Khaleejesque provides you with some of the emerging and lesser known gems of NYC.
Dine In
FYI – New York City has over 23,499 restaurants. Here are some diverse dining options for you foodies:
• Nomad (78 Second Avenue)
A contemporary Moroccan cuisine, with a relaxed ambiance. Thursday nights more intense, as they have a flamenco and Middle Eastern music fusion band and belly dancers.
• Alma (187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn)
Alma is a great Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn. With a great view of Manhattan’s skyline, it’s a great outdoors space for summertime dining.
• Eataly (200 Fifth Avenue)
This eaterie brings you better, fresher food than anything you will find in Little Italy. It is a large retail store that has everything from Italian designer kitchenware to a cafe and restaurant. Highly recommended for all you Italian culture lovers.
• Serendipity (225 East 60th Street)
This is everyone’s favorite ice cream destination. Make sure to make reservations if you’re planning on visiting with a larger group.
The best shopping experiences in NYC are far away from 5th Avenue and mid-town Manhattan. For some really unique boutique finds, make sure you check out these Brooklyn spots:
• M.A.E (453 7th Avenue, Brooklyn)
A great resale shop with a focus on vintage and luxury clothing for women.
• Two Lovers’ Boutique (227 5th Avenue, Brooklyn)
A resale store in Park Slope that is especially ideal for smaller gifts and jewelry.
• Brooklyn Shopping
For a full listing of Brooklyn’s shopping attractions, check out NY Magazine's Shopping Guide.
• FAO Schwartz (767 Fifth Avenue, NYC)
Experience the legendary store in all its glory. It’s the perfect spot for quality toys, especially for kids and babies. Go to Toys R Us for more contemporary toys.
• The Apple Store (767 Fifth Avenue, NYC)
The Apple Store is worth a visit, even if you’re not a Mac fan. It sits at 767 Fifth Avenue and is within walking distance from FAO Schwartz.
• Soho
You can never go wrong with a visit down to Soho. Instead of highlighting anyone store, we have attached a PDF that maps out various destinations. Take a look and plan your trip!
Classic NYC Spots
Everyone visits The Statue of Liberty and Times Square, but here are some extra major tourist destinations that might’ve slipped your mind:
• Coney Island
One of Brooklyn’s finest gems, Coney Island’s amusement park and boardwalk are beautiful especially in the summer time. Enjoy a lengthy day’s stay at this historic location.
• The Cloisters (99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park)
This is a huge park located in the Upper West Side with a Medieval art museum placed in the heart of it.
• The Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn)
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the states. You can find world-renowned permanent collections range from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art.
• The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens (900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn)
They sit right next to The Brooklyn Museum. We recommend you couple them in a single visit, getting your dosage of art and green life.
NYC's New Architecture
While NYC’s Grand Central, Chrysler building, and the Empire State Building are iconic, here are some buildings we’d recommend you include in your destinations list:
• The Guggenheim Museum (1071 Fifth Avenue)
The Guggenheim is an architectural wonder and sits on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Combine it with a trip to the Metropolitan Museum or a casual walk in Central Park.
• IAC Building (550 West 18th Street) and 8 Spruce Street
If you are interested in seeing something futuristic and memorable, check out the IAC building and 8 Spruce Street designed by Frank Gehry. His work never fails to deliver a visual spectacle.
Stay At
• Ace Hotel (20 West 29th Street)
This is an easy one. New York’s most interesting hotel is Ace Hotel. This boutique hotel has opened in a handful of American cities and promises a unique, highly localized experience.
• AirBNB
If you’re socially adventurous and believe in building trust online, try out AirBNB, a website where you can contact friendly strangers that will rent their space to you.
Cultural Activities
Sometimes, confining yourself to Manhattan gets old, especially if you’ve been here before. If you’re intellectually curious and feeling adventurous, check out some of these recommendations:
• The Bronx Museum (1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street, Bronx)
NYC’s newest museum. Check out their talks and jazz concerts, often highlighting the rich culture of African-Americans.
• BAM (651 Fulton Street, Brooklyn)
Brooklyn's BAM is a great performance space with stellar programs and shows.
• MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Brooklyn)
The PS1 is an extension of The Modern Art Museum. Take a chance by exploring emerging and often experimental artists.
• Angelika (18 West Houston Street) and IFC Center (323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street)
These theaters show independent, classic, and foreign films. They’re great venues if you want to watch artistic films that prioritize creative value above all else.
• ArteEast (1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor) and Alwan (16 Beaver Street, 4th Floor)
Great sources of affordable Middle Eastern cultural entertainment. Check out their programs, which boast lectures, performances, concerts, and provide a great way to network with New York’s Middle Eastern community.
• TKTS
Provides the best way to buy affordable tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway theater. Visit their booth in Times Square since you’re planning on going there anyway!
• Barge Music (Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge)
For classical music, check out Barge Music. This venue provides an opportunity to hear soft music in a great sound environment… on a boat.
This is a great way to get to know New York. This innovative company provides MP3s to accompany your adventures all over the city.
– Plus Aziz
