Blog

Recommended activities in New York City

1. MUSEUMS: http://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html
Metropolitan Museum of Art a/k/a The Met – www.metmuseum.org – 5th Avenue and E. 84th St.
Museum of Modern Art a/k/a MOMA – www.moma.org – W. 53rd btw. 5th and 6th Ave.
Whitney Museum of American Art – www.whitney.org – Madison and E. 75th St.
International Center of Photography a/k/a ICP – www.icp.org – W. 43rd St. and 6th Ave. (is close to Times Square and across from Bryant Park and the NY public library)
Leica Photography Gallery – FREE! – Broadway and W. 3rd
Frick (mansion), Guggenheim (modern), MOMA (modern), International Photography (check what is showing), Leica (photo – check what is showing free), the Cloisters (medieval)
Natural History (dinosaurs), NY Historical (across the street from Natural History), Cooper-Hewitt (design – check what is showing), Morgan Library (old books), Intrepid (military aircraft carrier), South Street Seaport
2. See a Broadway show (or Blue Man group)
3. Grand Central Terminal
4. Ride the subways – get unlimited ride pass for all transit
5. Rockefeller center / Plaza / Apple Store / FAO Schwartz (all in same area)
6. Like Seinfeld – goto the Upper West side – see Seinfeld Diner, Columbia University, St John the Divine (world’s largest cathedral)

7. Walk around in the Village / SOHO
8. Shop
Macys
Strand (if you like books)
High-end shops on 5th Avenue
Electronics – best is B&H near Times Square http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ (closed Saturdays)
Parks
Central Park – many free events too http://www.centralpark.com/events/

 

ACTIVITIES:
Visit Chelsea Market – www.chelseamarket.com
Walk the High Line – www.thehighline.org
Stroll along Bleecker Street in the West Village, stopping by Murray’s Cheese, Amy’s Breads, Bleecker Street Records and sundry other shops
Take a ride to the “Top of the Roc,” Rockefeller Center – www.topoftherocknyc.com
Meander down 5th Avenue, past Cartier, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Jeweler’s Row, etc. (I suggest starting at E. 59th, by Central Park, FAO Schwarz and the Apple store)
Central Park, particularly Bethesda Fountain and Poet’s Walk (enter at Central Park West and W. 72 ) http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=virtualpark_southend_bethesdaterrace
Macy’s at Herald Square – www.macys.com
Circle Line Dusk Boat Cruise around Manhattan and Brooklyn – www.circleline42.com
For theatre lovers, Shakespeare in the Park – FREE! – http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219/
For fans of comedy, a show at Comedy Cellar – www.comedycellar.com
For book lovers, the Strand – www.strandbooks.com
For photographers, B&H – www.bhphotovideo.com
Below are some NY restaurant suggestions. The Upper West side neighborhood is 2 subway stops from Times Square. Unique experiences – authentic deli (like Arties), a world-class restaurant (like Union Square), quintessential NY seafood (Oyster Bar at Grand Central station).
MODERATELY PRICED (BETWEEN $10 TO $18 FOR ENTREE) THE UPPER WEST SIDE:

INDIAN:
Indus Valley – Broadway and W. 100th

ITALIAN:
3 different Italian restaurants. 3 different scenes.
Genaro – Popular w/ the locals and with Kevin Bacon-Kira Sedgwick (also locals but I just had to name drop) on Amsterdam and W. 93rd
Acqua – Italian on Amsterdam and W. 95th http://www.acquanyc.com/
Carmine’s – family style Italian on Broadway and W. 91st. Always crowded but also always good. http://www.carminesnyc.com/reservations/uwny.php

PERUVIAN:
Pio Pio – Amsterdam and W. 94th http://www.piopionyc.com

JAPANESE:
AsiaKan – Amsterdam and W. 94th http://asiakannyc.com/

SEAFOOD:
Well beyond the moderate price range but good for seafood.
Ocean Grille – Columbus and W. 78th (turn left out of apt. and walk south until 79th street then turn left onto W. 79th, cross over Amsterdam and follow W. 79th to Columbus. turn right onto Columbus and walk 1 block to Ocean Grille) http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/ocean_grill/index.php

GOOD SPOTS FOR A DRINK ON THE UWS:
Dive Bar: Not really a true dive (there’s a slightly aquatic theme) but my favorite spot in the city for a good beer and veggie burger. Amsterdam and W. 96th. http://www.divebarnyc.com/
Unwined: Wine bar on W. 95th between Broadway and West End Avenue. (Turn right out of my apt. and make a left onto W. 95th. It will be attached to Symphony Space on W. 95th)
http://www.unwinednyc.com/
Cleopatra’s Needle : Live jazz plus big screen TVs with sports every night. Broadway and W. 93rd. http://www.cleopatrasneedleny.com/

BRUNCH:
Isabella’s – NY doesn’t serve alcohol until noon on Sundays so, if you want the complimentary champagne, Bloody Mary or Bellini with your meal, arrive at Isabella’s around 11-ish on a Sunday, put your name in for a table and then kill some time across the street at Greenflea flea market. http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/isabellas/index.php

DELI:
Artie’s – Broadway and W. 83rd http://arties.com/

PRICEY BUT EXCELLENT:
With the exception of Telepan, none of these are on the Upper West Side.

Telepan – Seasonal, local, organic cuisine near Lincoln Center. When I want to eat well but don’t want to blow too much money, I just order apps here. The egg in a hole appetizer is delicious as is the sticky toffee pudding dessert. W. 69th and Columbus.
http://www.telepan-ny.com/
Red Cat – Generous portions of creative, wholesome New American cuisine in Chelsea. 10th Ave. and W. 23rd. http://www.theredcat.com/redcat.html
Tabla – New Indian overlooking Madison Square Park. E. 25th and Madison. www.tablany.com
Cafe Cluny – Fresh French/Mediterranean-influenced cuisine in the Village. W. 4th at W. 12th. http://www.cafecluny.com/
Union Square Cafe – A NY institution near Union Square. We usually order dinner at the bar as this is more casual than the main dining area. Also, if you enjoy white wine, splash out on a glass of Sancerre. E. 16th between Union Square and 5th Ave. www.unionsquarecafe.com/

Leave a Reply