Guidebook for New York
Arts & Culture
Dinosaurs! Beautiful museum; good for kids and adults alike (and by donation!)
1623 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko Lomuzi wezolimo laseMarekhiya
200 Central Park WestDinosaurs! Beautiful museum; good for kids and adults alike (and by donation!)
Just across the park, best museum in NY if you have to choose (in my opinion). There is always an interesting exhibition and the permanent collection is outstanding. Something for everyone!
2653 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveJust across the park, best museum in NY if you have to choose (in my opinion). There is always an interesting exhibition and the permanent collection is outstanding. Something for everyone!
This movie theatre has reclining barcaloungers and assigned seating. You're welcome.
138 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
AMC 84th Street 6
2310 BroadwayThis movie theatre has reclining barcaloungers and assigned seating. You're welcome.
Always some amazing performer doing a show here. Try and catch one while you're here!
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beacon Theatre
2124 BroadwayAlways some amazing performer doing a show here. Try and catch one while you're here!
Ballet or Opera? Or sit and have a coffee by the fountain while the students from Julliard shuttle past? Great people watching spot if the performing arts aren't your bag.
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Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center PlazaBallet or Opera? Or sit and have a coffee by the fountain while the students from Julliard shuttle past? Great people watching spot if the performing arts aren't your bag.
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetFor the Modern Art-lover.
Sightseeing
John Lennon Memorial with the "Imagine" mosaic. Also the Dakota apartment where John Lennon was shot and Yoko Ono still resides is visible from the memorial.
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Izitolo ze-Strawberry
West 72nd StreetJohn Lennon Memorial with the "Imagine" mosaic. Also the Dakota apartment where John Lennon was shot and Yoko Ono still resides is visible from the memorial.
It's in every single movie about NY so you would be remiss to pass it by. Also offers lovely views of people in their rowboats in the summer.
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Bethesda Terrace
72 Terrace DrIt's in every single movie about NY so you would be remiss to pass it by. Also offers lovely views of people in their rowboats in the summer.
Also a very iconic part of Central Park. Beautiful tree lined strip with vendors and musicians.
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The Mall
The MallAlso a very iconic part of Central Park. Beautiful tree lined strip with vendors and musicians.
Great for a quick 5K stroll or run. Beautiful views!
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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Great for a quick 5K stroll or run. Beautiful views!
That skinny building you always see in posters of NY
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I-Flatiron Building
175 5th AveThat skinny building you always see in posters of NY
New York's above-ground (in an overpass) park. Great to grab a coffee and stroll with the view of the city and the river on either side of you.
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High Line Park
New York's above-ground (in an overpass) park. Great to grab a coffee and stroll with the view of the city and the river on either side of you.
Amazing zoo you would never guess you were in NY (if you are into zoos at all this one is larger than most)
572 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern BlvdAmazing zoo you would never guess you were in NY (if you are into zoos at all this one is larger than most)
Because you have to do it even though it is the most obnoxious place on earth. At least go see a show and make the ordeal of walking through there worthwhile
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Theater District
Because you have to do it even though it is the most obnoxious place on earth. At least go see a show and make the ordeal of walking through there worthwhile
I always recommend doing this one for daytime views (over the Empire State Building).
423 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Inkundla yeRock
30 Rockefeller PlazaI always recommend doing this one for daytime views (over the Empire State Building).
Not my favorite (I prefer Top of the Rock), but if you're going to go I suggest going at night.
1787 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isakhiwo sase-Empire State
20 W 34th StNot my favorite (I prefer Top of the Rock), but if you're going to go I suggest going at night.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Big church.
Just walk over it. You won't regret it, and you can treat yourself to ice cream when you get to the other side.
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Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeJust walk over it. You won't regret it, and you can treat yourself to ice cream when you get to the other side.
Just do it. (Or ride the SI ferry roundtrip for free--it gets pretty close)
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Statue of Liberty Museum Shop
1 Liberty Island - Ellis IslandJust do it. (Or ride the SI ferry roundtrip for free--it gets pretty close)
Ellis Island
Interesting museum
I don't know why but people always want to see the outside of this building. It's not like you get to walk around pretending to be a trader, this isn't an 80s movie.
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Wall Street
Wall StreetI don't know why but people always want to see the outside of this building. It's not like you get to walk around pretending to be a trader, this isn't an 80s movie.
I-Charging Bull
Bowling GreenPeople always ask where it is.
Chinatown
Get some dumplings.
Food Scene
My favorite burgers in NYC. Started downtown, this is the UWS location--it has spread to have locations in the US and in the UK. YUM.
993 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueMy favorite burgers in NYC. Started downtown, this is the UWS location--it has spread to have locations in the US and in the UK. YUM.
Great for casual but slightly upscale brunch. One free boozy drink with Sunday brunch too!
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isabella's
359 Columbus AveGreat for casual but slightly upscale brunch. One free boozy drink with Sunday brunch too!
All-you-can-drink sangria is included with brunch. Nuff said.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Calle Ocho
2756 BroadwayAll-you-can-drink sangria is included with brunch. Nuff said.
Good simple brunch. Line is always super long (food is good but perhaps not worth the wait if it's crazy busy).
