1
Brooklyn Bridge
1
Tillary St. (at Adams St.)
Stretching across the East River, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge opened up back in 1883 to carry traffic (nonautomotive at the time) between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. One of the most recognizable parts of the New York City skyline, the bridge has been featured in movies and on television shows, and is a real piece of New York City history. A stroll across the elevated pedestrian walkway provides a true New York City experience. The Manhattan-side entrance is at Park Row and Centre Street, across from City Hall Park, east of City Hall; over on the Brooklyn side, enter at Cadman Plaza East or where Boerum Place meets Tillary Street.
2
The Met
2
Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.
Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. With over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Met presents the best of human creativity from around the globe. From the splendors of ancient Egypt, to the spectacular New American Wing, to the Met’s beloved Impressionist paintings, a world of great art awaits you at NYC’s most-visited attraction. The collection and exhibitions are free with Museum admission. Plus, enjoy dining, the Audio Guide, and shopping at the Met Store.
3
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
3
Many people come to New York hoping to make it to the top, and the fastest way there is the elevator—to the 67th, 69th or 70th floors at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The three 360-degree-view observation decks at Top of the Rock showcase the City’s spectacular skyline. Although you won’t be able to see the skating rink or Christmas tree from up high, be sure to visit these seasonal attractions when you come back down.
4
9/11 Memorial & Museum
4
World Trade Center (museum: 180 Greenwich St.)
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum remembers and honors those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 and 2/26/1993, those who risked their lives to save others, and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath through commemoration, exhibitions and educational programs. The memorial consists of two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with names of the victims inscribed in bronze around the pools. The museum serves as the principal institution concerned with exploring the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting their impact and exploring 9/11's continuing significance.
5
Empire State Building Observatory
5
20 W. 34th St.
Soaring 1,454 feet above Manhattan, the Empire State Building is one of the world’s most famous skyscrapers. Open daily from 8am to 2am, the 86th and 102nd floor observatories offer two of the highest vantage points in the City. The entrance features a two-story architectural model of the building, images of past celebrity visitors and a red carpet for VIP guests. Immerse yourself in the interactive museum on your way to the top, and don’t forget to snap a photo with King Kong.
6
The High Line
6
Gansevoort Street to West 30th Street
The High Line is one of the City’s most popular and distinctive parks. Built on a once-abandoned elevated rail line, the green space offers unparalleled views of Manhattan’s far west side. With places to sit and people-watch, patches of grass, seasonal blooms and fascinating architectural features throughout, it’s a great place to relax, and makes for an envy-inducing photo backdrop.
7
Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
7
218 W. 35th St.
Located near Madison Square Garden, the Renaissance New York Midtown offers 348 guest rooms and suites. The rooftop restaurant, Versa, has a sleek design and provides an elevated bar and dining experience including an 8,000 square-foot covered patio. Other amenities include complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, cable TV, room service, valet parking and business center. The Renaissance New York Midtown is the official hotel partner for the New York Rangers and the home of the Fantasy Sports Network Studio.
8
Museum of Sex
8
233 Fifth Ave.
The mission of the Museum of Sex is to preserve and present the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality. With each new exhibition, the museum is committed to addressing a wide range of topics, while simultaneously highlighting material and artifacts from different cultures, time periods and media. In addition to its changing exhibitions, the museum offers a sampling from more than 15,000 objects that form the permanent collection. The Museum of Sex is for mature audiences age 18+. Photography is permitted. Be sure not to miss the unique gift shop and café/lounge/bar Play.
9
Loeb Central Park Boathouse
9
Central Park
Nestled in the park, right on the lake, is the Central Park Boathouse, an iconic and elegant restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating, and different menus (in different price ranges) for each seating area. After you eat, rent a bike or a rowboat to experience Central Park further, or take a gondola ride—but be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
10
Sylvia’s
10
328 Lenox Ave.
Founded in 1962, this world-famous Harlem soul food restaurant (think smothered chicken, fried catfish and collard greens) is so popular, it has spawned a line of Sylvia products, from triple-strength hot sauce and canned black-eyed peas to flapjack syrup and peach cobbler mix. What started as a 35-seater has evolved into a cavernous 450-capacity location that takes up most of a city block.
