Michael's World

Travel Diaries

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Though we love dreaming of bucket-list destinations and exotic escapes, that can sometimes distract us from appreciating what’s right in front of us. This fall, we’re looking at travel in a whole new way and falling in love again with our hometown, New York City. Rich with historical landmarks, renowned artworks and pockets of unexpected serenity, this city has been at the heart of our brand since its founding in 1981. We’ve searched the boroughs to find spots that reveal new perspectives on the city and give you a taste of what you can find hidden in your own backyard.

Though we love dreaming of bucket-list destinations and exotic escapes, that can sometimes distract us from appreciating what’s right in front of us. This fall, we’re looking at travel in a whole new way and falling in love again with our hometown, New York City. Rich with historical landmarks, renowned artworks and pockets of unexpected serenity, this city has been at the heart of our brand since its founding in 1981. We’ve searched the boroughs to find spots that reveal new perspectives on the city and give you a taste of what you can find hidden in your own backyard.

SOHO

If months of museum closures have left you itching to see art, you’ll find plenty as you walk through the city—as long as you know where to look. Start in SoHo. The neighborhood’s decorative cast-iron façades and eye-catching shop windows draw your eyes upward, but it’s worth taking notice of what’s below. Embedded in the sidewalk outside 110 Greene Street is an 87-foot long subway map. Designed by artist Francoise Schein in 1985, its stations are marked by LED lights. Trace the routes to your favorite places in the city, then turn the corner onto Prince Street and you’ll find our Michael Kors Lifestyle store.

If months of museum closures have left you itching to see art, you’ll find plenty as you walk through the city—as long as you know where to look. Start in SoHo. The neighborhood’s decorative cast-iron façades and eye-catching shop windows draw your eyes upward, but it’s worth taking notice of what’s below. Embedded in the sidewalk outside 110 Greene Street is an 87-foot long subway map. Designed by artist Francoise Schein in 1985, its stations are marked by LED lights. Trace the routes to your favorite places in the city, then turn the corner onto Prince Street and you’ll find our Michael Kors Lifestyle store.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Further downtown, you’ll discover more impressive public artworks among the skyscrapers of the Financial District. Snag a bench in Zuccotti Park to admire two of our favorites. Instantly recognizable for its bright hue and diagonal lines, Isamu Noguchi’s Red Cube sits across the park from Mark di Suvero’s exuberant, 70-foot-tall Joie de Vivre. Both shaded a bold red, they pop against the surrounding steel buildings. Around the corner on Pine Street, you’ll find another Noguchi work—Sunken Garden. In the style of a Zen garden, this recessed plaza features black Japanese boulders atop white bricks that mimic the natural curves of the Earth. It’s accompanied by Group of Four Trees, a graphic black-and-white sculpture by Jean Dubuffet.

Further downtown, you’ll discover more impressive public artworks among the skyscrapers of the Financial District. Snag a bench in Zuccotti Park to admire two of our favorites. Instantly recognizable for its bright hue and diagonal lines, Isamu Noguchi’s Red Cube sits across the park from Mark di Suvero’s exuberant, 70-foot-tall Joie de Vivre. Both shaded a bold red, they pop against the surrounding steel buildings. Around the corner on Pine Street, you’ll find another Noguchi work—Sunken Garden. In the style of a Zen garden, this recessed plaza features black Japanese boulders atop white bricks that mimic the natural curves of the Earth. It’s accompanied by Group of Four Trees, a graphic black-and-white sculpture by Jean Dubuffet.

WEST SIDE

Conclude your art history lesson along the city’s West Side. A must-see in Manhattan, the High Line is an elevated park built atop a former railroad line that offers unparalleled views of the Hudson River. Start at the Hudson Yards entrance, then head south. As you walk through the park’s meandering gardens, you’ll get an up-close look at buildings designed by prominent architects like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. Stop to marvel at the contemporary artworks on display—they change periodically, so you’ll never see the same High Line twice. Disembark at 14th Street and grab a bite outside on The Standard Hotel’s Plaza, or walk a few blocks further down into the West Village for a table at Buvette. The charming French bistro’s fresh-squeezed juices, almond croissants, and scrambled parmesan eggs with prosciutto make it one of the best brunches in town.

Conclude your art history lesson along the city’s West Side. A must-see in Manhattan, the High Line is an elevated park built atop a former railroad line that offers unparalleled views of the Hudson River. Start at the Hudson Yards entrance, then head south. As you walk through the park’s meandering gardens, you’ll get an up-close look at buildings designed by prominent architects like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. Stop to marvel at the contemporary artworks on display—they change periodically, so you’ll never see the same High Line twice. Disembark at 14th Street and grab a bite outside on The Standard Hotel’s Plaza, or walk a few blocks further down into the West Village for a table at Buvette. The charming French bistro’s fresh-squeezed juices, almond croissants, and scrambled parmesan eggs with prosciutto make it one of the best brunches in town.

