The pulse of New York City is in the streets, so wake up early and put on a good pair of walking shoes. Start with a chic but hearty breakfast at Cookshop, 10th Avenue in artsy Chelsea. After breakfast, take coffee to go, take a tour of the myriad galleries in Chelsea, including the Gagosian, and Aperture for photography.

Après les galleries, walk south beneath the Highline, an abandoned elevated railway that winds over streets — and even through some buildings — in Chelsea. Stop by the Chelsea Market on 10th Avenue for a shot of espresso at 9th Street Espresso, then continue south, through the West Village, where you’ll find charming cafes and dessert shops, including Rocco’s on Bleecker.

Ah, Soho… time for fabulous shopping in one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in New York, where you’ll find Marc Jacobs, Catherine Malandrino, and Prada along beautiful, narrow streets. Stop at Longchamp, whose interior includes one of the most incredible staircases this side of the Atlantic.

Walking and shopping is exhausting — time for lunch! Try Kittichai on Thomson Street for Thai tapas, then coffee, again, at the adorable Alessi store nearby. After coffee, walk north toward Washington Square Park on your way to the Strand Bookstore. The Strand boasts '8 miles of books', from collector’s items to $1 finds.

Carry your books in a David Hockney-designed canvas tote to the subway in Union Square. Take the 4, the 5 or the 6 uptown to Grand Central, where you absolutely must experience the restored astronomical mural on the ceiling in the Main Concourse. Stop by the Whispering Gallery, where you and a friend should stand facing opposing walls — you’ll hear each other whisper across the gallery!

Back into the noise of the streets. Head toward the UN, past the Chrysler building and to the Ford Foundation, designed by Kevin Roche. Its indoor garden is a gift to the public — it’s beautiful and serene, a lovely moment’s pause in this crazy-busy city.

Continue northwest toward 5th Avenue. You may want to view the Architecture and Design gallery at the MoMA — the world’s first, established in 1932. Two doors down, the Folk Art Museum, housed in a sensual, award-winning building designed by architects Williams and Tsien.

Pop into a cab for a brief respite on your way to the Upper East Side and Museum Mile, Fifth Avenue along Central Park. The Met, the granddaddy of all NY Museums, is across Fifth from the Neue Gallery, which specializes in Austrian and German art.

Further up Fifth is Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous white rotunda, the Guggenheim. Enter Central Park at 90th and Fifth and stroll west — don’t miss the beautiful Bethesda Fountain in the centre of the Park. Exit the Park on 72nd at Central Park West, at the Dakota. Walk a few blocks to Broadway, and turn left.

Have dinner at Café Boulud, near Lincoln Center. Choose from a splendid collection of wines to accompany your charcuterie before a show at Lincoln Center: ballet, opera, the symphony…

If you haven’t run out of steam by night’s end, the skyline from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry is the perfect NY nightcap, and it’s free!