NYC Guide

Uptown - north end of town (Central Park area)

Downtown - south end (Wall Street, Battery Park) below 14^th Street

6^th Avenue - Avenue of Americas

5^th Avenue divides the city between east and west. 

S - subway line

Harlem
Apollo Theater: 125^th St. & Frederick Douglas

Upper West Side

Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters:  a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, the Cloisters were assembled from architectural elements, both secular and religious, that date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. Near the GW Bridge and Henry Hudson Hwy.  Closed Mondays.  Can take M4 bus from 83^rd & Madison (near Metropolitan Museum of Art).  Admission to the Met includes the Cloisters.  There is also The Leaf Restaurant in Tryon Park that I thought was excellent.

Grant's Tomb:  Riverside Drive and 123^rd St.  General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia are buried here.  He was a Four Star General and two term President.  Scenes from his battles are depicted in mosaics.

Riverside Church: Riverside Drive and 120^th St. Church is open to the public and has scheduled tours.  Built by the Rockefeller’s.  Free tours on Sundays after service (approx 12:15) from First Balcony. 

Columbia University: Broadway & 116^th St.  General tours M-F at 1 pm. Meet in Visitors Center of Low Library.  Also self-guided tour information available for pick up or download podcast.
Church of Notre Dame:  40 Morningside Drive (114th St)  Beautiful grotto chapel.  

Cathedral of St John the Divine:  Amsterdam & 112/113^th Streets.  Tours Individuals and groups less than 10 people: Tue - Sat at 11 am & 1 pm and Sunday at 2 pm  Vertical Tours Saturdays, 12 noon & 2 pm. Tours last approx. 1 hour. Climb more than 124 feet through spiral staircases to the top of the world’s largest cathedral. Get a close look at the magnificent stained glass windows and study the grand architecture of the nave while standing on a buttress. The tour culminates on the roof with a wonderful view of the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan. Space is limited to 20 people, and reservations are recommended. Bring a flashlight. $15 per person; $10 per student/senior. All Vertical tours meet at the Visitor Center inside the Cathedral entrance. For reservations call (212) 932-7347.  Also many concerts offered at the church.

American Museum of Natural History:  79^th Street and Central Park W,   Open 7 days.  S: 1/2/C

Children’s Museum of Manhattan:  83rd St between Broadway and Amsterdam.  Open Wed-Sun & School Holidays.  S: Red,1,2 (get off at 79^th St)

Central Park: 59^th-110^th Streets between Central Park West (CPW) and 5^th Avenue.  The Dairy is at 65^th St (Free).  Strawberry Fields and the Dakota Apts are at CPW and 72^nd St.  Tavern on the Green  CPW & 67^th Street. 

Zabar’s Deli: 2245 Broadway (at 80^th St)  Unique grocery/deli. 212-787-2000  www.zabars.com  S: 1 to 79^th & Broadway 
Century 21 Store: huge designer discount store.  On Broadway.  Open 7:45 am weekdays to 9, 10 am Sat, 11 am on Sunday.

The Shops at Columbus Circle: Columbus Avenue & Central Park West.  Upscale mall and restaurants.

Upper East Side

Museum of City of New York: 5^th Avenue & 103^rd St.  Families = $12. Closed Mon & Tues.  S: 6

Metropolitan Museum of Art: 82^nd St & 5^th Ave.  Sun., Tues - Thurs (9:30-5:30) Fri/Sat (9:30 – 9 pm)  $20 suggested donation.  S: 4/5/6

Frick Collection:  One East 70th Street, $12 adults, $5 students, Closed Mon. 

Guggenheim:  5^th Ave & 89^th St.  Adults $12, kids free. Closed Thurs. S: 4/5/6

Central Park Zoo: 64^th Street off 5^th Ave.  Statue of Balto is within a block.  Head north out of zoo and under archway.  Turn left.  Near big rock area.

Central Park Boathouse: E 72^nd Street entrance.  Gondola rides.

Belvedere Castle: 79^th Street in the Park.  Closed Mon.  Free.

Southern Hospitality: 1460 E 2^nd Ave between 76 & 77^th. Justin Timberlake’s restaurant receives great reviews.
Tavern on the Green:  Reopened!!  Central Park West & 67th St.  (212) 877-8684  Farm to Table menu.  Lunch $15 - 30  Dinner  $25 - 50 plus sides.  

Serendipity: 60^th St between 2 & 3^rd.  11:30 am to midnight, later on weekends.  Across from Bloomingdales.  Reservations for lunch & dinner required  (212) 838-3531.  Salads, potpies, burgers, sandwiches, pastas.  Famous for desserts, especially ice cream sundaes.

