Girl Who Travels: A Story in Every Frame

Travel Date: June 2026

Sometimes, you just need to pack a bag and go. On a total whim, we decided to escape to New York City for a quick, spur-of-the-moment getaway, with an itinerary of pure indulgence: a heavy focus on shopping and eating, mixed with a dash of classic tourism.

Arriving just after midnight, we were greeted by a heavy, dramatic fog that wrapped the city in a brilliant, colorful glow. The mist was so thick that the tops of the tallest skyscrapers completely vanished into the night sky. It felt less like a standard midnight arrival and more like stepping straight into a movie—absolutely magical.

The Basecamp: Tempo by Hilton Times Square

Let’s start with the hotel, because it completely set the tone for the trip. We stayed at the Tempo by Hilton in Times Square, and it did not disappoint. Our room had an absolutely amazing view overlooking the neon glow of the crossroads of the world. It was the perfect vantage point—in fact, we got to watch a massive crowd of passionate Ecuador fans gathered below, cheering on their team in the World Cup. It was a pre-game celebration that clearly worked, since they beat Germany the following day!

Beyond the view, the hotel staff were incredible. From check-in to check-out, they were attentive, helpful, and kept the entire property running like a well-oiled machine. We also spent some time at Highball, the hotel’s restaurant and lounge, which was absolutely delightful. If you stay there, I highly recommend ordering the cheese plate—it’s the perfect way to unwind after a day on your feet.

Day 1: Culture, History, and Neighborhood Gems

Our first full day was a beautiful mix of neighborhood exploring and iconic landmarks. We started by heading uptown to Morningside Heights for a fantastic meal at Symposium, a cozy spot with an incredible atmosphere. If you go (and you absolutely should), you must try the tzatziki. It is hands-down the best on the planet. Okay, I haven’t tried all of the tzatziki on the planet, but I’m still fairly confident in my statement. That first bite was practically a religious experience.

From there, we walked over to the breathtaking Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The sheer scale of the architecture is jaw-dropping, and it’s a peaceful refuge from the midtown hustle. It costs $15 for admission to go in and explore, but it is worth every penny.

The main hall was illuminated in a stunning rainbow of colors—I’m not entirely sure if it was specially lit because we visited during Pride month, or if that’s just its magnificent natural state. Moving through the space, we found moving alcoves dedicated to reflection, including memorials for those lost to the violence of ICE and those lost in the September 11 attacks. It was a deeply peaceful, emotional, and poignant sight.

We rounded out our afternoon by heading back down to the stunning, historic New York Public Library. The library café and gift shop were our very first stop, and they did not disappoint. I fueled up with a lovely vanilla iced latte while we browsed. I am a huge fan of Christmas ornaments and love collecting them from our adventures, so I was absolutely delighted to find a beautiful ornament featuring the library’s famous lion statues!

To top off the visit, we headed up to the third-floor McGraw Rotunda, where we spent some quiet time sitting on a bench, just gazing up at the stunning, historic artwork overhead.

Day 2: Iconic Shops, Epic Portions, and Famous Dessert

Day two was all about embracing the classic New York experience. We kicked things off with a fun pop-culture stop at Central Perk before diving headfirst into retail therapy. I even got to take a photo with the iconic couch from Friends.

From there, we hit the legendary, glittering displays at Tiffany & Co. and explored the massive, historic floors of Macy’s Herald Square. Fun fact: the Knicks Championship Trophy was actually on display at Tiffany’s during our visit. We didn’t quite make it over to see it, but it was a cool little brush with New York sports lore nonetheless.

I didn’t take a ton of pictures during our shopping spree, but I did manage to capture one piece of iconic New York wildlife: a classic city pigeon.

After walking what felt like a million steps, we rewarded ourselves with a lovely, family-style dinner at Carmine’s. The energy was pure New York, and the portions were beautifully epic—the sautéed spinach and chicken marsala were absolutely perfect.

Because no trip to the city is truly complete without something sweet, we finished the night with a legendary coffee and dessert pairing at Junior’s.

It was fast, it was delicious, and it was the exact kind of spontaneous magic only NYC can deliver. I can’t wait to go back.