Setting the scene
On a sunny morning early Summer, fresh off a red-eye from Los Angeles, we landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport with just under ten hours to explore New York City before jetting back to London. Our mission: to make every hour count while extending our British Airways Gold Executive Club status – as this was part of Tier Point Run.
After disembarking at 8:18 AM, we navigated the usual airport rituals with a little more urgency than usual. With baggage retrieved and swiftly rechecked, we sidestepped the hassle of trailing carry-ons by stashing them at Terminal 4’s luggage storage (£24, per case). Free, light, and eager, we hopped onto the AirTrain and subway towards Manhattan.
Stop 1 - Burger Joint – A Hidden Classic
Our first and most anticipated destination: Burger Joint, a place as legendary for its secrecy as its flavour. Tucked behind velvety curtains in the Thompson Hotel on 56th Street, it’s a spot you could easily walk past if you didn’t know to look. Doors opened at 11 AM, and we found ourselves first in line.
The burgers here are the stuff of dreams – juicy, smoky, and stacked with “The Works,” cooked to a sublime medium rare. From the first bite, you become hooked (hence why this place is always on our itinerary in New York): it’s honest, messy, and oh-so-delicious. I paired mine with a Strawberry Milkshake, luxuriously thick and bursting with fruit.
My resolve slipped further, and I left with a quirky Burger Joint T-shirt, a wearable souvenir of the finest burgers on the planet.
stop 2 - Central Park – An Urban Sanctuary
Armed with our burgers, we made our way into the green heart of Manhattan – Central Park,. It never ceases to amaze how this 840-acre expanse manages to remain tranquil, even as the city hums around it. We found a quiet spot and tucked into our burgers, the perfect outdoor picnic.
From there, we wandered towards the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. The 1.58-mile loop around the reservoir is a haven for birdwatchers and joggers alike, with breathtaking views of the city skyline. With only a couple of hours to spare, our stroll was both restorative and tantalising – glimpses of Bow Bridge and the Conservatory Garden reminded us that Central Park holds countless treasures waiting to be discovered.
stop 3 - Levain Bakery – Cookies for the Journey Home
No visit to New York is complete without a sweet treat, and Levain Bakery on 74th Street is a pilgrimage for anyone who believes in the magic of cookies.
We joined the modest queue and soon emerged with a box of their legendary, gooey cookies – thick, chunky, and just the right balance of crispy on the outside, molten within. Perfect for sharing (or, perhaps, for hoarding), these cookies were earmarked as special gifts for our daughters waiting back home
Back to JFK: A Satisfying Farewell
As the day drew to a close, we retraced our steps to JFK ready to embark on our journey homeward, feeling content about how much we’d packed into our brief layover. New York had offered up a slice of its best – from juicy burgers and leafy strolls to sweet, syrupy cookies.
Sometimes, the most memorable journeys happen between journeys.