The best freshly pulled noodles. My favorite is braised pork with noodles in broth, celery and cilantro add a delicious freshness. Perfect for a cold day.

Leaf through over 30,000 artists' sketchbooks in what may be the world's largest collection.

This is another neighborhood favorite, especially for Sunday brunch which is consistently great.

The design and photography floor at Barnes & Noble bookstore in Union Square.

You can't say you've seen NYC until you've seen it from a boat. Hop on the ferry from anywhere to anywhere and you'll see what I mean. Not only will you see excellent old buildings and factories--the inner workings of the old industrial city--but you'll head out under working bridges and see the skyscrapers in all their towering glory. And once you've done it, do it again, at night.