Discover Hidden Gems: Lower East Side Exploration
newyorkcity.explore
Wahizza is known for its unique pizza creations in which traditional Italian flavors are infused with Mexican influences. 🤩🍕 Their pizzas often feature bold toppings like chorizo, jalapeños, and cilantro, giving each slice a distinct and flavorful twist that sets them apart from traditional pizzerias. Have you tried this new mix yet?
Infatuation
The Perfect Pool & BBQ Day in NYC We wouldn’t be surprised if The Meat Hook mixes a few splashes of holy water into their sausages. The Williamsburg butcher shop also has fresh produce, prepared foods like potato or chicken salad, and incredible grass-fed pork, beef, and lamb from small farms across New York and Pennsylvania ready for your next cookout. Their sausages rotate regularly, but if you see the green chorizo, get it on your grill as soon as the coals are hot. Meat Hook has locations in Carroll Gardens and upstate, in Hudson. They host butchery classes and other events, but the one to mark on your calendar is their summer BBQ, an annual series of pop-ups in their Williamsburg yard. About once a week through the season, they bring in chefs from other restaurants to collab on a grill-out menu. Keep an eye on their Instagram for the schedule, and get to at least one every summer.
Infatuation
The AYCD Boozy Baseball Saturday On summer Saturdays, The Brooklyn Cyclones offer a very special all-you-can-drink ticket option. Things get rowdy—and to add to the madness, some nights are themed (Margaritaville, Harry Potter, and Seinfeld are on the lineup). After the ninth inning, take a ride on the Wonder Wheel and feast on the vodka sauce square slice at L&B Spumoni Gardens.
Infatuation
Where To Hang Out By The Water? When you want a reminder that it’s summer, head to the Brooklyn Crab! Look out at the water from Brooklyn Crab, and you’ll see giant container ships sitting on water that’ll remind you Brooklyn is certainly not a beach town. Even still, this Red Hook spot definitely feels summery—maybe it’s the fake sand or crab traps, which will take your mind off the fact that you’re next to warehouse parking lots. Order crab legs, popcorn shrimp, and a few pitchers of beer, and then take off your bib and play some cornhole. It’s also on the same block as Hometown Bar-B-Que, if you’re looking for surf and turf.
Crown | NYC
Escape to a beautiful urban oasis in the middle of New York City. Greenacre Park is a 6,000-square foot oasis nestled among tall towers in midtown Manhattan. Inside the park a 25-foot tall waterfall cools the air and mutes the noise from the surrounding traffic, creating a perfect and refreshing space to enjoy a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. Park opens daily from 8:00am - 6:00pm.
Jamie
Let's try to walk in the city in early morning... You can make amazingly unique pictures and feel unforgettable!
katya ann
MUST TRY spot for MATCHA in nyc 🍵🫶✨ Fellini Coffee: cutest corner cafe in the west village + locations in SoHo/chelsea. Perfect grab & go spot at all locations 💯
See also
Dining in Willowbrook: Explore Local Dining Experiences & Foodie Favorites Near NYC
katya ann
Palma: MUST TRY ITALIAN restaurant in The West Village, NYC 🍝🤌🇮🇹 An absolute favorite of ours with the coziest interior patio ambiance & insane cacio e Pepe ravioli 💯 also have separate spaces to reserve for large parties! A hidden garden blooming with fresh flowers, nested on quaint Cornelia Street, offering a taste of Italian clean cuisine since 2001✨🌿🌷
Secret NYC
Escape to another (& more colorful) dimension at Bubble Planet! Surround yourself with hundreds of bubbles through 10 mesmerizing bubble-themed rooms at Bubble Planet. Voyage through fantastical, pastel landscapes designed to appeal to all 5 senses. After touring cities like Milan, London, and LA, Bubble Planet has floated its way towards NYC to help you unleash your inner child, and you don’t want to miss out!
katya ann
GRAND BANKS in Tribeca to your NYC summer bucket list 😍 The PERFECT happy hour spot for oysters & cocktails on a boat with the most gorg waterfront sunset views ✨ Tke the scallops & spritz which is the perfect combo + fries & cocktail shrimp for the table 🫶
ResX
Located inside the Mercer Hotel, Sartiano’s at HOTEL (THE MERCER) has taken over the iconic space of the former Mercer Kitchen. Italian heritage modern fine dining experience in the heart of SoHo. While it may not be the best Italian in NYC, the food is solid, and it offers a stylish setting that attracts a lively crowd. Perfect for a night out in SoHo!
