When I first visited NY in 2010 the New Museum left a permanent impression. I love the architecture and the concept of the piled-white-shoe-box look-a-like building at the edge of the Lower East Side neighborhood. The exhibition program is appealingly different, and the bookstore in the foyer is not to be missed!

Always amazing installations - great bookstore 

Stupendous views of Manhattan and what feels like all of Brooklyn from the only tall-ish building around. And very good beer.

One of the last untapped areas of downtown Manhattan. Hand pulled noodles, cheap eats, and a concentrated area of families make this an often interesting place to explore.

Otherwild carries a little bit of everything: small-batch beauty products, artist-made ceramics, witchy necessities like incense and sage, punchy graphic tees, and everyone’s favorite feminist activity book: The Cunt Coloring Book. The LES shop is a great place to find unique gifts, but it also bills itself as a community gathering place.