New York State of Mind

Some folks like to get away for a holiday from the neighbourhood...

And some folks are lucky enough to get an entire week including the weekend in the big Apple courtesy of their job. As we kept our heads down to get some work done throughout the week (which contrary to what this blog sometimes seems to suggest actually happens more often than not), let's skip straight to the good stuff: an entire two free days in the city.

In a first on this world tour I actually have been to New York multiple times - although at that point it had been seven years since my last visit. But still that meant that I was in less of a scramble to explore everything and could take more time for relaxed strolls and rediscovering my favourite parts.

I started in one of the most picturesque place: SoHo. Perfect for aimless wandering and absolutely stunning in the warm and sunny July weather.

From SoHo l eventually made my way up north on 5th Avenue through Washington Square Park. Pretty much only for one reason: a pit stop at the Flat Iron Building. 

From there I took a hard turn left and headed to the High Line Gardens via the entry at the Whitney. The High Line is easily one of my favourite places in New York especially early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s a little less crowded. It is a great concept of using previously established architectural features in an entirely different and at times innovative way. 

After making it back to our hotel in Midtown (the extremely charming Ace Hotel), we decided to take a nap (because I at the very least am getting old). Also I was weirdly in love with the view from my room - or the very NYC-esque lack thereof. The interior had a very one-of-a-kind, boutique hotel feel with lovely attention to detail. 

For dinner we decided to head back to the High Line and catch a glimpse of the Manhattan Henge sunset which we realized by pure luck was happening at the time we were in town.

The view was absolutely worth it (dinner unfortunately was not). And we enjoyed the slight breeze on our way home. 

Our second day before moving on was spent shopping. Which was as usual great fun but did not yield many pictures. So let’s close this post with the last thing we saw of New York before heading to the airport: the bar at the hotel. Which serves a mean Aperol Spritz. Just for reference.