Best of New York: Shopping, Recreation and Services

Best of New York: Shopping, Recreation and Services

Jefferson Siegel, Newsday, 4:07 PM EDT, October 23, 2007
Harlem Lanes


Written and reported by Julie Gordon, Kristen V. Brown, Tracy E. Hopkins, Jennifer Milne and Alina Soler
October 24, 2007

Do you want to know which store in New York City sells the cheapest home goods? Where you can buy mouthwatering candies and chocolates? Which pet spa will pamper your pooch to the max?

You can find it all in amNewYork's "Best of New York" special. For Part 1 of our guide, the staff searched the city high and low to find the ultimate in shopping, entertainment, recreation, sports and services.

Be sure to look for Part 2 Thursday, featuring top picks for dining and nightlife.

SHOPPING:

Candy
Economy Candy
108 Rivington St., 800-352-4544
Willy Wonka has his match. What started out as a corner candy shop in 1937 is now a Lower East Side institution, selling hundreds of types of candies, chocolates, nuts and dried fruits. Lining the store in bins and on shelves, from floor to ceiling, are all of your favorite treats -- from old-time faves like Fruit Stripe gum, Nerds, Fun Dip, Pez and rock candy, to hand-dipped chocolate fruits and other upscale delicacies.


Chocolate
La Maison du Chocolat
1018 Madison Ave., 212-744-7117; 30 Rockefeller Center, 212-265-9404
La Maison du Chocolat's mouthwatering, smooth pieces will make you never want to buy Hershey's again. The dark chocolate is so flavorful that even a die-hard milk- or white-chocolate fan has been known to convert. Each handmade chocolate is crafted in the brand's production facility near Paris and then shipped to New York. If you're dying to find out the secret behind the candies, check out one of the store's comprehensive chocolate tastings or classes.


Vintage store
Beacon's Closet
88 N. 11th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-0816
Whether you're a college student or a working guy or girl on a budget, taking your new or gently used fashions (think current trends from H&M or vintage clothes you found in Grandma's attic) to hipster haven Beacon's Closet is an inexpensive way to replenish your wardrobe. The store offers 55 percent of the resale price in trade or 35 percent cash. Be aware, however, that Beacon's staffers are notoriously picky, and having your items rejected is practically a New York City fashionista's rite of passage.


T-shirt selection
Chelsea Flea Market
Sixth Avenue, between 24th and 25th streets
Unlike mainstream vintage stores where bargaining isn't the norm, the Chelsea Flea Market has amazing T-shirts whose prices can be finagled by smart shoppers. Metal racks hold dozens of cheap shirts, which come in every color, size and design you can think of. And, you'll be the only one in the city sporting it.


Sneakers
Alife Rivington Club
158 Rivington St., 212-375-8128
In today's streetwise urban culture, even sneakers have gone upscale. So, if you're in search of the latest limited-edition Nike kicks or a rare pair of vintage ADIDAS, Alife Rivington Club is the place to go. With ostrich-skin walls and purple carpeting, this isn't your everyday sneaker store. Just be sure not to miss it -- the shop has no exterior signage and you have to buzz to get in.


Bookstore
Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway, 212-473-1452; 95 Fulton St., 212-732-6070
Home to more than the ubiquitous canvas totes, Strand sells every book you've ever heard of and then some. The metal shelving inside the Broadway location gives the feeling of old college library stacks, and the salespeople are helpful and friendly when you admit you're lost. Bonus: The Strand has designers who can help you create and implement your ideal library, which can include antique leather-bound volumes by the foot for those who don't thrive on the mismatched paperback aesthetic.


Unique gifts
Love Saves the Day
119 Second Ave., 212-228-3802
After 40-plus years in business, Love Saves the Day is still holding down the East Village's grimy, gender-bending old guard. Assorted pop culture kitsch – Pez dispensers, Spice Girls dolls and the like -- can be found in every nook and cranny of this kooky shop, which appeared in Madonna's 1985 flick "Desperately Seeking Susan." But the real deal is the weekend sidewalk sale, where tables are piled high with vintage clothing and accessories priced from just $2.


