What are your insider tips on visiting New York City?|146151

I_m heading to NYC in a few weeks for a research trip, and I would like to find hidden gems, secret spots, good lunch venues or art galleries, that aren_t usually frequented by tourists. I want to try and experience New York as a New Yorker. Any advice?

Morningside Heights and around (Columbia University etc) is a very pleasant area, as is the whole of the Upper West Side, and there are some lovely hidden gems and secret spots around there.

Brave the horror stories and actual go and visit Harlem during the daytime. Stick to the main streets and you will find a very dynamic, city-within-a-city where the demographics and _street_ cultures are noticably different to those of downtown.

dont spend too much time with manhattan alone, visit the rest of the boroughs like brooklyn and queens. there_s so many different cultures in their Diasporas and theres so much to see, so many cultures you_ll discover.
if you_re in Queens you can check out Forest Park.

I think this site could give you some insight
http://www.newyorkcitywalk.com/html/html��