Things To Do In New York City

New York Harbor was once a prime shucking spot, teeming with oysters, mussels, and clams and lined with floating oyster barges. While that 19th-century heyday is long gone, you can channel its spirit at Grand Banks (Hudson River Park Pier 25; +1-212-660-6312), a beautifully restored fishing schooner serving up seasonal wild-caught fish. Slurp East and West Coast oysters from the shell, chow down on Maine lobster rolls, and sling back effervescent cocktails or rosé, all while admiring the panoramic views. Even though the boat remains firmly docked in the Hudson River, it feels transporting to linger here after sunset, as a sea breeze wafts overhead and the city lights begin to twinkle.

The Battery, a park fringed by water at Manhattan’s southern tip, was the appropriate site of the first New York Aquarium. SeaGlass Carousel (Water and State Streets.; +1-212-344-3491), a 2015 park addition, celebrates that legacy with its enchanting and wholly unconventional design. Rather than painted wooden horses circling a pole, fiberglass angelfish glide and rise and fall, taking kids—and kids at heart—on a bioluminescent underwater adventure. Color-changing illumination and evocative music from George Tsypin Opera Factory add to the magical effect. It’s not even a five-minute walk from The Wagner, notes Nisera, and manages to surprise and delight many guests.

From humble roots in the volunteer bucket brigades of colonial New York, the FDNY has grown to become the world’s second-largest municipal fire department. The New York City Fire Museum (278 Spring St.; +1-212-691-1303) vividly traces that evolution through exhibitions within a 1904 Beaux-Arts firehouse. Enter its red door, and you’ll encounter more than 10,000 artifacts, photographs, and documents. They range from the small-scale (vintage uniforms, brass helmets, old insurance claims) to ornate 19th century hand-drawn pumps and early motorized vehicles with leather seating and gleaming red paint. A special section pays tribute to the fallen firefighters of 9/11.

With fabulous people-watching, a palpable energy, and the potential for impromptu finds, New York is a city made for walking. When you’ve worked up an appetite, turn to Hudson Eats, a fancy food hall within Brookfield Place (225 Liberty St., +1-212-978-1698). It’s a 30,000-square-foot, one-stop destination for sampling top local chains: Black Seed’s hand-rolled, wood-oven-baked bagels; Mighty Quinn’s pulled-pork barbecue; Num Pang’s Cambodian sandwiches with a kick; and Blue Ribbon’s fresh sushi and customizable bento boxes. Even the design is elevated, thanks to custom walnut chairs, marble counters, and light flooding in from full-length windows. Nisera also recommends sauntering downstairs to the atrium—which often hosts free events—and following the passageway that connects to the Oculus at the World Trade Center.

North America’s first commercial brewery opened in 1632 on Stone Street, one of the city’s oldest paved roads. After a few centuries of ups and downs, in 2006 the street achieved landmark status, spurring its transition from gritty back alley to a lively drinking destination. Bars with outdoor seating line the pedestrian-only street, and some are admittedly touristy. Not so at Vintry Wine and Whiskey (57 Stone St.,+1- 212-480-9800), where the staff really know their stuff. They stock whiskey from small-batch producers and fine wines from France, Italy, Spain, and America and use both as bases for sophisticated cocktails. It’s the kind of spot where you’re bound to recognize an obscure favorite or make a great new discovery. Enjoy your drinks, along with small plates, in the cozy, candlelit interior or out on the atmospheric street.