Bloomingdale’s: 60^th Street between 3^rd & Lexington

Plaza Hotel: 5^th Avenue & 59^th St.

Barney’s Department Store:  Madison Avenue between 60-61^st.

Lavo: 39 E 58^th St (Madison & Park).  Italian Restaurant (212) 750-5588 & Nightclub (212) 584-2700 .  Open for lunch & dinner.

Midtown

FAO Schwartz :  5^th 

Carnegie Hall: 7^th Ave & 57^th St.

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant: 236 W 56^th St, 3 generation Italian, (212) 247-3491

Carnegie Deli: 7^th Ave between 54^th & 55^th

Sony Wonder Technology Lab: Madison  & 56^th St.  Tues – Sat: 10-5, and Sun noon - 5.  Free but make reservations by calling (212) 833-8100.  4 story interactive technology and entertainment museum for all ages. 

Monkey Bar: 60 E 54^th St (between Madison & Park) in Hotel Elysee’.  Restaurant & bar.

Reservations: reservations@monkeybarnewyork.com 

Museum of Modern Art: 11 W. 53^rd Street between 5^th & Ave of Americas.  $20 Buy tickets in advance:  www.moma.org

Fresco by Scotto: 34 E 52^nd St. btwn Madison & Park Ave. Fabulous Italian restaurant.  212-935-3434

St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 5^th Avenue & 51^st Street. Audio tours available at information desk.  Very informative.  By donation.

Uniqlo: 5^th Avenue & 51^st Street – Japanese clothing – US flagship store.  High quality basics, affordable.

Rockefeller Center: 5^th Ave & 47^th-50^th Streets

            NBC Experience Studio Tour (49^th St side)

            Ice Skating Rink

            Top of the Rock:  Timed tickets, good alternative to Empire State Bldg.  Look at ceiling of elevator going up.  

Radio City Music Hall: 6^th Ave btwn 50^th & 51^st St.  (212) 247-4777, S: B,D or F to RockefellerCenter.

Sak’s Fifth Avenue: across from Rockefeller Center on 5^th Ave.
Ellen's Stardust Diner - Broadway btwn 50 & 51.  Open 7 days.  1950's themed diner.  Singing wait staff/future Broadway stars.  Breakfast, lunch & dinner.  Stop in for ice cream or dessert.  Touristy, but fun.

Diamond District: 47^th St between Ave of Americas & 5^th.  Wander in the hallways to look at booths rather than the larger stores.  Don’t be afraid to bargain and you get better deals if you pay cash (use as a bargaining tool). Always get a receipt.  I’ve bought at J Serra (33 W 47^th #3) and Majewel (578 5^th Ave).

United Nations: Along 1^st Ave in the mid 40’s.  S: 4/5/6/7.  Guided tours from booth at 46^th St entrance.  Tours run daily.  (March – Dec)  every ½ hour and last 45- 60 minutes.  $8.50 adults, $3.50 grades 1-8.  Under 5 not allowed.  Would not recommend for those below middle school level.

Chin Chin Chinese: 216 East 49th  Street (between 2^nd & 3^rd Avenues) Open 12 pm to 12 am daily  Phone: (212) 888-4555 
La Masseria  235 W 48th St  (212) 582-2111  Elegant Italian.  Medium range prices.  Reservations needed.  

Times Square:

Broadway (Visitor Center between 46^th & 47^th)
St Malachy's Catholic Church:  49 btwn Broadway & 8th).  The Actor's Chapel.  Beautiful little church. 

TKTS Booth:  Broadway & 47^th St.  Same day theater tickets for up to 25-50% off. $3 service fee. Must pay with cash or Travelers checks.  Booth opens at 3 for evening performances. Weds and Sat. 10 -2 for matinees, Sun 11 – 3.   Line moves fast.  Boards will tell you what’s available before you get to window.  Another booth is located at the South Street Seaport.

Restaurant Row/46th between 8th & 9th:
Orso Restaurant:  322 West 46th Street  (212) 489-7212  Open Mon-Tue,Thu 12 pm-11:30 pm; Wed, Sun 11:30 am-11:30 pm; Fri 12 pm -12 am; Sat 11:30 am-12 am  S: 
LaRivista Ristorante: W 46^th St.  (212) 245-1707 Reservations.  Italian, elegant yet affordable. 
Becco:  Italian.  355 W 46th (212) 397-7597. 
Sangria  Spanish  3  W 46th St 
Joe Allen  W 46 
House of Brews  W 46th  Sports bar.  Great brat sandwich

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum:  Pier 86, W 46^th St. & 12^th Ave.  $5 ages 6-11, $7.50 ages 12-17, $10 adults.  Hours 10-5.  Closed Mon-Tues. October – April.  Summer Weekends 10-6.  Bus Route M50.