11
The Cecil Steakhouse
11
210 W. 118th St.
The Cecil Steakhouse is not your traditional steakhouse. Restaurateur Raphael Baccus, winner of Harlem Grill Master 2017, has developed an ambiance and menu to please all senses. The Cecil Steakhouse is a place to relax and enjoy an amazing meal in a fun and upbeat setting. They offer a great selection of grilled meats, seafood, pastas, and vegetarian entrees…try the porterhouse if you dare.
12
Melba’s
12
300 W. 114th St.
Restaurateur Melba Wilson says she is “born, bread and buttered” in Harlem, and this sleek, busy uptown spot lives up to that motto from top to bottom. The menu features handed-down favorites from Melba’s Southern Carolina grandmother: wine-braised short ribs, catfish po’ boys, the requisite chicken and waffles, and sides such as black-eyes peas and collard greens.
13
230 Fifth
13
230 Fifth Ave.
Offering some of the best views of the City skyline, 230 Fifth is among Manhattan's largest indoor and outdoor rooftop-bar and event spaces. Although it's primarily a lounge and event space, 230 offers a variety of small and large dishes, along with a popular all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and a wide range of specialty cocktails. The penthouse and rooftop are heated in cold weather, and stay open to the public all year long.
14
The Standard High Line
14
848 Washington St
Called “the most unusual and significant building in New York in years” by the Observer, The Standard High Line is, indeed, a breathtaking sight. Built on concrete stilts that straddle the High Line, an ancient elevated railway along the West Side Highway, this Polshek Partnership–designed beauty offers stunning views of either the Hudson River or the New York City skyline from all of its stylish rooms.
15
Vinatería
15
2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Vinatería is the Harlem neighborhood restaurant rooted in the culinary traditions of Italy and Spain, and the philosophy of using local, seasonal ingredients. Vinatería’s comforting dishes are favorites among Harlem locals and visitors alike, from spicy veal meatballs and pollo al mattone to a selection of house-made pastas and specialty desserts. The acclaimed wine list is composed of small and accessible producers, while the artisan cocktail program uses house-made syrups, seasonal produce and fresh-grown herbs. Vinatería is built on the relationship of deliciously prepared food and life’s moments of enjoyment.
16
Amy Ruth's
16
113 W 116th St
Established in 1998, this always-jumpin’ Harlem joint offers delicious home-cooked cuisine in a casual atmosphere. When New Yorkers debate which of the City’s soul-food restaurants serves up the best authentic Southern cuisine, Amy Ruth’s is always included in the discussion. This is thanks to a menu inspired by native Alabamian Amy Ruth Moore Bass, including fried catfish, honey-dipped fried chicken, smothered pork chops and a separate waffle menu, where the entrees are named after the likes of the Rev. Al Sharpton and Larry Dais.
17
Buttermilk Channel
17
524 Court St.
Carroll Gardens denizens have embraced Buttermilk Channel, an American bistro best known for its duck meatloaf and buttermilk fried chicken with cheddar waffles. The seasonal menu has its lighter side as well with whole grilled fish, local oysters and plenty of vegetarian options. Signature and classic cocktails are skillfully prepared and the wine list is focused on small, traditional French and American wineries. The restaurant is named for the tidal straight between Brooklyn and Governors Island, said to be so strong it could churn milk into butter.
18
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
18
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.
19
NiLu
19
191 Malcolm X Blvd.
This unique gift shop is located on Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Avenue) and 120th Street in Harlem's Mount Morris Park Historic District. NiLu's merchandise features artwork, music and home accents by local Harlem artists and beyond.
