10 Things To Do And See In The Meatpacking District

Feeling hungry during your New York escapade? Satisfy that hunger at Bubby’s where walk-ins are welcome. Bubby’s is a popular addition to the neighborhood, and the restaurant prides itself on its use of top notch ingredients to create incredibly delicious cuisine. Top off breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner by heading back in time to the roaring ’20s with Bubby’s homemade ice cream, milkshakes, and sodas from their signature Soda Fountain bar. Dare-devils may want to attempt attacking The Kitchen Sink special, complete with 16 scoops of ice cream, multiple syrups and toppings, and a cherry on top for good measure!

The Whitney, founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, has always been an important stop along the way for rising American artists. They have Annual and Biennial shows that endeavor to host artists who are new to the scene and to give them a chance to shine. Just a few of the more well known artists represented in their sizeable permanent collection include Edward Hopper, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder. They have also put on shows in a different vein, perhaps most famously the 1976 exhibition of live bodybuilders, which included former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Predominantly known as a successful and popular hotel, The Standard also offers some really cool places to grab a beer and a bite to eat, particularly The Standard Biergarten. In the summer, enjoy the fresh air by taking advantage of the bar’s green and dazzling outdoor beer garden. For the winter, this amazing spot is enclosed in glass, and the plaza right outside is transformed into an ice skating rink. Challenge some friends to an ultimate game of ping-pong, drink great German beers, and chow down on some yummy pretzels and/or sausages all year round!

Some really spectacular and unique things happen at Milk Studios. This is definitely a spot to explore for the fashionistas out there. Milk Studios fosters the creative individual, offering their photography studios as a location for galleries, exhibitions, and various other fashion and charitable events. If you’re in the Meatpacking District, there’s bound to be something interesting to check out at Milk Studios. Tickets for public events in the penthouse are typically pretty affordable online and make for a fun and exciting night.

The Gansevoort Hotel is an unbelievably modern and exciting destination, bringing the term ‘chic’ to an entirely new level. The hotel offers their guests access to a rooftop pool and amazing package deals, many of which provide guests with ultimate relaxation spa and massage arrangements, or, quite the contrary, access to some of the hottest and most exclusive clubs in NYC. Already booked your hotel elsewhere? Join the hotel’s guests for dinner at one of the hotel’s two popular restaurants, or for a drink in the hotel’s remarkably vibrant and colorful Provocateur Nightclub (by reservation only).

It’s impossible to come to New York without doing at least a little bit of shopping. Whether you’re looking to purchase or casually stroll through, this urban shopping mall has everything you’d want to see from groceries to flea markets. Walk through Chelsea Market to experience tons of amazing shops, culturally diverse restaurants, and dessert stops like Artist and Fleas, Beyond Sushi, and Doughnuttery (just to name a few). This is a great place to snap a picture under an archway lit with thousands of white string lights, grab a bite to eat, and/or buy creative knick-knacks and memorabilia.

Gansevoort Market is a refreshing piece of history still standing and serving almost the same purpose it did in the late 1800s. Though the outside has maintained its old-style industrial look, the inside has been modernized complete with picnic tables and a sunroof that allows beautiful natural light to stream in and illuminate all Gansevoort Market still has to offer. Stop in for a great cup of coffee, enjoy some baked goods from Dana’s Bakery or The Bruffin Café, or stock up on the market’s incredible fresh produce to make your own delicious meal.

The Tippler is a super trendy bar attached to Chelsea Market. The bar is highly accessible, no need to be on a list or pay a cover charge to get in here, and the bar’s craft beers and creative cocktails are delicious and affordable. The industrial décor and dim lighting inside provides an incredibly chic, warm, and comfortable atmosphere. Get there early to grab a table with friends; however, it is a pretty intimate bar in which most guests stand, anyway! Finish the night off with some snapshots in the photo booth to make your experience an unforgettable memory. By Ashley Jones After graduating from Carlow University in Pittsburgh this past spring with a B.A. in English and Education, Ashley moved to New York City where she currently works as an editor. She enjoys reading, writing, red velvet cupcakes, and getting hopelessly lost in her adventures around her new city.