NYC Recommendations: 2024 WTCA Member Forum

Statue of Liberty

A colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States. The copper statue, a gift from the people of France, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel.

Visit Lady Liberty on her birthday week! The Statue of Liberty's 138th birthday is on October 28, 2024.

Address: Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004

Website: https://www.statueoflibertytickets.com/

Price: $31.50 - $81.50

Summit One Vanderbilt

Measuring 1,401 feet tall, One Vanderbilt is the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan and among the top 30 tallest buildings in the world. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was conceived as an NYC immersive art experience that compels you to question your perception of the built environment, the natural world around you, and your sensorial reality.

Address: 45 East 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (near Grand Central station)

Website: https://summitov.com/

Price: $43 - $63

SoHo (“South of Houston Street”)

Designer boutiques, fancy chain stores and high-end art galleries make trendy SoHo a top shopping destination. Known for its elegant cast-iron-facades and cobblestone streets, the neighborhood is also an atmospheric backdrop for fashionable crowds clustering at high-end restaurants and nightlife hotspots.

Address: Between Houston Street (on the north side) and Canal Street (on the south side); with 6th Avenue (on the west side) and Lafayette Street (on the east side)

Website: https://www.nyctourism.com/itineraries/essential-soho-shopping-guide

MTA Subway

Single-ride fare costs USD $2.90/person, but for a 7-day unlimited pass, it costs USD $34.00/person. Metrocards can be purchased at a nearby subway station (fee of USD $1.00 will be applied to purchase a brand new Metrocard before loading the value of the card). Kiosks accept cash and credit/debit cards.

NOTE: Do not accept a free swipe/discounted swipe from scammers hanging out at the local subway stations, or try to evade paying the metro fee.

Website: https://new.mta.info/

Crystal Edn, Executive Director-Member Services

Favorite Coffee Shop:
Bean & Bean $$ Address: 71 Broadway New York, NY 10006 Website: https://beannbeancoffee.com/

Favorite Coffee Shop:

Bean & Bean $$

Address: 71 Broadway New York, NY 10006

Website: https://beannbeancoffee.com/

Favorite Activities:
The High Line Free A 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan. Address: Entrance on 30th Street at Hudson Yards, or on the corner of 23rd Street and 10th Avenue (by Chelsea Market) Website: https://www.thehighline.org/	Brooklyn Academy of Music $$ Center for progressive and avant-garde performance Address: 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Website: https://www.bam.org

Favorite Activities:

The High Line Free

A 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan.

Address: Entrance on 30th Street at Hudson Yards, or on the corner of 23rd Street and 10th Avenue (by Chelsea Market)

Website: https://www.thehighline.org/

Brooklyn Academy of Music $$

Center for progressive and avant-garde performance

Address: 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: https://www.bam.org

Sharon Armogan-Aguayo, Member Engagement Manager

Favorite Restaurants:
Industry Kitchen $$ Enjoy small plates that are shareable with a great view of the pier. It is within walking distance from Convene. Address: 70 South Street, New York, NY 10005 Website: https://www.industry-kitchen.com/	Lamia's Fish Market $$ Known for its ambiance and amazing seafood. Address: 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 Website: https://www.lamiasfishmarket.com/
Grand Central Oyster Bar $$ Iconic landmark (built by baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, opened in 1913), features vaulted tiled ceilings. The archway in front of the restaurant is also famous for its acoustical quirk make it a "whispering" gallery/wall. Address: 89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 Website: https://www.oysterbarny.com/contact/	Philippe Chow $$$ Upscale Chinese restaurant - Dress code required Address: 355 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011 Website: https://www.philippechow.com/
Buddakan $$$ Asian fusion restaurant which presents the vivid flavors of the far East in surreal atmosphere that marries the serenity of Asia with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris. Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Website: https://buddakannyc.com/

Favorite Restaurants:

Industry Kitchen $$

Enjoy small plates that are shareable with a great view of the pier. It is within walking distance from Convene.

Address: 70 South Street, New York, NY 10005

Website: https://www.industry-kitchen.com/

Lamia's Fish Market $$

Known for its ambiance and amazing seafood.

Address: 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Website: https://www.lamiasfishmarket.com/

Grand Central Oyster Bar $$

Iconic landmark (built by baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, opened in 1913), features vaulted tiled ceilings. The archway in front of the restaurant is also famous for its acoustical quirk make it a "whispering" gallery/wall.

