There is a hell of a lot you can cram into five days in a new city. On my trip to New York, in September 2015, I did just that. I wanted a combination of great coffee, cocktails, food, culture, a few classic city sights and an escape from London life.

Being a huge fan of breakfast/brunch, I looked up a few places that promised to serve fabulous food, the best breakfasts and the greatest coffee in New York. 

Having a hearty breakfast (or brunch, if you can’t get out of bed that early) I believe, is the perfect way to start the day. You do so much walking in New York, you need a LOT of fuel. I swear one day we walked 10km.

The weather in New York is still pretty warm in early September, and so most days were spent in either a sundress or shorts and a t-shirt. When it comes to what clothes to pack for a trip to New York, comfortable shoes are a must. But if you forget to bring any with you, you can always pick up a cheap pair of  trainers from a store on Fifth Ave.

Here’s how I made the most of my 5 days in New York. Let me know if you find this useful and whether you’ve been to any of the places mentioned. Thank you to all of my family, friends, and blog readers who chipped in and gave their New York recommendations. It made a huge difference to my trip. We never had a bad meal once!

Monday (Day 1)

Go for lunch at Angelo’s Pizza

Enjoy a long walk through Central Park or grab a horse and carriage, if you’re feeling particularly romantic/lazy (delete as appropriate)

Go shopping on Fifth Avenue - you might catch a glimpse of your favourite TV show being filmed. 

Sip on scenic drinks at The Empire Hotel rooftop bar and watch the sunset over New York.

Tuesday (Day 2)

Fill up on breakfast at Sarabeth’s restaurant. The brioche/french toast is amazing!

Fan girl your way across New York - join the Sex and the City tour.

Have a really tasty dinner at WA Bar.

Blow your mind – visit and iconic New York building like Top of the Rock or The Empire State Building and see the city twinkle at night.

Wednesday (Day 3)

Have a bloody good French-style breakfast at Buvette - amazing coffee too!

Head to this very trendy neck of the woods and go shopping, like Carrie Bradshaw, on Bleecker Street and pop into the Magnolia Bakery.

Eat your heart out at Gansevoort Market.

Marvel at the transformation of this previously disused city space, and take a walk along The Highline park. This was one of my favourite things to do. Be sure to grab a snowcone if the weather is hot.

Buy a round of drinks at The Flat Iron Room (and charge your phone in one of their handy iPhone charging points) and soak in the atmosphere.

Splash out on a bite to eat at a swanky restaurant that specialises in bourbon, whiskey and whisky – I really enjoyed my 30th birthday lunch at Maysville NYC - read the full post.

Experience Sleep No More - immersive theatre performance - (Oops! It’s all very secretive, so no photos of this - sorry)

Thursday (Day 4)

Start your day off with a two-course breakfast at Store #9 Iris Cafe, Brooklyn - Avocado and eggs followed by a freshly-baked muffin and lashings of butter. MMM!

Walk along Brooklyn Bridge Park along the pier and make the most of the photo opportunities - perfect for getting a snap of the NYC skyline.

Embrace your inner hipster. Try street art spotting, hunt for vinyls and go thrift shopping in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Refresh yourself: go for a couple of drinks in Williamsburg at Juliette - another gorgeous New York-based French-themed cafe with loads of amazing retro signage/typography.

Devour cheap-but-tasty Pizza at Joe’s, Williamsburg - the perfect snack if you’re travelling on a budget, just a bit peckish or have a weakness for pepperoni pizza like me.

Get all giddy over super-sized milkshakes - make dinner reservations at Serendipity. Their desserts are famous! Warning: the portions are HUGE! Be prepared to share. My eyes were definitely bigger than my belly.

Friday (Day 5)

Have a final feast - go for breakfast at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien. Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, you can take advantage of their extensive breakfast menu. Again, portion sizes are huge!

Visit MoMa art gallery - the perfect art pilgrimage for creative types. I was in awe!

And don’t forget to walk, shop and crane your necks to  take in the sights at Times Square. It’s crazy!

Home time… Until next time, New York!

Photography © Lucie Kerley