This is a sponsored post written by Shaz, Content Editor of MySuites.
Manhattan’s NoMad (that’s North of Madison or Madison Square North for non-locals) is one of the City’s most up-and-coming districts; think the artsy creativity of Greenwich Village coupled with the ambition of the Flatiron District. If you’re planning to visit New York anytime in the near future, NoMad should absolutely be on your list of “can’t miss” neighborhoods. The district was once considered somewhat dangerous, with rampant gang activity and petty crime.
Today, however, NoMad couldn’t be more different. As referenced in a January 2019 New York Times piece, it is a fabulous location for families, with easy access to Madison Square Park, which offers children’s play spaces and year-round activities for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a safe, convenient location for your upcoming visit to the Island, NoMad just might be the ideal spot for you. In this guide, you’ll discover all the great things there are to see and do without ever leaving the Madison Square Park vicinity.
Landmarks
Marble Collegiate Church – Established in 1628, Marble Collegiate Church is among the oldest Protestant religious congregations in the United States. It’s current building, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 20th Street in NoMad, was built from 1851-1854. It was named a New York City historic landmark in 1967. This, and more historic information, is available on the church’s website.
If you find yourself strolling through NoMad, you aren’t likely to miss this Romanesque style structure. No matter what your personal faith system is, the people of Marble Collegiate Church are welcoming and enjoy having visitors from all demographics. Don’t hesitate to step inside to enjoy the incredible architecture of this building.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Monument – Located on the north end of Madison Square Park, the bronze monument of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut is considered by many to be one of New York’s most attractive sculptures, as per the official website of New York City’s Parks and Recreation Department . Following an illustrious career that began at the age of 9, Farragut reached the rank of Admiral in 1866 and passed away in 1870. The NoMad district monument was unveiled in 1881. Farragut’s burial site is in the Bronx.
69th Regiment Armory – Construction on the 69th Regiment Armory lasted from 1904-1906. The building is styled in the Beaux-Arts fashion, which was a notable departure from the medieval fortress look that had, according to the building’s Wikipedia page, previously been used on all armories in New York City. The armory still functions as the base of the New York National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Regiment, but has also been used for a variety of other purposes.
In 1913, for example, the Armory hosted an art show that formally introduced New York City to modern art. Now-famous artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh were featured in the controversial show, which was met with conflicting opinions from both the public and art critics. In more recent decades, the Armory has played host to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the annual MoCCA Art Festival.
Restaurants
noda – A decidedly upscale sushi bar, noda has only eight seats. It does, however, feature a separate lounge section. The restaurant focuses on serving high-quality omakase dinners; “omakase” is a Japanese term that means “I’ll leave it up to you.” In terms of dining at noda, it means that diners get to craft their own sushi platters. If you’re a sushi fan, you can’t leave NoMad without visiting noda.
Quality Eats – Quality Eats is a sleek steakhouse with an extensive menu that includes everything from filet mignon to grilled Scottish salmon to lemon-charred chicken. The establishment is family friendly, with a “Little Eats” children’s menu available. Brunch is also served. Whether you’re looking for an upscale casual lunch or a date night to remember, Quality Eats is a versatile (and delicious!) option.
The NoMad Restaurant – A multi-room space that surrounds a glass atrium, The NoMad restaurant features a refined, yet approachable, food and cocktail menu. Inspired by Chef Daniel Humm’s travels through Switzerland, California, and New York City itself, the stunning restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, so you should have no trouble finding time to visit before your stay in the Madison Square Park district is over.
Galleries/Museums
MoMath (National Museum of Mathematics) – The award-winning MoMath (National Museum of Mathematics) opened in the NoMad neighborhood in 2012. The facility features a wide variety of math-oriented exhibits that will appeal to visitors in every age group. Even if you didn’t enjoy math as a student, MoMath offers engaging, interactive activities that will bring math to life and help you look at the subject in an entirely new way.
Visit www.MoMoth.org for a complete list of current exhibits. Highlights include “Hoop Curves,” an exhibit that allows guests to enter a regulation-sized free throw area and take robotic shots, and “Tracks of Galileo,” a track that visitors can adjust in an effort to find the fastest way for a ball to reach the bottom.
NYCoo Gallery – Recently renamed to simply “Coo Gallery,” this space is dedicated to showcasing work from a variety of up-and-coming NYC-based artists. Once exclusively home to pieces by Keico Watanabe and Kotatsu Iwata, newer additions include Aiko Kurebayashi, Kenichi Nakajima, and Yuko Ueda. This light, airy location is the perfect place to look for a new piece for your art collection.
Center for Book Arts, Inc. – The Center for Book Arts, Inc. was founded in 1974 in an effort to promote books as pieces of art while maintaining the existence of traditional book-making endeavors. The organization is housed in a 5,000 square foot facility in the NoMad neighborhood. The Center for Book Arts, Inc. offers a wide range of classes, including typography, bookbinding, and paper marbling.
As a visitor, you will have access to a nearly 1,000 square foot exhibition area that features a Fine Art Collection, a Reference Collection, and an Archives Collection. If you have questions about this organization, or if you would like to see what will be going on at their facility during your visit to NYC, visit https://centerforbookarts.org/.
Where to stay
Ace Hotel – The Ace Hotel is known for its cooler-than-cool vibe, incredibly soft beds, and easy access to delectable food and drink offerings. The oak paneled Lobby Bar serves-up classic cocktails in a space that is quintessentially Manhattan, while the nearby The Breslin restaurant offers fresh farm-to-table fare in a rustic-chic environment. Visit https://www.acehotel.com/newyork/ to book.
The NoMad Hotel – Situated in a restored Beaux-Arts building, The NoMad Hotel features sumptuous interior design with truly French flair. The entire space was inspired by the Parisian apartment decorator Jacques Garcia lived in during his childhood. The 168-room hotel is the perfect choice for those who live for European luxury, but still want to experience New York’s own modern, streamlined design sensibilities. Visit https://www.thenomadhotel.com/ to book.
MySuites – MySuites offers what are perhaps the most unique accommodations in New York City. Instead of merely renting a room in a Manhattan neighborhood like NoMad, MySuites allows you to truly integrate yourself into the district’s daily life. Just like full-time residents, you will return home to a beautifully appointed condo where you can cook a meal, relax, or get ready to go out on the town. You can’t go wrong with MySuites. Visit https://www.mysuites.net/ to book.
There’s no place like New York and there’s no place like NoMad. As you plan your next trip to Manhattan, keep this exciting neighborhood in the forefront of your mind. Whether you decide to stay in the Madison Square Park area or you opt to just visit the area, there’s something for everyone in NoMad.
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