The Museums of Lower Manhattan
www.MuseumsofLowerManhattan.org
Get off the beaten path and visit some of these interesting museums: Jewish Heritage
Federal Hall
Eldridge Street Project
Lower East Side Tenement
New York City Fire Museum
Museum of American Financial History
Fraunces Tavern The Skyscraper Museum
National Museum of the American Indian
New York City Police Museum
Castle Clinton
St. Paul’s Chapel
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Museum of Chinese in the Americas
South Street Seaport

The Metropolitan Opera
Lincoln Center
www.metopera.org
"The Metropolitan Opera is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented artists working in the multidisciplinary field of opera, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world. Known as a venue for the world’s great voices for well over a century, since 1976 the Met has been under the musical direction of James Levine, who has created one of opera’s finest orchestras and choruses. Peter Gelb, the Met’s new general manager, has embarked on a program to significantly increase the number of new productions, which will feature the Met debuts of the world’s most imaginative directors, to further elevate the company’s theatrical standards and to secure increased commitments from the world’s greatest singers."
It's no wonder that more than 800,000 people attend each season.


New York Public Library (Room 117)
The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division
Fifth Avenue (between 40th & 42nd Streets)
Tel.212.340.0849
www.nypl.org/research/chss/map/map.html
This spectacular 7000-square-foot space in the New York Public Library is home to the largest map collection of any public library in the world. This beautiful room, a hidden treasure in Manhattan, houses  maps that show how human beings from one era to another across different cultures come to an understanding of themselves and the universe. There are almost 420,000 maps, atlases and cartographic books accessable from wired tables for laptop plugins. Few New Yorkers even know about this room.

Central Park Zoo
64th Street at Fifth Avenue
Tel. 212.439.6500
www.centralparkzoo.com
Not just for kids, this cageless animal park is a treat in any weather, and in any season. Take a break from Fifth Ave's bustle and watch the snow monkeys, polar bears, and sea lions play in winter. Inside, roam a tropical paradise filled with birds and other critters. The penguins have their own temperature-controlled space where you can enjoy their antics on land and underwater.

Chelsea Piers
23rd Street and the West Side Highway
Tel. 212.336.6666
www.chelseapiers.com
1.7 million-square-foot Chelsea Piers has come a long way from its historic beginning in 1910 as the launching point for such ocean liners as the Lusitania. Today it’s the place to play for New Yorkers and tourists alike, offering year-round ice skating, bowling, golf, rock climbing, sailing, kayaking and more. There’s even a spa to rejuvenate after visitors have tired themselves out.


Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue (82nd Street)
Tel. 212.535.7710
www.metmuseum.org
The "Met" is one of the great museums of the world. Its collections are varied and always impressive, not only because of their content but in the way they are presented. Spending time in this museum is probably one of the grandest ways to enjoy the civilized city of New York.

NYC Run
646.649.5321
www.nycrun.com
Run side by side with a knowledgeable tour guide and soak up the city in a unique way. This is the way to the see "the city" at a New York pace. Running tours are offered in virtually every different neighborhood for approximately $50, and range from two to nine miles long.

New York Waterway
Pershing Road
Weehawkin, New Jersey
Tel. 201 902 8711
www.nywaterway.com
If you're traveling New York City in the summer, this company has leisurely day cruises on the Hudson River. Shortly after leaving one of Manhattan's west-side piers, you'll get an unlikely perspective of New York City from the river known as "America's Rhine." 

Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours
One Block North of VIP Heliport
West 30th Street & 12th Ave
Tel. 800-542-9933
http://libertyhelicopters.com/
Take an unique 15 minute tour that flies OVER Central Park, Empire State Building, United Nations, and around the Statue of Liberty, so close you can can almost reach out and touch her. Plus many more captivating sights throughout Manhattan.

Adour Alain Ducasse
2 East 55th Street
Tel. 212.710.2277
www.adour-stregis.com
This beautiful and refined Alain Ducasse restaurant has been given 3 stars by New York Time's food critic Frank Bruni.  However, the real star goes to pastry chef Sandro Micheli.  Desserts are sublime and reason enough to dine at this New York gem.