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Good Enough To Eat
520 Columbus AvenueGood simple brunch. Line is always super long (food is good but perhaps not worth the wait if it's crazy busy).
Osteria Cotta
513 Columbus AveDecent Italian food, affordable. Nice patio.
Joe Coffee Company
514 Columbus AveMy favorite coffee shop!
Decent Mexican (not by TexMex or California standards by any means, but good in a fix). Decent margaritas and usually lively.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cilantro
485 Columbus AveDecent Mexican (not by TexMex or California standards by any means, but good in a fix). Decent margaritas and usually lively.
New York classic! Must go. My favorite hotdog in the city
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gray's Papaya
2090 BroadwayNew York classic! Must go. My favorite hotdog in the city
Hands down the best cookie in the city. They're the size of softballs though, so don't eat anything before (chocolate chip walnut all the way!)
215 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Levain Bakery - 74th Street
167 W 74th StHands down the best cookie in the city. They're the size of softballs though, so don't eat anything before (chocolate chip walnut all the way!)
Cupcakes are overrated. Get the banana pudding (I don't even like bananas and that stuff is amazing).
401 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker StCupcakes are overrated. Get the banana pudding (I don't even like bananas and that stuff is amazing).
Simple bakery and coffee (LOVE the pumpkin sandwich in the fall and pretzel croissants).
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Birdbath Bakery
518 Columbus AvenueSimple bakery and coffee (LOVE the pumpkin sandwich in the fall and pretzel croissants).
Starbucks
301 W 145th StIf Starbucks is your thing.
My favorite restaurant in the hood. Southern food, good drinks, great food. Lively and open late.
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Jacob's Pickles
509 Amsterdam AveMy favorite restaurant in the hood. Southern food, good drinks, great food. Lively and open late.
Chain coffee but better than Starbucks. Wifi.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
532 Amsterdam AvenueChain coffee but better than Starbucks. Wifi.
Chain quick bites place, simple gourmet-ish fare.
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Le Pain Quotidien
861 Lexington AveChain quick bites place, simple gourmet-ish fare.
Great little French spot. Solid food, reasonable price, fantastic wine list.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nice Matin
201 W 79th StGreat little French spot. Solid food, reasonable price, fantastic wine list.
Favorite sushi spot--a bit pricier but quality is high!
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Haru Sushi
433 Amsterdam AveFavorite sushi spot--a bit pricier but quality is high!
Land Thai Kitchen
450 Amsterdam AveLove this Thai spot!
Because cupcakes are an American thing and these ones are bite-sized.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Baked by Melissa
784 Lexington AveBecause cupcakes are an American thing and these ones are bite-sized.
When you don't want to go all the way downtown for a Lobster roll (and you're broke).
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Luke's Lobster Upper West Side
426 Amsterdam AvenueWhen you don't want to go all the way downtown for a Lobster roll (and you're broke).
$1 oysters before 7 pm and a decent lobster roll.
175 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Mermaid Inn
570 Amsterdam Ave$1 oysters before 7 pm and a decent lobster roll.
Mario Batali's complex of imported foods also includes half a dozen restaurants (wine & cheese, pasta, meats, and a rooftop beer garden). Yum.
592 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eataly NYC Flatiron
200 5th AveMario Batali's complex of imported foods also includes half a dozen restaurants (wine & cheese, pasta, meats, and a rooftop beer garden). Yum.
Solid Asian noodles of various types. Great when the wind is freezing your face.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Republic
37 Union Square WSolid Asian noodles of various types. Great when the wind is freezing your face.
Really good Persian food. A little pricey but you that's because we always over-order :)
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Persepolis
1407 2nd AveReally good Persian food. A little pricey but you that's because we always over-order :)
Massawa
1239 Amsterdam AveSolid Ethiopian place.
Hyped soul food restaurant of Marcus Samuelsson, the food is good upstairs, and the Gospel Brunch on Sunday is worth it for the singing alone (go early, the buffet clears out pretty quickly).
1044 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Red Rooster
310 Lenox AveHyped soul food restaurant of Marcus Samuelsson, the food is good upstairs, and the Gospel Brunch on Sunday is worth it for the singing alone (go early, the buffet clears out pretty quickly).
Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine StBest slice in the city. Seriously.
Get some cannoli and a lobster tail and thank me later.
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Pasticceria Rocco
243 Bleecker StGet some cannoli and a lobster tail and thank me later.
A restaurant for risotto. Comfort food overload.
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Risotteria bleecker street
270 Bleecker StA restaurant for risotto. Comfort food overload.
One of my favorites. Get the duck meatballs. You won't regret it.
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Perilla
One of my favorites. Get the duck meatballs. You won't regret it.
Simple inexpensive REALLY YUMMY Italian food. Everything is made fresh and local (including the meats which come from their place in Brooklyn)
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Frankies 570 Spuntino
570 Hudson StSimple inexpensive REALLY YUMMY Italian food. Everything is made fresh and local (including the meats which come from their place in Brooklyn)
RedFarm
529 Hudson StREAL Chinese food but pricey!
Fatty Crab
643 Hudson StGet the crab and a drink with coconut in it.
Get a cheesecake. The real one in Brooklyn is too far from here.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Junior's Restaurant & Bakery
1515 BroadwayGet a cheesecake. The real one in Brooklyn is too far from here.
Restaurant/bar at the back of a pawn shop. People from out of town tend to love it (crowd is hit or miss).