Address: 89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

Website: https://www.oysterbarny.com/contact/

Philippe Chow $$$

Upscale Chinese restaurant - Dress code required

Address: 355 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

Website: https://www.philippechow.com/

Buddakan $$$

Asian fusion restaurant which presents the vivid flavors of the far East in surreal atmosphere that marries the serenity of Asia with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris.

Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Website: https://buddakannyc.com/

Favorite Activities:
Gonzalez y Gonzalez (Restaurant & Dancing) $$ Mexican restaurant featuring happy hours, salsa bands & free salsa dance classes, plus a dance club. Address: 192 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: https://gygnyc.com/	Bryant Park $ Variety of activities for October Address: 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York, NY 10018 Website: https://bryantpark.org/calendar
Broadway Shows $$ Aladdin, Harry Potter, Lion King, MJ, Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and the Book of Mormon (favs) Address: Times Square Area, New York, NY 10036 Website: https://www.broadway.com/	Museums (favs) $$ Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Museum of Natural History NY Transit Museum The Met Cloisters The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Website: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-new-york-city

Favorite Activities:

Gonzalez y Gonzalez (Restaurant & Dancing) $$

Mexican restaurant featuring happy hours, salsa bands & free salsa dance classes, plus a dance club.

Address: 192 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012

Website: https://gygnyc.com/

Bryant Park $

Variety of activities for October
Address: 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York, NY 10018
Website: https://bryantpark.org/calendar

Broadway Shows $$

Aladdin, Harry Potter, Lion King, MJ, Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and the Book of Mormon (favs)
Address: Times Square Area, New York, NY 10036
Website: https://www.broadway.com/

Museums (favs) $$

Guggenheim
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Museum of Natural History
NY Transit Museum
The Met Cloisters
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Website: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-new-york-city

Favorite Place to Shop:
Bloomingdale's $$ Upscale department store for choice apparel, accessories & cosmetics, plus furniture & home goods. Address: 1000 3rd Avenue, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 Website: https://www.bloomingdales.com/stores/ny/newyork/59-street_1.html

Favorite Place to Shop:

Bloomingdale's $$

Upscale department store for choice apparel, accessories & cosmetics, plus furniture & home goods.

Address: 1000 3rd Avenue, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

Website: https://www.bloomingdales.com/stores/ny/newyork/59-street_1.html

Chanelle Dimalanta, Senior Communications Manager

Favorite Restaurants:
L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele $$ The NYC outpost of the famed Napoli pizzeria from the movie “Eat Pray Love.” Address: 2 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014 Website: https://damicheleusa.com/nyc/	Tokyo Record Bar $$ Tiny izakaya offering prix fixe Japanese menus, à la carte dining & vinyl playlists. Address: 127 Macdougal Street (look for the fox), New York, NY 10012 Website: https://tokyorecordbar.com/
Pastis $$$ A beloved favorite, Pastis has returned to New York City's Meatpacking District, serving traditional French fare. Address: 52 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014 Website: https://pastisnyc.com/	Thai Diner $$ Classic Thai dishes and drinks by a lauded restaurant group in a kitschy-cool, diner-style setting. Address: 186 Mott Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: https://www.thaidiner.com/

Favorite Restaurants:

L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele $$

The NYC outpost of the famed Napoli pizzeria from the movie “Eat Pray Love.”

Address: 2 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014

Website: https://damicheleusa.com/nyc/

Tokyo Record Bar $$

Tiny izakaya offering prix fixe Japanese menus, à la carte dining & vinyl playlists.

Address: 127 Macdougal Street (look for the fox), New York, NY 10012

Website: https://tokyorecordbar.com/

Pastis $$$

A beloved favorite, Pastis has returned to New York City's Meatpacking District, serving traditional French fare.

Address: 52 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014

Website: https://pastisnyc.com/

Thai Diner $$

Classic Thai dishes and drinks by a lauded restaurant group in a kitschy-cool, diner-style setting.

