Been to Freeman Alley a couple of times. Yesterday went and to my surprise there were some…read moregraffiti artists painting. One of them named SoHo took a liking to my nephew and helped him paint & helped my niece paint as ℓℓ. The graffiti alley is constantly changing & is the only place in NYC that it's legal to do graffiti. I love going to all graffiti alleys.

Freeman Alley - Graffiti - Freeman Alley is a true paradise for street art lovers. Every inch of…read morethe walls is covered with graffiti and artworks that are constantly changing. The place feels raw, creative, and highly authentic. A short but intense stop where you can feel the pulse of contemporary urban art in its purest form.

A calming respite in the midst of the hustle and bustle of midtown…read more It's a peaceful glass enclosed spot with plenty of light, nice views. plenty of seating, and nice landscaping. Some small birds in here too. Clean and well maintained. Great spot to escape and take a rest to check your emails, have a coffee, and decompress. No bathroom but there is an Obica Mozzarella eatery kiosk inside here to grab a cold drink, bite, or hot coffee beverage,

Don't go by the closing time as we got there 15 mins before closing and they were locking the doors…read morebefore we got there. Says 10pm close but I would go with at least 20 mins before that. Such a shame as 10 mins would have been all we needed to take photos but were ignored by staff inside. Gutted as close to end of our trip and we have had to cram so much into visit.

When in NY, had to pay homage to one of the most comforting shows on television, F*R*I*E*N*D*S…read more Here's my experience. VIBES: Welcome to Greenwich Village it's a historic neighborhood with nice buildings and cafes. The iconic spot is nestled in a lively corner of NYC with lots of foot traffic (tourists and locals alike), so parking isn't ideal -- I'd suggest subway or ride-share. The place has big energy: you feel like you're in an iconic, storied part of the city, which makes it fun and a little nostalgic thinking about all the episodes and references. I took no longer than like 15 minutes. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. If you're looking for a spot that mixes pop-culture nostalgia, solid fare, and a lively NYC neighborhood vibe -- this one's worth a stop. It leans more "moment experience" than "hidden gem," but its fun factor and overall quality make it memorable. I'll definitely keep it on my list for future visits and maybe bring F*R*I*E*N*D*S (ba-dum-tss) looking for an iconic NYC moment. TIPS: * The area is residential and mixed-use: be respectful, keep noise down if visiting early or late, and avoid blocking entrances.

Over the years, the place has become a real place of homage for the nostalgic fans of the show…read more Almost 20 years have passed since the end of Friends, but it's still impressive to see the number of people who still gather in front of this iconic building! at the corner of Grove Street and Bedford Street, in West Village (Manhattan), It's very easy to recognize it because the facade has absolutely not changed since the end of the series. Fun Fact: Why was this building chosen for the series? Ans: One of the producers simply explained afterward that it was one of the buildings where he had lived as a child. On the ground floor is the Mediterranean restaurant Little Owl, which has a cheery firehouse-red façade and blue awnings.

Happy Year of the Fire Horse 2026!!…read more Neil Diamond's song, "Coming to America", is playing in my head as I write this review. The year was 1970. I had just turned 2 when we came to the U.S. from Hong Kong on one of the coldest February days. My mom always tells the story of how we landed at JFK with 2 feet of snow up to her knees. My beloved grandfather had settled in America 4 decades earlier before we arrived. Living in the outskirts of Chinatown has helped me not lose sight of where I came from. NYC's Chinatown spans roughly 50 blocks compare to SF's 30 square blocks. The city is one of the most expensive places to live in, but Chinatown offers tons of cheap eats. One can get an authentic delicious meal for under $10. I definitely miss some of the OG places when I was a kid like the old movie theaters and the bahn mi place ($2.50 a sandwich) under the subway tracks on East Broadway but it is cool to see new trendy places popping up. Here is my list of must visits: - Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (Asian-inspired flavors) - Hop Kee Restaurant (Authentic Cantonese food) - Joe's Shanghai (best dumplings) - Mei Lai Wah (best bbq roast pork & pineapple buns) - Peking Duck House (OG) - Spongies Cafe (my new favorite spot) - Xi'an Famous Foods - Wah Fung No. 1 (fresh roast pork and duck meats over rice) - Wo Hop (Authentic Hong Kong Cuisine) And the list goes on... I have visited many Chinatowns around the world, I might be a bit bias but I think we have one of the best one hands down. Come on down and see the best CNY Lion Dances (they train rigorously throughout the year) performed by the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club aka Hung Ching. My BIL has been a part of this club for decades. It was founded in 1956, making it 70 years old this year.

