The Master Plan NYC

I'll help you organize & plan your NYC trip. All you have to do is choose which Manolo's to pack and sip your cosmo. My tips, secrets and sparkles will leave no room for FOMO. Come hang with me. Let's create live long memories on these famous avenues.

Sundays well Spent: Across the Brooklyn Bridge

“Brooklyn’s good. Brooklyn’s funky. Brooklyn’s happening.”

Waris Dirie
Sundays well spent brings a week of content! 
 
When I was a child I hated Sundays. Made me feel nostalgic and even a little sad. Sundays still feel like this when I have no plans. So I listen to the IG quote and plan fun things to do . Cause after all, Sundays are for relaxing with friends and lots of great food.
 
Whether you take the ferry or walk the Bridge – and yes, when lazy just take the subway 🙈 – crossing the East River on Sunday will bring you a lot of fun.
 
Join me on a quick trip to the Brooklyn Bridge Area. 
 

From Breakfast over brunch to dinner and cocktails

Oh all the food! And these tips are just the tip of the iceberg (couldn’t help myself 😉). 
 
  • Time Out Market (55 Water St): No nood to choose here. You can try it all. Don't forget to go upstairs. Instagram your heart out!
  • Luke's Lobster (11 Water St): Order take-away. Find a bench and enjoy the view & your lobster.
  • River Café (1 Water St): Something to celebrate? Or Just in need to dress up? This is your place to be.
  • 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (60 Furman St): Pool. Cocktails. View. I still have to convince you?

Don't forget your smile

The Manhattan Skyline is your backdrop. It doesn’t get any better! But still the Brooklyn Bridge area has some gems to add likes to your feed.

  • Jane's Carousel (New Dock St): We are never to old to ride a gorgeous carousel.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park (334 Furman St): I do hope you have enough space on your Cloud.
  • Pebble Beach (65 Plymouth St): the skyline, Jane's Carousel, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge. All these photo props at your disposal.
  • Washington St (oh yes in Washington St): If you don't want a zillion other tourists on your picture be there at sunrise!

Text a friend and meet me under the Bridge 🎀

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

PS: Don’t like Sundays like my child-me?

Go and have a look at Sunday Forever! This NYC woman-owed brand will give you all the good vibes to turn Sunday (and every day actually) into a chill party. 

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

Personalized Itinerary: One day in NYC with Samantha Wills

Picture Source: Qantas

when the Universe asks you to dance, I hope you take her hand, I hope you choose faith over fear...

Samantha Wills - of gold and dust
Have you seen it on the Gram? Samantha is traveling to New York City! 
 
Samantha? Yes Samantha! Samantha Wills. My, and many others, inspiration. I fell in love with her gorgeous Bohemian Bardot rings long before I fell in love with her. No, not in the romantic kind of way. The inspirational kind. 
 
If you don’t know her yet, I suggest you start stalking her on Instagram. Dive in deep. Read every post on her site. And the golden book. You can thank me later! 
 
 
I had a handful of her BB rings when Samantha announced the closure of her jewelry business. I still kick myself that I only bought 2 more pieces. So late at night I search the endless internet for vintage pieces. I discovered many are fake…and we don’t do fake here! So if any of you have an original piece in a cabinet, let me know. I want to give it a loving home 💗.
 
Anyway…
 
I can go on and on about Samantha, but this blog is about NYC 😉. Although you’ll find more than one reference to her and the Samantha Wills Institute on my feed. 
 
When I read she’s on her way to my, and her, beloved NYC I decided to make a personalize itinerary for her. Or at least how I would plan it for her. (After years of following her on Insta 🙈. I’m not a freak. Slightly obsessed maybe. But trust me you’ll be too as soon as you dig in).
 
So Samantha, I hope you love my day in NYC for you. Not a regular tourist after living there for years. But I hope my view on the city inspires you. 
 
Enjoy!

The early bird...

Nothing beats jetlag like working out! Soulcycle is like a double cleans. For body & soul. You’ll be happy to discover their SoHo location is right across Drybar. Add a head massage to your blowout! Heaven on earth for your hair. Bonus: no need to go back to your hotel! 
 