Cheap home goods
surprise!surprise!
91 Third Ave., 212-777-0990
Third Avenue's resident hodgepodge store stocks everything you can think of -- literally. Whether you're looking for functional items like a shower caddy or something more eclectic like a disco ball, the only surprising thing about surprise!surprise! is the startlingly un-New York prices.


Toy store
Boomerang Toys
173 West Broadway, 212-226-7650; 2 World Financial Center, 212-786-3011
Boomerang focuses mainly on high-end educational and developmental toys for younger children (toddlers and preschoolers) but also offers everything from one-of-a-kind collectors' items to unique board games for older kids. Either way, this quirky little toy store is bound to make you want to turn back the clock.


Bike shop
Recycle-A-Bicycle
75 Ave. C, 212-475-1655
It's an environmental program and bike store built into one. Recycle a Bicycle sells bikes and bike parts, teaches rider safety and promotes transportation alternatives for New York City. You'll find recycled bikes and parts, including helmets, locks and lights. You can also custom-build your own bike with the frames the shop has in stock.


Sporting goods
Paragon Sports
867 Broadway, 212-255-8036
Looking for a checked Burton snowboarding jacket? A selection of hiking boots? A new pair of binoculars? A squash racket? With 50,000 items in inventory, Paragon has you covered. Beyond its diverse selection of sporting goods, the best thing about this three-level store is its incredibly knowledgeable and helpful employees.


Discount clothing
Century 21
22 Cortlandt St., 212-227-9092
Sure, H&M is great, but sometimes you want to sport designer digs. However, designer prices don't always fit into a tight budget. Enter megastore Century 21. The downtown department store has pricey clothing, houseware, accessory and luggage brands for a fraction of the cost. Be forewarned that it can be somewhat overwhelming, with its five floors, tons of merchandise and crowds of shoppers. Just stick to your mission: finding the best deal possible.


Beauty supplies
Ricky's
Various locations
www.rickys-nyc.com
In October, Ricky's is considered Halloween headquarters, but year-round, it is the absolute one-stop beauty supply store. With so many locations scattered throughout the city, it's like the Starbucks of beauty care -- but with a funky twist. The upbeat and colorful shop sells hard-to-find beauty, skin and hair-care products; funny and adult novelties; cosmetics; unique gifts; wigs; and every kind of accessory imaginable.


Pet store
Trixie and Peanut
23 East 20th St., 212-358-0881
Going to this store will make you say, "Awww," uncontrollably. The adorable store has everything you'd ever dream of for yourself, but in pet size. The Halloween selection is amazing: devil, colored wigs and even an adorable doggy Swiss maid dress. For the rest of the year, the shop stocks everything from high-tech toys to a bed shaped like a yellow convertible.


Glasses
Selima Optique
Various locations
www.selimaoptique.com
Cutting-edge without being snooty is the perfect way to describe Selima Optique. The five distinctly styled New York City shops are stocked with a variety of super-funky frames as well as still-trendy pairs that are more suitable for a less "out there" workplace. Selima sells its own label, vintage glasses and pieces from other top designers including Cazal, Alain Mikli, and Cutler and Gross.


Specialty cards
Alternate Cards
85 Christopher St., 212-645-8966
This card shop fits in with the mix of West Village patrons visiting the area's sex shops and those heading to Bleecker Street for an afternoon of upscale shopping. Alternate Cards sells a wide variety of cards that feature mostly male nudity as well as beautifully crafted and messaged cards for any occasion. In addition, customers can purchase holiday-themed paraphernalia, gag gifts and TV-themed items.


Bakery
Veniero's
342 E. 11th St, 212-674-7070
Enter the world of incredible Italian pastries: creamy cheesecake, hand-made butter cookies, biscotti and cannoli. At Veniero's, tradition and authenticity are the ultimate priority. A New York staple since 1894, Veniero's has old-world décor touches as well, including hand-stamped metal ceilings, etched glass doors and marble floors.