ResX
Antidote Chinese Restaurant is a place where the food is designed in order to please all palates🍚 🥢 This Williamsburg Chinese restaurant is a favorite! Antidote‘s menu draws influence from Sichuan and Shanghai. It’s a great spot for a group dinner!
THE ROOFTOP GUIDE
Bar 54 is the tallest rooftop bar in Times Square! And also among the highest in the city. Located at the Hyatt Centric Times Square, Bar 54 offers a really superb river-to-river view, including the Chrysler Building and all of lower Manhattan. The bar serves an impressive drink menu, including a large set of well crafted cocktails, beers, wines in both glass and by bottle, a wide section of whiskey and also some tasty bar bites. The rooftop is open year-round, thanks to a chic and intimate indoor space.
Secret NYC
Take a dip in an NYC pool! On the weekends, The James Hotel opens their rooftop pool to all for free! With unobstructed views of the city, it’s the go-to spot to grab a drink and lounge by the pool. Note: The pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests Monday – Friday until 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday until 2 p.m. The outdoor pool deck is open to JIMMY patrons after 5 pm Monday – Friday and Saturday and Sunday after 3 p.m.
See alsoDiscover the Vibrant Local Community in Willowbrook Near NYC - Engage in Trending Discussions & Anonymous Posts
Crown | NYC
Movie night at Bryant Park. See 2024 movie lineup below: 🍿 July 8 - Old School (2003) 🍿 July 15 - Funny Face (1957) 🍿 July 22 - Cinema Paradiso (1988) 🍿 July 29 - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) 🍿 August 5 - Arrival (2016) 🍿 August 12 - Titanic (1997) Bring a blanket, invite a friend, and snag your spot on the lawn to watch a feature film on the big screen under the stars. Lawn opens at 5pm and movie starts at 8pm.
Infatuation
Where To Eat Hot Dogs In NYC? Plentiful, relatively cheap, and easy to eat as you jaywalk or wait for a bus, hot dogs are an essential part of New York City cuisine. And Chicago Dogs are officially part of New York City’s hot dog ecosystem, and the ones at Dog Day Afternoon in Windsor Terrace are some of the best. This kitschy little shop keeps a Vienna Beef diagram next to the register, so you can cross-check your dog and make sure it matches up. The poppyseed bun is especially soft and flavorful, and the combination of a Chicago dog with an orange whip on the sidewalk outside the restaurant is one of our favorite meals on a warm day.
Infatuation
If you’re looking for an impressive place to get a table when you didn’t plan weeks in advance, here is a great option. Noho’s C As In Charlie is one of those places that should be harder to get into, but we're grateful that it's not. The neon-red space can make even a Tuesday feel sexy and all of their Korean-Southern dishes cost $16 or less. The next time you need a little weekend energy on a weeknight without having to refresh the reservation page at exactly 9am, plan to come here—especially if you're into the idea of ox bone cream pasta, glaze fried chicken, and seoul'sbury steak with galbi jus and gruyére grits.
newyorkcity.explore
Astoria, Queens is hosting a free Community Cookout Movie Night Series this summer, bringing together local businesses Tikkun BBQ, Astoria Horror Club, and the 31st Avenue Open Street Collective. For three weekends in June, July, and August, the 31st Avenue Open Street will feature free horror movie screenings starting at 8 pm, along with free food like hot dogs and BBQ chicken provided by Tikkun BBQ. The series kicks off this Saturday, June 29th with a showing of the classic vampire film The Lost Boys. Organizers will also be handing out free harm-reduction supplies like Naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor movie nights.
THE ROOFTOP GUIDE
Nothing says 'summer' like roof pools NYC. The perfect way to make the most out of a weekend in the big city, is to combine street-level fun with swimming and views at a chic NYC rooftop pool. What used to be Gansevoort Park is now Royalton Park Avenue. The rooftop pool is however the same, and this 2oth floor terrace can boast with one of the best rooftop pools NYC has available. One floor above the Rooftop at Royalton Park Avenue you’ll find this gem. Located in the middle of Manhattan (on Park Avenue, as the name suggests) with mighty views over the skyline with Empire State Building as a cool backdrop.
