Hello! My husband and I will be spending a weekend in NYC in the spring and I’m hoping you all might be so kind as to help us with some itinerary suggestions. This will be our first weekend away together since having our baby last year and the vibe of the weekend is sleeping in, no commitments (1 dinner reservation max), and maximizing restaurants and activities you would not go to with a small child. We have been to NYC several times before but either briefly for work or as your standard tourist.
We are staying at Hotel Chelsea and, in the spirit of not doing too much, we would like to do most things in Chelsea but will travel for something really special. I would love to hear how you would spend an ideal weekend in Chelsea and I’m specifically looking for recommendations for the following:
- nice dinner for the one reservation. Not necessarily fine dining but something with a luxe vibe that is not too pretentious and has excellent food. Not picky on type of cuisine. Budget approx $300/$400 but very much welcome less expensive options if the vibe is right.
- a bar that fits the same vibe for pre or post dinner drinks
- literally any place (bar/restaurant, art, museum, show, coffee shop, park, shopping, bodega, etc) that when you go, it reminds you of why you love NY.
Thank you for taking the time to offer recommendations!
If you're into art at all, I would do a gallery walk in West Chelsea - dozens of galleries in the teens and 20s West of 9th Ave. Gagosian and Pace are two of the big ones but there are so many. There's always interesting stuff to see and it's always free to wander in. Definitely very New York.
You could also check out the Whitney.
If OP is there May 10-11, they can to West Chelsea Artists studio tour. It's fun.
see a show at the joyce theater
ice cream at oddfellows
vegan asian st spicy moon
Vinyl is a really nice steakhouse with nice cocktails. Raines Law room is a nice cozy spot for cocktails (but requires reservation). Thyme bar is also cozy. Bar bonobo is hip but loud. Cafe flor is a cool coffee spot and coffee project is a very fancy coffee spot on 7th ave. Zizi is a fun restaurant that you might be able to walk into, but a bit loud. If the weather is nice it can be fun to get shake shack in Madison square park or check out one of the restaurants in the 20s on broadway where you can eat out on the street. I always think that area looks very European with everyone eating on the street.
Peter McManus is your traditional bar/pub and is decorated cute for holidays. Smalls jazz club is in west village near Chelsea and has a good sat afternoon jam session (free with 1 drink min) for pre dinner drinks. Pastis in meatpacking is nearby and very good. I always enjoy the Whitney museum and it’s small enough that it doesn’t take up a whole day! Have fun!!
I live in Chelsea and here are some of the things I like to do. First off, Lobby Bar at the Hotel Chelsea is just awesome. One of my favorite places to drink in the neighborhood. So many artists used to hang there (Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Mark Twain etc). It has a storied history. And if you’re a hotel guest I believe you can request a table.
For food if you want to stay in the area, Shukette is delicious. It’s a hip, lively middle eastern spot. Food and drinks are always so good. You can make a reservation or walk in (but there will usually be a wait if you do). Txikito is a Basque restaurant right next to Shukette which is also very very good if you’re into that. You can also go eat in the west village which is walkable from the Hotel Chelsea. The dining options there are endless.
I love walking down by the river around Chelsea piers. Hudson River Park - Pier 63 there is nice. The views are great. You can hit the river walk and pop onto the Little Island which people seem to like. Just a nice place to casually stroll. You can even head down toward the river and pop into some of the art galleries on the way.
The High Line walk is also an option. I like to get on around 23rd Street in Chelsea and walk it into the Meatpacking District which is cool to check out if you’re into shopping. You can also keep walking into the west village from there which is nice.
Lots of coffee in the area. But if you’re looking for ambiance I’d check out the coffee bar in the lobby of the High Line Hotel on 20th and 10th. It’s intelligentsia. The coffee is decent but you can order and sit in their courtyard which overlooks a beautiful seminary which was founded in 1817 and is now part of Vanderbilt’s nyc campus. Just a great place to relax and have your coffee.
Bagels - So many good ones in NYC. But Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company is like a 4 minute walk from your hotel and it’s personally one of my favorites in the neighborhood. If you want to walk a little further check out Apollos in the village. But if it’s a weekend you may have to wait in line.
