Spots to TAKE FIVE – Manhattan

There’s something really special about getting lost wandering around Manhattan on a day when you don’t have anywhere to be. Sure you might have to dodge a biker or electric skateboarder at a moment’s notice, or wade through all the tourists if you end up in SoHo or Times Square, but there are so many amazing places in Manhattan that make it absolutely worth the trip. Just don’t tell that to my “friends” that never come visit me in Queens. In this short Spots to TAKE FIVE series, I’ll be highlighting each borough with their own report of interesting and unusual places to check out.

Elevated Acre – Financial District

Now if I told you to guess a neighborhood where you could go for some amazing public parks, your first guess probably wouldn’t be the Financial District. FiDi and Lower Manhattan are absolutely beautiful, but if you need a moment to get away from the crowds, find the escalator between two office buildings at 55 Water Street and check out the beautiful Elevated Acre! WIth a boardwalk and some beautiful gardens, plus some amazing views of the skyline and Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, you won’t regret checking this hidden space out.

Ford Foundation Building Rainforest – Midtown

In truly the least place you’d expect to see a Rainforest, the offices of the Ford Foundation Charity, you can have your breath taken away for a moment exploring this unique rainforest garden from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. A break in a warm, temperate greenhouse may be exactly what you need after walking around in the chilly air. While there’s not a day’s worth of activities here, it’s absolutely fascinating to visit and a great escape from the chaos of Manhattan foot traffic.

Spot Dessert Bar – Astor Place

There’s no shortage of amazing food in Manhattan, even your average food truck falafel on the corner is bound to be pretty top tier. The borough has everything from delicious cheap corner joints to random pop-ups with huge lines that keep up with every latest crazy dessert trend. One amazing place that will always be lodged in my heart forever is Spot Dessert Bar. With two small locations on the chaotic St. Mark’s Place, there’s a chance you’ve walked by this sacred ground without even knowing! Spot’s claim to fame are what they call “tapas desserts,” incredible dessert plates with flavor inspirations from all over the world, such as their signature Matcha Lava Cake, or Golden Toast. With a seasonally-rotating menu and a few constant classics, this is an amazing place to take your friends to absolutely blow their minds with an innovative dessert menu. Spot Dessert Bar also has locations in Koreatown and Flushing.

Pomander Walk – Upper West Side

If you want to check out a charming little block that will take you back to the Tudor Times without all the horrible parts of history, the Pomander Walk is a great spot to check out. It’s an Apartment Co-Op with very unique English-style architecture, with units that are famous for hardly ever cropping up on the market, not that any of us could afford them if they did! The Pomander Walk is on W 95th Street between West End Ave and Broadway. If you happen to be wandering the Upper West Side for an Autumn stroll, this is a great spot to take some cute pictures and fantasize about being a spoiled little Lord posing for a portrait that’ll get made fun of in a Museum someday

I hope this list of new options encourages you to plan a fun outing in Manhattan with some friends, or to treat yourself to a solo excursion to Spot Dessert Bar, because you deserve it. Those are all the Spots to TAKE FIVE I have for now, but check out my other posts coming shortly for even more spots all over New York City!