Shopping, Eating and Drinking off the beaten Path in NYC
 It can be hard in a city of 7 billion things to do to figure out where to check out once you have hit Bloomgdales and Macys . With that in mind we offer you our very own
BEST OF NEW YORK SHOPPING, EATING and DRINKING
Not everything will appeal to everyone but we hope it will help to find at least a few places that you might have never been
BEST MANICURE
TENOVERTEN 112 Reade St Near W Broadway This place gives the amazing attention to detail you would never expect from the usual New York $10 Mani Pedi which is why the rates are more at $20 for a Mani and $35 for a peed but trust us you will not be disappointed
Besides the usual Esse polish you will find Chanel,RGB and Nars among their choices a rare set of options for those who know !!!
BEST WAXING
UPTOWN 41 W7 J SISTERS These Brazillian sisters are masters at the art of waxing and count as their clientel any and every celebrity who has ever visited the city
Prices are fair for the services they provide and if you have ever considered trying the "Braziillan" this is possibly the best place to do so
DOWNTOWN Strip Ministry of Waxing 56 Spring St
This place gives you squishy toys to grab when needed and has heated beds to help make an undoubtedly uncomfortable experience as pleasant as possible
They are fantastically clean
BEST STEAM ROOM $$$ TRUMP SOHO 246 Spring St
Holy Hammam this place is amazing at 11,000 Square feet Gender Separated and is both fantastically beautiful and offers both the Turkish and Moroccan treatments among many others
$ 10th St TURKISH BATHHOUSES This place has been going since the 1890s (my grandfather used to go)and is the best for both the experience(its the real thing not some fancy spa)and the price
Services include an Ice cold plunge pool a Russian Sauna A Turkish Sauna an Aromatherapy Room(was not there when grandfather visited daily way back when
A Redwood Sauna ) A Swedish Shower and a sundeck as well as all manner of massages available. NewYorkStay Loves this place for its total authenticity and excellent services !!!
BEST DRINKS
BEST BAR Lower East Side
MILK and HONEY 134 Eldridge CALL 212.625.3397. This is the same owner as the one in London for those who know. Its a very unique place for the city because you have to make an appointment to visit but trust us the drinks are well worth it. It is dark sexy and a great place to check out
BEST BAR West Village
EMPLOYEES ONLY 510 Hudson St Bet.10th and Christopher. An amazing mixologist is behind the bar every night so you can be assured that whatever you order will be superb and the food is not bad either
BEST BAR Williamsburg
ZEBULON 258 Wythe Ave BROOKLYN
Live music Fab scene great drinks and the crowd is calm and friendly
BEST BAR Leather
THE EAGLE W.28th Bet.10th and 11th. If you are looking for it this is the place to start. Please ladies…. refrain as its not for you
BEST BAR Meatpacking District. Many will disagree with us on this one but it is hands down HOGS AND HEIFERS for us 859 Washington St. No flash No glitz No drama.This is a Biker Bar where the clientel is all ZZ Top and no over the top. Tourists love it for the great photos and refreshingly unpretentious vibe. Locals love it because its awesome . If you want a good beer and a great shot of tequila this is your place . If you want the Meatpacking districts typical scene then just keep walking and you will come across somewhere every 2 steps that will more then suit
BEST BAR Hells Kitchen
BLUE RUIN 538 Ninth Ave.Nr 40th St
BEST BAR Midtown East
THE BAR DOWNSTAIRS Midtown East 485 5th Ave
BEST BAR Midtown West
21 CLUB 21 W 52nd St you don't mess with a classic and this place is a legend so we have to list it like you have to respect your grandfather. Its a venerable old coot but still standing and has an amazing story to tell so sit down and have a drink
BEST PLACE TO RELAX WITH A CUP OF TEA THE ADORE 17 E.13th St. This place is the best for the tea drinking set Calm quiet and you can sit for hours if you ilke
BEST COFFEE not from the street or a Bodega STUMPTOWN Can be found at 30 W.8th St in their standalone store or in Discerning coffee shops and cafes throughout the city as an offered option
BEST JUICE BAR
LIQUITERIA 107 2nd Ave between 10th and 11th
After you have hit all the bars above and feel like you need something to revive you this is the place. The line is long for good reason. We recommend the Killer XX after a flight to shake off the evil recirculated air cold that comes along with your ticket
BEST GLUTEN FREE BAKERY
TU LU'S E.11th St just off 1st ave. If you have food allergies this place is your mecca as the cupcakes are fantastic the cookies superb and the coffee cake is actually some of the best in the city regardless of the fact that it is gluten free. Skip Babycakes and just hit this place seriously you will not be disappointed except in the fact that they charge $10 for a loaf of bread which while it is tasty to be sure is NOT worth $10 unless the sandwich is going to get up and make itself at 2 am !!
