Forty, fifty, sixty. Some birthdays deserve more than a nice dinner. They deserve a trip, good friends, and at least one moment that feels completely out of the ordinary.
If you're celebrating in New York, here's how to plan a birthday day in Midtown that sparkles, quite literally.
A birthday day, hour by hour
- Late breakfast: something leisurely near your hotel. It's your day, so there's no rush.
- Late morning: The New York Tour of Diamonds on West 47th Street.
- Birthday lunch: a long, celebratory lunch near Rockefeller Center or Fifth Avenue.
- Afternoon: Fifth Avenue browsing, St. Patrick's Cathedral or the view from Top of the Rock.
- Evening: a Broadway show or a rooftop toast.
Why a diamond experience fits a milestone
Diamonds have long marked life's big moments, and this is a chance to enjoy them without any pressure. On the tour, Hemant, who has spent more than 25 years in the diamond trade, shows you the hidden world of 47th Street, one of the most valuable blocks in Manhattan. You'll learn how diamonds formed over a billion years ago, see how they're cut and polished, and hold a real diamond with tweezers while you look through a jeweler's loupe.
It's playful, fascinating and very photogenic. And "I held a diamond on 47th Street for my 50th" is a much better story than "we went to dinner."
Ideas to make it extra special
- Match your outfits. A little sparkle for the whole group makes the photos.
- Take photos under the diamond lamps. The street lamps at each end of the block are topped with diamond shapes.
- Tell us it's a celebration. Mention the birthday when you book. We love celebrating with our guests.
- Plan a toast. Many restaurants nearby will help with a birthday dessert if you ask ahead.
Perfect for
- Friends celebrating together on a girls' trip.
- Couples marking a partner's milestone.
- Sisters, mothers and daughters.
- Visitors from the UK, Canada and Australia on a birthday trip to New York.
Quick answers
How long is the tour? 90 minutes, which leaves plenty of time for lunch and shopping.
Which days does it run? Monday to Friday, three times a day.
Is there pressure to buy? No. It's an experience, not a sales pitch.
Celebrating in November?
Birthday trips take planning, and small tours fill up. Book The New York Tour of Diamonds now, and make your milestone the one everyone remembers.