Flower shop
VSF
204 W. 10th St., 212-243-5850
VSF stands for Very Special Flowers, and these blooms are certainly that. Walking by the tiny storefront in the West Village, you'll be drawn in by vivid, colorful and unique arrangements of fresh flowers. The store sells arrangements for the home, weddings, other events and gifts.

OUTDOORS/RECREATION:


Tennis courts
96th Street Tennis Courts
96th Street and Riverside Drive, 212-978-0277
Tucked into Riverside Park on the edge of the Hudson River, these 10 clay courts will make you forget about city life. The well-kept courts are surrounded by gorgeous flowers and trees, giving players a beautiful view while serving up aces. In addition to free daily play (with a seasonal New York City Tennis Permit), the courts offer concerts, exhibitions, tournaments and lessons.


Bike path
Fort Tryon Park
1838 Riverside Dr.
Wind your way through 66 acres of trees and greenery in Fort Tryon Park, located at the northwestern tip of Manhattan in Inwood. The paved paths offer great views of the Hudson River and the calming quiet of a neighborhood-less-traveled.


Hiking trail
Breakneck Ridge
Between Cold Spring and Beacon
There are few places within close proximity to New York City where you will find true peace and quiet, but Breakneck Ridge is one of them. On the weekends, Metro-North makes a special stop right at the beginning of this breathtaking 10-mile trail, but be sure not to miss the afternoon train home or you'll be hitchhiking to the nearest town.


Sports facility
Chelsea Piers Sport and Entertainment Complex
23rd Street and the Hudson River, 212-336-6000
In the movie "Dodgeball," Ben Stiller may have thought that Globo Gym was the be all and end all of fitness centers, but he was dead wrong. With an indoor competition-style pool, basketball/volleyball courts, countless fitness classes and the largest indoor rock-climbing wall in the Northeast, The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers has pretty much everything a fitness fiend could ever want or need. After all that activity, you can always drag your aching body for a much-needed massage at the spa, which is conveniently just steps away.


Indoor pool
Asphalt Green
555 E. 90th St., 212-336-6000
Strap on your Speedo and Swimmies, and check out this recently renovated pool and fitness center, which features Manhattan's sole Olympic-sized (50-meter) pool. Offering swim, dive and water exercise programs for all ages and skill levels, the center houses a separate teaching and exercising pool. There are also one-on-one and semi-private (share a class with a friend) lessons for those needing extra TLC in their aquatic endeavors.


Bowling
Harlem Lanes
2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., 212-678-BOWL
Need to work on picking up that tricky seven-ten split? Then head to Harlem Lanes ($5.50 to $7.50 per game), Gotham's newest and definitely poshest bowling alley. With 24 lanes spread over two floors and an entertainment complex featuring a modern cafe, fully equipped sports bar and arcade, Harlem Lanes gives you just one more reason to head uptown.


Ice-skating
Wollman Rink, Central Park
830 Fifth Ave., 212-439-6900
Recreate the romantic moment where John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale twirl to their hearts' content in the film "Serendipity" -- or create your own special memory -- at this outdoor skating rink. The towering buildings that flank Central Park create the perfect New York City gazing experience while whirling around the rink. Best of all, admissions prices are reasonable -- adults are $9.50-$12 and children are $4.75-$5. For more serious skaters, Wollman offers lessons and a youth ice-hockey program.


Basketball court
West 4th Street Basketball Court
The West 4th court has become somewhat of a legend in New York City history. Not only is it famous for its nonregulation size, tough play and hosting of the Streetball amateur basketball tournament, but sometimes basketball greats can be caught shooting a few hoops with the everyday New Yorkers who frequent the Cage.


Skateboard park
Millennium Skate Park at Owl's Head
 Park
68th Street and Colonial Road, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
When the urge calls, local skaters can head to this mostly concrete, outdoor park. It's free to the public, and boasts both a street course and a combination of 14,000 square feet of concrete bowls. But bring your helmet -- on the weekends this place gets rough.


