A cultural guide to New York
Gotham’s thriving scene offers some of the world’s best art, theater, shopping, and dining. Only question is, how much can you fit in?
Key neighborhoods
Upper East Side
Overview
One of New York City’s toniest neighborhoods, the Upper East Side is home to Museum Mile, as well as the luxury shopping corridor along Madison Avenue. A visit here is de rigueur—and can be costly, if you want to splash out on an opulent prix fixe dinner at fine-dining landmark Daniel.
But there are more modest pleasures, as well: J.G. Melon may look like a dive, but it’s been serving some of the city’s best burgers since 1972, and still draws a crowd. Or there’s always the classic N.Y.C. hot dog, and a ramble through Central Park. If you’re looking to stay in fine—and discreet—style, check out The Carlyle or The Sherry-Netherland, two of the city’s classic luxury hotels.
What’s Nearby
West Chelsea/Meatpacking
Overview
The epicenter of New York City’s art scene, West Chelsea has transformed in the past decade, thanks in large part to the opening of the High Line, and the construction of adjacent buildings by starchitects such as Zaha Hadid.
One of the neighborhood’s great draws, meanwhile, is Chelsea Market: Among its dazzling array of restaurants (eat-in or takeaway), standouts include the Middle Eastern-accented Miznon, Los Mariscos, which makes some of the best ceviche north of the border, and Lobster Place, an erstwhile fish market that serves up a top-notch lobster roll. A few blocks south of Chelsea Market, you’ll find the Whitney Museum, and right alongside it, The Standard High Line, a modern brutalist masterpiece with epic views onto the Hudson.
What’s Nearby
Lower East Side/East Village
Overview
Birthplace of punk, the East Village may not be as gritty as it used to be, back in the days when Blondie and Talking Heads were playing sets at CBGB’s, but it’s still got some edge: For evidence, look no further than Blue & Gold Tavern, a classic dive bar in the heart of the neighborhood’s Ukrainian Village, and farther south, on Houston Street, hole-in-the-wall music venue Mercury Lounge, one of the stages where The Strokes got their start.
Young people flock to the area for its vibrant nightlife, with the real cool-kid scene drifting its way downtown to Dimes Square, a few blocks on the blurry edge between the Lower East Side and Chinatown. There, cineastes will find excellent repertory theater Metrograph, as well as always-packed bistro Kiki’s, beloved for its homestyle Greek cuisine. New hotel Nine Orchard has cemented the neighborhood’s status as a destination hotspot.
What’s Nearby

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