Museums & Art Galleries in NYC

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Tribeca Restaurants

Serving upscale omakase, sesame bagels and nearly every innately ‘New York’ taste between the two, Tribeca restaurants provide a wide range of options for every palate. Grab breakfast in classic New York style at Zucker’s Bagels and Smoked Fish, caffeinate yourself at Duane Street’s own Laughing Man Coffee & Tea, and indulge in an unforgettable dinner at a sushi mecca or local hangout.

Distilled

In the restaurant’s own words, the goal of Distilled lies in “redefining the Public House.” On this count, the restaurant has succeeded. With an open, airy space that feels spacious and comfortable compared its more cramped New York neighbors and a menu of refined American favorites, Distilled takes a familiar theme and gives it a Tribeca twist. If you’re not in the mood for a full-fledged meal, sidle up to the bar and sip a TriBeCan — a strong take on a bourbon, chocolate, and lemon cocktail — and the bartender will supply the garlic popcorn (free of charge).

Khe-Yo

This breakthrough restaurant made waves in 2013 by bringing authentic Laotian flavors to a dark and sexy dining room in the heart of Tribeca. While the Banana-Wrapped Red Snapper and Bamboo-Grilled Ginger Quail stand out as specialties, the Sticky Rice is the real star of the menu — remember to dig in and eat it with your hands.

Zutto Japanese American Pub

One of Hudson Street’s best dining destinations is among its most unassuming. Zutto blends the intricate flavors of Japan’s best ramenya’s with bold North American infusions to create unforgettable dishes: Portabella Steamed Buns with Rucola and Parmesan Crisp, Shishito Peppers with Yuzu Salt, and Duck Ramen with Bok Choy and Kikurage Mushrooms. Add hot sake for a winter warm-up or chilled Sapporo for a summer refresher.

Zucker’s Bagels and Smoked Fish

Zucker’s is a Tribeca institution, serving hand-rolled, kettle-boiled rings of perfection known as New York bagels. Whether your topping of choice is fresh smoked salmon, a “schmear” of cream cheese, or a touch of butter, you can’t go wrong with a piping hot bagel at Zucker’s. The bagel shop’s Tribeca location is located on Chambers Street, just two blocks from the Duane Street Hotel.

Takahachi Tribeca

Seated directly in the shadow of Nobu, one of America’s best-known — and most expensive — sushi palaces, Takahachi Tribeca rolls out world-class sushi at a relatively reasonable price point. Takahachi’s seafood is impeccably sourced and carefully prepared, resulting in standout maki rolls like the Happy Together (eel, walnuts, and asparagus in soy bean paper) and the Godzilla (soba noodle, cucumber, avocado, and salmon skin).

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Known for its upscale boutiques, Tribeca shopping provides more than meets the eye. From handcrafted leather goods to hip baby accessories to carefully curated menswear collections, the neighborhood provides a wealth of opportunities to browse, shop and spend.

Tribeca Shopping Destinations:

Shinola

Birthed in Detroit but sold in Manhattan, Shinola offers an intriguing and forward-thinking Tribeca shopping experience. Shinola’s goods run the table from watches to bicycles to handbags, with two strands in common: high-quality leather and American craftsmanship. The company’s creations feel at once timeless and contemporary, fitting into modern style while harkening back to simpler times.

J. Crew: The Liquor Store Men’s Shop

We’ve all seen the standard ‘J. Crew look’ — gingham shirt, comfy chinos and durable boots. Heck, we’re even guilty of falling back on it more than we’d like to admit. But this J. Crew retail location could make a believer out of even the most adventurous dressers. The unofficial flagship of J. Crew’s move toward collaborations with designer menswear brands, this charming shop features the best the brand has to offer. As an added bonus, it’s located in a landmark 1825 townhouse, complete with a vintage neon sign — look for the “Liquor Store.”

Steven Alan Annex

This light and airy shop eschews Steven Alan’s usual focus on clothing, instead offering an array of understated and elegant items for the home. From granite and wood kitchen accessories to japanese ceramics to a curated selection of design literature, the shop is filled with take-home treats and great gift ideas.

Babesta

Whether or not you’ve taken the plunge into parenthood, you’ll find something to fawn over at Babesta — either for your kids or a friend’s. The shop’s offerings appeal to Tribeca’s stylish set: strollers designed by Diesel, plush Kidrobot-themed mugs and Bob Dylan-emblazoned onesies. Billed as the store for “trendsetting tots,” Babesta is a must-visit Tribeca shopping destination.

Best Made Company

An old-style outdoors outfitter in the heart of Manhattan — who would’ve guessed? Geographic incongruity aside, Best Made Company is a must-visit mecca of all things flannel, survivalist, or otherwise manly. There are some practical finds among the analog compasses, vintage maps and hand axes: Pick up a blanket, beanie or bag, each designed by in-house experts.

