Neighborhood Discovery: New York's Hot, Hip Flatiron District

By Jacquelin Carnegie

Flatiron building (photo: Joan Gramatte)

 

The Flatiron district runs roughly from 19th Street to 29th Street, from Park Avenue to Sixth Avenue. In the mid-1800s, this area was one of New York’s most fashionable with posh hotels surrounding Madison Square Park. Then, it fell out of fashion, becoming rundown and neglected. But now, there are so many new, trendy hotels, restaurants, and shops opening up, it's hard to keep track. Once again, the neighborhood is a hot spot. In fact, part of the Flatiron district even has a new moniker: NoMad (North of Madison Square Park). Time to come explore the 'hood!
THE FLATIRON NEIGHBORHOOD
Flatiron Building
175 Fifth Ave, at 23rd St
The neighborhood gets its' name from this triangular-shaped building, completed in 1902. Designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the 22-story, Renaissance palazzo-style structure was the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper, now a National Historic Landmark. It was an office building, but it's recently been turned into luxury apartments. Famed photographers Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen helped turn it into a New York icon.

Madison Square Park
23rd to 26th St (btw Fifth & Madison Ave); www.madisonsquarepark.org

Conjoined (artist: Roxy Paine)

Named after President James Madison, this tranquil spot has been a public space since 1686 and a city park since 1847. In the late 19th century, the Square, surrounded by mansions and fancy hotels, was an elite, Manhattan enclave. Today, it’s a lively, neighborhood park with year-round, contemporary art displays and a great free concert series in the summer and fall. Plus, there's a dog run!

HOT HOTELS IN THE FLATIRON
Trendy hotels and restaurants have revitalized the area. Here are just a few to choose from:
Ace Hotel
20 West 29th St; Tel: 212/679-2222; www.acehotel.com/newyork

(photo: Courtesy Ace Hotel)

This cool, boutique hotel is very popular with hip musicians. Even the lobby, with bar and lounge, is a hot spot. The in-house eateries are also ultra-trendy: The Lobby Bar, the Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and the Milk Bar for dessert fans.

Viceroy Park Avenue
420 Park Ave. So (at 29th St); Tel: 877/544-0606; https://www.viceroyroyparkavenue.com
Formerly The Royalton, this stylishly-hip hotel is getting a luxury re-branding. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and fashionable décor. There are fabulous views everywhere you turn, especially from the tri-level Rooftop Spa + Lounge with a heated, indoor-outdoor, plunge pool overlooking the Empire State building! (Opening Dec 2026)

(photo: Courtesy Royalton Hotel)

Eventi - Kimpton Hotel (851 Sixth Ave, at 30th St; www.eventihotel.com) - This hotel has 292, contemporary-decorated guestrooms. It’s pet-friendly and close to Madison Square Garden, so basketball players are frequent guests, making it a great spot for sports' fans.
The Evelyn (7 East 27th St; https://www.theevelyn.com) - Formerly The Gershwin, the hotel's 159 rooms and public spaces have been renovated to showcase its' Art Nouveau style and music & art heritage.
Hotel Henri (37 West 24th St; https://www.hotelhenriny.com) &/or the Hotel Hayden (127 W 28th St.)

THE HOT FOOD SPOTS IN THE FLATIRON
With new places opening every day, it's hard to mention them all. Here are a few good ones to start with:

Eataly
(photo: Aretemetric/WikiCommons)

Eataly
23rd St & Fifth Ave; www.eatalyny.com  

This Italian gourmet market with dining options is another in-spot. Packed to the gills at all hours of the day and night, but worth a visit if you’re a die-hard foodie.
The Shake Shack
23rd St., bet Fifth & Madison Ave., in Madison Square Park; Tel:212/889-6600; www.shakeshack.com 
If you want to stand in line for 45 minutes to get a burger, look no further. Devotees say it’s worth the wait. It certainly makes for great people watching. (Outdoor seating is winterized.)

(photo: Beyond My Ken/WikiCommons)

Hill Country BBQ

30 West 26th St; Tel: 212/255-4544; https://www.hillcountry.com
Chow down on some authentic, Central Texas barbecue cuisine. Plus, hear good country music in the downstairs club.

THE FLATIRON’S SHOPPING OPTIONS
Here's some interesting shops in the area. Check out the district guide to find more:

Flatiron building

Rizzoli (1133 Broadway, at 26th St; https://www.rizzoliusa.com) - Prestigious bookstore.

Todd Snyder (25 East 26th St; https://www.toddsnyder.com) - Hip menswear.

