the nylon guide to new york city
all the spots our readers can’t get enough of.
To celebrate our annual America issue (on newsstands now!) we're putting together the ultimate guides to our favorite US cities. And who better to contribute to them than you, our readers?! We had an open call for submissions--there's still time to make your pick in other cities--and here are the big winners for New York City. Bookmark it, print it, share it, and start planning your next trip to the Big Apple--you know where to find us.... (And if you want to know cool events happening while you're IN New York City, sign up for our NYLON Daily newsletter--it's totally free but filled with awesome parties, shows, sales, and more.)
Best Cafe:
The perfect place to pop in when you're wandering around just about any neighborhood in downtown Manhattan.
Best Bakery:
Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery
Not only are the cookies at Birdbath out of control (in the best way possible), but the bakery is also eco-friendly.
Best Food Truck:
Wafels and Dinges (
)
Sweet? Savory? Yup, this waffle food truck's got it all.
Best Restaurant:
With five locations in the city (and counting, we're sure), you don't have to go far to get your fill of balls. Also, save room for dessert, because the build-your-own ice cream sandwiches are
everything
.
Best Weeknight Bar:
(152 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn)
The honky-tonk really cuts loose on Thursday, when live music goes all night long (and so does the dancing--famous faces like Elijah Wood are known to join in on some hipster line dancing every now and again.
Best Party Spot:
(355 West 16th Street)
For amazing views to go with your vodka-tonic, readers flock to this Meatpacking District 12th floor spot.
Best Place To See Bands:
(289 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn)
Sure, the sight-lines aren't great and it tends to get a bit...sweaty in there, but there's not better venue for seeing up-and-coming buzz bands before they break big.
Best Destination For An Art-y Afternoon:
(11 West 53rd Street)
Just about every single iconic piece of modern art is housed here--just trying spending less than a few hours wandering from room to room.
Best Movie Theater:
(136 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn)
There are plenty of great independent theaters in New York City, but this is one of the few that serves you food and drink while you watch. Yes, you'll want to order a bowl of popcorn for just yourself.
Best Scenic Spot:
This elevated park gives you some of the best views in the city.
Best Boutique:
(35 Howard Street)
The place to shop for everything from socks to avant-garde gowns.
Best Vintage Store:
Search & Destroy (25 St. Marks Street)
You're not a New Yorker if you don't have at least one vintage tee from this retro Mecca.
Best Record Store:
(15 East 4th Street)
Don't let the
High Fidelity
-esque attitude get you down; besides the impeccable selection of music, they've also got free in-store shows all the time.
Best Bookstore:
(828 Broadway)
Do
not
enter the Strand if you don't want to buy a book. Because you'll inevitably find one (if not, like, a stack of them). Totes from the store are also great souvenirs if you're visiting.
Best Store To Fill Your Apartment:
The upscale Brooklyn flea market has locations in both Fort Greene and Williamsburg (on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively), so if you don't find anything you like at one you'll probably score at the other.
Best Spot No One Knows About (Yet):
(299 Meserole Street, Brooklyn) for art,
(260 Elizabeth Street) for shopping, and Cabin Down Below (110 Avenue A) for partying.
If You Only Go To One Place In New York, Make It: t
he waterfront
Whether it's walking the Brooklyn Heights promenade, the Williamsburg waterfront, the East River Park, or taking a water taxi from the South Street Seaport to Brooklyn, our readers highly recommend getting near water.