Benoit
60 West 55th Street
Tel. 646.943.7376
www.benoitny.com
French Bistro or New York comfort food as we call it here! If you like French onion soup, escargot or roast chicken as good as in Paris then make sure to head to this mid-town very chic brasserie.  Another Alain Ducasse hit!  Manager, Leticia Pinson. 

Amalia
204 W 55th St
Tel: 212.245.1234
www.amalia-nyc.com
Style and sophistication has come to new heights in the Theater District with the opening of Amalia adjacent to hotelier Vikram Chatwal's Dream Hotel. Executive chef Ivy Stark offers seasonal Mediterranean-American cuisine at this decadent 7,000-square-foot property evocative of a Baroque-inspired European palace.  The menu features modern twists on Mediterranean fare: hamachi crudo, chorizo-stuffed chicken with pickled golden raisins, and wild king salmon with cucumber-lime yogurt. A subtle reference to the restaurant's proximity to adjacent Dream Hotel, Amalia was the name of  Sigmund Freud's mother.

Mia Dona
206 East 58th Street
Tel.212.750.8170
www.miadona.com

Masa
10 Columbus Circle (Time Warner Center)
Tel. 212.823.9800
www.masanyc.com
Pristine plates of sushi and sashimi approach gallery presentation at this Zen-like sanctuary next to Central Park. New Yorkers refresh and re-attune themselves to the world at this restaurant where every cup, plate bowl and soft wooden piece of furniture is a perfect representation of shibui-- simple, subtle, unobtrusive beauty.

Babbo
110 Waverly Place
Tel. 212.777.0303
www.babbonyc.com 
With a list of critical accolades as long is its lines to get in, Babbo is the place to dine in New York for tourists and locals alike. Delicious ingredients are both fresh and bold, innovative and comforting. Sit back and enjoy rich flavors and knowledgeable, friendly service.

Daniel
60 East 65th Street
Tel. 212.288.0033
www.danielnyc.com
Food is a celebration of life. No American chef is bent on making sure this celebration is always unique and original more than Daniel Boulud. The fusion cuisine concept reaches its apex here. Choose from a seasonal menu fraught with delicious seafood in the summer, and hearty fare in the winter. Daniel is walking distance from the finest hotels in the city.

The Modern
9 West 53rd Street (Museum of Modern Art)
Tel. 212.333.1220
www.themodernnyc.com
When you’re done feasting your eyes on the best modern art in the world, feast on delectable dishes at The Modern, located at the Museum of Modern Art. This is not your typical museum café. Chef Gabriel Kreuther digs into his Alsatian roots for inspiration with appetizers like buckwheat soup with aged goat cheese and boskop apple ravioli as well as entrees like spice-crusted sturgeon braised in pink grapefruit juice with caramelized endive and fennel. The Modern is a creative, seafood-loving Epicurean’s delight.

A Voce
41 Madison Avenue
Tel. 212.545.8555
www.avocerestaurant.com
Andrew Carmellini, who developed a following as the surrogate head chef at the French restaurant Boulud, debuts independently with A Voce, which means “word of mouth” in Italian.  Leather swivel chairs and tabletops provide a stylish yet unpretentious setting for his hearty and irresistible dishes. Duck is utilized far more than in standard Italian fare, with duck-foie gras-pork meatballs on the appetizer list, for example. The New York Times’ Frank Bruni gives it three stars. Book at least two weeks ahead for prime dinner times.

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St.between Sixth and Seventh Aves.
Tel. 212.554.1515
http://le-bernardin.com/
"Le Bernardin" noun. French for "perfection." There is nothing like Le Bernardin. Casually elegant, impeccable service. No wonder it has recently been awarded the Michelin Guide's coveted 3-stars. It has maintained its international acclaim as one of the world's top seafood restaurants. Owner/Chef Eric Ripert continues to set unsurpassed standards and unlike other Hollywood-ized chefs, he tends to stay in his kitchen and, you know...cook. 