We will give an honorable mention however to the Flourless chocolate cake from Citarella as it is gluten free and fantastic as well
Great to bring to a party as everyone can eat it and everyone will for sure !!
BEST BAKERY . Have to say it folks sorry but MAGNOLIA is the one 401 Bleecker St . The frosting is out of this world the cupcakes are fantastic and the cakes can be pre ordered for birthdays ect….. There is a reason some paces are famous and this place has earned its place
BEST GALLERY
DAVID ZWIRNER 525 W,19th
Closed Sunday and Monday
BEST ARTHOUSE CINEMA
SUNSHINE CINEMA 143 E.Houston My grandfather used to come here when it was a yiddish vaudeville theater. Now it screens Arthouse cult and classics. They have Saturday Midnight shows as well which is a nice thing to do
BEST BOWING ALLEY
BOWLMORE LANES Midtown, Union Square, West Village. Great activity for the kids and the places are totally fantastic and a great time for adults as well. Good Drinks KILLER FRENCH FRIES !!! and fun for everyone . Can not go wrong with Bowlmore
INDOOR ICESKATING
SKY RINK Chelsea Piers Pier 61 23rd and Hudson. All year all day skating except Wednesdays. They have Skates but no helmets as far as we know so do use caution when skating with little ones
FOR THE KIDS BEST PLAYGROUNDS
CENTRAL PARK
ANCIENT PLAYGROUND 84th and 5th
ALICE IN WONDERLAND STATUE 75th and 5th
SPECTOR PLAYGROUND 85th ST and CPW
FLATIRON DISTRICT
MADISON SQUARE PARK 25th and Madison Ave
WEST SIDE DOWNTOWN
HUDSON RIVER PARK Pier 51 Gansevoort St or Jane St entrance. Bring bathing Suits in summer as this is wet and wild
MERCER ST Near Bleecker
EAST VILLAGE
TOMPKINS SQUARE PLAYGROUND on Ave A From 9th till 7th St
BATTERY PARK
ROCKEFELLER PLAYGROUND Murray St
BEST FOR TODDLERS
JOHN JAY RECREATION 77th and East End
BEST INDOOR PLAYSPACE FOR UNDER 5
Play on Nassau Ave in Greenpoint Brooklyn. $10 a day and a great parents chill out space this is a good option if you need a few hours of a break from the little ones on a rainy day . It can be tough traveling with kids trust us we know !!!
BEST SHOPPING FOR BABY
BABESTA 66 West Broadway bet Murray and Warren
BABY TOYSTORE
FAO SCHWARTZ 767 5th Ave
BEST SHOPPING CONSIGNMENT for Kids
JANES EXCHANGE 191 E 3rd St
BEST TWEENS AND TEENS
LESTERS 1534 2nd Ave at 80th st
SHOPPING FOR LADIES and GIRLS
BEST UNDERWEAR SHOPPING Ladies
JOURNELLE for the Sweet 3 E 17th St
COCO de MER for the Kinky 236 Elizabeth St
AGENT PROVOCATUR 133 Mercer St or KIKI de MONTPARNASSE 79 Greene St for the Super Sexy . Teenagers can hit AERIE by American Eagle on 46th for a very nice selection of shades, prints, Bralettes and Boyshorts that mom and dad will approve of
SCOOP….. Its good and has many locations . For streetwear eveningwear and everything else you can imagine. Top brands top prices
1275 3rd Ave # 1
New York
(212) 535-5577
473-475 Broadway
New York
(212) 925-3539
873 Washington Street
New York
(212) 929-1244
532 Broadway
New York
(212) 925-2266
861 Washington Street
New York
(212) 691-1905
861 Washington Street
New York
(212) 691-1740
1277 3rd Avenue
New York
(212) 744-3380
CENTURY 21
22 Cortland St
Bargins for everyone and an amazing place to visit for shopping but be warned. You will be exhausted afterwards so get ready. It is all the top brands for menswear ladieswear kidswear and Home goods along with bags accessories ect….Prices are great but its a long day so bring water
BARNEYS 660 Madison Ave
BERGDORF GOODMAN 754 5th Ave
BUFFALO EXCHANGE on East 11th St or W26th St for Second Hand RTW and High Stret Fashion !!!
Every block in SoHo is a shoppers dream
Don't miss it
Obscura Antiques & Oddities 280 East 10th Street (Between 1st Avenue & Avenue A) 1-212-505-9251 is the store featured on the Science Channel show Oddities
Keep the littlest kids in Tompkins Square Parks Playground across the street and take the bigger ones to have a look at the BIZARRE STUFF here
Think of the oddest thing you possibly could and they have it
Like a museum of the unknown wrapped up in some-people-collect-what ??