Address: 186 Mott Street, New York, NY 10012

Website: https://www.thaidiner.com/

Favorite Bars:
Attaboy $$ Innovative, creative cocktails & classic concoctions mixed up in a trendy industrial-style space. Address: 134 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us	Patent Pending $$$ Low-lit bar behind a hidden door in Patent Coffee, serving cocktails with an electric theme. The Radio Wave Building is where Nikola Tesla once lived and worked. Reservations are highly recommended. Address: The Radio Wave Building, 49 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001 Website: https://www.patentpendingnyc.com/
Caffe Dante NYC (Greenwich Village) $$ Known for their extensive Negroni menu. Legendary circa-1915 café serving small plates & cocktails in an updated historic setting. Address: 79-81 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: https://www.dante-nyc.com/location/dante-nyc/	Dante West Village $$ Known for their extensive martini menu. Celebrated, stylish seafood & grill restaurant offshoot with an aperitivo bar & a terrace. Address: 551 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014 Website: https://www.dante-nyc.com/wv/

Favorite Bars:

Attaboy $$

Innovative, creative cocktails & classic concoctions mixed up in a trendy industrial-style space.

Address: 134 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002

Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us

Patent Pending $$$

Low-lit bar behind a hidden door in Patent Coffee, serving cocktails with an electric theme. The Radio Wave Building is where Nikola Tesla once lived and worked. Reservations are highly recommended.

Address: The Radio Wave Building, 49 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001

Website: https://www.patentpendingnyc.com/

Caffe Dante NYC (Greenwich Village) $$

Known for their extensive Negroni menu. Legendary circa-1915 café serving small plates & cocktails in an updated historic setting.

Address: 79-81 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012

Website: https://www.dante-nyc.com/location/dante-nyc/

Dante West Village $$

Known for their extensive martini menu. Celebrated, stylish seafood & grill restaurant offshoot with an aperitivo bar & a terrace.

Address: 551 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

Website: https://www.dante-nyc.com/wv/

Favorite Activities:
Classic Harbor Line Cruises $$ Luxurious yacht cruises with stunning views. Step aboard for the ultimate experience. The day sails are perfect for guests interested in seeing the sites of NYC. Address: 62 Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, New York, NY 10011 Website: https://sail-nyc.com	Speakeasy Magick $$ Join for an unprecedented night of magic as you’ve never before seen, featuring a changing roster of New York City’s best magicians. Address: 25 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10010 Website: https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/speakeasy-magick/
The Django Jazz Club $$ Cave-like, Paris-inspired jazz venue & cocktail bar under the Roxy Hotel, with regular live acts. Address: The Roxy Hotel, Cellar Level, 2 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013 Website: https://www.roxyhotelnyc.com/dining/the-django/	The Gutter L.E.S. $ The newest location at Essex Crossing has 12 vintage bowling lanes, a 100-foot bar with 4 big screen TVs, 24 American craft beers on tap, and a full kitchen featuring brick oven pizza. Address: 77 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: https://www.thegutterbarles.com/lower-east-side
Fall Foliage around Central Park Free The park spans 843 acres, starting at 59th Street (with Columbus Circle on the west side, and 5th Avenue on the east side)

Favorite Activities:

Classic Harbor Line Cruises $$

Luxurious yacht cruises with stunning views. Step aboard for the ultimate experience. The day sails are perfect for guests interested in seeing the sites of NYC.

Address: 62 Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, New York, NY 10011

Website: https://sail-nyc.com

Speakeasy Magick $$

Join for an unprecedented night of magic as you’ve never before seen, featuring a changing roster of New York City’s best magicians.

Address: 25 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10010

Website: https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/speakeasy-magick/

The Django Jazz Club $$

Cave-like, Paris-inspired jazz venue & cocktail bar under the Roxy Hotel, with regular live acts.

Address: The Roxy Hotel, Cellar Level, 2 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013

Website: https://www.roxyhotelnyc.com/dining/the-django/

The Gutter L.E.S. $

The newest location at Essex Crossing has 12 vintage bowling lanes, a 100-foot bar with 4 big screen TVs, 24 American craft beers on tap, and a full kitchen featuring brick oven pizza.

Address: 77 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002

Website: https://www.thegutterbarles.com/lower-east-side

Fall Foliage around Central Park Free

The park spans 843 acres, starting at 59th Street (with Columbus Circle on the west side, and 5th Avenue on the east side)

Favorite Place to Shop:
Bloomingdale's $$ Upscale department store for choice apparel, accessories & cosmetics, plus furniture & home goods. Address: 1000 3rd Avenue, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 Website: https://www.bloomingdales.com/stores/ny/newyork/59-street_1.html

Favorite Place to Shop:

Bloomingdale's $$

Upscale department store for choice apparel, accessories & cosmetics, plus furniture & home goods.

