Parks and Nature

Central Park – Idyllic escape from the Manhattan action that evokes the elegance and grandeur of the Gilded Age, when it was designed, while also somehow feeling timeless.

My favorite sections are Cedar Hill, the Turtle Pond, and the pond where children race model yachts (and adjacent “boathouse”). I also recommend the English-style Conservatory Gardens.

The High Line – Genre-defining “rail trail” – a walking path built on former train tracks – that doubles as a sculpture garden, Chelsea- and river-view lookout, and open-air food hall.

New York Botanical Garden – Sprawling museum of colorful plants and flowers, located in the Bronx – with rose and peony collections, a Victorian conservatory, and an old-growth forest.

Cloisters Lawn – Remote and secluded green, ideal for picnics. It resides near the northern end of Manhattan, in the shade of the namesake Medieval monastery-museum.

Snug Harbor – Artfully landscaped grounds of a Staten Island former aging-sailors’ community. You will find not just the residences – 19th-century landmarks – but Classical Chinese pavilions, a topiary maze, a fountain celebrating Roman mythology, and much more.

North Riverside Park – Meadows sloping down to the grassy Hudson banks from elegant Riverside Drive, known for its Beaux-Arts townhouses and Victorian street lighting.

By "North," I am referring to the distinct middle third of the park, from 72nd to 125th Streets.

Rockaway Beach – Storied strip of the Queens seaside – a traditionally working-class enclave that has attracted surfers, skaters, and street artists and inspired the Ramones.

The Gardens of St. Luke in the Fields – Enchanting and verdant Greenwich Village hideaway, outside of a 19th-century Protestant church, boasting leafy alcoves and tree tunnels.

Gramercy Park – Front lawn, of sorts, for the surrounding brownstones and members' clubs (e.g., the Players Club). It is open only to brownstone tenants and those who befriend them…

The Elevated Acre – Biophilic plaza tucked into the Financial District, atop an open-air escalator. You will find amphitheater-style seating, grassy lawns, and Brooklyn vistas.

Cultural Attractions

Museum of the City of New York –

(and mention NYHS)

Brooklyn Heights Fruit Streets –

(and mention promenade)

Society of Illustrators –

American Museum of Natural History –

Asia Society –

Waterfall Gallery –

New York Earth Room –

Sorolla rooms at the Hispanic Society –

American Folk Art Museum –

Skyscraper Museum –

The Met –

mention favorite parts

Flower District/Tin Pan Alley –

Blue Note –

Museum of Modern Art –

mention favorite parts and cafeteria

McKittrick Hotel –

mention events, parties, shows – explain not a hotel

Panorama of the City of New York –

Soho Curbs –

Steps on Broadway –

The Standard High Line – mention Maritime, High Line Hotel

Columbia campus –

Coney Island – mention Nathan's, Mermaid Parade, Cyclone

Grand Central Main Concourse –

Museum of the Moving Image – mention Astoria

Greenpoint – mention Peter Pan doughnuts, Polish food

Lincoln Center ballet theaters –

Murals at the Pierre –

Broadway theaters –

I recommend choosing a new production or a revival, as opposed to a Disney or jukebox musical.

Restaurants

Victor's –

Arthur Avenue –

Russ & Daughters Café – Glamorous and groundbreaking venue re-imagining the New York Jewish-deli counter as a sleek, elevated sit-down experience, complete with cocktails.

Café Luxembourg –

Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodle –

The Leopard at Des Artistes –

Morganstern's –

Miss Lily's 7A –

Café Mogador –

Brighton Beach – Russian food

Bubby's –

Café Habana –

Doughnut Plant –

Shun Lee –

Nom Wah Tea Parlor –

Café Cluny –

Prune –

Gemma –

Palma –

E.A.T. by Eli Zabar –

mention other Zabar's venues

Little Prince –

Café Lalo –

Little Cupcake Bakeshop –

Lexington Candy Shop –

Bars

The Campbell Apartment –

Macao Trading Co. –

Trailer Park Lounge –

Bemelmans Bar –

Cha Cha Matcha –

King Cole Bar –

Palm Court at the Plaza – mention rest of Plaza; also mention 20s spots?

Bathtub Gin/speakeasies/Death & Co. –

Kingston Hall –

Tiki Chick – (get lei'd)

Shopping

Nanushka –

Goods for the Study –

Madison Avenue –

Takamichi Beauty Room –

Rizzoli Bookstore –

Scent Bar NYC –

Eataly – Eataly shops

Mast Market –

Kinokuniya New York –

Kith –

Kirna Zabête –

Ganni –

Maria Tash –