20
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
20
60 Furman St.
Welcome to your Brooklyn Bridge waterfront retreat, with expansive views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Designed by local artists using native greenery and reclaimed materials, nature is home in Brooklyn. Hotel's 195 guest rooms and suites offer views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Other features of the hotel include floor-to-ceiling windows which open to allow for fresh air exchange, complimentary WiFi, welcome amenities, spa, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour room service and full service restaurant curated by award-winning chef Denevin Miranda. Over 20,000 square feet of event space including Harriet's, rooftop and lounge bar and a screening room. The 1 Hotels app, 1 Guide, allows guests to control all aspects of their stay (like the television, in-room dining, communications and temperature) from their room or even from outside the hotel.
21
Carbone
21
181 Thompson St.
After revitalizing Mulberry Street with Torrisi Italian Specialties and Parm, the chef duo Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, along with partner Jeff Zalaznick, have given new life to hearty Italian-American food in Greenwich Village. Carbone took over the long-running Rocco Restaurant (1922–2011) following a gut renovation. Prepare for a lively, well-orchestrated show, with servers in Zac Posen–designed tuxedos reciting specials and ferrying plates of squid ink farfalle with lobster, linguine with clams, chicken scarpariello and Delmonico steak. Despite being billed as a red sauce restaurant, the tablecloths are elegantly white, not red-checkered. The three dining rooms hold 72 seats and reservations are always recommended. The bar has no seating but there is a little room to stand and sip a Negroni if your table isn't ready.
22
Tom's Restaurant
22
782 Washington Ave.
Family-owned Tom’s has been operating since the 1930s, and little has changed since—though the menu has kept up with the times with such modern additions as a veggie burger. Tom’s is open only for breakfast and lunch, and there can be a long wait to get in—but the staff will bring you coffee while you wait. Once you sit down, be sure to try the variety of specialty pancakes (which come with homemade flavored butters), chocolate cake French toast, huevos rancheros and crab cakes. In true old-fashioned diner form, Tom’s also offers homemade cherry-lime rickeys, milkshakes and egg creams.
23
Brooklyn Flea
23
80 Pearl St.
Find scores of vendors from the Flea selling furniture, housewares, vintage clothing, antiques and collectibles, jewelry, art, and crafts; plus, some Smorgasburg vendors serve up cooked and packaged foods.
24
Mr. Purple
24
171 Ludlow St.
This chic rooftop bar and restaurant—located on the 15th floor of the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side—offers sweeping views of the New York skyline that are enhanced in warmer months by two outdoor terraces and a swimming pool. An extensive bar menu features small-batch spirits, regional craft beers, wine and a rotating selection of classic and specialty cocktails. Nonalcoholic drink options include cold-pressed juice from Liquiteria and coffee from Irving Farm Coffee Roasters. The food menu offers flatbreads, oysters, sliders and other popular American fare.
25
Koronet Pizzeria
25
2848 Broadway
Folding a slice of thin-crust NYC pizza is a rite of passage. Folding a jumbo-size wedge of Koronet’s specialty, which droops comically over the paper plate’s edge, is a triumph over physics—and, at $3, a steal of a full meal.
26
Refinery Rooftop
26
63 W. 38th St.
Midtown’s Refinery Hotel boasts a glamorous rooftop bar and lounge with an impressive angle on the Empire State Building. There’s a lot of hopeful mingling, cocktails and beers clutched in hands, as well as sundry parties and group gatherings in seemingly every corner. For a table, make a reservation. The American menu is designed for snacking—but you can find enough to put together a meal out of options like juicy meatballs with herbed ricotta, grilled fish tacos, flatbreads and sliders.
27
Marea
27
240 Central Park South
When seeking pristine seafood—raw or cooked—point your compass toward Marea, which faces Central Park and is steered by the acclaimed Michael White. The quiet, opulent dining room and bar are best for Santa Barbara sea urchin on toast, lobster and burrata salad, and the signature fusilli with bone marrow and red wine-braised octopus. À la carte items are available but ordering from the prix-fixe menus is more de rigueur.