235 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beauty & Essex
146 Essex StRestaurant/bar at the back of a pawn shop. People from out of town tend to love it (crowd is hit or miss).
Filipino Thai fusion in a tiny space. BYOB and it feels like you're at someone's apartment
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow StFilipino Thai fusion in a tiny space. BYOB and it feels like you're at someone's apartment
Clinton St. Baking Company
4 Clinton StPancakes. Fluffy fluffy pancakes.
Essex
124 Rivington StAll you can drink brunch.
Bubby's
120 Hudson StMMM brunch with stroller parking.
24 hour joint. Fun after 2 a.m., sass your way into a table if you can.
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Cafeteria
119 7th Ave24 hour joint. Fun after 2 a.m., sass your way into a table if you can.
Essentials
Over-priced grocery store but good in a pinch and better prices than the local bodega of course.
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Gristedes Foods
Over-priced grocery store but good in a pinch and better prices than the local bodega of course.
Gourmet food store (good coffee and fresh pastries every morning).
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Gastronomie 491
Gourmet food store (good coffee and fresh pastries every morning).
My favorite grocery store. Inexpensive (super cheap by NY standards). Always insanely busy but line moves quick!
420 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trader Joe's
715 River RdMy favorite grocery store. Inexpensive (super cheap by NY standards). Always insanely busy but line moves quick!
Good super market (they have everything). Some stuff over-priced but pretty good. All the veggies Trader Joe's doesn't have (and all the name brands too).
185 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fairway Market 74th Street
2131 BroadwayGood super market (they have everything). Some stuff over-priced but pretty good. All the veggies Trader Joe's doesn't have (and all the name brands too).
Zabar's
2245 BroadwayGo for their deli and cheese selection alone.
Amy's Bread
672 9th AveForget Adkins and indulge
Murray's Cheese Bar
28-30 Jackson AvenueI could live in this place.
Entertainment & Activities
I have never been but my friends' kids love it.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Museum yabantwana yaseManhattan
212 W 83rd StI have never been but my friends' kids love it.
Everything Else
Love these ladies! They do same-day drop-off if you are so inclined, or you can wash/dry there yourself. They also do dry cleaning (but they outsource). They haven't lost anything of mine yet!
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Park West Laundromat
101 W 84th StLove these ladies! They do same-day drop-off if you are so inclined, or you can wash/dry there yourself. They also do dry cleaning (but they outsource). They haven't lost anything of mine yet!
Urgent Care if you need it while you are visiting!
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
CityMD West 69th Urgent Care - NYC
2025 BroadwayUrgent Care if you need it while you are visiting!
Bleecker Street
Bleecker StreetSpend a paycheck in two stores, row.
Good bar, dancing upstairs on the weekend and some week nights.
257 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pianos
158 Ludlow StGood bar, dancing upstairs on the weekend and some week nights.
Museum opened up recently.
567 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isibhakabhaka saseNtshona seMemorial ye-9/11
180 Greenwich StMuseum opened up recently.
Drinks & Nightlife
Prohibition
503 Columbus AveDecent bar, live music most nights.
Fire House Tavern
522 Columbus AveOk bar, lots of TVs if you want to catch a game.
New bar next to my favorite restaurant, always busy, decent drinks.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
e's BAR
511 Amsterdam AveNew bar next to my favorite restaurant, always busy, decent drinks.
Dark sports-ish bar. Good for a quick beer in low lighting.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
George Keeley NYC
485 Amsterdam AveDark sports-ish bar. Good for a quick beer in low lighting.
Good for pricey specialty cocktails on someone else's tab. Food is great too but perhaps not worth the pricetag.
107 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The NoMad Hotel
1170 BroadwayGood for pricey specialty cocktails on someone else's tab. Food is great too but perhaps not worth the pricetag.
Bar is in the reception area of the hotel but is usually busy. Decor is gothic ironic so expect the trendy and annoying. Drinks are strong but also pricey.
81 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ace Hotel New York
20 W 29th StBar is in the reception area of the hotel but is usually busy. Decor is gothic ironic so expect the trendy and annoying. Drinks are strong but also pricey.
One of the bars in this neighborhood I like, good bites and solid drinks.
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The Penrose
1590 2nd AveOne of the bars in this neighborhood I like, good bites and solid drinks.
Oysters and lobster rolls with shoestring fries. Just amazing.
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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia StOysters and lobster rolls with shoestring fries. Just amazing.
White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson StreetFamous bar but great atmosphere.
Decent roof for the LES considering it's not actually a hotel. Three floors, different music. Strong drinks.
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Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow StDecent roof for the LES considering it's not actually a hotel. Three floors, different music. Strong drinks.
Lobby Bar
247 Eldridge St90s Hip Hop Fridays. Nuff said.