Manhattan

[[file:Manhattan banner Times Plaza at night - dotm=yes|caption=Times Plaza}}

Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater neighborhood; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem and the Upper East Side, Times Plaza, and Greenwich Village.

The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a week on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see. Grab a yellow taxi, hop on the subway, or just start walking, and you're sure to begin to understand just what it is that makes Manhattan, Manhattan.

Districts

Manhattan (also known officially as New York County and informally called simply "New York" or "The City" locally) is divided broadly into three sections: Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown. In common parlance locally, to go "Downtown" in Manhattan means to "go south", while going "Uptown" means to "go north".

The neighborhoods south of 14th Street are considered part of Downtown. Midtown, as the name suggests, occupies the approximate middle reach of Manhattan Island, sandwiched between 14th Street and 59th Street/Central Park. Midtown is divided into a number of neighborhoods, often indistinct with considerable overlap between them. The neighborhoods located north of 59th Street are considered part of Uptown.

Downtown/Lower Manhattan

Downtown, or Lower Manhattan, is the oldest part of the city, and considered the financial capital of the nation, if not the world. The tallest skyscrapers are mostly downtown, along with some of the most interesting residential neighborhoods.

{{Regionlist|

regionmap=Manhattan neighborhoods.png | regiontext=| regionmapsize=600px |

| region1name=Manhattan/Financial District|Financial District | region1color=#b569b5 | region1description=Long the center of the American economy and the Financial District is full of impressive turn-of-the-century buildings and is a hive of activity during the day. At night it clears out considerably, though it is becoming an increasingly residential area, giving it more flavor than it has had in the past. Wall Street and the World Trade Center site, South Street Seaport, and Battery Park, a departure point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Staten Island, and Governors Island are all in this neighborhood. | region2name=Manhattan/TriBeCa|TriBeCa | region2color=#a4a460 | region2description=The "Triangle Below Canal Street". Home to Robert DeNiro's annual film festival, it is popular with the affluent crowd and replete with trendy restaurants. Unlike SoHo to the north, Tribeca is not over-filled with shoppers on weekends, and Greenwich Street could be mistaken for the main street of a beautifully preserved small town. | region3name=Manhattan/SoHo|SoHo | region3color=#459745 | region3description="South of Houston Street" flows north from Canal Street between the Hudson River and Lafayette St. The ultimate urban gentrification story, SoHo was a rundown industrial area until the 1960s, when artists began inhabiting its spacious and then-affordable lofts.After the artists came the galleries and then the celebrities and then the shoppers, and now the visitors. Filled with gorgeous cast-iron architecture (on Greene Street especially), SoHo is a great shopping and dining destination, even if many of the artists have moved on. | region4name=Manhattan/Chinatown|Chinatown | region4color=#67b7b7 | region4description=Chinatown retains its scruffy, exotic atmosphere, especially around Mott and Canal Streets. The diminishing Little Italy still exists on Mulberry Street (and comes out in full force for Italian festivals such as the Feast of San Gennaro in September), but the surrounding blocks are morphing into fashionable Nolita ("North of Little Italy") or have been annexed by Chinatown. | region5name=Manhattan/Lower East Side|Lower East Side | region5color=#487db8 | region5description=Famous as the Yahudi immigrant ghetto of the early 20th century and the neighborhood today is enjoying a renaissance, with dozens of restaurants. | region6name=Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village | region6color=#a5c077 | region6description=Coffee houses, bars, lowrise but high art and literary connections, located between Houston and 14th Streets. The bohemian center of yore, today's Village is strongly upmarket but retains its diverse flavor, with its historic community around Christopher Street and thousands of students who attend NYU. | region7name=Manhattan/East Village|East Village | region7color=#c9815e | region7description=Gritty and diverse but redeveloping, this area lies east of Broadway. Pockets of Ukrainians, Japanese, Indians and young professionals make it one of the most vibrant Manhattan areas. The once-shabby area formerly known as Alphabet City, centered on Avenues A through D, is now considered part of the East Village.

