Top Tens: New York Adventures
Monday, December 7, 2009 Fun and cheap. You must be joking. Things like that don't exist. Stop playing with my head!
1. Dylan's Candy Bar - E 60th + 3rd - Try everything (like gummy lobsters and chocolate covered espresso beans)
Say hello to the real world Willy Wonka's. Founded by Dylan Lauren, Ralph Lauren's talented daughter, this place has three floors of spinning pyramid candy dispensers, edible accessories and limited edition candy from all over the world. Check out the cotton candy bar, milkshake bar, fudge bar, ice cream bar, cupcake bar. Everything. And then park it in the cafe upstairs and resist the food coma decending upon you. dylanscandybar.com
2. Deitch Projects Art Gallery - SoHo, 18 Wooster St. - Features artists like Ryan McGinness
The whole area is just a cool place to tool around. Ryan McGinness is a sick crazy cool artist in graffiti, modern art genre. Skateboard characters across a technicolor floral stencil.
3. Hell's Kitchen flea market - 39th + 9th, weekends
Great shopping for anything vintage. Furniture, apartment stuff, jewelry, clothes, records.
(stay for lunch at the HK restaurant, great smoothies!)
4. Knicks basketball game - 33rd + 7th, Madison Sq. Garden
But you have to sit in the cheap $12 nosebleed seats or it doesn't count. The team might not be the best right now, but thats not the point. Be a true New Yorker for a night! Cheer for "Shake 'n Bake" Nate, eat crappy overpriced nachos, yell at the scoreboard like it'll do some good.
5. Brooklyn, Greenpoint - take "G" to Nassau St. - Walk Around
Go graffiti hunting. Take pictures of all the hipsters and their skinny jeans. Check out the store Fred Flare on Meserole for quirky gifts and apartment items (they have a Banana Phone!!), cross the street to go to Eat Records for a scrumptious lunch (see Tops Tens: New York Food)
6. Chelsea Market - 9th + 16th - Indoor shops
The closest thing to Harry Potter's Diagon Alley I've ever seen. Try the Milk Bar for milkshakes and organic meals, Try the Fat Witch Brownie Co. for a fresh gooey caramel brownie which are half off 4-6pm, the T Salon for exotic teas and chill hang out, The Wine Vault has free tastings every Fri and Sat in the late afternoon. Sit and eat in the walkway cafe spots and people watch. It's quite possible
to loose track of time and never want to leave. chelseamarket.com
7. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge - Take A, C to Wall
Walk across from Manhattan end to Brooklyn end at sunset. The view is amazing, lots of people strolling, but watch out for cyclists in a hurry. A great self portrait location. Take a portable snack with you and take it slow.
8. Coney Island - Take the N to the end - Try a fried Milky Way (if you dare)
A good old fashioned time. The Cyclone, a rickety old roller coaster, still thrills the shit out of everyone who rides it. Walk the boardwalk, lay out on the beach ...do not go in the water, "Shoot the Freak", see the old school freak shows, and eat a world famous Nathan's Famous hotdog. And yes, try one of the many fried candybars and snack items where you can actually hear yourself getting fatter. Best Times to Go: Memorial Day Weekend, Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and Mermaid Day Parade
9. Brooklyn Flea Market - Sundays til 6 in Dumbo under the Brooklyn Bridge - Take the A, C to High
Awesome market to find crazy cool handmade jewelry, costume jewelry from the 40's, furniture, clothes and produce tents. And there's ice cream everywhere! Things can get kinda expensive because most of the items are rare finds....and the vendors know it. Tried to haggle, but it didn't do me a whole lot of good. (Go to Ignazio's for pizza)
10. Grand Central Terminal - 42nd & Park
A train station to put all others to shame. In America, that is. The main hall is something of legend, featured in countless films and tv shows. The ceiling might be one of my favorite parts. It's decorated with constellations that make me dream of a simpler time. If you can afford it, sit up at the terrace restaurant, Metrazur, and take in the scenery.
Reader Comments (2)
I BASICALLY LIVED IN THE CHELSEA MARKET. LOVED.
That is a great list. After reading this i really wish to NY and try this all.
NY must be a cool city. Best part of these adventures is "Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge".