Just a few strides from the pulsing beat of Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen has a much more local pulse than its buzzing neighbour. The low-key vibe is part of the appeal, but there’s also a new energy arriving in the neighbourhood in the form of modern residential buildings with new retail and food shops. Ninth Avenue is lined with restaurants of all types, from tiny Thai hangouts and Italian trattorias to French bistros and Southern cuisine. Just show up hungry and walk up and down the street, you are bound to find something that looks good. For a more classic taste of the city, grab a bite to eat along Restaurant Row (46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues) before a Broadway show. The Hudson River provides a break from the city blocks with riverside views, piers for boat tours, and parks perfect for a stroll.