5 Napkin Burger: W 45^th St & 9^th Avenue – great burgers but also salads, sushi, & entrees.  Lunch, dinner and brunch on Sat/Sun.

Juniors Restaurant: W 45^th St between Broadway & 8^th.  Deli style sandwiches & soups.  Famous for cheesecakes, black & white cookies, bagels.  Also located in Grand Central Dining Concourse.

Carmine’s Restaurant: W 44^th between Broadway & 8^th.  My favorite Italian.  Abundant  family style portions.  Do not order full meals for everyone. The calamari is awesome.  RSVP opens at 9 am (212) 362-2200.  RSVP accepted for any size group before 7 pm.  RSVP accepted only for groups of 6 or more after 7 pm

John’s Pizzeria:  260 W 44^th St, (212) 391-7560.  Nicer than a pizzeria, very good pizza but lots of other good food.  Very reasonable. This one is in a beautiful old church.

Don Giovanni’s:  W 44^th St near 10^th.  Good Italian food.  Sidewalk tables.

Tony’s DiNapoli: 147 W 43^rd St between 6^th & 7^th in Casablanca Hotel.  Family style Italian. Indiv portions at lunch.

Hell's Kitchen
Ristorante Amarone  686 9th (btwn 47 & 48).  (212) 245-6060  Excellent Italian.  Owner Tony lived in my apartment building.  Prices run $15-$30.  noon to 11 pm everyday.
Vinyl  9th Avenue & 52.  Excellent breakfast/brunch.

Midtown
Grand Central Terminal: Vanderbilt & 42^nd St.  Great food court.  Shopping.  Exhibits in Vanderbilt Hall.  Audio tours available at ticket counter  $6 Takes about 50 minutes.  Very interesting.

Oyster Bar Restaurant in Grand Central also has a saloon, counter service and a takeout window (great tuna sandwich & soup). 

NY Public Library & Bryant Park:  40/42^nd St & 5^th/6^th Ave.  Lots of vendors, concerts here. Christmas market and ice skating between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Lord & Taylor’s: 5^th Ave & 39^th St

Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse: 37^th between 5 & 6 (212) 947-8940  also at 45th St & 7th (212) 997-9494.  37^th St location is John Barrymore’s former townhouse.  Steaks, pasta, seafood. Pre-fixe theater lunch and dinner menu.

Macy’s: 34^th St and Broadway

Empire State Building:  5^th Ave & 34^th St.  Do get the audio tour – very interesting.  Skip the simulator ride.  Dusk is a good time to go watch the city light up!  9:30 am to midnight daily.

Madison Square Garden:   33^rd St & 7^th   (Penn Station)

Café 31: 220 W. 31^st Street at 8^th across from Penn Plaza.  Decent, just close to the Garden.

Garment District: Between 6^th & 8^th  Avenues from 34^th to 40^th Streets. Outlets usually cash only.

Flatiron District/Gramercy Park  

Eataly:  5^th Avenue & 23^rd Street.  Open everyday.  Mario Batali & Lidia Bastianich bring Italian markets, restaurants, etc.

Shake Shack: SE Corner of Madison Square Park (Madison & 23^rd).  Burgers, hotdogs, fries, shakes, frozen custard.

Gramercy Park:  Lexington btwn 20/21^st Streets.  Private park owned by neighborhood around it.  Lovely area. 

ABC Carpet & Home: Broadway & 19^th Street.  Also great restaurant inside.
Rolf's Bar:  3rd Ave & 22nd.  German bar with vineyard decorations throughout.  Decorated beautifully for Octoberfest through Christmas.  

Nolita

The Bowery Hotel: 335 Bowery.  Restaurant Gemma

Chelsea/Meatpacking District –

The Ainsworth: 26^th St W between 6 & 7.  Lunch, dinner & brunch Sat/Sun.  Tuna Tacos, lamb burgers, interesting salads. (212) 741-0646

High Line: newest park on abandoned elevated train tracks.  Runs along Hudson River side from Gansevoort Street to West 30^th Street.  Tracks run to 34^th St so they hope to continue it.  Access at Gansevoort, 14^th, 16^th, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, & 30^th Streets. 