You are meeting old neighbors in Pastis for morning coffee and croissants. It’s been years since the original one closed. Let’s find out if Pastis 2.0 has the same vibe going on. 
 
Visiting the Whitney is a must. We are in the area after all.
 
All this art might feed you even more than the morning croissant – or does only Vogue has this effect?
 
While admiring the art think about some questions. Questions you want to ask Alex during your tarot reading. Tell her I send my love. Do we have to wait for the second book to discover what came out of this reading?
 
Let it all sink while strolling around Little Island. You’ll love this little extraordinaire park on the Hudson. Children playing ‘piano’ while you enjoy the view. Don’t hang out there too long, cause your lunch date is waiting. 

Samantha Wills Quote // Fotografiska // RH New York // The Greens // RH Elevator

Picture sources are linked above. 

Lunch, dad jokes and afternoon strolls

RH Rooftop. A picture here will be a great source for a dad joke. Can’t wait to hear it!
 
While you take the glass elevator up to your table, I’m sure your eye  will catch a thing or 2 for your home.
RH New York is divine! And slightly over the top…
 
Walking around your old neighborhood brings back all the memories, doesn’t it? Did the High Line changed much since your last stroll here? Did you even had the time to wander around here? I hope you do now. 
 
Take a deep breath and book your Uber. Let’s go choose some new coffee table books! 
 
Fotografiska will blow your mind! You enter through the giftshop. But I suggest picking up the books after your visit (#tooheavy). Get transported back to our youth with the portrait of Salt-n-Pepa  by Janette Beckman. 
 
Oh yes, before I forget!
 
Become a member so you can have a pre-dinner cocktail at their Chapel. A speakeasy in the museum only for members. Or the famous. If you can get me in, I’ll love you even more. Just kidding. Or not…

Catching up with friends and views

I know Eataly is just around the corner. But you’ll have to save the pasta & gelato for another day.

You need to use the little time you have left to go shopping at Sunday Forever.
 
Their robes are heaven. So are their candles. And while you are at it, try the loungewear! You’ll never want to take it off… Add some of their statement coconut perfume and you are a Sunday Forever addict like me! Talk to Ashley, the face behind the brand.  You will both inspire each other. Amazing storytellers creating brands to adore. 
 
Drop off your new coffee table books & Sunday Forever treats at the hotel and get all fancy.
 
Oh, how have we missed dressing up! Let’s go wining & dining! 
 
I know! I know! You want to shoe shop at SJP! But by the time you get there they will be closed! I do suggest getting in touch with them. So the shoes get a role in the ‘of gold and dust’ movie!
 
Wouldn’t that be full circle? 
 
Pier 17. The Greens. A cabine with a view on The Brooklyn Bridge. The perfect place to catch up with friends long time no see. 
 
Sit back. Relax. Laugh.
Enjoy the view.
Laugh some more.
Feel the love from those you love. Cheers to friendship.
 
To friendship and love. 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

Download the 1 day itinerary here!

PS: Scrolling around the internet gives you some old gems ☺️. I found a few tips from Samantha herself. Double check before adding them to your itinerary.

Cause you know, the city never sleeps. Nor does it stand still. 

And if you google long enough you might find a little NYC blog filled with little gems from Samantha…

PS2: Are you looking for a special gift? For someone you love. Or for you! If you are anything like me, you’ll love the Creative Workshop developed by Samantha Wills. I know we’ve all enrolled in challenges. But this is so much more and goes so much deeper! It only requires 900 seconds a day. Nor do you have to be a Picasso of any kind. Just go with the flow and discover all this new layers within yourself. The least you will get from it is a clean drawer ;). 

 
Business owners might love to hear the Samantha Wills Masterclass is opening up again mid January! I enrolled the first time it opened up. Might have set my alarm to make sure I didn’t miss it. I’ve been working through the models step by step and learned so much. Can’t wait to implement it all here in my little piece of New York for all of you to experience. 
 
I’m not on sponsored level yet ;), but the link is affiliate. 
 
 

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

Freebie: 3-day itinerary Shop Till You Drop

'Shopping for labels, shopping for love Manolo and Louis, it's all I'm thinking of Shopping for labels, shopping for love Manolo and Louis, it's all I'm thinking of'

Fergie
Labels & Love honey.
 
