Back to high summer in New York City

In all my many visits to New York, I have pretty much covered every month and every season and can honestly say that as much as I love the summer, the heat and humidity in this city can be quite brutal and best avoided if possible. Hence native New Yorkers leaving in their droves for the country and the beach during the hottest months of July/August.

Shopping in Soho

My primary reason for going at this time this year was to go with my friends to their beach house in East Hampton for a long weekend and subsequently spend time in the city as well, living as they do.

There's always tons to do in New York. There are of course the sites - many of which I have done before - and countless galleries, museums, theatre on and off Broadway and activities going on all the time. You will never be bored there. The summer heat is draining so it's a good idea to plan your days with that in mind. Like most other major cities, there are also the shopping areas - my favourites are Soho, The Village and the Meat Packing district.

I usually stay uptown with friends and the nearest subway station used to be a few blocks away. There is now a brand new line called the Q which serves the east side from 96th Street to the west and south all the way to Coney Island - so much more convenient than before. I was in the city for a week, so I bought a weekly metro pass for $32 + $1 for the card, for unlimited travel on the subway and buses. This card is valid for a year and can be topped up to suit. If you prefer to travel by yellow cab, there is now an app called Curb so you can easily request and pay for cabs without the need for cash or credit cards. So quick and simple.



Self Portrait in
stained glass micro mosaic

One thing I loved about the new subway line was the sizeable works of art on display in the stations. One of the four artists was Chuck Close, a photorealist artist, painter and photographer. He was commissioned by the Arts for Transit and Urban Design to provide 12 large scale portraits for the 86th Street subway. The works are phenomenal and well worth seeing.

I do like an exhibition and went along to the Met or the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination"

“Heavenly Bodies” is the largest exhibition ever offered by the Met’s Costume Institute and was organized by its curator, Andrew Bolton. It runs from its dedicated downstairs hall to the Byzantine and medieval galleries and into the Lehman Wing; it then continues at the Cloisters, the museum’s serene home for religious art in Upper Manhattan. Most of the designers here were or are Catholics, including historical figures like Elsa Schiaparelli, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent, and active designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Credit New York Times

I loved what I managed to see but unfortunately didn't get to the other locations to see the rest of it. It finishes on October 8th so if you love fashion I'd recommend you go.

Another day I hopped on a bus and went across town to the New York Historical Society on Central Park West and 77th Street. I went specifically to see "Walk This Way: Footwear from the Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes" which was very interesting. There is a wealth of history on show here and well worth putting aside some time if you are interested in American history. There is also a stunning collection of Tiffany lamps on display.

It was a beautiful day so I decided to walk home through Central Park, watching people cycling, rowing on the boating lake and walking their dogs. I walked right up by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir which stretches 10 blocks from 86th to 96th Street. I came out of the park just north of the iconic Guggenheim museum.

I opted not to join the seemingly mile-long queue in that heat and headed home for an ice cold drink.


I ate at a number of great restaurants - a new one on the West Side I liked was Ousia described as Greek focused Mediterranean cuisine.

I had to try a grilled watermelon salad from the set menu to start which sounds a bit weird but was absolutely delicious and refreshing despite being a warm dish. My cocktail was called Far West Side, a mix of Vodka, Mastiha, Lemon, Cucumber and Mint.  I'd like to try and make it myself!

One evening was spent with friends in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It's a vibrant, trendy neighbourhood with loads of street art, shops and restaurants. We had a fabulous view of Manhattan from the roof terrace of my friend's apartment. How lucky is she to have a view like this!


Equally how lucky was I to see an amazing sunset like this from where I was staying. Who doesn't love a sunset - they are always beautiful, always different.

Other things I did ..  went to the movies one afternoon at Lowes AMC Movie Theater at 84th street. It was a hideously hot, humid day so the only thing to do was grab an iced coffee and sit in the uber comfy recliner chairs in the air conditioning and relax and enjoy the movie. I went to a matinee off Broadway to see Wicked, and on my last day enjoyed a manicure, pedicure with back massage at Nirvana Nails. The perfect precursor to a long flight home.

Another amazing holiday under my belt, I flew home safely on the Lady Stardust, Virgin Atlantic.


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Recommended restaurants ..

Extra Fancy  302 Metropolitan Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211 - American

Luna Rossa  347 E 85th St. NY 10028 - Italian

Ouisa 629 W 57th St. NY 10019 - Greek/Mediterranean

Maz Mezcal 316 E86th St. NY 10028 - Mexican

5 Napkin Burger 2315 Broadway, NY 10024 (and other locations) - American

Burger and Barrel 25 W Houston, Soho NY - American