NEWSVacation Like a Star: New York City
July 21 2013, Published 8:12 a.m. ET
When you're in an Empire State of Mind, you're going to want a major list of of must-see spots to visit—consider this yours.
Where to Stay: The James New York. This hotel boosts everything you need to have fun: swanky rooms, a David Burke Kitchen restaurant, a pool on the roof, an urban garden, and Jimmy—an awesome bar where you can see and be seen. Oh, and James Franco, Zac Efron, Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, and John Legend have all stayed here.
Where to Go For Dim Sum Brunch: TAO. If you're a fan of Asian delights like dumplings, pork buns, lobster wontons, and scallion pancakes, TAO is the brunch spot for you. Their dim sum brunch is beyond delish—just ask celeb fans Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Sophia Vergara. Definitely put this on your list to visit!
Where to Brunch: Beauty & Essex is one of NYC's "it" restaurants and they just launched a DJ-spun champagne brunch, which features dishes like Lemon Blackberry Pancakes, Apple Turnovers, and a Bagels and Lox Board. Kitschy extras include a pawn shop entrance and free bubbly in the ladies room. Bey and Jay-Z, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba, and Kim Kardashian have all been known to frequent B&E.
Where to Swim on a Roof: Thompson LES. This chill pool located on the roof of the Thompson Hotel has everything you need to have a good time: awesome tunes, bespoke cocktails (that also come in pitchers), lounge chairs, pretty people, and an Andy Warhol filmstrip located at the bottom of the 3ft swimming zone.
Where to Work Out: Ashley Tisdale, January Jones, Mila Kunis, and Bradley Cooper have all felt the burn getting in shape at Equinox's 20+ clubs in the city (the Greenwich location is the best for celeb spotting though). Signature classes include: Stacked (high density training with sandbells), Animal Flow (high-intensity metabolic conditioning), and Metcon3 (cross training).
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Where to Lunch: Asellina. Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Ashley Greene have noshed on signature dishes like Veal Meatballs, Beef Carpaccio, Black Ink Tagliatelle, and Roasted Branzino at this dining hot spot located in the Gansevoort Hotel Park Avenue.
Where to Drink Al Fresco: PH-D at the Dream Downtown hotel. Chace Crawford, Nas, and Jenny McCarthy have all partied at this penthouse lounge, which features panoramic views of the city and specialty cocktails like the Wet Dream.
Where to Spa: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Get the Signature Stress Melter Ritual (an olive oil skin softening scrub, hydrating body wrap, and Swedish massage package) and ask for Courtney—the two hour experience will change. your. life. Another treatment worth a booking: the Oxygen Infusion Facial. Supermodel Coco Rocha and Chelsea Clinton are regulars of the spa.
Where to Eat Dinner: LAVO. This restaurant slash nightclub never disappoints. You're going to want to order their famed Kobe Meatball and Carne Pizza and throw down a few Lavolinis (Prosecco, Passion Fruit, and St. Germain) before you head downstairs to keep the party going. Zoe Saldana, Ashley Greene, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have all dined here.
Where do you go when you visit NYC? Tell us in the comments or @OKMagazine!
