in my haunts: where I shop, eat, hang, on the regular, then this post is for you… hope you enjoy!