SEE: If you walk around Central Park West, you can see some of the landmark buildings of the Upper West Side, constructed in typical heavy nineteenth-century architecture. The Dakota Building, site of John Lennon’s shooting, is on 72nd St. Visit the American Museum of Natural History on 79th St and Central Park West for an exciting look into science, including enormous dinosaur skeleton reconstructions, and the adjacent Rose Center for Earth and Space is one of the world’s best planetariums. St. John the Divine, on 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, is one of the largest Neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world: a beautiful and imposing structure. Be sure to eat across the street at the famous Hungarian Pastry Shop.

EAT: The Upper West Side is full of fantastic eateries. In addition to the aforementioned Hungarian Pastry Shops, which sells delicious desserts in an artsy, funky, off-beat setting, you can also eat at Gennaro, on 665 Amsterdam Avenue, a fantastic Italian restaurant with to-die-for risotto.Trattoria dell’Arte, on 57th and 7th, also serves up some of the best antipasti in the city in an interior fillde with – get this – sculpted body parts.  Or check out L’Ouest, at 2315 Broadway, for great French food.

DO: Catch a show at one of the cinemas in or around Lincoln Center. Lincoln Square has the big blockbusters,but is worth checking out for its “themed” theatres, which are named and decorated, rather than just numbered. Lincoln Plaza and the Walter Reade are both great for art-house and foreign cinema. But opera, ballet, classical music and theatre are what you came here before – if you can get tickets, go!

By Tara Isabella Burton

How can you be isolated in a city with millions of people? On trips to New York many years ago, I noticed how people seemed to be in their own little world. People looked down or straight ahead while sailing the sidewalks and dodging the taxis. You didn’t see many smiles or laughter if at all. Everyone was rushing somewhere but no one knows where. Everyone just has to get across the street quickly. Everyone had to be ahead of you wherever that may be.

Photo by Adam Longfellow - From Hotel Gansevoort in New York City

Are things any different today?

Worse. Now everyone has mp3 players and cell phones. People have another barrier to being part of the society of millions of people that they pay so much to live amongst. We are more connected as we lose touch with humanity. We can take all of our Facebook friends with us as we walk down 8th Avenue. We can hang in a club line and read a Tweet about what the line is like thirty blocks north or three thousand miles west.

Photo by Adam Longfellow - Overlooking the Meatpacking District

Isolation in the Darkness of New York

I looked out a tenth story window of the Hotel Gansevoort the other night and watched the glow of tiny glowing lights moving across the sidewalks. I was reminded of the fireflies I used to watch at night once upon a time in my childhood. The Detroit Tigers softly playing to the symphony of radio announcer Ernie Harwells voice, just over the sounds of summer crickets and frogs. Children of Manhattan, living above the ground, finally have their own version of fireflies. The background symphony that I recall is instead now composed with traffic, horns, and sirens.

I watched as four shadows glided across an intersection from different directions. Arms extended and hugs were shared. The four shadows became one for a couple of warm seconds. I imagined the smiles and some laughter that I had missed on the faces of the tens of thousands of people that I wandered amongst that day. The larger shadow broke into four again and each turned on their small night lights that protect them from interaction. Four people came together and then went separate ways while they stayed on the same street corner. They chose to meet each other here and share the same puffs of car exhaust but spend emotional time elsewhere. They could poke a friend in person but instead they are poking someone far away. Perhaps they are now even texting the person who was with them earlier when they got the message to meet these people right here right now.

Somehow fireflies seemed to be having more fun being social.

By Adam Longfellow

1) MIRACLE ON THIRTY-FOURTH STREET, (1947)
If you visit Macy’s department story in Herald Square, on 34th St between 6th and 7th Avenues, during the crowded holiday season, you might well expect to find masses of tourists and crying children queueing up to sit on Santa lap. But in this 1947 classic, the sweet and heartwarming story of the “real” Santa Claus trying to prove himself to a cynical city and a young Natalie Wood, the magic of Christmas is alive and well.

2) AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957) OR KING KONG (1933)
There are many reasons to visit New York’s Empire State Building, once the tallest building in the world. You can marvel at the view from the top, enjoy tourist-based animated “rides” and more. But the Empire State Building is more than just a building for cinema lovers. The site of King Kong, the hapless ape, scaling the building in order to prove his love for the lovely actress played by Fay Wray, as well as the meeting point for lovers Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, who intend to reunite here in An Affair to Remember, is a place for both action and romance.

3) BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961)
This ode to New York glamor and elegance can be relived outside the window of the eponymous Tiffany’s, jewelry store to the stars and New York elite, on 56th Street and 5th Avenue. Remember the iconic face of Audrey Hepburn’s pouting bohemian starlet Holly Golightly as she gazes into the windows of the luxurious store – always an outsider looking in – and consider bringing a breakfast of your own.

4) ANNIE HALL (1977)
The whole city is a backdrop for Woody Allen’s zany, neurotic, nevertheless bittersweet meditation on life and love, starring Allen’s real-life romantic connection Diane Keaton as Annie Hall herself. From Coney Island to Steve’s Famous Clam Bar on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, this film is full of iconic New York locations, but perhaps no backdrop is as significant to the film as Central Park, where Alvy (played by Allen himself) and Annie mock passers-by in the park, including a “Truman Capote” lookalike played by an uncredited Capote himself.

5) WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989)
This sweet, low-key romantic comedy about the high-maitenance Sally, played by Meg Ryan in a role that epitomized her subsequent stature as America’s sweetheart, and good-natured Harry, played by Billy Crystal, is one of the best New York stories of all time. Visit Katz’s Deli, on East Houston and Ludlow Street, for a glimpse at the deli where Sally famously faked an orgasm over a pastrami sandwich to prove to Harry that women, in general, can fake. “Have what she’s having” and order the pastrami.

SEE: Visit Washington Square Park, famous for its arch and for the bohemian subculture that still congregates here – despite the gentrification of the surrounding neighborhood. Union Square, nearby, is another Village center, with a great farmer’s market many days of the week that’s not averse to giving out free samples. And listen to some jazz – the VIllage Vanguard on 7th Avenue or the Blue Note on West 3rd street are both great places with consistently good line-ups.

EAT: The West Village is full of great places to stop for a bite or several. Tea and Sympathy, in the heart of “Little England” at 108 Greenwich Avenue, is an intimate setting serving delicious English pies, teas, and puddings. Lemongrass Grill, on 7th Avenue South, is a fantastic Thai venue, and Lupa Osteria Romana on Thompson St between West Houston and Bleecker is a classic Italian that’s well worth a try.

SHOP: The Strand, on Broadway and 11th Street, is arguably famous as the best bookstore in New York City. With over 18 miles of second-hand books, from classics to art books to rare books in the upstairs shop, the Strand is full of everything from the latest bestsellers at massively discounts to classics from 50 cents. Generation Records, on 210 Thompson St, is the best place in New York for records in the alternative, punk, and metal genres.

By Tara Isabella Burton

SOUTH END: Check out the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain – an iconic Park landmark, used frequently in film and television production, as in the recent Angels in America. Strawberry Fields, at West 72 Street, is named in honor of John Lennon, who was shot a few meters away at his home in the Dakota building. This area is filled with a variety of species of trees and flowers, including the eponymous  strawberries, funded by a donation from Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. The Central Park Zoo – smaller and less impressive than the outer borough varieties – is a wonderful place to visit, especially the adorable penguin and seal areas. Or rent a boat at the lake.

GREAT LAWN: Head through the rocky, foresty Ramble area for Belvedere Castle, a Medieval-looking castle perched upon Vista Rock, the Park’s summit. Enjoy great park views and information, and learn about much of the Park’s wildlife through a series of exhibits and documentaries. Or head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, heading from 81st St to 86th St on Fifth Avenue, with its back in the park itself. Around the back of the museum, there is suitable grass for a picnic, with the glass back walls of the museum allowing you to gaze straight into some exhibits.

THE RESERVOIR – The “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir” is a great place for a stroll or adventure, featuring a 1.58 mile track around the border of the reservoir for jogging or walking and enjoying the glamorous views of the city. Other playgrounds in this area, like the Safari, Wild West, or Ancient Playgrounds (Central Park West at 91st, 93rd, and Fifth at 86th , respectively) are good places for the kids.

NORTH END – The Harlem Meer is a gorgeous 11-acre lake that serves as one of the nicest natural landmarks in New York. And be sure to check out the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center further north.

ALSO: Consider a carriage ride with one of the horse-drawn carriages – expect to pay $34 for 20 minutes and $54 for forty-five. It’s touristy, but romantic and worth it.

By Tara Isabella Burton

SEE: The Upper East Side’s most prominent landmark is the Metropolitan Museum, standing proudly overlooking Central Park on fifth avenue in the low-to-mid 80’s. See a wealth of treasures here, from the newly-renovated classical wing to the reconstructed Egyptian Temple of Dendur to wonderful furniture exhibitions from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Guggenheim Museum, with its famous round structure, is nearby, as is the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Whitney Museum, devoted to contemporary American art, and the Frick collection – devoted to the massive personal art collection of steel baron Henry Clay Frick. And, if you’ve seen enough of Central Park, head all the way to the East River for a stroll down the idyllic river walk near Carl Schurtz Park.

