if you go
WHERE TO STAY
Bowery Hotel: See and be seen amid cozy country-manor style bars and library or airy, hip restaurant. Rooms from $375 per night. www.theboweryhotel.com; 1-212-505-9100.
Sohotel: Affordable boutique gem with small rooms and no frills but cool exposed brick and excellent beds. Rooms from $149. www.thesohotel.com; 1-800-737-0702.
WHERE TO EAT
The General: Large Asian fusion restaurant and jazz spot. Small plates, shareables, buzzy crowd. Entrees start at $24. emmgrp.com/restaurants/the-general; 1-212-271-7101
Think Coffee: One of the Bowery's few coffee shops. Great coffee and soup make up for haughty staff. Espresso-based drinks from $3.75, soup or sandwiches from $5.75. thinkcoffeenyc.com; 1-212-533-3366
WHAT TO DO
New Museum of Contemporary Art: American, international, established and emerging artists. Don't miss views of downtown, bridges and midtown from outdoor deck. $16. www.new museum.org; 1-212-219-1222
Patricia Field boutique: Post-punk-meets-vintage via crazy, tarty, draggy fashion and accessories. Has a hair salon. Merchandise from $5. patriciafield.com; 1-212-966-4066.
Bowery Poetry: Was the Bowery Poetry Club, poetry slams, performance art. www.boweryartsand science.org.
Joanna Walters
