Manhattan is the perfect pick for a girls-only vacation. If you’re looking to plan an itinerary that takes inspiration from Sex And The City — without slavishly following in the show’s footsteps — here are a few suggestions:
Check In: Among New York’s long list of hip hotels (The Rivington, The Hudson and The W are my personal faves), the Hotel Roger Williams offers quaint accommodations in Manhattan’s midtown district; www.hotelrogerwilliams.com.
Retail Therapy: Not far from boutique saturated Soho, the Young Designers Market has a great selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, hats and clothing. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., it’s located at 268 Mulberry St. (between Prince and Houston) and entrance is free every Saturday and Sunday.
From there, go bargain hunting for designer discounts at Filene’s Basement (4 Union Sq. at E. 14th) or Century 21 (22 Cortlandt St. between Broadway and Church Street) For high-end apparel visit Fifth Avenue’s Takashimaya, one of the world’s largest chains of department stores.
Spa Divas: After a long day of sightseeing and shopping till you drop, take some time for a Vitamin Infusion Facial at the Mandarin Oriental’s five-star spa. The relaxation begins a suggested 40 minutes before your actual treatment, with “heat experiences” — a bubbling pool of mineral water and a steam room that channels the healing powers of an amethyst crystal. The facial itself includes a collagen mask and a series of nutrient-infused creams massaged into the skin.
Trippy Theatre: From the creators of the smash hit De La Guarda comes FuerzaBruta, a theatrical extravaganza of sound, light and waterworks. This wordless show has the audience standing for 60 minutes, moving around the space as fit performance artists writhe and run to techno music and strobe lights. If you don’t mind waiting in line, $25 rush tickets go on sale two hours before the performance; www.fuerzabruta.net.
After Dark — Hunkmania: It’s Raining Men at Hunkmania is a so-called male review in which “certified hunks” take their clothes off for an energetic crowd of screaming, tipsy women.
It all takes place at Club Duvet, where rippling abs, bulging biceps and overpriced drinks are part of the package. Nevertheless, watching faux firemen and ninjas get down to their boxer-briefs is a fun, harmless way to let loose and get wild with the girls; www.hunkmania.com.