Cocktail bars - Outside of the Lobby bar at your hotel. People seem to like Bar Bonobo. Bath Tub Gin is another popular spot. Speakeasy style if that’s your vibe. Though there’s usually a wait. Again, if you want to venture into the west village, there are even more cocktail bars. (Sip & Guzzle, Employees Only, Angel Share, Little Branch, etc) Though I’d recommend seeing if you can make a reservation at some as the waits can be long if you’re just trying to walk in.
Sullivan Street Bakery on 9th is also great if you’re looking for some morning goods.
Last niche tip. If anyone is into Guinness, Grace’s on 14th serves one of the best Guinnesses in the city.
Enjoy your trip!
I also lived in Chelsea for half a decade and +1 to all of this - would really just base your weekend around the recommendations in this post. One more thing to note is hotel Chelsea is GORGEOUS but on a crazy busy street (23rd). I’d recommend walking south and west (8th ave) as often as possible for your strolls. Once you get to 14th st you’re in the west village and Hudson is one of my favorite streets to just walk around on.
This is great advice! 9th is a much calmer walk than 8th in that area.
I would not underestimate how easy it is to get to different neighborhoods. Walking to SoHo or getting on the C train would be super easy and could be fun, although crowded. Balthazar is an excellent good but chill restaurant that I’d say fits your vibe. Walking East will get you to Tribeca and then to Lower East Side which is one of the few genuinely cool neighborhoods still in NYC.
I think generally this is an amazing city to just wander around in. It’s perfect for an aimless weekend. I’d suggest just walking around between where you’ll be at 23rd st, east to Flatiron, south to Union Square and then SoHo, West through the West Village. There is so much fun walking around to do within 1/2 hour.
I would add that if you’re trying to go out to eat at all you’ll probably want to make a reservation. Stuff books up over there.
You should definitely check out the High Line (depending on the weather) and Chelsea Market, as great "I ❤️ NY" activities nearby.
I would say these are very tourist dense areas and may not be relaxing if that is what you’re striving for
the high line is popular with tourists but it is also very nice. also nice to rent a bike and ride up or down the west side bike path. there are many attractions along the path popular with tourists and locals alike
For dinner options, a few suggestions"
Steak Frites, which is on 9th/37th. A beautiful french bistro french with a delicious menu.
Waverly Inn - on Bank St. - a local favorite with a rustic elegance.
One if by Land - probably one of the. most romantic rooms in the city, set in Alexander Hamiltons old carriage house.
For a good local color walking tour, I would suggest a tour I take friends on near my place in the W. Village (the prettiest part of all of Manhattan, IMHO).
Start at Washington Square Park (a site on its own) and on the south side, take W 4th st west (The Washington arch is on the north side of the park...you'll figure it out). Go across 6th ave to a left on Barrow. Take that a few blocks till it intersects with Commerce st and Hudson. (Walk around in that area a little, best few blocks in the city). Take a right on Hudson heading North. If you want to stop for a drink, go up to Hudson and 11th to the White Horse tavern, a famous literary hang out for the beat poets of the '50s and '60s.
Another option it to continue to 14th st, make a left, and you can get onto the High Line. Otherwise, from Barrow and Hudson, walk north to Perry St and take a right. You will go by the townhouse used for the exterior shots for the TV show "Friends". Cross Greenwich and 7th Ave and make a left onto University place. NYU is right there, so plenty of schwarma shops, trattorias, and , coffee bars.
Take University up to 14th St/Union Square. If you are looking for food and can still walk, take 5th ave north to 23rd St and Madison Park, and there you will find Eataly on the west side of the park for a wide array of italian specialties. You can eat outside by the park, or inside if the weather is foul.
Chama Mama is a lovely Georgian food restaurant for a date night on 7th and 14th. Not crazy expensive and so yummy! Pro tip: make sure you try the Khachapuri!
Highline is a must, even though it's very touristy.
I see someone else mentioned the Joyce Theater, that's great advice. Check out what dance is going on there.
I like to visit all the art galleries in the area.
