Your essential guide to New York

VISIT

A handsome trove of contemporary works — you’ll see Warhols, Basquiats and Hockneys here — the Museum of Modern Art firmly cemented its place in the pantheon of NYC cultural treasures with a US$450m renovation and expansion that added an additional third of gallery space.

DRINK

The all-day dining at Mandarin Oriental, New York’s MO Lounge promises wondrous modern American cuisine served in a chic, urban space with cosseting leather seats, wood accents and elegant, curved lighting. You’ll savour fabulous city views with cocktails that utilise botanicals and infused spirits.

EXPLORE

The premium shopping street Fifth Avenue isn’t just about the stores that line this canyon of consumerism, among them Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman. Wander its busy sidewalks and you’ll encounter city icons — St Patrick’s Cathedral, the New York Public Library’s main branch, and the Empire State Building, for starters.

EAT

A temple of haute sushi, the three-Michelin-star Masa is a salve for the senses. A solid counter made of Japanese cypress anchors the intimate space, while the omakase menu dishes are a visual treat. You can prime your palate with cocktails at Bar Masa next door.

WANDER

Close to the well-known High Line is a wondrously playful piece of civil and marine engineering that debuted in 2021. The aptly named Little Island rises from the Hudson River atop concrete columns and pots, and with walking trails, an amphitheatre, rolling terrain, and striking water views, it is a marvel to explore.

LINGER

The River Café brings some welcome polish to dining. You’ll need to be appropriately dressed to eat here (no jeans or tracksuit allowed), and the menu promises fine American cuisine with cinematic views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Ample Hills Creamery, next door, has fabulous ice creams.

BROWSE

Chelsea, like its London counterpart, sits in the west of the city, and it’s where you’ll find a pair of engaging bazaars. Chelsea Market is a vast emporium of refined food and retail, while the weekends-only Chelsea Flea presents an open-air smorgasbord of antiques and vintage items.

MARVEL

Few words are as synonymous with New York as Broadway, home to theatre productions large and small. Mandarin Oriental, New York is a short walk from the theatre district, and most shows have matinée and evening performances on Saturdays and Sunday, so it would be criminal not to catch one.

EXPERIENCE

Two hours north of the city in the Hudson Valley, Storm King is an outdoor revelation. You can wander the 500-acre plot to encounter paintings and drawings in the main building or thrilling, mammoth sculptures displayed in landscapes that are as striking as the works of art.

ENJOY

Before restaurateur Danny Meyer thrust Shake Shack upon the world, he was known for his stable of refined New York restaurants, among them Eleven Madison Park. At this beacon of fine dining, awarded three Michelin stars, you’ll experience a menu that, during the pandemic, became entirely plant-based.

REMEMBER

Ellis Island was a processing facility south of Manhattan, the first port of call for millions of immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, and you can dwell on their experiences at the island’s immigration museum. Ferries depart from Battery Park, where the Seaglass Carousel is a kid-friendly fantasy.

LISTEN

The arts powerhouse Lincoln Center, close to the hotel, has performances of ballet, opera, cinema, theatre and music throughout the year, but perhaps the top spectacle is Jazz at Lincoln Center. Shows are spread out over ten months, so you should be able to catch a jazz legend or two.

Being asked to recommend ‘the best’ restaurant in New York City is a daunting task for any concierge, especially with more than 27,000 restaurants at your fingertips. Whether you’re after fine dining or authentic bites, we know how to match our guests with the right experience. One of our best loved recommendations is the James Beard award-winning Le Bernardin, a regular fixture among the world’s top restaurants, while the newly Michelin-starred 16-seat Frevo is an utter feast for the senses, slyly concealed behind an art gallery.

- The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, New York.