New York City
1
Whitney Museum of American Art
1
99 Gansevoort St.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is the world's leading museum of 20th-century and contemporary art of the United States. Focusing particularly on works by living artists, the Whitney is celebrated for presenting important exhibitions and for its renowned collection, which comprises over 21,000 works by more than 3,000 artists. With a history of exhibiting the most promising and influential artists and provoking intense debate, the Whitney Biennial, the museum's signature exhibition, has become the most important survey of the state of contemporary art in the United States.
2
Marcus Garvey Park
2
Madison Ave. btw. 120th & 124th Sts.
Named after Marcus Garvey, a renowned black leader who was born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, in 1887, this park boasts more than 20 acres of indoor and outdoor fun. In addition to a stunning fire watchtower that was built in 1856 and was designated a landmark in 1967, the park includes a concert band shell for live shows, a pool, basketball courts, dog runs, spray showers, a rec center and, of course, playgrounds.
3
Pig and Khao
3
68 Clinton St.
Pig and Khao is inspired by chef Leah Cohen's Filipino heritage and extensive travels throughout Southeast Asia, while staying firmly planted in its home in the Lower East Side. Expect to see dishes from the Philippines, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam reimagined using classic culinary techniques. The food they serve is complex and vibrant.
4
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
4
515 Malcolm X Blvd.
Founded in 1925 by Puerto Rican-born black scholar and bibliophile Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, this important library is a national research center devoted to collecting and preserving documents that reflect the experiences of people of African descent throughout the world. The center’s collection first won acclaim in 1926, and since then, it has grown to more than 11 million items, including manuscripts, recorded sound, photographs and prints. It’s a truly unique New York institution.
5
Patisserie Des Ambassades
5
2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd
This bustling yet laid-back café in Harlem turns out solid food from all corners of the globe, but the primary point of influence is Senegal. Standouts on the extensive menu include fish patties and a braised lamb shank; a morning selection of pastries and standout coffee is also a consistent draw. The restaurant's relaxed atmosphere and pacing matches its global smorgasbord-by-way-of-Upper-Manhattan menu.
6
Wildair
6
142 Orchard St.
If you’re into natural wines and small plates of esoteric, labor-intensive dishes you’d never attempt at home, this minimalist boutique is up your alley. Chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske are masters at top neck clams in almond broth, beef tartare with cheddar and horseradish, and crunchy potatoes woven through with uni and jalapeño. The pair is also behind Contra two doors down (138 Orchard St.), a similarly themed space serving an oft-changing set menu with wine pairings.
7
Harlem Haberdashery
7
245 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave)
This men's clothing boutique features styles inspired by the Harlem Renaissance.
8
Flamekeepers Hat Club
8
273 West 121st Street
Dedicated predominantly to headwear for men, Flamekeepers is a hat store in Harlem offering a boutique shopping experience. The stylishly adorned space is lined with shelves displaying scores of hat options for the discerning buyer, and owner Marc Williamson will guide you through the many selections. Hats are lovingly wrapped in paper and put into large boxes upon purchase, further illustrating the care and customer service that goes into this shopping experience. The store also houses a small section of hats for women.
9
Sisters Caribbean Cuisine
9
47 E. 124th St.
This small Caribbean and soul food café has been a cornerstone of the East Harlem community since 1995. Chef RanDe Rogers runs the kitchen, which turns out Guyanese and Southern dishes along the lines of curry goat, jerk chicken, roti and baked macaroni and cheese.