14th Street / Eighth Avenue (A, C, E, L)

For this guide, get out of the station and go west into Meatpacking. Once you hit cobblestone and start to see large outdoor art installations, you’ve made it. Here’s my controversial take: all the guides for this area will tell you to do Chelsea Market and The High Line, and like, sure, go for it, but I think this stop has better gems!

The Great Elephant Migration. And when they’re all done migrating, a new art exhibit will take its place. 

Go to the Whitney. It’s free on Fridays! But get your tickets in advance.

Pop into Parfums de Marly - you’re in luck if AJ is there. AJ is an olfactory magician and a simply wonderful human. There’s a good chance you’ll leave with a new signature scent. (Mine’s Casilli.)

AJ at Parfums de Marly. Follow AJ on instagram. 

Walk into the Restoration Hardware, take the elevator to the top, and have a drink (skip the food) on the rooftop terrace.

RH Rooftop Terrace

Try out my primary care doctor’s favorite burger at Pastis (I can’t vouch because I’m a vegetarian, but I trust Dr. Chiruvolu).

And, for whatever unhinged reason, Le Bain, the club on the rooftop of The Standard High Line was my #1 party spot when I was 18 and sneaking into the 21+ scene. To this day, the best Fourth of July fireworks show I’ve ever witnessed was from The Standard’s rooftop. If you do make it up there, I invite you to see it through the eyes of a young woman in NYC who can’t help but squeal because her fake ID worked.

What did I miss? Scroll past the pics and let me know in the comments.

Classic meatpacking vibes

Chelsea Market