Moving to Manhattan? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Manhattan Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Lavitta’s Creole (218 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York): Chef Jimmy Thomas brings a 1940s barbershop back to life as a Creole restaurant. Schooled in Creole cooking by his mom and grandmother, Jimmy serves up crawfish cakes, wild shrimp po’ boys, and beignets. With just 32 seats, it’s all about that intimate dining experience.
- Chelsea Flea Market (29 W 25th St): Revived by the team behind Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea, this market is a treasure trove for antique lovers—but be prepared to dig deep. Hidden gems await those who persevere.
- Harlem Cigar Room – This is one of the coolest spots in the neighborhood. You can find a plethora of cigars available for purchase here. They have a BYOB policy, and welcome people from all walks of life. If you want to suit up and drink scotch people definitely do that, but the room is also welcoming to more casual crowds who are just looking to relax and have a good time.
- Rudy’s Bar & Grill (627 9th Ave, New York): For a no-frills night out, Rudy’s is the place to be. This “Inflation-Proof” dive bar in Hell’s Kitchen serves cheap beer and throws in a free hot dog with every drink. Old-school, cash-only, and unpretentious.
- Apollo Theater (253 W 125th St, New York): This legendary venue has been the launchpad for some of the greatest Black talent since 1914. From James Brown to Lauryn Hill, the Apollo is the heartbeat of Harlem’s rich musical legacy.
- Tribeca Festival: Held each summer around Tribeca, this festival celebrates storytelling in all forms: film, episodic content, talks, music, games, art, and immersive experiences. It was co-founded by Robert De Niro following 9/11 to ignite the economic and cultural revitalization of Lower Manhattan.
- Sylvia’s Restaurant (328 Malcolm X Blvd, New York): Dishing up Southern comfort food, with all the classics covered. Think fried chicken and waffles, BBQ short ribs, catfish, and peach cobbler. And if you’re in town on a Sunday, don’t miss the Gospel Brunch—good eats with a side of live soul performances.
- Somewhere Nowhere NYC (Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel): A swanky two-level lounge with an open-air rooftop pool, jazz Wednesdays, and winter igloos. The drinks are pricey, but the view—430 feet above Manhattan—makes them worth every penny.
- Taste of Times Square: Get a taste of Midtown with over 25 restaurants dishing out Mexican, Caribbean, Argentinian, Italian, Indian, and American cuisine. As one of NYC’s longest-running food festivals, it’s a must for any foodie.
- BIG Salsa Festival New York: Memorial Day Weekend gets even hotter with this salsa and bachata festival held at the New York Hilton Midtown. Come for the technique boot camps, stay for the fun.
- JAPAN Fes: One of New York’s most beloved street food events makes multiple stops in Chelsea throughout the year, typically along 6th Avenue. At least 34 NYC Japanese food events and pop-ups are scheduled across the city in 2026, with organizers calling it their most ambitious year yet.
- Blackstone (345 Park Ave, New York): Blackstone, an alternative investment company, is expanding its Midtown office, making it one of the largest recent office leases in New York City. The space will grow from 750,000 square feet to just over 1 million square feet.
- Chelsea Living Room (243 W 14th St): This supper club, which promises a “bygone era of elegance”, is your dream lottery-winning Manhattan home realized: think cozy fireplace, a grand piano, chandeliers, and just a touch of animal print.
- Beefbar (105 Hudson St, New York): From exclusive beef cuts to flavorful street food, this beef-themed “clubstaurant” (founded in 2005 in Monte Carlo) arrives in New York to disrupt the city’s famous steakhouse scene.
- Comedy Cellar – One of the best comedy clubs in the country, the Comedy Cellar has hosted legendary comedians from around the world.
- Fifth Avenue – Fifth Avenue is known around the world as a luxury shopping destination. This is the epicenter of the highest-end retail in Manhattan. It stretches all the way up to the Upper East Side and eventually becomes Museum Row!
- AIRE Ancient Baths New York (88 Franklin St, New York): A decadent spa journey through various thermal baths and steam rooms, inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman traditions.
- Elsa la Reina del Chicharron : traditional Dominican food in an unassuming setting
- Ollin (339 E 108th St, New York): This pint-sized Mexican joint blew up on TikTok, and for good reason. The funky decor is Instagram-ready, and the menu, though small, hits the spot with tacos, chilaquiles, and tortas.