Standard Hotel:  848 Washington St. btwn Little 12^th St and 13th straddles High Line.  Top of the Standard is very hip place for drinks, music. 

Chelsea Annex Antiques Fair & Flea Market:  6^th Avenue between 25^th & 26^th. Sat & Sun – sunrise to sunset.

Chelsea Market: Full city block between West 15^th/16th Street and 9 & 10^th Ave.  Food shops, restaurants, tastings and food tours.  7 am – 9 pm M- Sat, 8 am – 7 pm Sun.  Subway A,C,E  L

Greenwich Village:  Between Houston (How-ston) & 14^th St S S= 1/2/Red.  Exit Christopher or Houston.  A walk down Bleeker St is a culinary delight!

Joe’s Dairy:   homemade mozzarella (store) 156 Sullivan

Raffetto’s:  144 Houston & MacDougal.  Fresh pasta. Homemade sauce

Peanut Butter & Co: ­ 240 Sullivan (between Bleeker & W 3^rd St). More than PB & J.

L'Ecole: 462 Broadway (at Grand St)  Restaurant for the French Culinary Institute students.  Prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, in addition to à la carte offerings and daily specials. Restaurant hours are: Lunch:  Mon - Fri, 12:15 - 2:30 pm Dinner: Mon — Wed, 6:00 - 9:30 pm Thur — Sat, 5:30 - 9:30 pm.  Reservations are recommended (212) 219-3300.

Joe’s Pizza: 7 Carmine St (Bleeker & 6^th)  Slices.  Very good.

John’s Pizzeria: 278 Bleecker St.  212-243-1680. The original location.  Very good pizza plus much more.  Reasonable.

Bleeker Street:  Food stores including Murray’s Cheese Shop (Cheese cave!) 254 Bleeker;  Rocco’s Pastry Shop & Café – (243 Bleeker), Centro Vinoteca  74 7^th Ave (Bleeker)
Bitter End:  Bleeker St.  Famous folk bar hangout of Bob Dylan.  
Molly's Cupcakes:  228 Bleeker St Amazing!  Favorite so far was Creme Brulle
Uncle Ted's Chinese:  163 Bleeker St.  $8 lunch special with soup, rice and entree.  Very good.  

Monte’s Trattoria:  97 MacDougal St (between W 3^rd and Bleeker) Northern Italian. Famous for Bolognese (212) 228-9194
Cherry Lane Theater:  38 Commerce Street.  Pretty area to walk.   Row houses.  Also Morton Street and Bedford.  
Town House Shops:  504 LaGuardian Place btwn Bleeker & Houston.  Nice shop for younger women.  Very reasonable.  Near NYU.  

SOHO  (South of Houston)
Best shopping in city!  Bordered by Houston to the North, Ave of Americas to the West, Canal Street on the south and Crosby on the east side.  Best streets are Lafayette, Green, Prince, Spring, Broome & Wooster. Too many to mention.  Visit http://www.sohonyc.com/

Lower East Side

Babycakes Bakery:  248 Broome (btwn Orchard & Ludlow)  Allergy free bakery.  Dairy, egg, soy and Gluten free.  Breads, cupcakes, cookies, crumb cake, muffins and brownies. 
Café Borgia: 161 Prince St.  Sandwiches, salad, quiche, coffees, teas and great desserts.  Great name too.

Katz’s Deli:  E. Houston & Ludlow St.  “Where Harry Met Sally”  Oldest Jewish Deli in NY.  Get a ticket when you walk in and order at the counter.  Excellent Matzo Ball soup, corned beef on rye.

Emilio’s Ballato:  East Houston near Mott Street, home style Italian. 
Lower East Side Tenement Museum:  90 Orchard Dr. @ Broome (212-431-0233)  Tours Tues – Fri every 40 minutes Sat/Sun every 30 minutes..  Adults $9, kids $7.

Walking this area:  A suggested travel route would include Mulberry Street, starting in Little Italy, to Bayard ending at Mott Street, or China Town.  Bleeker Street from the west side of town will take you through Greenwich Village and into NoLita (North Little Italy)

Little Italy:   South of Spring Street between Broadway and Bowery.  (North of Chinatown) S = same as Chinatown but go north (uptown)

Ferrara’s Bakery & Café: 195 Grand Street between Mulberry & Mott Sts. (212) 226-6150  Eat in café and bakery, coffees.  Best cannollis.  Outstanding!

Via Della Pace: 48 East 7^th Street (2^nd Avenue) (212)253-5803

Often in the spring there are street festivals on Friday evenings.   Music, food, games.

