discover nyc through her art
8-day visit to The Big Apple
“Love is friendship set to music”
There's nothing quite like waking up in New York City - a place where anything goes, because anything can. There's something for everyone in the Big Apple: never-ending nightlife, offbeat neighborhoods, food markets and cocktail culture, upscale shopping, world-class art galleries and exhibits, and so much more. Discover New York City with this 8-day exploration of art and culture.
Highlights
Location:
7 nights at PUBLIC Hotel: The newest hotel by Ian Schrager will become your studio-away-from-home in the heart of the artistic East Village. Refined, flamboyant, and smart, PUBLIC is everything you could hope to find in a NYC hotel.
Activities include:
Collaborating with a famous graffiti artist during a private art workshop on a public wall in Lower Manhattan. Touring museums and art galleries with an award-winning art historian and founder of ArtMuse. Enjoying an amateur weeknight performance at the famous Apollo Theater. Going behind-the-scenes to discover the scandalous secrets, backstories, and hidden nooks and crannies of the Greatest Museum on Earth, the MET.
unleash your creativity
Learn from those whom you admire.
tailor-made just for you
At Project Kaif, our travel and lifestyle experts design a fully customized itinerary for you, curating experiences and adventures that best fit your personality and interests. The itinerary below was created for an existing client and is an example of what an art-focused travel experience could look like.
day 1
Arrival in New York City
Welcome to the city that never sleeps! Upon arrival at the airport, your guide will meet you and ensure a smooth private transfer to PUBLIC Hotel. Feel free to freshen up, then hit the streets and start exploring Manhattan. Shop til you drop or get a head start enjoying the city's excellent gastronomy. The evening finds you at world famous Apollo Theater, which fostered the emergence of jazz, swing, R&B, gospel, blues, and soul. After the show, enjoy a night on the town with dinner and drinks. We can craft a special tour that shows you the best of New York's cocktail culture.
Day 2
Chelsea Market, ArtMuse private art tour
After sleeping off the previous night's activities, start the day with a leisurely breakfast. When you're feeling refreshed, venture to Chelsea Market and prepare to unleash your inner foodie! You'll find any cuisine your heart desires here, from Thai to gourmet wine, and from Fat Witch Bakery to The Nut Box. The Chelsea neighborhood is trendy and local, home to mostly residences and art galleries. You'll also find Fashion Ave, the historic site of New York's burgeoning fashion industry. Visit Chelsea Piers - famous for its incredible workout and sports facilities - including pier 60, the one-time destination of the RMS Titanic. In the afternoon, embark on a journey of art and culture with an award-winning ArtMuse tour.
DAY 3
Graffiti art in Brooklyn, Ellis Island, the MET
Hop over to Brooklyn for an inside look at NYC's graffiti art scene. This private tour will transform the way you look at New York, from city to canvas. Visit Basquiat’s old studio, which was once owned by his mentor Andy Warhol. Journey to Bushwick Collective for some of the city's most impressive graffiti art, including works by Banksy. An optional visit to Ellis Island’s hospital art exhibit by JR is also available. Then, it's party time at the MET! This special VIP tour includes wine and snacks, and introduces you to an amazing collection of artwork and photographs. Wind down the evening with dinner and drinks at some of Project Kaif's favorite local hotspots.
Day 4
Central Park, 5th Avenue
Today is all about showcasing the elegant side of New York. Start with a stroll through Central Park, home to a zoo, a castle, Strawberry Fields, legendary Tavern on The Green and some of the world's most beautiful landscape architecture. Stop and smell the roses at the stunning four-acre Shakespeare Garden, fashioned to resemble his native English countryside. Then, head to 5th Avenue for lunch and serious shopping. As you walk the legendary street, notice the artistic window displays and exclusive brands. Don't miss Bergdorf Goodman, which features a mix of top designers like Prada and Chanel as well as trendy up-and-comers.
DAY 5
Foodie fun in Brooklyn
Prepare your appetites! Today we head to the Brooklyn Flea market - which features more than 100 food vendors - and the Smorgasburg open food market. Sample unique concoctions like spaghetti donuts, churro ice cream sandwiches, and Chinese-style Destination Dumplings. In the afternoon, visit Pioneer Works - a creative space dedicated to artistic and scientific experimentation and expression, including mediums like performance art. Get ready to kick your imagination into high gear! Then, take a stroll down Brunt Street for shopping and exploring, ending the day with dinner at The Good Fork.
Day 6
Get contemporary
Choose your ride: Porsche, Maserati, Ferrari, Bentley, or your favorite luxury brand. Then, get ready for the drive of your life to Dia: Beacon, a contemporary art museum located just outside of Manhattan. Established in 1982 to help artists achieve their visionary projects, this museum is one of the largest exhibition spaces in the country for modern and contemporary art. Stop by The Storm King Art Center, which is quite possibly the world's most intriguing sculpture park. Enjoy the wide open spaces and breathe in the inspiration! Then, head back to Manhattan for another exciting evening in the Big Apple.
day 7
Your day, your way
We've built in a day for you to choose your own adventure. Whether you decide to sleep in and spend the day picnicking in Central Park, or would rather enjoy one of our custom tour options, the day is fully at your discretion. Some ideas to get you started: a whirlwind trip to the Hamptons for a day of polo and yachting; collaborate with a famous New York graffiti artist on a canvas or wall; take a stroll down the High Line and check out the Dumbo Bridges art district; feed your curiosity at Cortland Alley in Tribeca, which features small objects with big stories; check NYC's most iconic sights off your bucket list, including Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and the 9/11 Memorial. Then, go big for your last night in the city; we're thinking dinner at The Russian Tea Room and a performance of Hamilton on Broadway.
DAY 8
Shop and go
It's your final day in the city - the perfect time to make those final purchases, embark on a photo safari, visit a museum, or linger a while longer at some of your new favorite spots. Then, wave farewell to NYC and head to the airport by private transfer to begin your journey home.
FEATURED MUSEUMS and EXHIBITS
"Unframed - Ellis Island," Art Exhibit by renowned French artist JR | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Whitney Museum of American Art | The Museum of Modern Art | The Brooklyn Museum | The Frick Collection | The Storm King Art Center | Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum | Museum of American Art
additional activities:
1. Ultra exclusive Hamptons Day Trip – Visit the Pollock-Kasner House – Explore the Hamptons by yacht
2. Street Art Workshop with a famous local artist
3. Photo Safari: Dumbo Bridges – High Line – West Side Highway – Cortland Alley
4. Broadway Shows – Sleep No More Theatre
kaif recommends
Schedule
You took your vacation to relax - not rush and burn out.
Rest assured we have your back when it comes to planning. We’ve allowed for drive times and the ideal amount of time to spend at each location so you won’t end up rushed and overwhelmed.
We’ve also accounted for much needed rest and relaxation time, so you can process and reflect on all of the amazing sights and activities you’ll experience on your New York City adventure.
City Reads
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. Seize the Day by Saul Bellow
3. Ashes of Fiery Weather by Kathleen Donohoe
Accommodations
PUBLIC Hotel, an Ian Schrager Hotel
215 Chrystie Street New York, NY 10002
East Village / Nolita
www.publichotels.com
Ready for an adventure?
