This year I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to New York to begin studies at Columbia Business School. I was super excited as not only is it an Ivy League business school, but it is also in the greatest and my favourite city in the world! I got to spend a good part of my summer in sizzling 30 °C New York. Here are some of my favourite NYC summer experiences in no particular order:

Firstly, spending time in the GORGEOUS Columbia campus. Even if you don’t have reason to go up there, make sure you do if you can as it is one of the most beautiful parts of town, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. The tree-lined campus lawns, Butler Library, quad and the iconic columns of Low Library. Much like the universities back home in England, but hard to imagine this leafy oasis exists amidst the concrete jungle!

Walking through Central Park and Sheep Meadow on a sunny summer evening (equally beautiful in the winter!)

Chilling at Lincoln Centre and cooling down by its iconic Revson Fountain

Spending a few nights at the stunning NoMo Soho hotel with the sunny New York skyline laid out like a panoramic painting in front of you (with the best bathroom view in the world!!!)

Sipping cool cocktails at New York speakeasies like Angel’s Share and Please Don’t Tell

Savouring the spicy rigatoni vodka pasta at the uber trendy Carbone in Greenwich Village

Enjoying a true American breakfast on a summer weekend in a true American diner, Toms in Brooklyn – the pancakes, eggs and thick milkshakes are just classic!

Whiling away a day at Coney Island and enjoying its many attractions including the beach, boardwalk, Luna Park, Nathan’s original hot dogs and the iconic Cyclone

On that note – my husband and I being the only ones to ride the Coney Island Cyclone one morning – a thoroughly exhilarating experience! 

Taking longs walks through the pretty parts of Brooklyn – Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Promenade, Flatbush and DUMBO

Hitting up some of the coolest nightspots in Williamsburg like Knitting Factory and Baby’s All Right

Devouring melt-in-your-mouth steak at St. Anselm in Williamsburg

Slurping tasty cocktails at The Commodore and Hotel Delmano in Williamsburg

Feeling exhausted trying to navigate the expansive Prospect Park on a hot day

Feeling like a kid in a candy shop at the world’s most amazing candy store, Economy Candy

Admiring the street art and murals whilst walking through the Lower East Side and Nolita

Getting a sugar high with an overload of summer treats from Milk Bar (chocolate-covered pretzel soft-serve), Cha Cha Matcha (matcha ice-cream), Milk & Cream Cereal Bar (more ice-cream!)

People-watching at Washington Square Park

Sipping over-priced (but worth-it-for-the-view) cocktails at NYC’s best rooftop bars like The Crown at Hotel 50 Bowery

Getting lost in the rare books section of Strand Bookstore (and being thankful for the air conditioning)

Feeling the heat at Mission Chinese, one of Anthony Bourdain’s New York haunts with exciting food that’s like a spicy kick in the throat

Bingeing on chocolate pancakes at Clinton St. Banking Co

Watching an All-Star American baseball game (New York Mets v Washington Nationals) at Citi Field

Feeling lost in Flushing’s Chinatown – like being thrown into a street market in mainland China, and eventually managing to find the best dumplings in the world at Tian Jin Dumpling House which is an underground hole in the wall and nearly impossible to find!

Having a great Friday night out at Beauty and Essex – extra thrills for having to go through a real pawn shop to find it!

Trying the legendary ramen burger at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn – also a great place for some serious views!

Taking instagrammable pictures at Flour Shop (rainbow heaven) and Pietro Nolita (Barbie’s home)

Meeting the coolest lawyer in New York and gubernatorial candidate, Cynthia Nixon and getting into Sex and the City fangirl mode

Hopping around different Milk Bars in the city to find a slice of birthday cake

Cooling down with a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3 and re-creating the scene from the movie with my husband 🙂