ELLE Escapes: New York City

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Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.Courtesy of Musaafer, The Twenty Two, and Getty ImagesBy Claire Stern MilchPublished: Oct 30, 2026Marathon Sunday is upon us, and New York City is more alive than ever. With fall in full swing, there may be no better time to see and be seen, whether you’re making an entrance on the Met steps, cruising down the West Side Highway in a Blacklane, or holding court at the corner table of the city’s latest hotspot. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the essential stops for a weekend in what many still consider the greatest city in the world. Blame it on Carrie Bradshaw. We don’t make the rules.What to See‘Doll Dressing’ at The Museum at FITCourtesy of The Museum at FITCalling all dolls: “Doll Dressing,” the latest exhibition at The Museum at FIT, explores the intersection of dolls and fashion through more than 170 objects, from actual dolls to designer garments by Moschino (pictured here), Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, and more.Cannes Cinema at Fouquet’s New YorkMatthieu SalvaingTucked inside Fouquet’s New York, the Cannes Cinema is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Don’t miss the “Cozy Classics” series, a dinner-and-a-movie experience that begins with a three-course meal at the upstairs Brasserie and ends with a film screening of your choice.Central ParkMichael Lee//Getty ImagesFall in New York is unmatched. As You’ve Got Mail so perfectly puts it, “it makes me want to buy school supplies.” And when it comes to taking in the season’s foliage, there’s simply no place like Central Park.Telfar Shopping BagNow 53% OffCredit: CourtesyAGOLDE Pieced 90s Pinch Waist JeansCredit: CourtesyKate Spade New York On a Roll Zip CardholderCredit: CourtesyWhere to EatCafe CharmantNick JohnsonFinally, a restaurant that lives up to the hype. Taking over the former Saint Theo’s space, Cafe Charmant comes from the team behind Or’esh, The Eighty Six, and The Corner Store, serving up brasserie classics like Steak Frites and Spicy Moules Gratin. And whatever you do, save room for the chocolate mousse—it’s as good as they say.CoqodaqCourtesy of CocodaqThe sister restaurant to acclaimed Korean steakhouse Cote, Coqodaq may just be the chicest fried chicken spot in town (there’s even a private karaoke room in the back). Think nuggets topped with caviar and truffles, alongside crispy thighs and wings coated in soy-garlic and gochujang glazes. The setting is just as memorable: a sleek Flatiron space with designer soaps and sinks at the entrance—because here, eating with your hands isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged.Chez FifiAlex KraussChez Fifi is making the Upper East Side feel cool again. This cozy-yet-glamorous French bistro is a heartfelt tribute to the owners’ late mother, affectionately known as Fifi. Inside, expect sleek wood interiors, plush velvet banquettes, and a stylish, buzzy crowd, with an ambiance that nearly rivals the food. Standout dishes include the dinner omelet with wild mushrooms and Périgord truffles, the Txangurro deviled crab, and, of course, perfectly crisp French fries.Oscar de la Renta Floral-Embroidered Tulle Mini DressCredit: CourtesyKhaite The Davis Knee High BootNow 50% OffJW Pei Rantan Super Mini BagNow 31% OffCredit: CourtesyWhere to DrinkPeople’sAnnie SchlechterFor a night that feels equal parts timeless and thrillingly new, head to People’s, a Greenwich Village cocktail lounge already attracting the likes of Victoria and David Beckham. Housed in a century-old townhouse, the three-room space channels New York’s avante-garde past with a distinctly modern edge. Founded by Emmet McDermott and Margot Hauer-King, it pairs candlelit intimacy with an effortlessly cool, in-the-know crowd and a late-night menu curated by the Michelin-starred team behind Raf’s and The Musket Room. One rule: no photos allowed.The Portrait BarWilliam AbranowiczLocated inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Portrait Bar is made for date night. Settle in by the fireplace for cocktails and bar snacks, and see how many familiar faces you can spot in the portraits lining the walls. Want to keep the evening going? Café Carmellini is down the hall and well worth a reservation.Chez MargauxMatthew KappasWith a touch of Parisian decadence and a nod to London’s old-world charm, Chez Margaux is the latest addition to New York’s ever-evolving private club scene. Set in the former Spice Market space in the Meatpacking District, this velvet-clad space pairs high design with top-tier hospitality. Spanning 12,000 square feet of maximalist glamour, complete with de Gournay walls and red lacquered ceilings, every room is an experience in itself. Jean-Georges Vongerichten helms the culinary program, serving up signature favorites along with elevated takes on everything from sashimi to a midnight omelet. The only thing harder than getting in? Finding a reason to leave.Khaite Sasha Lace-Detailed Georgette TopNow 50% OffCredit: CourtesyOma the Label Kano EarringsNow 56% OffCredit: CourtesyMiu Miu 55mm Buckle-Embellished Slingblack PumpsWhere to StayThe Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMadCourtesy of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMadImpeccable service, timeless elegance, and skyline views: The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad (and official SailGP partner) checks every box. Between laps at the 6,800-square-foot spa and cocktails at rooftop bar Nubeluz, retreat to your suite for a Diptyque-filled bubble bath or book a restorative treatment. Visiting for marathon weekend? The hotel is teaming up with Natura Bissé on Diamond Longevity Racecation experiences designed with runners in mind. Come Sunday, refuel with aDJ brunch at Zaytinya, where Michelin-starred chef José Andrés serves up a mezze spread worth lingering over.The Twenty TwoCourtesy of The Twenty TwoThe beloved Mayfair institution has officially made its East Coast debut. The Twenty Two brings 77 rooms and suites, a fully equipped gym, and the Middle Eastern restaurant Café Zaffri. But beyond the buzz, the hotel offers a welcome respite from the city’s nonstop pace. A nod to its history, the building once served as the Margaret Louisa Home, a refuge for single working women. That legacy lives on through a thoughtfully curated collection of female artists’ artwork and a library filled with books by some of the most celebrated women writers.The Standard, High LineLingxiao Xie//Getty ImagesThe Standard, High Line remains a downtown icon, thanks to its striking architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and prime Meatpacking District location. But the appeal goes well beyond the views. Its F&B, anchored by The Standard Grill and The Standard Biergarten, and entertaining programming keep the energy going. From Not Your Standard Bingo every Sunday night at 9 P.M. to late-night dancing at BOOM (home to the much-talked-about Met Gala after-party), there’s always something happening.Rimowa CabinSlip Silk Sleep MaskHarper Perennial Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink by Véronique HylandCredit: Bookshop.orgBeauty PicksYouth to the People Superfood Peptide Eye CreamThe perfect eye cream for the city that requires all your energy. Relieve those tired eyes with this fast-absorbing cream that’s packed with aloe to soothe and peptides to plump.Ouai Super Dry ShampooLong live second (or third or fourth) day hair. Give your roots a spritz of Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo and you won’t ever need to stop back at your hotel. Key ingredients like rice starch and volcanic minerals work to detoxify strands and cleanse the hair so it will appear stronger and healthier between washes.Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club FragranceNow 15% OffIf you make it off the island of Manhattan to the land of hipsters and a never-running G train, you’ll find yourself in Brooklyn. This fragrance, inspired by the borough’s jazz club scene, has woodsy notes of smooth cocktails and smoking cigars. To answer the question of the most notorious BK resident, “Where Brooklyn at?” Bottled, in this fragrance.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below