31 Aug 2010, Posted by Erica E Phillips in Features, 0 Comments

New York: Downtown Days and Strawberry Fields Forever

Here’s the thing about New York. If you don’t know where to start, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—with the crowds, the tall buildings, the endless storefronts and eateries—and somehow end up in The Gap on Broadway soaking up the air conditioning and slurping a Frappaccino.

Well, we won’t allow any of our readers to fall back on the comfortable; there are just too many unique things in New York to do, see, and of course eat. So we’ve put together a very short list of starting points for daytime activities and tasty restaurant ideas to keep you busy until it’s off to Flushing Meadows for evening match play.

Starting Point #1: SoHo, “Culture Tour”

• Start at the breathtakingly bright New Museum. You should be able to hit all the exhibits in an hour and snap some classic skyline photos from their many walls of windows.
• Hit the Taschen Boutique next for coffee, munchies, and a few good reads.
• Then stroll over to check out one-of-a-kind toy store Kidrobot. If you get lost along the way slipping in and out of SoHo’s innumerable tempting shops, no matter. When in New York …

Starting Point #2: Chelsea, “The Scene”

• Begin your afternoon right with a classic New York lunch: Pizza. We love the healthy options at Slice on Hudson Street in the West Village.
• Wander south, and stop in to try on straight-from-the-designer fashions at Castor & Pollux, Rag & Bone, and others along the way. ‘Tis the season for summer sales.
• Finish off your afternoon with a happy hour cocktail at the ultra scene-y Jane Hotel Ballroom bar. Grab a cozy chair if you see one!

Starting Point #3: Central Park, “New York Life”

• No matter how many times I go to New York, Zabar’s is always my first stop. Pick up fresh lox, cream cheese, H&H bagels, and whatever else strikes your fancy in this classic market at 80th and Broadway.
• With your tasty treasures in hand, walk east toward Central Park and stake out a spot at Strawberry Fields. It’s easy to while away the hours here, take a nap, and gaze at the picture perfect skyline. Don’t forget your camera!
• Once you’ve had your siesta, keep walking east and head uptown to the Guggenheim Museum. The current exhibit, featuring Kandinsky and Malevich, looks fantastic.

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Photo: NewMuseum.org