Union Square

Union Square is the beating heart of Manhattan. The square itself hosts everything from concerts to protest rallies to the farmers' market, and its surrounding neighborhoods each borrow its flavor while maintaining their own vibe and identity. The haste and hullabaloo of the city calms considerably as you stroll through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Murray Hill, the Flatiron District, and Gramercy, east of 5th Avenue between 14th and 40th streets. Although its name is fairly unknown, Murray Hill is a charming residential neighborhood -- between 34th and 40th streets from 5th Avenue to 3rd Avenue -- with some high-profile haunts, including the Morgan Library and King Kong's favorite hangout, the Empire State Building.

A little farther south, the Flatiron District -- anchored by Madison Square on the north and Union Square to the south -- is one of the city's hottest neighborhoods, bustling with shoppers and lined with trendy stores, restaurants, and hotels. Here stands the photogenic Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, the Museum of Sex, and an elegant turn-of-the-20th-century skyline.

Gramercy Park, a leafy, dignified, and mostly residential neighborhood, is named for its 1831 gated garden square ringed by historic buildings and pricey hotels. Even though you can't unpack your picnic in this exclusive residents-only park, you can bask in its historic surroundings and literary significance. Gramercy's gems are the Players Club, the National Arts Club, a street named after writer Washington Irving, and the exclusive Gramercy Park.