Buddakan
75 9th Avenue
Tel. 212.989.6699
www.buddakannyc.com
The concept of huge space is certainly not new, but the impact is never-the-less still impressive, even without taking into account the reputed $13,000,000 cost. This 16,000-square-foot room designed by world-famous Christian Liaigre blurs the line between restaurant and theater, providing a place to simultaneously party, dine and drink. The later your reservation, the more hip this downtown locale will be.

Country
90 Madison Avenue (29th St.)
Tel. 212.889.7100
www.countryinnewyork.com
The revolving glass door on the corner of the building delivers diners into a beautiful café with wood paneled walls, cozy banquettes and marble tabletops. The zinc bar welcomes guests and gives them pause as to whether or not they might relinquish their table in favor of eating at the bar. The café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with an accessible menu of fully developed classics. We preferred the cafe to their main dining room, as the ambiance is less formal, the food as superb, and the people-watching better. To make reservation on Open Table click here.

WD-50
50 Clinton Street (Rivington & Stanton Sts..)
Tel. 212.477.2900
www.wd-50.com
The energy not spent on WD-50's interior only indicates the care taken with an ambitious choreography of form and flavor in each dish. Delve into roasted foie gras-passion fruit with saltine purée or hangar tartare with peaches, amaro and béarnaise ice cream. Restaurant Chef Wylie Dufresne also offers up a spin on a deli sandwich with fried mayonnaise, which is then cut into cubes, resulting in a savory melt that's brown and crisp on the outside, oozy inside. He also gives new form to lemon yogurt which he squeezes on top of hot cocoa dashi to make plump yogurt noodles. Make reservations at least a week in advance. 

Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette Street
Tel. 212.533.7000
www.chinatownbrasserie.com
As soon as you enter you know that it's all about theatre!  The ambiance is great fun so this is definitely one of New York's new "in" places to go to with friends or to get a taste of New York trendy. 

Pastis
9 9th Ave. (at Little W. 12th St.)
212.929.4844   
www.pastisny.com
Keith McNally's impeccable replica of a Parisian brasserie made the Meatpacking District what it is today. The drug models love. The simple, tiled interior is simply gorgeous. Permanently crowded and lively. Great eggs for brunch, savory onion soup and pommes frites, with Gitanes Blondes for dessert. Pastis still stands out among its new hifalutin' neighbors and continues to be the late-night food destination of choice. Reservations a must.

Sushi Yasuda
204 East 43rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
Tel: 212.972.1001
www.sushiyasuda.com
This place is not for posers. Number 2 in Zagat's Top Food Spot in New, Sushi Yasuda is the highest-ranking Japanese restaurant in the history of the NYC survey. The fish is first-rate and there are few other places in the city where you can find the sheer variety of fish that Sushi Yasuda offers. Service is very attentive, pleasant and helpful. The sushi list highlights chef recommendations, so even if you don't sit at a table, you can benefit from Yasuda's suggestions. Each piece is more delicious than the last. Credit cards accepted. Reservations recommended.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Four Seasons New York
57 East 57th Street
Tel. 212.758.5700 
http://www.fourseasons.com/newyorkfs/dining.html
Legendary chef Joël Robuchon brings his breathtaking cuisine to the Four Seasons Hotel New York at "L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon" With renowned sister restaurants in Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas, the New York location boasts an intimate and dynamic atmosphere. Because there are just 20 seats at the pearwood counter (considered the most desirable, with their view of the kitchen) and only 26 more at individual tables, reservations are required and accepted 30 days in advance.

Sant Ambroeus
259 W. 4th St. at Perry St.
Tel. 212.604.9254
http://www.santambroeus.com/
This Milanese style espresso bar is a gelato shop, pastries counter, breakfast meeting spot and posh, new celeb hangout and comfortable dining room all in one. 

Abercrombie & Fitch
720 Fifth Avenue
Tel. 212.381.0110
www.abercrombie.com
The store looks like a nightclub and the staff are all from central casting. Even more impressive, there's no shortage of friendly and helpful salespeople. Be prepared to spend more time and money then originally planned.

