Travel content creator Tara Povey shares her guide to the perfect girls' trip to New York City.

I woke up last month and decided to take a very last minute trip to New York with my friend, Jen. Flights were booked on Wednesday night and we flew the following Friday morning; it was the start of the ultimate impromptu girls trip.

We wore matching face masks on the plane and planned our 72-hour Manhattan extravaganza from the air. By the time we landed we had a spectacular NYC itinerary ready to go.

Your version of a girls trip might look very different to mine, but one thing is for sure: no matter what you want from your trip, the Big Apple has it all. Here's what we got up to.

Where to Stay

We stayed at The Moxy in Times Square. I know, Times Square’s a cliché but when you only have three nights it’s best to stay central. Moxy is a great base for exploring Manhattan and has a fun, vibrant atmosphere. They also have a rooftop bar, Magic Hour, where they serve frozen cocktails* in cowboy boots (I know!) and brunch croissants that look like they could be on an episode of Man Vs Food.

What to Eat

A food tour is a great way to get a taste for New York. Check out Foods of NY for food tours across Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond.

In New York, pizza is a religion. There are $1 slices available across the city to grab on the go, but if you want the best then head to John’s of Bleecker Street for a sit down pizza. I fell in love with The Sasso.

What would a girl’s trip be without brunch?! Citizens Of Breakfast serve Australian-style brunch and coffee, with multiple locations across NYC. We booked ourselves into the Chelsea location and tried their breakfast burrito and plant powered big brekkie - delish!

Jack’s Wife Freida at Union Square is another great brunch spot. It’s more of a traditional bistro vibe. I loved the green shakshuka and the mint lemonade. Book in advance on Resy if it’s a weekend.

Drinks

If you’re a coffee-lover, like me, pop into REMI Flower and Coffee. It’s part coffee shop, part greenhouse and is the perfect spot for a debrief after a big night out.

Housing Works Bookstore is a coffee shop/bookshop/thrift store where Taylor Swift filmed part of her All Too Well short film. So if you’re a Swiftie, this is a must-visit. Maybe even get your coffee to go and sip it on the steps of The Met’, a la Gossip Girl.

New York is an amazing city for cocktails and mocktails alike. Lillie’s Victorian Establishment goes over the top with decorating for each season, so it’s great to visit all year round. Oscar Wilde is a glamorous bar serving handcrafted cocktails and creative mocktails; perfect for any occasion. Look out for the statue of Oscar Wilde holding a creamy pint of Guinness.

Shopping

Ireland has long been obsessed with a shopping trip to NYC. We all know about the iconic department store, Macy’s, and the sprawling outlets of Woodbury Common full of bargains - but there’s more to see. Chelsea Market is a great spot to pick up thoughtful souvenirs from local makers. Jen and I bought prints from Pinky Pilots as well as brownies from The Fat Witch.

In fact, New York is full of markets. Check out Brooklyn Flea Market, Grand Bazaar NYC and Union Square Market for the people watching as much as for the shopping.

Second Hand shops are phenomenal in NYC because you never know what you might find. Urban Jungle is the largest vintage shop in Bushwick and a thrift-shopper’s paradise - add it to your list.

Things to do

When someone mentions a girl’s trip to NYC everyone imagines a Sex and the City tour or a visit to Tiffany’s, but that’s not my style. An epic girl’s trip deserves a memorial tattoo and New York has no shortage of walk-in tattoo parlours.

Jen and I popped into Live by the Sword at Union Square for ours. I got a little iced coffee cup full of heart-shaped ice, since you asked.

On a more traditional note, we walked the High Line - a public park built on a historic elevated rail line full of art installations and gorgeous gardens. This is a fun and free way to see the city. Walking across Brooklyn Bridge and having an Insta-worthy photoshoot is essential. You’ll end up in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn with stunning views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.

Head to the Edge NYC viewing platform at Hudson Yards to take in one of the most iconic skylines in the world. It’s worth visiting at sunset if you can.

I don’t know about you, but my friends and I love burlesque. Get tickets to a Company XIV burlesque show in Bushwick. They’re pricey but worth it.

Of course, there’s more to New York than I can squeeze into this article. For all there is to see and do across New York City’s five boroughs, visit nyctourism.com.

* Drink responsibly