For dinner, I like The Mermaid Inn. It's a nice vibe, and feels like a local type of place. Good food, good service.
Or Pepe Giallos and definitely the art galleries. In addition to the Joyce, there’s also the Shed at Hudson Yards.
For a meal, I'd check out Salinas on 9th ave and 19th street. I also like wandering around the galleries - just wander the blocks between 10th and 11th aves in the upper teens and low twenties.
I'd spend Saturday gallery hopping.
Chelsea a quieter neighborhood! Have lunch or dinner one night at Hudson Yards and/or the Chelsea Market. Its the weather is ok, stroll the Highline. You honestly are not that far from the theater district, walk or train up to 8th and 47th to TKST to grab half price tickets to a show. The Whitney Museum is in Meatpacking which is next door to Chelsea.
Food: get to Don Angie 4:30 to get on the bar waitlist! Or check out San Sabino. Don Angie is my holy grail meal!
Nice dinner: definitely go to txikito, a basque style restaurant. you can reserve on resy. one of my favorite restaurants in town.
Galleries: Dia Chelsea, Matthew marks, David zwirner, hauser & wirth, gagosian, field projects
Walk by’s: I love strolling by the maritime hotel maybe grabbing a drink in there. it’s one of the most distinct interiors and exteriors in the whole city.
Movie theater: metro private cinema is new to Chelsea. a pricey experience but a whole new way to go to the movies.
Museum: the poster house museum is sort of an advertising/propaganda design museum. great hidden gem in the city. free admission every first friday.
Old gem of the neighborhood: Salumeria Biellese has been an Italian sandwich counter joint for a century in Chelsea. Very old new york.
If the weather’s warm, a cruise with Classic Harbor Lines; they have architecture and jazz tours on smaller, wood-trimmed boats.
Little Island park and Pier 57, with local food stalls (be sure to go up to the top deck) are nearby.
Not too far from Chelsea is the new Seed Library, on 31st/Park. It’s a bar from one of the “World’s Best” bartenders, Ryan “Mr Lyan” Chetiyawardana — a copy of their bar in London. A good spot for a weeknight. Also, the new Clemente Bar at Eleven Madison Park.
Pompinos
Sid and Nancy that shit.
Get a coffee and a piece or two of potato pizza at Sullivan St Bakery. Hit the galleries on 24th between 10th and 11th. Dinner at Shukette (gotta reserve a month in advance but it's sooo worth it). That's a kickass itinerary within like two blocks, lol, and is honestly a pretty standard Saturday for me provided I can score a reservation.
High Line, Little Island both right there. 192 Books is super cute. Cookshop is crappy brunch but great dinner. Death Ave has incredible cocktails. Poster House is a fun weird museum. Bistro Steak Frites is an easy walk from Chelsea and it's fantastic.
Chelsea is a great grown up hang, lol. Have fun!
Nice weather- walk the Highline. If you’re there in spring when tulips and daffodils are in bloom, Subway up to Central Park, primarily at the Conservatory Garden (especially the French-style North Garden at 105th St), the Shakespeare Garden, and scattered around other spots like the Olmsted Flower Bed, Pilgrim Hill, and the Dene Slope, but the Conservatory Garden offers the most formal display of seasonal color.
I would look up some newsletters or some activity apps like the skint, nonsense nyc, the joy list, the shed, thirsty gallerina, the nudge app, TikTok and instagram for recs
Dinner...you dont even have to leave the hotel. Make a reservation at Cafe Chelsea. It fits your criteria and it's IN the hotel. There are also several bars in the hotel but some are astronomical in price. Also in the building: the famous El Quiotje...get the skate milanese and a glass of rioja.
If you want to venture out to West Chelsea, there is Txikito (basque) very romantic and adult. Its one of my faves. Get the beef cheek! A reservation is a must.
Further downtown: Roscioli for wine and pasta and Polpette.
Non- Reservation: All'Antico Vinaio for wine and beautiful sandwiches, Casa Carmen (mexican), Old Town Tavern (Union Square), Kid Pizza (oddly not for kids), Le Zie (wonderful italian/french)
Chelsea Market