Flatiron

Home of the iconic 1902 Flatiron Building (the one that looks like a big sliver of skyscraper pie), at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, this district pulses with a cool, very urban energy.  It was the first center of the pre-2000 NYC Internet start-up era — Silicon Alley – and retains that creative edge as the tech revolution has spread throughout the city. The Ladies’ Mile Historic District, a 28-block landmark area, was once the prime department store shopping destination for proper ladies at the end of the 19^th century. Those fine old cast-iron and beaux arts buildings are now repurposed into new retail hubs – especially home and design stores. On 23^rd Street new local and organic restaurants are opening by the day; Eataly (say it; get it?) is food purveyor heaven. The lovely Madison Square Park has both large and small dog parks. Union Square’s fabulous farmers’ market is one of the top attractions in a city full of them.