Labels & LOOOVVVVE.
 
I can’t promise you the love, but if you follow the itinerary I created for you, you’ll find the labels. Oh yes off course! It contains NYC highlights too! Cause that’s why we are here, no? Just for the labels? I want tell. Pinky promise.
 
Whether you are here for the NYC highlights or the Label highlights. You are welcome! 

Confession time

The first time I visited NYC I was overwhelmed with all those shopping opportunities. Literally stores all over. ALL OVER! I’ve bought more than I needed. More than I remember. (For my defense…that trip was years ago!)
 
But two things I do remember. A fake fur body warmer. I still have it. All those years later and I still wear it! Best purchase ever. And it was a bargain (I live for bargains). Cost per wear is the lowest from all my wardrobe pieces.
 
The second piece I got was a Louis Vuitton scarf. A real investment piece. This one too was worn a lot. Was indeed…Till I accidentally put it in the dryer… I might have cried…I might have cried…I definitely cried.
 
Let me tell you one thing. Don’t do crazy stuff like me…Don’t buy French or any European brands in NYC (if you are European). They are off course way more expensive there than let’s say Paris.
Buy American brands. Buy local designers. Buy items you’ll love now and in 10 years from now! (Hello fake fur body warmer.)
 
What can I say? #shoplocal was not a thing back then. 

Make it your own

I hope you have fun adding stores to my itinerary. It contains great shopping locations. Up to you to add your favorite stores. (Tip: use Google Maps to see what’s in the neighborhood) 

When you start planning, don’t forget to plan your lunches & dinners (some tips here)! And if you are anything like me, you might want to read this very practical post too ;). 

3-Day Itinerary Shop Till You Drop

Let me know in the comments which store is on your list! 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

PS: Can’t wait to travel to NYC, but not a planning addict like me? No worries, I’ll make your personalized itinerary! 

 
It will contain all the things YOU want to do and a tons of extra’s and insights from me. What to do. When to see it. Where to eat. What to drink. You only have to decide who you’ll take with you on the trip ;). 
 
Reach out and I’ll dive right in! 

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

IN A RUSH? PIN IT FOR LATER!

3-Day Itinerary: The Best of Everything for first timers (freebie!)

“The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald
First time traveling to NYC?
 
Don’t know where to start? 
 
This itinerary is for you!
 
Three days* in the city is not nearly enough to cover it all. BUTTTTT it’s an amazing start! (*nor is 3 years, but I’m going slightly crazy here…)

The Best of Everything for first timers

You’ll cover 3 of the biggest parts the city has to offer and then some extra’s ;). Download the itinerary and use it to plan your amazing trip. It gives you a great idea of the things to do and then it’s up to you to personalize it to your wishes.

Oh and see! Lucky you! I even have a free template to help you with that part too ;). (Find it here)

Your 3-day itinerary is here!

I hope you love it! Reach out if you have any questions. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram when planning your trip! I want to join the excitement. 

3-Day Itinerary: The Best of Everything for First Timers

Better be prepared...

Before you dive in, read these 2 blog posts (or all…) on how to plan your perfect day; don’t-miss-anything and 5-steps-to-organize.

Which day is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

PS: Can’t wait to travel to NYC, but not a planning addict like me? No worries, I’ll make your personalized itinerary! 

It will contain all the things YOU want to do and a tons of extra’s and insights from me. What to do. When to see it. Where to eat. What to drink. You only have to decide who you’ll take with you on the trip ;). 
 

in a rush? pin it for later!

3-Day Itinerary: The Best of Everything for first timers

in a rush? pin it for later!

3-Day Itinerary: The Best of Everything for first timers

Free Download: My itinerary template!

Today brings a little gift for you!
 
My itinerary template for you to download and use when you plan your trip. 
 
The Master Plan NYC Itinerary will bring all the info you need on a one page. No stress to find an address or to remember your dinner reservation. All info for the day will be there with plenty of time to wander. That is if you follow my perfect day planning tips :). 

