A Rainy But Perfect NYC Girls Trip: Our Itinerary & Highlights

This May, I had the wonderful privilege of going to New York City for the first time with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I have always wanted to see NYC and experience the hustle and bustle. It lived up to every expectation I had of what an NYC girls trip would be. Even though the weather wasn’t quite what we had in mind with rain and wind, we all had a good attitude and didn’t let it slow us down (like true WestCoast-ers). I really appreciated a true girls trip with shopping, dining out, and sight seeing. It was so nice to get a break from the routine and see something new! 

Today, I want to share some of the highlights of our trip: 

1. Central Park Bike Tour

This was worth the $49 USD. The tour was 2 hours and took us through multiple sights through the park. The weather worked out for us- the rain cleared and it was so nice to have a little break from walking too. It was such a great way to meet people as well. It was a highlight for all 3 of us. 

Central Park

2. Broadway Show and Ellen’s Stardust Diner 

We saw the broadway show “& Juliet” and it was truly amazing. The music and story line was fantastic and with a female empowerment message it was perfect for a Gals Trip. That morning we also went to Ellen Stardust Diner where Broadway calibre singers are the servers. It was such an unique experience to be beautifully serenaded while eating breakfast, and the ambience was electric. 

At a Broadway Show "& Juliet"-Amazing!

3. Shopping in SOHO and walking in Chelsea 

When we arrived at our hotel in SOHO, we freshened up and went shopping in SOHO. The shops were so gorgeous and eclectic. We all became very hungry so we found a lovely Spanish tapas restaurant that looked small and quiet on the outside but inside was lively and full of people. The food and service was amazing! It was called Boqueria SOHO.

4. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge and having drinks in Dumbo 

Even though the weather wasn’t in our favour we had a great time seeing the sights while walking the Brooklyn Bridge. On the Brooklyn side we went to the Times Out Market for a drink and to dry off. It was so nice sitting there and seeing the views of Manhattan. We then braved the subway home, and that turned out to be another adventure too! 

In Brooklyn with view of the Manhattan Bridge

Planning tips for NYC: 

• If you are going with a group, talk about priorities and must see sights beforehand. We all had a chat before hand to discuss what we wanted to see and do. 

• Make an itinerary and reservations for several dinners beforehand 

• Invest in a good pair of sneakers that you are happy walking in all day. We averaged 20, 000 Steps a day! 

• For Broadway tickets, you can buy tickets the day of if you can’t decide on the show you want to see (which was our case)

• Prepare to be flexible and adjust plans due to weather 

• I suggest staying in Manhattan if you are doing a trip under 3 nights for convenience and time saving. 

• Go into the trip with the mindset that you’ll be very busy and not sleeping much but you will see so much and the exhaustion will be worth it!

Here is our detailed Itinerary:

NYC_Itinerary_Girls_Trip_Updated.docx

Download DOCX • 293KB

Final Thoughts

This trip to New York City was truly unforgettable. Even with a little rain and some tired feet, the memories made, the laughter shared, and the experiences we had far outweighed any small inconveniences. Traveling with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law made it extra special, and I feel so grateful we were able to take this trip together. If you’re planning your own NYC adventure, I hope some of our highlights and tips help you make the most of your time there too. It’s a city full of energy, history, and endless things to see — and I’m already dreaming of going back someday!