New York has its obvious sights — the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty — but most New Yorkers rarely go near them. What locals recommend instead is an early breakfast in Greenwich Village, oysters in SoHo, and a late-night jazz session in a bar that’s been pouring drinks for a century.
Localsinsider reviewed listings from The New York Times, Time Out New York, Eater, and local residents’ picks, then checked prices, hours, and ownership details. The result is a list of 15 places in Manhattan and Brooklyn that residents actually visit and recommend.
Oysters at Grand Banks
Grand Banks is a seasonal oyster bar aboard the Sherman Zwicker, a 142-foot wooden schooner built in 1942. Moored at Pier 25 in Tribeca from April to October, it’s run by brothers Miles and Alex Pincus, who also operate Island Oyster on Governors Island. East Coast oysters start at $4.50 each, and a dozen with champagne is $78. The menu changes daily depending on market catch, with lobster rolls ($34) and sea bass crudo.
Open Mon–Sun 11 am–11 pm in season. Closest subway: 1 train to Franklin Street, then a 7-minute walk.
Natural Wines at Four Horsemen
Opened in 2015 by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, Four Horsemen in Williamsburg has a 40-page wine list with natural, biodynamic, and low-intervention bottles from small producers. The interior is Scandinavian minimalism: pale wood, white walls, and a single row of tables. Wines by the glass start at $15; small plates such as razor clams with chili butter ($18) change weekly. The restaurant holds a Michelin star for its precise but unfussy food.
Open Wed–Sun from 5 pm to midnight.
Address: 295 Grand Street, Brooklyn. Subway: L to Bedford Avenue.
Breakfast at Buvette
Buvette opened in 2011 on Grove Street in the West Village, founded by chef Jody Williams. It’s styled after a Parisian café but serves New York–sized portions of espresso and croque madame. The avocado tartine ($15) and waffle sandwich with bacon ($18) are popular weekday breakfasts before the office rush. Seating is tight — 30 inside, plus a few outdoor tables — and there are no reservations.
Open daily from 7 am to midnight. Closest subway: 1 train to Christopher Street.
Washington Square Park for Free
Laid out in 1826, Washington Square Park is a 9.75-acre green space in Greenwich Village famous for its marble arch (1895) and central fountain. It’s free to visit year-round, with live music from buskers most afternoons. In summer, chess players occupy the southwest corner, and in winter, the park is lit for the holidays. It’s surrounded by NYU buildings and within walking distance of cafés, vintage shops, and jazz clubs.
Subway: A/C/E or B/D/F/M to West 4th Street.
Spa and Sauna at Aire Ancient Baths
Aire Ancient Baths opened in Tribeca in 2012, in a restored textile factory from 1883. It features heated pools, salt baths, and steam rooms inspired by Roman and Ottoman designs. A 90-minute thermal circuit is $104; massages start at $154. The space uses exposed brick, candlelight, and original iron columns. Reservations are required, and evenings book out weeks ahead.
Open daily 9 am–11 pm.
Address: 88 Franklin Street. Subway: 1 to Franklin Street.
Historic Hotel Cocktails at Bemelmans Bar
Inside the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side since 1947, Bemelmans Bar is known for its murals painted by Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the Madeline children’s books. The bar serves martinis ($26) and champagne by the glass ($32), with live jazz most nights. Jackets are encouraged after 6 pm, and seating is first-come, first-served.
Open Mon–Thu 12 pm–12:30 am, Fri–Sat until 1:30 am.
Address: 35 E 76th Street. Subway: 6 to 77th Street.
Champagne and Seafood at The Fulton
The Fulton, at Pier 17 in the Seaport District, opened in 2019 as chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first seafood-focused restaurant. It offers Atlantic oysters ($4.75 each), caviar service, and champagne from $24 a glass. The dining room overlooks the East River, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The interior features murals by artist Drew Possert.
Open daily 11:30 am–10 pm.
Subway: 2/3/4/5 to Fulton Street.
Picnic and Walk at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Opened in stages from 2010 to 2021, Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches 1.3 miles along the East River. It has lawns, sports fields, piers, and bike paths. Entry is free, and summer events include outdoor films and kayaking sessions. Picnic areas offer views of the Manhattan skyline, especially at sunset from Pier 1.
Accessible from the A/C train to High Street or the ferry to DUMBO.
Contemporary Art at Whitney Museum
The Whitney Museum of American Art, in its Renzo Piano–designed Meatpacking District building since 2015, focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American art. The collection includes works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. General admission is $30; free on Fridays from 7–10 pm. The museum’s terraces offer skyline views.
Open Wed–Mon 10:30 am–6 pm, until 10 pm on Fridays.
Address: 99 Gansevoort Street. Subway: A/C/E to 14th Street.
Vintage Shopping on Thompson Street
Thompson Street in SoHo has a cluster of vintage clothing shops, including INA (designer consignment) and Stock Vintage (workwear and denim from the 1940s–1970s). Prices start around $60 for shirts and go over $1,000 for rare jackets.
Most shops open noon–7 pm, with weekend afternoons the busiest.
Subway: C/E to Spring Street.
Museum of Sex – NYC’s Look at Sexuality Through History
Opened in 2002 in a landmarked building in Manhattan’s former Tenderloin district, the Museum of Sex documents the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality through more than 20,000 artifacts. Objects range from early British-made vibrators and Chinese lotus shoes to a Braille edition of Playboy, revealing how attitudes toward sex have shifted across time and place.
Exhibitions combine art, science, and design, with notable shows like Artifact (xxx): Selections from Secret Collections, which draws on pieces from the museum’s archives and other notable collections of antiques, medical history, and sexology. The museum also hosts events, lectures, and a panoramic theater experience.
Tickets: Basic $29 (museum entry + Stardust Lane Panoramic Theater), Premium $44 (adds champagne), Lovers Pass for 2 $122 (adds champagne for two, game play, and a $50 “Love Kit”); $4 online service fee.
Open daily, 11 am–9 pm.
Address: 233 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. Subway: R/W to 28 St.
Day Trip to Governors Island
Governors Island, a former military base, is a 172-acre park 8 minutes by ferry from Lower Manhattan. It’s open daily from May to October, with bike rentals, art installations, and Hammock Grove. Return ferry tickets are $5 for adults; admission is free before noon on weekends.
In summer 2025, a new sculpture trail by local artists will open on the south side of the island. Ferries depart from Battery Maritime Building, next to South Ferry subway.
LGBTQ+ Nights at The Stonewall Inn
The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village has been a symbol of LGBTQ+ history since the 1969 uprising. Today, it operates as a bar with drag shows, karaoke, and Pride Month events. Entry is usually free, with weekend cover charges starting at $10 for special performances. The bar has preserved much of its original 1960s layout.
Open daily noon–4 am. Address: 53 Christopher Street.
Subway: 1 train to Christopher Street.
Local Bistro at Via Carota
Via Carota, opened in 2014 by chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, is a rustic Italian bistro in the West Village. The daily menu includes seasonal salads ($18–$24), handmade pastas ($26–$32), and mains like grilled branzino ($38). The interior features reclaimed wood tables and vintage mirrors sourced from Italy. No reservations; expect to wait on weekends.
Open daily 11 am–11 pm. Address: 51 Grove Street.
Subway: 1 to Christopher Street.
Sources
- Official websites and August 2025 field checks by Localsinsider
- The New York Times, 2025 city dining & culture features
- Time Out New York, Best of 2025 listings
- Eater NY, updated restaurant and bar reviews
- NYC Parks Department, event and facility updates
