New York State of Mind
If you're anywhere on the East Coast, a train trip to the Big Apple is something you need to take advantage of.
Last week I did just that and ran up to NYC for a few days to take in the Shoppe Object show newly expanded to the Starrett-Lehigh building in the vibrant Chelsea neighborhood.
Here's my travel tips for a great weekend of site-seeing, shopping, and dining:
Day 1: Travel via Amtrak's Acela to Moynihan Train Station at Penn Station, NYC. If you get your tickets in advance, you can get a great deal on this express train.
Arrive NYC at mid-day and check into The High Line Hotel, a delightful oasis of homelike, vintage charm and comfort. Think crisp sheets, vintage art, sharp bathrooms, and staff that makes you feel like you're family. Coolest thing? A great coffee shop fills the lobby and is a stopping point for the whole neighborhood as they take their daily walks. And the coffee is excellent.
Once settled in, head out to explore the High Line. A raised subway line reimagined as a creatively landscaped walking park, with remarkable views of the surrounding skyline, from a perspective otherwise impossible. It was a briskly cold day when I was there, yet the walkway was flooded with enthusiastic pedestrians taking in the views. The High Line is accessed via the old elevated subway stairs, with elevators every so often.
Take the walk all the way to Hudson Yards where you'll find The Edge, the skyscraper that dominates the skyline as you traverse the High Line pathways heading north. Take the elevator up 100 floors to the glass platform that extends out of the building over Hudson Yards. Spectacular!
From there pop back down to street-level Chelsea, and if you're a book lover, like I am, take in the tiny, but intelligently curated 192 Books on 10th Ave. I picked up a just-published history on Richard II and his cousin Henry IV. Yes, I'm a history nerd, too. It's a fascinating pychological look into these two very different kings of England.
You'll be hungry by then and want a charming place to wind down: Pepe Giallo. Their mushroom fettuccine is sinfully rich, but totally worth it!
An evening stroll through this pretty neighborhood is a great way to end your evening.
And the beds at The High Line are the perfect finale to your day of travel.
Day 2: Put on your walking shoes - NYC is a walkers' city. Grab a coffee and chocolate croissant from the cafe,
and head east to 200 Lexington Avenue and the New York Design Center. Go straight to the 10th floor where you'll find a dazzling collection of antique and vintage furniture and furnishings, many with eye-watering price tags, but so inspiring. This is where 1stDibs's has a showroom. As was the case throughout New York, everyone there was gracious, interested, and interesting.
From there go straight down Lexington Ave to its end at Gramercy Park. This little jewel is an oasis of quiet and calm in the heart of the bustling city. From Gramercy, head west to The Flatiron and Greenwich Village neighborhoods. Great shopping in countless beautifully presented shops - even the box stores make an effort at being exceptional in this neighborhood. While my favorite is still ABC Carpet & Home, the Crate & Barrel right across the street creates an exceptional space.
Continuing west, drop in at the Hotel Chelsea for lunch in their lovely cafe, or a martini in their iconic Lobby Bar. This hotel is another vintage gem, serving up exceptional service and the feel of a grand country house.
Heading deeper back into Chelsea, don't miss the Chelsea Market. It's a bit touristy, but the architecture is fascinating. And the gourmet food selection makes for a great spot to get something tasty for your trip home tomorrow, or little gifts for those you left at home. And, yes, there's an Anthrologie there, too.
All that walking will have you ready for a good dinner, and I recommend Cookshop directly across the street from your hotel. The staff are engaging, the menu creative and a tasty delight. And their drinks are served very cold and well crafted. Don't miss the pickled beets with whipped feta. It was to die for.
Day 3: Heading home. But don't leave before you have one last stroll through Chelsea to the Empire Diner. It's that classic diner look and feel (it's been around for a while), but with a very updated and delicious diner menu. It's the perfect place for a hearty breakfast and people watching.
The beauty of traveling by train is that you can arrive at the station just 15 minutes or so before your train departure time, so you don't have to waste so much of your travel time in the station.
From the BWI Airport train station, the trip to and from NYC is less than 3 hours. And what a great weekend you can have!
As I mentioned, I was there for the Shoppe Object show, so I spent an additional day doing exactly that. Here are some of the highlights, plus shots from the non-vintage showrooms at 200 Lexington:
Hope you get a chance to dash up to NYC for a few days sometime soon. It's great fun any time of year, and not nearly so crowded in the deep of winter.
Thanks for reading!
Virginia