THE WEEKENDER: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

So, you’ve decided to squeeze in a trip to New York before the end of summer, but it’s too hot to sight-see, and the world-class museums are crowded with European tourists. Why not relax and enjoy your weekend in the city’s second favorite, and much less crowded, borough? Best of all, the line up for brunch will only take an hour…instead of two!

Where to stay: Base yourself at the Standard hotel in Manhattan – it’s right on top of the High Line, has the great rooftop bar Le Bain, and you can take the L train and be in the Williamsburg neighbourhood of Brooklyn in less than 15 minutes!

The Sights: Start your weekend off right with brunch at Egg, where the candied bacon is as good as it sounds. Walk off the calories shopping at some of the city’s best boutiques, including Jumelle, Oak and Bird, where local labels such as Bodkin are featured alongside hard-to-find international brands including Tsumori Chisato and Isabel Marant. Bargain hunters should not miss Beacon’s Closet, a second-hand store with discerning taste where we have found Margiela and Marc Jacobs pieces interspersed with Forever21 t-shirts.

Entertain Yourself: The Pool Parties, which run every Sunday through the end of August, are a great (and free!) way to catch live music at the East River State Park in Brooklyn. On the bar scene, you can play retro video games at Barcade, participate in a spelling bee at Pete’s Candy Store, or just enjoy great drinks in the leafy backyard of Huckleberry Bar.

Flea Time: It’s actually in nearby Fort Greene, but if you’re a big fan of garage sales, make sure to make the detour to visit Brooklyn Flea, where you will find aisles of chic furniture alongside quirky used books and delicious artisanal lobster rolls every weekend.