EAT: Carnegie Hill, which encompasses Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Madison Avenue from around 86th to 96th streets, is a beautiful residential neighborhood with no shortage of shops and restaurants. Island, on 93rd and Madison, serves fantastic New American fare (and serves killer popovers for Sunday brunch), while Bisto du Nord across the street offers delicious authentic French food in an intimate setting (get a seat in the more atmospheric downstairs, if you can.) If you’re further east or south, head to the fantastic Orsay, on 1057 Lexington Avenue (between 75th and 76th St) for a slightly “French”-ier (think zinc and wood panels instead of people-watching and black and white photographs) experience. If it’s exotic you’re after, Tamarind on 92nd and 3rd is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city.

STAY: The Upper East Side has plenty of great hotels that you’ll pay a good amount for. Do a easy search for hotels on the Upper East Side.

SHOP: Head up and down Madison Avenue from around 79th St to 59th street for a mouth-watering day of window shopping in some of the city’s finest stores, from up-and-coming designers to established fashion houses.

By Tara Isabella Burton

WHAT TO SEE AND DO: If history’s your thing, be sure to check out the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, where you can see what life was like for immigrants of the early twentieth century. Book ahead, though; the museum’s tours are often sold out. Walk up and down Orchard Street for a glimpse at the trendy side of the Lower East Side today – there you’ll also be able to scout for clothing bargains (Sunday afternoon is the best time for this). Maybe you’ll catch the eye of a designer or two scouting for new ideas. If you’re a seasoned twitterer or technology addict, try the Lower East Side Cell Phone Tour – print a map from talkingstreet.com, follow the directions, and then call in free of charge at each “stop” point for a talk by an NYC native introducing you to the history of the area and site. Don’t forget to visit feminist Bluestoocking Radical Book on Allen Street, a bookstore/cafe that hosts regular readings and other events.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK: It may be cliche since the infamous “pastrami sandwich” scene in Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal’s “When Harry Met Sally,” but it’s still a classic. Katz’s Deli on East Houston still serves a mean pastrami sandwich. Congee Village on 100 Allen Street is an excellent authentic Hong-Kong-style restaurant, while, if you’re a foodie, try WD-50 for “molecular gastronomy.” It’s expensive and very weird, but a must-try for those looking for avant-garde food. Reservations a must, call 1-1212-477-2900. And the offbeat “Max Fish” bar on Ludlow beteen Houston and Stanton has a fun, mildly off-the-wall crowd and eccentric decor, if you’re just looking for a drink or two.

By Tara Isabella Burton

SEE: Visit Tompkins Square Park for insight into the history of New York City East Village bohemia. Once filled with drug addicts, it was also a center for political, radical social demonstrations for such causes as gay-rights, anti-war activism, affordable housing, and more. The first Greatful Dead and Hare Krishna gigs were here.Check out the oldest continuously existing free lending library in NYC- the Ottendorfer Library, with a strong German influence dating back to the region’s Teutonic roots. St. Mark’s Place between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on 8th street is a touristy but good for people-watching, with its bizarre mix of punks, scene kids,NYU students, and hipsters.

SHOP: The Strand Bookstore, at the edge of East and West Villages, on 11th and Broadway, is one of the best used bookstores in the world, with over 18 miles of books on sale. The record stores on St. Mark’s are a bit touristy, but worth a look.Trash and Vaudeville, on St. Mark’s, sells punk/goth clothing, but has someone who might well be the world’s bitchiest proprietor – so you might want to avoid this one in favor of the slightly more west-wards 8th St. Lab.

EAT: Cafe Mogador, on 8th St. (St. Mark’s) between Avenue A and 1st, is one of the best Moroccan restaurants in town, with a delicious brunch – if crowded brunch scene – and tender tagines. Chez Jules, one block west, is a lovely intimate French place, and Banjara, on 6th St. and 1st Ave., is probably the best Indian restaurant in the city, with romantic decor paired with affordable prices.