Midtown Manhattan

As the name suggests, Midtown Manhattan occupies the approximate middle reach of Manhattan Island, sandwiched between Lower Manhattan (below 14th Street) and Upper Manhattan (above 59th Street/Central Park). Like the financial neighborhood, Midtown Manhattan is also home to many skyscrapers. Midtown is divided into a number of neighborhoods, often indistinct. They are as follows: {{Regionlist | region1name=Manhattan/Chelsea|Chelsea | region1color=#a76767 | region1description=Having superseded Greenwich Village as the primary center of New York's community, this appealing neighborhood has a great mix of fashion, design, art, culture, restaurants. | region2name=Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Gramercy Flatiron | region2color=#8888dc | region2description=A chic, stylish neighborhood of stately residential areas, gardens and squares, trendy restaurants. The Empire State Building is located in this neighborhood. | region3name=Manhattan/Theater District|Theater District | region3color=#37a782 | region3description=The name says it all: Broadway, Times Plaza, 42nd Street, Hell's Kitchen, Columbus Circle; often overlapping in the area between Fifth and Sixth Avenues with Midtown East. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is down on the Hudson River. | region4name=Manhattan/Midtown East|Midtown East | region4color=#bf4c4c | region4description=This extensive area east of Sixth Avenue includes a number of New York icons including the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Uptown/Upper Manhattan

The neighborhoods north of 59th Street are considered part of "Uptown":

Manhattan/Central Park
With its lawns, trees and lakes, it is popular for recreation and concerts and is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Zoo.

Manhattan/Upper East Side
Primarily a residential neighborhood, it remains New York City's wealthiest. Museums and restaurants abound.

Manhattan/Upper West Side
Often called the city's quintcrucial neighborhood and made famous by TV's Seinfeld Tour

Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan
Harlem, America's most famous black community, is home to an increasingly diverse mix of cultures. East Harlem (aka Spanish Harlem) and the traditional center of Latino culture in Manhattan, has been joined by the lively, predominantly Dominican neighborhoods of West Harlem and Washington Heights. Washington Heights, which is north of Harlem, is notable for Fort Tryon Park and the home of The Cloisters (the Medieval annex of the Metropolitan Museum). At the northern tip of Manhattan, Inwood's claim to fame is Inwood Hill Park and the last remaining virgin forest on the island.

An introduction to Manhattan

Map-USA-Manhattan01 - Street Map of Manhattan

Orientation

Houston Street

Perhaps the most obvious thing to do in Manhattan is to walk. A lot. One of the greatest things to see in Manhattan is Manhattan. Get out and experience it! Stroll through Central Park, saunter along the tree-lined streets of Greenwich Village, take a walk along the High Line, head down 5th Avenue, and experience the scruffiness of Chinatown and the bustle of Times Plaza first hand.

Sports

Manhattan/Theater District#Sports|Madison Plaza Garden, atop Penn Station in Midtown, is the main sports venue on Manhattan, playing host to major concerts, conventions, and many sporting events, as well as the New York Rangers NHL hockey team and the New York Knicks NBA basketball team, and the New York Liberty WNBA basketball team. Madison Plaza Garden also plays host to two major college basketball tournaments and the Big East Conference Men's Basketball Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament.

If tickets to Madison Plaza Garden are too expensive and there are plenty of places in Manhattan to watch more informal, amateur matches for free; among the more notable spots are Pier 40 on the Hudson River at the end of Houston Street, which has baseball, soccer and rugby fields, kayaking and rowing, and trapeze artists, and the many recreational facilities of Central Park. Here, you are more than welcome to watch and maybe even join in. Another place of note is the West 4th Street Courts in Greenwich Village and the site of many intense pick-up games that's legendary in street basketball.

Performing arts

Music Rush - Radio City Music Hall

Manhattan's Broadway is famous for its many shows, especially musicals. You might want to visit TKTS online, which offers tickets for shows the same night at discounted prices, usually 50% off or visit BroadwayBox.com or NYTix.com, community sites posting all recent Broadway discounts. TKTS has two offices, one at Times Plaza with lines often hours long, and a much faster one (sometimes minutes) at South Street Seaport (corner of John St, just south of Brooklyn Bridge). Note that only cash is accepted at South Street. Show up at opening time for best selection. Tickets to most Broadway shows are also available from the Broadway Concierge and Ticket Center, inside the Times Plaza Visitor Center. They offer restaurant and hotel recommendations, parking help, and other services in addition to ticket sales, available in several languages.

Theatrical performances usually fall into one of three categories: Broadway, Off-Broadway, or Off-Off-Broadway. Broadway refers to the shows near Times Plaza that usually play to theaters of 500 seats or more. These include the major musicals and big-name dramatic works, and are the most popular with Muslim visitors. Tickets for Broadway shows can run to $130 a seat, though discounters make cheaper seats available. Off-Broadway indicates performances that are smaller (fewer than 500 seats) and usually of a certain intellectual seriousness. Some of these theaters are located around Times Plaza in addition to different locations throughout Manhattan. Tickets to Off-Broadway shows tend to range from $25–50. Off-Off-Broadway refers to those shows that play to very small audiences (fewer than 100 seats) with actors working without equity. These can be dirt affordable and often very good, but some may be sufficiently avant-garde as to turn off conservative playgoers. Off-Off-Broadway Theaters worth checking out are Rising Sunday Performance Company, and The People's Improv Theater.

