An afternoon in Manhattan

June 28, 2018 10:06 PM

I'm meeting up with a college friend in Manhattan tomorrow, but we don't have definite plans yet. I'm looking for suggestions for things to do based on our mutual interests and preferences. She's coming in on the subway from Astoria, I'll be arriving at Penn Station.

We're both in our early 20s. My friend really likes exploring new places (very adventurous), and I've been in the city many, many times, so I'm looking for ideas for places and activities we might not know about--more niche than the met, moma, lincoln center, etc. Things we both enjoy include:

-art, books, and music, we're both musicians
-tea and european food
-nature
-quirky shops
-cats
-walking around and discovering interesting things

Since we'll only have 4-5 hours, I'd like to spend less time on transportation--so any suggestions for places in one general location would be great. We also don't want to spend a ton (typical student budget). Thanks in advance!

posted by Lurch to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

There is Meow Parlor, a cat cafe on Hester Street. You do have to make a reservation on their site, and there is a cost, but -- cats.

The Lower East Side is a great place to wander around, and could hit most of your points (except nature, probably.)
posted by profreader at 12:09 AM on June 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

Pretty known, but definitely out-of-the-way so neither of you may have visited: The Cloisters.
posted by alchemist at 2:23 AM on June 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

Not sure if this would be niche for you or not, but the Frick collection is one of my favorite museums in the city, and would probably be right up your art/books/music alley.

There's also some amazing work at the Neue Museum (within reasonable walking distance from the Frick)

Farther off the beaten path, you could visit Grant's Tomb and see if you can explore and find the memorial for an Amiable Child.
posted by Mchelly at 3:39 AM on June 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

Have you done Roosevelt Island? You can take the sky tram across the river, and on the other side is Four Freedoms Park and an the ruins of an old hospital. Very cool to look at. There’s also a divey bar/restaurant if you want lunch or a beer. You can definitely do this in like 2 hours.
posted by functionequalsform at 6:27 AM on June 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

I second Grant's Tomb. There is some Gaudi-esque benches that are worn a bit but very cool surrounding the Tomb that I think you will enjoy.
posted by sandmanwv at 6:53 AM on June 29, 2018

If you go to The Cloisters, as recommended by alchemist, you will also hit your nature requirement, with Fort Tryon Park. There's also Inwood Hill Park.

If you're willing to walk about a mile north from The Cloisters, Indian Road Cafe is a great restaurant. (It's not European, but it is a great little restaurant.) Or you could try Bocaditos Bistro, a cute European bistro place that is closer to The Cloisters.

It's easy to get to Fort Tryon Park and The Cloisters on the A train. Take it to 190th St., and you will be right there.
posted by merejane at 8:42 AM on June 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

Also, if you are in the Cloisters neighborhood, you could visit Dyckman Farmhouse.
posted by merejane at 8:44 AM on June 29, 2018

I think probably the closest major cultural institution to Penn Station is the Morgan Library. First Folio, Gutenberg Bible, looks like they are doing a fun exhibit on medieval illustrations of monsters.

Cloisters could definitely be fun, though.
posted by praemunire at 8:54 AM on June 29, 2018

You might want to head down to the Village and try out the ideas in the Quad Cinema section of this NYT article ("The New York Woman at the Quad Cinema, West Village").

Also, near Penn Station: the FIT museum is wonderful, plus it's free.
posted by merejane at 9:23 AM on June 29, 2018