NYC is healing from the devastation of the global pandemic. With the CDC clearing travel for the fully-vaccinated, there’s never been a better time to visit one of the best cities on Earth. If COVID taught us anything, its the importance of self-care. At the same time, quarantine emphasized the importance of having fun and enjoying our freedom. Thus, I combined these lessons to create a wellness weekend guide for the city that never sleeps. Enjoy this fun itinerary for a weekend in the city with a wellness twist.
Friday
Upon arrival, treat your body to a nice stretch and a glass of water (especially if you flew). I like to bring a bottle of Sakara Life Detox Drops while traveling to boost hydration, sort of like a natural version of Gatorade.
Sakara Life Detox Drops
This chlorophyll supplement boasts incredible health benefits including blood-building and detoxification (see my chlorophyll post for more info).
Next, head out and grab a coffee at one of NYC’s many amazing coffee shops. I tried Honeybrains in NoHo (North of Houston St. for the uninitiated) which serves rich, yummy honey alongside its coffee. Honeybrains also serves up a a menu filled with whole foods high in omega-3s.
From Honeybrains, walk south to Soho to check out the amazing designer boutiques. You’ll be able to get your steps in while taking in the latest fashion trends. One of my favorite stops is the huge Gucci boutique on Wooster, which features clothing and accessories as well as housewares and books.
For lunch, head east to Dirt Candy in LES (Lower East Side). Dirt Candy is one of NYC’s best-known vegetarian restaurants (lots of vegan fare available, too!). You can walk there or use one of my favorite modes of transportation: the CitiBike! Bikes can be rented at the kiosks next to the bike stands or using the Lyft app.
My personal favorites were the Korean Fried Broccoli and the Green Goddess cake. I also had the vegetarian Croque Madame, which was such a treat after wanting to try the non-vegetarian ones I saw while living in France.
After lunch, you can take a leisurely walk/bike/subway back to your place for a nap or check out some of the cool art galleries in the Lower East Side (check out this map to decide which galleries to visit). After your gallery tour, you can hit up one of the many lively bars in the area or go back to your room to rest up for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday
Hop back on that Citi bike and take a scenic bike ride along the Hudson. With a dedicated bike path running almost the entire western length of Manhattan, its great for taking in beautiful river views as well as getting you up and down the island without having to opt for the subway or an uber. Park your CitiBike and grab a vegan pain au chocolat at The Laughing Man, Hugh Jackman’s gorgeous coffee shop in Tribeca. If you love matcha the way I do, make an additional stop at Matchaful on Canal. It’s about a 10 min walk from The Laughing Man.
For lunch, pop by Le Botaniste in Soho to sample their delicious ready-made vegan and vegetarian fare. If you’re still feeling peckish (or just want a break after all that biking) stop by Juice Generation on Prince under the Equinox for a smoothie and excellent people-watching. Relax on the metal steps with your smoothie and take in the parade of attractive Soho denizens as they pass.
After lunch, head up to The Well near Union Square. The Well is a relatively-new and very impressive addition to the NYC wellness scene. Billed as a “compete ecosystem for wellness,” it offers a comprehensive menu of treatments and products. Book a treatment or simply visit to take in The Well’s beautiful, serene aesthetic.
At the moment, Le Jardinier–the gorgeous veggie-friendly french restaurant on Lex–is closed. If it is open by the time you visit (fingers crossed) this is a great spot for dinner in Midtown. Equal parts sexy and healthy, you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself by ordering one of their delicious juices instead of a cocktail with dinner. For my readers who are into credentials, this place is Michelin-starred. If you are feeling naughty, you can always pop around the corner to The Grill for a nightcap and an old-school NYC vibe.
Sunday
Sunday is for winding down and taking life at a more leisurely pace. I suggest sleeping in and spending the afternoon at Central Park to get some much-needed nature time in. The Met nearby is always a solid standby if the weather is not cooperating.
If you are craving something sweet post-park, stop by Pressed Juicery for a vegan soft serve. Sign up for their app to get your soft serve for free! I got the chocolate freeze with strawberry, almond slices, and dark chocolate chips (yum!).
No NYC wellness-inspired itinerary is complete without a visit to abcV in the Flatiron district. Sampling the dishes created by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten always inspires me to think differently about vegan cooking. As hard as I try, I can’t quite get my aquafaba whipped cream to taste as good as theirs. Some things are best left to the experts.
And there you have it! The La Vie de Zee guide for a wellness weekend in NYC. Anything you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