Address: 1000 3rd Avenue, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

Website: https://www.bloomingdales.com/stores/ny/newyork/59-street_1.html

Fahima Hussain, Membership Coordinator

Favorite Place to Shop:	Favorite Activity:
34th Street Herald Square $$ Over 175 department stores, specialty shops, and national chain flagships, 34th Street offers a huge selection of apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry and more! Address: 104 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10018	Beat the Bomb Brooklyn $ Teams of 4 to 6 suit up in hazmat gear and advance through a series of hi-tech video game rooms. Address: 255 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: https://beatthebomb.com/brooklyn

Favorite Place to Shop:

Favorite Activity:

34th Street Herald Square $$

Over 175 department stores, specialty shops, and national chain flagships, 34th Street offers a huge selection of apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry and more!

Address: 104 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10018

Beat the Bomb Brooklyn $

Teams of 4 to 6 suit up in hazmat gear and advance through a series of hi-tech video game rooms.

Address: 255 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: https://beatthebomb.com/brooklyn

Favorite Restaurants:
Prince Tea House East Village $$ Asian-European fusion dessert, brunch, and afternoon tea spot. Address: 204 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003 Website: https://www.princeteahouse.com/	K-Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot $$ An all-you-can-eat dining experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavors. Address: 430 Albee Square West, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: https://thekpot.com/

Favorite Restaurants:

Prince Tea House East Village $$

Asian-European fusion dessert, brunch, and afternoon tea spot.

Address: 204 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003

Website: https://www.princeteahouse.com/

K-Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot $$

An all-you-can-eat dining experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavors.

Address: 430 Albee Square West, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: https://thekpot.com/

Aubrey Ball, Membership Programs Coordinator

Favorite Restaurants:
Tea and Sympathy $$ Classic English fare with high tea. Address: 108 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Website: https://www.teaandsympathy.com/	Witch Topokki $$ Customize and share topokki pots along with other Korean street food fare. Address: 330 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 Website: https://witchtopokki.com/

Favorite Restaurants:

Tea and Sympathy $$

Classic English fare with high tea.

Address: 108 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Website: https://www.teaandsympathy.com/

Witch Topokki $$

Customize and share topokki pots along with other Korean street food fare.

Address: 330 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Website: https://witchtopokki.com/

Favorite Activities:
Uncommons West Village $ Board game café with hundreds of games to choose from, with food and drink options. Address: 230 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: uncommonsnyc.com	Nitehawk Cinema - Williamsburg $ Enjoy snacks or a full-service meal while watching both blockbusters and smaller independent films. Address: 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Website: https://nitehawkcinema.com/williamsburg/

Favorite Activities:

Uncommons West Village $

Board game café with hundreds of games to choose from, with food and drink options.

Address: 230 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Website: uncommonsnyc.com

Nitehawk Cinema - Williamsburg $

Enjoy snacks or a full-service meal while watching both blockbusters and smaller independent films.

Address: 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Website: https://nitehawkcinema.com/williamsburg/

Favorite Place to Shop:
Strand Bookstore $ NYC bookstore famous for it’s “18 miles of books.” Address: 828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 Website: https://www.strandbooks.com/

Favorite Place to Shop:

Strand Bookstore $

NYC bookstore famous for it’s “18 miles of books.”

Address: 828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Website: https://www.strandbooks.com/

Anais Jan, Membership Development Lead, Europe

Favorite Activities:
Wall Street/Pier 11 NYC Ferry from South Williamsburg to Wall Street $ The current East River route of NYC Ferry connects growing residential and business communities along the East River to communities in Midtown and the Financial District. Address: Gouverneur Lane at South Street, F.D.R. Drive Manhattan, NY 10005 Website: https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/east-river/	Metropolitan Opera $$$ Watch La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera; this year the opera is Il Trovatore (Giuseppe Verdi) by the time of the Member Forum Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 Website:https://www.metopera.org/

Favorite Activities:

Wall Street/Pier 11 NYC Ferry from South Williamsburg to Wall Street $

The current East River route of NYC Ferry connects growing residential and business communities along the East River to communities in Midtown and the Financial District.

Address: Gouverneur Lane at South Street, F.D.R. Drive
Manhattan, NY 10005

Website: https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/east-river/

Metropolitan Opera $$$

Watch La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera; this year the opera is Il Trovatore (Giuseppe Verdi) by the time of the Member Forum

Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

Website:https://www.metopera.org/