Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....
Oct 16, 2025

Architectural art New York

The Met Museum 2

"I recommend checking out the 'industrial and architectural' art in the Met in New York, namely this pair of staircases, to be found nowhere else..."

My reasons for traveling abroad include to visit big, unique museums so that I can examine that which a culture chooses to display in order to reveal itself --- its wealth, its history, its ‘state of itself’.

For Europeans or Asians to visit the Met Museum of Art and get a sense of that is problematic because so much of what the museum displays is of European and Asian origin. Why come here to see less of what is there?

There is more than one answer to that question, but something the museum does display that is rarely seen abroad (that I know of) is American ‘industrial and architectural’ art.

Such is the pair of staircases from the Chicago Stock Exchange building by D. Adler and the much more famous Louis Sullivan. Of course, in the American fashion, that building was demolished in 1972 to make way for something bolder and more brash. The sense of the past is sometimes less important than the sense of an even more prosperous future.

In fact, this building was among the first of the great American skyscrapers.

You’ll find very little of this type of artifact in museums outside this country.

The Bayard Building, at 65 Bleecker Street, is the only work of architect Louis Sullivan in New York City.

On March 1, 2018, the Met instituted a $25 mandatory fee for patrons who do not reside in New York State. The ticket covers the Met (Fifth Avenue), the Met Breuer and the Cloisters.

002-building
Art & culture

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

About this spot

5th Avenue 1000

US$

no-price

2125357710

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

35 Times, Toby Buonagurio

Subway art 10

"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 17, 2025

The Pythian Temple

R&R Shrine

"The Pythian Temple" in NYC was designed in 1927 for the movie 'The Knights of Pythias'; today, it's remarkable for much more than its beauty...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

A Gathering, 2001 - Muñoz & Martin

Subway art 13

"A Gathering, 2001" by Muñoz & Martin in the Canal Street train station in NYC 'enlivens the space & provides respite from the busy commercialism above'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Saiguette

Vietnamese counter/takeout

I first returned to the Vietnamese restaurant "Saiguette" in NYC for its light, rich, rejuvenating soups, but I also recommend the pork shoulder sandwich.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Rucker Park

NBA caliber street basketball

"Rucker Park" in New York City is where big men and children come to play basketball, strut, defy, dominate make a name for themselves. You have to see it.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Whirls and Twirls (MTA), Sol LeWitt

Subway art 3

The Subway Art in Columbus Circle New York City by Sol LeWitt is one of the pieces that make me feel I need to stop to take it all in...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Subway Portraits, Chuck Close

Subway art 1

I took the Q train in New York and reached the 86th Street station, where twelve Chuck Close mosaic mesmerizing portraits adorn the walls...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Music Inn

Instruments, custom & stock

"Music Inn" in New York City is run by musician, instrument designer & inventor Jeff Slatnick. There are musical instruments just everywhere in the shop...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

The Return of Spring, Jack Beal

Subway art 7

"The Return of Spring - Jack Beal" in New York is a mosaic mural in the Times Square station in the IRT West Side Lin mezzanine. Is it really Wayne Gretzky?

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Di Fara, Brooklyn

Pizza 1

"Di Fara" in New York is the best pizza pilgrimage one can go on. This local favorite makes a time-capsulized pizza restaurant. Its crust sets it apart...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Sal & Carmine's, Upper West Side

Pizza 2

"Sal & Carmine's" makes real New York pizza. It's a small place, the pizza boxes are stacked 15 high, the lineup look like locals - all good signs.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

New York in Transit, Jacob Lawrence

Subway art 8

"New York in Transit - Jacob Lawrence", I've been passing this piece a lot lately. Nearby is a spot where musicians hang out, so it's nice to pause here...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 16, 2025

Heading to New York?

308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

New York app Home
New York app Home
New York app Map
New York app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

308 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 500 Spotters.
Filters