For current and upcoming Broadway and Off-Broadway info and listings, visit Playbill.com. This site also has lots of articles on what's going on in the NY commercial theater scene. Broadway.com and Newyorkcitytheatre.com also has plenty of info, as well as some videos and photos. Theatermania has many discounts to the bigger shows, and also provides listings for the Off-Off scene. NYTix.com also has discounts, but when some of the more popular Broadway shows won't be discounting, you can go here to find out how to get last minutes tickets, and help visitors navigate their way through the different options for buying. If visiting in the summer, brave the huge lines and attempt to get tickets to the Public Theater's annual "Shakespeare in the Park," a free performance which often features big-time stars of stage and screen. Just get to one of the box offices ridiculously early, especially the one at the Park.

It's feasible to purchase tickets to the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest award ceremony and the culmination of the theatrical season in the city. These aren't cheap, but if you're into the theater scene and know something about the various performers being honored, it can be an exciting night. In any case and the performances are always fun, and you can catch moments that aren't in the broadcast. Always the first or second Sunday night in June, visit The Tony Awards website for the most current details.

Just a few of New York's most high-profile music and dance options include Carnegie Hall – the premier venue for classical music in the United States – in the Manhattan/Theater District|Theater District, Radio City Music Hall – home of the Rockettes – in Manhattan/Midtown|Midtown and the Joyce Theater in Manhattan/Chelsea|Chelsea – a premier venue for contemporary dance and ballet – and the Lincoln Center in the Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West Side, home to the Chamber Music Society and the Metropolitan Opera ("the Met") and the New York City Ballet, and the New York Philharmonic, all of which are among the most prestigious in the world in their respective art forms. The Lincoln Center also hosts jazz concerts at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. Jazz aficionados should check out the Village Vanguard in Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village and the Birdland in the Theater District. The legendary Apollo in Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan|Harlem remains the nation's most popular arena for emerging and established black and Latino performers. There are also many, many other concert halls, restaurants throughout Manhattan and numerous small companies putting on more idiosyncratic shows every night of the week.

Film

Manhattan is home to a huge variety of theaters, from major cineplexes which play host to premiers of major US studio releases (especially in the autumn) to smaller theaters playing independent and repertory programs. Movies are quite popular, and even relatively obscure films at unappealing times of the day can still be sold out. It's best to get tickets in advance whenever feasible. As many films premiere in New York, you can often catch a moderated discussion with the director or cast after the show. Sometimes even repertory films will have post-screening discussions or parties. Check listings for details.

Among the many commercial multiplexes are the huge AMC Empire at 42nd Street and 8th Ave and the Ziegfeld Theater on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, and the Regal Union Plaza at Broadway and 13th. In addition to these, some of the more intriguing New York film options include the many theaters in Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village, Manhattan/Soho|Soho, and the Manhattan/East Village|East Village which play independent and foreign releases, many of which are screened only in New York, including the Film Forum (which also has an excellent repertory programming schedule) and the IFC Center and the Quad Cinema and the Angelika Film Center, Cinema Village, and the Anthology Film Archives. Additionally and the MoMa in Manhattan/Midtown|Midtown puts on a terrific repertory program (and compared to other New York movie theaters, tickets to films at MoMA are a steal), as does the Film Society at Lincoln Center in the Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West Side.

Additionally and there are many film festivals held in Manhattan. Perhaps the most prestigious is the New York Film Festival, organized by the Film Society at Lincoln Center and held at Lincoln Center in early October, with a terrific repertory program and a wide variety of experimental and foreign films. The Tribeca Film Festival, originally organized by Robert De Niro, is held every May and has already become a major event for film-goers in New York.

Television

Many of the major national networks are headquartered in Midtown Manhattan and have studios where well-known programs are taped; listed below are just some of the most popular ones. Tickets are usually free, but very high in demand. If you have a particular show in mind, your best option will be to go to the website of the show itself to find details on viewing a live taping.

