This post is all about what to do on an NYC girls trip.
A girls’ trip to NYC is always a good idea. Maybe it’s your first time in the city, maybe you’re celebrating something big, or maybe you just need a weekend of good food, late nights, and a little chaos with your favorite people. Whatever the reason, NYC delivers.
This list has everything you need for the ultimate getaway. Keep reading to see where to stay, eat, shop, and the best activities to enjoy with your best girlfriends!
Where to Stay on a Girl’s Weekend in NYC
A cute hotel sets the vibe for the whole trip. When people ask me where to stay for their trip to NYC, I always recommend staying in an area where you’ll actually enjoy hanging out between activities.
I’m partial to downtown Manhattan and usually skip the hotels near Times Square or in Midtown.
Here are my top recommendations:
- The Marlton Hotel: The Marlton Hotel is a chic, intimate hotel in the heart of the West Village. This historic building has Parisian charm, stylishly small rooms, and a cozy lobby that feels like an extension of your own living room. Plus, you’re within walking distance from great brunch spots, coffee shops, and shopping. Fun fact: Jack Kerouac wrote a few books while living here!
- The Ludlow: If the Lower East Side is more your scene, The Ludlow has the perfect mix of effortless cool and comfort. The rooms have clawfoot tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows (hello, skyline views), and Dirty French, a bistro opened by the folks from Carbone, is right downstairs.
- Hotel Chelsea: Once home to artists, writers, and rockstars (like Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and Jackson Pollock), the legendary Hotel Chelsea has been beautifully restored while keeping its rebellious, creative spirit intact. The lobby is filled with art, the rooms are luxurious, and Café Chelsea downstairs is perfect for a leisurely breakfast before heading out for the day.
15 Things to Do on a Girls Trip in NYC
Let’s dive into 15 activities perfect for a girls’ weekend!
1. Have a Spa Day
A girls’ trip calls for relaxation, and Bathhouse is the perfect place to unwind. This bathhouse has thermal pools, saunas, steam rooms, and treatments like massages and scrubs. I’ve been to the Flatiron location and I loved the sleek and modern feel of it. There’s also a location in Williamsburg!
2. Enjoy a Slow Brunch
What’s a girls’ trip without brunch?!
If you’re in the West Village, Buvette is perfect for a cozy, French-style breakfast. I love that all of the plates are small and share-able.
For something more lively, Jack’s Wife Freda in SoHo has great European-style sidewalk tables where you’ll get the best people watching.
Or check out Golden Diner in Chinatown which never misses!
3. Shop in SoHo & the Lower East Side
Shopping is so much more fun with your girlfriends.
Head to SoHo for a great mix of designer stores and popular brands. Wander down Spring and Prince Street and pop into whatever shops catch your interest! For a coffee break, check out La Cabra.
Here is my SoHo shopping guide.
I love the Lower East Side for small boutiques and vintage stores. When I’m in the area, I always visit Colbo, Sweet Pickle Books, Bode, and Lara Koleji.
4. See a Broadway Show
Even if you don’t consider yourself a theater person, Broadway will change your mind. For first-timers, I’d recommend a classic like Wicked, Lion King, or Hamilton. If you’re adventurous, go for something new and buzzy – I promise it’s an experience that lives up to the hype.
Here’s how I score affordable tickets to Broadway shows.
5. Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke
Screaming your heart out to Coldplay is the epitome of girlhood, so why not add a karaoke night to your itinerary?
Koreatown is the best spot for private karaoke rooms in the city. MS. KIM’S offers private rooms and has a great cocktail menu. If it’s a huge song list you’re after, head to Space Karaoke.
If you love show tunes, you have to visit Marie’s Crisis Cafe in the West Village, a sing-along piano bar.
6. Get Creative
For a fun, artsy experience, head to Happy Medium, an art cafe where the menu is full of crafts!
You can paint, sculpt, and create with your friends. It’s a playful way to tap into your creativity, and you’ll leave with a handmade souvenir from your trip.
And don’t worry if your pieces need to be fired or glazed, the cafe can ship them to you once they’re ready!
7. Spend the Afternoon at a Museum
I’ll be honest, I’d be happy to devote an entire girls’ trip exclusively to museum hopping.
For a classic museum, I’d recommend The Met or the MoMA. The Met Cloisters is a bit off the beaten path and will make you feel like you’re transported to medieval Europe.
And if you’re more about interactive, photo-worthy museums, check out The Museum of Ice Cream or Color Factory.
8. Sail at Sunset on the Hudson
There’s something special about seeing the NYC skyline from the water that never gets old. Book a sunset sail on the Hudson, sip some wine, and soak up the views.
If you prefer to stay close to land, I’d recommend making a reservation at Grand Banks, a historical sailboat converted into a restaurant that stays docked.
9. Sip Cocktails at a Classic NYC Bar
How about cocktails for a girls’ night out?!
Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle has live jazz and hand-painted murals that make it feel straight out of a movie.
If you prefer something a little more modern, visit Dante, home to the best martini and negroni in NYC.
10. Make a Charm Necklace at Brooklyn Charm
Charm jewelry is all the rage right now! For a fun, personal keepsake, Brooklyn Charm in Williamsburg lets you design your own necklace from a huge selection of charms. This would be so cute to make matching bracelets with your girlfriends (or at least have a matching charm if that’s more your vibe).
11. Picnic in Central Park
No matter how many times you’ve been to NYC, a stroll through Central Park never gets old. Grab a coffee, find a quiet spot to sit and catch up, or bring along a picnic for a relaxed afternoon.
If you want to be more active, rent bikes and ride the loop, or take a rowboat out on the lake.
12. Treat Yourself to Afternoon Tea
Who better to enjoy high tea with than your girlfriends?
The Palm Court at The Plaza is the most famous option, but if you want something more low-key, Tea & Sympathy in the West Village is a cozy, authentic British tea shop.
13. Listen to Live Jazz
A night at a jazz club is the ultimate NYC experience.
I personally love the Village Vanguard and Smalls in the West Village. They’re steeped in history and always have incredible music. If you want skyline views with your jazz, Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center is unbeatable.
14. See the NYC Ballet
In my opinion, the New York City Ballet is one of the most underrated cultural spots in New York City. From getting dressed up to settling into my velvet-covered seat, everything about the experience is special and elegant. Watching a show in the grand theater always makes me feel like I’m in a movie.
15. Go Vintage Shopping in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is home to some of the best vintage stores in NYC. You could spend an entire day getting lost in all of the shops, but I love Amarcord, Raggedy Threads, Chickees Vintage, Seven Wonders, and Dobbin St.
That concludes this post about what to do on a girls’ trip to NYC.
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