Hell's Kitchen Flea Market
Any market named Hell's Kitchen and has the motto of "we've tempted thousands of shoppers" is OK by me.
Hell's Kitchen (sometimes known as midtown West) is the hip area nearly adjacent to Times Square on the Hudson River side. The flea market is located just south of 42nd Street and offers views of midtown Manhattan including The Empire State Building and the new New York Times Building.
Year round, tourists, locals and even the resident celebrities frequent the market for vintage items such as antiques, collectibles, clothing and jewelry. The market is a frequent stop for me while roaming the city on a lazy, sunny weekend morning. I stop for a coffee at the Cupcake Cafe www.cupcakecafe-nyc.com (ok, and maybe a cupcake or two) and then head to the market to browse--especially for cool vintage '80's era t-shirts.
The Hell's Kitchen neighborhood has quite the history-- it was the home and gathering spot for many mafia gangsters as well as being known for the ethnic conflicts that inspired the musical West Side Story. Fast forward to the modern day, the mafia residents have been replaced by name brand actors and theatre performers due to its proximity to Broadway. Some actors, past and present, that have called Hell's Kitchen home are: Madonna, Jerry Seinfeld, Alicia Keys, and Sylvester Stallone. After getting your fill of vintage at the Flea Market, you can also get your comedy fix and attend a taping of the Daily Show (www.thedailyshow.com) or my favorite, the Colbert Report (www.colbertnation.com) as both film in this area.
Top of the Rock
Although this may not sound like its off the beaten path, I mean--it is Rockefeller Center; how mainstream is this??---but many locals don't even know about the view "the Rock" offers and its benefits over their much more famous neighbor, the Empire State Building. I have had, no joke, 28 different visitors that I have toured around New York, showing them nothing but the best tourist spots but also the hidden NYC gems. When most people visit they immediately ask to go to the Empire State Building.
I patiently agree with them that the Empire is an American Icon and the setting for so many of their favorite movies. I kindly interrupt the gushing and explain the average wait to get to the top during the day (a minimum of 90 min unless you are extremely lucky to be in the city when NO one wants to visit the top--like when its hailing). I also comment that one of the most beautiful sights in all of NYC is Central Park, which for the most part is BLOCKED by Rockefeller Center in the view from the Empire State Building. As this gets their attention, I hook them with the fact that, when you are IN the Empire State Building, you cannot SEE the Empire State Building which stands so tall in the landscape of downtown Manhattan. I sweeten the deal by letting my visitor(s) know that the wait time at the Rock is normally no more than 20 min. EVER. It may sound like I am convincing them to lean to the Rock for lesser wait times... but truly I am excited each time i go up there myself and will argue anyone that its the best view in the city. :)
The ticket line at the Rock goes smooth and fast and after a quick (nonintrusive) xray machine the visitor is lead to a walkway of photographic history of Rockefeller Center. After a short video on the history of the Rockette's, the building of Rockefeller Center (with a wonderful tribute to the Rockefeller family that provided so many jobs during the Great Depression) and NBC's history hosted by Tom Brokaw, you are taken quickly by elevator up to the viewing platforms, the highest at 70 stories.
There are a couple different viewing platforms. One at the main elevator level behind glass, one up a level that has some glass barriers and finally--the TOP that has you looking north at ALL of Central Park and into Harlem with the Hudson to the West and the East River--well, to the East.
Look the other direction and you can see all the people at the Empire State Building looking towards you and wondering why you are blocking their view of Central Park. Look a little further and you see the very teeny Statue of Liberty floating in the Hudson as well as the now empty south skyline where the World Trade Center buildings once stood.
www.topoftherocknyc.com
Harlem
Harlem, now known as the African American capital of the US, got its start as a rural Dutch community and then as a destination choice for upper class New Yorkers. With the changing history, Harlem still has a bad reputation for violence and crime. While every part of NYC has their areas of issue (as does every city) Harlem has grown into a very "in" area that New Yorkers choose to reside in/hang out in/support. It is no secret that Harlem overflows with historical pride and its residents are very aware of its up and coming spot in NYC proper.
There are many organizations that offer walking or bus tours through Harlem and all, at quick glance, seem very informative. I am the type though that likes to research, then self tour. Walking the Upper West side is always fun and once you get to the streets in the 100's past Central Park you are, in what I deem, Harlem.
On your walk---or tour should you deem necessary--- you will see famous sights and landmarks such as St. John the Divine Cathedral (awe inspiring),Columbia University, Morning Side Heights, St. Nicholas Avenue (where Duke Ellington lived), the Cotton Club and the famous Apollo Theater. If you plan ahead and visit Harlem on a Sunday, you will most likely be welcomed by one of the many local congregations for Sunday worship service and the amazing feeling that Gospel music can instill, regardless of your religious beliefs.
www.columbia.edu/cu/iraas/harlem
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