Amaridian
31 Howard St. (nr. Crosby)
Tel. 917-463-3719
www.amaridianusa.com
Amaridian is a gallery that exclusively platforms design talent from South Africa. Unique handmade home décor.
For private viewing email: Michael.Head@Amaridianusa.com

Aedes de Venustas
9 Christopher Street (Greenwich Village)
Tel. 212.206.8674
http://www.aedes.com/press.php
This store may just lure you back into the world of candles and home fragrances. Check out their signature, eponymous candle that everyone seems to love. It is said that one of the things that make a women happy is finding their scent.  Problem is it can take half a lifetime.  You can certainly cut down on that time by coming here!

Brioni
55 East 52nd Street
Tel. 212.355.1940
www.brioni.com
No man should leave New York without a custom-made suit from Brioni. Contact Alfredo Pecora for the latest fabric arrivals and to schedule a private appointment.  

Carolina Herrera New York
954 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021
Tel.  212.249.6552
www.carolinaherrera.com
Refined and elegant, with a selection that draws the elite of uptown society, this boutique has fabulous women's suits, evening gowns, and cocktail dresses. For the ultimate personal shopping experience contact store manager Joanna.Faria@cherrera.com

Turnbull & Asser
42 East 57th Street
Tel. 212.752.5700
www.turnbullandasser.com
One of London's more famous mens store has an impressive shop in Manhattan.  For custorm shirts contact Felix Berrios and for suits, Louis Verde.

Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven
350 Hudson Street (King Street)
Tel. 212.414.2462
www.mrchocolate.com
Paris has La Maison du Chocolate. London has Charbonnel et Walker. In New York we have Jacques Torres. This shop is not only a haven for the best chocolates in New York, but also a place to watch the production which is visible from the street. Seasoned New Yorkers know Jacques's genius from when he was pastry chef at the legendary Le Cirque restraurant; now Jacques is Mr. Chocolate.

Tom Ford
845 Madison Ave.
Tel. 212.359.0300
http://www.tomford.com/en/
For the first time in New york, Tom Ford has opened his flagship men's store on Madison Ave. Make sure you get the most out of your time by calling ahead and book a private appointment with our favorite salesperson Juan Rodriguez. 

Diane Von Furstenberg
444 West 14th Street
646.486.4800
http://dvf.com/
Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg rocketed to fame and fortune in the early 1970s with her jersey wrap dress. It's back, and so is she, impressing a new generation with simple elegance.

J Mendel
723 Madison Ave.
nr. 64th St.
Tel. 212.832.5830
http://www.jmendel.com/
Though the name won’t mean anything to your provincial cousins and maybe never will, J.Mendel is a fashionistas’ firm favorite and one of the half dozen most important collections in NY right now.

Barney's NYC
660 Madison Avenue @ 61st
Tel. 212.826.8900
http://www.barneys.com

Barney's New York is taste, luxury, and humor.  A fashion mecca and celebrity hangout since 1923, the store is an emporium of style and gorgeous product. When visiting the store, schedule an appointment with a personal shopper for the ultimate one-on-one wardrobe consultation. Their complimentary personal shopping service is designed to pamper you.  They'll guide you through the latest in European and American collections. To schedule an appointment please call: Men’s personal shopper: David Brignoni  212.833.2665 (dbrignoni@barneys.com) Women’s personal shopper: Domenica Ellison 212.833.2535 (dellison@barneys.com)

Bergdorf Goodman
754 5th Avenue @ 58th Street
212.753.7300
www.bergdorfgoodman.com
Bergdorf Goodman offers a wide selection of furs and clothing for both men and women. It is a museum of haute couture. They cater to a generally conservative and very sophisticated clientele. Located in the heart of the midtown tourist and shopping district, the store is a block away from the Trump Tower shopping center and the world famous Plaza Hotel.

