Even though I have lived in Manhattan for a brief 5 months I have turned into a tour guild which allows me to tell you about all the secret gems I have found. While visiting Manhattan one can become overwhelmed by the massiveness of concrete and sheer volume of places to visit. I have narrowed it down to the places I take the many visitors that have came and went. Before you die, Manhattan needs to be on your bucket-list although it's not for everyone you will find that there's something for everyone here in the greatest city in the world.
Soho (South of Houston Street): When on Broadway street you will notice the volume of people and the tallness of the buildings increase two-fold. Lined with familiar shops and some unfamiliar markets, Soho quickly will grab your last remaining dollars. Street vendors set up shop at every corner selling everything from hats to one of a kind jewels. Its not surprising that one would walk right into a movie shoot featuring Will Smith. This is the New York you see in movies with a sea of people heading towards you and tourist as far as the eye can see. I wouldn't dare go to Soho on a Saturday however on a Monday you will have better luck finding a dressing room or getting a touch of customer service.
By Soho there's a street called Prince and another called Spring: These streets got money honey. Lets start with Prince, maybe I'm partial to this street because that's where I saw my first celebrity. Wouldn't you like to know who, we'll get to that later. Little bakeries, coffeehouses, my favorite bookstore and designer boutiques I could never afford. I find myself walking along with puppy dog eyes at the newest fashion one of a kinds. I'm drooling at the sugary confections lined in a perfect row while neighbors sip espresso on benches by the cobblestone street. I love this street because it's a perfect combination of shops specializing in only purses and perfect restaurants offering top of the line cuisine.
Spring Street: The Kardashian sisters like this street too as their overpriced boutique can be found moments away from Soho. Little patios, small cafes and the best pizza in the city can be found here. These 2 streets run parallel to each other complimenting one another by the highest of standards. Someone would have to die to get an apartment here. Between the 2, I love them both.
Lower East Side specifically Clinton Street to Houston: Maybe I'm partial because I live on this street but in my opinion there's nothing like it. Atlas coffee shops truly feels as if your in Rome and most restaurants have less then 15 tables. There's a homemade dumpling restaurant and markets that are cheap, rare and remind me of Global Market. Clinton Street Baking Company gets the most attention and every time I tell someone where I live they instantly say "have you tried their blueberry pancakes?" and unfortunately I say no because on any given day there's a 2 hour wait. Its a kinda place where one can roll out of bed and call it fashion and where you can find the cheapest eats in the city. It's been my home for 5 months now and I can't imagine living anywhere else within Manhattan. My fire escape has become my favorite view of the city and made me realize that one doesn't need a T.V if you live here. Ludlow, Orchard, Essex and Rivington street, this is what made me fall in love with Manhattan.
The Parks (yes we have parks here): Washington Square, Union Square and of course Central Park.
It is a concrete jungle but thank god they were smart enough to build in parks. The sheer noise of this city can drive someone crazy so when you dip into one of these parks it somewhat feels like you've shut the city off if only for a moment. You can still hear the slight hum of the city by you but that melts away once you can sit on the grass and smell the pretty flowers. Mind you it wasn't like this for me when I moved here in the dead of winter but now I can appreciate the beauty within these parks. Grab a good read, iced coffee and a scone and one could spend hours wasting away in these man made wonders roasting in the sun.
Chinatown: The stench of the fish mongers will let you know when you have stumbled upon Chinatown. Canel Street will bring you into the heart of it all where English becomes second to Chinese. Some New York's will disagree but to me this is the cheapest place within the city. You can find 60 minute massages for 40.00 (happy ending not included) and if you can get past the smell of half-dead fish the produce isn't all that bad. You truly feel like you are in China itself and if your on a budget go here. Weirdest thing I saw was a giant bucket of bull frogs for 4.50 a pound or dried deer foot for a dollar which actually seems like a deal. Also allow me to remind you that the Chinese don't waste anything so keep that in mind if your in the market for say fish eyeballs or dried fish belly.
Some people avoid Chinatown but I say the more unfamiliar the better.
St.Marks Street: Again another concrete stretch I love. Its hard to sum this one up, I just like it. It's got good restaurants and I always go and eat Pho there. Its trendy (but then again what part of Manhattan isn't) and has a great vibe. I like people watching here because it's very eclectic. Its got a vibe that you will fall in love and its not an instant touristy spot.
On top of the Rockefeller: I just did this with my mother and it was truly breathtaking. It's perfectly placed so that you can walk around and see all sides of Manhattan. Plus your 67 floors up, with 3 levels and if you go in the morning you will avoid the dreadful lines.
The Food: This deserves an entirly different blog, coming soon.
Times Square at Night: Those who know me know I dislike Times Square, the very thought of it makes me want to throw up. The crowds, the lines its like a cluster fuck of people that all seem to be lost. However bringing people to see the light show for the first time makes me realizes how insensitive I am to their first Times Square experience. Its a spectacle of dancing lights, a marvel of man-made screens plastered on tall buildings. I suggest taking a giant hit of acid and stroll along the streets of Times Square (this is a joke as you would surly violently puke.) It's something to see if only once and in my case 8-10 times. I am over it but I see virgin Times Square observers truly light up like Times Square itself.
World Trade Center Memorial: The TV did you no justice. Once your eyes find the giant missing spot in the sky you will truly understand the weight of this disaster. It opens this fall and although most of it is closed off, between gaps in the construction you can catch a small glimpse of the destruction. Go and pay your respects, go and support the fellow Americans caught in the madness that is politics.
Battery Park: Way at the base of Manhattan is a well preserved park, this was where all the immigrants first settled. You can take multiple ferry's to other islands and as you walk along the waters edge. It's nothing that will blow your mind away but it's rich in history and beautiful once the sun starts setting.
Just Walk: Too often trips are so overly planned, Manhattan will plan you. You can walk and get lost for hours here, you will stumble into your own secret gems and I challenge you to allow Manhattan to take you on it's own journey. The misconception is that you will stumble into a unsafe place, get over that fear now this city is safe. Unless you are waving money in plain sight or acting like an idiot you will find that Manhattan is just as safe as if you were sitting in your backyard. Walking has become a simple joy for me and on any given day I walk about 50-80 blocks.
Eataly, Chelsea Market and all smaller foodie markets: This is the food mecca people thank god I walk or I would surly become a fat ass. Fresh pasta, the freshest fish and the rarest cuts of meat that will make a vegetarian contemplate being one. You can find the rarest imported goods, the highest quality produce and deserts that will make a diabetic cheat on their diet. Come here and eat your heart out, it's easy to do.
The High-Rise: Secret gem in the city offering a perfect view of the Hudson on the West side. Equipped with chairs feel free to take a nap on one of many lounge chairs built into this walkway. Locals will not like me for spilling this hidden secret but once you take the yellow elevator up to the highrise you will understand why this is a great spot within the city. Go and walk along the flowers and smell the spring in the air.
Go see a show, any show: Lights, Camera, Action and lots of it. Theater row offers anything for any cost, for any taste. The best of the best, the cream of the crop. Go and be blown away by the talent.
Surly I am forgetting some specucals but for the meantime this will fill at least 4 days of sightseeing. All these places I have taken my guests and each time they walk away loving Manhattan which is not hard to do.
Oh yes and the celebrity on Prince street was Jake Gyllenhaal.
No comments:
Post a Comment