Secret NYC
Take in an enchanting concert by flickering candlelight ⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in New York. Fever’s popular Candlelight Concerts are better than ever this summer! Take a trip to Long Island and enjoy a Candlelight Summer in picturesque venues such as Guild Hall and With tons of dazzling concerts.
Secret NYC
Catch the year’s last Manhattanhenge Manhattanhenge is when the setting sun aligns with the street grid of Manhattan, illuminating every cross street on the north and south sides of the borough, and the year’s final Manhattanhenge will be on Thursday, July 11th, with the half sun version on Friday, July 12th.
See alsoLocal Networking Events & Trending Gatherings in Willowbrook Near NYC
katya ann
Fresh & AFFORDABLE AUSSIE STYLE hand rolls in the West Village 🍣💯✨ for just $12 you can get 3 rolls 😍 8 flavors to choose from with a monthly special! 📍Save this spot for your next takeout night in NYC!!
katya ann
Cha Cha Matcha: another FAVE in the city with multiple locations! The most fun & cute interior design and all whisked on the spot. Minimal food options but tons of fun specialty drinks + matcha soft serve. Make sure to grab a matcha to go before your next train ride in Moynihan station!
ResX
BuvetteNYC The perfect place to brunch in the West Village ☕️ Our server insisted that we get the last order of Pain Perdu (brioche bread with berries & crème) and it did not disappoint!🤤 ✨Pain Perdu ✨Crq Monsieur ✨Jambon Cru ✨Belgian Waffle
Infatuation
A vegan and a meat-eater enter a plant-based Ethiopian restaurant. A couple of hours later, they both leave completely satisfied—and with the newfound knowledge that vegan nacho cheese is far superior to the real (fake) stuff. Such miracles can happen at the second location of Ras Plant Based in Greenwich Village. The menu here is essentially the same as their original spot in Crown Heights, except for the injera nachos, which you must order, because that’s where that melty vegan cheese comes into play. Add on a few cocktails and a mercato platter, with lots of spongy injera for scooping up creamy ground chickpeas, and you’ve got a feast for friends who love legumes, and those who'd normally rather be eating meat.
Infatuation
Carnitas Ramirez has us feeling as elated as we did after watching Dune: Part Two. The small East Village spot from Taqueria Ramirez specializes in carnitas, and they're worth the line you’ll have to wait in. The whole pig is cooked snout-to-tail in big steel vats just behind the counter, and you can pick which parts you want on each $5 taco. Grab at least a few surtida tacos—a multi-textural adventure with bits from the entire pig. For a more focused taco, we like the tender lengua and the savory chamorro. Get a $3 side of chicharron to crumble on top, and load up on the salsa verde at the salsa station.
Crown | NYC
Have you gone for the kiss on a NYC Ferry ride?
newyorkcity.explore
Discover the vibrant umbrella installation at Hillel Place Plaza! 🌂🌈✨ 💡 Located in the heart of Brooklyn, the colorful umbrellas at Hillel Place Plaza create a stunning and whimsical canopy that transforms the space into a lively and artistic oasis. This installation not only adds a splash of color to the urban landscape but also provides a unique backdrop for photos and a joyful atmosphere for visitors. Whether you're strolling through the plaza, relaxing under the umbrellas, or enjoying the surrounding shops and cafes, this installation brings a sense of fun and creativity to the neighborhood.
See alsoDiscover the Best Cocktails in Willowbrook: Local Bars & Rooftop Nightlife Near NYC
nycity__ig
BIRDMEN staying hydrated at Lincoln Center 💦 “Birdmen” by Close-Act Theatre are three gigantic, stilt-walking puppets that roam the campus as part of the BigUmbrella Festival today and tomorrow, July 6 and 7, 2024. These clips were captured this morning. They will perform again today at 5 PM and tomorrow, July 7 at 4 pm and 7 pm. Stay hydrated like the Birdmen!