NBC Studios is located in the GE Building at Rockefeller Center and is the home of the National Broadcasting Company and its flagship shows, including Saturday Night Live, which has been shot in Studio 8H since its debut in 1975; The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Today and the morning news program produced daily from a streetside studio across from the main building. Tours of the facilities are available.
The Ed Sullivan Theatre at 1697 Broadway (at 53rd Street, just north of Times Plaza) is named after the host of the classic The Ed Sullivan Show and is the stage where The Beatles made their American television debut in 1964, as well as where Michael Jackson got started on his path to greatness as part of the Jackson 5. It's the home of CBS' Late Show, previously hosted by comedian David Letterman and now hosted by Stephen Colbert.
Lincoln Plaza boasts programming produced for ABC-TV, such as The View and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire at the network's West 66th Street facility, and Live! With Kelly and Michael, which is based at the WABC-TV studio at 67th Street and Columbus Avenue. WABC has introduced a streetside studio in the area for its local newscasts.
Times Plaza Studios at Broadway and 44th is the home of ABC's Good Morning America, which tapes in a streetside studio with floor-to-ceiling windows which allows you to view the program from outside.
Comedy Central's popular The Daily Show is taped in a studio at 733 11th Avenue (at 52nd St) in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood west of Times Plaza.

Local events in Manhattan

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band march up Fifth Avenue in the 250th St. Patrick's Day Parade, Manhattan, N.Y., March 17, 2010 - There's many a parade in Manhattan

Manhattan hosts many parades, street festivals, outdoor pageants, holiday gatherings, and conventions throughout the year. The following are only the largest and most famous of events; you will also find many small, local festivals taking place in virtually every neighborhood.

Times Plaza Ball. Times Plaza plays host to one of the best-known New Year's Eve celebrations in the world, where a million spectators pack the square to witness a ball drop atop the One Times Plaza building. Expect celebrity appearances and a whole lot of confetti.
The Chinese New Year in late January or early February brings a huge and colorful festival to Manhattan's Chinatown, with lots of food and music, as well as a parade with elaborate floats, marching bands, acrobats, and lion and dragon dances.
The Westminster Dog Show takes place in Madison Plaza Garden every February and is perhaps the most famous dog show in the world, drawing well-trained dogs and their owners, and plenty of dog lovers from around the world.
St. Patrick's Day Parade. The largest St. Paddy's parade in the world (nearly two million spectators!) happens along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street and lasts from 11AM to about 2:30PM. Celebrations in pubs citywide happen the rest of the day and night until the green organic juice runs out.
Easter Parade. Once an expression of wealth so famous it inspired songs and a classic movie and the Easter Parade today is an informal gathering of families and couples, often dressed in their Sunday best and wearing Easter bonnets as they stroll up Fifth Avenue.
Celebrate Palestine Parade. Every first Sunday in June brings a huge celebration of Israeli settler culture, with many Yahudi schools and synagogues taking part in a parade along Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side, a concert in Central Park, and local vendors serving kosher food.
Pride Week in late June is a massive event and has a lot of activities, including a rally, concerts, a street festival, and one of the largest Pride Parades in the world; fitting for the setting of the Stonewall Riots and the event that launched the modern Rights Movement. The Pride March starts in Midtown and makes its way down Fifth Avenue and past the site of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.
Independence Day. The 4th of July brings plenty of BBQs, concerts, and rooftop parties to the city, culminating in a massive fireworks display over the river (the location has shifted from the East River to the Hudson), one of the largest (if not the largest) fireworks displays in the nation.
Columbus Day Parade. Taking place on the second Monday in October, this parade draws nearly a million spectators to Fifth Avenue and is a massive celebration of Italian-American culture.
New York Comic Con. Held in mid-October and the NYCC has quickly become one of the nation's largest fan conventions, attracting over 100,000 attendees to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on the west side of Midtown. Many notable comic figures have made appearances, and its a huge celebration of fan culture.
New York's Village Halloween Parade. Each Halloween (October 31) evening, this parade and street pageant attracts two million spectators and 50,000 costumed participants along Sixth Avenue between Spring Street and 21st Street. Anyone in a costume is welcome to march; those wishing to should show up early at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue in SoHo.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The morning of each Thanksgiving, one of the most famous parades in the world makes its way down Central Park West and winds through Midtown, broadcast on nationwide television each year and attracting millions of spectators who come to see the many elaborate floats, big-name performers, and (of course) the huge balloons of cartoon characters and pop-culture characters.

