Father's Day roadtrip to NYC
PHOTO: Freedom Tower (c) Sery Kim
Awkward dad jokes -- the obligatory ones where you both groan in exasperation and laugh with love; even more awkward fashion; and a wealth of annoying yet caring symbols of paternal love have sparked Americans to celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of each June.
Thankfully, the burdens of remembering and honoring this holiday are substantially less guilt-ridden than Mother’s Day. And since man can have too many ties and random golf gear, unlike us women who can never really have too much of any fashionable item (!), consider one of the best gifts for Father’s Day: a nice, easy road trip to neighboring New York City.
Plane over for a short 40 minute flight, but the taxi to NYC is a flat-rate $52 one-hour trek over the Roosevelt bridge. For a more classic “road trip,” Amtrak or one of the buses (Bolt and Megabus) are also solid three hour options. If you do the original road trip option of driving yourself, prepare for a four hour drive with about $42 in tolls.
PHOTO: Baccarat Lobby (c) Sery Kim
Once in New York City, book a room in the revitalizing Midtown area. Stay at the sublime newly opened Baccarat Hotel. Across the street from MoMa, the first hotel of this French eponymous crystal company is a feast for the senses. After an 8 year design-and-build project, no detail has been left undone including a call button for Champagne on the room phone, as well as a built-in-television to the standalone decorative wood-trimmed mirror.
PHOTO: Baccarat Hotel "champagne" button on the room phone (c) Sery Kim
PHOTO: Mirror//television at Baccarat Hotel (c) Sery Kim
For world conquerors on a smaller budget, the classic Towers at The New York Palace has a nice executive suite with one of the most comfortable hotel beds in New York City. (Hey, if it’s good enough for Jennifer Hudson, it’s good enough for your dad!) Or pop down a few blocks to the Refinery Hotel, which has the most comfortable bed -- probably because they have a super “Refinery Boozy Brunch” for the ages. Ice cream sandwich included.
PHOTO: The stunning view from the Executive Suite at Towers at The New York Palace (c) Sery Kim
PHOTO: Suite at Refinery Hotel (c) Sery Kim
If dad is footing the bill, stay on the newly released 17th floor at the legendary, contemporary art filled hotel The Quin. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Quin has released their triplex Penthouse with fresh views of 57th Street -- a $300 gift certificate to Bergdorf’s is included.
For eats-and-treats, pop over to Carbone for the best Italian meal in NYC and sweets at Levain Bakery, the creator of the “cronut” Dominique Ansel’s favorite spot for chocolate chip cookies. If dad is a real foodie, head to Batard in Tribeca, down by the Canal St. subway stop, on 239 W. Broadway. Batard just won the James Beard award for best restaurant in the country.
PHOTO: Interior of Carbone (c) Sery Kim
Also great is a casual lunch at Jean-George’s abc kitchen -- their Akashi cheeseburger with herbed mayo and pickled jalepenos will make you squeal with oozy joy -- or Oceana Restaurant for their effortless service and a wickedly inventive General Tsao Lobster.
PHOTO: abc kitchen's Vermont Gold Vodka Thyme Lemonade (c) Sery Kim
PHOTO: General Tsao Lobster at Oceana Restaurant (c) Sery Kim
Continue the NYC weekend with a visit to the powerfully nonconventional new Whitney Museum. More than a billion dollars were spent to create this quirky building with a visually spatial interior.
Outdoor lovers could take the subway to the new Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Brooklyn Botantical Garden. When in Brooklyn be sure to also stop by Brewed in Brooklyn or the Williamsburg Craft Beer Crawl. Brewed in Brooklyn explores the 19th century history of Brooklyn’s breweries alongside some of the biggest talents in the industry, whereas the Williamsburg Craft Beer Crawl will focus on unique brews of the Big Apple. You can purchase tickets through Intrepid Travel.
Close out Father’s Day with the Summertime Get Fit Boot Camp at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York. These 60 minute high-intensity boot camps are offered every Tuesday and Thursday in the heart of Central Park. If exercising is not what your dad wants, relax at the Langham (the famous brand who created the modern luxury hotel industry) New York Outpost by the Empire State Building. They are offering an over-the-top afternoon tea. Champagne, caviar, truffles … dad will not say you don’t love him!
PHOTO: Afternoon tea (and coffee) at Langham New York (c) Sery Kim
Happy Father’s Day to all the great men out there!!
