Let us be honest: planning a trip to New York is no small challenge, especially when the list of things to do feels longer than the Manhattan skyline. Checking which hotels have the best deals, like “stay 3 nights and pay for 2,” or trying to make your points count—which, let us face it, often feels like a fool’s errand when it comes time to book.

Choosing restaurants is also tricky in New York’s ever-evolving dining scene. Are classics like Daniel still worth it? What is the hottest spot right now? Who will snatch their first Michelin star—Acru, perhaps, which opens on the 16th of October? And who serves the best street bagel?

Of course, no trip would be complete without a boat ticket to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Important note—there is only one official website to buy tickets from, and that is through Statue City Cruises.

With all the restaurant reservations secured, it is a relief to avoid those 6 a.m. wake-up calls, anxiously typing “Resy” into my laptop. A quick tip—when new tables are released, they go fast, so keep an eye out! Now, with everything booked and planned, we are counting down the days until we can explore the city that never sleeps.