A Flâneur Guide for Summer

What is a Flâneur?

The flâneur, a figure immortalized by French poet Charles Baudelaire, emerged in 19th-century Paris as the ultimate urban wanderer, an observer of modern life who is ever so attuned to the poetry of the streets. While the concept was born along the grand boulevards of Paris, nowhere does it feel more at home today than New York, a city that rewards the curious. 

Let this guide serve as a seasonal companion to your journey through the greatest city, selecting the finest exhibitions, openings, and experiences that, in our humble opinion, require more than a passing glance.

Table Talk

New & Notable Restaurants

Maison Passerelle
One Wall Street, Financial District
French technique meets bold, unexpected flavors at this fine-dining destination inside the highly anticipated Printemps New York. Led by the chef behind Portland’s Kann, the menu draws from Cambodia, Haiti, and Vietnam, offering refined and deeply soulful dishes.

Le Basque
15 Union Square West, Union Square
Plant-based dining feels newly imagined at this elegant newcomer, where French and Spanish influences shape dishes like smoked lentil faux gras or wood ear mushroom escargot. Each of the dishes is composed with a sense of structure, contrast, and surprise.

Huso
323A Greenwich St, Tribeca
Huso is a jewel box of indulgence, devoted to the world of caviar and fine seafood. Designed for the most discerning palates, it offers a refined, prix-fixe tasting menu anchored by rare sturgeon roe, sustainably sourced shellfish, and pristine accompaniments. With only a handful of seats and a hushed, elegant ambiance, Huso delivers an intimate journey through marine luxury.

Papa d’Amour
64 University Place, Greenwich Village
Dominique Ansel’s latest opening is less patisserie and more bakery, with a menu of shokupan, steamed buns, and custard tarts that blend French precision with Asian influence. The space feels casual, but each item reflects the kind of technique that rewards close attention.

Château Royale
205 Thompson Street, Greenwich Village
This intimate spot channels the romance of old-world French dining without feeling heavy or overdone. Classic techniques shine in deeply flavored sauces, impeccably roasted meats, and a wine list that leans lush and generous.

Nature Calls

Pickleball at Wollman Rink
830 5th Ave, Central Park
Each summer, the rink shifts from skates to paddles, with 14 pickleball courts open daily from morning through evening. Set in the heart of Central Park, the setting is as much a draw as the game itself.

The Met Rooftop
1000 5th Ave, Upper East Side
The Met’s rooftop returns each summer with long park views, seasonal cocktails, and a commissioned site-specific installation. This year, Jennie C. Jones presents Ensemble: three forms inspired by string instruments, rendered in aluminum and concrete.

Little Island
Pier 55
Built atop sculptural concrete columns, this public park rises gently above the Hudson River with gardens, shaded paths, and views that shift at every turn. During summer months, its open-air amphitheater becomes a stage for concerts, dance, and theater—many of them free.

Center Stage

Buena Vista Social Club
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W 45th St
Set to a live Cuban soundtrack, this new musical follows the artists behind one of the most beloved albums of all time. The story unfolds with heart and rhythm, blending Havana’s golden era with the memories that keep its spirit alive.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Marquis Theatre, 210 W 46th St
Set in 1959 Hawkins, this Broadway prequel to the Netflix series blends theatrical effects, period detail, and original storytelling to explore the origins of characters like Hopper, Joyce, and Henry Creel before the world knew the Upside Down.

Dead Outlaw
Longacre Theatre, 220 W 48th St
This musical recounts the true tale of Elmer McCurdy, a failed outlaw whose mummified body toured sideshows for decades. Blending dark humor and lyrical ballads, it finds unexpected poignancy in one of history’s more bizarre footnotes.

Purpose
Lyceum Theatre, 149 W 45th St
Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Phylicia Rashad, this family drama examines legacy and ambition within a powerful political dynasty. The staging is subtle but incisive, allowing its characters and questions to take center stage.

Gypsy
Majestic Theatre, 245 W 44th St
The Gilded Age star, Audra McDonald stars as Mama Rose in a revival directed by George C. Wolfe. The production steps away from showmanship, focusing instead on character and control, and offers a layered, more interior take on one of Broadway’s most iconic roles.