Perfume & Faux Bling: Broadway from 26th to 31st Street is lined with stores selling discounted perfume, costume-jewelry “bling,” pocketbooks, and electronics. Many are “wholesale only,” but you’ll find several retail ones as well. Go soon before they’re all replaced with trendy boutiques.

THE FLATIRON’S CULTURAL SCENE

There are some wonderful museums to explore right in the 'hood: Poster House - Dedicated to poster art; MoMath - Great for kids; and the Museum of Sex - Of interest to adults. Free Flatiron Walking Tour - Learn even more about the fascinating history of the area (first Sunday of every month, 11am; or download a brochure for a self-guided tour).

Explore all there is on offer now that this lovely area is in vogue again!

Don’t Dis’ Düsseldorf, Germany: 6+ Artsy & Cool Reasons To Visit

Gehry's Neuer Zollhof, Media Harbor (photo:  U.Otte,
Düsseldorf Marketing&Tourismus GmbH)

By Jacquelin Carnegie 

– (Düsseldorf, Germany)

While considered by many as a business destination, Düsseldorf should really be on the vacation list for anyone who loves art and architecture. Situated on a lovely stretch of the Rhine River, it has fabulous museums, great architecture, and famous beer. While founded in 1288, some 700+ years ago, Düsseldorf is as hip as they come--another great reason to visit now!

1) Stunning “Starchitecture”

 Media Harbor (photo: JCarnegie)

Düsseldorf’s old Rhine harbor has been transformed into Media Harbor, a trendy residential and business area for creative industries--advertising, art, and media. Several top, international architects designed buildings for the area. Frank Gehry’s magnificent Neuer Zollhof will knock your socks off as will William Alsop's stunning Colorium, on the other side of the Rhine. In addition to the “starchitecture,” there are lots of cool restaurants and bars in this revitalized district.

2) Marvelous Museums

The world-famous, art academy Kunstakademie is here, so Düsseldorf is full of talented, emerging artists as well as several outstanding museums (Kunst means art):

Hetjens Museum (©Düsseldorf Marketing & Tourismus GmbH)

Kunst Palast: Old masters, contemporary art, and a world-renowned glass collection

K20: 20th-century masterpieces

K21: Cutting-edge, contemporary art of the 21st century

KIT (Kunst im Tunnel): A unique exhibit space for emerging artists

Hetjens Museum: An incredible ceramics collection

3) The Fusion of Art & Architecture

Langen Foundation  

(photo: Dirk Topel Kommunikation ©Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus)

In addition to the many museums, there are two unique places to view art that should not be missed:

Langen Foundation: Internationally-renowned architect Tadao Ando designed a stunning museum to house a unique Japanese art collection as well as changing exhibits of contemporary art.

Insel Hoimbroich: Art pavilions in a nature preserve. The tours are lead by artists; you can also have lunch in their wonderful café.

4) The Art of Beer

Altstadt (©Düsseldorf Marketing & Tourismus GmbH)

After all that museum-hopping, relax over a cold brewski. Düsseldorf is famous for a particular kind of beer, Altbier, which is top-brewed, copper-colored, and tart with a distinctive hops flavor. The best place to taste test it is in Altstadt (Old Town), a charming, part of the city with a lively stretch of some 260 bars and restaurants, known as the "longest bar in the world."

5) The Art of Shopping

(©Düsseldorf Marketing & Tourismus GmbH)

Fashionistas rejoice. Düsseldorf is as well known as Milan, Italy for fashion fairs and collection premieres. You can do some designer shopping along the lovely, tree-lined boulevard Königsallee at these boutiques: Armani, Gucci, Kenzo, JOOP, Prada, Jil Sander, Uta Raasch, Burberry, Onofri, Féraud and discover some Düsseldorf originals such as Sabine Schumacher, Peter O. Mahler, and Renate Harvan.

6) Dine in Glass Houses

Colorium & “Floosies,” Media Harbor (photo: Jochen Keute ©Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus)

People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, they should have lunch or dinner. Enjoy a tasty meal in one of the all-glass restaurants along the Rhine riverside: KIT Cafe or the Lido with a view of Media Harbor.

Where to Stay:

Insel Hoimbroich (photo: Tomas Riehle ©Stiftung Insel Hombroich
)

There is every conceivable type of accommodation in Düsseldorf, why not try an artsy hotel: Stage47, Graf-Adolf-Strasse 47, www.stage47.de
Getting There:

Delta & Lufthansa have connecting flights from several US gateways & Berlin. Direct flights from the US: Condor from New York (JFK) and good news: Starting in Spring 2027, the all-business-class La Compagnie will fly nonstop from Newark (EWK).

In Germany, there’s an excellent train network between cities; you can even get your tickets before you leave through RailEurope.