Marion Bernstein

These independent bookstores in NYC are well-stocked with some of the best and most affordable new, used, rare and specialty books out there. We can all agree that The Strand Bookstore is one of the best bookstores in NYC, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t spread the indie love by highlighting some of the smaller, lesser-known shops located across our fine city.

With so many lush and verdant NYC parks to choose from, finding the perfect picnic spot will be a breeze—all you need to add is the best premade picnic baskets in NYC. If you don’t know what to pack for the perfect picnic, you can just leave it up to the experts. We’ve scoured the city in search of the best restaurants to get premade picnic baskets packed with everything from porchetta paninis to strip steaks to the best cheesecake in NYC.

The New York Botanical Garden is revered as one of Gotham’s greatest cultural institutions, and for good reason: Where else can you find 250 spectacularly verdant acres filled with over one million tropical, temperate and desert flora within mere walking distance of a major metropolitan subway stop?

For nearly a decade, Brooklyn Flea has been luring in both tourists and locals alike with its expansive and charmingly eccentric offerings of antique housewares, vintage clothing, repurposed jewelry and just about every other tchotchke you never knew you needed.

Fresh, quick and comforting, Mexican food is a staple of the New York diet. And let’s be honest, there’s no time like taco time. Whether you take your tortillas with a side of the city’s best guacamole or washed down with the best margaritas on the rocks, we know exactly where to find the best tacos for cheap in NYC. So the next time you’re looking for some of the city’s finest cheap eats, head to these 10 taco joints for a deliciously filling and low-cost meal.

Finding bargain eats like cheap falafel in NYC isn’t all that difficult, but finding good cheap food? Now that’s a skill worth writing about. From Bed-Stuy to the Bronx, we’ve shared our favorite cheap pizza joints and the best bowls of ramen under $10, but no file of cheap eats would be complete without a nod to New York’s favorite Middle Eastern street food: the warm and crispy, garlic- and parsley-packed falafel. So the next time you’re craving a quick and filling meal like one from vegetarian restaurants that won’t break the bank, head to one of these trucks, carts or counters for some of the best falafel pitas and platters a few bucks can buy.

Most New Yorkers would agree that Gotham is best known for two things: stellar cheap pizza and exorbitant rent. The latter gives us good reason for our endless quest for the best cheap eats in NYC. And although we’ll happily indulge in a late-night dollar slice at one of several 24-hour pizza spots or go in on pizza delivery just to save a buck or two, sometimes we crave a touch of ambiance that only an authentic eat-in New York pizzeria can provide. From $3 slices to $20 pies, these za joints are serving up some of our favorite cheap New York pizzas.

New York City is home to an array of foods that’ll satisfy both bellies and bank accounts alike—and one of our favorites is bowls of ramen under $10. In NYC, believe it or not, there are plenty of the best ramen that’ll fill you up for less than a Hamilton, even an Ippudo offspring. And that’s not all when it comes to cheap eats: Craving authentic Japanese food? Explore cheap eats in Chinatown, where $3 handmade dumplings and 80-cent pork buns abound. Looking for memorable falafel? You’re in luck because we’ve rounded up the best food trucks in NYC. How about the best oyster happy hour? We can name at least 15.

It’s like Cheers, but in Park Slope and better. Don’t let the uppity name fool you—Double Windsor’s laid-back vibe and friendly (but not overly friendly) staff paints the perfect scene for a solo diner. Saddle up to the horseshoe bar for a hearty helping of gooey, bacon-laden mac and cheese, then pair your plate of liquid gold with one of 14 craft beers on tap. Come between 3pm and 7pm and shave a buck off during happy hours on weekdays.

When asked for recommendations, any proud New Yorker will gladly offer up their personal tips for the best bagels or the best New York pizza, but if you’re on the hunt for a truly iconic New York dish—that one thing that just doesn’t taste the same anywhere else—look no further than classic corned beef in NYC. Popularized by Jewish and Irish immigrants in the 19th century, corned beef is typically made from a kosher cut of beef brisket that’s been cured with corn kernel–size salt crystals for anywhere from three to 30 days. The result is a tender, flavorful slab of rubescent beef ready to be sliced up for sandwiches or served alongside cabbage.

From the Martini to the Manhattan, the Penicillin to picklebacks, you can trace their origin stories right back here to the Big Apple. Read on to find out where in New York these famous classic cocktails were invented, who invented them, and most importantly, where you can drink them today.

In the wake of election results, the reality is, due to visa regulations many Americans will not be able to physically move to Canada—but—that doesn’t mean you can’t seek asylum in a glass.

From soft and pillowy potato-and-cheese-stuffed pierogies to velvety white borscht adorned with savory bites of grilled kielbasa, New York’s plethora of Polish eateries offer just what the doctor ordered.

The holiday season has descended upon us and that means it's time to shop for the ones we love. Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or partners, you'll find what you need right here with these 24 unique holiday gift ideas for everyone on your 2016 list.

Those looking for hassle-free dining in NYC can save time cooking and cleaning by dining out at one of the best restaurants open on Christmas Day.