Fun things to do in NYC (aside from bars)

The best way to see New York is to decide on a few things that you want to focus on, and then explore around those neighborhoods. New York has the best of everything, so decide on whether you want to be outdoors or in!

Quick Tips:

Aside from all the museums and restaurants and shops, I would suggest Central Park as a must-see destination. There's a reason why so many movies were filmed here..... Go for a run around the reservoir by 87th Street (Jackie O used to run here), or ride horses on the bridle path surrounding the reservoir. If you time it correctly, you can catch some great bands at Central Park's Summerstage, or a free Shakespeare play at Central Park's Shakespeare in the Park (June-August).

Best Way To Get Around:

BUY A METROCARD!!! This is absolutely the best way to get around. The trains are great to get downtown and back up. The buses are great to cross town. With a Metrocard, you are able to get a free transfer (within two hours)between train and bus or bus and train or bus and bus for free! If you put at least on your Metrocard, you get an extra 10% for free. Otherwise, I would suggest walking around since it's great exercise, and there are so many great shops on the way. Taxis are abundant and fairly cheap (as taxis go), but they can be awful during rush hours when there is bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Josie's is amazing - you've never had organic, "earth-friendly" food like this! This little Upper Westsider is always packed with beautiful people, waiting for a taste of Josie's "oh-so-healthy" eats. Try the Macadamian Chicken Salad, on top of a bed of spring greens, orzo, artichoke hearts, mango, and avocado. The portions are hearty, but you won't feel the least bit of guilt because everything is so light, fresh, and delicious! The fish is always fabulous - try the salmon with mushroom gravy. The food is unbelievable and so good for you!

With so many great sushi places downtown, I overlooked this little gem on the Upper East Side. Having been to Nobu, Yama's, SushiHana, and other big names, my sushi expectations were very high. Sushi of Gari did not let me down - their fish is incredibly fresh, so I would suggest the nigiri sushi and sashimi. The focus is on the fish, so they don't really do any creative rolls. I would recommend getting the Chef's Special (for two or more people), and leaving the decision up to the master. He picked the freshest fish of the day, and I sampled a lot of sushi I had never tried before, i.e. scallops. This small restaurant is hard-to-miss, but there are loyal followers, so either go with a reservation, or expect to wait a long time.

After moving to San Francisco, I bought into all the alternative stuff, and now consider myself a yogi. There's been a lot written about Jivamukti Yoga, so naturally there was some curiosity on my part. I took an open class on the Upper East Side. Although extremely small (only one room), Sandy was great. I had many breakthroughs (headstands, getting up from the wheel position, etc.) in her class, which starts out with some basic chants, and continues at a vigorous pace for the next 90 minutes. I was extremely tired, but so relaxed and refreshed after this class, that I proceeded to take a class every day that I was in NY. The downtown studio is much larger - they have the whole third floor. Very cheerfully (and spiritually?) decorated, there are 3 different colored rooms in which to practice. I took another open class, and it was enlightening. The instructors are really well-trained, and extremely helpful. Although initially skeptical about all the chanting before the actual practice, I thought it was great to prepare your mind and body - I actually miss it since my yoga studio in San Francisco doesn't do any chanting.

With all the great museums in Manhattan, why would you go to this one in Brooklyn? I find some of the museums in Manhattan to be overwhelming, i.e. the Metropolitan Museum of Art, so it's nice to go to a smaller venue. This museum got a lot of hype with their Sensation Exhibit, which really wasn't as "controversial" as the media made it out to be. Their normal collection is very solid, with a wide variety of period represented. The BMA has a great theatre inside, where different films are featured. The best deal has to be the free day they offer once a month!

The name is misleading, because this place is anything but a typical pub. Attracting some great DJs and music bands, this incognito bar, located next to the Public Theatre, draws a very young, hip crowd. The drinks are expensive, and the service is bad, but you get the full NY scene here with beautiful girls wearing tight, revealing clothing, and the guys (investment bankers and such) slyly watching them. Despite this scene, the bar is pretty low key, and you can come here to just hang out with your friends. The music is very good and very loud, and the drinks are very potent!