Bubby's Pie Company
Though it started in 1990 as a pie company, Bubby's is now one of the most popular eateries in Tribeca. The buzz about it being a magnet for local celebs has died down, but it's still a great draw for families with kids - who are welcome and easily sated here with a special kids' menu, brimming with classics.
Matthew Marks Gallery
The trendsetter that started the push into Chelsea, Matthew Marks' two galleries were once factories. Now they are high-falutin' art houses with shows by the likes of Nan Goldin and Andreas Gursky.
Chelsea Hotel
New York's number one rock 'n' roll, bohemian sleeping quarters, the Chelsea Hotel, has been immortalised in songs by the likes of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Sid's Nancy died there in 1979 and other famed residents have ranged from Dylan Thomas to Ethan Hawke.
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Hudson
The Ian Schrager-owned and Philippe Starck-designed Hudson is for the modernly inclined. It's simply one of Manhattan's coolest spots - for sleeping, for drinking, or for simply reading the Times in its jaw-dropping lobby.
Lehmann Maupin
Still one of the most influential galleries around, Lehmann Maupin shows Korean sculptor Do-Ho Suh, as well as British bad girl Tracey Emin, David Salle and many others.
Empire State Building
Catapulted to Hollywood stardom as the vertical perch that King Kong was knocked down from, the Empire State Building is one of the New York skyline's most famous landmarks. It's a limestone classic built in just 410 days, or seven million man-hours, during the depths of the Depression at a cost of over 40 million dollars. The view is a dandy.
Pearl River Mart
An Asian emporium that stocks all sorts of knick-knacks, Pearl River Mart has moved a few blocks north of Canal St into swanky Soho surroundings, all the better to show off its bright kimonos, bejeweled slippers, Japanese teapots, paper lanterns and jars of mysterious spices, herbs, teas and more.
718 Sessions
This monthly party, held at an otherwise unremarkable club space, is a riot of old-school dancing to deep, soulful house from DJ Danny Krivit and occasional live performers, like the recent New Year's Eve show from Joi Cardwell. House parties rage on Fridays with DJ Marc Anthony.
David Burke & Donatella
It might look like a member of the Versace family decorated this lush red space, but the Donatella in question has no ties to any fashion empire - she and partner David Burke are strictly about food, like salmon with warm potato knish, pretzel-crusted crabcake, yellowfin tuna on saltrock and 'crispy and angry' lobster cocktail.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
Next to Blue Ribbon's meat- and oyster-filled restaurant, the sushi counterpart features sleek wooden benches and a long list of sashimi, sushi and maki rolls. If you can't choose, the sushi sashimi combo is around .
Times Square Information Center
This information center, run by the Times Square Business Improvement District, offers pamphlets, maps and tourism counsellors who can advise you in ten different languages.
Foley + Corinna
This vintage store with a few of its own unique designs is pure girly romance. Delicate dresses, tees, tanks and blouses matched with flirty skirts are the signature style, along with Corinna's unique shoe and jewelry designs.
Empire Diner
Housed in a restored silver Pullman car, Empire Diner has a lot of wacky charm, mostly thanks to the occasional odd character who sits at the counter eating pie. Can't really blame 'em - the pie, burgers, salads and heaping, fat omelettes are delicious, and all types swing by for a bite.
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Bemelman's Bar
The only surviving commissioned mural from Ludwig Bemelmans still on display to the public infuses this namesake café with the artist's legendary wit. Bemelmans' plush red interior is a perfect place to canoodle, making it a favorite for in-love couples and those wishing to conduct an affair of the heart with discretion. Suave and sophisticated piano jazz is the musical mainstay.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognisable icons, up there with the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal, and its beloved image seems to have been coopted by everyone. You can't enter the statue anymore but you can visit the museum to peer into its intricate interior through a glass ceiling at the Lady's base, or enjoy the view from the observation deck.
Bridgemarket
After decades of restoration, Bridgemarket - the vaulted, Guastavino-tiled space under the 59th St Bridge that served as a farmers market in the early 1900s - was brought back to life in 1999 by design guru Sir Terence Conran. Now it's a thriving retail and dining complex anchored by the Terence Conran Shop, full of ingenious modern design accessories, and Guastavino's, a former restaurant (now reserved for private functions) worth peeking into.
Franklin Station Café
Endearingly small Franklin St marries curry with other delicate Asian flavors and flair to produce a unique culinary treat. It's a local favorite in a neighborhood overrun with 'it' restaurants that come and go. On top of creamy coconut curried chicken dishes and thick mango smoothies, there's also a regular slideshow on the wall near the door.
Bowlmor Lanes
Bowling is just the beginning at this sprawling alley complex, where you can visit just to take a candy-colored mod-style seat at the lengthy bar and watch glow-in-the-dark games through a massive glass window. The retro atmosphere is popular for large groups, and the groovy DJs might even inspire you to pick up a ball yourself.
Museum of Modern Art
MOMA, a veritable art universe of more than 100,000 pieces, is hailed for its physical design and the soul of its exhibits. Big hitters like Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne, Rothko and Pollock are housed in the central five-story atrium. The museum's sculpture garden - returned to its original, larger vision of the early 50s by Philip Johnson - is a joy to sit in.
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Recently moved from SoHo to here, a temporary location until the fabulous new Lower East Side digs are ready, this museum's widespread mission is to give space to works created in the last decade. A recent highlight was a survey of works by Vancouver-based Brian Jungen, who transforms consumer goods such as baseball bats and sneakers into powerful sculptures.
American Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1869, this museum is a classic for kids. Its halls are fascinating wonderlands of more than 30 million artefacts, and the thrilling Rose Center for Earth & Space was added in 2000. Plan to spend most of a day here so you and your littlies can see as much as possible. The museum is most famous for its three large, dinosaur halls, as well as for the enormous (fake) blue whale hanging from the ceiling of the Hall and Ocean Life.
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Central Park
If you're ever lucky enough to fly into New York over the stretch of Manhattan, one of the most stunning visuals is not the buildings themselves but the lack of them, within the 843-acre carpet of green that makes up this stunning park. Located smack-dab in the middle of the borough, this is definitely a place that is not to be missed.
St Mark's Bookshop
Just around the corner from St Marks, this indie bookshop specializes in political literature, poetry, new nonfiction and novels and academic journals. Don't let the slightly antisocial vibe from the staff put you off.