Excellent shopping and delicious Chinese cuisine can be had in Chinatown. Nice souvenirs can be had…read morefor much more affordable price. Located right next to Soho, Chinatown is an excellent place to come if visiting New York. There's another Chinatown in Brooklyn which I heard is even cheaper than this which I find to be kind of ridiculous. Five stars and two thumbs up.

One of my favorite parts in the BK!!…read more Down. Under . The .Manhattan Bridge. So much history here! So many landmarks but my favorite is bridge! Try visiting at night at view the beautiful bridge. Lots of night life activities! Live performances! Vendors! Come during the summer!

I wanted to walk down the Brooklyn Bridge and check out DUMBO…read more Timing didn't work out though, and I read that the Brooklyn Bridge didn't end out convenient for checking out DUMBO (instead the Manhattan Bridge would work out better). So we took the subway out and headed to the popular Manhattan bridge view on Washington St, which is blocked off as a pedestrian area. Walked through the Main Street Park, past Pebble Beach, and towards the encased carousel. We learned a few things. Man is it loud here! The trains on the Manhattan Bridge make such noise! Don't pick a hotel here unless they are able to promise noise blocking construction. Okay, maybe that's the only thing I learned, since the other is more specific to me - don't walk around DUMBO when it is hot and humid. I was a blob, and just wanted to sit in the shade and drink water.

The Whispering Gallery is a New York moment that reminds you why the city is so special. Tucked…read moreinside Grand Central, it's charming and very New York. Stand at opposite corners, whisper into the wall, and somehow your voice travels perfectly across. You can stop by on a random weekday and end up smiling like a tourist. It's free, takes five minutes, and is perfect for a quick stop or showing out-of-town friends.

Yeah, it's kind of a goofy audio science phenomenon due to the architecture in Grand Central…read more Located in the lower level near the Oyster Bar you'll locate the whispering gallery, and in fact you might find other people doing the same thing smiling into a corner, whispering, and the other person on the opposite side of the arch can clearly hear you as if you're next to them. That's pretty much it. I tried it with a friend and it works.

Why would you want to visit or stay in a neighborhood that Patti Smith says feels a living museum?…read more Hugged by Greenwich Village at the north (Houston), Little Italy to the eat (Lafayette), Tribeca and Chinatown to the south (Canal), and Hudson Square to the west (6th Ave), the farmland turned into an affluent enclave, with the highest concentration of cast-iron architecture in the world in the 1800s. As the rich moved north, the district became NYC's premier retail, entertainment, and "hospitality" corridor (1850-1880) to industrial manufacturing center, especially garments and textiles (1880-1960) to target for demolition for a highway project. But then the artists came in, the reports claimed the area was vital, and preservationists protected it, allowing it to become the international center of the avant-garde art world in the 70s and 80s. Today, the neighborhood allegedly functions as a major upscale international shopping district, despite the fake handbags on blankets on the illegal sidewalk sales. I got a good deal on a Kartier watch. So, the vibe is rigid, geometric, heavy iron meets Belgian cobblestones, for a grounded and old feeling in contrast with the soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and wide open floor plans that flood the area with pale, northern light, which gives it the historic but chic museum feel. Plus, there is a lingering cool factor, a quiet swagger, rooted in the creative rebellion. If SoHo were a cocktail mixed from southern California neighborhoods, it would be 40% Los Angeles Arts District (structurally and historically), 34% Abbot Kinney/Venice (hyper-curated indie retail and open-air runway feel); 25% Old Pasadena (living museum feel), 1% Hollywood (the touristy-heavy trashiest parts locals avoid). But, my wife and I love it because of the location and the many shops, restaurants, experiences, and bars within a square mile. Check my reviews on Dominique Ansel, Trader Joe's, Polo Ralph Lauren, Uniqlo Soho, a Target boutique, Lucia Pizza, McDonald's, Aviator Nation, 260 Sample Sale, Softside, $1.50 Pizza, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Plus, within walking distance: Hamburger America and Emily (Greenwich Village), Prince Street Pizza, Thai Diner, and 7th Street Burger (Nolita), Solita Soho Hotel, Ceres, and L'Industrie Pizzeria (Little Italy), Au Cheval, All Blues, and Best Western Soho Hotel (Chinatown), and the Ghostbusters Fire Station, Roxy Hotel, and Bubby's (Tribeca).