Infatuation
The Best Late Night Food In NYC: Love Korean BBQ Is it lame to say that the name of this Koreatown restaurant is exactly how we feel about it? Yeah, but it’s too late now. Open until 4am on Friday and Saturday, this fun three-story place has spinning rainbow-colored lights, a bar in the basement, and DJs every weekend after 6pm. They have several combos ($109 to $229) to choose from, which come with a cornucopia of vegetables to throw on the grill. Our favorite is the one with both beef and pork. Add some smoky, peppery japchae and their custardy truffled steamed egg—we’d come here just for those two things.
Discover the Lower East Side: A Hub for Local Exploration
The Lower East Side in NYC offers an incredible range of opportunities for local exploration. Nestled in the heart of Manhattan, this vibrant neighborhood is best known for its unique blend of cultural heritage, modern artistry, and culinary innovation. With a past steeped in history and a present that hums with a modern buzz, the Lower East Side is where adventure meets discovery.
Uncovering Hidden Gems on the Lower East Side
One of the local secrets of the Lower East Side is the myriad of hidden gems that often escape the crowded itineraries of everyday tourists. Take a leisurely stroll through the area’s lesser-known streets, and you’ll find artistic murals, quaint shops, and vintage boutiques. The Essex Market, a New York institution since 1940, offers not only fresh produce but also an array of gourmet delights, creating an ideal spot for culinary exploration.
For something truly off the beaten path, visit the Museum at Eldridge Street. Housed in a restored 19th-century synagogue, this museum offers a quiet escape. Its splendid stained glass windows and intricate architectural designs mark it as one of the Lower East Side's hidden treasures.
Adventure and Trendy Spots in the Lower East Side
If you’re in search of adventure, the Lower East Side delivers in spades. Skateboarders will find heaven at the LES Skatepark, located under the Manhattan Bridge. Adventurous foodies will want to check out Kat’z Delicatessen, famous for its pastrami sandwiches. A stone’s throw away is Economy Candy, a vintage candy store packed from floor to ceiling with sweets that can satisfy any adventurous palate.
Add some variety to your exploration by spending an evening at The Bowery Ballroom, which frequently hosts live music events featuring both up-and-coming and established artists. For those who prefer cocktails and conversation, Attaboy, a speakeasy-style bar, offers a chic atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks.
Family-Friendly Exploration Options
The Lower East Side is a fantastic area for family-friendly exploration. Start your day at the Seward Park, one of the oldest municipal playgrounds in the United States, offering plenty of play areas for children. The Abrons Arts Center provides various workshops and performances targeted at younger audiences, making it a great option for a family outing.
Another hidden gem is The New Museum, which features rotating exhibits of contemporary art that can captivate visitors of all ages. With floor-to-ceiling windows on its rooftop, it also provides a stunning view of the city that the whole family can enjoy. Nearby, Melt Bakery offers a delectable array of ice cream sandwiches that are perfect for a family treat.
Relaxation and Leisure Spots in the Lower East Side
Even the most dedicated explorers need relaxation, and the Lower East Side provides plenty of leisure spots. The Tenement Museum’s “Hard Times” tour offers a thought-provoking glimpse into immigrant life in the 19th and 20th centuries, perfect for a more introspective experience. From its quaint libraries to its relaxed cafes, there are several places to unwind around every corner.
Among the local secrets, Tompkins Square Park stands out as a serene getaway. This park features lush greenery, ponds, and shaded paths, ideal for a leisurely afternoon. Similarly, the labyrinthine garden at the La Plaza Cultural Community Garden offers a peaceful sanctum where one can slow down from the hectic pace of NYC life.
Local Insights and Real Opinions
Gaining local insights and real opinions can enrich your journey through the Lower East Side. The Kikihub platform offers a way to tap into anonymous chat with locals, providing insider tips that you won’t find in standard guidebooks. Residents might point you towards hidden gem restaurants like Souvlaki GR, which offers mouth-watering Greek fare in a cozy setting, or share a tip about the best time to visit the city’s flea markets.
Taking the advice of locals, you might also find hidden nooks like Bohemian Grove, a quiet, artistic spot perfect for reflection and relaxation. Those keen on vintage shopping might get the scoop on some lesser-known thrift shops that are loaded with unique finds. By diving into the local chatter, you can uncover real-time insights and secrets that only the Lower East Side’s residents can provide.
