A girls’ day in Midtown: charm bracelets, cocktails, and avoiding Times Square

Midtown Manhattan may be the beating heart of NYC, but I won’t be the first to say it’s not my go-to place for a hangout. The convenience, though, is unbeatable. So, when my best friend and I had a full day to kill near Penn Station, we made the most of it. It was a sweltering day in June, so our two priorities were 1) A/C and 2) shade. Mainly, though, we just wanted to spend time together after months apart.

Whether you work there, a friend or partner does, or you just need a place to meet in the middle, you’re bound to find yourself in Midtown. But, if you look beyond the blinding lights of Times Square, you’ll find some gems that are a little off the beaten path.

Here’s how we spent a day in Midtown Manhattan.

Ess-A-Bagel

Koreatown, NYC

Everyone’s got the bagel they think is the best bagel in the city. I won’t be biased, but Ess-A-Bagel is definitely a contender. And if you can’t decide between a bacon, egg, and cheese and a classic schmear, bring a friend and split. That’s the beauty of it. We got both a classic BEC on Everything and a jalapeño cream cheese on Everything, and each got a half. It was a perfect balance and felt like a luxury compared to the about-to-miss-the-train-and-starving bagel experiences you have rushing around town. There’s a bit of seating, too, so we managed to start our day with a deep breath and some people-watching.

Maman

Bryant Park, NYC

Walking ten blocks in 95-degree heat post-bagel means one thing: we were itching for iced coffee. Maman is a reliable chain that’s dotted all over the city and provides a little bit of French Countryside charm if you’re already sick of the skyscrapers. The Bryant Park location is like the others – rustic, dotted with vines, and very popular. I got my iced oat latte with lavender, and my friend got hers with vanilla. Their syrups are made in-house, so they’re more flavorful than they are sweet. I also had to grab a nutty chocolate chip cookie. And by had, I mean Oprah told me to. No, really. It’s officially one of her favorite things.

We took our coffees and found a shaded seat under the tall, thin trees of Bryant Park. After yapping and catching up, we took a seat to watch pianist Dan Manjovi play as part of the Piano in Bryant Park program.

New York Public Library

Bryant Park, NYC

To cool down a bit, we headed to the New York Public Library, just off of Bryant Park. The Beaux-Arts architecture and ornate rooms made it a great place to wander, with something special just around every corner. Astor Hall, the library’s ornate foyer, was a breath of fresh air and a sight to behold, with winding marble staircases and massive candelabras casting a soft glow. We sat on the stairs for a moment, daydreaming about getting married there (yes, you can actually host events in the NYPL), before heading up to the gorgeous McGraw rotunda. Again, we sat on a bench and let our jaws hang. Then, to finish off, we attended the free Treasures exhibition, which displayed some of the library’s most coveted items, from the real Winnie The Pooh to Charles Dickens’ writing desk.

Chelsea Market

Chelsea, NYC

We took the subway across town toward the Hudson to explore Chelsea Market, with a few key spots in mind. First, we hit up Artists and Fleas, a makers’ market full of local treasures by designers, artists, collectors, and curators. We put our names down for Brooklyn Charm, the Midtown outpost of the beloved charm bracelet shop, and later came back to make matching friendship charm bracelets (PSA: this location is now closed, but you can still head to their flagship store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn). After hitting up a few more shops, we went to Los Tacos No. 1 for some of the best authentic Mexican tacos in the city. We enjoyed two tacos each streetside with a Topo Chico.

Our next stop was meant to be the Whitney Museum, a short walk from where we had lunch, but we dangerously passed by the Meatpacking location of Studs. My friend has been wanting to get her cartilage pierced, but said she only would if I got a piercing, so I impulsively said I’d do my third lobe. A half-hour later, we both walked out with new holes in our ears and a bright yellow bag of saline, little gold stars glittering from behind our hair. We still managed to swing by the Whitney to have a quick look at the gift shop.

The High Line

Chelsea, NYC

Golden hour was approaching and the air was cooling down, meaning it was the perfect time for a sunset walk across the High Line. We caught up, grabbed a snack from one of the food trucks, and walked along the lush path with a lovely view of the river.

Jungle Bird

Chelsea, NYC

A girls’ trip wouldn’t be complete without a good cocktail… or three? Our first stop was Jungle Bird, a few blocks off of the High Line’s 34th Street exit. We sat in the Canopy Room, the bright upstairs space that has a colorful bar and is also used for private events. Again, we did the logical thing and split two drinks so we could cast a wide net. My friend chose I Wanna Be Adored, a stunning rose-adorned coupe drink made with rose gin and aquafaba. I went for the Jungle Bird, the tropical rum and Campari-based namesake of the spot. Both were delicious – naturally, the Jungle Bird was done masterfully, but the I Wanna Be Adored was both of our favorites.

Cooper's Craft and Cocktails

Chelsea, NYC

Just across the street from Jungle Bird was Cooper’s, a laid-back bar with a simple, refreshing cocktail list and a load of delectable bites. As much as I craved the Frozen Aperol Spritz, I decided to try something new and went for the Strawberry Spritz, a fruity summer twist on a classic. My friend ordered the Cucumber Crush, which was perfectly cucumber-y, “like drinking a salad in the best way”. Though we were about to head to dinner, we had to order a side of truffle fries, which came with the most incredible subtle truffle garlic aioli. It was a great place to stop, have a drink, and AirDrop our photos to each other before we went on our way again.

(A/N: Cooper’s is no longer in Chelsea, but they have a flagship location in the East Village.)

Empire Cake

Chelsea, NYC

In desperate need of a sweet treat (yes, before dinner) we popped into Empire Cake for a black-and-white cookie and what I can only describe as a yassified Ho-Ho. Both were great, though their B&W is a bit more cake-like than I usually go for. My favorite part of the experience was the tip jar, which was made up of two paper cups, adorned with illustrations of a squirrel and a pigeon, over the question “Who’s your favorite NYC villain?”. The pigeon’s cup was empty. I felt bad, but I didn’t have cash on me.

Ippudo 5th Avenue

Midtown Central, NYC

My best friend had Ippudo on a business trip and insisted I try it. Although it was sweltering from the moment we stepped out that morning, it had cooled down by the time we headed to dinner, and the restaurant had blasting A/C. I got the Miso Ramen – it was fantastic. It had me on the edge of my seat – so much so that I actually fell off of it and embarrassed myself in front of the entire restaurant. My friend got the Karaka Spicy, though ended up splitting some of mine since the spice was too much for the heat outside.

Agency of Record

Murray Hill, NYC

A genius play on words, Agency of Record is a cocktail and listening bar that also serves as a love letter to the golden age of NYC advertising agencies. Sounds a bit rogue (and slightly triggering if you work in marketing), but they’ve made it more than interesting. With a funky illustrated menu, framed vintage ads decorating the walls, and an eccentric, mid-century design, it was the perfect spot to end the night. The resident DJ, Snafu, gave the evening a funky soundtrack. Cocktails are named after random marketing terms – we ordered Above the Fold, a bourbon-based herby drink shaken with fresh sour berries, and Prime Time, a smooth gin-based drink with blueberry jam and white port. The former was our favorite, surprisingly, since we both aren’t huge bourbon drinkers, but it evoked the mood of sitting on a stuffy patio in the South after a long day in the summer heat. That’s exactly what we needed.