Cathedral Church of Saint John: The Great Divine in the City and Diocese of New York

I had my first kiss nearby this church — shhhh! Come here and take a Vertical Tour — instead of the normal tour where you walk around, on the Vertical Tour you will go UP! Afterward visit the Children’s Sculpture Garden — I’d often come here when I needed a break from classes. Sometimes there are iridescent blue and albino peacocks to be seen. Also go to the Hungarian Pastry Shop, order a cookie and sit at one of the tiny tables. Bring a thick novel to read.

1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street New York, NY 10025
(212) 316-7540 info@stjohndivine
www.stjohndivine.org

Bemelmans Bar

I like to come here at an odd hour when it’s empty, like mid-afternoon. I order a pricey cocktail and sit at the bar alone, being mysterious, all the while taking in the murals painted by Bemelman — the artist who made and drew Madeleine. This bar is so special and historical.

35 E 76th St Carlyle Hotel New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-1600
rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar
HOURS:
Sunday and Monday, 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Tuesday to Thursday, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Knitty City

The revolution can be found here!!! As well as gorgeous yummy yarn. The perfect place to join a knitting circle and/or the revolution.

208 W 79th St, New York, NY 10024
(212) 787-5896
knittycitynyc.com
HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 11-6
Wednesday, Thursday 11-8
Sunday 12-5

Empire State Building

I love high places, and I love places that are open late. The Empire State Building is both — it’s open until 2am! I love coming here at 1 in the morning, and feeling the wind hit my face, it’s so rejuvenating.

350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118
esbnyc.com
HOURS: 8am-2am daily

Rolf’s

Rolf’s induces magic and awe with Christmas decorations (almost) year round. I come here when I need Christmas and comfort food. Their booths are really cute too.

281 3rd Ave New York, NY 10010
(212) 477-4750
roflsnyc.com
HOURS: 12-10pm daily

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

Miniature staircases. Seriously, best exhibit I saw the whole time I lived in NY, I am so excited that they are currently back on display. Miniature staircase models were made to practice, but they were also made by masters of woodworking to show off their skill. Always something to see at this museum, and their gift shop is great too.

2 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128
(212)-849-8400
cooperhewitt.org
HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-9pm

American Museum of Natural History

I come here to cry. Go find the exhibit on ducks and you’ll see why. A great place to wander, especially on a rainy day. In the winter, they have the best Christmas tree in the city decorated with origami of dinosaurs.

Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5100
amnh.org
HOURS: 10am-5:45pm daily

The Modern Restaurant

When I first moved to New York, I thought it would be glamorous and a lot like Sex in the City, and it wasn’t! I came to peace with that, and then, a couple years later, I came to this restaurant, and, for the first time, I was in the New York of my dreams. It was the first time the real New York matched the New York of my imagination. Everyone was so glamorous — I remember in particular a woman in an odd black fascinator who was completely at ease with herself. While you’re here, check out MoMA, and see what’s playing in their movie theater.

9 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
(212) 333-1220
themodernnyc.com
HOURS:
Monday-Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm
Sunday 11:30am-9:30pm

Printed Matter Inc.

Browse, buy, be inspired by artist-made books. This is the place where I first became acquainted with Lisa Anne Auerbach’s political knitting patterns that later inspired the Pussyhat Project. They currently have signed copies of Auerbach’s “Charted Patterns for Sweaters that Talk Back.”

231 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
(212) 925-0325
printedmatter.org
HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 11am-7pm
Thursday and Friday 11am-8pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm

International Center of Photography Museum

The first exhibit alone will take your breath away — a video of glaciers calving. You will be awestruck. Anyone who loves the Pussyhat Project will love this exhibit — it is so on point, covering topics like climate change, Black Lives matter, gender politics, immigration. “Perpetual Revolution: The Image and Social Change continues ICP’s long-standing tradition of exploring the social and historic impact of visual culture.” Jan 27, 2017 – May 07, 2017

1114 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
(212) 857-0001
icp.org
HOURS:
Closed on Monday
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-6pm
Thursday 10am-9pm