The Museum at Eldridge Street (12 Eldridge St between Canal and Division Sts; 212-219-0888, eldridgestreet.org
Features A synagogue from 1887 who's facade is decorated in Moorish,Gothic and Romanesque styles and still has a small congregation
It has some great activities and on Sundays there is a tour called Preservation Detectives which really allows you to get up close to the building and its location in depth Stocking rare tin toys Ostrich eggs Sharks jaws and gemstones to name a few things is a great place
House of Cards & Curiosities (23 Eighth Ave, 212-675-6178)Stocking rare tin toys Ostrich eggs Sharks jaws and gemstones to name a few things is a great place
to browse ad pick up a gift for the person who thinks they have everything
The Pickle Guys (49 Essex St between Grand and Hester Sts; 212-656-9739, pickleguys.com
The Lower East Side used to be full of Pickle shops but now this one is the only one left
Be sure to try the turnips, okra or hot peppers
This shop is Glatt Kosher so it is closed on Saturdays for Shabbat
Economy Candy (108 Rivington St between Essex and Ludlow Sts; 212-254-1531, economycandy.com
Keeping NY on a sugar high since 1937 this place is chock a block with sweets beyond compare
It is a relic in looks but superb in its selection
Do check out the giant Pez dispensers
They have a huge stock of halvah as well so none will leave unsatisfied
Beware of this place with children !!!! and avoid completley if you are a dentist by profession
EATS OR DRINKS NOT TO MISS
PRUNE
54 East 1st (between 1st and 2nd ave)
This is one of our personal favorites We love you Prune
The Stanton Social
99 Stanton St between Orchard and Ludlow
Food is great and the breakfast cocktails are none to shabby either !!!!
Kossars Bagles and Bialys on the LES
CRIF DOGS for the best hot-dog downtown (they even have Vegetarian dogs ) and check out the secret speakeasy type bar that is accessed through a revolving phone booth
Totally James Bond meets Scooby Doo !!!!
KATZ DELI
For the Pastrami of your dreams
Or a hot open Turkey Sandwich with gravy
This is the place in "When Harry Met Sally" where they filmed the fake orgasm scene resulting in the now iconic line "I'll have what she's having !!!"
Cupcakes at BUTTER LANE on 7th and A
OOOH do not miss
URBAN PITA on East Houston for the BEST Falafel in the city
Without a doubt the best
Yonah Schimmels Kinshes
137 East Houston Street
Make sure to pass by and have a potato Kinsh as places like this are fast disappearing
PLACES TO EAT MIDTOWN
A must do if you are visiting NY is the STARDUST DINER or as locals call it (Ellens Stardust)
1650 Broadway
(between 50th St & 51st St)
This is something really special
All the waitstaff are actually performers on Broadway either in the Chorus or as alternates for lead roles and besides having some of the best diner food in all of NY state
They SING
And I don't mean happy birthday
They belt out show tunes dance on the tables and are amazing wonderful talented people
Kids love it
Men think they will hate it but love it and everyone will have a fantastic time and never want leave
Its fabulous and a truly unique NY experience
No visit to NY is complete without a trip to Serendipity
It is a classic and a must do
225 E 60th St New York, 10022, United States
(212) 838-3531
Beware of weekend nights as the wait can be excessive but do not miss the frozen hot chocolate it is legendary
For drinks Midtown
Do have a Manhattan in the Plaza Hotel lobby after a walk or carriage ride in the park
You will be glad you did as its great place to people watch and its just a classic New York Experience
Afterwards you can check out the windows at Bergdorfs next door
Or cruise the Apple Store or F A O Schwartz across the Street
As far as cheap drinks there are a million tiny bars all over the city and to eat log onto YELP or TIMEOUTNYC put in your choice of food and a billion options will come up
Be adventurous !!! but read the reviews .....
For great Thai food at remarkably reasonable prices try SEA THAI across the street from the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking district
Drinks are not to pricy and the food is really good
They have a super well priced lunch menu and love kids (which is weird for the area)
Don't miss the Pad Thai Spring rolls and the Tom Yum Soup
They will assist with any food allergies or dietery needs as well (another rare thing in the area)
For steak Try Abe and Arthurs on 14th and 9th, CraftSteak on 10th Ave or the world Famous Peter Lugers over the bridge in Williamsburg but call ahead for reservations
And here is a ink through our site to a list of some other stuff not to miss http://www.newyorkstay.com/newyorkguide.html
See the list on the side for some other great references
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