An awesome, and sometimes free, ferry that links Manhattan at the Financial District to Ikea in Brooklyn via Red Hook. Very great views of the city and if you end up having to pay it's redeemable for a monetary discount towards an Ikea purchase. I think of it as a treat and an investment.

Always amazing installations - great bookstore 

This simple Manhattan salt house is shaped like a monumental grain of salt. The Shed is an effort by the city to make even their most utilitarian architecture into unique pieces of art.

A new-ish cinema located in the East Broadway section of Chinatown. They play a great selection of rare and vintage titles, plus hosting a considerable amount of director/cast Q&As post showing. People complain about their seats, but they're really not that bad. And yes, they have overpriced fancy snacks, but what theater has cheap snacks?! Go to Mission Chinese, Dimes, or Fat Raddish for dinner—all options around the corner. 

An institution in Carroll Gardens that never lets you down. Don’t miss the prunes dessert or the wine bar, Franks, next door.