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Though each of New York’s five boroughs offers enough to fill any traveler’s itinerary, Manhattan is the most famous and most visited of the group, home to the majority of the city’s most iconic landmarks, its top museums, and its best hotels. And when it comes to the design scene, Manhattan has quite a lot going on, from galleries, showrooms, and shops, to bars and restaurants with impressive interiors. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, check out our picks for the best things to do, where to eat and drink, where to shop, and the best places to stay.
WHAT TO DO
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): One of the most revered art museums in the world, MoMA is known not only for its art collection but also its holdings of modern design. The museum closed on June 15, 2019, to complete the final phase of its $400 million renovation by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in partnership with Gensler, and it is expected to reopen in October 2019. moma.org
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: For a comprehensive overview of 3,000 years of design, visit this Upper East Side museum, which holds a 210,000-object collection of everything from posters to jewelry to furniture. It’s housed in the Carnegie Mansion, Andrew Carnegie’s former 64-room home, built in the English Georgian style. cooperhewitt.org
Go on a Gallery Crawl: There are too many worthy design galleries and showrooms in Manhattan to name just one, so we recommend visiting a few while you’re in town. Some of our favorites include Carpenters Workshop, R & Company, Colony, the Future Perfect, and Patrick Parrish, among many others.
Take an Architecture Boat Tour: The New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects has partnered with Classic Harbor Line to offer architecture-themed boat tours of Manhattan, from a nearly three-hour circumnavigation of the island (served with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a beer, wine, or Champagne) to a 90-minute tour specializing in lower Manhattan—which will include incredible views of One World Trade Center, home to Architectural Digest's parent company, Condé Nast. aiany.org
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Dear Irving on Hudson: Set atop the Aliz Hotel in Midtown, Dear Irving on Hudson offers strong cocktails with spectacular views. The 40th floor takes a 1960s-era James Bond aesthetic, while the 41st floor, which is reservation-only, channels a bright Art Deco theme. The bar’s sister, the original Dear Irving on Irving Place, also offers a time-traveling decor scheme—and delicious drinks. dearirving.com
Shun: Chef Alain Verzeroli, who trained under the legendary late chef Joël Robuchon, is serving Japanese-influenced French cuisine at this new eatery, opened just this summer. While the main dining room impresses with its streamlined decor, it’s the neighboring cocktail lounge, Bar Shun, that takes the cake, with an impressive Art Deco interior. shun-nyc.com
Flora Bar: Set on the lower level of Marcel Breuer’s famous Brutalist edifice that was formerly the Whitney Museum and is currently a satellite of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Flora Bar is both a café and a bar, perfect not only for hungry museum patrons but also for anyone strolling through the neighborhood. There’s also the adjacent Flora Coffee for a more casual stop. Take in the architect’s legendary building as you sip your cocktail or your coffee. florabarnyc.com
WHERE TO SHOP
ABC Carpet & Home: Fittingly, the handwoven, internationally sourced carpet selection at this four-floor outpost is unrivaled in the city, but that’s hardly the only reason to visit. From teapots to Turkish towels, ABC Carpet & Home is a one-stop destination if you favor whimsical creations that are all about unexpected details. Don’t miss the three Jean-Georges restaurants inside. abchome.com
Design Within Reach: The sleek wares in DWR’s Flatiron showroom are a perennial source of inspiration for design novices and experienced shoppers alike, who stop in for items like the Sean Yoo–designed Matera bed frames and wing chairs designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn. dwr.com
Jung Lee NY: Event planner Jung Lee launched her eponymous store as a loftlike space where shoppers can browse for flatware, dishware, and serving pieces by walking through a formal dining room, a breakfast nook, a library, and a greenhouse. The perk of this house tour? Everything (including the flowers) is for sale. While one-of-a-kind decor from around the world dominates, be prepared to find Hermès hostess gifts next to acrylic dessert plates on the cheap. jungleeny.com
Roman and Williams Guild New York: How many furniture stores in New York (or the world, for that matter) also offer buckwheat crêpes, or wine, or a flower shop, or a library? The answer is one: Roman and Williams Guild New York. The firm’s 7,000-foot flagship store, which is located in SoHo, is the ultimate space that showcases the furniture from one of the design world's most exciting duos. rwguild.com
WHERE TO STAY
Lotte New York Palace: For classic New York luxury, stay at the Lotte New York Palace, housed in six neo-Italian townhouses on Madison Avenue by McKim, Mead & White, built in 1882, as well as an adjacent 55-story tower from 1974. There are six restaurants and bars to choose from here; in the summer, you can enjoy a glass of rosé and light bites in the courtyard, while in the winter, you can retreat to the sumptuous Gold Room for a tipple. This summer the hotel launched a summer rosé courtyard in collaboration with Chateau d’Esclans. Every “wine Wednesday” (until September 18), guests can gather to sip on rosé and have some artisanal snacks while listening to live music (with views of New York's famous St. Patrick's Cathedral in the background). lottenypalace.com
The Times Square Edition: Ian Schrager returns to Times Square with this towering hotel, designed by Yabu Pushelberg in collaboration with ISC Design Studio, which opened in March this year. The hotel is designed to be an oasis above the chaos of the surrounding neighborhood, with utterly serene guest rooms, a greenery-filled beer garden, and the swanky 701West restaurant. editionhotels.com
Crosby Street Hotel: Those seeking a boutique accommodation will delight in Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, a whimsical yet sophisticated property owned and decorated by designer Kit Kemp. Even if you’re not a guest, you’ll want to book afternoon tea here, served in the quirky Crosby Bar or on the quiet courtyard terrace. firmdalehotels.com
