Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Highlights

Our Local Expert Says:

Kitschy and shabby chic, this hotel was featured in the Woody Allen movie "Manhattan Murder Mystery" and is well known for its eclectic charm. Madonna used to live here before she became famous, and numerous magazines have held photo shoots here.

Description:

Hotel 17, located just blocks from Union Square, the East Village and Gramercy Park, is a quirky spot perfectly suited to hipsters on a budget. A unique combination of cheap and chic, the hotel also has an interesting history, once housing a pre-fame Madonna and several other up-and-coming New York City notables. Rooms are available with either shared and private bathrooms, and are equipped with amenities such as television with basic cable, toiletries and limited wi-fi.

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This fairly new delicatessen serves great bagels, smoked fish, salad and eggs. Zucker's is a branch of the popular Murray's Bagels in Chelsea. Zucker's has a quick takeaway counter and a delivery service as well. The dining area has a vintage look and feel with its intricate detailing and white tiles. So if you are in Tribeca and you have a craving for bagels, you know the answer to your prayers is not too far away!

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The Lower East Side Conservancy is an organization dedicated to preserving the Jewish heritage and culture of Manhattan's Lower East Side. They offer walking and minibus tours highlighting historic synagogues and the neighborhood's culinary delights. The Bialystoker and Eldrige Synagogues are associated with this group and are featured on their tours. Call for tour schedules and prices.

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This museum, founded in 1988, is dedicated to all the immigrants who came to New York City during the 1800s, but in particular to the occupants of this one-time tenement on Orchard Street. See life as new Americans experienced it in Chinatown, Little Italy and elsewhere on the Lower East Side through photos, displays and memorabilia. The gallery is free.

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Since first opening in 1954, The Second Avenue Deli has become one of the best-known names on the world-renowned Manhattan Jewish Deli scene. The menu consists of time-tested favorites like corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and pastrami served in a dining room surrounded by Yiddish memorabilia. Though the original location on 2nd Street was closed down in 2006, it has since reopened at a new location on 33rd Street with its original menu still intact. You won't regret traveling those extra blocks for a taste of this Manhattan landmark.

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Something of a New York legend, The Strand is worth a visit for its staggering "18 miles of books" as well as its extensive inventory of review copies and bargain titles at up to 85% off list price. It's unquestionably the city's best book deal -- there's almost nothing marked at list price -- and the selection is phenomenal in all categories (there's even a rare-book department on the third floor). Still, you'll work for it: The narrow aisles mean you're always getting bumped; the books are only roughly alphabetized; and there's no air-conditioning in summer. Nevertheless, it's a used-book-lover's paradise.

Our Local Expert Says:

A contender for Best Ice Cream in New York City.

Description:

This small ice cream café on the Lower East Side offers a changing selection of as many as 200 gelatos and sorbets, all freshly handmade on the premises from locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Regularly available flavors include hazelnut, dark chocolate, banana, as well as more unusual offerings such as olive oil, black mission fig, and Mexican cinnamon basil.

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Built in 1902 and designed by Daniel H. Burnham, this building is considered the oldest and possibly one of the most famous skyscrapers in New York City. Instantly recognizable, the building includes a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and has a peculiar wedge shape (like that of an old-fashioned flat iron) that has made it a New York favorite. The area's Flatiron District is named after this enduring New York symbol.

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The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) provides visitors with the chance to explore the different worlds of cartoons and comics through their exhibitions. Past exhibitions include Will Eisner: A Retrospective, The Golden Age of Saturday Morning Cartoons, and Modern Fairy Tales. Along with showcasing current artists, MoCCA aims to examine how comics and cartoons have been used to discuss politics, society, and culture in general. Adults and children alike will be fascinated by MoCCA's diverse catalogue of exhibitions, so travelers with children should definitely consider stopping here.

Description:

Son Cubano epitomizes 1950's Cuban retro-glamour. Chandeliers, mosaic tile walls, folk-art paintings, and vintage photographs decorate the room. Exotic tropical flowers and candles give the restaurant a sultry, sexy mood. The live Latin music Monday through Saturday always draws a very fashionable crowd. It is all the tropical romance, festivity, and flavor of Cuba in a downtown urban setting. Son Cubano offers an extensive list of tapas as well as a full-service dinner. The cuisine is nostalgic Caribbean home cooking - aromatic and flavorful with notes of garlic, onion, red pepper, and white wine. One of the signature dishes is Ropa Vieja - shredded flank steak in a tomato sauce with green olives, served with sweet plantains and white rice. The chef also creates modern-tropical interpretations of Cuban dishes that would satisfy the most sophisticated urban palette.

