Things to do in New York City
-
A
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
Enjoy some al fresco shopping at this popular marketplace, where you’ll find items including African crafts, essential oils, incense, traditional clothing, CDs and bootleg videos
reviewed
-
B
Metropolitan Museum of Art
In addition to being a palace of visual art, the Met hosts performances within the wonderfully acoustic confines of the museum. Some are free, and are offered in conjunction with special exhibits, and others require purchasing tickets and feature renowned pianists, vocalists and assorted ensembles.
reviewed
-
C
American Ballet Theatre
This seven-decade-old traveling company presents a classic selection of ballets at the Metropolitan Opera House every spring (generally in May). Tickets are by subscription only. The Orchestra, Parterre and Grand Tier sections offer the best views. Avoid the top tier or all you’ll see is the dancers’ heads. Box seats towards the rear have highly obscured views.
reviewed
-
D
New York City Ballet
This prestigious company was first directed by renowned Russian-born choreographer George Balanchine back in the 1940s. Today, the company has 90 dancers and is the largest ballet organization in the US, performing 23 weeks a year at Lincoln Center’s David H Koch Theater. During the holidays the troop is best known for its annual production of The Nutcracker.
Depending on the ballet, ticket prices can range from $29 to $250. Student rush tickets (valid high school or university ID required) are posted on Mondays and cost $15. Fourth-ring seats are often a deal, but the views can be lousy.
reviewed
-
E
Brooklyn Academy of Music
At this performing arts complex, the Howard Gilman Opera House and Harvey Lichtenstein Theater host their share of ballet, modern and world dance performances. Among other groups, they’ve presented the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Pina Bausch Dance Theater. This is also a good spot to catch experimental visiting troupes from all over the world.
reviewed
-
F
Jacques Torres Chocolate
Known as Mr Chocolate, French chocolatier Jacques Torres lives on a boat, fishes for striped bass out of the harbor and still manages to churn out some of the city’s finest chocolates. The small Dumbo shop has many temptations, including a thick cup of hot chocolate. Next door is Torres’ ice cream shop. Other branches are on the Upper West Side and in western SoHo.
reviewed
-
G
Arsenal
Playing on New York's public tennis courts requires a permit from April to November. Pick up single play tickets for $7 at the Central Park permit center at Arsenal.
reviewed
-
Everything Goes Book Café
reviewed
-
H
Flushing Mall
The Flushing Mall is an indoor collection of East Asian items, though the excellent food court is the real draw.
reviewed
-
New York Water Fest
New York Water Fest, a six-mile race from Pier 96, is held in mid October.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Greenmarket Farmer's Market
reviewed
-
J
Madonna’s first New York home
reviewed
-
K
Tisch Children's Zoo
Attached to the Central Park Zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo is a petting zoo which has alpacas and mini-Nubian goats and is perfect for small children.
reviewed
-
L
Beacon's Closet (Williamsburg)
Twenty-something groovers find this giant Williamsburg warehouse of vintage clothing part goldmine, part grit. Lots of coats, polyester tops and ’90s-era tees are handily displayed by color, but the sheer mass can take time to conquer.
reviewed
-
M
Shun an Tong Health Herbal Co
reviewed
-
-
N
Starr Saphir - 81st St
reviewed
-
O
Bill's Gay Nineties
Don't let the name fool you – the clientele at this bar are generally as straight as they come. It's all about the Roaring Twenties at Bill's, the decade when original owner Bill Hardy converted the ground floor of his brownstone into a speakeasy. Bill's still retains its illicit aura, in part because you have to traverse hand-carved swinging doors to reach the cavernous inner sanctum, with its high beams, low lights and numerous boxing and racing pictures. It's a great place to unwind, grab a drink and make a new friend.
reviewed
-
P
Magnet Theater
A jam-packed schedule featuring tons of comedy in several incarnations (mostly improv) lures crowds of rowdy youngsters. Our favorite is the musical improv, but you can’t go wrong with the sketch-comedy workshops.
reviewed
-
Q
PS 122
This former schoolhouse has been committed to fostering new artists and their far-out ideas since its inception in 1979. Its two stages have hosted such now-known performers as Meredith Monk, Eric Bogosian and the late Spalding Gray, and it’s also home to dance shows, film screenings and various festivals for up-and-coming talents.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Hell's Kitchen
reviewed
-
S
New York City Audubon Society
Throughout the year, the New York City Audubon Society stages bird-watching field trips (from free to $65; including heron-spotting rides in the Long Island Sound and eagle-watching in the Hudson Valley), free lectures and beginning birding classes ($85; including two field trips). The group also stages a City Birding Challenge in May.
reviewed
-
T
Lantern's Keep
Can you keep a secret? If so, cross the lobby of the Iroquois Hotel and slip into this dark, intimate cocktail salon. Its speciality is pre-Prohibition libations, shaken and stirred by passionate, personable mixologists. If you're feeling spicy, request a Groom's Breakfast, a fiery melange of gin, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, muddled lime, cucumber, and salt and pepper. Reservations are recommended.
reviewed
-
U
Robert
Perched on the ninth floor of the Museum of Arts & Design, '60s-inspired, pink-tastic Robert is technically a high-end, Modern-American restaurant. While the food is satisfactory, it's a little overpriced, so head in late afternoon or post-dinner, find a sofa and gaze out over Central Park with a MAD Manhattan (Bourbon, Blood Orange Vermouth and liquored cherries). Magic.
reviewed
-
V
Rum House
Not long ago, this was Hotel Edison's crusty old piano bar. Enter the capable team from Tribeca bar Ward III, who ripped out the green carpet, polished up the coppertop bar and revived this slice of old New York. You'll still find a nightly pianist, but he's now accompanied by well-crafted drinks and an in-the-know medley of whiskeys and rums.
reviewed