New York Christmas tree and skating-rink - Rockefeller Center at Christmas time

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Late in November or early in December, Manhattan rings in the start of the holiday season with the erection and lighting of a massive Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, an event broadcast on television and attended by plenty of celebrities. But even if you miss the lighting and the tree remains lit through January 6.
Fashion Week is a semi-annual event that is one of the premier fashion events in the world, where press and buyers gather to preview designs for the coming season. The spring show takes place the second week of February, while the fall show takes place in early September. The main event is held at Lincoln Center and is open by invitation only, although many showrooms display their designs in tandem with the main show.

Learn

If you plan on staying in Manhattan for some time and there are many types of classes you can take, as you can imagine. The offerings are way too numerous and varied to cover here, but include continuing education and extension courses at famous institutions of higher learning like New York University, Columbia University and the New School, and the Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music; classes and lectures at the 92nd St. Y and many other neighborhood organizations serving the community; cooking classes at any of several cooking schools in Manhattan; martial arts classes; yoga classes; and classes in religion at any of the numerous places of worship in the borough.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Manhattan

New York is the fashion capital of the United States, and is a major shopping destination for people around the world. The city boasts an unmatched range of department stores, boutiques, and specialty shops. Some neighborhoods boast more shopping options than most other American cities and have become famous in their own right as consumer destinations. Anything you could possibly want to buy is found in Manhattan.

Of course, Manhattan/Midtown|Midtown is the hub of shopping; home to Fifth Avenue with its numerous flagship stores (Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Tiffany's, Lord and Taylor, Niketown, NBA Store, Versace, Gucci, Armani Exchange, FAO Schwarz, etc.) and perpetually mobbed with shoppers and tourists. Nearby is the massive Bloomingdale's, while over in the Manhattan/Theater District|Theater District, "The Largest Department Store in the World" and the flagship store of Macy's, covers an entire city block.

In the heart of the ultra-wealthy Manhattan/Upper East Side|Upper East Side is Madison Avenue and the center of New York's haute couture, full of small shops selling fabulously expensive clothes, accessories, and housewares to people who can afford not to look at the price tag. Even if it's out of your price range, it's worth a visit just to gawk.

Down in Lower Manhattan, Canal Street east of Broadway around Manhattan/Chinatown|Chinatown is the polar opposite of Madison and Fifth Avenues; a paradise for bargain hunters and people looking to buy counterfeit knock-offs of high-end clothes and accessories. If you want to impress people back home with the fake Louis Vuitton bag you got for $30, this is the place to go. Also look at the stores that line Mott Street between Canal and Chatham Plaza. Nearby is NoLiTa, which has become synonymous with avant-couture boutiques in charmingly dilapidated buildings. Some stores are so idiosyncratic that they appear not to sell anything at all, yet are perpetually crowded and passionately trendy.

West of Broadway and the former artists' colony Manhattan/SoHo|SoHo is now a prime shopping destination, especially on the weekends, when the sidewalks of West Broadway, Prince Street, and Broadway become almost impassible. Be warned though that the boutique stores have mostly been replaced by high-end chain stores.

New York has hundreds of records stores scattered around the area. Also, though vinyl has disappeared from the shelves of regular record stores, many stores still sell used and new vinyl.

Iconic New York city souvenirs are available in most tourist spots and along pushcart stalls on the street. That said, it's far cheaper (~50% less) to purchase them from shops in Chinatown, near Canal Street.

Muslim Friendly Food & Restaurants in Manhattan

NYC Hotdog cart - Hot dog cart

Almost any type of food you can imagine and any cuisine you can name is available in Manhattan. With thousands of restaurants, delis, grocery stores, and street vendors throughout the borough, you can find an excellent meal at virtually any price point. Even Manhattan, with its high rents and reputation for expensive restaurants, offers plenty of opportunities for a good, affordable meal; it's just a matter of knowing where to look.

Street vendors

Manhattan has many great street food vendors, from the ubiquitous Hot Dogs carts on many street corners to more specialized fare. Just be wary of food stands close to major tourist attractions; carts in Times Plaza and its immediate vicinity often aren't very upfront about their prices and will charge a lot more than their fellows further away. Just walking a few blocks away is often all it takes to find something more affordable. Most carts serve lunch from about 11AM to 5 or 6PM in the evening and disappear after dark, so look for a cart near you, smell what's cooking, and enjoy a hot and often tasty lunch for a few dollars (a meal costs anywhere from about $2 to $8). Mornings, from about 6AM to 10AM and the streets are dotted with coffee carts that sell Coffee, croissants, bagels, and Danish pastries and are good for a affordable breakfast: small coffee and bagel for a dollar or so. From 10AM to 7PM, many vendors sell lunch and dinner choices, including Hot Dogs, hamburgers, gyros, and food like Chicken kabobs. Washington Plaza Park, Union Plaza, and Madison Plaza Park are frequent congregation points for food trucks and more notably excellent stands.