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Nearly every neighborhood in Manhattan offers the opportunity to engage with fine art, but Tribeca art and culture stands a cut above that of many nearby areas. From the truly cutting-edge (think mini-museums carved into old elevator shafts) to more traditional pursuits (jazz concerts and competitions), Tribeca has an artful endeavor for everyone.

Tribeca Art and Culture Destinations:

Tribeca Film Festival

For 10 days each spring, one of America’s most famous film festivals calls the Duane Street Hotel’s neighborhood home , bringing critics, fans and celebrities to the area in droves. Though the festival’s reach spans far beyond Tribeca, its epicenter is the Tribeca Film Center, at 375 Greenwich Street — just a few blocks north of the Duane Street Hotel.

Mmuseumm

This isn’t your parents’ museum. Mmuseumm forgoes the archives and exhibitions in favor of a slightly off-kilter approach: a historical narrative presented through memorabilia, all housed in a former freight elevator in an alley. Basically, Mmuseumm boils the essence of the Downtown art scene down into a space the size of a (New York City) studio apartment.

Tribeca Performing Arts Center

This venue, located on the west side of Tribeca, is home to the Tribeca Film Festival — and a variety of other year-round events. The performing arts center is notable for the diverse array of events it hosts, many of which focus on jazz performance and competition.

Postmasters Gallery

Postmasters brings a hint of the Lower East Side over to Tribeca, where exhibitions in the 4,500-square-foot space draw from luminaries in early digital art, abstract paintings, and multimedia work. Upcoming shows at the Tribeca art gallery include artists like Molly Crabapple, Shamus Clisset and Anton Perich.

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Top Places to See in Tribeca, NYC

Although the neighborhood isn’t home to any of New York City’s signature skyscrapers, Tribeca landmarks include some of the more interesting and often-overlooked threads of the city’s fabric. Whether you want to observe an important piece of American history at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, take a leisurely jog along the river, view public art at its most prestigious, or learn more about the cultures that have helped shape New York City, Lower Manhattan offers an attraction for you.

Tribeca Landmarks and Lower Manhattan Attractions:

One World Observatory

This mammoth new building looms large over Tribeca — and all of Downtown Manhattan — as the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. Opened to the public in May 2015, after eight years of rapid construction, the glass-walled building stands 1,766 feet high in the space once occupied by the twin World Trade Center towers, pre-9/11.

Take a ‘skypod’ up to the 102-104 floors of this national landmark to enjoy views of the Manhattan and New Jersey skylines, looking out as far as the Atlantic Ocean. For an all day cultural experience, be sure to visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, near its base.

National September 11 Memorial and Museum

This complex offers the opportunity to pay respect to those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001 by visiting the stunning outdoor memorial area or by entering the immersive and educational museum. Memorial Plaza itself is a beautiful eight-acre park meant as a place for respectful reflection on 9/11 and its lingering impact. The cascading water feature, etched with the names of the deceased — along with the survivor tree and the uniform white oak trees — provide a bucolic and peaceful setting in the heart of one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods. The museum displays artifacts, photos, video and other materials related to 9/11.

Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)

Located in south SoHo, just outside of Tribeca’s official boundary line, the Museum of Chinese in America presents the ever-evolving living history of Chinese-American culture. The museum focuses on a variety of disciplines, including visual art, archived photography, and hyper-local exhibitions on past and present life in New York’s Chinatown.

Hudson River Park

The name says it all: The centerpiece of this park is the Hudson and its splendid sunset views. Hudson River Park stretches from the southern tip of Manhattan up to 59th Street in Midtown, covering approximately 550 acres of land. The second-largest park in Manhattan — after Central Park — hosts a wide variety of events during the year, including yoga classes, ticketed concerts, free films and more. It’s also a great place for a casual bike ride or a jog on the well-maintained greenway.

Jeff Koons Balloon Flower

The south end of Tribeca is home to an original piece by one of the world’s preeminent modern artists, Jeff Koons. The impressively shiny red balloon flower piece — one of several he created as part of the series — sits in the shadow of the new World Trade Center complex, standing as bright and optimistic tribute to the memories of those lost in the 9/11 tragedy. To view more about Jeff Koons, visit Artsy’s page which provides visitors with Koons’s bio, over 150 of his works, exclusive articles, as well as up-to-date Koons exhibition listings. Artsy’s mission is to make all of the world’s art accessible to anyone online.

African Burial Ground National Monument

This memorial space highlights an often-overlooked piece of New York City’s history: its relatively large population of Africans in the pre-Revolutionary War era. More than 400 Africans were buried at this spot during the 17th and 18th centuries, making it one of the largest colonial-era cemeteries for people of African descent. The modern monument, designed by Rodney Leon, was unveiled in 2006.