I love to walk around the city and explore. The way I started was with Frommer’s 24 Great Walks in New York. It covers every neighborhood in the city (and one in Brooklyn), highlighting touristy things like Grand Central Terminal and hidden things like the smallest house in NYC (9.5 ft. wide).
Number one on my visit list is the High Line Park. As it's now the number one tourist destination in NYC (6.2 million visitors last year), it's likely on your list already. A 1.45 mile long walk up the west side of the city, the High Line is an elevated former freight railroad track that has been transformed into a giant greenroof. No matter what time of day or year you visit, be sure to stop by. During the summer, you can join a free public tour on Tuesday nights or Saturday mornings. (I may even be your docent!) The new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art is at the south end of the park.
Two notes about the photos: In the top photo, notice the cement block tower on the lower right- that's a Sol Lewitt sculpture on the roof of the Pace Gallery that can only be seen from one spot on the Park. See if you can find it! Also, my favorite little shop, Story, is at street level in the building with the blue windows above. It's on the corner of 19th Street and Tenth Avenue. It has "the point of view of a magazine, changes like a gallery, sells things like a store." The designs are theme-based (past themes have included Color, Home, Her, Love, Design...you can see them all on the website), and the theme changes about every four to eight weeks. It's a really fun little place!
The Intrepid, at Pier 84, is another gem. I spent four hours exploring here. Be sure to get the audio guide--your narrators are former crew members, including Sen. John McCain. The Kamikaze Experience is incredible--be sure not to miss it. And the submarine Growler is the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. If you're here in the summer, they show movies on the top deck. Check the online calendar of events for specifics. Ed and I visited for free during one of the Astronomy Nights, and learned about making our own spacecraft from an engineering professor at Cornell University.
If you get hungry or thirsty while you're in the neighborhood of the Intrepid, stop by the North River Lobster Co. for some good food, and a great view. The boat leaves periodically for a (free!) trip up the Hudson. Sunset is an ideal time to visit.
If you love art, but have a short attention span, visit the Frick Collection. Henry Clay Frick built a gorgeous home across from Central Park specifically to house his art collection. The art never travels, so if you want to see Hans Holbein Jr.'s portrait of Sir Thomas More or Bellini's St. Francis of Assisi, you have to stop by. He also has 3 Vermeers, my friend, Larry's, favorite artist. It's pay-what-you-wish on Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Did you know that the original Winnie the Pooh toys that belonged to Christopher Robin Milne live in the Schwartzman Building of the NY Public Library? Be sure to stop by and see them! (Piglet is adorable!!) And while you’re in the area, check out Bryant Park. They have TONS of events in the summer—the calendar is online. If you’re around, don’t miss Broadway in Bryant Park on Thursdays in July and August.
If you're over 21, be sure to put Sleep No More on your list of things to do/see. It's an immersive theatre experience based on MacBeth, and is one of the coolest things I've done in NYC. (We've gone twice.) You'll be wearing this while you're in the show:
Two rules you must follow if you go:
1. Do NOT under any circumstances hang out with the people you go with. You aren’t allowed to speak while you’re there, so there’s no point. And there are something like 1600 hours of rehearsed scenes, so if you split up, you’re likely to see things the others don’t. You can compare notes at Gallow Green (the adjacent rooftop bar) after the show.
2. If you see an actor, follow him or her. Wandering around empty rooms is a waste of time, despite how interesting some of them are. The action is where the actors are, and the way to find it is to follow them (not necessarily the same actor all the time, unless you happen upon MacBeth or Lady MacBeth.)
Unless it’s on your bucket list for some reason, don’t go to Liberty Island. Take the Staten Island Ferry (for free) over and back. You get a great view of Lady Liberty without having to pay a fortune for the privilege. (I’ve gone up in the crown, and it was less-than-impressive.) Or do one of the boat cruises of the Hudson—you get a charming tour guide, lots of NY history, a close-up view of the Statue, and drinks!
Food I love:
Danji – a tiny Korean tapas place that is absolutely fabulous. 55th between 9th and 8th (but closer to 9th)
Dhaba – my favorite Indian place in town. Be sure to get the Manchurian Gobi as an appetizer.
Pizza – John’s is my favorite, but I also love Patsy’s. Ed’s a Don Giovanni guy. But you can get great by-the-slice stuff all over town.
If you want a fancy dinner, go to Scarpetta’s and get the tasting menu with the wine pairings. Or visit Danny Meyer's Gramercy Tavern. It's Ed’s and my favorite place in town. If you're made of money and don't mind spending it on food and wine, Eleven Madison Park and PerSe are popular (and hard to get into) foodie destinations.
Eataly – this is a tourist destination. 50,000 sq. ft. of space that includes restaurants, a grocery store, bakery, fresh pasta, a travel agency…the roof restaurant Birreria is great. (Get the fried mushrooms!!!)
If you love sushi and want to pay a fortune for omakase, Ed recommends Sasabune and Yasuda.
Three of my favorite rooftop bars:
a. Pod 39 Hotel
b. 230 Fifth Avenue
c. Gallow Green (see above)
d. For 98 other options, check out my friend Leslie Adatto’s book: Roof Explorer’s Guide
Finally, a (funny) video to watch before you arrive: Johnny T's Tourist Tips
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