Katy M. 
Moving to Manhattan? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Manhattan Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- 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.
- Bethel Gospel Assembly (2-26 E 120th St, New York): This gospel service is filled with worship, singing, dancing, and pure joy. Everyone’s welcome, and the energy is infectious.
- 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.
- 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’.
- 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.
- Calvin Klein (205 W 39th St, New York): Located in the Garment District, Calvin Klein’s headquarters is more than just an office – the 39th Street space also holds archives of every single Calvin Klein design ever made.
- 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!
- West Side Festival: Launched in 2023, this festival offers free access to museums, parks, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on Manhattan’s West Side. Expect live music, art activities, poetry readings, and even a marine science festival.
- Elsa la Reina del Chicharron : traditional Dominican food in an unassuming setting
- Chelsea Living Room (243 W 14th St): This supper club, which promises a “bygone era of elegance” is your dream lottery-win Manhattan home realized: think cozy fireplace, a grand piano, chandeliers, and just a touch of animal print.
- 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.
- Taqueria by El Prieto NYC (139 W 28th St, New York): This taqueria makes Tijuana-style tacos: simple, loaded with cilantro and guacamole, and free from any “pick-a-body-part” options. Instead, you’ll find crowd-friendly choices like chicken, steak, pork, and mushroom… and loaded carne asada fries so good, you’ll be tempted to gatekeep.
- Gotham Comedy Club (208 W 23rd St): The spot for stand-up in NYC, featuring top headliners and rising stars. The intimate setting makes each joke feel like it’s just for you.
- Tacos Cholula Truck (142 E 2nd St, New York): Unlike the above taquerias, Tacos Cholula is proper street food. Expect low prices, no frills, and late-night hours (this food truck runs until at least 3 a.m., depending on the crowd). Plus, there’s no need to be too adventurous with your protein choices—here, you’ll find fish, al pastor, and chicken tacos.
- VeganHood (2100 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York): Living by the motto “Veganized, Not Compromised,” VeganHood is rumored to serve the city’s best vegan fried chicken. Give it a try and see if all the hype is legit.
- 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.
- 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.
- Artechouse NYC (439 W 15th St): A gallery from the future that blends art, technology, and science, to present abstract digital art compositions to interactive installations. Recent exhibitions were on Afro-surrealism and artificial imagination.
- 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.
- Los Mariscos (409 W 15th St, New York): From the same team behind Los Tacos No. 1, the standout menu items at this seafood taqueria are pan-seared fish tacos or battered shrimp tacos, both drizzled with a zingy, creamy sauce and lime aplenty.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dragon Fest Manhattan: Taking over Seventh Avenue from 56th to 57th Street, Dragon Fest is the largest celebration of Chinese culture in Manhattan. Held in July, this 2024 edition welcomed Panda Day, with panda-shaped balloons to panda-themed snacks.
- The Honey Well -Craft cocktails & bar bites are offered in a low-lit, subterranean setting with a cozy vibe.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The New York Times Company (620 8th Ave, New York): This 52-story skyscraper in Times Square serves as the headquarters for The New York Times and is ranked among the top 150 buildings in the U.S.
- 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.
- 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.
- Whitney Museum of American Art (99 Gansevoort St): The forefront of American modern and contemporary art, with works by Warhol, Hopper, and O’Keefe. Round the visit off with a walk along the High Line.
- Japan Block Fair: The world’s largest Japanese food and culture festival, drawing over 500,000 attendees annually, takes place right in the heart of NYC.
- 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 – and Coyote Ugly actress Piper Perabo is a part owner.
- Columbia University’s Baker Field Athletic Complex: 17,000 seat football stadium
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Taste of Tribeca: An outdoor food festival and public school fundraiser where you can sample dishes from 60 plus Tribeca restaurants.