Description:

Reported as having one of the best macaroons in town - the Almondine Bakery is really popular for its flavors. This is an excellent place to visit for brunch or breakfast according to the locals. Including the fact that they bake organic bread thrice a day, the pastries served are fresh too.

Our Local Expert Says:

Brooklyn natives are fanatical about their pizza, and on this "foodie romp" you'll taste some of the most famous (including Grimaldi's in DUMBO and Spumoni in Bensonhurst) and learn about the history of the borough.

Description:

This one-man tour group led by Brooklyn native Tony Muia takes you to two of Brooklyn's finest pizzerias. Sample 2 distinct styles of pizza (thin-crust Neapolitan made in a brick oven and authentic Sicilian style pizza), learn about pizza history, and visit important landmarks such as Coney Island's boardwalk and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Onboard the bus, view film clips from famous Brooklyn movies ("Saturday Night Fever", etc.) while driving by the actual film sets. As you eat your way through Brooklyn, Muia keeps the group entertained with tales of notorious Brooklynites, childhood stories, and Brooklyn trivia!

Description:

This peninsula in southernmost Brooklyn boasts a diverse community of 60,000 people and a broad, sandy beach with a historic boardwalk. Its selection of amusement parks and attractions may have seen better days, but they can still provide a rich slice of Americana and a day of family fun during a spring or summer visit. As a major resort and amusement destination, Coney Island reached its peak in the early 20th century. Its popularity declined after World War II and for many years it was sorely neglected, but in recent years the area has been revitalized with the opening of KeySpan Park, home of the minor league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones. In addition to the Cyclones fans that swarm the area in spring and summer, Coney Island attracts thousands to its annual Mermaid Parade, which takes place on Surf Avenue every summer and features an array of floats and performers in crazy costumes. Another star attraction is the original Nathan's Famous hot dog stand, which opened in 1916 and quickly became a landmark. Its annual hot dog eating contest, held every July 4th since Nathan's opened, has recently attracted widespread attention, including international television coverage.

Those... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Although you may fear for your life at times, the creaky, rickety Cyclone roller coaster is a classic New York experience.

Description:

Head out to the boardwalk at Coney Island to experience true New York atmosphere and a place frozen in time, with old fashioned photo booths, a freak show, and rides right on the water. The main attractions are the fabulous Wonder Wheel Ferris that slides and swings as you spin around, and the world famous Cyclone roller coaster - this New York historic landmark has been luring thrill seekers since 1927. Eighty-six feet high and made completely of wood, the Cyclone will scare just about anyone!

Our Local Expert Says:

This is the original Nathan's hot dog stand, Coney Island institution and birthplace of the now internationally famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. No matter how many you can eat, it's worth a visit for some classic Americana.

Description:

Home of the Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Nathan's Famous has been serving mouth-watering hot dogs since 1916 at its landmark location in Coney Island. What started as a nickel hot dog stand has grown to a nationwide franchise, but hot dog aficionados swear that no other hot dog can compare to the original Nathan's! Maybe it's the sea air or the honky-tonk atmosphere - no one knows for sure, but one bite into these crunchy all-beef dogs will win over the greatest skeptic. The fries (with or without gobs of cheese or chili) are to die for!

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Located at the Prospect Park Band Shell in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, this festival runs the length of the summer and hosts a wide variety of free outdoor performances. From June to August, shows range from film screenings to spoken word, world music and contemporary pop bands.

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This is a peculiarly popular pub, located in a grungy garage by the Brooklyn Bridge near Wall Street yet packed every night. Fridays are the most crowded, with young men and women coming here to meet, eat and enjoy the cheap beers. However, they are definitely not going for the décor, which resembles a dilapidated airplane hangar. Standard breakfast fare, sandwiches and salads are served. Fish and chips, calamari, clams and ostrich burgers are also popular.

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This small but beautiful botanic garden features a Japanese hill and pond garden, as well as the Cranford Rose Garden, herb garden, the Children's Garden and the Steinhard Conservatory of indoor flowers and plants. In all, there are 52 acres and 12,000 varieties of botanicals, ranging from the tiny bonsai to the towering oak. Self-guided tours, individual classes and certificate programs are all available. Students come with your valid id cards, if you want to avail of a concession.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Promenade is one of the best spots in the city to view the 4th of July fireworks - it gets extremely crowded, so be sure to arrive early. There are three nearby playgrounds for kids to enjoy.