Culture in Context

The Frick Collection
1 E 70th St, Upper East Side
The Frick has returned to Fifth Avenue, its Gilded Age interiors newly restored and expanded. A $220 million renovation opened ten upstairs galleries and doubled display space. The Vermeer exhibition this June is poised to be a defining moment of the season.

INTER_
415 Broadway, SoHo
This immersive art and science experience blends cosmic visuals, motion-reactive installations, and moments of guided reflection. Housed in a landmarked former bank, INTER_ invites exploration of perception, energy, and connection through a multi-sensory, light-swept journey.

Pride Month (June)
Various Locations
June in New York means Pride. Youth Pride takes over the Seaport on June 28, followed by the March and PrideFest on June 29. The March begins right outside of The Fifth, infusing the neighborhood with the spirit of celebration and shared joy.

Pride Parade, 1980. Ron Simmons.

Dress Code

The Conservatory
20 Hudson Yards
This multi-brand concept store brings together independent fashion labels, niche fragrances, and luxurious home objects in a space that feels part gallery, part boutique. Brands like The Row and Bezabe sit beside sculptural ceramics and limited-run editions of cult beauty products.

Le Labo
18 W 29th Street, NoMad
This outpost offers the cult brand’s full line of hand-blended fragrances, with scents like Santal 33 and Thé Noir 29 mixed to order behind the counter. The lab-like interior is softened by warm wood and shelves of apothecary-style bottles, giving the space a tactile, almost analog quality.

Local Legends

Flatiron Building
23rd St & 5th Ave
Completed in 1902, this wedge-shaped skyscraper stands where Fifth Avenue meets Broadway. Its unusual triangular form was a marvel of its time and remains one of New York’s most photographed buildings. Restoration is ongoing, but the view from the park remains iconic.

Shake Shack — The Original
Madison Square Park
Born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, the original kiosk remains a neighborhood staple. Burgers, fries, and frozen custard are served beneath the trees. It’s a casual ritual that still feels most satisfying where it all began.

The Wandering Eye

A Century of The New Yorker
New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building | Feb 22, 2025–Feb 21, 2026
This centennial look at The New Yorker traces a hundred years of wit, critique, and illustrated life. Through covers, drafts, and artifacts, the exhibition reveals how a magazine shaped by cartoons and prose became part of the city’s own identity.

Andy Warhol: Oxidation Paintings
Skarstedt Gallery, Chelsea | May 1 – June 28, 2025
This exhibition highlights one of Warhol’s most provocative series, created using metallic paint and uric acid to produce shimmering, abstract surfaces. These works challenge traditional ideas of authorship and beauty, revealing a raw, experimental side of Warhol’s practice.

Sargent and Paris
The Met – Tisch Galleries | April 27–August 3, 2025
This exhibition focuses on John Singer Sargent’s formative years in Paris, where he developed his early style between 1874 and 1884. Through portraits, figure studies, and the controversial Madame X, the show reveals how the city shaped his artistic identity.

After Hours

Monsieur
86 E 4th St, East Village
Designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, this cocktail bar channels French Gothic drama through stained glass, candelabras, velvet drapery, and a glass-encased suit of armor. Classic drinks are delivered with just enough theater to feel at home in the world they’ve created.

Obvio
3 E 28th St, NoMad
Mirrored panels and curved stone walls set the tone at this cocktail bar, where the design feels immersive without being overstated. Drinks are technically precise and visually intentional. Dinner is available, but the bar is the real draw.

Bronze Owl
52 W 33rd St, Koreatown
Inspired by New York nightlife in the ’70s and ’80s, this cocktail bar brings vintage glamour into the present with plush banquettes, mirrored walls, and a soundtrack to match. Italian-leaning drinks and small plates round out the experience without stealing the spotlight.

All photography credit: Youn Jung Kim.

Follow the guide, then follow your instincts. This city belongs to those who find wonder wherever they wander.

This is brought to you by The Fifth Avenue Hotel, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 28th Street.