Stella McCartney
429 W. 14th St. nr. Ninth Ave.
Tel. 212.255.1556
http://www.stellamccartney.com/
McCartney's line blends frilly elements like pastel silks and ribbons with street-worthy rocker accents, like slasher-tees and industrial zippers. All clothes are animal-free, including the shoes, which are outfitted from a leather-like plant derivative.

Ralph Lauren
867 Madison Ave @ 72nd Street
Tel. 212.606.2100
www.polo.com
Ralph Lauren's casual preppy styles embody the spirit of American aristocracy. For his Spring collection, he has again chosen Polo to reflect the hertiage looks of Americana.  Ralph Lauren’s Madison Avenue flagship is the prototype for all the other Lauren boutiques and Fall/winter and spring/summer sales are usually held twice a year.

Scoop
430 W. 14th St., nr. Washington St.
Tel. 212.929.1244
www.scoopnyc.com
If there is a store that screams Manhattan youthful chic, then its Scoop. Self-proclaimed "The Ultimate Closet," Scoop is located in classically trendy West Village. The boutique is all about the sexy denim, trendy skirts and gold stilettos. They love designer brands as much as you do. Expect to find the captains: Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Alice+Olivia,etc. THE place for women's jeans. 

Jeffrey
449 West 14th Street nr. 10th Ave
Tel. 212.206.1272
http://www.jeffreynewyork.com/
A swank mini-department store in the Meatpacking district. Complete with a spinning DJ and minimal harrassing sales people, Jeffrey's combines all of your favorite luxury brands in a much more trendily luxurious environment.

Panache
Gift Consultant
Tel. 646.872.3783
panache.nyc@gmail.com
Finding the Perfect gitft can be a daunting task and it should not be. Panache philosophy is simple; we choose the perfect gift so that you don't have to. The staff at Panache has a long history of customizing gifts tailored for any occasion. They source from a variety of prestigious suppliers that will surpass your expectations. Contact Gabriella or Kathleen to discover the new gift-giving experience.  

Yves Saint Laurent
3 East 57th Street
Tel. 212.980.2970
www.ysl.com
For your next red-carpet gown or a suit to wear at your next charity luncheon, ask for Carlo Pisapia.

Now classictravel.com offers its members the convenience of booking thier theater, sports and other events with us -- directly online. Book tickets here!


Babysitters’ Guild
60 East 42nd Street
Tel. 212.682.0227
www.babysittersguild.com
Licensed, bonded, and in business over 50 years, New York babysitting service is a great resource. The cost is reasonable, is based on age and number of children and includes a four-hour minimum plus travel costs. An additional charge finds you a babysitter fluent in one of 16 different languages or one with a nursing background. The service will try to accommodate same-day requests, but to be on the safe side, call this busy Manhattan babysitting service a day in advance. They also accept travelers’ checks.

Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursions
Tel. 631.841.2111, 800.808.4614
www.theeleganttightwad.com
Join Pamela Parisi to shop private showrooms and the hottest sample sales for current season designer duds at wholesale prices and below. Learn her tactics for getting the best for less. Consignment tours, accessory tours and personal couture showroom shopping available too.

MUG
www.manhattanusersguide.com
This Internet city guide is fast becoming the New Yorker's online bible and includes Art & Entertainment, Food & Wine, General Info, Leisure & Sports, Services, and Shopping. Subscribe to updates so you'll never be out of the loop on Manhattan happenings.

Pacha NYC
618 West 46th Street
Tel. 212.209.7500
www.pachanyc.com
Manhattan's newest mega dance club has opened. This 30,000-square-foot venue, spread over four floors, is a New York offshoot of a European night club chain. There are VIP rooms off of VIP rooms here. Table service is $150 per person.

Studio
530 West 28th Street
Tel. 212.629.9000
This huge newly renovated dance club always has a party of one kind or another going on, but what stands out is the interior design of the space, the lighting, the video and the sound systems. Call for VIP table service and reservations.

The Box
189 Chrystie St
212 982-9301
www.theboxnyc.com
THE BOX is a new destination on the Lower East Side for fine dining and theater. One of New York’s most difficult doors to crack, but if you get in you’ll be guaranteed