Guidebook for New York
Arts & Culture
It's one of the greatest museums in the world. I'm sure you've heard of it. Make sure you check out the roof!
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveIt's one of the greatest museums in the world. I'm sure you've heard of it. Make sure you check out the roof!
A boutique museum with a focus on German and Austrian art. A more manageable alternative to the Met with a great permanent collection and world class special exhibits. Don't miss the Viennese cafe!
176 locals recommend
Neue Galerie
1048 5th AveA boutique museum with a focus on German and Austrian art. A more manageable alternative to the Met with a great permanent collection and world class special exhibits. Don't miss the Viennese cafe!
It's a little like modern art Disneyland, but if you can tolerate the crowds (maybe avoid the weekend), you too can say that you've seen Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and Starry Night.
2114 locals recommend
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetIt's a little like modern art Disneyland, but if you can tolerate the crowds (maybe avoid the weekend), you too can say that you've seen Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and Starry Night.
An often overlooked extension to the Met Museum's medieval collection. It's a transplanted Spanish monastery with a commanding view of the Hudson River. Nearby Fort Tryon park is absolutely stunning.
707 locals recommend
The Met Cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin DrAn often overlooked extension to the Met Museum's medieval collection. It's a transplanted Spanish monastery with a commanding view of the Hudson River. Nearby Fort Tryon park is absolutely stunning.
Probably the best cinema (not the best films) in NYC because it has reclining love-seat chairs. You can put your feet up and snuggle with your s. o. while watching Hollywood's latest trash.
138 locals recommend
AMC 84th Street 6
2310 BroadwayProbably the best cinema (not the best films) in NYC because it has reclining love-seat chairs. You can put your feet up and snuggle with your s. o. while watching Hollywood's latest trash.
The Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the ballet, and more in one convenient, hideously-designed location.
621 locals recommend
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center PlazaThe Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the ballet, and more in one convenient, hideously-designed location.
My favorite movie theater of all time. New and classic films, foreign films, restorations, special events, and series. I watched every single Kurosawa film right here.
81 locals recommend
Film Forum
209 W Houston StMy favorite movie theater of all time. New and classic films, foreign films, restorations, special events, and series. I watched every single Kurosawa film right here.
I'm not recommending the store. I'm recommending the original Banksy street art on the south side of the building (north side of W. 79th Street near Broadway). Sprayed 10/2013 during his "residence."
59 locals recommend
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
301 W 125th StI'm not recommending the store. I'm recommending the original Banksy street art on the south side of the building (north side of W. 79th Street near Broadway). Sprayed 10/2013 during his "residence."
Sightseeing
You don't get too many long-distance views like this in New York. My secret pleasure is walking through it at night. It's perfectly safe, and the skyline of Manhattan at night is breathtaking.
23 locals recommend
Great Lawn
You don't get too many long-distance views like this in New York. My secret pleasure is walking through it at night. It's perfectly safe, and the skyline of Manhattan at night is breathtaking.
Great views of the park from a lofty position. Sometimes they open up the little castle, and you can go up onto the roof.
46 locals recommend
Belvedere Castle
Great views of the park from a lofty position. Sometimes they open up the little castle, and you can go up onto the roof.
Entertainment & Activities
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park WestDinosaurs!
Food Scene
Some of the best restaurants in the city are hidden in the upper levels of this massive shopping mall. Save up and make a reservation a few months in advance. There's a Whole Foods in the basement.
112 locals recommend
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus CirSome of the best restaurants in the city are hidden in the upper levels of this massive shopping mall. Save up and make a reservation a few months in advance. There's a Whole Foods in the basement.
I was told the best cookie on Earth is here. This advice turned out to be correct.
215 locals recommend
Levain Bakery - 74th Street
167 W 74th StI was told the best cookie on Earth is here. This advice turned out to be correct.
Even if you're not interested in New York history, this restaurant at the New-York Historical Society is just delightful. The bar makes a pretty mean cocktail. A respite from the kid-frenzy next door.
11 locals recommend
Storico
170 Central Park WestEven if you're not interested in New York history, this restaurant at the New-York Historical Society is just delightful. The bar makes a pretty mean cocktail. A respite from the kid-frenzy next door.
Famous for its Crack Pie, Cereal Milk ice cream, and pork buns. My personal favorites are the Corn Cookie and pastrami-stuffed croissant thing.