- The Stonewall Inn – This historically significant Inn spearheaded the LGBTQ movement in New York in the 1960’s. Today, you’ll find the same spirit of acceptance and inclusivity.
- New York University – Founded in 1831, this private research university is a staple of the neighborhood and contributes to the youthful, progressive vibe in so many ways. Over the years, the university has hosted a plethora of famous and significant celebrities, lawyers, and businesspeople. NYU is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the world.
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York): A branch of the New York Public Library, this research library and archive is dedicated to preserving and documenting the experiences of people of African descent worldwide.
- Broadway: You can’t live in, or visit New York City and not experience Broadway. It’s both a profession and a place—a theater genre presented in 41 theaters (mostly in Midtown) and a major boulevard stretching the length of Manhattan. Be prepared to fall in love with New York all over again.
- Grand Sichuan Eastern (1049 2nd Ave, New York): If you like it hot, head here for spicy Sichuan dishes. With an endless, photo-filled menu, Grand Sichuan Eastern is perfect for those who eat with their eyes first. Plus, it’s conveniently located across from the Joyce Theater, so you can grab a bite before or after a performance.
- Konban (311 W 17th St): Konban specializes in tonkatsu—pork cutlets that are marinated, dried, breaded, and deep-fried, taking over two days to perfect. With izakaya style and a secret zen rock garden, it’s no surprise this TikTok-approved spot is a must-reserve.
- Columbia University’s Baker Field Athletic Complex: 17,000 seat football stadium
- The Grill (Seagram Building, 99 E 52nd St, New York): A fine dining steakhouse where tuxedo-clad servers roll out black truffle pasta, rib eye, and champagne cocktails on a silver-domed trolley.
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (45 E 42nd St, New York): Take your sightseeing to new heights with three levels of immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Far from your average observation deck, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was born out of the Instagram age.
- The Django (The Roxy Hotel): A Paris-inspired, cavelike jazz venue and cocktail bar hidden beneath the Roxy Hotel. The experience is pure cinematic magic, like stepping straight into that iconic Goodfellas restaurant scene with Henry and Karen.
- Shakespeare in Marcus Garvey Park: A quintessential New York summer tradition, the Classical Theatre of Harlem has been bringing Shakespeare to life in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park for over a decade. This year’s performance? A remix of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
- Taste of Tribeca: An outdoor food festival and public school fundraiser where you can sample dishes from 60 plus Tribeca restaurants.
- Ophelia (3 Mitchell Pl, 26th floor, New York): Located at the top of the Beekman Tower, this cocktail lounge has adorned its 360° greenhouse terrace with vintage glamour touches: think flapper hats, century-old tarot cards, and a red velour couch.
- Birdland Jazz Club (315 W 44th St, New York): This Theater District classic has it all—candlelit tables, fantastic acoustics, and Cajun-inspired bites. Named after Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, Birdland became the spot every jazz musician had to play in the ’50s. Decades later, it’s still hitting all the right notes.
- Blue Note Jazz Club – This iconic jazz club has hosted legends of the past and present. Be sure to check out their virtual concerts!
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum (180 Greenwich St, New York): A potent and moving tribute that tells the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and monuments honoring the lives lost and heroic efforts.
- Empire State Building (20 W 34th St, New York): The Empire State Building was the first building in the world with more than 100 floors. It’s famous for its Art Deco architecture, height, and observation decks, which attract around four million visitors annually.
- Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Multicultural musical performances lakeside in Central Park (nearest Harlem side), this event draws thousands of attendees each summer.
- Nothing Really Matters (210 W 50th St, New York): Claiming to be “the greatest cocktail bar in the universe,” this speakeasy is hidden in a subway station beneath the old Duane Reade at 50th and Broadway. You’ll have to check it out to see if it lives up to that title.
- Jack’s Wife Freda (116 8th Ave): This all-day café is Instagram brunch heaven—think ambient lighting, farmhouse-style decor, and bentwood Vienna chairs. Celebrity spotting is common here.
- La Noxe (315 7th Ave): According to TimeOut, La Noxe is one of the coolest bars in the world right now. Settle into a plush love seat and bask in the exclusivity before sauntering back out into the night.
