Having lived in NYC for 20 years, these recommendations are based on my personal experiences as a former New Yorker. These are the museums I explored, the restaurants where I dined and created memories, and the stores where I shopped for cherished fi...
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NYC is home to many great museums, but MOMA has always been my favorite.
The Museum of Modern Art
A charming four-story bookstore that has a great collection. The first time I visited was in 1998. If you're a book lover, you'll feel at home here.
Strand Book Store
You'll find the best soup dumplings here. To avoid a long wait for dinner, try going either early or later in the evening.
Joe's Shanghai
A great place to walk or relax during mild weather.
The High Line
There's no sign outside the building, so make sure you have the right building number. Once you walk into the building, you will see a sign on your left. If not, just make a left and go down the stairs. It's really worth the effort!
Sakagura
A wonderful museum with its unique architecture and exhibitions.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
It's a huge museum with a vast collection, so it's okay if you don't see it all and leave the rest to explore on your next trip :)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This was one of my favorite bookstores in NYC. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there's also one in Austin where I relocated.
Kinokuniya
One of the best museums in NYC, especially for kids.
American Museum of Natural History
I would definitely recommend visiting if you want to learn about the Holocaust as well as Jewish life before and after WWII. The museum has great educational events and screenings.
Museum of Jewish Heritage
In this unique museum, you can take one or more guided tours about the experiences of immigrants who lived in Lower East Side tenements in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tenement Museum
A wonderful museum that's really fun to visit and a great option if you're visiting with kids.
Museum of the Moving Image
I lived only a few blocks away from this Fort Greene restaurant for almost five years. I would recommend everything on the menu, but my personal favorites were the fried chicken and steak frites.