50 locals recommend
Milk Bar Midtown
119 W 56th StFamous for its Crack Pie, Cereal Milk ice cream, and pork buns. My personal favorites are the Corn Cookie and pastrami-stuffed croissant thing.
Cheap and delicious. The best Chinese food you'll ever have. A downtown sort of establishment, it feels out of place up here, but it is totally welcome!
36 locals recommend
西安名吃 Xi'an Famous Foods
2675 BroadwayCheap and delicious. The best Chinese food you'll ever have. A downtown sort of establishment, it feels out of place up here, but it is totally welcome!
If you're insane about pizza, you'll make the trip to Di Fara's. Prepare to suffer.
95 locals recommend
Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue JIf you're insane about pizza, you'll make the trip to Di Fara's. Prepare to suffer.
Gorgeous Italian restaurant right on our corner. They do pretty good pizzas and inventive, house-made pastas. Live piano playing and singing most nights. Very romantic, European atmosphere.
17 locals recommend
Machiavelli
519 Columbus AveGorgeous Italian restaurant right on our corner. They do pretty good pizzas and inventive, house-made pastas. Live piano playing and singing most nights. Very romantic, European atmosphere.
Everyone in New York seems to descend on this place for brunch on the weekends. Famous for its long lines. Us locals complain that it's not as good as it used to be, naturally. The bacon is great.
80 locals recommend
Good Enough To Eat
520 Columbus AvenueEveryone in New York seems to descend on this place for brunch on the weekends. Famous for its long lines. Us locals complain that it's not as good as it used to be, naturally. The bacon is great.
I was ecstatic when this City Bakery off-shoot finally opened in our neighborhood. I love their breads and pastries, but I live for the hot chocolate. It's the only thing that makes winter tolerable.
6 locals recommend
Birdbath Bakery
2244 BroadwayI was ecstatic when this City Bakery off-shoot finally opened in our neighborhood. I love their breads and pastries, but I live for the hot chocolate. It's the only thing that makes winter tolerable.
If you need coffee, and I'm not making it for you, this is the next best alternative.
214 locals recommend
Joe Coffee Company
514 Columbus AveIf you need coffee, and I'm not making it for you, this is the next best alternative.
Fine dining at its best, at least for the UWS, which isn't a fine dining destination by any means. Michelin-starred and apparently a favorite of Steve Martin (though he doesn't like to be disturbed).
19 locals recommend
Dovetail
103 W 77th StFine dining at its best, at least for the UWS, which isn't a fine dining destination by any means. Michelin-starred and apparently a favorite of Steve Martin (though he doesn't like to be disturbed).
Shopping
Fantastic selection of draft beers. They serve Southern-style food. You haven't lived until you've had their fried chicken, bacon, and egg breakfast biscuit with cheese grits (it might kill you, too).
239 locals recommend
Jacob's Pickles
509 Amsterdam AveFantastic selection of draft beers. They serve Southern-style food. You haven't lived until you've had their fried chicken, bacon, and egg breakfast biscuit with cheese grits (it might kill you, too).
The best specialty sake store in New York. Actually, the only one. Actually, the only such store east of California. But very well stocked. They know me by name.
Sakaya
324 E 9th StThe best specialty sake store in New York. Actually, the only one. Actually, the only such store east of California. But very well stocked. They know me by name.
Everything Else
Aikido Kokikai NYC
250 W 26th StThis is my aikido dojo. I teach and practice here several times a week.
I can't imagine a yoga studio run by nicer people. It doesn't hurt that it's a stone's throw from where I live, either.
7 locals recommend
Upper West Side Yoga and Wellness
75 W 85th StI can't imagine a yoga studio run by nicer people. It doesn't hurt that it's a stone's throw from where I live, either.
Essentials
A good option for grocery shopping. One of the best, in fact.
185 locals recommend
Fairway Market 74th Street
2131 BroadwayA good option for grocery shopping. One of the best, in fact.
Whole Foods Market
100 W 125th StI do most of my grocery shopping here.
A famous grocery store with a storied-history. Worth checking out at least once. Every appliance you can imagine is for sale upstairs.
205 locals recommend
Zabar's
2245 BroadwayA famous grocery store with a storied-history. Worth checking out at least once. Every appliance you can imagine is for sale upstairs.