CENTRAL PARK

Craving a little more nature than the High Line’s artful gardens provide? Central Park is the most-visited urban park in the United States for a reason. Covering a sprawling 843 acres, there’s too much to see at one time, so choose an area or attraction that feels special to you. Strawberry Fields attracts music lovers the world over who want to pay tribute to John Lennon (mosaic “Imagine” tiles even mark its entrance near 72nd street). For a majestic view of Bethesda Fountain and the Central Park Lake, ascend one of two grand staircases to the top of Bethesda Terrace, taking note of the intricately handcrafted encaustic tiles along the way. North, you’ll find the park’s largest and most recognizable body of water. Extending from 86th to 96th street, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir covers approximately 1/8th of the park. Walk the perimeter to follow in the path of countless world leaders and public figures—including the reservoir’s namesake herself—and take in the best views of the city the park has to offer.

Craving a little more nature than the High Line’s artful gardens provide? Central Park is the most-visited urban park in the United States for a reason. Covering a sprawling 843 acres, there’s too much to see at one time, so choose an area or attraction that feels special to you. Strawberry Fields attracts music lovers the world over who want to pay tribute to John Lennon (mosaic “Imagine” tiles even mark its entrance near 72nd street). For a majestic view of Bethesda Fountain and the Central Park Lake, ascend one of two grand staircases to the top of Bethesda Terrace, taking note of the intricately handcrafted encaustic tiles along the way. North, you’ll find the park’s largest and most recognizable body of water. Extending from 86th to 96th street, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir covers approximately 1/8th of the park. Walk the perimeter to follow in the path of countless world leaders and public figures—including the reservoir’s namesake herself—and take in the best views of the city the park has to offer.

UPTOWN

Once you’ve seen the city from the south, explore it from uptown. High Bridge, originally built in the style of a Roman aqueduct and restored as a pedestrian path in 2015, is the oldest bridge in the city. Enter from the Bronx side around West 170th Street to look out at Manhattan (and some of its lesser-known bridges) from a fresh perspective. Once you step off into historic Washington Heights, make your way inland to Broadway and 175th Street. Though you may not be able to marvel at its lavish interior, the United Palace theater has a stunning façade that combines an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Across the street, you can stop by Manolo Tapas for a taste of Spanish classics.

Once you’ve seen the city from the south, explore it from uptown. High Bridge, originally built in the style of a Roman aqueduct and restored as a pedestrian path in 2015, is the oldest bridge in the city. Enter from the Bronx side around West 170th Street to look out at Manhattan (and some of its lesser-known bridges) from a fresh perspective. Once you step off into historic Washington Heights, make your way inland to Broadway and 175th Street. Though you may not be able to marvel at its lavish interior, the United Palace theater has a stunning façade that combines an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Across the street, you can stop by Manolo Tapas for a taste of Spanish classics.

RED HOOK

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, hop on a ferry from lower Manhattan. Admire the skyline before you debark in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where you’ll instantly feel miles away from the metropolis. Head to Red Hook Lobster Pound and grab a lobster roll to go, or hit up Court Street Grocers Hero Shop for a killer sub sandwich. We recommend enjoying either on a bench at nearby Valentino Pier, where you can take in the city’s closest front-facing views of the Statue of Liberty. Afterwards, top it off with a fresh slice (or two) of Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie (better yet—try one of their mini key lime pie pops encased in chocolate!).

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, hop on a ferry from lower Manhattan. Admire the skyline before you debark in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where you’ll instantly feel miles away from the metropolis. Head to Red Hook Lobster Pound and grab a lobster roll to go, or hit up Court Street Grocers Hero Shop for a killer sub sandwich. We recommend enjoying either on a bench at nearby Valentino Pier, where you can take in the city’s closest front-facing views of the Statue of Liberty. Afterwards, top it off with a fresh slice (or two) of Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie (better yet—try one of their mini key lime pie pops encased in chocolate!).

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS

One of our favorite ways to see the city that never sleeps is to see it in motion. In which case, it’s time to take a bike ride. Start at the north end of Astoria Park in Queens. Riding along the East River, you’ll have views of the city and opportunities to stop at destinations like Socrates Sculpture Park. Take a detour onto the Roosevelt Island bridge to enjoy the island’s small-town feel and 4-mile bicycle loop. Or, continue south along Vernon Boulevard until you reach Gantry Plaza State Park. Dock your bike and stroll along the plaza, passing the iconic neon Pepsi Cola sign and marveling at the Manhattan skyline view across the East River. Trust us, you won’t find a better place to watch the sunset.

One of our favorite ways to see the city that never sleeps is to see it in motion. In which case, it’s time to take a bike ride. Start at the north end of Astoria Park in Queens. Riding along the East River, you’ll have views of the city and opportunities to stop at destinations like Socrates Sculpture Park. Take a detour onto the Roosevelt Island bridge to enjoy the island’s small-town feel and 4-mile bicycle loop. Or, continue south along Vernon Boulevard until you reach Gantry Plaza State Park. Dock your bike and stroll along the plaza, passing the iconic neon Pepsi Cola sign and marveling at the Manhattan skyline view across the East River. Trust us, you won’t find a better place to watch the sunset.