By Tara Isabella Burton

WHAT TO DO IN CHELSEA: There really isn’t much here in the way of traditional tourist attraction – but there’s a lot of theatre and art to see. As previously mentioned, cruising 10th and 11th avenues in the mid-20s is the best way to wander in and out of the latest and greatest galleries. Or check out the Atlantic Stage 2 – for a variety of performances often related to their acting school. Some shows are publicized, but others, particularly acting-school ones, are “secret,” publicized through postcards and facebook. The Upright Citizen’s Brigade on West 26th St. is also a famous improv theatre, although the nearby People’s Improv Theatre is also worth seeing – and offers free performance on Wednesdays. Check out the Chelsea Market – once the original Oreo cookie factory – for an excellent selection of gourmet food on offer.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN CHELSEA: Called “Cafeteria,” this restaurant on 7th Avenue is  in fact a trendy eatery comprised of hip New Yorkers – the only thing high school “cafeteria” about it is the hyper-awareness of its seating plan: this is definitely a popular kids’ table. Pepe Giallo, on 10th Avenue between 24 and 25th street, is a delicious, if standard, Italian, and Granad Sichuan Chelsea on 9th and 24th is great for spicy Sichuan cuisine – although the Cantonese selections aren’t as good. Fora decent drink, try the hilariously named Cafe Grumpy on 20th street between 7th and 8th avenues – it’s cramped, uncomfortable, and very popular: its counterintuitive design is all part of the plan to somehow ramp up this place’s cool factor.

By Tara Isabella Burton

Photo by Jim Linwood

1) The Central Park Bike Loop
There’s much to see in Central Park, and walking or biking past the main “Lower Loop,” passing the Metropolitan Museum, Alice in Wonderland Statue, Sheep Meadow, and many more park icons, is the best way to see it. From hardworking bikers and joggers struggling to stay in shape to compete in the city’s cutthroat beauty arena, to ladies who lunch walking diminutive dogs in colorful leashes, the Park is a fascinating cross-section of uptown and midtown Manhattan life. While the West Side’s Riverside Park has a bit of rebellious urban bohemia mixed into the bourgeoisie, Central Park is New York’s mainstream at its finest. The lush flowers, tranquil meadows, and placid ponds, however, provide an escape from the madding crowd outside the park walls.

2) Take a Cab Up Madison Avenue
You may feel that death is near, but it really isn’t. For a New York experience you won’t find recommended in the guidebook, get one of the city’s signature yellow cab mid- or down-town (we recommend Union Square) and demand an uptown destination with the implication that you’re in a hurry (we suggest Mt. Sinai Hospital, on the north end of the upscale and charming residential neighborhood Carnegie Hill, if you’re brave). You will then be subject to a ride more intense than anything you can find at Coney Island – weaving in and out of other cabs, playing chicken with headlights, and otherwise risking your life for the sake of a high tip and quick turnaround fare. Even if you don’t plan on making a ride out of it, be sure to catch a cab at least once in your time here. Just make sure you haven’t eaten an enormous meal first…

3) Eat From a Country You’ve Never Been To
…Which segues nicely into the next New York necessity: eat a meal from a country you’ve never visited, or, in the case of fusion, from more than one (The Korean Sushi Barbeque in Times Square is the most prominent example of this, though not exactly recommended). Special recommendations are the midtown Barbes, for French-Carribbean-North African Fusion, or Banjara, by far the best Indian restaurant on the East Village’s Curry Row, if not the city, or the Polish Veselka, also in the East Village. Avoid Little Italy (the best Italian food is scattered through the city, with special concentrations on the Upper East Side) and Chinatown (too difficult to discern good from bad) and instead discover the more “random” ethnic enclaves and eateries, like the descriptively titled “The Ethiopian Restaurant” in Yorkville.

4) Survive a Night on the Town
New York may be the City that Never Sleeps, but it takes the energy of a real New Yorker (or a good imitator) to stay up through a long night of club and bar-hopping. Specific recommendations are useless in a city where hot and cold seem to change places by the hour, but generally, by region – the East Village is NYU students and grungy music-types, the West Village is gay and arty, Chelsea is gay (men), Tribeca is rich financiers, Williamsburg (Brooklyn) is hipster, and Soho is for endearingly pretentious artists who can afford it. Whether you’re out in Brooklyn or coddled near Union Square, be sure to enjoy the best part of the evening: the drunken, late-night subway rides back to security (and sobriety).

Photo by flickr's jillclardy

5) The Hungarian Pastry Shop
This bohemian hole-in-the-wall, mostly patronized by aspiring novelists, Columbia students, or some combination thereof, across from St. John the Divine represents the ideal of writers’ dreams. Cheap tea, delicious pastries, outdoor seating, and a bathroom graffited with poetry quotation all serve to make an ideal Columbia hangout.

By Tara Isabella Burton