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Hop in your car, take a pleasant drive, park it on the street and take a walk while embracing the awesome sight. Tagged by many citizens as one of the best views of the city, the promenade on Brooklyn Heights is known for exactly this reason. A stroll in the early morning or late evening can end up being very romantic.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you're in the mood for a little exercise, walk or ride your bike across this famous bridge for some of the best views of the city.

Description:

Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It stretches 5,989 feet (1825 meters) across the East River and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the time of its construction, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world and the first steel-wire suspension bridge. The bridge was designed by the New Jersey architect John Augustus Roebling, who died before construction began after he contracted tetanus from a wound sustained in a ferry accident during surveys for the bridge project. Built from limestone, granite, and cement, the Brooklyn Bridge is an example of Gothic-style architecture, with its characteristic pointed arches topping twin passageways through huge stone towers. Because Roebling designed a bridge and truss system six times stronger than he thought it needed to be, the Brooklyn Bridge is still standing, while many other bridges built around the same time have had to be replaced.

In the past, the inside lanes of traffic on the bridge carried the elevated trains of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transport (BMT) Corporation from stations in Brooklyn to a terminal at Manhattan's Park Row. Streetcars shared the... read more

Description:

Located within the Standard Oil Building, just south of the World Trade Center, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center was created in the wake of September 11, 2001. Tribute offers visitors to the World Trade Center site a place where they can connect with people from the September 11th community. Through walking tours, exhibits and programs, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center offers "Person to Person History," linking visitors who want to understand and appreciate these historic events with those who experienced them.

The space features interactive exhibits and five galleries that deal with different aspects of the 9/11 tragedy. All walking tours make five stops while traveling around the site. Most of the tour takes place indoors, traveling along the windows of the World Financial Center and looking out onto Ground Zero. Guides share key facts and reveal specific events of the day while weaving their personal experiences of survival, loss, and healing throughout the tour, giving visitors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with history first-hand.

Our Local Expert Says:

South Street Seaport (11 Fulton Street, to be exact) is home to the acclaimed Bodies: The Exhibition, an up-close-and-personal tour through the intricate and seemingly miraculous workings of the human body.

Description:

This historic trading port, which dates back to the 1600s, is located on the edge of the Financial District, where Fulton Street meets the East River. It was restored and revitalized for tourist use in the late 1960s, and now boasts more than 120 shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the South Street Seaport Museum, the Pier 17 Pavilion, and the New York City Police Museum. Visitors to the Seaport will also find some of the oldest architecture in downtown Manhattan, including renovated original mercantile buildings from the early 19th century, renovated sailing ships, and the former Fulton Fish Market.

With its cobblestone streets and broad piers, South Street Seaport offers a welcome escape from the congested, skyscraper-lined streets of downtown. There are usually free outdoor performances going on - check out a number of prominent and up-and-coming acts at the outdoor stage set up in the summertime - and the cool breezes, fun people-watching, and beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge can all be enjoyed for free.

Description:

This is undoubtedly New York City's best free ride. The 25-minute one-way trip across New York Harbor should give you ample opportunity to see such nearby sites as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan's skyscrapers. The fare for the ferry, which runs every 20 to 30 minutes, actually went down from 50 cents a few years ago. During rush hour, it is filled with Staten Island residents going to or from work in Manhattan. Cars and motorcycles are no longer allowed on the ferry.

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If you're looking for an old fashioned neighborhood pastry store, Veniero's is it. Treats include old time favorites from tarts and gelato to cake and coffee. Serving families for generations since 1894, Veniero's is now available to order from online as well so you'll never be without your favorite desserts.

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The heart of this well-known Italian neighborhood is Mulberry Street. Years ago, the vast majority of people who lived here were Italian, but expansion of Chinatown and Italian migration to the suburbs has changed the make-up of the neighborhood. Still, cafes, restaurants and bakeries line the street. Take a walk and smell the fresh baked bread, garlic and sauces. Stop for a glass of wine or tiramisu at a sidewalk cafe, or gaze longingly at the salamis hanging from store windows.

Description:

From the oeno-dude behind Hearth, this 24-seat vinoteca's pouring a huge selection of new and old world wines, e.g., Monte Bello '92 (from Santa Cruz) and L'Etoile '04 (from the Jura region of France). Small plate highlights include duck ham w/ hen of the woods panini, iberico ham charcuterie, and turkey wings "agro dolce" -- a sauce known in Congressional hearings as "Clemens de leche".