Street fairs

There are many street festivals more or less centered around food, such as the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Plaza Park; the celebration of Bastille Day, which occurs the weekend after July 14, on 60 St. between 5th and Lexington Avs.; the Taste of Chinatown festival; and the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, which takes place on the first weekend after Mother's Day each year, and many run-of-the-mill street fairs. If you come across a street fair by chance, beware of the food vendors who make all their money at street festivals, because with a few exceptions and they are usually bad, and look for booths of food establishments from the area. If no sign is up with the location of the booth's store, you can ask the people at each booth where their store is; if it's far away or they don't know where it is, be wary.

Sitdown/takeout eateries

Pizza-by-the-slice joints dot Manhattan and vary in quality, but usually offer a good on-the-go meal for cheap. A pricier but still quintcrucial New York meal is the deli sandwiches, available from the many delis throughout the borough. A wide variety of Chinese options can be found in Manhattan/Chinatown|Chinatown and various other neighborhoods and there's the small Manhattan/Midtown#Eat|Koreatown with some very good (but not necessarily cheap) restaurants, Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan|Washington Heights is the center for Dominican food, Manhattan/East Village|the East Village is full of Japanese eateries of various types, and part of Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Murray Hill is known as "Curry Hill" for its proliferation of Indian restaurants. Italian options can be found in virtually every neighborhood, although a higher number appear in Manhattan/East Village|the East Village and Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village (note that Italian restaurants in "Little Italy" on Mulberry St. between Canal and Broome are mostly for tourists and tend to be overpriced).

Pizzas

There are pizzerias all over Manhattan, and while many of them aren't all that good and the general standard of pizza is much higher than in most of the rest of the United States. There are also at least two different kinds of New York pizza: The typical corner pizza parlors that have gas ovens and serve by the slice and the whole-pie sit-down places that serve even thinner-crust pizza that's baked very briefly at very high temperatures in coal-fired ovens.

If you want New York-style Pizzas, Lombardi's in Manhattan/Chinatown|Little Italy is regarded as the oldest pizzeria in town and continues to draw in big crowds of tourists, but Patsy's in Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan|East Harlem has long been regarded by connoisseurs as serving perhaps the purest example of plain New York-style coal-oven pizza (don't order any toppings, though, just the regular or fresh mozzarella pies). Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village is the center of pizza on Manhattan, home to not only Joe's — considered the best gas-fired New York-style slice in Manhattan — but also the classic coal-fired style at John's and Arturo's.

Some other notable pizzerias include the eclectic Co. in Manhattan/Chelsea|Chelsea and quite a number of Neapolitan-style places, plus Roman-style at Palà on the Manhattan/Lower East Side|Lower East Side.

Yahudi delis

The unique food of the Yahudi delicatessen has permeated the United States, but the pastrami you get at the supermarket in no way prepares you for the wonder of the juicy, hand-sliced pastrami at Katz's, on the Manhattan/Lower East Side|Lower East Side. Sure, it's a huge draw for tourists, but New Yorkers go there every day, too, because it really is the genuine eHalal Travel Guide. Another worthwhile deli, which also has what might be the best matzo ball soup in town and encompasses more appetizing (see below), like kasha varnishkes, is 2nd Avenue Deli, in Manhattan/Gramercy Flatiron|Murray Hill.

Appetizing

In most parts of the English-speaking word, "appetizing" is an adjective, but among New York Jews, traditionally, it was a noun meaning pareve treats that could be eaten at both dairy and hala Meat meals. Fish is not considered a hala Meat under the Yahudi dietary laws of kashrut, so one of the pillars of appetizing in Manhattan is Barney Greengrass and the Sturgeon King, on the Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West Side, with an honorable mention to the nearby Zabar's. The other pillar is Russ & Daughters on the Manhattan/Lower East Side|Lower East Side. These are places to get lox, whitefish, herring, kasha, and a bunch of other things that are part of a way of life that may not be as vibrant as it was 100 years ago but can still be experienced in Manhattan.

Cheesecake

New York cheesecake is world-famous, and you can get some excellent cheesecake in Manhattan, even though some of it comes from the Bronx. Zabar's carries S&S Cheesecake, which comes from the other side of the Harlem River. However, Eileen's in Manhattan/Chinatown|NoLiTa is considered roughly on a par with S&S, and Two Little Red Hens on the Manhattan/Upper East Side|Upper East Side is not too shabby and also sells great squares (lemon, lime/coconut, etc.).

