Image by Lukas Kloeppel

Start spreading the news, I’m dishing out honeymoon travel tips today! Opening up a blank canvas for your honeymoon destination is truly one of life’s feel-good moments, but there is some truth in the phrase: ‘spoiled for choice’.

I’ve taken it upon myself to shed some light on some amazing cities around the world to help would-be honeymooners make some informed decisions. And I know, New York isn’t exactly a hidden gem, but like any good honeymoon or even holiday, it helps to get a bit of knowledge about a place before you visit. I’ve hit up the Big Apple twice and each time it presents new and exciting places to visit.

Here are a few of my tips for New York if you’re heading there with your significant other. Happy honeymoon!

Where to stay

Hotels are expensive and Airbnb in good locations are rare, but if you’re placing a big emphasis on location, i.e., near the centre of the tourist action, otherwise known as Times Square, you can’t go past The Edison. It’s steps away from the famous Palace Theatre and a couple of minutes’ walk from Broadway, Times Square and Rockefeller Centre. The room we stayed in was… well, it was small, but it was worth it for the location! If you’re thinking about going down the Airbnb route, definitely consider Chelsea as an area to stay. It’s an awesome location with a very trendy vibe. Plus it’s easy to get to Times Square, the Chelsea Market, Soho and Brooklyn from there!

What to eat

So many options, but if you’re looking for something that satisfies your tastebuds and will give you a cool talking point when you get back home, you can’t go past Buddakan. “Buddakan presents the vivid flavours of the Far East in a surreal atmosphere that marries the serenity of Asia with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris,” the owners say.

Expect epic art, sparkling chandeliers and “shareable pan-Asian fare”. Get your hands on the dim sum and noodle soups. And if you need another reason why Buddakan is a New York must do, it featured in the Sex and the City movie. Of course, Buddakan will hit you pretty hard in the hip pocket (Carrie doesn’t just dine anywhere, don’t you know?), so if you’re looking for something just as delicious but a bit more budget friendly, you have to check out the Los Tacos No.1 at Chelsea Market. Authentic Mexican tacos with simple but oh-so-tasty ingredients.

Note: You must also grab a slice of pizza in Brooklyn at some point.

 

Where to drink

The other amazing thing about staying at The Edison, is that an amazing bar is not too far away. In fact, The Rum House is literally downstairs. I know what you’re thinking: ‘hotel bar? No thanks.’ This isn’t your standard hotel bar. Expect nightly live piano and jazz music, crafty cocktails, and “old world copper and wood décor”. It’s got that New York vibe which you crave when you visit a city with this much history. Still not convinced? This bar was immortalized in the award-winning film Birdman starring Michael Keaton.

How to be romantic

This is definitely weather dependent, but the ice skating rink in Central Park is all kinds of romantic. It’s the perfect way to spend a day of your honeymoon, if you don’t mind the cold outdoors. But if you’ve chosen New York in the winter, then you knew what you were in for. The best part? There are three rinks and they’re open from November through to March.

Bring some gloves, rent some skates, and make a honeymoon memory you’ll remember forever. Oh, and if you’re hitting up NYC in the summertime, you can’t go past The High Line. It’s a beautiful 1.45 mile long elevated linear park created on an old rail track. It has beautiful sights of the city, heaps of seats to sit down and chill and lots of greenery to enjoy.

Just for fun

Picture this: It’s a cold winter’s afternoon in New York City. You and your partner are strolling through snow covered Central Park, almost shaking your heads in disbelief at the beauty of it all. Then, almost out of nowhere, you spot a carousel. It’s empty, so you assume it’s not running due to the cold weather. But as you get closer, you notice a lone worker in the booth who says they are in fact open, so you and your partner have a romantic carousel ride all to yourselves as the white trees of Central Park whiz by around you. Yes, this actually happened to me. Yes, it was probably one of the most romantic things ever. No, I didn’t realise the carousel has been there for more than 100 years. I recommend combining a day of ice skating and a carousel ride before heading to the nearest bar to warm up with a whisky and an open fire. Obviously, the carousel isn’t always empty, and sometimes the weather can shut it down but if you head down in late February, you never know your luck.

Ms Zebra Says: New York is one of my favourite cities – I’ve been more than 8 times now – and can agree that each time brings new things to do, see and is NEVER boring. An absolute must with your partner!

About the author Mr Houndstooth: I am a happily married man. I enjoy a fine whisky, a new suit and swashbuckling around town with my beautiful bride. Looking back on my wedding day always makes me smile, even though it began to rain just as I said ‘I do’.