A Totally Instagramable Day in NYC - Part 1 (Manhattan)

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Planning a trip to NYC? Feeling at all overwhelmed about where to start? Where to stay, which part of the city to stay in and what to do? It makes perfect sense. NYC is one of the most amazing, fun-filled, jam-packed, electric cities in the world and even New Yorkers haven't done and seen it all. It takes time. So, take out the guess work and follow this totally fun full day itinerary for New York City.

9:00 AM - Plan to stay at The Beeckman, A Thompson Collection Hotel, on Conde Nast Traveler's 2017 Hot List. It's located in lower Manhattan away from the madness of mid-town, but really close to the Fulton train station (great access to the rest of the city) and the Brooklyn Bridge in case you want to visit parts of Brooklyn during your trip. This part of downtown is also super close to the World Trade Center if you also want to visit this most special part of NYC. Plan to have breakfast in one of the hotel's delicious restaurants, Fowler and Wells. They offer everything from smoothies and continental breakfast to fruit and pastries. (If you decide you want a quicker breakfast to get your day going there are two Starbucks outside of the hotel and a Dunkin' Donuts across the street.)

10:30 AM - aim for a little indulgence (it's your cheeky day after all, isn't it?) and head over to TriBeCa to visit Skin Laundry for a quick 15 minute facial (no downtime!) and maybe score yourself a blow out at the Dry Bar so you're ready for all the great photos you're about to take in a few minutes. And if pampering isn't for you, no problem! Walk around TriBeca and take in the fresh hair or plan to visit the World Trade Center.

12:30 - Jump on the 4 5 train uptown to the Grand Central Station. There are lots of great shops around here, so if you're not hungry for lunch yet feel free to hop out of GC and browse the stores and work up an appetite. Once in Grand Central head downstairs where the restaurants and food stalls and have at it! If you're into seafood check out the Oyster Bar and Restaurant and have one of their soups, stews, or jumbo shrimp cocktails. There is also, of course, the also iconic Cipriani Dolci, if you're in the mood for sit down Italian with a bit of a view.

2:00 pm - before heading out of Grand Central take some time to further explore if you haven't already and take photos or videos of the iconic hall. It really is an exhilarating place. And if you're really into it, you also have the opportunity to take an audio tour and learn more about the history and why it the most famous terminal!

2:30 pm - Head out of Grand Central and walk toward uptown. Go over a couple blocks until you get to 5th Avenue and walk up this iconic boulevard. You have an option to stop and check out Bryant Park on the way up or continue to make your way to Central Park. You don't have to rush it! Take your time browsing in shops if your heart desires. You will pass some beautiful stores and iconic buildings on your way to CP including Saks, The St. Regis Hotel, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trump Tower (which will be covered by security and police). Once you've made it to 59th Street, you have made it to Central Park! Enjoy it all. Stroll by the little motor boats, lay on the grass, walk by Tavern on the Green, check out the John Lennon Strawberry Fields Memorial and so much more. You really could spend most of the day here if you wanted to. It's abundant and gorgeous.

4:00 pm - Leave Central Park and head towards the 77th Street train station and jump on the 6 train. You'll get off at Spring Street and walk a few blocks to Nolita. This is a cute part of town on the edge of Little Italy. And if that isn't adorable enough you are about to have a glass of rosé at the all pink restaurant Pietro Nolita. It's an Italian restaurant with a cheeky decor and super fun and friendly vibe. By the time you get there the kitchen may only be serving snack bites, but enjoy your glass of wine, rest your legs and have a most Instagrammable experience.

5:00 pm - If you have good weather, enjoy it and take your time to walk back towards your hotel. You can stroll through Little Italy if you wish or keep it moving. You'll pass over Canal Street so watch out for all the counterfeiters vying for your business. You'll also pass the Outdoor Voices store and if you're on the market for some technical apparel, you'll want to check out their latest gear.

If you stay on Park Row you will come upon the pedestrian path to the Brooklyn Bridge. You have a couple options here. Depending on how you feel, head over to the Bridge and enjoy the views of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Or you can come back later and check it out during sunset (weather depending). If you choose to skip it now, you have another option to walk (or train it or cab it, depending on how your legs and feet feel at this point) to the financial district and get face to face with the famous and perfectly empowering Fearless Girl statue standing down the Charging Bull. She stands at Broadway and Morris.

7:30 pm - Now that you've worked up quite a good appetite, head back to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy some steak frites at the hotel's other restaurant, Augustine. The restaurant gets super busy and even though you're a hotel guest they may not be able to accommodate even a party of one. It might be best to make a reservation that morning or the night before just in case.

9:00 pm - after dinner take a stroll past One World Trade and see the Freedom Tower lit up beautifully at night. Or lay low at the hotel bar and enjoy the ambiance and seating.