New York

October in New York is perfect for sightseeing and shopping. Jill Nash reveals there is no better time to visit the city that never sleeps.

Stay

New York City is like a small universe, as cities don’t come any bigger than this. When you walk between the high skyscrapers you feel small, and let's face it: you are. It’s densely packed with all types of nationalities, cultures and religions, making it one of the world’s most impressive melting pots. It's hard to put a finger on what makes the place buzz so much, but the city's hyperactive rush keeps drawing more and more people to it. October is a perfect time to explore the city sights as climatically the weather is still warm by day, but slightly cooler at night. For a swanky night in style, stay at the Gansvoort Hotel, a luxurious 14-storey tower above one-time meatpacking buildings is now transformed into Manhattan's hippest new home for boutiques, restaurants and clubs. Opened in 2004, the Gansevoort is both a place to be seen and to stay. The rooftop bar and plunge pool, draws block-long lines of well-dressed locals looking for a Hudson River view for their martini. If you are a hotel resident, and you nip out for dinner you can jump the queue. Prices start at £200 per room per night visit www.hotelgansvoort.com. For a night of exclusivity stay at members-only SoHo House, a former warehouse, the hotel shows off much of its industrial roots, with exposed beams and wooden floors and brick walls. The 'playpen' rooms are the standards - quite small, but with a corner sofa and metallic desk and creamy-green walls. Opt for a notch up: the 'playroom' with loft-like space, showers that double as steam rooms, automatic sliding curtains to split the room in two, and a snack drawer that includes 'naughty' oils. Prices start at £400 per room per night visit www.sohohouseny.com

Dine

Dining out in New York can be anything you want from fine dining to low-key experiences, with such a variety of everything from steakhouses to stylish cafes, and sushi bars. If you are looking for meat, and lots of it, then head to the Macelleria, a rustic Italian Steak House and former meat warehouse with dangling meat hooks and carving tables to give the impression of a real life butchers shop, obviously not for vegetarians but perfect for devoted carnivores. Visit www.macelleriarestaurant.com. Also located in the meatpacking district is classy lunchtime venue
Pastis, a French styled restaurant popular with ‘Sex and the City’ enthusiasts (apparently it was filmed there). Restaurateur Keith McNally, whose other restaurants include Lucky Strike, Pravda and Balthazar, has created a traditional bistro, which boasts a communal table for larger parties and an outdoor summer cafe. In summer you will be astounded at how the streets become clogged with glitterati, limousines and gawkers. Fortunately the crowds have no impact on Pastis' quality of food, visit www.pastisny.com. Finally for something a little spicy a good evening restaurant in the same area is the popular Spice Market, it’s a massive venue with a cantilevered bar upstairs, they serve the best chicken wings drizzled with sweet chilli sauce. A fabulous location for big groups, visit www.psicemarketnewyork.com.

Drink

On any day, in any part of the city, there will be at least one drinking establishment where you can celebrate life with a fancy cocktail or a stiff drink. The plethora of bars is overwhelming. Enjoy an early champagne cocktail with a view over the Hudson River at Hotel Gansvoort’s rooftop bar, before heading out for the night to some of the cities many glitzy bars. New York City is the "hub" of the Jazz world. All the greats made their names here, and young up-and-comers flock to the city for the chance to prove themselves, so if you’re looking for some entertainment with your drink, then head to the original Blue Note, one of New York’s oldest jazz clubs. Although considered one of the top venues in the world for presenting Jazz, it also features all the biggest names in Blues, Latin, Brazilian, Fusion, R&B, Soul, and Popular music, expect to see world-renowned talent on any given day except for Mondays, which is reserved for exceptional local talent, visit www.bluenote.net. If you’re looking for something a bit more main stream then spend the night and early hours dancing away at the super stylish, palm-treed Bungalow 8, a nightclub which has been known to be a bit of a haunt for celebrities and open until the early hours.

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