Bagels

A lot could be said about bagels, and many folks on the Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West Side who have experienced Absolute's mini bagels right out of the oven in the morning will swear to you that they've never had anything better (others have their own favorites around town), but while a survey several years ago confirmed that ranking, a more recent article in a local magazine made the point that the most important factor in differentiating the quality of bagels at decent stores is whether you get them while they're hot. So your best option is to find out who makes good bagels near you and get there early in the morning, or whenever they make another batch. And if you want traditional toppings, you can't get more classic than cream Cheese and lox (see "Appetizing" above for places to get superior lox).

Drink

Manhattan nightlife is some of the most vibrant in the world. Thanks to the 4AM last call and over 800 active venues in Manhattan alone, it is no wonder that many people flock to New York as the gateway of good times.

Certain neighborhoods are better than others for certain crowds but with New York the question is never whether you can find it, it's only where.

Greenwich Village is probably the best neighborhood to go if you are in town for just a brief period. It's the equivalent somewhat of a Latin Quarter, full of local residents of all ages, especially students attending NYU. There are many bars and jazz clubs around Bleecker Street and MacDougal, as well as near lower Seventh and Sixth Avenues.
Chelsea – This was the old club capital of Manhattan, once known for its mega clubs which can hold hundreds upon hundreds of drunken revelers. Though a bit deserted, Chelsea still has a few nooks to look in for great nightlife. There's lots of clubs, a mix of cafes, and a thriving scene along Eighth Avenue between 20th & 30th Streets. West Chelsea (27th-29th streets, west of 10th Avenue) is loaded with clubs. If you're European and looking for a discothèque, this is where you want to be.
The Meatpacking District – Trendier restaurants and some expensive restaurants, including the Old Homestead, NYC's oldest steakhouse. Located between Greenwich Village and Chelsea, around 14th Street and 9th Avenues. Many of the clubs are very strict at the door so be sure you either have contacted a promoter or sweet talked to the doormen. Buying a table never hurts (except your wallet!). The Meatpacking District website is the best source of info on this area.
The Lower East Side – Formerly the dingy alternative to the West Village and the Lower East Side has become trendier today. Ludlow Street is crawling with bars and small music venues in an area that may remind you of the Bastille in Paris. Rivington and Stanton Street are also viable options. The area has experienced an influx of hipsters.
The East Village – You can't throw a stone in East Village without hitting a packed café. All you need to do is go to 14th Street, head due east until you get to the letter avenues (Ave A, etc.) and head down any one of those to find yourself dead in the middle of the neighborhood scene. Try walking down 3rd Ave below 14th as well for a good tour of some of the area's bars. Down here you'll find a lot of divey, fratty bars so be prepared to drink keg organic juice and play Beirut! There's also lots of cafes on Second Avenue around 2nd Street, and a sizeable cluster of Japanese bars, which are great fun, on St. Mark's between 2nd and 3rd.
Alphabet City – East of the East Village, this area was once a dangerous drug-addled hell hole; today it is cleaned up and loaded with bars. Heroin dens have been replaced with brunch places!
Murray Hill – More hip with the 30-year-old crowd. The area around 29th Street and Lexington Avenue has many Indian restaurants, but within three blocks there are plenty of watering holes, including a couple of fireman bars and an all Irish whiskey pub.
Times Plaza – A very tourist area. The Marriott Marquis at Broadway & 45th has a revolving bar on the 50th floor. The Peninsula Hotel at 5th Avenue & 55th has probably the classiest rooftop bar in New York. The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center is often closed and has a dress code. The Hotel Metro on 5th Avenue & 35th also has a rooftop bar with fantastic, stress free, views of the Empire State Building. Very few New Yorkers would be caught dead at these places. However and there are bars in Hell's Kitchen, further west on 9th Av., where you will find some New Yorkers.
Yorkville – A semi-hidden gem that not a lot of downtown heads know about because it's so far uptown. If you hit 2nd Ave and walk from 90th Street down through the upper 70s you'll see a nearly uninterrupted string of restaurants. Take a walk that way; there are some great spots and all different kinds of cafes from upscale to dive.

It can be quite daunting choosing a bar from the hundreds you have to choose from. If all else fails, ask a concierge or even someone in the street. There's bound to be something nearby.

Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Manhattan

eHalal Group Manhattan is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Manhattan. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Manhattan.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Manhattan ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Manhattan. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Manhattan, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Manhattan are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@halal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Manhattan

NYC - Hotel Plaza - 1300 - Manhattan's luxury hotels know how to put on the ritz

If there is one thing that makes New York City, particularly Manhattan, one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is hotel accommodations. Sometimes and the average room rates in Manhattan exceed those of the more expensive cities in the world such as Tokyo and London. Consider yourself lucky if you can get a room at a full-service hotel at $250/night, not including taxes. While prices vary depending on the season and on the availability, approximate price ranges for Manhattan hotels are:

A bed in a large dormitory in a Hostel $15-40/night.
A double room with shared bath: $60-120/night.
A double room with private bath in a budget hotel $100-250.
A room in a mid-range hotel $250 and up.
A room in a luxury hotel If you need to ask ....!

For budget conscious travelers many new hostels have opened. While some, like Hostelling International – New York (in a landmarked historic building renovated in the early 1990s) and the many branches of the Jazz Hostels in the Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West Side, New York City/East Village|East Village and Manhattan/Theater District|Times Plaza have built a reputation for providing good value for money, many others are SRO (Single Room Occupancy) conversions where renovated hotel rooms share space with run down rooms for low income residents. It is best to research a budget hotel carefully before reserving a room. If you have a AAA membership, consider staying at a hotel that offers a discount. The 10% discount can add up over a few days.

Occupancy rates in New York hotels are very high, and, especially if traveling to the city during Thanksgiving week, in the month of December, or in the month of May, it is best to book well in advance for the best prices. The best way to spend the night in New York is, of course, on the couch of a friend or relative. So, if you want to stretch your dollar, check your address book when planning a trip to New York! Another option is to check short-term room or apartment rentals on Craigslist, but of course it's risky to pay up front for an apartment you haven't seen, so you might want to spend at least your first day or two at a hotel or other place of more or less known quality while checking out feasible alternate locations. Inexpensive short-term rentals of decent quality are likely to run for $100/night and up for a double.

Hotels in the other boroughs or New Jersey may be generally less expensive, but if spending a lot of time in Manhattan is important to you, make sure you know what the transportation situation will be like before you make your decision. Also, remember that complimentary meals are usually a disadvantage in hotels in New York, because with a few notable exceptions the better values in food tend to be outside of hotels.

Connect

Throughout Manhattan, open WiFi access points are abundant, including many parks and squares such as Bryant Park and Union Plaza. All Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) branches offer free internet, and some stores such as Apple SoHo and Tekserv offer free wireless Internet to clients.

All of the many branches of The New York Public Library offer free internet access to anyone with a photo ID or NYPL library card.

Stay safe

Manhattan and New York generally have experienced a major falloff in crime during the past 20 years – in fact, for the past few years, New York City has been the safest major city in the United States – so there is no need to be afraid to walk most of the streets day and night and take the subways and buses. However, precautions should still be taken.

Keep your wits about yourself. Try your best to know or at least look like you know where you're going, particularly in areas which are deserted or otherwise feel potentially dangerous to you. Keep your wits about yourself by being aware of what's happening around you on the street, where the open shops are, where you may have spotted any police officers around, etc. Do not hesitate to calmly increase your pace, alter your route, or cross to the other side of the street if you sense it might be the safest course of action.

Beware of pickpockets. During the holiday season, pickpockets like to target shoppers near tourist attractions such as Times Plaza, 42nd Street, and Macy's, and anywhere where there is a crush of crowds. In order to foil pickpockets, never put your wallet or anything of value in your back pockets, but only in your front pockets. If you use a purse, make sure it is tightly closed and hold on to it. And when you sit down, such as in a restaurant, be careful to keep your valuables in places where an opportunistic thief would be hard pressed to snatch them and run.

Traffic hazards. Manhattan is in certain ways a pedestrian's paradise, but beware that traffic regulations are not always obeyed to the letter. Watch for aggressively turning cars and bicyclists riding the wrong way on one-way streets or on sidewalks. The problem is not constant, but these things happen often enough for them to be worth keeping in the back of your mind while walking on the streets and sidewalks. Also, you'll note that jaywalking is commonplace among New Yorkers, but it can be hazardous to those not experienced in judging the speed of oncoming cars. So do not blindly follow a local, for there's a chance you'll be staring at the headlights of a vehicle if you are not careful.

Go next

Too many travelers probably spend all or too much of their time in New York solely on Manhattan; the island makes a great base from which to travel to one or more of the Outer Boroughs -- Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. You can also get great views of the Manhattan skyline from right across the Hudson River in cities in New Jersey like Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City.