Been there, done that: NYC
The New York experience is as diverse as its 8.8 million residents. When it comes to food, fashion, theater, art, and music, the Big Apple has few rivals on the world stage. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite places, all of which offer a fascinating route to exploring this ever-changing city.
THE ART SCENE
Gallery-hop your way through Chelsea
Chelsea has long been an epicenter of the modern art world, with works by famed artists and rising talents around every corner. While exploring the neighborhood’s galleries, there are many places to break for lunch or dinner. The Chelsea Market is packed with appealing restaurants, including Ayada Thai, which serves authentic street food inspired by Bangkok.
Insider tip: Get there by strolling up the High Line, a former elevated railway turned green space, with Hudson River views and public art installations along the way.
Take in an avant-garde exhibition at the MOMA
If you have time for just one museum in New York, make it the MoMA, which houses one of the greatest art collections in the world. Unmissable works include Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, and Chagall’s I and the Village. A 2019 expansion vastly increased the gallery space, so you’ll need a solid plan of attack to make the most of your visit.
Insider tip: Taking in all that incredible artwork is hungry business, so round-off your trip with a perfectly cooked steak frites at Del Frisco’s Grille, a block away at Rockefeller Plaza.
BROOKLYN BOUND
Discover New York’s creative soul in Williamsburg
Hop across the East River for a journey through Williamsburg, filled with cafés, indie boutiques, and stylish bars. While big-ticket sites are few, you can discover plenty of hidden gems in this trendsetting neighborhood. Treat yourself to a cocktail at Bar Blondeau on the 6th floor of Wythe Hotel with views across the water, go for a stroll through leafy McCarren Park, and end the day with Manhattan skyline views from the John V. Lindsay East River Park.
Insider tip:Plan to visit on a Saturday, when you can catch Smorgasburg, an open-air food market with dozens of vendors that set up in the Marsha P. Johnson State Park.
Enjoy the views of the Brooklyn Bridge from Dumbo
Thanks to its cobblestone streets and sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, Dumbo is one of Brooklyn’s most photogenic districts. Its 19th-century waterfront warehouse has been converted into a shopping center with a rooftop beer garden and one of New York’s best food halls – the sprawling Time Out Market New York. Dumbo is also the gateway to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, a favorite spot for picnickers, strollers, and cyclists.
Insider tip: Skip the traffic and packed subway cars by taking the NYC Ferry to Dumbo. It’s a quick trip from Wall Street, and you can also continue up to Williamsburg.
DOWNTOWN DREAMING
Get lost in the picturesque lanes of the West Village
Filled with tiny parks and tree-lined streets leading past Federal-style townhouses, the West Village feels like a quiet hamlet in the middle of the city. While wandering around this iconic neighborhood, be sure to visit Washington Square Park, an inviting green space surrounded by classic brownstones.
Insider tip: In the nearby Hudson River Park, you’ll find Little Island, with gardens and an amphitheater that opened to much acclaim in 2021.
Explore New York’s roots in the Tenement Museum
When European immigrants started arriving in New York City in the late 19th Century, many of them settled in the Lower East Side. The Tenement Museum gives insight into the way people lived by taking visitors on guided tours through two historical tenement buildings. These meticulously researched tours focus on the lives of immigrants from Germany in the 1880s, Russia in the 1910s, and Italy in the 1930s.
Insider tip: The Lower East Side still has some top eateries, including Essex (120 Essex St, New York) which is famous for its bottomless brunch and Dirty Candy (86 Allen St, New York) for its plant-based spin on fine dining.
UPTOWN ADVENTURES
Walk Riverside Park at sunset
Running along the Hudson on the west side of Manhattan, Riverside Park is one of Uptown’s great open secrets. It’s quieter than Central Park, with long promenades, river views, and locals out jogging or walking dogs as the light fades. Go early evening for golden-hour views across the water and a sense of New York at ease.
Insider tip:Finish your stroll with dinner at Fumo on the Upper West Side (2791 Broadway, New York). It’s a relaxed, neighborhood spot that covers all the Italian classics.
Take the A train to the Middle Ages
Located on a hill overlooking the Hudson River, The Met Cloisters feels like a world removed from the bustle of Midtown. The museum features an impressive collection of centuries-old treasures, including illuminated manuscripts, vivid stained-glass panels, and a highly regarded Flemish tapestry series, entitled The Hunt of the Unicorn.
Insider tip: Leave time to wander the Cloister Gardens, which contain plants used for medicine, food, and magic during the Middle Ages.
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