28
Dear Irving
28
55 Irving Place
Take a trip back into the past at Dear Irving. Enjoy the plush couches while sipping craft cocktails that celebrate New York State spirits and twists on old favorites (think gibsons, mai-tais and Manhattans) curated and created by bar director and partner Meaghan Dorman. The snack food menu is equally throwback-luxe with lobster rolls and tapenade.
29
Brooklyn Chop House
29
150 Nassau St.
This clubby Financial District spot serves steakhouse classics and Asian dishes in an airy industrial space. Dine on strip steak, rib-eye or filet mignon, and enjoy clever appetizers like deli-sandwich-influenced dumplings (including pastrami and Rueben). There are plenty of other options, too—including chopped house salads, Kung Pao chicken and a slow-roasted seven-pound Peking duck.
30
Edge
30
30 Hudson Yards (Tenth Ave. & 33rd St.)
On the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth highest in the world. Walk onto the deck and you’re 65 feet from the building at the furthest point, and 1,000 feet from the ground below. Enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, including sunsets to the west. For the truly adventurous, step onto part of the deck made of glass to get a thrilling glimpse of the City below.
31
Lamia's Fish Market
31
47 Avenue B
The over-the-top design of Lamia’s Fish Market makes it feel like part sea grotto, part submarine and part yacht. For solo diners or casual dates, the raw bar is the place to be for fresh-shucked oysters and ceviche. The multilevel East Village restaurant is owned by Lamia Funti, whose Le Souk once occupied this space. Ambitious and creative (check out the globe lights with tattoo-like artwork), it’s geared for nights on the town.
32
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
32
97 Wythe Ave.
The Hoxton, Williamsburg is located in Brooklyn with 175 bedrooms spread across four categories: Cosy, Cosy with a Brooklyn View, Cosy with a Manhattan View, and Roomy. Each room features a king-sized bed with bed linens by local Brooklyn designer, Dusen Dusen, walk-in shower, and desk, along with the usual Hox perks: free coffee, tea and water, WiFi, one hour of free calls and a mini-fridge to stock with items from the Hox Shop. Guests enjoy vibrant public spaces, a coffee bar, and a brand-new rooftop restaurant—chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook's Laser Wolf.
33
Celeste
33
502 Amsterdam Ave.
This neighborhood trattoria has been a reliable Upper West Side standby for a number of years, sourcing quality ingredients for pizza, salads, pastas and other Italian dishes.
34
Little Island
34
Pier 55 at Hudson River Park Hudson River Greenway
Little Island, New York City’s newest public park, is a destination for outdoor music, theater and dance performances as well as art programs. Accessible by walkways from just off the West Side Highway (at West 13th and 14th Streets), Little Island, at Hudson River Park’s Pier 55, holds 2.4 acres of green space and includes an amphitheater, aka The Amph, overlooking the water. The eye-catching concrete piles jut out of the Hudson River and are connected to one another by lush gardens. Taking the place of the remnants of Pier 54, which was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, the park welcomes visitors from 6am to 1am, with timed reservations required from noon on. Little Island has partnered with Savory Hospitality to offer coffee, baked goods, salads, sandwiches, drinks and bites made fresh with local ingredients all day long. Programming includes talks, guided art workshops and free live concerts.
35
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
35
199 Avenue A
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream creates homemade, organic ice cream in small batches. Flavors include Ice Ice Mikey (vanilla), Pink Floyd (double strawberry and cheesecake) and Truffle Shuffle (milk chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate-covered marshmallows), plus vegan treats like Eat to Heal (blueberry hibiscus ice cream with a crushed pineapple and cayenne pepper swirl) and Incredible Hulk (with many of the ingredients of a green juice).
36
Plaza M Spa
36
46 Water St.
Plaza M Spa uses only the finest organic spa products by Be, Care, Love Spa, OSEA and Eminence Organics for skincare, and the all Natural Gigi for face and body waxing. They also offer mon-toxic gel and an extensive collection of nail polishes from non-toxic brands such as Smith & Cult, Queenny, and Londontown. Eyelash extensions and tinting are just a few of their other services.