DiPalo’s Fine Foods: gourmet market.  200 Grand St (Mulberry & Mott Strs)
Grotta Azzurra:  177 Mulberry (Broome) (212) 925-8775  Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Frankie Cee's:  Mulberry & Grand.  Great slices.  

Chinatown:   South of Canal Street between Broadway and Bowery (Mott, Pell and Doyers Streets) S = 6/J/M/Q/N/R/S/V transfer at Canal Street go south (downtown)

Pearl River Mart:  Chinese clothing, teas, etc.

Hsin Wong Restaurant:  72 Bayard St (212) 925-6526.  Family style Chinese.  Not fancy, but a lot of food for the money.  Try the roast pork, sesame chicken and the rice crepes.

TriBeCa:   (Triangle Below Canal St) Borders Chinatown and Financial District.  S= 1/2/Red, exit Canal or Franklin

Ghostbuster's Fire House:  Hook & Ladder Company 8  Nathaniel Moore St.near Varick    
Nathaniel Moore St:  Also known as N Moore St.  
Bubby's Tribeca:  N Moore St.  Open 24 hours, Good daily specials.  
Walker's Bar & Restaurant:  16 N Moore St.  Since the 1800's.  Known for burgers & their mashed potatos.
TriBeCa Grill: Franklin and Greenwich

Downtown:

South Street Seaport:  Fulton Street & FDR Drive.  Children’s Museum 165 John Street, Print Shop – 211 Water Street.  Boat Building on corner of John & South.  Ships at Piers 15 & 16.  Shops & Restaurants.  S=1/2/4/5 to Fulton St. Head east for several blocks.

NY Stock Exchange: 20 Broad Street.  Visitors Gallery and self guided tours M-F 9-4:30.  Free. Tickets are required for tours and are limited.  Arrive early.  (212) 656-3000.  S= Red/1/2 exit Wall Street

Federal Reserve Bank:  Liberty Street & Williams St. (212) 720-6130  Monday – Friday except bank holidays.  Free one hour tours, reservations must be made a week in advance, preferably one month.  Best to call by phone.  http://www.newyorkfed.org/aboutthefed/ny_tours.html

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – Statue of Liberty inside access is closed during renovations.  Should reopen late 2012.  Grounds are still open.  Catch Ferry at Battery Park, it will take you to Liberty Island first and then on to Ellis Island.  Buy tickets in advance http://www.statuecruises.com/ Open daily except Christmas. Call for schedule or check website:  http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm.  Statue – 212-363-3200, Ellis Island 212-363-7772, Ferry 201-2604-2800

New York Fire Museum – 278 Spring St (1 blk north of Holland Tunnel) Tues- Sat 10- 5, Sun 10- 4.  $5 adults, $2 students w/ ID, $1 under 12.

National September 11th Memorial & Museum (Ground Zero)  - 90 West St & Albany St.  Open 10 am - 7 pm (8:30 pm in summer)  Free but donations are accepted.  Best to reserve passes:  http://www.911memorial.org/visitor-passes

St. Paul’s Church:  Next to Ground Zero site.  Church served at volunteer headquarters following 9-11.  They have a very moving display on the volunteers.  George Washington’s pew is still there.

Century 21 Store: huge designer discount store.  On Cortland between Church & Broadway.  Open 7:45 am weekdays to 9, 10 am Sat, 11 am on Sunday.

Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge:  Walk from the Lower East side over the bridge to Brooklyn.  Nice park area along the water.  Juliano's Pizza on Old Fulton Street has excellent pizza.  
Dumbo:  Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.  Between the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.  Lots of restaurants, shopping, art galleries.  Waterfront park.  Carousel.  
Deniz:  Turkish Restaurant near Barclays Center.  662 Fulton St (S Elliot Place)
Black Forest Biergarten:  733 Fulton St (Elliot & Portland)  Brats, weiner schnitzel, beers.

Bronx:
Arthur Avenue:  Near the Bronx Zoo.  Italian neighborhood with a great market, restaurants, shops.
Mario's Restaurant:  5 generations family restaurant.  Huge portions.  
Borgatti's:  Ravioli and Pasta noodles.  E 187th St.  Tues - Sat: 9 - 6  Sun 8 - 1.  Cut to order. 
Bronx Zoo & Gardens: 2300 Southern Blvd.  BxM11 express bus from Manhattan.  2 Subway to Pelham Parkway.  
Yankee Stadium:  E 161st St.  
Fordham University:  441 E Fordham Rd.  Beautiful campus