Where to go in The Big Apple on a short timeframe

Lower Manhattan may not be packed with iconic sights, but SoHo and Greenwich Village are unrivalled for food, drink and shopping

1 The Evolution Store

SoHo, an abbreviation of south of Houston (Street), is a flâneurs’ playground. There’s still a slightly bohemian feel, but rather than artists’ studios, the cobbled streets are now home to shops of every stripe, from the high-end fashion of Prada to the classic designs of J Crew. Shopping is focused between Broadway west to Sixth Avenue and Houston Street south to Canal Street, but for something a little different, head further north into Greenwich Village. Goods for the Study on 8th Street sells covetable stationery, while The Evolution Store on Broadway is filled with collectibles on a scientific/natural history theme. Look upon a visit as being in a museum, with the benefit that all the exhibits, which include animal skulls and meteorites, are up for sale. theevolutionstore.com

2 Parm

Few cities do sandwiches as well as the Big Apple. Whether it’s a salt beef Reuben on rye with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, a bagel piled high with cream cheese and salmon, or a meatball sub, this is a glutton’s paradise. Court Street Grocers in LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village is a contender for the crown of New York’s best Reuben. Bagel aficionados should hotfoot it to Black Seed on Elizabeth Street in Nolita (north of Little Italy), which some claim makes the best in the world. If you have a soft spot for Italian-American specialities, head to Mulberry Street in Little Italy and order the Chicken Parm ( parmigiana) at the aptly named, retro-styled Parm – crisp breaded chicken, rich tomato sauce and oodles of mozzarella in a soft roll ( prepare to make a mess). parmnyc.com

3 Washington Square Park

In the warmer months, get your food “to go” and stroll to Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. This is a great place to get a sense of the city and its diverse inhabitants. Its location by New York University’s campus means there are plenty of students studying and relaxing, alongside office workers catching an hour of sun, and street artists and musicians – it’s prime real estate for people-watching. The Washington Arch ( built in 1892) is a mini replica of the Arc de Triomphe, while those hoping to cool off when the city gets too hot can be found splashing in the fountain. The park’s history is equally varied and interesting – it started life as a cemetery, before becoming a parade ground, then a favoured haunt of the well-to-do, followed by a hotbed of political ferment. nycgovparks.org

4 Hotel Hugo

The bar scene in SoHo is something special. In winter, head for one of the underground speakeasies. You could certainly do worse than The Ship on Lafayette Street, with its stylish, contemporary nautical theme. Make a beeline for one of the comfortable white leather booths or perch at the bar and enjoy potent concoctions, in subtler combinations than some of the blousy mixes favoured by many a cocktail bar nowadays. Come summer, drinks are best enjoyed while ogling a city skyline, and New York boasts many pleasing angles to choose from. One of the best can be admired from Hotel Hugo on Greenwich Street. Take the lift up to the top floor and watch the sun sink behind Hoboken across the Hudson River in New Jersey, drink in hand. hotelhugony.com

5 Grand Banks

While it’s still just light, walk off the potency of your cocktail with a riverside amble. Around 15 minutes away by foot is Grand Banks – a great dining option, even if you’re not quite ravenous after your earlier sandwich. Open between April and September, this floating restaurant on a boat moored off Pier 25 at Hudson River Park specialises in seafood, with oysters a particular focus. Get your timing right and you can enjoy native oysters grown in the waters around New York State itself. Of course, the slippery shellfish are not for everyone, but those with an aversion will find plenty of other dishes to tempt, from lobster rolls to soft-shell crab or caviar. Bookings are not taken, but visit after 8pm and things should have quietened down. grandbanks.nyc

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