Put on my walking shoes and off I am to SoHo. Shopping at unique boutiques. Feasting my eyes with…read morestimulating street art and art galleries. Savoring at enchanting coffee shops and iconic restaurants. I love it here! CHEERS!

If you're in the area it's work stopping by! Interesting little trinkets everywhere. I wouldn't…read moremake a special trip to the neighborhood, but if you're only a street or 2 over you should definitely check it out

Such an unexpected gem that hits you out of nowhere as you walk down Wycoff. Beautiful artwork and…read morenecessary racial justice messages presented. It's worth the walk!

I haven't been back since the pandemic, when I lost my mind over Very Fresh Noodles and because we…read morehad to eat outside, I didn't even get to explore much of anything. I visited right after opening, a little after 10 am (many businesses do not open until 11am, like my beloved Seed+Mill). My first impression was that it reminded me of a food hall similar to what I experienced in various cities in Japan. The variety of foods available is impressive and you really can find it all here, from an Italian grocer to Japanese to the various food stands offering everything from BBQ to the best halvah I've ever had. And there's a Pearl River Mart and other places to find gifts and souvenirs. My favorite of this ilk is Muji Market, which has all the Japanese amazing things! Also of note: very clean bathrooms. It reminds me of the bathrooms at Grand Central, a lot of stalls, sinks in the center, only much, much more pleasant. I'll be back as soon as I can. It's silly that I didn't come here when I actually lived in New York.

Swung by on a Saturday evening at 9pm for about 30 minutes while waiting for a late dinner…read morereservation. The physical location is open to 10pm though most shops and restaurants inside are closed by 8-9pm, only a handful of places like Chote Miya, Miznon, and La Devocione were still open though also wrapping up business for the evening. Wanted to highlight a few more stores here for this review: - Moon Man Foods: a Brooklyn-based company, they have a small stand about a third of the way thru the market (walking east to west), selling southeast Asian kaya jam, which is coconut-based and contain eggs, coconut milk, sugar, starch, and salt. They come in pandan, ube, and Java palm sugar (aka gula melaka) flavors. - Pearl River Mart and Pearl River Mart Foods: back in the day they used to be located in SoHo on Broadway, though rising rents made them relocate, and I'm glad they're still around! They carry all sorts of Asian-inspired decor, serving ware, stationery, and their "Foods" location downstairs is combination of Asian grocery, bubble tea (Milk & Tea), and Korean and Chinese snack/takeout stands (Kimbap Lab and Mao's Bao's). - Muji Market: this is a smaller location that carries a narrower assortment than your average Muji (house wares, basic apparel, accessories, kitchenware, snacks), though they have a full cafe serving coffee and matcha, simple Japanese lunch items like bowls, sandwiches and bento. Cafe prices seem a little higher probably due to the location. - gallery art: there is a small whitewashed hallway gallery of maybe a couple dozen small pieces by local artists, featuring NYC-centric photos, sketches, paintings, multi-media. Found this fun and entertaining!

Didn't expect to see this in the middle of the Central Park!!! 19-century style folly sitting atop…read morea rock in the Central Park!! Well preserved clean and beautiful!!!

Belvedere Castle is a charming location that gives Central Park an almost fairy-tale atmosphere…read more The views from the castle are beautiful and provide a completely different perspective of the lake and surrounding park landscape. The architecture feels both romantic and historic. It is a perfect spot for photography, relaxation, and a bit of exploration--the visit is absolutely worthwhile.