a very, very new york weekend

sending love from the New York City Marathon

hiiii friends!

if you’re reading this close to my scheduled send time, I’m somewhere between Manhattan and Staten Island, where I’m headed to the New York City Marathon start line. I’m set to take off at 10:20a and am careening to finish in just under four hours! we’ll see what the race brings, but I’m crossing my fingers that today is my day. if you’re tracking anyone running, this app is your go-to!

since running the race in 2017 and moving to the city the following year, I’ve thought of Marathon Sunday as one of the best days of the year. actually, my Substack from last year’s race day linked below shares more about why I can’t get enough of the positive energy that flows through New York as hundreds of thousands come out to cheer on strangers and 50,000 people from around the world conquer 26.2 miles.

I’ll definitely be doing a recap of the race in next weekend’s send, but as I also host this weekend, today’s sunday series is an homage to all the weekends I’ve put together to entertain family and friends, including this one! I’ll be diving into activities for day and night that I’ve had the chance to enjoy with visitors and, in turn, would recommend both to locals and out-of-towners alike! as with your ultimate Paris Guide (linked below, too!), this one will be available only to paid subscribers. thanks a million to those already supporting my work with this weekly love letter to you! so much more goodness to come xKD

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my mini guide to hosting visitors in New York

I just got the below message asking for New York hotel recs (always feel free to ask me New York questions!!!!) and it couldn’t have come at a more fitting time to share my answer with the wider sunday series crew.

reader question: “Hi!! Okay this is so random but also… not because i feel like you’re they person to ask. What are your favorite hotels in NYC for a nice experience but not a million dollar one?! (AKA, not a Beekman/Carlyle level price?) I love (love!) a good hotel and am trying to decide where I want to stay for a few days when I’m there in December.

Thank you!!! And take your time also. (Also feel like we’re very much kindred spirits from reading your newsletter so I know you’d have something I’d love too 🤪😂)”

my thoughts: first, I love this question! second, it depends on what area you want to base yourself in, so I’ll give a few options that don’t cost one million dollars (also known as the going rate for a five-star hotel right now…)