Value gym
Dolphin Fitness Clubs
www.dolphinfitnessclubs.com
Although the gym equipment is nothing fancy, it's hard to beat the $250 a year price tag that Dolphin Fitness has to offer. For seasonal gym-goers, Dolphin also offer great one- and three-month deals.


Unusual workout class
Hot Nude Yoga
100 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl
www.hotnudeyoga.com
Leave your inhibitions and tighty-whiteys at the door at this all-male, predominantly gay, ashtanga, vinyasa and tantra yoga venue where "being nude is mandatory, no exceptions." Though classes of all levels are offered for $20 each, Hot Nude Yoga requires participants to be in "good physical condition," determined by a pre-submitted photo of each wannabe yogi. But hey, if your bod doesn't make the cut, there's always the Hot Nude Yoga DVD collection.


Place to go sledding
Fort Greene Park
Address, Brooklyn
On a hilltop overlooking downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene Park offers 30 acres of perfect hills for sledding. The terrain ranges from gentle slopes for younger and beginning riders to nearly straight-down drops (with obstacles) for the more adventurous.


Playground
Diana Ross Playground
81st Street and Central Park West
Central Park's Diana Ross Playground may be named after the singing diva that donated a nice chunk of change to build this spot, but there is nothing diva-esque about this play haven for youngsters and their parents. With tire swings, a tube slide and a fountain to play in, this place could bring out the kid in anyone.

SERVICES:


Spa for creative treatments
Delluva Vinotherapy Day Spa
152 Franklin St., 866-9-DELLUVA
Owner Diane Hanson discovered vinotherapy (that's therapy using wine) during her honeymoon in South Africa and brought her discoveries stateside earlier this year. From body wraps to manicures, all treatments contain resveratrol, the antioxidant derived from Chardonnay and Cabernet wines. And a day at the spa should always end with a glass of wine in the Bordeaux Lounge.


Spa for relaxing decor
Great Jones Spa
29 Great Jones St., 212-505-3185
While customers rave about Great Jones Spa's array of incredible services, what's most impressive is its soothing decor. The place was designed to incorporate feng shui principals for the ultimate relaxing experience. Visitors can listen to the peaceful sounds of a three-story waterfall while enjoying a treatment or hang out in the river-rock sauna. Bet you thought you'd never do that in the middle of the city.


Manicure with a twist
Beauty Bar
231 E. 14th St., 212-539-1389
What was once a beauty salon in the 1960s is now a retro-chic beauty saloon where guests can get primped to DJ-spun music and, even better, sip cheap drinks. It's perfect for private parties or a girls' night out (the bar has a mostly female clientele). And check out the Martini & Manicure happy hour Wednesdays through Sundays, when $10 gets you a specialty cocktail and a manicure.


Best cheap haircut
Astor Place Hair
2 Astor Pl., 212-475-9854
Walking down the steps into Astor Place Hair is more akin to walking into someone's unfinished basement than into a hair salon. But what this family-owned Village legend lacks in decor, it makes up for in quality. And with its army of hairstylists (there are 80-plus stylists and three levels of expertise), you're bound to find whatever kind of cut or color you're craving, be it a basic bob or a blue mohawk.


Pet spa
The Salty Paw
38 Peck Slip, 212-732-2275
Indulgence is an understatement at The Salty Paw. For true pampering, treat your pet to the full-day, six-hour package. It will receive a shampoo and conditioning with an organic, deep-conditioning, oatmeal treatment; a 30-minute holistic full-body and paw massage; a blueberry facial; a teeth cleaning and inspection; a face and hand fur trim; and a blow dry and style. Whew! If you have an AKC-certified dog, The Salty Paw will give it the standard fancy show cut. Also available is a "pawdecure" with polish. After your pet's been treated royally, why not grab some "yoghund," a special frozen yogurt for dogs that comes in banana and peanut butter flavors.