Manhattan has all things that people want to visit when in New York: shopping at 5th Avenue, Central Park, Wall Street, the Met, MOMA, Guggenheim, Times Square, Empire State Building, SoHo, Statue of Liberty, and so on. I visited most of the places on my first visit to New York several years ago, so for this trip, I picked some more interesting spots off the beaten track.

Due to a coincidence in timing, I found out that Collective Design's annual exhibition matched up with my travel dates! I dragged a friend along, who was only mildly impressed since she was an industrial design student, and enjoyed the art with no price tags.

The Cooper Hewitt Museum has become one of my favorite museums that I have visited. As a part of the ticket, they loan you an interactive pen that you can press to exhibit placards to 'save' to your online portfolio. Want to check out the ones I personally saved? Head to cooperhewitt.org/you and enter the code: wqtk. On the site are high resolution images, details of the object, and background information. In addition, there are interactive exhibits to create wallpaper, 3D objects, and such through this pen. This is the first museum that really enhances the museum experience through technology! During my visit, I experienced several ongoing exhibitions, I could pause and ponder the arising emotions and thoughts that are elicited from within and muse about the designer's decisions as they created a piece of artwork. Through these quiet moments, I neither felt the pressure to move on or the push and shove of a crowded museum like that of the Guggenheim, the Met or the Art Institute in Chicago. Each exhibit offered a sense of personal enjoyment that I thoroughly enjoyed.





















After the museum, I had every intention to rent a bike to cruise around Central Park, but the best of spring allergies took over, and I suffered on a seat in the comforts of a Duane Reade Pharmacy :(

Another place I visited was the High Line. This former railroad project is now a very popular urban park. With views of the Hudson River, perspectives of the Chelsea neighborhood, modern architectural residences and offices, mini landscape gardens, outdoor art exhibits, places to relax and food carts, what's not to love about the High Line? Personally, the park was too crowded for me, though it's definitely worth a second visit during an off-peak time. Maybe in the morning or towards sunset? With multiple access points to this elevated park, the High Line has something for everyone while casually strolling.





















Collective Design: Skylight Clarkson Square, 550 Washington Street, Manhattan, New York (2016 exhibit is over)
Cooper Hewitt Museum: 2 East 91st Street, Manhattan, New York
The High Line: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York

And to satisfy the hungry, here are a couple places worth checking out (clockwise from left):

1. Shanghai Cafe: 100 Mott Street (between Canal and Hester Streets), Manhattan, New York
2. 10Below Ice Cream: multiple locations
3. Two Little Red Hens: 1652 2nd Avenue (between 85th and 86th Streets), Manhattan, New York (~delectable cheesecake!!)
4. Cho Dan Gol Korean Restaurant: 55 W 35th Street (between Avenue of the Americas and 5th Avenue Midtown West), Manhattan, New York
5. Luke's Lobster: multiple locations
6. Totto Ramen: multiple locations






And other eateries I visited:
Momofuku Milk Bar: 251 E 13th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), Manhattan, New York (~the crack pie is so addictive)
Halal Guys: multiple locations
Fresco Gelateria: 138 2nd Avenue (between St. Marks Place and 9th Street), Manhattan, New York
Maison Kayser: multiple locations
Shake Shack: multiple locations

Alas, there's only so much time in the day. For future visits, I definitely want to check out Whitney Museum of American Art, the Met Cloisters, the Frick Collection, Dia: Beacon, Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate, and Storm King Art Center.  To satisfy hunger pangs: Bibble & Sip, Russ & Daughters, Xi'an Famous Foods, Spot Desert Bar, Levain Bakery, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Eataly, Beecher's Handmade Cheese, and Raclette. For shopping: Gentle Monster, Agnes B., Dashwood Books, Aedes Perfumery, and Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks. 

Been to New York or planning to visit? What's on your must-visit and must-eat list?

Happy travels!
Cat

(visited New  York in May 2016)