Off the Beaten Path in Manhattan...

I%26#39;m returning to Manhattan with 2 friends (1 brit and a fellow Canadian). We%26#39;ve been there several times and we%26#39;ve done all the usual things such as the empire state building, major museums, ellis island, circle line cruise, bus tours, little italy, central park, blah, blah. While those things are all fine and dandy, we%26#39;re looking for something a little more special and unique. We%26#39;re all in our late 20s and enjoy the arts and indie music. (Actually going to 2 gigs whilst there!) The hotel we%26#39;re staying in is in Greenwich Village. Are there any little cafes or restaurants we should check out (vegetarian a plus!) Any sites or cool boutiques? All suggestions welcome (and for anywhere in Manhattan).

Thanks in advance!

Off the Beaten Path in Manhattan...

Forgot to mention that we%26#39;ll be there in late July...

Off the Beaten Path in Manhattan...

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k976302-鈥?/a>

How about you visit Brooklyn, the Bronx or Queens?

YAWN, I%26#39;VE DONE ALL THE TOURIST SITES, NOW WHAT? A collection of posts for repeat visitors and those in search of interesting places OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k976302-鈥?

QUEENS! Let%26#39;s go, Mets! Our largest borough with the craziest streets is home to some of the best and cheapest international food in all of NYC. Take a ride on the elevated #7 train for great views, the U.S. Tennis Open, and communities representing over 100 countries. Don%26#39;t forget The Panorama!!

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1563295鈥?

YO, WHAT ABOUT BROOKLYN? Fuhggedabouddit! Here%26#39;s a collection of posts about our ';Fourth Largest City in America';, where 1 out of 7 Americans can trace their ancestral roots.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k884862-鈥?

Entirely vegetarian or lots of veggie options: Blossom, Candle Cafe, Angelica Kitchen, Gobo, Life Cafe, Bread, Red Bamboo, Sacred Chow, Wild Ginger, Zen Palate. For a bit of a splurge you might try Candle 79, Broadway East, or Pure Food and Wine (which is all raw).

Indian: Surya, Brick Lane Curry House, Chennai Garden, Tiffin Wallah, Gaam. Nicer (and worth it if you%26#39;re an Indian fan): Tamarind, Amma, Devi, Bread Bar at Tabla. There%26#39;s a very cheap Indian takeaway place called the Indian Bread Company that makes ';naanini'; sandwiches that are good if you want carry out.

Thai: Holy Basil, Wondee Siam, Sripraphai (in Queens).

Chinese: New Green Bo (also called Nice Green Bo), Vegetarian Dim Sum House, Jing Fong, Wo Hop, Buddha Bodai.

Italian: Lupa, Frank, Supper, %26#39;ino, %26#39;inoteca, Le Zie.

Pizza: Lombardi%26#39;s, Grimaldi%26#39;s, Una Pizza Napoletana, La Pizza Fresca.

Ethiopian: Ghenet, Meskel (dingy but good), Queen of Sheba.

Afghan: Bamiyan, Khyber Pass.

Moroccan (for the veggie couscous): Zerza, Cafe Mogador, Nomad.

Turkish: Turkish Kitchen, Turkuaz, Ali Baba, Sahara%26#39;s.

Take-out falafel: Taim, Rainbow, Mamoun%26#39;s.

You can get menus, reviews, prices, and directions/locations from this site:

www.menupages.com

Also, check out this thread of ideas about where to see contemporary art and street art:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1846711鈥?/a>

(Some of the temporary exhibits mentioned have closed since the thread was active, but the venues are all still going strong.)

Hey Kween ..... I%26#39;m sorry but it%26#39;s a bit dorky hanging out in Manhattan. So why not head to Brooklyn ';all the cool kids are doing it';. Here%26#39;s a suggestion ..... McCarren Park in Williamsburg has a huge empty city owned pool where there are summer indie concerts (pool parties) on weekends in the summer. Most of Williamsburg is full of %26#39;artsy%26#39; type hipsters all your age and there are plenty of places to go bar hopping. But ah ..... open air park ..... indie music ..... Bedford Avenue ..... and bottles of wine.

brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/02/mccarren_鈥?/a>

Here%26#39;s a more complete list of indie music schedule for the summer of 2008.

newyork.metromix.com/facets/home/topic.music.

music_genre.indie/type.listing.event.concer

Another %26#39;cool%26#39; summer happening is the outdoor movies behind Automotive High School also near McCarren Park. Lot%26#39;s of young %26#39;artsy%26#39; people there too.

http://rooftopfilms.bside.com/2008/films;jsessionid=8042780661CBB53F45924E08BF4546E6

Finally, here%26#39;s a one day %26#39;all Williamsburg%26#39; excursion suggestion; %26#39;L%26#39; train to Bedford Avenue ...... coffee/tea at the Black Bird parlour ..... stroll around Bedford Avenue ..... head for a beer at the Brooklyn Brewery ...... late brunch at %26#39;Enid%26#39;s%26#39; on Manhattan Avenue ..... check out the green market in the park then watch a bar league baseball game or the Mexican/South Americans play soccer ..... photo%26#39;s of the Russian onion dome church ..... grab a bite of outdoor BBQ at %26#39;Fete Sau%26#39; ...... and then either out-door movie or indie concert in the park.

Just please don%26#39;t spend all your time in Manhattan !!!!

Yes, a shout out to the outer boroughs! Queens has some great ethnic food. In the Bronx, I love Wave Hill which is a combination Botanical Garden and Museum with lovely, breezy views over the Hudson. I also enjoy Orchard Beach, ';the Bronx Riviera'; (not! but it%26#39;s clean you can check water quality at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/beach/beach-bx.shtml) That being said, there%26#39;s still a lot to do in Manhattan. Check the www.nycgovparks.org for free Pilates classes and free kayaking on the Hudson. There are outdoor concerts on the Hudson and outdoor films at the New York Public Library (which you should see if you haven%26#39;t). There are outdoor concerts at Celebrate Brooklyn festival and the Lincoln Center will begin its outdoor festival in early August. Can%26#39;t help you too much with the shopping. Probably Billyburg (Williamsburg) is where you want to go for that, although with the pound stirling where it is, you could just pick up something over on Fifth Avenue (Actually Takashimaya on Fifth Ave. is a wonderful Japanese store).

Be aware that traveling to the outer boroughs on the weekends can be tricky as that%26#39;s the time when they do construction on the subways. So don%26#39;t be shy about asking the station attendent how to get to your destination.

thanks a lot for all of the suggestions! I%26#39;ll look into them further.

Here are some good vegetarian options close enough to where you are staying in the village:

Blossom- actually vegan. Located on 9th ave in the 20%26#39;s. You will need a reservation. Hit Billy%26#39;s Bakery across the street afterwards for some serious cupcake action.

Curlys Vegetarian Lunch- one of my favs. On 14th between 1-2nd Ave. Casual, great for a quick bite.

Also in the village check out Moustach (located on Bedford). It%26#39;s a great little Lebanese restaurant with lots of yummy veg options.

If you like ';off the beaten track'; shows- go see Fureza Bruta. You will LOVE it. Do a goole search and read about it. It%26#39;s in Union Square. Go 2 hours before the show and get tickets for half the price.

Have drinks at the Thompson Hotel and if you want a fabulous dinner, go to the restaurant there- Kittichai. There is lots to do where you are, just walk around and explore.

have you been to The Cloisters %26amp; Fort tyron Park?