A little reminder: - plan around location and avoid unnecessary travel time - check important info online (opening hours do change rather regularly) - leave time to wonder & wander

#themasterplannyc

Don’t forget to tag me when posting your itinerary #themasterplannyc

Free Download

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS: Check my more detailed post on planning here!  

5 Steps to organize your Not-Missing-Out-Anything-In-NYC-Itinerary

Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.

Ibn Battuta

You’ve made your bucket list and filtered it down to about 5 highlights a day. Now let’s get them organized and get your itinerary flowing.

Step 1: get them on the map!

I’m a visual person and I think you might too. So print below empty NYC map and start organizing your highlights on it. 
 
For now it doesn’t have to be exactly. But the first step is to organize your highlights by area. This will limit your travel time and will give you more time to wander and enjoy all the city has to offer. 
 
For example,
Rockefeller, St Patricks Cathedral and Radio City Music Hall are all in the same few blocks. So is Saks btw :).
Group them at the same time and this will give you time to have a cocktail at Waldorf Astoria and enjoy the old glory the city has to offer. 

Step 2: opening hours!

It’s a contradiction, but in the city that never sleeps there still exist opening hours. Best to check the official site for the most up to date opening hours.
 
Check if there is a pay-what-you-want day. Several musea have 1 day or afternoon when you can pay what you want. Try to go that day ;). 
 
Next check the exact address on the site and prepare how to get there. Many sites will tell you which subway to take. 

Step 3: open Google Maps!

Find the exact location. 1071 5th Avenue doesn’t tell you a thing, does it? It’s the Guggenheim. But if I tell you 5th between 88th & 89th, you immediately know it’s on the Upper East Side. Look for the nearest subway station to find out which line to take. 
 
Extra tip:
Use your Subway app or Google Maps to calculate the travel time. This will help you to be on time. I’ll admit…NYC is the only place where I seem to be able to be on time ;). 

Step 4: fill the gaps!

You know the highlight, the location and the opening hours. Now it’s time to plan around it.
 
Again, Google Maps is your best friend here. Zoom in and find stores, restaurants, must see’s near your highlight. It’s the easiest way to find everything in the area. Would be a shame if you miss a great place just because you had no idea it was around the corner. 
 
Planning a little Insta shoot at the Flat Iron Building around lunch? You will find a Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, but even better an Eataly around the corner. Don’t let hangry spoil your visit is my motto ;). 
 
You might think I’m obsessed, but really Google Maps is my best friend while planning a NYC trip :). It’s the whole city at your fingertips.

Step 5: write it all down!

You now have all the information you need. So time to fill in your itinerary by day. You can choose my template here.
 
And don’t forget. Planning is part of the fun. Put on some music and enjoy!

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS: Looking for some extra items to fill your itinerary? The book NYC Guide for Instagrammers from Silvie Bonne is a great book. It gives you little gems for every highlight. Oh, and the photography is a gem on itself!

Start your Not-Missing-Out-Anything-In-NYC-Itinerary

Have you made your bucket list? (If not you can read about it here.)
 
I don’t know how yours looks like, but mine is rather endless ;). Unfortunately your time isn’t. I hate to brake the news. Trust me as a Libra I understand. But making the perfect itinerary means making choices…
 
It’s better to limit your list of must sees on your itinerary and to fully enjoy them. Than to overplan your days and run around to make sure you can check everything off without time to wonder & wander. 
 
That was the hard news, let’s move on to the good!

I'm here to help you make these choices so you can have the perfect trip!

Are you ready?
 
Take your bucket list and choose 3 to 5 main highlights per day you are in NYC. That’s the idea you are working towards. I suggest to choose 2 main attractions a day. 1 in the morning and 1 for the afternoon.
 
It’s the city that never sleeps so you wont either :). You can choose 1 attraction for the evening too!
 
Wanna go wild? Add 1 for the night and dance away!
 
Making choices is not limiting your options! It will help you to structure your day and leaves you time to explore. 
 
No worries, you can always add a highlight as a back up!

Choose around 3 main highlights per full day you are in the city. And 1 to 2 for evenings & nights.

Make google maps your new bff

You might already want to open Google Maps and see what else is in the neighborhood of your chosen highlight. Look for restaurants, bar, shops,…so you can explore the area completely.

