DK Travel : New York

With its skyscrapers, great museums, and bright lights of Broadway, New York is a city of superlatives. There are countless sights that have to be seen, but a handful are truly definitive of the city. These highlights illustrate the very best.

Etats-Unis

Despite the French name, the inventive cuisine is New American and draws a loyal following. The menu changes daily.
Excelsior

A lavish, old-world lobby fronts a recently refurbished, well-appointed hotel with traditional decor, many suites, in-room computers and fax machines. A breakfast room, library, outdoor decks, and media room are among other features.
Exploring Gramercy Park and Flatiron

Morning

Book-lovers should start on 12th Street, where the city’s biggest used book-store, the Strand, is located at No. 828. From here, head north up Broadway to Union Square, visiting the Greenmarket (see Union Square Greenmarket). Continuing up Broadway brings you to the Paragon Sports superstore, 867 Broadway at 18th Street, and Fishs Eddy, 889 Broadway at 19th, selling all but indestructible vintage and new china. The fascinating ABC Carpet & Home awaits at No. 888 (see ABC Carpet & Home).

At the Flatiron Building, turn east to Madison Square , then have lunch at Tablaor the gourmet 11 Madison Park . Several restaurants on “Curry Hill” also offer inexpensive lunches, Including Pongal, No. 110, and Cardamomm at 100 Lexington Ave.

Afternoon

While you are in the neighborhood, check out the intriguing spices at Kalustyan’s, 123 Lexington Avenue.

More shops can be found on Fifth Avenue between 14th and 23rd streets, including Emporio Armani, No. 110, between 16th & 17th and Daffy’s, No. 111, a discount store offering designer finds.

End your day in the civilized oasis of the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Be sure to stroll East 19th Street, known as the “Block Beautiful,” for its hand- some 1920s houses.
Extra Virgin

Gorgeous little restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village. The food feels essentially Italian but the atmosphere is most definitely hip Greenwich Village. But this restaurant isn't the pretentious beautiful hangout it could be, its a popular local that serves great food.
F.A.O. Schwarz

Expect to be awed by this ultimate toy store selling giant stuffed animals to the last word in action toys. This wonderland of fun was founded by German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz in 1862 and is now the flagship store for over 40 U.S. locations. Kids love looking, but be prepared to be wheedled into a purchase.
Fairway

Upstairs at the justifiably famous supermarket, there is the best place for breakfast or brunch in New York. I suggest the cream cheese, skallion and tomato scrambled eggs on brioche with a gallon of coffee: once a week I allow myself their pancakes with maple syrup and, as a concession to health, blueberries. Bliss.
Fantasy Fountain

Greg Wyatt’s 1983 smiling sun and moon flanked by dancing giraffes, from whose mouths water flows in warm weather.
Farragut Monument

This 1880 memorial to a naval hero established Augustus Saint-Gaudens as the nation’s foremost sculptor; Stanford White designed the base.
Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.)

Founded in 1944 and now a branch of the State University of New York, the Fashion Institute of Technology is a prestigious school teaching art, fashion design, and marketing, and boasts famous alumni, including Calvin Klein, Norma Kamali, and David Chu. Students have the benefit of internships with New York’s leading stores and designers. Of greatest interest to the public is the gallery, which has changing exhibits, often from their collection of clothing and textiles.
Fay Da Bakery

Sample a delicious soft bun filled with roasted pork or beef for less than $1, then try almond cookies, red bean cakes, custard tarts, or cream buns for dessert.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable charges including tax.
- under $25
- $25-$50
- $50-$80
- over $80
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $150
- $150–$250
- $250-$350
- $350-$450
- over $450