I have old friends in San Francisco who grudgingly tell me that the High Line is everything that's wrong with New York. Well, too bad. To me, it embodies a culture that's constantly reinventing itself: a defunct elevated railway that was becoming a burden to the city ("we used to climb up there to throw garbage bags full of rotting Korean food at the Hasids!", noted a successful photographer's assistant) becoming a startling example of urban greening for the public good. The expert landscaping makes it feel like walking on a Montauk beach - but a stone's throw from some of New York's most progressive galleries and hotels.

Well made Sushi run by a nice Japanese family. It's inexpensive, high quality - not fancy! Authentic I use it for a quick informal lunch!

This is where I bought Dax Snow's I love You Stupid and Richard Prince's John Duke Book both inspired me a lot.

 incredible curated and unique art shows

This burlesque club contains a stripper pole, but is hardly worth it unless you know someone who will hook up drinks.