The next post will help you even more on organizing your chosen highlights.

Below list gives you the more classic options the city has to offer. 
 
Ready? Now go plan!
 
Let me know in the comments what’s on your list!

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS: need some inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board NYC To Do here. Looking for more off the beaten track, check out NYC Secrets here.

5 tips to prepare a perfect day in NYC

Preparation is key to success. And in this case: part of the fun! With these 5 tips you are able to plan the perfect day in the City!

I love preparing my NYC trips. All the reading, scrolling through pictures, visualizing myself in the city. It’s half of the fun!
 
With these 5 tips you will understand me completely. 

Tip 1: Prepare by area

This is where I totally went wrong during my first visit. Uptown, downtown, East-Side, West-Side. I saw it all on one day. Saw all & nothing, cause I lost precious hours in subways & taxi’s. Time I could have spend wondering & wandering! My planning was all over the place! As a result we lost precious time traveling. But on top… I never got an overview of the city.
 
Don’t be like first-time-me!
 
Be like 10th-time-me!
 
Organize your day around a highlight and use Google Maps to discover what else there is to see.
Taking the kids to the American Museum of Natural History? Google Maps will show you there is an Alice’s Tea Cup near (way better lunch idea than the basement at the museum ;)) and a playground in Central Park so they can run wild after the museum. 
 
The city is so big you might get lost in the possibilities. But an online map will make it look like a village ;). You will feel like a local by navigating it online ;). Zoom in and discover stores, restaurants and little gems. 

Tip 2: Prepare by a specific time of day

This is rather straightforward, but sometimes you might get overexcited and forget the most obvious. 
Traveling from Europe? You’ll wake up early so get some extra activities in the morning.
Prepped a late night dinner & show? Go for late brunch the next day.
 
It’s the city that never sleeps! You can do whatever you want when you want and where you want. Well almost ;). 
Cause off course a Holy Harlem tour with BE NY will only happen on a Sunday. 
 
So make sure you take tickets for shows, tours, special activities into consideration. These will be a main factor in your planning. 

Tip 3: Prepare around a highlight

You want to get the most out of a day at the MET? Visit it on a Friday or Saturday for late night opening. 
 
Make sure you check the most up to date opening hours online to make sure you are not standing before a closed door. Even in a city that never sleeps some locations do have a closing day. So it would be a pity if you forget to check them. 
 
Note that travel guides and blog posts, yes even mine, might not always be 100% up to date. What can I say? The city changes in a blink of an eye. Always best to check the official site to have the most up to date information. 

Tip 4: Don't be too ambitious

I know this might be hard. At least if you are a prep addict like me ;). I’m always afraid to miss out. But If you take the time to go around the corner and walk a block you might find a little hidden secret which is way better than the list of things you found on Pinterest. 
 
Cause don’t forget another Pinterest cliché…not all who wander are lost ;).

Tip 5: Don't underestimate travel time

You are on holiday so no need to take the subway to the Financial District when all traders are running to be at their desk before the Stock Exchange opens. I know, I know. The good ones like Mr Big have their own driver and will not be seen on the subway ;). But my point is: rush hour adds time to your travel time. 
 
So does rain. I swear, one drop of rain and every taxi and Uber is taken. Not just rain.
In a hurry? Trying to be on time? No taxi to be seen for blocks! It’s like the universe is teaching me a lesson. Be on time! You did not had time to check out those 2 last shops ;). 
 
Oh well, you can always call the restaurant and hope they will hold your table till you get there ;). 
 
Google Maps is your best friend here. You will find the correct location of your interest and how long it will take to get there. By taxi, subway or foot. Remember use intersections. 156 64th Street is way harder to fine than Alice’s Tea Cup at 64th Street & Lexington. 
 
NYC Subway is a great app to help you navigate the subway. It will show you which Subways to use and how long your journey will take. Including walking time between stations (if needed). You will travel like a local. just don’t forget to take it to the right direction ;). 
What are you waiting for? 
Start planning your next trip!
 
You want some extra help? Download my free itinerary template. 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

Follow and be inspired

@nycthemasterplan